Above the mage

Chapter 808 Olaf

Following in the footsteps of the elder of the Tor tribe, God and Sunefa descended along the gentle path on the edge of the pine forest, officially entering the territory of Viking Wolf Harbor.

The ground beneath our feet was no longer pine needles, but a smooth surface formed by the junction of snowfield permafrost and coastal ice beach.

The road surface was covered with gravel, shell fragments, seaweed, silt, and frozen soil. Although it was hard, brittle, and cold to walk on, it was very slippery.

Viking Wolf Harbor is a polar pirate port, not a trading port.

Therefore, unlike the bustling and lively commercial ports, Viking Wolf Harbor has a rough, unrefined character.

The houses on both sides of the road are entirely in a practical style.

It is low and sturdy, square in shape, and without any superfluous decorations.

The walls are constructed of stone mixed with Norwegian cedar fiber and shell ash, making them thick and airtight, and able to insulate against sea winds and extreme cold.

The exterior walls are mottled with varying shades of gray and black due to years of erosion by the sea wind.

Every wall surface is adorned with simple and rugged wolf-patterned totems.

This is part of Viking culture.

The roof was covered with thick layers of dried seaweed and tanned animal hides, pressed tightly together, with stones and iron weights pressing down on the edges to prevent it from being blown over by the sea wind.

Yes, iron products, which are quite rare in the North, are not uncommon in Viking Wolf Harbor.

Occasionally, wisps of pale white smoke would rise slowly from the gaps in the animal hides, softening the somber atmosphere of the harbor and adding a touch of warmth and life.

The houses along the way were scattered haphazardly, without any order or planning, and were arbitrarily arranged along the flat beach.

It's densely packed, with a casual feel unique to pirate settlements.

Under the eaves and along the courtyard walls, winter supplies were neatly hung and stacked: dried animal hides, tightly bound old sails, and hardened waterproof hemp ropes...

The sea breeze howled past, causing ropes to rub together and pieces of cloth to tremble, producing a cold, rough sound.

The air was filled with the chill of the frozen earth and the faint scent of animal hide grease.

Vikings traveled along the road, both men and women, all of them tall, robust, and strong.

Most of the men carried short axes at their waists, exuding the fierce and violent nature unique to pirate tribes.

Even the female Vikings who passed by were dressed in light armor for protection against the cold and carried short spears, showing no sign of weakness.

The Viking tribes were a warrior people where everyone was a soldier.

Every passing Viking glanced at him and Sunafa to some extent.

As a pirate tribe, they had a much lower tolerance for unfamiliar faces than other tribes.

However, standing next to Gaode and Sunaifa was the elder of the Tuo'er tribe.

With him present, the Vikings knew that these two outsiders had gained enough influence to warrant questioning and expulsion; they were simply curious.

For many years, no outsiders have come to Wolf Harbor.

Although it is not yet summer, the makeshift workshops in Wolf Harbor have not stopped operating.

Instead of repairing the sails and hulls, they reinforced the armor, sharpened weapons, and sewed cold-weather armor.

The dull sounds of hammering, chiseling, and tanning leather rose and fell, preparing for the summer thaw and the impending sea raids.

At the end of the street is a gentle slope, the road sloping downwards, leading to the docks and shipyards at the lowest point of Wolf Harbor.

This is also the core of Wolf Harbor.

The dock is the largest building in the entire port.

The entire framework of the dock is constructed from whole Norwegian cedar logs.

Thick beams and columns intersect to form a huge triangular truss, and the roof is covered with heavy laminated wooden planks.

Huge doorways were open in the side walls of the dock.

Strictly speaking, it cannot be called a door.

Giant hull plating that can be disassembled and erected along the entire wall.

Gao De saw that two planks had been lowered and laid flat between the shore and the ice, forming a wide ramp.

A waterway, about ten feet wide, was carved out of the ice beside the slope.

Hot water was continuously poured over both sides to prevent refreezing.

At the end of the waterway was the water area inside the dock, where the keels and ribs of several wolf-shaped ships were suspended on wooden slides inside the dock.

The pier outside the dock is supported by sea ice, and the bridge planks that were originally floating on the water are now frozen together with the ice.

Thick icicles formed around the bridge piers.

Several simple watchtowers stand at the far end of the pier, each topped with a small lookout cabin.

The windproof curtains were covered with sealskin on all four sides.

Gao De saw a figure move slightly in the lookout cabin of one of the watchtowers.

They probably saw them.

The curtain then fell back down.

As for the dock, it was paved with giant logs and rocks.

The surface is frozen solid, with interlocking ice crusts, and the once wet mudflats have hardened.

Dozens of Viking wolf ships were removed from the water and firmly secured to the raised dock embankment by massive Norwegian cedar logs and heavy iron chains, standing in neat rows.

In the dead of winter, the sea freezes over, making long voyages impossible.

All wolf boats must be brought ashore and elevated to prevent the hull from being crushed by sea ice or the keel from freezing and cracking.

Gao De's gaze had involuntarily fallen upon these renowned Viking wolf ships.

