The Demon King is unfathomable

Chapter 352 The Northern Border of the Empire
Luo Yan stayed in Quartz City, the commercial and artistic capital of the Kingdom of Rhodes, for three days. After admiring how the pianos that were popular throughout the empire were made by rough but steady hands, he set off again to continue his journey north.

The carriage traveled north, leaving behind the clanging of artisans and the clamor of merchants, and entered the hereditary territory of the Blackwood family, Dukes of the North.

The landscape here is completely different. The layout of the villages and towns is as strict as a military camp, the roads between the fields are as straight as if cut by a knife, and even the farmers working in the wind and snow have their backs straight.

The air was thick with the scent of discipline and steel, a stark contrast to the opulence of the Holy City and the craftsmanship of Quartz City.

Looking out at the passes stretching along the mountain range, Taf, who was peering out of the carriage window, couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

“Unbelievable, I feel like I’ve been here before.”

Luo Yan flipped through "Travels in the Kingdom of Rhodes" in his hand and took a moment to reply.

"how long ago?"

"About a thousand years, I can't remember, it was all in my past life." Taf muttered as her neck shivered from the cold wind, then buried her head back into the warm, soft blanket.

A thousand years.

That's been a long time.

According to the Records of the Kingdom of Rhodes, this duchy in the north was a major military stronghold of the Kingdom of Rhodes, built five hundred years ago and named after the Blackwood family.

Besides the fortresses and castles that can be seen everywhere, what lies before them now is a city called "Dragon's Eye City," which is said to have a deep connection with dragons.

However, rather than calling it a city, it's more accurate to describe it as a "giant fortress" that blends seamlessly into the mountains.

The city walls were built directly from the mountain's rock face, and many buildings and passages were carved into the mountainside. Rumor has it that its foundations were built directly on ancient dwarf ruins.

The buildings here are low and sturdy, with sloping roofs to withstand winter blizzards and potential attacks. The city is perpetually filled with the smells of blacksmith's smoke and leather, and the air is bitterly cold.

A massive city wall called the Unyielding Wall stands hundreds of meters high, spanning the entire canyon. It is covered with crossbows and catapults, and the walls are engraved with the names of the defenders of each dynasty and the years they resisted invasions. Every brick and tile is engraved with a profound historical heritage.

In the holy city, you cannot feel this somber atmosphere.

"...If Huangtong Pass falls, this will be the empire's second line of defense, and it should hold out longer than Huangtong Pass."

Luo Yan silently made a judgment in his mind, then turned another page of the book in his hand, his thoughts traveling through the swirling snow with the rolling wheels.

Before entering Dragon Vision City, Luo Yan wondered if Taf's aura would attract her kind, but to his dismay, they didn't hear a single dragon roar during their three-day stay, though they did hear a few wolf howls from the distant mountains.

It seems that the Dragon Tooth Mountain Range is still too small to accommodate a real dragon.

During his stay in Dragonwatch City, Luo Yan had nothing to do, so he registered as an adventurer with the local adventurers' guild under the name Colin. He even took Sarah and Taff to accept a few quests and "disturb" the nearby dungeon.

Unfortunately, the local demon king was poorly managed, even worse than the Dragon family of Thundershire, and the labyrinth was full of low-level monsters such as slimes and skeletons.

……

The local lord likely left the labyrinth untouched for the sake of sustainable magic crystal revenue, as well as the consumption and taxes contributed by adventurers.

Luo Yan could roughly sense that the demon general here was probably at the same level as Sarah, with strength in the mid-level of the silver rank.

As for the Demon King, he's probably only at the Gold level, no higher.

Without venturing into the deepest part of the maze, Luo Yan merely bombarded the fishpond on the surface, shocking the group of adventurers whose highest level was no more than Bronze, startling his "fellow travelers" huddled underground, and the overreacting Taff, before leaving in a carefree manner.

The rewards from adventurer quests were negligible, but to Luo Yan's surprise, after being idle for so long without grinding, he unexpectedly leveled up by doing just a couple of things during his journey.

【

ID: Luo Yan

Race: human

Soul Level: Diamond (Level Cap LV130)

Level: LV.92 (+1)

Constitution: 91 (+2)

Power: 36
Agility: 44
Intelligence: 289 (+10)

Spirit: 235 (+3)

】

Although the improvement in extraordinary power was insignificant compared to the improvement in faith power, it was still a pleasant surprise for Luo Yan.

