Snow Monster (Part One)

"You didn't leave me any room to consider," Lancelot said. "Even if it's just for that little bit of food, you certainly wouldn't refuse, right?"

Frog rubbed his hands together like flies as he walked toward the caravan behind him.

... What a presumptuous guy...

Lancelot shook his head and followed him back to settle the group.

Since the mission was to exterminate monsters, the caravan needed to be settled in the village. Fortunately, with the coordination of the village chief and others, everyone in the caravan was provided with a temporary shelter where they could keep warm, which was much better than the makeshift tents.

They sat inside the house, chatting warmly with villagers who had come to see them after hearing the news.

The village chief even specially sent someone to bring firewood. The kettle in the house was bubbling on the fire, and white steam like mist was coming out of the tiny kettle hole.

It made people feel the warmth of home in this icy and snowy world.

"Hehe, I won't join you guys this time! Professional things should be left to the professionals."

Frog followed Galan and Lancelot to the door and then stopped there.

"I'd better stay here and manage the caravan. There are so many people in the village; it wouldn't be good if something went wrong." He said righteously. "I remember who said it last time, 'Nothing will happen,'" Galan turned around, his tone not without a hint of teasing.

It seems this guy was traumatized by Lancelot's actions last time; I thought he'd be a tougher person.

But it's better that he doesn't go with them; it will save them a lot of trouble.

"Let's find a few more skilled guys. If there are too many of them, the two of us won't be able to handle it."

After leaving the cabin, the two walked through the snow towards the village entrance.

The village chief had already given them the approximate location where the Snow Monster left; searching in that direction should yield some useful clues.

"I've already prepared for this. We don't have complete information about the enemy yet, so we definitely can't fight a battle we're unprepared for."

Lancelot pointed to six burly men walking towards them from a distance; they were clearly members of Mercenary Group.

Among them were several familiar faces that Galan recognized. "Galan going too? Haha! This time I can finally see your true abilities."

Kefa carried two long swords on his back; I hadn't realized before that he was a dual-wielder.

"Are you really going? You could stay in the village like Frog. This could be very dangerous."

Lancelot glanced at Galan, who knew he must have some strength. After all, even within Mercenary Groups, it was almost impossible to find someone who could subdue Kefa with one hand in that situation.

But clearly, he still didn't want Galan to get involved in this mess.

I was really underestimated...

"It's alright, I'm not as delicate as you think. I've seen plenty of big scenes."

Galan laughed.

Seeing that Galan didn't seem to be putting on a brave face, Lancelot didn't try to persuade him any further.

"Okay, then don't try anything rash later. I'll be there to handle any problems," he added.

The deeper you go into the snow-capped mountains, the bigger and more painful the snowflakes that lash your face become.

The biting wind whipped at everyone's faces like sharp blades, forcing them to squint.

Galan licked his chapped lips and glanced back.

Kefa and the others, like him, hunched over and trudged through the snow with great difficulty.

Fortunately, the people who came today were all elites selected by Lancelot from the Mercenary Group. If ordinary warriors had come, they probably wouldn't have been able to withstand such a treacherous road.

Those with slightly weaker constitutions would faint on the way.

If someone falls in this situation, they will have no choice but to retreat back to the village.

"I have a feeling that once we get past this stretch of road, we should be able to see that Snow Monster. Everyone, keep up the good work and don't let your guard down!" Lancelot shouted loudly in the wind.

He had to shout; the wind was too strong, and if he didn't shout, the people behind him wouldn't be able to hear what he was saying at all.

He was indeed an experienced leader, knowing that in this situation, he needed to use psychological suggestion to stabilize the morale of the crowd.

If the initial enthusiasm for leading a team is extinguished by adverse environments, it will be easy for them to be defeated by difficulties.

Galan shook himself off and continued to follow Lancelot's footsteps.

They walked for an unknown amount of time until the snow gradually subsided, and they reached a depression in the mountains.

Thanks to the terrain, the situation here is much better; at least we no longer have to hunch over to make our way.

"The village chief said that these Snow Monsters can hide their tracks by passing through the snow and wind outside, so much so that several expeditions they sent out before failed to find them."

Lancelot brushed the snow off his armor and looked around.

"Could they be hiding nearby? I think I sense a very faint trace of Mana."

Galan slowly placed his hand on his longsword and approached Lancelot.

"All personnel on high alert!"

Upon hearing what Galan said, Lancelot seemed to sense something as well.

He then directed his subordinates to draw their Silver Swords.

He held his sword there, his sharp eyes scanning every corner, trying to find any trace of the Snow Monster.

But after standing there for a long time, apart from the sound of the wind coming from the mountain hollow, there was no other sound.

It was as if they were the only people in this space.

"Hey Galan, is it just your imagination? This godforsaken place doesn't look like even Snow Monster would want to stay here."

Kefa looked around but couldn't find anything wrong.

In the past, he often walked at the front of the group because of his exceptional perception.

But even after Galan said he sensed Mana, he couldn't feel anything despite trying his best.

For now, we can only assume it's Galan's imagination.

After hearing his words, the other mercenaries also wavered somewhat.

"Don't let your guard down! Stay vigilant!"

Before Galan could say anything, Lancelot reprimanded the group.

"If there really are some monsters lurking around, you won't even know how you died."

After hearing his words, Kefa and the others did not raise any further objections.

After all, Lancelot is the undisputed leader in everyone's eyes, and the people present are all old comrades who have followed him for many years. There is no way that there would be any troublemakers who outwardly comply but inwardly defy him.

Thank you.

Galan looked at him, a sense of respect rising within him for no apparent reason.

The fact that Lancelot could so unconditionally trust a stranger shows how much he trusted himself.

Then he drew his longsword from its sheath and suddenly swung it at Lancelot's back.