The ship has long, sharp lines and a thick, solid keel at the bottom, which is strong enough to withstand the impact of deep-sea currents and sea monsters.

Made entirely of Norwegian cedar, the ships are frost-resistant and cold-resistant, and each ship is carved with a ferocious wolf head relief.

Its fangs are interlocked, making it appear even more ferocious in the gray-white sunlight.

The runes on the ship's hull had long since faded and gone into a dormant state.

All the animal skin sails on the ship were dismantled, stored, and sealed in a warehouse.

The wooden spikes that Gaode just saw covering the back of the beast were actually the gun barrels densely erected on the wolf ship.

Sailless masts are arranged in a staggered pattern, piercing straight through the gray-white sky.

The docks were not as busy and noisy as usual.

There were no sailors climbing to repair it, and no cargo being moved or stockpiled.

The entire port area was very quiet.

A small number of craftsmen remained to inspect the boats, checking the condition of each hull, tightening the iron cable supports, and clearing the snow from the surface of the boats.

Each wolf ship is essential for the tribe's summer voyages and plundering of resources, and no negligence is allowed.

The elder of the Tuor tribe did not lead Gaode and Sunefa toward the dock and port, but instead turned to the right.

There is a main road there paved with broken rocks.

This passageway is the core central axis of Wolf Harbor.

The houses on both sides of the main road were noticeably taller and neater than the houses we had seen before.

Even the wolf totem on the wall has become much more refined, no longer a rough and hasty simple engraving.

Gaode noticed that there was a wooden pillar nearly two people tall standing at each end of the road.

The top of the pillar is carved with a wolf's head, its mouth slightly open, revealing a row of fangs blurred by wind and snow.

Although it was his first time encountering Vikings, Gao De guessed that this must be a landmark, meaning that further ahead lay the core hinterland of Viking Wolf Harbor.

The same is true.

Guided by the elder of the Tor tribe, God and Sunefa entered a large longhouse in the heart of the territory.

The interior space is very spacious, with several extremely thick Norwegian cedar beams spanning the dome, firmly supporting the vast space of the longhouse.

A row of thick, dark iron chains hung from the crossbeam.

The chain ends, from which hang cast iron lamps.

The wick was soaked in sea animal fat, burning with a slow, flickering flame.

Deep inside the longhouse, there are two hearths side by side.

"Please wait here for a while, I will go and inform the chief." The elder of the Tuo'er tribe asked them to sit down near the low table by the fire pit.

He first shouted something towards a side door covered with a thick fur curtain, and then walked out.

A woman's voice came from behind the curtain, followed by the sound of pots and pans clattering.

A short while later, the side curtain was lifted.

A burly Viking woman came out carrying a large ceramic plate.

The earthenware plate made a dull sound when placed on the low table, indicating its considerable weight.

Gao De looked down and saw that the food on the plate was simple and substantial:

Several large pieces of dark brown stewed meat were soaking in a thick sauce, with steam rising slightly from the surface of the meat.

The sauce contained some dark green bits of food, probably some kind of dried seaweed or moss.

Next to the chunk of meat was a pile of grayish-white paste.

It has a thick, porridge-like texture and a faint fermented, sour smell.

Several thick slices of dark bread were placed on the side of the plate.

The cut surface is rough, revealing unground wheat bran and crushed dried berry particles.

The woman then took out three small ceramic bowls from her apron pocket.

Bowls were placed on the table one by one, and then a kettle hanging on an iron hook by the hearth was picked up and filled with a light golden liquid.

The liquid was steaming and emitted a cool, slightly bitter aroma.

"Norwegian cedar needle tea".

The elder of the Tuo'er tribe had returned sometime earlier and sat down in the empty seat next to Gao De.

"I've added dried moss and a touch of whale blubber to the tea for flavor, so you might not be used to it, but it has a certain warming effect that the Vikings love. You probably won't find such a good warming substance in your tribe." There was a hint of pride in his tone.

In the hearts of the Vikings, Norwegian cedar was their most important asset and their proudest possession.

It enabled the Vikings to build wooden houses, manufacture various types of furniture, and, more importantly, to build Viking wolf ships that traversed the North Sea, sustaining the clan's survival.

Pine needle tea, a byproduct of the product, also has remarkable effects, possessing a certain ability to dispel cold, making it an essential item for getting through winter.

In his mind, Gaud and Sunaf, both from the North, must have been incredibly envious of Norcepine's existence.

Here, Gao De picked up the bowl and took a sip of the so-called pine needle tea.

There is indeed a distinct, slightly bitter, resinous taste upon tasting it.

Then, the heat flowed into the stomach along with the liquid, and the warmth quickly spread from the chest and abdomen to the limbs.

As the elders of the Tuo'er tribe said, it has a certain effect in dispelling cold and is not an ordinary thing.

Just then, heavy footsteps came from the side door of the longhouse.

The footsteps were deep and powerful, with broad and steady strides. The sense of oppression far exceeded that of any Vikings Gaode had ever seen before. Each step felt like a heavy stone hitting the ground.

Tuoer put down the ceramic bowl in his hand and gestured with his chin toward the door: "It's the leader."

