The howling wind, carrying ice shards and snowflakes, slapped Klein's face and body repeatedly, causing him to involuntarily tense up and tremble slightly as he surveyed his surroundings.
"It's so... cold..." He almost swore, realizing he was in a snowy landscape with extremely low visibility.
He had initially thought that the damp, cold winters of Backlund were the worst part, but now he finally understood that the absolute low temperatures and the razor-sharp winds were the deadly combination. Even though he had worn a sweater and a thick, long coat before coming, he was still feeling the strain.
This time he didn't wear the " The Sun Brooch " because it generates heat on a spiritual level. It's effective in combating the effects of intense cold and preventing the body from stiffening in a short time, but it's tantamount to suicide when facing a long-lasting icy and snowy environment. Spiritual heat allows the body to open its pores, enter a summer state, remove the last layer of defense against the low temperature, and even actively welcome it.
Therefore, Klein threw this magical item onto the Gray Fog, intending to retrieve it only for specific occasions.
The harsh environment didn't allow him to delay. After a preliminary assessment of his surroundings, he immediately burned off the blood on the copper knife, stuffed it into his pocket, and then took out Klein " Adventurer Harmonica " and tried playing it.
In the howling wind, he quietly activated his Spirit Vision but failed to see the messenger, Reinette Tinekerr, appear.
As expected, this place is not connected to the Spirit World, or rather, this place may have its own unique Spirit World... Hmm, it seems that praying to the " Sea God " is useless; only incantations pointing to the mysterious space above the Gray Fog can penetrate the barrier...
So the question arises: as a follower of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, and possessing the name of this true god, why didn't Edwina try to ask for help? Or rather, did she try but it had no effect?
Hmm... Not every deity responds personally to believers. Often, it seems that they give corresponding feedback according to certain laws. There's no other " Hidden Existence " like me who personally takes on orders... Klein chuckled to himself and made a preliminary judgment.
He then put down his harmonica, took out the paper stained with Danitz's fresh blood, and wrapped it around the tip of his cane.
" Danitz's location."
Klein spoke in a low voice and began using the " Dowsing Rod Person-Finding Method ".
Then, based on the results, he trudged through the thick snow and swiftly traversed the raging winds under the gloomy sky, occasionally Divination again to adjust his direction, since Danitz wouldn't wait in one place; otherwise, he would turn into an ice sculpture.
About ten minutes later, Klein spotted a crimson light.
He exhaled, took a few steps forward, and clearly saw his target.
That was indeed Danitz, the infamous pirate, dressed rather lightly, walking forward with his arms crossed, looking lost.
However, he didn't seem to be cold at all, because he was surrounded by crimson fire crows that evaporated the snow, blocked the gale, and brought a warm, spring-like feeling.
At times like this, Klein particularly envied the " Pyromaniac." Although the " Magician " could also summon flames, this was an offensive ability that could not be sustained and could only be used for a moment. To keep warm, one had to keep summoning flames, which would quickly lead to exhaustion. As for the ability to " Flame Manipulation," it depended on existing flames or materials that could be ignited, both of which were extremely scarce in the icy world.
Seeing the fiery crows taking flight, Klein quickened his pace and approached them.
Danitz was startled when he sensed someone approaching, but after seeing who it was through the snowstorm, he breathed a sigh of relief, then forced a strange smile onto his face.
"Haha, you can't even see the Star here, getting lost is inevitable."
Klein ignored his words and asked directly:
"Did it burn?"
"Burn it!" Danitz nodded hastily, his whole being radiating an indescribable sense of fear.
Klein stared at Danitz for a few seconds, confirming he wasn't lying, then gave a polite, Gehrman Sparrow- like smile and said:
"Remember.
"Those who have recited His name are His followers."
"..." Danitz's expression Distortion for a moment, then he forced out a smile that looked more like a grimace.
I don't want to convert! I have absolutely no desire to believe in some unknown entity of dubious origin! He screamed inwardly, but said nothing aloud.
He suspected that if he argued back, he would be buried in the snow by that Lunatic Gehrman Sparrow!
Klein, with a slightly manic smile, added in a calm tone:
Remember, keep it a secret.
"If this is leaked, you and your captain will both die."
"What does this have to do with the captain?" Danitz blurted out.
Klein maintained his previous expression, smiling as he looked at Danitz and said:
"What you think?"
Danitz opened his mouth, already knowing the reason, and could only manage a dry laugh:
Do I look like the kind of person who can't keep a secret?
Klein nodded, took out the note with Anderson's blood on it, chuckled, and said to Danitz:
"Believe in Him, serve Him, and perhaps one day you will become Blessed like me."
"At that time, your fame will spread across the Five Seas, no less than that of the pirate generals."
