It was the third day since we had left Glafelden. I wasn't sure exactly how far we had traveled, but it was certain we were getting closer to Arnest. We had arrived at the mountain slope after crossing the wide plains.
According to the old map I had purchased from a merchant on the roadside, the city of Arnest should be beyond the Northern Star Mountains. In a world without advanced technologies like GPS or electronic gadgets, a map and a compass were the two most essential tools when traveling.
The maps in Juiller were made using ancient cartography techniques. Usually, explorers drew the places they had visited onto parchment. I was quite amazed when I saw a map of the Elvian region for sale. That meant whoever created this map must have visited the Elvian lands. Whether it was a human infiltrator or an Elvian himself, thanks to him, we were now on the right path.
"This map is quite accurate," Dimas said, looking at the compass and comparing it with the map spread out on the ground. "If we climb over this mountain peak, we should be able to see the city."
I watched as Dimas's finger pointed to the spot on the map marking our current location. According to the map, Arnest should be aligned with where we were now. He was right—once we reached the peak of the mountain, we would be able to see the city.
The problem was that the Northern Star Mountain range was so high that I couldn't even see the peaks, as they were covered in thick mist. There were no valleys or gaps to pass through. The mountains and hills were so close together that it seemed as if they formed a wall protecting a city. So, we had no choice but to climb to the top to pass through.
"This is your part!" Shella called, handing me a piece of dry bread. I quickly grabbed it and took a bite.
We were all taking a break for lunch. A piece of dry Glafelden bread, hard as rock, and fresh water that I had just collected from the nearby stream. Those two things were our lunch for the day. We didn't carry much from Glafelden, as we had intentionally packed light to avoid heavy loads. After all, this wasn't a leisurely picnic.
Our supplies were almost gone. We probably had enough left for just two or three more days. After that, we'd have to forage for food on our own. But that wasn't a problem as long as there were wild animals nearby.
"What do you think we'll face when we reach Arnest?" I asked Dimas with a bit of anxiety. "I'm not sure everything will go smoothly without obstacles."
"You should've thought about that before, idiot!" Dimas responded curtly.
"I was just asking."
"We'll find out when we get there. That's why we shouldn't stay too long here," he said, brushing off my concern.
After lunch and a brief rest, the three of us continued our journey. Climbing the mountain under the harsh sunlight was difficult. The terrain was getting steeper as we ascended. The foothills were relatively gentle, but as we moved further up, the incline became sharper.
Looking around, the scenery in this area wasn't bad. The trees were lush, providing a soothing view. The mountain range stretched from the north to the south. Perhaps that's why it was called the Northern Star Mountains. This natural formation seemed to go on forever; I couldn't see its end. Based on the map I carried, this mountain range divided the Western Elvian Kingdom right down the middle. It was just like the Ural Mountains in my previous world, which divided Russia into two parts.
An hour passed, and the leather bag I carried felt heavier. It was as if I were climbing the mountain while carrying a ten-year-old child—someone like Cedric. The scorching sun made everything worse. Our small team had to stop more often for breaks. Shella, who wasn't used to traveling like Dimas and me, frequently stopped in the middle of the path.
She looked exhausted, sweat drenching her body and forehead, her breathing heavy. Her legs seemed unable to support her any longer, let alone walk.
"Drink this!" I called to her, offering my water pouch.
Shella, who had been leaning against a pine tree, drank deeply from it. "Thanks. Sorry, I'm just holding you back."
"How many times do I have to tell you? I never think of you as a burden," I replied with a smile.
"But if this keeps up, we won't make much progress," Dimas snapped, not reading the situation. He had no tact, speaking like that in front of Shella, who was already feeling pressured.
"Sorry," Shella muttered, her head lowering to the ground. A tear almost fell from the corner of her eye. "Maybe I shouldn't have come, huh?"
Seeing her like this, I immediately turned to Dimas and shouted, "You idiot! Apologize to Shella right now! Can't you just think before you speak?"
