The Stronghold's Current Situation

The architectural style of Distant Mountain Stronghold was very close to nature. Houses and streets were built relying on tall trees. If it weren't for the Mountain Dwellers coming and going, each barely clothed and starving, Nord would have thought he'd stumbled upon an elf tree city.

However, the Mountain Dwellers of Distant Mountain Stronghold were nothing like the elegant elves Nord knew from his previous life. Nature and beauty were Nord's first impressions of Distant Mountain Stronghold's building style, while hardship and poverty were his second impressions after seeing the Mountain Dwellers. Nord thought to himself, People living in such a beautiful stronghold shouldn't be leading such impoverished lives.

After Nord entered the stronghold, the Mountain Dwellers who passed him by would give him curious glances, but upon seeing Benny and Harry leading the way, they didn't stop to gawk. Although everyone looked especially weak, they still hurried towards the outside of the stronghold.

Nord observed the situation in Distant Mountain Stronghold the entire way. It was somewhat different from what he had imagined. The stronghold seemed filled with a sense of despair. Everyone was lifeless, even the most vivacious children were sitting at their doorways in a daze, their frail bodies and malnourished appearance looking somewhat heartbreaking.

"Harry, has anything major happened in your stronghold recently? Why is everyone rushing around?"

Harry gave a bitter smile upon hearing this, looking at the gaunt Mountain Dwellers around him, his voice filled with sorrow.

"Lord Nord, every year at this time, the village's food reserves aren't enough, so every household has to go into the mountains daily to find food. Otherwise, there'd be nothing to eat today."

Nord's face showed confusion. If there's a famine every year at this time, why don't they try to solve the problem?

"I remember you saying that the stronghold has always relied on gathering wild fruit for sustenance. Why don't you try planting some crops to get through the difficult times?"

Harry's face showed an embarrassed expression, and his voice became much softer. Hearing Nord's follow-up question, Harry was somewhat unsure how to answer.

"We... we didn't realize there was a food like Yam. Before, there was an inexhaustible supply of wild fruit in the mountains, but once the frost and cold seasons arrived, most of the wild fruit rotted, and we had no choice... we could only go into the mountains to hunt and try our luck..."

Harry's voice grew softer and softer until it faded completely. From talking with these Tami Village hunters recently, Nord learned that Tami Village's situation before wasn't much better than Distant Mountain Stronghold's. Although they had a hundred or so acres of farmland, people would still starve to death during the frost and cold seasons. But ever since Lord Nord arrived and discovered Yam, the villagers were now filled with hope for getting through this year.

Although Nord's questioning made Harry somewhat ashamed, the thought that Distant Mountain Stronghold could also get through the cold season this year, like Tami Village, by relying on the Yams buried underground, brought a few more glimmers of joy to Harry's heart.

Seeing Harry speechless, Nord didn't know what to say. Nord understood that this wasn't a question Harry alone could answer; it was the shared responsibility of every Mountain Dweller in the stronghold. Without a sense of foresight and without the courage to try new things, it was no wonder they suffered such hardships every year. Nord recalled Mr. Lu Xun's words from his previous life: "Pity their misfortune, rage at their inaction."

As Harry fell silent, everyone gradually quickened their pace and soon arrived at Benny's home.

It turns out Nord only learned through Harry's introduction that not only was Benny's grandfather the wisest elder in Distant Mountain Stronghold, but Benny's father was also the leader of the stronghold's hunters. Distant Mountain Stronghold didn't have a position like village chief as Tami Village did; if anything needed to be done, everyone discussed it together. Benny's father and grandfather were basically the most respected people in Distant Mountain Stronghold.

Benny's home had two large trees, thick enough for two people to embrace, looking quite magnificent. The wooden house was built between the two large trees, with two levels, upper and lower. The second level was connected to the thick branches of the trees, and it looked like people could walk on them too.

Upon arriving outside Benny's home, Nord and the others did not go inside. Instead, they asked Benny to invite his grandfather out, as it would be inconvenient for so many people to enter Benny's house.

Nord didn't wait long. An elderly man with white hair walked out from inside. The old man's face was covered in wrinkles, and his cloudy eyes revealed a glimmer of wisdom. He leaned on a dark wooden stick and slowly sized up Nord and the others standing outside the door.

Nord was also observing the old man. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The old man saw the Heraldic Armor Nord was wearing and finally spoke first.

"Noble from outside the mountains, I am Harlen of Distant Mountain Stronghold. Please state your purpose."

Nord was somewhat surprised. Seeing the state of Distant Mountain Stronghold, Nord had originally thought that even the wisest elder would merely be older and more experienced. But the moment Harlen spoke, Nord knew that the old man in front of him was not as simple as he had imagined.

"Hello, I am Nord Isaac, Viscount of Besser Duchy. My fief is on the outskirts of the Amon Mountains. I came to Distant Mountain Stronghold to investigate the situation of Isaac Territory."

"Besser Duchy..." A hint of confusion flashed in old Harlen's eyes, as if he had never heard the name of Besser Duchy.

"Respected Viscount Nord, do you mean that Distant Mountain Stronghold is part of your territory?"

A sharp glint flashed in Harry's eyes, his gaze fixed on Nord, as if trying to discern Nord's true intentions.

"No, I don't know if Distant Mountain Stronghold is within my territory, but that doesn't affect the change I can bring to Distant Mountain Stronghold."

Nord did not back down, his gaze fixed on Harlen's eyes, filled with confidence.

"What kind of change?"

Harlen saw the confidence in Nord's eyes, but he had not completely lowered his guard against Nord. He tapped his dark staff on the ground, pressing Nord again, his gaze becoming even sharper.

"I come with goodwill and wish to establish a friendly relationship with Distant Mountain Stronghold. I previously discovered a food that can solve Distant Mountain Stronghold's food crisis. You might have heard of it; it's called a Mountain Lump. It can be eaten after being roasted, and it has a very high yield."

Nord directly and frankly informed Harlen of his purpose for coming to Distant Mountain Stronghold and briefly explained the concept of Yam. A hint of doubt appeared in Harlen's eyes.

"Mountain Lump? Isn't that thing poisonous?"

"Of course not! Your grandson Benny can testify. He ate this very food last night. And I'm now renaming this food Yam, the spiritual medicine of the mountains!"

Harry looked at his grandson Benny beside him. Benny nodded to Harlen and quietly described to Harlen how delicious the Yam from last night had been.

Hearing Benny's confirmation, Harlen's gaze towards Nord became somewhat complex. Finally, he stared at the Heraldic Armor on Nord's chest and slowly spoke:

"Do you know what animal the emblem on your chest represents?"

Nord looked down at the eagle with spread wings. To be honest, Nord had never really studied it closely before. Nord's cheap father had also never told Nord about their family history, only that they came from a branch of an ancient family that had now declined.

"Isn't that an eagle?"

Harlen looked up at the sky, a strange look in his eyes.

"That is no ordinary eagle. It is the eagle of the Amon Mountains, the untamed Divine Eagle."