Finally Arrived

By the campfire, Benny was devouring roasted yams and bread, not spitting out a single bite even when he choked. Seeing this, Harry quickly poured him some water. Benny looked like a hungry ghost reborn, and Nord wondered if he'd choke to death, though he hadn't actually let him eat too much at once.

Watching Benny, who clearly wasn't satisfied, Nord asked if he knew the way to Distant Mountain Stronghold. Benny glanced at Harry, a little hesitant.

"It's alright, Benny. Lord Nord is a good man. He's a kind nobleman from the outside. You can speak freely."

Harry saw the hesitation on Benny's face and couldn't help but prompt him. Harry knew that Lord Nord could save the impoverished Distant Mountain Stronghold. If he'd known the way to the stronghold, he would have led Lord Nord there long ago. Seeing Benny's demeanor, Harry, who had been well-fed and cared for these past days, started to worry about his wife and children back in the stronghold. He wished he could crack open Benny's stubborn head to quickly find the path to Distant Mountain Stronghold.

"You really won't... won't capture us all and make us slaves?"

Benny looked at Nord cautiously. Nord smiled, signaling that Benny had nothing to worry about. Slavery had been abolished in the Aresian Empire when it unified the continent, eight hundred years ago. Nord didn't know whether to feel sorry or amused that such rumors still circulated in the mountains.

"No, I won't. I will bring news of food to your stronghold, so you won't suffer from hunger anymore."

"Really? You can make us stop starving? If what you say is true, I'll take you there."

A glimmer of light flickered in Benny's small eyes, filled with anticipation and hope. Hearing the word "food" was like parched earth hearing the sound of thunder.

Before Nord could answer, Harry quickly vouched for him.

"It's true, Lord Nord isn't lying to you. Lord Nord discovered a food called yam, and there's a lot of it in the mountains. It's completely enough for the stronghold to survive. And Uncle Mor can attest to it. Do you still recognize him? Uncle Mor, who went missing from the stronghold before, he's living well out here."

Benny glanced at Old Mor and found him somewhat familiar; he must have been someone from the stronghold before. Since Benny wasn't close to Old Mor at the time, he hadn't recognized him initially. Benny's worries faded, and he slowly began to share information with everyone.

"The way to... Distant Mountain Stronghold is only a day's journey. We... we can reach it tomorrow. And this mountain, Harry, you... you're familiar with it too. This is South... South Boundary Mountain, a forbidden area in the stronghold. The stronghold's rules... the rules don't allow us to cross South Boundary Mountain to hunt, so you... you're not familiar with this place."

Harry and Old Mor exchanged glances, a sudden realization dawning on them.

"So it's South Boundary Mountain! No wonder I couldn't remember it. The stronghold doesn't even allow mentioning this mountain, no wonder I didn't know. But how did you end up here?"

Benny's face flushed, as if his secret had been exposed, and he stammered an explanation to Harry.

"I... I didn't come here on purpose. I... I got lost before, and that... that time I came here. Now... now there's not much food in the stronghold, so I... I came here to try my luck. I never... never expected to run into you all."

"Then why were you so afraid of us?"

Nord was a little curious. If Benny had returned to the village with Ryman then, perhaps finding Distant Mountain Stronghold wouldn't have been so difficult now.

Benny looked at Nord and found that he wasn't as terrifying as he'd imagined, and Harry and Old Mor were alive and well. So, Benny relaxed.

"My... my grandpa told me when I was little that... that people from the outside are all bad. They'll catch us and make us slaves, and they won't... won't let us eat."

"Why haven't I heard anyone in the stronghold say anything like that? I always wanted to run outside the mountain before, but I never heard them mention this. Your grandpa isn't lying to you, is he?"

Harry was a little confused. He hadn't heard such rumors in the stronghold. He interrupted Benny and questioned him.

"My... my grandpa wouldn't lie to me. He... he's the wisest person in the stronghold. It... it was after that time I secretly went with you to find the way out... outside, he... he told me himself when we came back."

Hearing Harry's skepticism, Benny got a little angry. With newfound courage, he glared at Harry, as if he'd fight Harry if he said one more word.

Seeing Benny like this, Harry felt a little guilty. Benny's grandfather was indeed the wisest person in the stronghold. Whenever the Mountain Dwellers in the stronghold had questions, they would seek out Benny's grandfather for advice. Moreover, Harry was very afraid of Benny's grandfather. Although Benny's grandfather usually had a kind face, he was terrifying when angry, and all the Mountain Dwellers in the stronghold held him in great awe.

Hearing Benny's words, Nord seemed to think Benny's grandfather was somewhat prejudiced against outsiders, but Distant Mountain Stronghold had no contact with the outside world, so where did this prejudice come from? Nord couldn't figure it out, so he stopped trying. Everything would become clear once they reached Distant Mountain Stronghold tomorrow.

Nord greeted everyone, then picked up Cindy and went to rest. He also told Ryman and the others to get some good rest. Once they found Distant Mountain Stronghold tomorrow, the mission would be over.

Benny looked at the Little Mountain Cat in Nord's arms, feeling a little curious. Cindy noticed Benny's gaze, turned her head, and waved her paw at Benny, as if greeting him.

Benny, however, turned pale with fright. His impression of Nord grew several points in reverence. To be able to tame a terrifying beast like a Black Mountain Cat, Lord Nord was truly amazing!

The next morning, Nord and the others, eager to find Distant Mountain Stronghold, hurriedly followed Benny onto the path. After searching for so long in the mountains, they had finally found it this time. No one wanted to waste a single moment. If it hadn't been dark yesterday, and inconvenient to travel at night, they probably would have rushed to Distant Mountain Stronghold already. But it wasn't too late now. After walking for most of another day, they finally arrived at the long-awaited Distant Mountain Stronghold.

Distant Mountain Stronghold was built halfway up a mountain, located north of the main mountain. From the direction Nord and the others came, there was no trace of the stronghold visible. If Benny and the others hadn't told Nord about it, Nord probably wouldn't have discovered the stronghold even if he was right under its nose.

The buildings of Distant Mountain Stronghold were all made of wood and built into the forest, providing excellent concealment. From a distance, there was little sign of human habitation.

However, upon closer inspection, it was revealed that Distant Mountain Stronghold had built a wall around itself using large trees. The wall was about five or six meters high, and covered with plants similar to climbing vines, like a layer of camouflage, hidden within the dense mountain forest.

As they approached, tears welled up in Old Mor's eyes. His face showed excitement, nostalgia, and a touch of fear, afraid that everything before him was just a dream that would shatter at a touch. Everyone's pace quickened, but Old Mor slowed down, a mix of emotions in his heart, unsure how to express himself. If Nord were to describe it, it would be the feeling of being more timid the closer one gets to home.

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