Incidentally, to Luo Yan's delight, his cat also leveled up, and by a full 6 levels compared to when it was on the continent of Gana.

This rate of progress can be described as remarkably fast.

【

ID: Sarah

Race: Demon

Soul Level: Gold (Level Cap LV90)

Level: LV.57 (+6)

Constitution: 40 (+1)

Strength: 67 (+8)

Agility: 100 (+15)

Intelligence: 17
Spirit: 18
】

……

After passing through the disciplined territory of the Duke of the North, the carriage traveled eastward and soon arrived at the pass on the southern slope of the Dragontooth Mountains.

Ahead lies a knightly fief called Eagle Rock, ruled by Sir Kyle Richter, whose ancestors have served the Rhodes royal family for generations.

Although the Rhodes royal family probably doesn't remember having such a loyal vassal, it is a well-known place among the ordinary people of the continent of Os.

There is no other reason.

This is because it is a vital hub connecting the Kingdom of Rhodes to the Academy, and becoming a magician is the ultimate dream of countless ordinary people who consider themselves exceptionally talented.

Just like the young men of the Holy City dream of joining the Royal Knights.

Although becoming a mage is far more difficult than becoming a knight or adventurer, the status and treatment of a mage are incomparable to the latter two.

Moreover, it is rumored that Xuebang has been trying to explore the boundaries of the soul and attempting to obtain energy from beyond the realm of the void.

Some magicians have even transcended the shackles of their own souls and broken through bottlenecks that were originally impossible to overcome!
A higher soul level not only means having a wider sky in this life, but also means having a higher starting point when entering reincarnation in the next life.

The latter, in particular, is fatally attractive to young people born into ordinary families.

Since a large number of young men who are suspected of being awakened travel to the northern wilderness every year to try their luck, providing food and lodging services for travelers who come to the Academy for "interviews" has naturally become an important source of income for Eagle Rock Territory.

Although the local lords, like other feudal lords in the Kingdom of Rhodes, deeply resented the mages who stole young and able-bodied laborers from their territories, they at least outwardly acquiesced to the migration of people passing through their lands.

After entering Eagle Rock Territory, the roads, mixed with snowmelt, became increasingly muddy, and the number of pedestrians also increased.

They were in small groups, dressed in different clothes, but all had the same expression on their faces—a mixture of anticipation for the future and weariness from the journey.

These people are all "pilgrims" who come to Xuebang.

Luo Yan had no intention of disturbing anyone, yet his carriage itself was a silent form of "disturbance."

The car body, made of precious wood, was extremely rare in the North.

Both the smooth ride and the two glossy horses pulling the carriage demonstrated the owner's extraordinary wealth.

In this mixed group of pedestrians and tired riders, it was like a swan that had strayed into a flock of ducks.

Soon, trouble came knocking on their door.

Two young people, a man and a woman, riding two slightly tired packhorses, deliberately caught up from the back of the procession and rode alongside Luo Yan's carriage.

The man was handsome and the woman was beautiful. Their clothes were made of materials that looked once very luxurious, but there were signs of wear and tear at the edges, indicating that the long journey had cost them a lot of money.

However, there is no doubt that they are not from the Holy City, otherwise they would definitely not have failed to recognize what the Purple Moon Badge means.

"Good day, esteemed sir."

The handsome young man, a warm yet businesslike smile plastered on his face, addressed the carriage loudly, “I am Julian, and this is my sister, Liana. We come from the Holy City, and are also students heading to the Academy. In this harsh northern land, to meet a fellow traveler of such refined taste as yourself is truly invigorating!”

As he spoke, he glanced, intentionally or unintentionally, at the corner of the carriage that, though lacking a family crest, was carved with intricate purple moon motifs.

Although I don't recognize the symbol, families that use purple as their family crest must have been extremely wealthy long ago.

Before Luo Yan could respond, his sister Liana, who was standing beside him, let out a soft sigh at just the right moment.

She gracefully placed a hand, red from the cold, on her chest, and frowned pitifully. "Oh, Julian, this wind is so cold. I wish there was a place where we could escape this biting chill."

Her gaze, like a feather, lightly brushed against the curtain of the car window.

This charade has clearly been rehearsed many times.