6

The moment the words left his mouth, the heavy fur curtain of the door was flung open by a large, strong hand.

The edge of the curtain hit the door frame with a dull thud.

An extremely tall and imposing figure strode in, the firelight casting a line of alternating light and shadow across his body.

Gao De looked up and was slightly surprised.

The tribal chief who ruled over the Viking Wolf Harbor was not the composed old man he had expected; he looked to be only in his early thirties, at the peak of his life.

He was wearing a thick, open fur vest, the neckline revealing bulging chest muscles crisscrossed with numerous scabs from wounds of varying depths.

His long, reddish-brown hair was rough and unruly, with coarse, tangled strands that showed no signs of styling.

The most striking feature on his face was his thick, unruly, and outward-spreading reddish-brown beard.

His beard was thick, stiff, and matted, hanging down from his chin to his chest.

On either side of his waist hung a single-handed berserker axe.

The two axes are identical in shape, both with short handles and wide blades, the edges gleaming with a cold light.

He stood by the fire pit, his large, imposing body blocking out most of the lamplight.

A heavy shadow fell, completely shrouding half of the low table in darkness.

He strode around the low table and sat down in the large Norwegian cedar chair in the main seat opposite the hearth.

The chair back reached his shoulders, and the armrests on both sides were carved with wolf heads biting and devouring patterns.

The moment he sat down, his posture was unrestrained and rude. He lifted his heavy animal-hide boots, which were covered in slag and mud, and slammed them down on the stone platform at the edge of the fire pit.

The frozen snow on the soles of the boots was being roasted by the charcoal fire, emitting a constant hissing sound, and wisps of white mist rose up.

He casually grabbed the bowl of pine needle tea that Tuo Er had left on the low table, tilted his head back, and gulped down a large mouthful.

After downing the drink in one gulp, he wiped his mouth before looking directly at Sunefa.

"Zhenbing War Mother".

His voice deepened: "I always thought that the people of your three major tribes would never set foot in our Wolf Harbor."

"Nothing is impossible. Just like no one could have imagined that you Vikings would eventually make a living by raiding and dominate the North Sea." Faced with the other party's slightly provocative words, Sunafa remained calm, her cool eyes showing no ripples.

This confidence comes from one's own strength.

Because the moment he entered, God knew his mage level through Mandora's Eye.

It's also a fifth ring, although its lower rank is definitely higher than Sunefa's.

But as long as we're still at the Fifth Ring Road level, there's nothing to be afraid of.

Just as the atmosphere inside the room was becoming slightly tense, the elder of the Tuo'er tribe quickly interjected to ease the tension: "Zhenbing War Mother, this is our leader, Olaf."

"Chief, this is Zhenbing War Mother..." He paused for a moment.

"Sunefa Porias," Sunefa replied, stating her name.

The elder of the Tuo'er tribe looked at Gao De beside him, wanting to continue the introduction, but then suddenly realized that he did not know Gao De's identity, and was speechless for a moment.

"This is our king, God," Sunafa said, seemingly noticing the confusion of the elder of the Tuo'er clan.

These few words deeply shocked the elder of the Tuo'er tribe.

He never expected that Gao De, who seemed so ordinary, actually had such a high status.

However, as a clan elder, he quickly composed himself and gave a brief account of how the two men had offered their assistance and sought a deal.

However, after listening to the old man of the Tuo'er tribe, Olaf did not express his gratitude or ask about the specific details of the transaction. Instead, he turned his attention to Gao De.

His gaze swept over Gao De from head to toe: "The King of the Zhenbing Tribe? Interesting."

"However, I seem to remember that the Iceborn tribes have always worshipped only female rulers and never established male rulers. They revered the War Mother and never had a tribal king."

""

"Could it be that after all these years, the Icefolk tribes have finally realized that they can't rely on women alone and have begun to change their traditions?"

His words were laced with sarcasm.

Faced with Olaf's verbal provocation, Sunefa remained calm and composed, retorting lightly: "The world changes so much. The Viking wolf clan has transformed from snowfield hunters into pirates who raid across the seas. Such a change is already so significant. What's so strange about my Iceborn tribe adapting and changing its rules accordingly?"

Olaf grinned upon hearing this.

He didn't dwell on the topic, but instead asked, "How did you find the location of our Viking Wolf Harbor?"

The Iceborn mage we hired last year didn't bring him into Viking Wolf Harbor.

He was referring to Quentin.

Last winter, the tribe specially invited Quentin to help them.

At that time, the Deep Sea Serpent Neck Clan was facing a breeding crisis. One of their core adult females was about to give birth prematurely, so as to be on the safe side, they took the initiative to invite Quentin, the great beast tamer, for help.

However, they remained strictly conscious of Lang Harbor's geographical location, avoiding any unnecessary contact throughout the process, and only providing assistance with the delivery at a makeshift location.

From beginning to end, Quentin had no idea of ​​the true location of Wolf Harbor.

"It's just a few secret techniques passed down from the Iceborn." Sunefa told the truth when asked, but didn't go into details.

After a brief silence, Olaf finally spoke and asked, "You've come north, what kind of deal do you want to make with us?"

""