A group of people rode briskly on the northern avenue, autumn was about to pass, winter was coming, in the inland area of the northern part of the continent, it was already cold, and the fog exhaled by the horses was clearly visible. There were not many plants on either side of the avenue, only the bare trunks of some tall broad-leaved forests, and the occasional small pine forest with a little green, which gave some comfort in this desolate land.

Although the Northern Avenue is the main road in Doyle, leading from the port of Stasinki to Wolfsburg, there are not many pedestrians on the road at this time of year. On the one hand, it is close to winter, and the Doyle people have already prepared winter supplies and no longer need to go out to transport goods during this cold time. Doyle's winters are extremely cold and long, and it's hard to survive the winter here without adequate preparation. On the other hand, the threat of the dark tide has caused most of the Doyles to take refuge in nearby large towns, making it even harder to see passers-by in the wild.

Ness and Fern put on all the thick clothes they had with them to keep them out of the cold, and they both clung to their thick cloaks and buried themselves completely in them. Ray and Stan were much more resistant to the cold, they just wore a thick coat than before, but they didn't show any signs of being afraid of the cold, which made Fern even more sure that Ray was a northerner.

Seeing that it was getting nearly dusk, that it was getting darker in the north than in the south, and that night was coming soon, Stan rode to Fern's side and consulted with him, "Ten miles further on, there is a small village, and although the villagers should all be in town by now, we can rest there for the night, and the houses there will protect us from the cold." ”

"This is the best news I've ever heard today. Fern exhaled hot air from his mouth, and his cheeks were red from the cold wind. "Then let's hurry up, it seems to be getting dark. ”

Ness, who had been silent and endured the cold she had never experienced before, finally spoke, "I almost can't feel my nose and ears. She put her hands to her mouth, exhaling to warm her frozen hands, and then put them on her nose and ears to relieve the numbness.

Stan laughed, "It's just winter, and when it's the middle of winter, you don't need a dark tide at all, this harsh winter will solve you." ”

Ness pursed her lips and sniffed. "I should have thrown you to Threndra, the southernmost point of Wallis. ”

"Haha, I don't think I'll ever go there in my life, I'd rather fight a demon than go there. Stan smiled heartily, infecting everyone.

"Not necessarily, Ness would never have thought of coming to Doyle in such a cold place in her lifetime, and sometimes, she couldn't help herself. Fern said with a smile.

As the sun sets, and with the last rays of sunlight on the horizon, Stan finally sees the deserted village. He led the other three to find a room where there was still some firewood, the room was still neat, and many daily necessities had not been taken with him, and it was evident that the owner had not been gone long ago, and planned to return in the future to continue living. "That's it, this firewood may not be enough, I'll go out and find some more, you guys tidy up first." ”

"I look around to see if there's any threat. Fern was always a little uneasy about this kind of village where no one was around, probably because the experience of sheepfold village made him dare not take it lightly.

"Unlike Sheepfold Village, you can rest assured that there will be no ghouls in Doyle. Although Rui had a mockery on his face, his tone was no different from usual.

Fern was embarrassed and didn't know what to say, and it took a few seconds before he could hold back a sentence, "It's better to be safe." After saying that, he immediately fled without looking back.

Ness stacked the firewood in the fireplace, palms facing each other, and with a simple incantation, a bright ball of fire appeared between her hands. Ness slowly pushed her hand outward, and the fireball flew into the fireplace, burning the dry firewood, and in a few moments, the wood was ignited and began to sizzle.

It gets darker, and just as night is about to fall, Stan and Fern return to the house together, both carrying a lot of firewood. "That's enough to burn until the second half of the night. Stan said satisfied.

Fern looked around in the doorway before entering the house and closing the door. This move was seen by Rui, and the mage smiled and teased, "How is it, mercenary-sama, is there anything unusual?"

"Not yet. Fern laid down the firewood, took off his cloak, and sat down by the fire to roast it. "But not to be taken lightly, I suggest that Stan and I take turns keeping vigils. ”

I agree with Fern on that. Stan nodded, "There's no danger of a dark tide, but there are wolves and bears that need to be guarded against, but Fern, it's colder at night than during the day, can you stand it?" ”

"It's okay, don't worry. Fern glanced at Rui, who was boiling a jug of water over the fire. "Of course, if you can keep me up in the middle of the night and lend me the cloak, I can give it to you when you come for a shift. ”

"That's a good idea, so I'll keep watch for the rest of the night. Stan smiled and agreed.

Ray and Ness put hot tea and hot bread and jerky on the table, and the four of them sat around the table eating dinner, discussing their future journeys and interesting stories about their past encounters.

