Holy Snow Crystal

Thirty years Shinshi Era.

Northern Plateau.

The Schumar Snowfield.

After crossing the Toya Gorge, Rienta and her group did not continue as planned.

Instead, they headed towards the heart of the Schumar Snowfield.

The reason for choosing to take the detour was that Frieren had mentioned something about 'Holy Snow Crystal'.

Holy Snow Crystal.

A mineral unique to the Schumar Snowfield.

Because it can be used as a raw material for Potions, and it can only be mined here.

In addition, with the passage of time, the 'Holy Snow Crystals' in the outer areas have long been mined out.

The rest exist in dangerous areas inhabited by ferocious Magical Beast.

Therefore, 'Holy Snow Crystals' are extremely valuable.

Of course, Rienta is not short of money these days.

He wanted to go to this place simply because, when Frieren, who wasn't good at hiding her emotions, talked about it, it sounded like she was reminiscing about something.

No need to think about it.

There must be memories related to Himmel here as well.

Isn't this the goal of this trip?

Although there was an additional destination later on: 'Aurevole'.

However, the two are not contradictory.

The Heaven of Aurevole is now known as Ende, the capital of the Demon King.

Frieren and Himmel fought against the Demon King.

The paths to both goals are the same.

Rienta and the others walked for a long time in the snowfield before finally spotting a campsite made up of many tents.

According to Frieren, this camp was set up by adventurers who came to mine 'Holy Snow Crystals'.

Inside the camp.

A number of physically strong adventurers were gathered together.

A man who appeared to be the leader was shouting loudly.

"Brothers! Let's give it our all today!!"

Just from their tone, Rienta could tell their determination to dig up the 'Holy Snow Crystal'.

Yes, that's a very exciting scene.

If we ignore the hoes they're holding...

After entering the camp.

Frieren, who was walking ahead, said, "Let's go check out the Adventurers' Market first; we'll see some really interesting things!"

Interesting things?

Rienta and Stark didn't seem to care much.

But upon hearing this, Fern immediately became alert.

It wasn't that she was worried about the money; she was just afraid that Frieren would buy some strange Potions again.

The campsite wasn't very big.

Rienta and the others arrived at the market after walking for only a short while.

Stark looked around and said, puzzled, "It looks like just an ordinary market..."

Coincidentally, the group happened to pass by a bread stall.

Frieren gestured for everyone to look at the stall. "Why don't you take another look at the prices?"

Rienta glanced at the price list displayed on the stall and her eyes widened instantly.

An ordinary loaf of bread was priced as high as one silver coin.

Although it looks alright, why is it so expensive when it's just casually piled up in the basket?

We don't require you to have a fancy hairstyle.

At the very least, this price isn't unreasonable for a platter, is it?

Fern took a closer look and, after confirming that it was just ordinary bread, exclaimed in surprise:

"A loaf of bread costs one silver coin, which is more than ten times the market price."

Having already witnessed this before Frieren didn't look at the outrageous price with the others.

Instead, they found a seat by the campfire next to the stall and sat down to warm themselves.

The campfire was burning brightly.

Frieren stretched out her hands, warming them by the fire, and explained:

"Because their customers are all wealthy people who make money mining 'Holy Snow Crystals'."

Prices are definitely higher compared to other regions.

Seeing this, Rienta and the other two followed Frieren's example, sitting down by the campfire and stretching out their hands to warm themselves in the firelight.

"I see."

Stark suddenly realized.

Rienta pursed her lips, said nothing, and quietly warmed herself by the fire.

He can be said to have a lot to say on this topic.

There is a very famous road in Rongcheng.

The place sells a wide variety of things, and there are many mobile stalls near that road.

Fried potato chunks.

As the name suggests, it involves cutting potatoes into chunks and frying them.

The normal procedure is to fry them once for later use, and then fry them again when a customer orders them, so that the outside is crispy and the inside is soft.

After adding various seasonings and scallions, mix well and it's ready to eat.

Rienta really likes this snack and has eaten it many times.

Normally, a serving of fried potato chunks consists of about ten to twenty pieces of potato, each about one to two centimeters in size.

One normally grown potato is more than enough for one serving, and there might even be more than enough.

About 300 meters from this road, a serving of fried potato dumplings costs 7 yuan.

And what about the area around this road?

12 yuan per serving.

Moreover, the taste was... indescribable.

Not to mention the potatoes weren't fried long enough; the same serving of fried potatoes tasted three different things.

That's absolutely outrageous.

After inwardly cursing the unscrupulous merchant, Rienta let out a long sigh.

"At this price, we'd better not buy any local specialties here."

"Let's rest for a day, then head straight to find the 'Holy Snow Crystal'."

Rienta has money, but there's absolutely no need for her to spend it here.

They haven't had a proper rest in a long time since entering the Schumar Snowfield.

There's a campsite here; we can just rent a tent from a local.

There is a tent in Rienta's Personal Space.

But those tents weren't enough to keep them warm for a night in this kind of weather.

Upon hearing this, Frieren blinked and immediately chimed in agreement:

"Rienta is absolutely right, we really should take a break."

"However, I have a different opinion regarding the length of this break."

I think...

"Lord Frieren!"

Fern frowned and angrily interrupted Frieren's next words.

"Okay, okay, I got it. Let's take a day off then..."

Frieren spoke with a very aggrieved expression, even her usually erect ears drooping.

Rienta watched this scene speechlessly; Frieren's map of Yan was far too small.

Looking at the stunned and bewildered Stark, Rienta sighed, then looked at Frieren and said:

"Alright, alright, Lady Frieren, let's cross this snowfield first, and then stay a while longer when we reach the next large town."

"After all, the weather on this snowy plain is harsh, so we can't really get a proper rest, can we?"

Frieren's aggrieved expression faltered for a moment, then she murmured thoughtfully, "Hmm... Rienta said seems to make a lot of sense."

After saying that, Frieren glanced furtively at Fern beside her.

Rienta, of course, understood what Frieren meant.

Now that Frieren has been appeased, only Fern remains.

Rienta happened to be sitting next to Fern, so she leaned close to Fern's ear and whispered a few words.

Fern was initially puzzled, then a blush suddenly appeared on her face. She glanced at Stark, then nodded, which was considered an agreement.

Rienta gave Frieren a look.

Frieren understood the meaning behind that look perfectly.

Her eyebrows curved, the corners of her mouth turned up, and she subconsciously wanted to say something.

Rienta instantly understood Frieren and shook her head with a serious expression.

Seeing this, Frieren had no choice but to give up.

Meanwhile, looking completely bewildered, Stark glanced left and right, his gaze sweeping over the three of them.

Finally, it landed on Rienta.

"No, what are you doing? I don't understand at all!"

Frieren sat quietly by the fire, without uttering a sound.

Fern looked at the dazed-looking Stark, gave a soft snort, and offered no explanation whatsoever.

Rienta: "..."

Never mind.

I'm tired.

Destroy it.