Chapter 2. The Northen Lights 6

When they came out of the cave, there was snowfield in front of them.

“Wow! We are out finally!”

Rashid ran to the snowfield by leaving his footprints on the snow. After a while, he felt the northern winds cold. He said, “Whoa! It’s really cold!”

Gray put a leather jacket on him, and said,

“This area is the coldest in Antaria. Because it’s summer, it is not that cold right now. But if there is a blizzard, nobody can survive, not even the natives here.”

“So.. the blizzard is the most threatening thing here.”

“You’re right, but there is something else we need to be careful.”

“What’s that?”

“The Caliper Tribe. They are a warlike people, and they fight until one of them die for the smallest of reasons. Moreover, they are very suspicious of the other tribes.”

“I have not heard about such a savage tribe before.”

At that time, Locarno said, “By the way, is there any town? We have been wounded from the slimes, and now it is cold. I really want to take a rest.”

“After we travel for a day, we will get to the Ryka Tribe’s village. When we get there, you can take a rest, Sir.”

“Aren’t they also savage? Like The Caliper Tribe?”

“Ryka Tribe’s people are friendly to visitors. And the chief is a close friend to me.”

“Ok, then let’s hurry everyone!”

Rashid hurried everyone to move forward. Rashid was the one who spoke with Gray the most. This curious prince asked a lot about Gray’s experiences. He stuck to him, even until it was time to sleep.  Locarno sometimes reminded him that it could hurt his dignity, but it was ignored because Rashid looked really happy.

“…….. that’s it….”

“whoooaaa! Really interesting, Gray!”

“is it, Prince?”

“Yes! Yes! Anything else, Gray?”

“HALT!!!!!!!!!!”

When Gray was about to tell another story, there were some people who blocked the way. They were five people who wore brown armors with shields and spears, and bows.

“these are Warriors of the Caliper Tribe,”

And then, Gray came forward and asked,

“What’s going on guys?”

One of Caliper Tribes who seemed to be the leader said,

“We don’t care who you are, but this is our sacred land! No visitors allowed! Go back!”

Rashid asked Gray, “Do we have to go back Gray?”

“No.. we don’t have to… it’s weird. This area isn’t their sacred land. Let me talk with them, Prince.” ,Gray said to Rashid before facing the Caliper Tribe, “They are from Bifrost palace. We will be passing here quietly. So please let us go.”

“No! If you pass this way, our sacred land will be tarnished!”

“Isn’t there any other way?”

“Well….. it is not impossible to pass here, but….”

It means they have another purpose to stop paladins, and Gray was also well aware of that due to his experience.

 “We will pay, and our weapons will be left here, and we will get them back when we come back according to Caliper’s rule.”

“Ok, one million eld!”

“What!?”

Gray was embarrassed with their ridiculous proposal. One million eld is a huge amount of money. But after a while, Gray thought it is negotiable.

‘Hmm… maybe it can be halved…. No.. half of half could be…’

At that time, Locarno shouted, “What? Ten thousand eld?”

“We will not force you! If you don’t want to, go back!”

“Are you disrespecting us paladins? I will only give you my spear!”

After that, Locarno swung his spear at one of them, and the one fell down and died immediately.

“Sir Locarno!!!”

“Run…. Run!!!!!!!!!”

The other Caliper Tribe people ran away and Locarno smiled at them running.

“Haha, it’s a piece of cake!”

Eiolin and Duran came to Gray and Locarno,

“Did you have to kill them, Locarno?”

“Why were you so hasty?”

“They asked too much!! They deserved to die!”

Gray sighed, and said, “We can’t take it back…but they will chase us soon. We all will die if we just stay here. Let’s find the place to hide.”

They climbed up the mountain and when they get to the peak, there was a fortress in front of them.

It was a small fortress made of logs, which doesn’t have the gate, and looks so old. But at least, it seemed to be good enough to protect them.

“Is it…?”

“It is Caliper’s fortress.”

Gray answered to Locarno, and Locarno said, “Fortress? In their sacred land??!! They lied! It was just for money.”

Michael said, “We should make some barriers because there is no gate here.”

“Let’s stay here and prepare for Caliper’s attack!”

Eiolin decided and helped them to make barriers.

After a while, The Calipers were going to rush into here….

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