The Northern Plateau

29th year of Shinshi Era

The Northern Lands Naharit region.

After leaving the volcanic area, the weather turned cold again.

The four of them had already changed into winter clothes.

Rienta originally wanted to wear the custom-made black robe with gilded patterns.

However, it was limited by the cold weather.

In response to this...

Rienta's solution was to research a warmth-generating magic circle that could be imprinted on clothing.

How could the robes of a wizarding world not have the functions of automatic heating, cooling, cleaning, and defense?

This is unreasonable.

On the mountain road.

Looking at the towering city walls in the distance, Fern asked, "Is that the pass to the Northern Plateau?"

"That's right." Frieren nodded.

The four arrived at the pass built against the mountain.

Frieren led the three to a trading market.

He said, "Once we enter the Northern Plateau, it will be difficult for us to find a place where we can fully replenish our supplies. Let's replenish our supplies here."

Upon hearing this, Rienta nodded in agreement.

Then.

We hurried towards the area where ingredients were sold.

After emptying nearly half of the ingredients in the food section, I left satisfied.

Fern had seen similar scenes many times before, but this time it was far too many.

"Rienta, didn't you buy a bit too much...?"

"It's alright? I feel like it'll only last us about six months."

"..."

After each of the four people purchased the necessary supplies, they went to a hall to fill out an application.

The guard said very respectfully, "Lord Rienta, First-Class Mage, and Lord Fern, we wish you a safe journey."

Although he had seen many First-Class Mages as a receptionist at the checkpoint.

But this is the first time I've seen someone so young.

After leaving the border crossing.

Looking around at the forest, which seemed no different from before, Stark said:

"So this is the Northern Plateau... It looks no different from the outside. Where exactly is the danger?"

Rienta, Frieren, Fern: "..."

Fern said with a hint of helplessness, "Lord Stark, are you serious?"

"What's wrong?" Stark looked at Fern with a puzzled expression.

Rienta had already summoned dozens of longswords.

Several afterimages surrounded each longsword.

Frieren said calmly, "Because we are already surrounded."

The words had barely left his mouth.

Several demonic creatures then appeared around the four of them.

Just as Stark took down his axe, the monster was already destroyed by the longsword controlled by Rienta.

Rienta was just about to strike a cool pose.

Then Frieren's voice came through.

"Don't let your guard down; this is just the beginning."

As it turned out, Frieren was right.

Having just dealt with the monster that resembled a descendant of ancient dinosaurs, they hadn't gone far when they advanced.

A gigantic humanoid demon blocked their path once more.

This time.

The monster was defeated by the four of them working together.

Next came a serpentine monster, tens of meters long.

There were also monsters with wings that almost covered the sky, resembling bats.

I don't know whether to call it lucky or unlucky.

Rienta did not encounter the demon that only he recognized.

The monsters we encountered along the way were all very ordinary monsters.

At least for their current team composition.

It's very ordinary.

Three days later.

A village came into view of the four of them.

Frieren said, "There's a village up ahead."

"I thought I was going to die..." Stark said weakly.

Upon seeing the village, Fern breathed a sigh of relief.

"We haven't had a moment's rest for three days and three nights. It would be great if we could rest here for a while..."

Rienta has never experienced a shortage of magic power.

But after three consecutive days without sleep, he still felt somewhat exhausted.

After speaking with the village chief, the chief was very pleased to arrange a place for the four of them to rest.

"This little house is available, please feel free to use it."

Thank you.

Then, the village chief looked at Frieren with some anticipation and said:

"If it's alright, could you please hear my request?"

"A powerful monster has recently appeared on the road ahead."

"The knightly order protecting this place is no match for it, and because of its presence, traveling merchants no longer come to this village."

"As you can see, very few adventurers pass through this area. Would you be willing to accept this quest to slay the monster?"

Frieren agreed without hesitation.

"No problem. We're heading north anyway, we can just take care of that monster along the way."

After speaking, he looked at the three people behind him and asked, "Does everyone have any objections?"

Rienta: "No problem."

Fern: "Hmm."

"I have no objection either." After saying this, Stark looked at the village chief and asked, puzzled:

"However, this village is only three days and three nights' journey from the pass of the northern plateau. Why do you choose to live in such a dangerous place? Wouldn't it be better to move a little further south?"

Upon hearing this, the village chief remained silent for a moment.

He then explained, "Indeed, this is one of the more dangerous regions among all the Northern Lands."

"However, this is also where we were born and raised."

"This land holds many beautiful memories for me and my family."

Who could bear to abandon their homeland?

Stark was taken aback, but didn't ask any more questions.

Seeing this, Rienta quickly pulled Stark to tidy up the room.

Inside the room.

Rienta looked at the silent Stark and said softly:

"Stark, the village chief, he..."

Stark interrupted Rienta's attempt to comfort her.

"Rienta, I'm not that fragile."

Don't worry.

"Okay, then I'll go prepare dinner."

Rienta patted Stark on the shoulder and then left the room.

Only Stark remained in the room.

"Abandon... our homeland...?"

When Rienta returned to the living room, she found that the village chief had already left.

However, he did not intend to blame the village chief.

With a smile, Fern said, "Fern, let's cook dinner together tonight."

"Hmm." Fern nodded first, then said with some worry, "Lord Stark, he..."

Don't worry, Fern.

Rienta headed straight for the kitchen, saying as she went, "Let's prepare dinner first; we haven't had a proper meal in days."

After entering the kitchen.

Rienta began taking ingredients out of her Personal Space.

The meals I ate in the past few days were all simple foods.

For example, something like bread can be solved quickly.

Rienta had considered using her Personal Space to cook a proper meal.

However, the places where he enters and leaves his Personal Space cannot be too far apart.

Moreover, monsters attack from time to time outside.

Therefore, it cannot take too long.

One hour later.

With Fern's help, six stir-fried dishes—four meat and two vegetable—were served.

Meanwhile, Stark was chatting with Frieren in the living room.

Seeing this, Rienta smiled knowingly and placed the last soup in the center of the table.

He said:

"Alright, let's eat."