"Fern, I almost forgot to ask......" Rui was drinking tea when she suddenly remembered something, she put the teacup down and looked at the mercenary. "How the hell did you get rid of those giant wolves when you were in the Black Swamp?"

Fern was caught off guard by the question, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer, he had promised the old man that he would not tell anyone else the secrets of the Escapist, and now he had to make up a story.

"This ......," Fern felt like his brain had never spun so fast as it did today. "I rode the cloud and ran and kept running until it was exhausted, and we stood in the grass waiting for the last moment. ”

"And then, how did you survive the death?" Ness's face was full of nervousness, as if she had returned to that time with Fern.

"Later...... Well...... Then a group of hunters who had gone out hunting passed by and they saved us. Even Fern himself doesn't believe it. "Don't look at those hunters, they are usually not good-looking, but they really have a hand at dealing with wolves, you should really see it. ”

"Good luck, Ferne, we're all scared to death!" Ness believed.

Rui snorted disdainfully and picked up a piece of dried fruit and put it to his mouth. "I'll have to keep an eye on Ness in the future, she didn't know she had been deceived. ”

Ness's puzzled gaze looks between Ray and Ferne, who sees that the situation is not right and quickly turns to Stan in an attempt to divert the subject. "Stan, tell me about yourself, we don't know much about you. ”

Seeing that everyone's attention was focused on him, Stan put down his food and sat up straight, looking at his companion earnestly. "I'm an ordinary Doyle who grew up aiming to be a knight. ”

"Why become a knight? It's not an easy road. Ness looked at Stan curiously.

"Well, my grandfather was also a knight, he was the captain of one of Doyle's commandos, he left his life on the battlefield forever in the last Grim War, he was my lifelong goal, and I will carry on his legacy. At this, Stan's head bowed.

Ray shook his head silently, and Fern refilled Stan's glass, the ale he had brought from Stockinker Harbour.

"I'm sorry, Stan......" Ness pursed her lips, not knowing what to say.

"You don't have to apologize. Stan smiled at Nice. "When every Doyle goes to war, his family is ready for him to die in battle. ”

"Then you're a knight, aren't you?" said Fern finished his glass and filled it again.

"No, my father was just an ordinary craftsman, and he didn't support me continuing my knightly path. Stan looked back at Fern. "In fact, in the border country, a current of thought began to spread......" he did not continue.

"What school?" asked Ness, tilting her head curiously.

"We kept watching our loved ones die in front of us, fathers, husbands, even children, like stars falling in the northern sky. Stan's eyes are flat and slightly numb. "But all we have paid for is the harsh climate and barren land of the north, and we have been struggling to survive for generations under the harsh environment and dark tides. ”

Stan takes his glass and pours it down his stomach. "Compared to the fertile lands of the southern countries, and without any regard for the threat of gloom, some Doyles are beginning to question the teachings of ancient times, why should we endure such pain to defend the lives of those who do not understand us, and we have the right to fight for it!" Stan's emotions stirred.

"I can understand you, Stan. Fern fills Stan's glass again. "The Frontier Country has always been a heroic presence in my heart, and the whole Wallis will not forget what the Doyles have done for us, but instead of listening to the rumors of others, it is better to discover the facts and trust your own judgment. ”

"Yes, Fern was right. Ruiya said slowly, "Follow your beliefs and believe that your grandfather will be on your side as well." ”

"Hmm! you're right," Stan's eyes filled with light again, and he took a sip of his glass. "No matter what anyone else thinks, I'm still me, a knight who guards the border for himself, Stan!. After saying that, he added embarrassedly and softly, "Although I'm not a real knight yet, you don't mind if I say that, do you?"

The companions laughed, and Ness looked at Stan sincerely. "Of course I don't mind, Stan, you're already a knight in my heart!"

Stan laughed, and Fern and Ray laughed as everyone forgot their troubles for a moment and soaked up the beautiful atmosphere.

Ness, who had never had a similar experience in the cold northern frontier country for the first time, found herself enjoying the feeling of having a fire and chatting with her companions. She looked at Fern, who was talking about some interesting experiences in her mercenary career, and suddenly thought that she would follow him like this until she had been to every corner of Wallis.

Rui on the side drank tea while quietly listening to Fern and Stan talking and laughing about their experiences, and the feeling of being lost for a long time rippled in the bottom of his heart. She began to enjoy the feeling of being with her companions, "After this trouble, maybe I should consider joining a mercenary group." "Of course, if you survive." ”