Chapter 110: The Silver Mountains Part 5

Aquila, the descendant of the Sherpas joined us.

Aquila inspected our gear and helped redistribute it to ensure it was suitable for the climb. During this process, useless items were discarded.

What Aquila found most ridiculous was the "climbing assistant golem". With a face that seemed to ask what on earth this thing was, she examined the golem for a long time then stepped back as if it made her uneasy.

"Don't worry, it's safer than it looks. It's also durable."

"I'm not worried; I'm just disappointed."

"Just don't say that in front of Khalid."

"Wizards."

Aquila snorted and walked towards the goats. I followed her.

"These goats…"

"I'm planning to take them."

"Goats are good climbers, but is it necessary?"

"Dragons may not want to admit it, but they like fresh food."

"What?"

"Anyway, the goats are for Tondra. We must bring them."

Sheep, cows, horses, pigs, there are many kinds of meat, but there was one reason for choosing goats. They have a higher chance of arriving alive at Tondra's lair since they are good at climbing.

Yes, I planned to bring live goats to make a meal that would quell Tondra's anger. One might think I could just bring the ingredients in a space ring, but as I mentioned, the important thing was not my convenience but the "freshness" of the ingredients. Dragons would never admit it, but they preferred living… no, "fresh" food. Though they were gradually changing their preferences …

Moreover, there was the issue of the space ring's capacity. The ring, which already held most of my gear, had no room for a few cows or pigs. It was already barely at its limit with grains, fruits, and my personal belongings.

So, I made the best choice. In my own way.

"The goats should be fine, but the mules will struggle to climb even halfway up the Silver Mountains."

"It's okay. We'll send them back once they've climbed as far as they can."

The mules were to be used for carrying our food and other random items up to the middle of the mountains. They were temporary companions. Once we reached a suitable spot, we would release the mules, and they would safely return to the village.

"Then, shall we depart now?"

"…"

Aquila glanced disapprovingly at Khalid and the climbing golem but eventually nodded her head. Taking that as a signal, we left the inn and began moving towards the mountains.

"Master, who is she…?"

Unable to contain her curiosity about the new companion who had suddenly appeared, El lowered her voice and asked me.

"Aquila. She's a Sherpa who will guide us."

"Sherpa? I've only read about them in books…"

El glanced at Aquila with sparkling eyes. It seemed that Aquila who was busy leading the mules didn't notice El's gaze.

"Try to get along with her, El."

Since it was her first time with a female companion, El seemed quite excited.

"But don't forget you're pretending to be a boy."

El's shoulders slumped. Well, it wouldn't be a big deal if Aquila found out El was a girl, but it didn't hurt to be cautious.

While El walked with drooping shoulders, I approached Khalid. Khalid was comfortably sitting on the climbing golem while reading a book.

"Khalid, the golem's speed seems to have increased."

Indeed, the golem's speed was much faster than when I first saw it. It was walking at a speed similar to Lloyd's, which was about three times faster than its original pace. Khalid responded without taking his eyes off the book.

"I made it faster."

"…Wow, you really give vague answers."

"I know you wouldn't understand even if I explained."

Oh, this unlucky bastard….did he notice my "what an arrogant jerk" look? Khalid smirked and added,

"I did some research for a week. Also replaced the magic stone with something that works well with snow lotuses."

"So that's why the snow lotus was in good condition."

"Is that so?"

"I can see it with my eyes."

The stem of the snow lotus rooted in the golem gleamed with a glossy sheen. It was all thanks to the magic stone.

"Thanks to it, the connection has improved. I've learned that combining living things with a golem is worth considering."

"…That sounds a bit creepy."

"What part?"

"Every word you just said."

Ahem, ahem, I cleared my throat and hastened my steps to walk at the front with Ayla, who was herding the goats. Somehow, I felt a piercing gaze on my back, but I never turned around.

How much time had passed like that? The sun was setting before we knew it. A mountain at dusk was far more dangerous than a crazed troll. We found a spot to camp and lit a bonfire before the twilight vanished.

Aquila was examining a map spread out on a flat rock. She looked quite serious, so I jokingly asked her,

"Are we almost at the summit?"

Aquila gave me a cold stare.

