Investigation

After the Church of the Goddess of Ocean Currents entered the city, Blake specially arranged a batch of houses for the Church of the Goddess of Ocean Currents, and the original residents were driven to other places.

Bishop Gillian, on the other hand, stayed in a warm room, which was specially designed so that the heat from the fireplace could easily spread throughout the room.

The room was sparsely decorated, and Bishop Gillian sat in a wooden chair, contemplating her next move.

A rhythmic knocking sound rang out.

"Come in."

A Church Warrior from the Church of the Goddess of Ocean Currents entered from outside and bowed his head respectfully.

"Your Excellency, the information you arranged to gather has yielded results."

"Let's talk about what's happening ahead. Why are these Mercenary all staying in Snow Bear Territory?"

"Yes, Your Excellency."

The Church Warrior cleared his throat and continued:

"According to our intelligence, an Orc Tribe in the Northern Territory is blocking the roads to the west and north, with at least thirty men blocking each road."

"This is why those Mercenary can't get through, and why they still believe those thieves are still inside Snow Bear Territory."

"So, those thieves are all inside Snow Bear Territory, right?"

"Yes, if those thieves were smart enough, they would know that the roads ahead were almost completely blocked, and that there were still people constantly coming from behind."

"Going forward or backward is a dead end; that's why those thieves are trapped in Snow Bear Territory."

"Their best option is to hide in the mountains, leave a mark, and wait for a while..."

"And they couldn't possibly travel through the mountains and forests; there wasn't a single astrologer in their group."

Without a road to guide them, no team can maintain its direction and reach its destination.

The mountains and forests of this other world are a very harsh place, where the trees can change direction and the Magic Creature there are even more adept at hiding.

Most normal teams would lose their way in the mountains and forests and then die at the hands of those hidden Magic Creature.

Astrologers, on the other hand, offer a solution to this situation.

In the mountains and forests, the terrain changes, the roads change, the Magic Creature you encounter change, and even the magnetic field pointers that indicate direction change, making all reference points ineffective.

But there is one thing that will never change, and that is the stars in the sky that you see.

If you have the Talent and can use the most basic Observation Method, then you will basically never have to worry about food or clothing for the rest of your life.

Originally, the Observation Method was the Alliance's exclusive right, but the surrounding forces were extremely envious of this method that could clearly indicate the direction.

Long before Ocean trade flourished, other powers stole Observation Method to use for navigation.

Nowadays, although Observation Method can be purchased in most larger cities, whether one can use them depends somewhat on Talent.

Moreover, with the rise of Ocean trade, ships for long voyages became an essential necessity for Star Gazing Mage.

Therefore, despite the increasing number of Star Gazing Mage, they remain a Star Gazing Mage species due to rising demand.

Apprentices in the Alliance Academy who learn Observation Method never have to worry about finding a job after graduation, because this skill is extremely sought after. Even within the Alliance, there are often people recruiting apprentices who know Observation Method.

The room was quiet for a while, with only the crackling sound of the fireplace still emanating from it.

Gillian tapped the armrest of her chair and continued:

"Go tell those Priest that I will later draw up a search list and conduct a thorough search of Snow Bear Territory."

"Those Orc Tribe Orc Tribe, heh... I knew they would obey that city lord's orders. After all, they've had dealings with each other before, so it wouldn't be surprising if they helped in this matter."

"Just send a portion of the people to search; I suspect those Orc Tribe might be positioned to attack us directly."

Gillian immediately realized that the best option at the moment was to stay in Snow Bear City and wait for the Orc Tribe to attack.

The Northern Territory is the home ground of those orcs; if she takes these people there, they'll probably be wiped out by them in no time.

It would be better to stay in Snow Bear City. Those orcs would definitely use the simplest method in a race: eliminate their rivals.

She knew perfectly well why those orcs stayed in icy lands and deserts—it was because they were easily angered, simple-minded, and impatient, so they could only do very rough work.

Asking them to conduct a thorough search of Snow Bear Territory would be something even the orc chieftains might not believe their men could possibly complete without missing a single spot.

When it comes to fighting, those orcs are quite skilled, but when it comes to finding something, even a random Mercenary from White Dragon Port would do a better job.

Therefore, the orcs should only guard key transportation routes and utilize their strengths to eliminate their competitors.

Instead of sending everyone out to find the thieves, it's better to stay in Snow Bear City and prepare for a potential attack.

After all, only the one who brings that thing out of the Northern Territory will be the ultimate victor.

The Church of the Goddess of Ocean Currents did not only send her here; the lord of White Dragon Port employed almost all the Mercenary, and naturally, they would also conscript a large number of believers.

However, their followers usually travel with the ship and don't all stay in one place. This group is already the closest to here.

Along their route, there must have already been a large number of followers of the Church of the Goddess of Ocean Currents waiting there.

As long as that item hasn't left the Orc Tribe, it's impossible for it not to fall into their hands.

Gillian continued tapping on the armrest and asked:

"So that might be a mage from the Alliance, have you found out?"

She now has a general understanding of the city lord's arrangements for White Dragon Port, and for the time being, there are no problems for them.

However, there is a major variable on this Battlefield: the mage beside Blake Snow Bear. She is somewhat unable to fathom the mage's origins and purpose.

"We've inquired, and almost everyone says they've never seen that mage before, and that he first appeared at the gates of Snow Bear City."

"At that time, she said to the guards, 'I am Battle Mage from the Northern Lands Society, here to complete the quest for the Snow Bear Territory Lord.'"

"And that Northern Lands Society ..." The Church Warrior hesitated for a moment, then continued:

"Some people say that the Northern Lands Society does exist, that it is a paradise in the Northern Territory, and that once you enter, you will never be afflicted by the bitter cold..."

"Some people say that it doesn't actually exist; that's what those Knight Master told them."

"Some civilians hesitated, as if they were worried about something... and among the Mercenary, only a few said that there was indeed a Northern Lands Society, located south of Snow Bear Territory..."

"Then does the Northern Lands Society really exist?" Gillian's words were tinged with uncertainty, while the church knight, with his head bowed, did not answer her.

Gillian tapped the armrest slightly faster, just like her agitated heart.