As he spoke, he intended to add a gesture reminiscent of a " The Fool," but sadly discovered he didn't have one, so he could only console himself with a few words:
Concealment organization must Concealment; all this superficial stuff is meaningless... Mr. " The Hanged Man " is right...
No less than the pirate general... Danitz's eyes suddenly lit up.
Anyway, I've already recited the name of the Hidden Existence, and from a mystical perspective, it's indeed difficult to get rid of it. So I might as well take this opportunity... He suddenly thought of many things, and even chose a name for his child.
Hey, if it weren't for Gehrman Sparrow's persona, I would have just said that you'd have the reputation and strength to match " Vice Admiral Iceberg." Of course, whether he likes you or not is another matter. Based on my observation, you probably have little chance. Edwina's ideal partner is someone she can learn and grow with, someone she can discuss all sorts of knowledge with... Klein muttered a few words and used the " Dowsing Rod Person-Finding Method " again:
" Anderson Hood's location."
"... He came in too?" Danitz was taken aback at first, then asked with a hint of surprise.
After Klein finished reading the sentence, he released his cane, confirmed the direction he had fallen in, and nodded, saying:
I'm worried about him being out there.
"So you're also wary of that Anderson Hood guy..." Danitz couldn't hide his amusement and chimed in.
"Yes! He's the kind of person who smiles to your face but could stab you in the back the moment he turns his back!"
He has a terrible reputation in the Sonia Sea; all the pirates dislike him!
"He just deliberately slandered you, trying to make us all wary of you and hostile towards you!"
If pirates like him, it only proves that the title of "Strongest Hunter" is undeserved... I heard Anderson's provocation... Klein didn't respond further, picked up his cane, and trudged forward in the blizzard.
Danitz followed closely behind, using the flying fire crows to disperse the snowflakes and block out the cold, preventing the two from freezing.
Not bad, very self-aware... At this moment, Klein once again felt the benefits of having servants: someone to hold an umbrella for you on a rainy day, someone to provide warmth during a blizzard!
In the vast white world, the two were like black dots, crunching on the snow as they walked forward little by little. It took them nearly twenty minutes to reach the location indicated by the divination stick.
"No..." Danitz looked around but couldn't find any trace of Anderson Hood.
He had no doubt about Gehrman Sparrow's " Dowsing Rod Person-Finding Method " because he was the last person to be found.
Klein frowned slightly, activated his Spirit Vision, and enhanced his Spirit Intuition.
Suddenly, he realized something, and with a simple thrust of his cane, the snow on the ground collapsed with a crash.
The collapse revealed a cave, its dark rocks reflecting the firelight.
Klein crouched down and peered inside, discovering that the cave extended into a narrow path. At the end of the path, on a pile of reddish stones, strange underground plants were slowly burning Anderson Hood sat beside them, leisurely roasting a creature that resembled a rabbit. The aroma of oil, carrying a warm feeling, wafted out and entered the noses of Klein and Danitz.
"You're here? Want to give it a try? There are strange rabbits here that can survive in the snow and ice." Anderson crouched down and peered into the burrow entrance, as if calling out to his picnic companions.
Although he didn't say anything provocative, I really wanted to hit him at that moment... Klein jumped into the burrow without expression, came to the campfire, and felt a long-lost sense of peace.
Danitz followed them inside, glanced at the fire roasting the rabbit, then at the fire crows beside him, and silently removed them all.
"How did you find this cave?" Danitz asked, unwilling to admit defeat, but his body language betrayed him as he moved closer to the fire.
Anderson turned the rabbit stuck in the black dagger over and glanced at Danitz:
" The Hunter's first lesson: observe the environment, familiarize yourself with the environment, and utilize the environment."
Danitz's expression froze instantly.
Anderson then looked at Gehrman Sparrow and chuckled:
"How's the hole I blasted? Not bad, right? I controlled the force very well."
As he spoke, he sniffed the air:
"It smells delicious! Looks like it's done. Want to try some? I didn't bring any seasonings, but I have rock salt here, though it's a little astringent."
"Are you sure you can eat this? If it's some kind of extraordinary creature, one bite and you might lose control on the spot," Danitz clicked his tongue.
Anderson glanced at him again:
" The Hunter's second lesson: Distinguishing between what is edible and what is not in the wild."
He carefully reached out, tore off a leg, stuffed it into his mouth, and ate it with relish.
Just as Klein was about to speak, he suddenly sensed a frenzied and violent aura approaching from afar. The pressure emanating from this high-ranking being was almost tangible, causing Danitz's body to tremble uncontrollably.
The aura swept through the air, but failed to detect the strangeness of the cave below, and quickly moved away from the area.
The title " King of the North " flashed through Klein's mind.
P. S.: I highly recommend a book: God of Luck. It's an incredibly heartwarming book, full of positive energy. It's the story of an ordinary person who gradually becomes God of Luck worshipped by all of humanity...