Reunion

Amon Mountains, Wild Boar Cave.

Still in the same spot, Harry sat on the bed, his emotions calming down. He looked up at Nord and slowly began to speak.

"Every year around this time, the Mountain Stronghold actively goes hunting because there isn't enough food to last through winter. The Mountain Stronghold mainly relies on gathering wild fruits from the forest. Other times of the year are fine; there are endless wild fruits in the forest. The mountain behind our Stronghold is an orchard, and the fruits there are huge, sweet, and delicious."

Harry licked his lips, as if savoring the taste of the fruit, a smile even appearing on his face.

"But during the frosty seasons, there are no wild fruits to fill our stomachs, so we have to hunt desperately and store a lot of food. I was hunting when I chased prey too far and accidentally stumbled into the Giant Bear's territory. By the time I realized it, it was too late."

Even now, a trace of fear showed on Harry's face, and his voice trembled slightly.

"It... it was enraged by my intrusion. I could only run, run desperately, hoping to escape the furious Giant Bear. People who live deep in the mountains understand that no animal can face a Giant Bear head-on—one that's four meters tall and weighs a thousand kilograms."

Ryman nodded in agreement. Although Ryman had once hunted a Giant Bear, that bear was just an adult, and it had relaxed a bit after catching food. Ryman seized the opportunity to ambush it, shooting an arrow through its eye. But even then, Ryman had to avoid its direct assault and slowly wore it down until it died.

"In the end, I couldn't get away. The Giant Bear caught up to me. I had to stop and face it. If I kept running, I wouldn't escape death. Only when I truly faced it did I realize how overconfident I was. It slapped me away with one paw, and when I woke up, the Giant Bear was gone."

"When I stood up, my whole body felt like it was falling apart. The damp ground beneath me saved my life; if I had hit a tree, I probably would have died on the spot. I don't know why the Giant Bear didn't eat me, but I found that in my frantic escape, I had lost my way."

"I simply treated my wounds, picked a direction, ate whatever I could find, and walked on, dazed, for who knows how long—a day or two? I can't remember. I just woke up here."

Nord and Ryman exchanged glances. So he really didn't know the way. But the good news was that the Distant Mountain Stronghold shouldn't be too far from here. If they found its exact location, it would probably be only a day or two's journey. However, the difficulty lay in finding a Mountain Stronghold in the vast mountains; how easy could that be?

Just as Nord and the two others were at a loss, Old Mor entered the cave. After greeting Nord, he scrutinized Harry, and Harry stared back at Old Mor.

Nord also noticed the two acting somewhat strangely and, feeling curious, asked Old Mor:

"Old Mor, this is Harry from the Distant Mountain Stronghold. Is there something wrong with him?"

Before Old Mor could react, Harry exclaimed in surprise.

"Uncle Mor, you're Uncle Mor! So you're not dead! How are you here?"

Old Mor's weathered face showed a flicker of emotion, and even the calm in his eyes rippled.

"You're Harry? Little Harry from Old Hall's family next door!"

Watching the two recognize each other, Nord felt both relieved and a little annoyed. Relieved that it was fate for them to meet here—Nord certainly understood the concept of encountering an old acquaintance in a foreign land—but annoyed that Old Mor had kept this from him, knowing how much he cared about the Mountain Stronghold.

Seeing Nord's slight annoyance, Old Mor gave a wry smile and then explained to Nord.

"I am indeed from the Distant Mountain Stronghold, but I can't find my way back."

"Twenty years ago, I went hunting alone and accidentally got lost. I was young then and panicked in that situation, wandering around the forest like a headless fly. Later, I met Village Chief Colin. After he brought me to Tami Village, I realized I had already left the mountains."

"Later, I also tried to find my way back. I searched for five years. There was even one time when I disregarded everything and just wandered aimlessly in the forest, hoping to find my way back just like I came. But after seven days and nights, I nearly died in the forest, and I still ended up back in Tami Village. From then on, I gave up. Anyway, I had no family left in the Distant Mountain Stronghold, so I stayed and lived in Tami Village. I never mentioned my origins to anyone, until today."

After listening to Old Mor's description, Nord felt a bit speechless. It felt as if the Distant Mountain Stronghold was right there, yet he couldn't find it, leaving him a bit frustrated. At this moment, Ryman, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up:

"Actually, a few years ago, I think I saved someone who claimed to be from the Distant Mountain Stronghold. I didn't pay much attention at the time, so I didn't mention it to anyone, and then I forgot about it."

Ryman's words filled Nord with delight, and Old Mor and Harry's faces showed surprise and excitement.

"What happened next? The person you saved? Why haven't I seen him?"

Old Mor excitedly grabbed Ryman's shoulder. Even the weathered Old Mor couldn't hide his excitement, and Harry stared intently at Ryman, not even blinking.

"He went back. His injuries weren't severe. I even invited him to rest in our village, but he seemed a bit scared of me, so he went back alone. I didn't force him to stay. Oh, what was his name again... Benny. His name was Benny."

"Really? Is it really Benny? The one with the small eyes and a bit of a stutter?"

Harry was so happy he almost jumped up when he heard this. Even though it pulled at the wound on his chest, Harry smiled and asked Ryman with an excited tone.

"Yes, that's right. He does have a bit of a stutter. That's him."

"Haha, I was hunting with him, but we got separated later. When I get back, I'm definitely going to give him a piece of my mind! He knew how much I wanted to go outside the mountains, and he didn't tell me such important news!"

Harry laughed a few times, his expression relaxing as he teased Benny. Old Mor had calmed down by now, lowering his head, lost in thought. Nord was somewhat pleased. This news further proved that the Distant Mountain Stronghold might be nearby, but such a distance, which in his previous life would have been a mere press of the gas pedal, felt like an insurmountable chasm in this era and environment—a distance that might take a lifetime to cross, like for Old Mor.

"Ryman, do you remember where you saved that person last time?"

"It's a bit far, quite deep in. It's more than half a day's journey from here. I'll need to search again for the exact location."

Nord nodded. Since they had come this far, they had to find the Distant Mountain Stronghold no matter what. Starting tomorrow, he would temporarily recall Ryman and Old Mor's two small teams, leaving only Marco with the new recruits. The other two would focus all their efforts on finding the Distant Mountain Stronghold.

All four of them—Nord and the others—were full of confidence, as if finding the Distant Mountain Stronghold would be an easy task. For a moment, the entire cave fell silent, everyone lost in their own thoughts.

Thanks to readers 20191025122816310, 0 Jinjun 0, and Caesar Rodel for their rewards, and thanks to everyone else for their recommendation votes and collections. If you truly like this book, please help spread the word. It's really important to me. I beg you all, may good people be safe and sound throughout their lives.