Dragon Tribulation of All Realms

Chapter 44: Encountering a Witch from the Academy in the Forest of Kaina
The carriage continued to move forward, and Toland returned to his bunk, closed his eyes and continued to rest.

Wu Chen jumped lightly from the carriage.

He hung the amulet on his chest, which increased his stamina and endurance by about ten percent. Adding to that the magic-enhancing garnet silver ring, the basic enchantment configuration was complete.

A little stronger again.

I also discovered some new tricks while studying magic on the road.

The convoy's pace slowed down slightly, and he soon found Lazard in the front car. The tiger man was preparing the coins needed to enter the town, as well as the cargo report.

"Kena's Wood can basically be considered part of Windhelm, and some territory guards will be stationed here permanently. Dust, you can hand in the heads you captured in the Mist Tower here in exchange for the bounty. If you deem it necessary, you can also obtain a permit to enter Windhelm."

It's not very difficult.

When the caravan arrived at the town gate, while Lazard was bargaining with the territory guards wearing chain mail and visored helmets about whether the tiger people should pay double taxes, Wu Chen found the captain among them, the only one without a helmet. He looked like an old warrior who had been tested by the flames of war, and when Wu Chen approached him, he subconsciously placed his hand on the handle of the battle axe at his waist.

"I'm here to collect the bounty." Wu Chen didn't bother trying to read the captain's mind, simply placing two bandit heads, encased in lime, on the table in front of the captain. "Mud 'Rock' and Korlo 'Skullbreaker'. I killed them and cleared out the Misty Tower stronghold they were in. You can check it out."

The captain glanced at the two ferocious heads, his hands still on his weapon.

"Are you with them?" He glanced at the convoy whose cargo was being inspected, his eyes glancing at Tolan's Vigilante robe, which was half-extended from the carriage.

"On the way. Saved a Sentinel on the way."

"I know." The captain noticed the Stendarr Amulet hanging on his chest. "This amulet looks powerful. Those who are not serious would not dare to wear it casually."

He turned his head and shouted to the guard who was negotiating with Lazard, "Alright! Alar, stop making things difficult for that poor cat. These are decent people. Follow the proper procedures."

"But, sir..." The soldier wanted to argue, but under the captain's stern gaze, he waved his hand at Lazard in frustration. The tiger people thus received normal trade taxes, and Wu Chen returned his gaze to the captain before him.

The captain's hand was already on the table, and with his other hand he picked up the bandit leader's head and examined it carefully.

"It is indeed Mudd and Korlo, these two evil thieves have finally received the end they deserve. Then, according to Lord Ulfric's order, the warrior who punishes evil will be rewarded." He turned his head and said a few words to the guard beside him. The guard then walked away, taking the two heads with him.

"Your reward will be arriving soon."

"I still need a permit to enter the city. I need to go to Windhelm."

"Windhelm, ah... Windhelm. Yes, a warrior as skilled as you would naturally want to go to Windhelm. After all, Windhelm is the greatest city in Skyrim. Countless opportunities await outsiders from all corners... Have you ever considered serving under Lord Ulfric? I can write you a letter of recommendation."

It's the Stormcloaks.

At this point in time, Ulfric was preparing for war. To those unaware of the situation, this might seem like an ordinary invitation. But for Wu Chen, who knew so many secrets, a glimpse of it revealed the whole picture.

The High King is about to die.

Civil war is about to break out in Skyrim.

On this basis, since I am not of Nord descent, the risk I need to take in going to Windhelm seems to be increasing slightly.

"I'll consider it." Wu Chen nodded. He wasn't afraid of the increased risk. But he wouldn't board the Stormcloaks' wreckage until General Tullius's elite Imperial Legion was destroyed by Alduin or some other irresistible force.

God knows how the Dragonborn plot line will unfold this time. Maybe Ulfric will be taken away directly by Tullius's legion in one wave, without even having time for trial and execution, and will be killed directly on the battlefield!

"When you're ready, come find me anytime. I'm Vasco. If I'm not here, find my deputy, Zed."

