Chapter 37: Chapter 26 Land of Dead Silence_2
Compared to that, Duanmu Huai and his group were fewer in number and smaller in target size, allowing them to slip by undetected if they were both lucky and careful.
Under the satellite scan of the strategic command room, Duanmu Huai’s current movement was as clear as an open map; showing which places were riskier and which were safer. Consequently, under his leadership, the journey was fairly smooth.
“I really can’t get used to this place.”
Sitting in the carriage and observing the surroundings, the Elf Scout grumbled discontentedly. Everything here carried a hint of deathly stillness, even the air seemed laden with bone-chilling ice crystals. When inhaled, one could feel their entire body shivering. Even the two horses drawing the carriage seemed listless, as they could only nibble on the withered wild grass by the roadside…
“Alright, rather than complaining, we better think about how we can get out of here as soon as possible.”
Duanmu Huai didn’t really mind. After all, this place was just like that. He briefly checked the map, and Sir Kado and the Elf Scout leaned in.
To be honest, everything outside was already in quite a mess.
All three princes had crowned themselves kings, initiating Imperial Civil War 2.0. Unfortunately, there was no vampire to present a head and unite them once again. The City of Silver had indeed fallen, the entire territory was now a playground for the virus, pestilence and the Corrupted Believers. Adding to this, it was also spreading to the surrounding areas. Massive waves of refugees flooded into neighboring territories, which were primarily encountering the impact of the civil war.
The route proposed by the Elf Scout was to traverse through the now desolate Wesen Territory and cross the southern Gray Mountains to reach Bartonilla- a relatively small but peaceful country. At least in Bartonilla, people could live in peace.
Well, as long as you weren’t a farmer.
Unsurprisingly, no country in this world was perfect, Bartonilla had its problems as well. However, compared to the current imperial internal strife and the brutal and corrupt believers enjoying within the imperial territory, Bartonilla seemed like a fine choice.
In other words, they had no better choice. If they were not headed to Bartonilla, they either had to cross the Ogre Kingdom to go far away to Zhen Dan, or head south across the desert to the Arabic lands…
Compared to these, getting to Bartonilla by crossing the Gray Mountains didn’t seem too bad, as long as they didn’t provoke the Dwarves, it wouldn’t be a problem.
It’s way better than crossing the Ogre Kingdom or risking their lives in the desert.
“Let’s continue ahead, at least for now, there doesn’t seem to be anyone ahead.”
In this Land of Dead Silence, the most dangerous places are not the wild and deserted areas, but the villages, towns and even castles. Due to the brutal Vampire Lord’s reign, almost all the people in this territory – from farmers to nobles were killed and turned into undead creatures. Therefore, there were high chances of encountering undead creatures in the places where they lived.
For these reasons, the group spent their journey in the wilderness, skirting human settlements.
Otherwise, they might become part of a scene out of Silent Hill, Evil Spirit Castle or some other horrifying game scenario.
Duanmu Huai didn’t really care about all this. After all, he had another task at hand from the Sleeping Beauty task- to collect five Undead shards. But considering that there were many others with him, Duanmu Huai decided not to take that risk. If anything went awry, it would only create trouble. It would be better to complete the primary task first and then come back for the Undead shards.
Everyone grumbled for a bit, and then they continued on their way. The Elf Scout was driving the carriage while the old knight sat at the front. Duanmu Huai followed behind them with his War Hammer in hand. Initially, the Elf Scout purposely slowed the carriage down so that Duanmu Huai could keep up. It was only later that she realized that despite his heavy armor, Duanmu Huai’s speed wasn’t at all lacking. Even though he was walking, he was able to keep up with the carriage’s speed…
The weather in the Land of Dead Silence was perpetually gloomy and murky. The sky was covered by thick, dark clouds, the sunlight was almost completely blocked, and a cold wind howled across the wilderness, bringing with it eerie, mournful whispers as if from resentful spirits.
The horses pulling the carriage didn’t last long and died with piteous neighs. Duanmu Huai volunteered to pull the carriage himself when he couldn’t find any alternatives. The two horses were dissected and processed into dry food by the Elf Scout and the old knight- food was scarce in this place, and the food they had brought from the castle was almost gone.
However, when it turned dark, a peculiar object appeared before them.
“If my eyes aren’t playing tricks on me, then it seems like there’s an inn?”
Seeing the building by the road, Duanmu Huai let out a dry comment, and the Elf Scout nodded in agreement.
“And the door’s open too.”
Yes, as the Elf Scout pointed out, not only was the door open, but the building was also in full light, looking just like a bustling roadside inn… well, that would have been the case had it not been in the desolate Land of Dead Silence. It was completely out of the ordinary.