But Dimas didn't respond to my words. He walked calmly toward Shella, then tossed her sling bag to me. Ignoring my protests, Dimas bent down, turning his broad and muscular back to Shella.
Shella lifted her head and stared at him in confusion, her face clearly showing a big question mark.
"Give your bag to Anggi, and I'll carry you," Dimas said, gazing at Shella with intensity.
"Huh? Is it alright? Won't it trouble you?" Shella asked, startled.
"I offered to help, so I don't mind. We need to keep moving."
She looked at my face and then Dimas's face, still hesitant, perhaps feeling guilty for making Dimas struggle. She bit her lower lip and took a step closer, moving nervously. The girl with long black hair firmly hugged Dimas from behind.
With a single motion, Dimas stood up and lifted the girl onto his back. He walked up the increasingly steep terrain under the scorching sun, as if it were nothing. I stood still, in awe of the sight. I had known Dimas's helpful nature, but still, it amazed me to see him do this.
It wasn't just Dimas's nature that amazed me, but the scene resembled the romantic comic strips I used to read. The scene where the protagonist carries the woman who can no longer walk. Then, as they grow closer, their feelings begin to develop, and a romantic relationship forms between them. Just as their bond strengthens, fate tests them by introducing a third person.
Ugh! What am I thinking? I've read too many comics. Seeing this happen in real life filled my heart with all kinds of emotions—excitement, awe, and also embarrassment. It felt like I was a mere observer. Who knows what Dimas and Shella felt in that moment? Perhaps it was stronger than what I felt.
Thanks to Dimas carrying Shella, we stopped less frequently. The journey became more efficient, although I still had to carry all of their bags.
Honestly, I was impressed with how much my physical body had improved. Compared to when I first arrived in this world, I was so weak and tired easily. But now, I was able to climb a mountain while carrying Shella's large backpack, my own, and Dimas's all at once. Having experienced physically demanding work for the past year, it seemed like my physical strength had improved.
As for Dimas, his physique had changed considerably as well. Now, his muscles were firm and well-defined, although still nowhere near as strong as Grussel's.
The sunlight slowly faded, leaving the sky painted with hues of orange and purple. A light mist began to swirl among the pine trees, creating a magical scene. But this beauty wouldn't last long. As time passed, the fog thickened, covering the mountain peaks with a soft white blanket.
I looked up at the sky, the gray clouds hanging so low that they mixed with the thick fog, reducing visibility. The surrounding trees seemed to be engulfed by the cotton-like mist. The wind blew gently, raising goosebumps on my skin. The cold air was biting, making me rub my arms in an attempt to warm myself. But it was futile; the combination of nightfall and mist created a chilling atmosphere that made my body shiver. Not to mention the raindrops that began to fall, one by one.
"We need to find shelter quickly," I said, walking at the rear. "It looks like the rain will come down soon. We'll freeze to death if we get soaked in this cold."
Dimas, still carrying Shella, looked up and scanned the surroundings. "You're right. But there's nowhere to take shelter. All I see are these trees."
"I've got a piece of tarp in my bag," Shella said, still clinging to Dimas's back. "We can use it to make an emergency shelter."
"You brought it here?" I gestured toward the large bag I was carrying.
"Yeah."
After thanking Dimas, Shella dismounted and walked toward me. I placed the bag she was carrying on the ground and let her open it. A moment later, she pulled out a tarp measuring about 4x3 meters.
Dimas took the initiative and found a short tree with dense branches. He tied the four corners of the tarp to the tree branches above us. Meanwhile, I assisted, following his instructions. Once finished, the tarp formed a canopy that sheltered us from the elements. If you were selling fruits in baskets, this would look exactly like a market stall on the side of the road.
Not five minutes had passed after setting up the emergency shelter before the rain began to pour, accompanied by thick fog. The cold was now unbearable. I had a bad feeling about this.