Chapter 186: Chapter 185: Reception Arrangements

As soon as he drew near, he shouted, "Is Mage Colin here?"

"I am!" Colin quickly stood up and shouted back.

Seeing the soldier’s expression, Colin felt a sense of unease. ’He doesn’t think the hundred-plus Orcs behind me are here to rob them, does he? Didn’t the Five-Stringed make arrangements for this?’

"Someone told the mayor you were coming!" the soldier shouted. "We don’t have much food, and we can’t let you enter the town, but you can rest in the surrounding area!"

"What about the women and children?" Colin shouted. "You have to at least let the women, elderly, and children get out of the wind! We’re just passing through."

Colin could understand the concerns of Snow Deer Ridge.

Even with their prior dealings, the arrival of a race like the Orcs, where every member is a warrior, at the town’s doorstep was hardly a comforting sight.

However, his group was truly exhausted.

The soldier hesitated for a moment. "That’s not my decision to make, sir. I’ll have to go back and ask."

"Alright."

With that, the soldier hurried back on his sleigh.

Afterward, Colin led the group onward. Just as they were approaching the outskirts of Snow Deer Ridge, the soldier finally returned with a favorable answer.

The group arrived at the outskirts of Snow Deer Ridge.

The Orcs skillfully found spots and used their weapons to build snow shelters, while the women, elderly, and children were ushered into a few of the town’s vacant cellars and stables.

The conditions were rudimentary, but at least they wouldn’t have to freeze outside.

Just as Colin was about to go find someone from the Five-Stringed to talk, the members of the Black Giant Root Squad, who seemed practically welded to the Orcs’ shoulders, approached again. Of course, it was a bit much to ask a few Halflings and a Gnome to trudge through knee-deep snow for any length of time.

"The Crystal Ball is working, Colin," the Gnome hollered. "Do you want to talk to Mr. Helder?"

"We should probably check in with the people from the Five-Stringed first," Colin said.

The Gnome added, "We should also tell the Shaman here. She instructed us to get her right away if we managed to make contact."

"That works."

Upon hearing Colin, Kase immediately found an Orc and spoke with them.

After a while, the War Mistress came over.

Although the elderly Orc leaned on a staff and looked frail with age, Colin had noticed over the past few days that her stamina was hardly any less than that of the younger Orcs.

"War Mistress, we can contact the humans in the south."

"Now we can finally get down to business," the War Mistress said. "Where, specifically, will we be talking?"

The words had barely left her mouth when Colin spotted a man with a Lute on his back hurrying out from the town. He wasn’t the same chatty Wandering Poet from their last visit.

The moment he saw Colin and the Black Giant Root Squad beside him, he hurried over and asked, "You’re Colin’s team, right?"

"Yes, we were just about to look for you to get in touch with Edwin," the Gnome said shrilly. "That stupid ball is working."

"I certainly wouldn’t call a Magic Item worth thousands of Gold Coins—one you can only trade for gold bars—a ’stupid ball’," the Wandering Poet said. "Regardless, hurry over. Your situation is the most pressing matter we have right now. Once it’s dealt with, we can all breathe a little easier."

The members of the Black Giant Root Squad immediately jumped down from the Orcs and onto the town’s main road.

The snow inside Snow Deer Ridge had already been cleared away, so walking was effortless for them.

The group then headed straight for the Five-String Headquarters they had visited before.

When they reached the cellar entrance, a muffled voice came from behind the door: "Password."

"Don’t make me say that stupid password of yours! Just open the door!" the Wandering Poet snapped.

The cellar door was pushed open, and inside was the talkative poet they had met before.

He said, disgruntled, "The password is absolutely necessary! And my password is perfect. No one would ever guess a password like that!"

"Oh, please. It’s embarrassing just to say it out loud."

The Wandering Poet waved dismissively and led the group downstairs.

After the Black Giant Root Squad entered the cellar, the Gnome pulled a Crystal Ball the size of a human head from out of nowhere. He placed it on the table, recited a few strange Spells, made a couple of gestures, and then sat down on a chair the Wandering Poet had pulled out for him.

"Is that all it takes?" Kase asked. "How come we can’t see anything?"

"Only smart people can see it," the Gnome said matter-of-factly.

Kase looked at his other companions and asked, "Can you guys see it?"

"I can’t see anything... I should have paid more attention when I was helping Mr. Colin transcribe books," Orelia said regretfully.

Colin stared intently at the Crystal Ball for a few moments before shaking his head helplessly.

’I guess my Intelligence isn’t high enough either,’ he thought.

Ale cleared her throat. "Magic Crystal Balls take a little while to connect," she said. "This is probably normal."

Feeling the others’ unfriendly glares, the Gnome coughed. "I was just trying to lighten the mood. It was a joke."

"I hear getting punched stimulates blood flow and improves your health," Colin said.

"That’s true. I’ve heard that as well."

"Alright, alright, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!" the Gnome yelped.

Before they could finish arguing, the Crystal Ball on the table suddenly hummed, and Edwin’s voice came through.

"Hello? Can you hear me?"

Colin quickly looked over. An image of Edwin sitting at a desk had indeed appeared inside the Crystal Ball. Judging by the angle, he must have placed his own Crystal Ball on his desktop.

"It looks like your mission was a success," Edwin said with a smile. "Is there anything you need help with now?"

Hearing these words, Colin instantly felt a sense of security.

He knew that this Paladin, thousands of miles away, could always handle everything.

"Food, Edwin, we don’t have enough food," Colin said quickly.

"I’ve already had the Weston Clan contact merchant ships in the north for support in advance. If everything went according to plan, there should be several merchant ships loaded with food waiting for you along the banks of the North River.

However, I must remind you to avoid Mokewick on your return trip. Although the war between Thousand Masts City and them ended fifty years ago, you still need to be wary of those Mokewick Pirates."

Edwin paused for a moment and then asked, "Do you have enough food now to make it to the North River?"

"It should be enough."

’If I factor in the Magic Necklace the Snow Elf gave me,’ Colin added silently.

"That’s wonderful. How many survivors are left in the Orc Tribe now? Is your squad still with them?"

"The Orc Tribe lost thirty people, and now there are over a hundred left. Most of the remaining ones are young people."

"We’re all alive."

Colin and the Gnome spoke one after the other.

"I understand," Edwin then asked, "Is the Chief or Shaman of this Orc Tribe there?"