Chapter 152: Chapter 151: The Brash Eccentric

After the recent commotion, the group arrived at Snow Deer Ridge around dinnertime. It was the largest trading post in Snow Deer Valley.

The town was built on a small knoll, enclosed by a wooden wall ten meters high. The entrance was deserted, just an empty gateway.

A few Torches burned on the wall, their pitiful flames struggling desperately in the wind.

"Are you Adventurers?" a Guard on the watchtower shouted, leaning out as the group approached.

"That’s us!"

Before Colin could speak, Kase stepped forward to answer.

"Hey, isn’t that Kase? Is that really you?" the Guard said, leaning farther out. "Told you not to head south! There’s nothing for you in the land of those cunning southerners!"

As one of those "cunning southerners," Colin was surprised. ’I never thought I’d see the day my local reputation was lower than Kase’s.’

"I came back this time to check on the tribe," Kase said. "Still no tax to get in, right? Same as before?"

"Of course not! While you’re at it, hurry ’em up with the new hides. The latest shipment is days late, and none of our guys dare take the mountain path to check."

"Will do."

With that, Colin followed Kase into the town.

"You’re pretty popular around here," Colin said with a laugh, nudging Kase’s arm.

"Of course! Most of the hides here come from my tribe. I know these Guards real well!" the Half-Orc said proudly. "This is where I practiced my Common Language."

"Mr. Kase, your Common Language is quite good, really. It just has a bit of a northern accent," Orelia added, praising him.

Kase froze when he heard that.

He asked with a puzzled look, "I have an accent? Isn’t this just standard Common Language?"

"You really thought you didn’t have an accent?" That question even made Colin pause for a moment.

The group continued walking through the streets as they talked.

The town was slightly larger than Torrent Bay, with what looked to be over three hundred households.

Most of the buildings were semi-subterranean, dome-shaped wooden houses. Their roofs were covered with thick layers of peat and snow, with only the pointed, chimneyed tops exposed. The main road was paved with stone slabs, flanked by drainage ditches to carry away melted snow.

It was so cold that there was almost no one on the streets.

The group walked to a small plaza in the center of town and soon spotted a tavern with a wreath of wheat hanging by its door.

"Finally, a place to rest."

Colin sighed in relief, pushed open the tavern door, and strode inside.

The tavern was quite lively, filled with people eating and drinking. A Wandering Poet stood by the counter in the middle of the room, playing a Lute.

"Well, if it isn’t our Bear Hunter! You’re finally back! Are those your friends? This round is on me!"

The tavern owner called out the moment they walked in.

Some of the other patrons began to cheer, raising their mugs to the group in a salute.

Kase offered a brief acknowledgment, then led the other two to their free meal. Orelia, who had never received such treatment, was a little overwhelmed by the attention, and her already red face seemed to flush a few shades deeper.

Once things quieted down, Colin began to survey his surroundings as he ate.

He saw almost no Adventurers or Mercenaries in the tavern. Most people were sitting in twos and threes, drinking and chatting quietly. The atmosphere was quite harmonious.

This wasn’t surprising. After all, Adventurers were out to make money, and a poor backwater like this was no place to get rich. Add in the shocking cold, and it was no wonder no one wanted to come, especially during this period of cold disaster.

Colin looked toward the Wandering Poet.

’Come to think of it, the supply point Edwin told them about belongs to an organization called the Five-Stringed.’

’The members of this organization are said to be Green Forest Heroes who despise evil and love freedom. Most are Rangers or Wandering Poets who are quick to stand up for justice.’

’Compared to an aggressive, hardline organization like the Paladins, the members of the Five-Stringed are more skilled in infiltration and intelligence. They gather any information related to evil organizations, notify other righteous individuals, and wait for the right moment to launch a coordinated, righteous assault.’

’As such, they are mortal enemies of the Viper Association, diametrically opposed in every way.’

’Looks like the person by the counter is probably a member of the Five-Stringed.’

’Edwin had warned him to be careful when making contact and to avoid drawing attention...’

’Then again, how was he supposed to *not* draw attention when he was traveling with a locally famous Half-Orc and a Half-Demon? But then again, would the Viper Association really be paying attention to a poor backwater like this?’

Internally conflicted, Colin impassively went and ordered food and drinks for himself and the other two.

Just as he was sitting at the table eating, the tavern door was suddenly thrown open with a BAM.

Colin glanced over and immediately frowned.

’That silvery-gold hair, those aggressive eyes... Isn’t that the Half-Elf I ran into a few times in Thousand Masts City? How does she just pop up out of nowhere?’

She was now wearing a thick leather coat, its fluffy fur collar framing her delicate face. A few snowflakes were caught in her hair, making her look somewhat disheveled.

On her back was a large pack with a bedroll strapped to it, so big it looked disproportionate to her frame.

"Isn’t that the one worth over a hundred Gold Coins? You remember, the Half-Elf arsonist!" Kase whispered. "You rarely see Half-Elves around here. I don’t know her."

Orelia muttered, "But she doesn’t look like a criminal. Calm down, Mr. Kase."

Colin hesitated, unsure if he should say anything.

In the time he hesitated, the Half-Elf studied Kase, then glanced at Colin. She then walked right over, dropped her backpack by their table, and went to the counter to order.

"What’s her deal?"

Kase muttered, exchanging a glance with Orelia. Then, they both turned to look at the silent Colin.

"Um, I... I’ve run into her a few times, by chance."

"A girl that pretty? Mr. Colin, it feels almost rude of me to look like this!" Orelia quickly fussed with her hair, looking ashamed of her own appearance.

"There’s no need to say it’s ’rude how you look.’ You’re quite— "

Before he could finish, the Half-Elf came bustling over with food and ale, setting them on the table without any regard for the strange looks from the other two.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Alessandra Orellion." The Half-Elf lifted the hem of her coat in a curtsy. "May I be permitted to join you for dinner?"

"Such a long, complicated name. Who’s gonna remember that? Honestly..."

Kase muttered under his breath while Orelia quickly stood and, imitating the newcomer, also performed a curtsy, followed by a welcoming gesture.

"If you can’t remember it, you can just call me Ale."

The Half-Elf then sat down beside Colin, completely ignoring Kase’s slightly hostile comment.

"Um... is there something we can help you with?" Colin asked.