"Just kidding, just kidding. Where I come from, we often make jokes like that while hiking. When someone asks, 'How much further?' the person guiding always says, 'Just a little more' or 'We're almost there'."

"Isn't that a lie, not a joke?"

"Well, it's meant to encourage, to say, 'Just a little more, so keep going'. It's a kind of cheer."

"Your homeland has strange customs. We don't lie about the mountains."

"…I see."

I made a joke, but it fell flat. I scratched the back of my head awkwardly. And with a completely serious face devoid of even 1% humor, Aquila said,

"We've only climbed one-fifth of the way."

"We still have a long way to go then."

"Yes, when you hear the sound of golems fighting, that's the halfway point. So don't expect anything until you hear thunderous sounds."

"Okay…"

Feeling dejected, I returned to the campfire to prepare dinner. Seriously, jokes don't land here at all. Is it because she grew up among old people? She has an old man's temperament. I grumbled to myself while chopping the ingredients for dinner.

Tonight's meal wouldn't be as grand as yesterday's; just a simple stew this time. Since we had expended a lot of energy getting here, I planned to make a cream stew full of cream stew full of calories. I stir-fried the snow rabbit meat Lloyd had caught nearby along with some onions, then poured a pot full of goat milk. Today, I added plenty of broccoli and cabbage. As the pot began to boil over the campfire, a sweet aroma filled the air.

"El, bring some rye bread."

El who had been playing with Ayla quickly brought over several pieces of rye bread. I placed a piece of bread on each plate and poured the thick cream stew over them. Steam rose from each dish.

"Everyone, dinner is ready."

We sat around the campfire and started eating the stew. Since we had to move as much as possible, we only had jerky and energy bars for lunch, so everyone was hungry and the only sound that could be heard was the occasional slurp of stew.

"At this rate, we will reach Golem Valley within three days."

It was Aquila who broke the silence.

"Golem Valley?"

When El asked that, Aquila nodded her head.

"Golem Valley. It's the habitat of the golems in the Silver Mountains. Haven't you heard of it?"

"Hmm, I think I've read about it in a book."

"People in the Empire think Golem Valley is just a legend. But it actually exists."

"Wow…"

"It doesn't rain in the Silver Mountains. There's no thunder or lightning. But when you get to Golem Valley, you hear the continuous sound of thunder."

"Why is that?"

"The golems have been at war for hundreds of years."

El's eyes sparkled at Aquila's words. She looked curious as if she was hearing a living myth. Aquila didn't seem to mind El's interest and continued explaining about Golem Valley.

"The 'real' golems are different from those created by wizards. Some are as big as houses, and some are as big as mountains. And they're all incredibly strong."

Khalid scoffed at this.

"So strong that they spend all their energy smashing mountains."

Aquila snapped back.

"That's the golems' destiny."

"Admit it, kid. The 'real' golems are just repeating that because they're dumb."

"Wizards must think anything that doesn't follow 'orders' is dumb…"

"Now, now."

Before a fight could break out, I stood up to mediate. I added a ladle of cream stew to both Khalid's and Aquila's bowls and tried to calm them down.

"There's no point in wasting energy on a meaningless argument. Calm down and eat. Tomorrow's hike will surely be exhausting."

"…"

"…"

"It'll be as hard as, if not harder than, today."

With a small "Humph!", Aquila turned slightly and began eating the stew. Khalid did the same. Thankfully, they both hated wasting energy. They were similar in this way.

After finishing our meal, we assigned watch shifts (Khalid, naturally, was exempt) and each prepared our sleeping spots. Being the first on watch, I sat by the campfire while brushing Ayla's fur. Suddenly, Khalid who was also by the fire spoke up.

"…What we really need to fear isn't the golems."

Those were ominous words. I stopped stroking Ayla and looked at Khalid.

"Then, what should we fear?"

"…"

Khalid stared silently into the campfire with unreadable eyes. Feeling a sudden unease, I pressed him again.

"…If you know something, please tell me now, Sir Khalid."

Khalid then lifted his head and looked straight at me.

"Once we pass through Golem Valley…"

"…"

"A witch's hut will appear."

"…A witch?"

"Yes, a witch."