Their goal was clear: to use their striking good looks and knowledge from the metropolis to win the favor of this wealthy "student," thereby getting on his good side and perhaps even climbing onto a new patron's coattails.

In the continent of Os, the name "Holy City" always commands respect from nobles outside of it.

This trick has worked for them time and time again!

Julian immediately replied, "Yes, sir. My sister is frail and cannot withstand the cold. Would we be so fortunate as to borrow your carriage for a short while? Even if it's just to the next village or town... we would be eternally grateful!"

He waited for a long time.

However, the carriage remained silent, as if their performance had been futilely offered to the air.

Just as Julian's smile was about to freeze, Sarah, who had been driving in silence, slowly turned her head to look at them.

Those were vertical pupils, colder than the biting wind, as if they could freeze the swirling snowflakes in an instant.

The surrounding noise seemed to vanish. The sound of the wind, the clatter of horses' hooves, the chatter of people... everything fell silent, leaving only a cold, desolate stillness.

The air grew thick and heavy, making it almost impossible for Julian to breathe. All the words he had prepared were stuck in his throat, and his mind went blank.

Liana, standing beside him, turned pale with fear, a fear born of primal instinct, as if an invisible venomous snake had choked her, rendering her unable to even scream.

After only two seconds of eye contact, Sarah looked away and gazed ahead again, as if nothing had happened.

"Uh...we...we won't bother you anymore!" Julian was terrified and stammered out a sentence before grabbing his sister's reins in a panic, urging the exhausted horse to flee the carriage that had brought them endless fear.

As Sarah watched the two clowns disappear into the snow, she looked back with some concern, reached out and lifted the curtain, and whispered something.

"Did I do the right thing... Your Highness?"

The bone-chilling cold seemed to have vanished from her eyes as she cautiously observed Luo Yan's expression, much like she would observe her master's orange tabby.

Although she sensed the Demon King's impatience, it was ultimately her own decision to send the two away.

"It's not important, just a small matter," Luo Yan replied slowly, simply turning a page of the book on his lap.

If they genuinely needed help, that would be fine; he's an easy person to talk to. However, those two were clearly just there to freeload, and he didn't want to be a victim of their schemes.

Taff rolled over and continued dozing, completely unaware of what was happening outside.

Sarah breathed a sigh of relief, perked up, and scanned her surroundings intently. Not only those with ulterior motives, but even those who were just watching the spectacle and had no intention of approaching to chat were frightened and quickened their pace to keep their distance.

That evening, at the "Adventurers' Home" inn by the roadside, the group parked their carriage in the backyard and checked into the inn to avoid the wind and snow.

Luo Yan sat at the bar, sipping the local bitter ale while listening to the lively discussions of the students around him.

The bartender who poured him the drink was a scruffy-bearded man who had seen it all. A shallow scar on his face reminded him of an old friend from Thunder City.

"It's exam season again." The bartender wiped the glasses and said to Luo Yan as if talking to himself, "Sir, you're also going to Xuebang, right? Judging from your demeanor, you must have a powerful person recommending you."

Some nobles would also go to the academy to learn magic, and these people not only brought letters of recommendation, but they also often did not start as apprentices, and even needed apprentices to serve them.

Therefore, for those who aspire to enter the Academy, gaining the friendship of nobles is also a way to pass the interview—although the Academy's apprentice selection is rigorous, it is not as rigorous as ordinary people imagine.

Just like the laws of the holy city, it will turn a blind eye when it is appropriate to make an exception.

Luo Yan smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

The bartender was used to it; he had poured drinks for countless customers like Luo Yan, who clearly came from extraordinary backgrounds, as well as for countless poor young men with dreams.

He lowered his voice and gestured with his chin to the other end of the hall, where a girl sat alone in a corner with vacant eyes.

"See her? Her name is Amy. She comes here every day, hoping to find an adventurer willing to give her a ride to Dragonwatch City to pick up her brother."

"What happened to his brother?" Luo Yan asked casually.

“A genius, and a fool.” The bartender sighed, a hint of pity in his eyes. “His brother is Cartel, the son of a stonemason, who is said to have an unparalleled talent for runes. Last year, he actually passed the preliminary test of the Academy, and everyone thought their family was about to make a name for themselves.”

