Chapter 4: Barbarian of the White Snowfield (4)

“What is the matter?” Milayna asked. “I need to confirm something. We mercenaries have signed a formal contract with you and are carrying out this request officially. Is this correct?” one of the mercenaries asked. “Yes, that’s right. I am always grateful that you accepted my request,” Milayna said with a nod. The mission was to cross the White Snowfield. All other mercenaries had fled upon hearing the details of the mission. Without these mercenaries, it would have been impossible to even attempt crossing the snowfield. “We are risking our lives for this task. I understand that, since it’s written in our contract,” the mercenary said. He narrowed his eyes. “But there is one thing that bothers me. It’s about that barbarian.” His gaze shifted to Ketal. “That barbarian received the same request as us, so why is he receiving special treatment?” the mercenary asked. “Oh.” Only then did Milayna grasp the source of the mercenaries’ discontent. It was true that the mercenaries and Ketal had accepted the same request. Yet, while the barbarian rested comfortably inside the carriage, the mercenaries braved the freezing snowfield, facing monsters. It was inevitable for resentment to build. “I am sorry. I didn’t consider your position.” Milayna bowed apologetically. “No, it’s not something you need to apologize for, my lady. Of course, I understand the special treatment for a legendary figure like the barbarian… but we just need to confirm something.” “Confirm… what?” Milayna asked. “That barbarian has not fought even once, has he?” “So, that’s what this is about.” Milayna’s expression hardened. “We are faithfully fulfilling the mission we were hired for because we have the skills to do so. But how can we know if that barbarian is actually strong?” The mercenaries had started doubting whether the barbarian was merely a being at the bottom of the food chain, surviving this harsh snowfield day by day. They were curious about Ketal’s strength and whether he could even kill one monster by himself. That was the essence of their question. “So, you want to see my skills. How do you intend to confirm how strong I am?” Ketal said with a smile. “I will be the one to test you.” One of the mercenaries patted his chest. He was one of the elites in their group. After discussing with the others, it was decided that he would be the one to test Ketal. “Uh…” Milayna looked to the captain, who shook his head regretfully. “I tried to dissuade him, but he wouldn’t listen. And frankly, he’s not wrong,” the captain explained. It was a reasonable request to test Ketal’s strength. The decision now lay with Ketal. “I don’t mind fighting you, but, it will have to be at another time,” Ketal said with a laugh. “What?” The mercenary’s face twisted. “Are you going to run away like a coward?” “I’m not fleeing. Circumstances won’t allow me to fight you.” “Circumstances, my ass.” The mercenary was certain that the barbarian was weak, and that he was just a worm crawling at the bottom of the food chain in this snowfield. Even Milayna was surprised. If Ketal was strong, he had no reason to refuse the fight. “So, you’ve been deceiving us all along. Come out, you coward!” The mercenary grabbed Ketal’s shoulder, intent on dragging him out by force. But as he tightened his grip, his expression stiffened. “What…?” He could not move him. It wasn’t merely a matter of weight or resistance. It felt as if he was trying to uproot a tree that had stood unmoved for centuries. Calmly, Ketal stepped out of the carriage on his own. The situation evoked no change in his emotions, just like how no one frets over ants crawling at their feet. The mercenaries stepped back nervously. “I can’t fight you, because we have another uninvited guest,” Ketal said. “W-what nonsense…” The mercenary desperately tried to maintain control. “I see that a pitiful assembly of mortals from the outside world has arrived.” A thunderous voice echoed across the snowfield. The mercenaries’ bodies froze instantly. The deafening sound approached slowly. It was more than a voice; it was as if nature itself moved. “I haven’t had a rare delicacy in years.” A chilling laugh pierced everyone’s ears. Their heads turned slowly. The snowstorm parted, revealing the being. “Ah….” “It’s….” It had the shape of a serpent, but it was no ordinary serpent. It was the White Serpent. Its scales were lined with black stripes, and it flicked its forked tongue as it stared at them. The serpent’s