Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys

Chapter 963: Chapter 342 Hammerfall Fortress (Two-in-One Chapter)

After more than four hours of flight, the Blood Feathered Horned Eagle also began to feel fatigued.

A few minutes later.

On a clearing by a forest lake, Rein and Anna sat around a campfire, roasting smoked meat and salted salmon for dinner, while letting Blood Feather rest as well.

“Rein… if it was me in danger this time, would you come from such a distance…” As she spoke, Anna blushed and stopped her sentence.

“Of course.” Rein nodded affirmatively with a smile.

“Mm!”

…

Considering that the Secret Silver Engraved Plate Armor was too conspicuous, Rein donned a gray-white Wizard Robe to cover the silver-white sheen of the Mithril.

At the same time, he didn’t carry any weapons on his back or waist, holding only a black staff, which was transformed from Hardened Essence Gold. The remaining metals were placed on Blood Feather.

Anna was dressed similarly, so from the appearance, they looked like two Wizard lovers.

…

Several hours later.

“Look, Rein, what magnificent mountains!” Anna exclaimed, pointing with her fair finger at the gray-black peaks that stood like blades ahead.

Rein followed the direction of Anna’s point and involuntarily uttered a soft “huh”.

He didn’t expect to see such uniquely shaped mountains in this world.

A barren gray-black mountain, with sparse vegetation, enveloped by large patches of black fog. The mountain tops were a hazy grey, stretching into the distance along the mountain range.

As the Blood Feathered Horned Eagle approached, Rein’s keen senses could faintly detect the danger lurking within the massive black air masses, which flickered and pulsated with mist.

“Is this the Black Mist Cyclone?”

“It is said that there are many Black Mist Monsters inside, a peculiar elemental creature that can’t be completely eradicated and regenerates continuously. Fortunately, their activity range is limited to the peaks of the Hammerfall Mountains.”

“No wonder Olena suggested crossing through the Hammerfall Tunnel.” Rein mused as he observed the scene.

“Anna, the Hammerfall Fortress should be down there, let’s find it.”

“Mm.” Anna nodded.

Anna had already learned the general itinerary from Rein during their campfire earlier.

She could also sense the unknown risks hidden in the various sizes of black mist in front of them, naturally having no objections.

“It should be over there.”

Rein controlled Blood Feather to descend toward the lower left.

From the sky, he could clearly see the winding road behind him leading to somewhere in the lower left, likely the road to Hammerfall Fortress.

“Huh? Why are there so many people?” Still circling in mid-air, Rein noticed many people seemingly blocked at the entrance to the grand Hammerfall Fortress.

Upon closer inspection, they seemed to be traveling merchants and wayfarers.

This gave Rein a vague feeling of unease.

Could something have happened to Hammerfall Fortress?

Blood Feathered Horned Owl Beast’s descent naturally drew the attention of almost everyone present.

After all, anyone who can ride a flying mount is obviously not an ordinary person.

Just as Rein had just landed, intending to find someone to inquire, suddenly, a chubby middle-aged man with a protruding belly, dressed in a silk robe, hurried over, bowed respectfully, and said:

“Hello, my lord, I am Yannis, the head of the Cameron caravan. May I ask if you two are also planning to pass through the Hammerfall Tunnel to Moselle Province?”

Rein glanced at the man, determining he was just an ordinary person.

The man had just come over from there, apparently the head of a caravan.

Rein had looked at the map and knew that crossing the Hammerfall Tunnel would lead to Moselle Province’s territory.

Additionally, it was clear to anyone observing that he and Anna intended to cross the tunnel, so there was nothing to hide.

“That’s right. May I ask what has happened here?”

“You’ve come at an unfortunate time. The tunnel was closed urgently two days ago due to an outbreak of Molten Lava Snakes. It won’t reopen until the Empire sends a specialized team to clear it.”

“The Hammerfall Tunnel is closed?” Rein frowned.

This was quite troublesome, as crossing the Hammerfall Mountains through the tunnel would only take two to three hours to reach the other side.

But if they had to detour, even riding a flying mount would take Rein nearly two extra days.

“By the way, are the Molten Lava Snakes very formidable?” Rein couldn’t help but ask.

“Uh… Molten Lava Snakes are lava-type creatures with strength comparable to fierce species. An Official Knight could generally handle one on a one-to-one basis.”

“But the problem is, Molten Lava Snakes always appear in large numbers. It’s estimated that there are at least hundreds occupying the tunnel.” Yannis explained frankly.

“Oh? In that case, it should be very difficult to pass. Why are so many people gathered here?”

“Is it going to open soon?”

“No, the Empire’s clearance team doesn’t know how long it will take to arrive. Unlike you, my lord, without flying mounts, detouring would cost our caravan nearly half a month more.”

“So we’re planning to organize a team to cross through on our own. Would you be interested in joining? On behalf of the Cameron family caravan, we would be willing to pay you both a reward.”