The bartender paused, lowering his voice even further: "But his family was too poor, and he didn't earn enough money on the road to pay the exorbitant tuition fees for the Mage Tower. No tutor was willing to take him on. That silly boy was unwilling to give up, so he worked odd jobs at the foot of the Mage Tower for a whole year, hoping to impress some mage with his own efforts. Later, a young imperial nobleman saw his talent and said he was willing to sponsor him on the condition that he help complete a research project on ancient runes."

"Cartel gave all his research results to that imperial guy. And what happened? That guy took his results, got promoted in the mage tower, and then threw him away like a used rag. Cartel was furious and tried to argue with him, but the golem guarding the mage tower broke both his legs."

The bartender finished wiping the glasses and placed them heavily on the bar: "Now, it's said that he's given up on himself in a town belonging to the Mage Tower in the northern wasteland, and his fate is unknown. His sister, Amy, is here every day, hoping that someone will take her to see her... brother whose dreams were destroyed."

His eyes held a hint of urging, as if he hoped this distinguished gentleman would help the girl with the empty eyes.

But Luo Yan knew very well that if he couldn't help her to the end, taking her there himself would only harm her.

Searching for an ordinary person whose fate is unknown in the vast northern wilderness is tantamount to suicide.

At least she can get a job here. Maybe one day her brother will come to his senses, stop giving up on himself, and realize that there are more important things in life than academics. He might run into her on his way home.

If her story is true.

After the bartender left, Taff, huddled under her cloak, muttered something under her breath.

"This is too much."

Luo Yan took a sip of ale and said casually.

"Is your Archangel Dragon Empire any better?"

Taf's face stiffened, and her nostrils flared slightly.

"I... my idea is good, but who... who knows them..."

"Was it executed more correctly?"

"You guy!!!"

Looking at the grimacing Tauf, Luo Yan smiled faintly, left a silver coin on the table, and asked the bartender to order a dinner from her hometown for the girl he had never met before, regardless of whether she had eaten it or not.

That's enough teasing for today. He didn't want the brat to get so angry he was foaming at the mouth and turning into a cream puff...

……

Due to numerous unplanned disruptions along the way, the second half of this northward journey took much longer than the first.

Luo Yan didn't feel there was anything wrong with it, since he wasn't in a hurry anyway.

Whether it's the Empire, Hell, or the continent of Gana, all plans need time to develop. During this period of reflection, he can use it to observe the local customs and traditions of various regions on the continent of Os and read the books he has collected along the way.

Incidentally, he has finished reading "Travels in the Kingdom of Rhodes" in the past two weeks and is now reading about the history of the Academy, the origins of the thirteen mage towers, and the mages who currently rule there.

Out of curiosity about the Empire's "Demon King Academy," he decided not to take out the letter of recommendation written for him by Count Sylphine, but to participate in the so-called magic apprentice exam as an ordinary person and see where the top students of the Demon King Academy could rank.

However, perhaps due to his high profile in Dragon City, news of Prince Colin's arrival in the northern border of the kingdom spread quickly.

The news quickly reached the ears of Sir Kyle Richter, the lord of Eagle Rock.

Upon receiving news of Prince Colin's northward journey from the Holy City, this lord, who was extremely enamored with the Empire's refined culture, fell into a state of near-fanatical anticipation.

That's His Highness Colin!
Although he didn't know who Prince Colin was or about the history of the Colin family, that didn't stop him from respecting every distinguished guest from the Holy City.

He dreamed that someone would bring the story of this place to the Holy City, making the Richter name a legend of the Holy City.

Inside the castle, Sir Richter paced anxiously back and forth.

Suddenly, he stopped in front of an icon of Saint Sis that was hanging on the wall and devoutly made the sign of the cross on his chest in prayer.

“By Saint Sith! Thank you for sending your envoy to this harsh land! I will certainly treat him well and will not fail the mission you have entrusted to the Richter family!”

He had the castle cleaned up early on, polished the piano that no one knew how to play, and even spent a fortune to order several barrels of priceless wine from the Hilfiger family's winery from a merchant.

However, it is clear that not everyone "values ​​tradition" as much as he does; for example, his wife has often criticized his vanity.

"Mission? Mr. Kyle, you've already spent half of this year's tax revenue on those expensive wines and ceremonies!"

A slightly sarcastic female voice came from beside the fireplace, carrying an undisguised hint of mockery.

