Finally, it was Fern who broke the suffocating silence, "So, where exactly is the destination Hessey is talking about?"

Ness came back to her senses, rubbed her eyes, and looked at Fern. "Dagger Mountain, Hessey said that the third holy seal is hidden in Dagger Mountain. ”

"Dagger Mountain!" Stan and Ray involuntarily repeated the name at the same time.

"I know this place, a place further north than the border country, a place that even the people of the border country don't want to go. Stan muttered to himself.

"I had a bad feeling. As he spoke, Fern pulled out a parchment map from the lining of his coat and laid it flat on the table, and the mercenary looked for a moment near Sarah, then pointed to a foothill further northeast of Bisara, "This is it, Dagger Mountain!"

"Bright, is this our next destination outside the Frontier Country?" Ness had already stolen her feet, her hands clenched into fists, and all her weight propped up on the table.

"I'm afraid yes, if Hessey didn't say anything wrong, or if you didn't hear it wrong. Fern sighed, but still began to find directions on the map.

"Don't look for Fern, I'm familiar with how to get to Dagger Mountain, there are only two routes from Doyle to there. Stan poked his finger at a point on the map, "We should be around here now." Then he gestured north, "This is a route, from where we are now, all the way north, through the northern border of Doyle to the Permafrost Plains, where there is another name...... Deathtrap. ”

"Dead land...... It sounds chilling. Ness clasped her hands as if the cold had really invaded her.

"Yes, Deadland. Stan pouted. "Then you can go all the way east to Dagger Mountain, which is also the route that the Doyle people used to go to Dagger Mountain during the period when there was no dark tide, although it is said that few people usually go there. ”

"Sounds good, except that the name of the place we passed by is a little scary, can we go like this?" Fern looked up at Stan.

"I'm afraid not. Stan shook his head, "Doyle's northern frontier is the first line of defense against the dark tide, it has been heavily guarded for hundreds of years, and the terrain is precarious, and the fortified Watchfort fortress is built between two hills, and no one, or demon, can pass through. ”

"Hmph...... If Hussey is right, and we are now wanted, then we can't use the Overwatch. ”

"Yes, Fern, that's self-defeating. ”

"Is it possible to climb the mountain?" Fern still unwilling to give up hope, pointing to the peaks on either side of the Watchtower.

"It's impossible, not to mention the steepness of the cliff, it's impossible for us to cross it without the equipment to climb the mountain, and the climate on the mountain is changeable, and the blizzard is coming, even this cold weather will kill us on the mountain. Stan's finger crossed Doyle's northern border. "Most of Doyle's northern part is mountainous, and there is little way to cross this moat, except for the Watch Fort, which is one reason why Doyle has been able to defend against the dark tide for hundreds of years. ”

Fern let out a long sigh and propped his hands on the table. "Okay, let's talk about the second route. ”

Stan points back to where they are, and draws a curve to the east. "A short walk east from here is the border between Doyle and Sarah, and after passing through the border, you can cross Sara in a north-east direction, and then you can also reach Dagger Mountain. ”

"But Sara has fallen, and now it's probably full of spirits and ghouls. Ness couldn't imagine what Sara would be like now, and said worriedly.

"It's hard to say, I've only been to Sara twice, and Sara hasn't been close to Sara once since the fall of the Dark Tide. Stan shook his head in embarrassment, unable to figure out what to do. "And it's not easy to cross Sarah, not to mention the threat of dark tides, the ice swamps in Sarah's territory that are in a semi-frozen state all year round will kill anyone who walks in recklessly at any time, and it's winter, it's the season of blizzards, if you rashly set foot on the desolate plains, then you can only kneel down and pray when you encounter a blizzard, so it is very dangerous to rush into there without Sarah's local guide to lead the way. ”

Hearing this, Fern subconsciously looked at Rui, who was staring at the table at this time, not knowing what he was thinking. "What then, Ray, do you have any suggestions?" Fern asked her tentatively.

Ray was asked by Fern, and when she came back to her senses, she knew what Fern meant, coughed and cleared her throat, "Okay, now that I don't need to hide it from you, in fact, I'm from Sarah." ”

"What? it can't be!" Stan looks at Rui in disbelief. "The Sarahs are supposed to have blonde or yellowish hair and eyes, just like the Doyle. ”

"Yes, I used to be, until I started learning shadow magic. Rui said lightly.

"I see, Rui, I can now understand Moses' reluctance to see you cry in front of the mirror. "After all, they're all girls, and Ness understands Rui very well.

Rui smiled weakly, and his right hand ruffled a handful of black hair. "Yes, Ness, can you imagine my blonde hair? I can't even imagine myself anymore, I am changing day by day in the mirror, but I can't stop it. ”

"I'm sorry, Rui, I didn't mean to bring it up. Ness pouted.

"It's okay, I'm used to it, I think the black hair is pretty good now, don't I?" Rui looked at Fern, the corners of his mouth slightly curled.

Fern smiled in response and quietly gave Rui a thumbs up.

Stan is silent for a moment, then looks at Rui as if he had made up his mind. "Rui, please accept me and apologize, Doyle owes Sara an explanation, and I will do everything in my power to give you the truth. ”

Rui's eyes were a little lonely, but he still cheered up. "It's okay, Stan, it's not your fault, it's Byron, it's him who didn't save Sarah. ”

Ness wanted to ease the dreary atmosphere, so she smiled and said to Rui, "Rui, you hide it so well, we didn't even know it after so long together." ”

Rui smiled, and she lifted her chin towards Ferne, "Someone already knew. ”

"You mean Fern?" Ness turned to look at Fern, "How do you know Fern? That's amazing!, but why didn't you tell us sooner?"

"It's not a big deal, I'm not in a hurry to tell you, and Rui doesn't want me to say it. Fern laughed embarrassedly when she was complimented by Ness.

"No wonder Rui said that the more you talk to Fern, the more he can see through you, and I finally understand what I mean. Ness couldn't help but marvel at Fern's keen observation.

"In that case, do you think Rui can take us through Sara?" Fern took the kettle and served Ruiman with a teacup.

"I spent most of my time in Sarah after Moses left, and I was there for the days of Sarah's fall, so rest assured. "Rui is very confident in himself.

"Then it's decided, Rui leads the way, crosses Sarah, targets Dagger Mountain, and sets off early tomorrow morning, it's too late today, let's rest for another day, and prepare the rest of the time, I know that Hesey doesn't have much food. Fern flipped the two packages upside down and collapsed them on the table. "I guess it will be about two days to eat, and in this northern winter, it is not easy to find some food. ”

"Ness, do you still want to come fishing? I need an assistant. Stan smiled lightly, "We can cut the fish, wash it, seal it in the snow, and keep it for months in this weather." ”

"Okay, like last time, I'll go with you!" Ness jumped up for joy, looking innocent.

"Then I'll look around for nuts or tubers or something, a little more. Fern put away the map and began to pack up the planks that stood behind the door.

"I'll go with you, I'm very familiar with the plants here. Rui finished his tea and stood up.