appearance was similar to that of a regular serpent. There was nothing particularly unique about it, except for its size. Its eyes alone were large enough to engulf them all. The length of its body stretched beyond the horizon, hidden by the snowfield. The word could not fully describe the size of the serpent. It was vast enough to coil around mountains and reach across seas. “It’s… the White Serpent…” one of the mercenaries murmured. It was the monster from the emperor’s chronicles—the White Serpent that devoured glaciers. Everyone froze. Their limbs refused to move, like mice caught in a predator’s gaze. “No…” One of the mercenaries’ pants started to get wet as fear engulfed his mind. “Scream for me, mortals.” the serpent mocked them. “Spill your foul fluids and beg for your lives. Turn tail and flee on trembling legs. Your pitiful struggle will only make the flavor richer.” The ground started to shake. The serpent’s mere motion triggered a quake. Death loomed inevitably. An undeniable truth crushed their spirits as they abandoned hope. “Enough.” A composed voice rang out. It was calm and unconcerned, as if belonging to someone strolling through a park. “These are my guests.” The speaker was none other than Ketal. He stepped forward slowly. “Return, serpent,” Ketal ordered. “You…” The serpent’s voice wavered. This embodiment of nature itself trembled before Ketal. “Why are you here…?” “That is none of your concern.” Ketal advanced with steady steps, causing the enormous serpent to recoil. “I have taken on a mission. And the mission is to protect them. So, leave. Now.” “Have you forgotten the rules of the snowfield? Once beyond your tribe’s land, you—” “I told you, that’s none of your business.” Ketal frowned. The serpent hesitated, its tongue flicking nervously. “Uh… ah…” “That…” The massive serpent, which should have dwarfed the barbarian, visibly cowered before him. It was unmistakable, even to ordinary humans—the monster was afraid. “Do not mock me…!” the serpent roared. It refused to acknowledge its own fear, raising its head fiercely. “I am the serpent of the snowfield, you barbarian! How dare you, a mere mortal, command me, a being of eternal power!” The serpent charged. Its massive body surged forward toward the group, mouth agape. The frozen earth screamed under its weight, and a tempest rose in its wake. “Aaah!” “Eeeek!” It was as if a mountain were charging toward them. The mercenaries collapsed in terror, closing their eyes against the oncoming collision. “Then I’ll have to teach you a lesson.”Ketal clenched his fist calmly. He stepped forward, twisted his body, and threw a punch. A tiny fist met the colossal serpent’s charge. A shockwave erupted. The mercenaries couldn’t even scream. They clamped their hands over their ears as the deafening roar threatened to rupture their eardrums. The shockwave hurled them across the ground. “Aaah!” “My lady!” Even the carriage was not spared. It shook violently as Milayna clung desperately to its walls. “Ugh…” When the shockwave finally subsided, they cautiously opened their eyes. Their pupils widened in disbelief. The perpetual blizzard of the White Snowfield had vanished. The air was clear, revealing the horizon. And there, in the sky, floated the serpent’s head. Reeling as if struck by an immense force, it tumbled through the air before crashing to the ground. A deep rumble resonated across the snowfield. “Why do you always listen after getting beaten up?” Ketal dusted off his hands, standing unfazed. “Ketal…” “Give me a moment, I need to finish this. It won’t take long.” Ketal stomped, and the ground split. In an instant, he was a blur, racing toward the serpent’s head. The impact resounded like the world itself was splitting. The mercenaries watched in stunned silence. *** From that point on, the mercenaries had nothing more to say about the barbarian. Whenever Ketal approached them, they averted their gazes in fear. Sёarᴄh the Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. “I-I’m sorry!” “There is no need. Trusting a stranger isn’t easy. I understand,” Ketal said. “Please spare me! I’ve committed a grave sin!” No matter what Ketal said, they continued to grovel. Unable to hold a conversation, Ketal went back to his carriage, shaking his head. The mercenaries struck down the remaining monsters without saying anything and pressed onward on their journey. After defeating the White Serpent, Ketal leisurely rested in the carriage, while the old man volunteered to keep