"Don't be naive. Even if His Highness Colin admires your bravery, the Senate of the Empire will not transfer your territory to the prosperous south."

"Shut up! What do you know!" Sir Richter, as if a cat whose tail had been stepped on, turned sharply and scolded, "Woman's views! This is a matter of paramount importance concerning the family honor! What does it have to do with the territory?"

Is it alright?

Honor belongs to the empire, to the kings, to the nobles; only gold and land truly belong to them.

The lady glared at him defiantly, but since the master was the head of the household, she ultimately remained silent, sulking.

Sir Richter's chest heaved violently, like a frog caught on its belly, making his wide-set body look even more comical.

Although the Rhodes vehemently deny it, they may indeed have a trace of dwarven blood, as evidenced by their obsession with greatswords and their passion for forging.

Influenced by their dwarf bloodline, both men and women are generally under 170 cm tall.

The men here have broad frames and solid muscles, which aren't very noticeable unless they practice martial arts, but once they do, they tend to evolve into "bucket-like" figures. As for the women here, although there are quite a few with "bucket-like" figures, they are influenced by imperial culture, and the upper class generally wears corsets, which makes them appear petite and delicate yet broad-minded.

At that moment, a servant came running in from outside, tumbling and stumbling, shouting excitedly.

"My lord! My lord! The border sentries have just reported that they spotted the purple moon emblem! The Prince's carriage has entered the country! He's here!"

Sir Kyle's anger vanished instantly, replaced by immense joy. He waved his hand sharply and shouted, "Quick! Everyone, follow me out to greet them!"

Having said that, he immediately led his servants out, not even having time to put on a thicker robe.

The biting wind whipped up snowflakes and lashed the hills outside Eagle Rock Fortress without mercy.

Sir Kyle stood proudly at the front of the procession, dressed in a magnificent suit custom-made from the Holy City that clung tightly to his barrel-shaped frame.

Although his nose was red from the cold, he stubbornly stood tall with his chest like a city wall, leading a row of shivering servants to stand firm in the cold wind.

Time passed slowly, and the snow on the ground rose from their ankles to their calves.

However, the magnificent carriage carrying the noble prince that was expected never appeared, not even a trace of it.

Sir Kyle's expectation gradually gave way to impatience and disappointment. The servants behind him exchanged bitter glances, but dared not utter a sound.

Finally, as the sun began to set and the sky grew increasingly dark, the esteemed knight could no longer maintain his ridiculous air of authority.

Waiting any longer is no joke. Even if he is a superhuman, his servants are just a bunch of ordinary people.

He stomped his numb feet heavily and awkwardly announced to the empty snowfield and the servants behind him.

"It's all this damned snow! Yes... it must be because the snowstorm was so heavy that it froze Prince Colin's horse, causing that lord to be delayed on the road! Let's... go back first!"

After saying that, he turned around angrily, taking his frustration and irritation, which he had nowhere to vent, back to the warm main hall of the castle.

He had just sat down by the fireplace and hadn't even had a sip of hot soup when a servant rushed in, looking flustered.

"Master! Master!"

Kyle was startled and stood up.

"Prince Colin is here?!"

He was still dressed, ready to leave at any moment!
However, the servant, panting heavily, could only manage to utter one sentence.

"It's not Colin... Your Highness, it's Pompeii! Your village! Undead have attacked it and kidnapped several children!"

Sir Kyle, already furious at not having met the important person, was enraged by this trivial matter. He slammed his hand on the table and impatiently waved his hand, shouting:
"Don't bother me with this! Let them find the adventurers themselves! They can't even keep an eye on the undead, what are those guys in the guild good for!"

If it were the horse he kept on his farm that was lost, he would probably be excited, but when he heard that it was just a few farmers' children, his face immediately fell.

The servant stammered a reply, left with a bitter face, unsure how to face the miller who was crying outside the audience hall.

At this moment, the esteemed Lord Kyle is making the sign of the cross on his chest, praying devoutly for Prince Colin.

"By Saint Sith...please do not let that esteemed prince suffer from the cold and snow. I will send someone to find him as soon as the snow outside subsides!"

　I'll leave this as a cliffhanger for now, and fill in the Dragon City adventure (fishing) in a side story sometime when I remember. It's a bit of a tangent in the main story.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)