A trace of regret crossed the veteran captain's face, but he nodded and handed Wu Chen a stamped entry permit. Meanwhile, his deputy handed Wu Chen a bag full of coins. "Four hundred and thirty Septim coins. Keep them."

It was a considerable sum of money. It weighed perhaps two kilograms or more, and tax-free. The golden coins shone enchantingly in the sunlight. Wu Chen immediately felt a somewhat unfriendly gaze directed at him.

He nodded, then glanced at Lazard, who was directing the caravan into the village. The Khajiit waved at him, and he immediately stepped into the town, officially setting foot in the first stronghold he had remembered from playing The Elder Scrolls.

Also interesting.

Clearly, in the game, the entire village of Kaina Woods consisted of an inn and a mine. He only remembered the town's name because the second dragon in the Dragonborn storyline would be resurrected there. Beyond that, there wasn't even a single side storyline in the place. And yet, now...

A bustling, even prosperous village appeared in front of Wu Chen.

——Fantasy medieval.

Wu Chen randomly chose a path, and beneath his feet lay solid stone slabs and hard soil. Occasionally, beggars and children playing around could be seen on the roadside, as well as Nordic locals in coarse clothing walking back and forth.

Several armored and sword-carrying warriors appeared before his eyes—those were mercenaries, hired to fight for a fee. Since there were mercenaries here, there naturally would be large taverns and blacksmith shops.

You have to understand the customs and culture of the Middle Ages.

Following the direction of the rising smoke, he soon found a large blacksmith's shop. An old blacksmith and several apprentices were busy in the workshop, and many forged weapons and armor were hung on the walls.

"The best weapons! The strongest armor!" an apprentice shouted as he approached, greeting him enthusiastically. "Come and take a look! Whether it's repairing or strengthening, we have everything here!"

Wu Chen walked over to take a look. Simply judging by the styles, there was indeed a wide range of items. Leather, iron, studded, and even steel—Wu Chen saw here the full set of steel armor favored by capable warriors in Skyrim. It was fully protected from head to toe, with thick furs for warmth. Aside from the weight, it was superior to the iron armor he had obtained from the Misty Tower in every way.

He bought a set for a hundred Septim, and in the tailor shop across from the blacksmith shop, he bought himself a lighter, more stylish armor robe with many inner pockets and waterproof function.

"You really should buy a sword," the salesman enthusiastically recommended. "Swords, axes, guns. Even daggers... aren't you planning on buying a dagger for self-defense?"

He made a good point; even wizards should carry a dagger. So Wu Chen spent another twenty Septim on a refined steel dagger with a cowhide scabbard. It had a very stable center of gravity, and its sharpness and heft were impressive. There was a difference between wielding a weighty weapon and a weightless bound sword. The latter felt sharp and light, yet felt like a toy, while the former gave one the undeniable weight of life.

The new outfit feels great.

With his combat power slightly upgraded, the next step was to find a place to live. It didn't take Wu Chen much effort to find the largest tavern in the village, where he enjoyed a delicious meal of medieval specialties.

Apple and cabbage soup, charcoal-grilled lamb shanks, and a glass of vegetable juice. The taste was much better than expected. Perhaps it was because there was no shortage of spices and seasonings here, and the ingredients were naturally unpolluted. Wu Chen felt that his dining experience was surprisingly similar to that of a small restaurant on Earth.

Much better than the carrots and dry bread you gnaw on while traveling.

"Not bad at all." Wu Chen thought.

He chose a spot near a corner where few people would disturb him. Some locals were huddled around the fire, drinking and chatting, talking about some worthless but interesting country talk.

Life seemed to slow down all of a sudden. There was no imminent crisis, no dire or dangerous situation. There were still more than eighty days left in the ninety-day deadline, and nothing seemed to stand in the way of the goal.

For a moment, he felt relaxed, even a little dazed. However, the moment he regained his vigilance——

"You are the one who activated the elemental standing stone, correct?"

A woman suddenly appeared in the seat opposite him.

On her head, she wore a witch's pointed hat.

(End of this chapter)