watch outside. Finally, they reached the end of the snowfield. “Oh…!” “It’s grass!” Beyond the snowy expanse, they saw green vegetation. The mercenaries let out cheers. They had conquered the White Snowfield. “We’ve arrived,” Ketal remarked calmly. “Thank you, Ketal.” Milayna bowed respectfully. “What will you do for the return journey?” “We are going to take the route within the Empire.” “Ah, after you sell your weapons, you will be empty-handed. Passing the border won’t be too difficult,” Ketal remarked. “Yes…” Ketal saw through everything in an instant. Milayna looked at Ketal with a complicated expression. She hesitated for a moment, then said, “Ketal, you once said I was clever and ambitious.” However, when Ketal said that, a mercenary had interrupted their conversation, so she hadn’t heard the full meaning. “What did you mean by that?” “I meant exactly what I said. You are intelligent and ambitious.” Ketal casually bit into an unpeeled orange. “Your family, once renowned, is now weakened due to a lack of capital. Naturally, the retainers’ loyalty has wavered.” A merchant family was built on wealth. Without it, they would lose everything. “You’re on the brink of ruin. Now you have to ask yourself the questions. Will you wait passively for the destruction of your family, or take action to carve out a future? Who will your retainers follow?” Ketal continued. The answer was obvious to him. Ketal swallowed the orange whole. “You said you are the daughter of a concubine. That gives you legitimacy, but also closeness with the lower ranks. Am I wrong?” “But I lack actual power…” Milayna’s gaze wavered. “Power comes from the trust and loyalty of your followers. If you save your family through this journey, you will become its savior.” Selling these weapons would bring enough wealth to restore her family’s fortune. “Your subordinates will support you over your father or siblings. Things will unfold from there. Correct me if I am wrong.” Ketal said. “No…” It was a perfect analysis. Milayna shivered. It felt like he had read her mind. Milayna thought. Ketal thought.He savored his internal triumph. History was full of stories of those who risked everything to gain power. Ketal had read countless tales, and Milayna’s situation fit them perfectly. Experiencing it in person was exhilarating. With a grin, Ketal spoke, “Even so, risking your life for ambition is honorable. Everything that has happened is because of your own abilities and determination. You should be proud of yourself.” Milayna narrowed her eyes. Ketal was intelligent. Not just a little, but he was far beyond the self-proclaimed clever people with shallow educations. And then there was his strength. He defeated the White Serpent without a scratch. The merchant’s daughter, Milayna, felt greed flash in her eyes. “By any chance… have you considered leaving the snowfield? From what I’ve heard, you seem quite curious about the outside world,” she proposed. “Well, that’s true.” Ketal had asked Milayna many questions about the outside world. His interest was intense, far beyond simple curiosity. “If that’s the case, how about joining me?” she asked. Milayna was a merchant, and a merchant could not let an opportunity slip by. “I can offer you a lot of knowledge. Anything you desire. I can help you taste all the pleasures of the world.” “That is indeed a very tempting offer.” In truth, Ketal was genuinely enticed. He wanted to leave the White Snowfield immediately and experience the ordinary fantasy world. He wanted to experience the world of dragons, elves, swords, and magic. The wonder he had always dreamed of was right before him. Yet, Ketal shook his head. “Sorry, but that’s impossible. I still have things to do here,” he said. “Things to do?” “Yes. I might consider your offer when I’ve finished everything, but not now.” “I see.” After a moment’s hesitation, Milayna reached for the back of her neck, pulling out a necklace. She broke it off with a firm tug. “Then, please accept this.” It had a small wooden carving. “If you ever leave the snowfield… and seek out the Akasha family, show them this.” “If it’s a gift, I will accept it gladly.” Ketal didn’t refuse the necklace. Milayna bowed deeply. “Thank you so much for everything, Ketal. I hope we meet again someday.” The carriages left the snowfield. Ketal silently watched their departure. As they traveled further, Milayna turned back for one last glance. The bitter cold of the snowfield had already swallowed the barbarian from sight.