Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 855 - 848: The Road Northward

Chapter 855: Chapter 848: The Road Northward

"Farewell to Princess Melia, the group set off upstream along a tributary of the Roen River. This part of the journey was somewhat easier; although it required some climbing, there were not many obstacles in the way. Luo’er estimated that it would take about ten days to reach the upper reaches of the tributary."

"The upper stream of the tributary is situated at the easternmost end of the Northern Domain Mountain Range. Most rivers within the territory of Odelanqi originate from this mountain range. This massive east-west mountain range blocks the cold currents from the north, keeping the cold and the snow to the north side of the mountains, a crucial pillar for the civilization of Odelanqi to flourish."

"Departing from this tributary marked the beginning of their journey into Masya’s territory, yet the Masya Kingdom’s focus was presently southward on the problem of the rebellion, leaving them no time to care for the northwest."

"Speaking of which, Masya Kingdom is quite the anomaly among the states of Otherworld, with its peculiarity being its conservatism and obstinacy."

"After the conclusion of two Otherworld Wars, no other nation had rejected Earthlings and the influence of Earth as staunchly as Masya, except for the countries of the Elf Race."

"In the north of Otherworld Continent, most territories were under direct or indirect control by Earth’s two major forces, with NATO firmly controlling the northeastern Dwarven country Ronisca, while the CIA securely grasped the secular regime of Odelanqi, creating a confrontational stance."

"Countries south of the Otherworld Gate mostly adopted a neutral stance, flattering both sides and accepting kickbacks from both; never has there been a nation like Masya, so determined to resist the influence of Earth’s powers."

"As an advanced and leading civilization, the influence of Earth is undeniable, and even a stubborn and conservative Masya finds it difficult to escape that influence."

"Under the effect of this policy, a peasant rebellion broke out in Masya, and Earth’s NATO covertly supported the rebels to overthrow the kingdom’s power, which is to say the traditional conservative and xenophobic forces."

"HEAD likewise wasn’t outdone; with Luo’er’s initiation and connections with Princess Melia, they indirectly took control and consolidated the northwest power of Masya, engaging in battle with the NATO-backed rebels."

"In this war, Masya Kingdom gained no favor from either side, be it the rebels or Princess Melia, both of whom were casting greedy eyes towards the capital Galan, waiting for Masya Kingdom’s regime to collapse so that they could take its place."

"That was the outcome of rejecting the influence of Earth. In fact, Earthlings had never directly participated in this war; they were only maneuvering behind the scenes in the form of proxies. It was precisely for this reason that what appeared to be an ordinary peasant uprising had dragged on for several years, and the rebels seemed to grow stronger by the day."

"One wonders if the King Masiya had been as aware of the bigger picture as the King of Odelanqi, Earth’s two factions would probably have been falling over themselves to curry favor with him. But it’s curious what goes on in that royal head, so vehemently detesting Earthlings, leading Masya to its current state."

"The carriage moved along the relatively smooth pebble road, and thanks to the shock absorbers that had been fitted, the passengers inside didn’t feel too much jolting."

"Due to the cold weather, most members of the Advance Team chose to sit inside the carriage to avoid the chill, with Cheng Ziang as the only person riding a horse ahead by himself."

"If Luo’er remembered correctly, he seemed to possess the genes of the Snow Elves, naturally more resistant to cold than most people."

"However, speaking of which, since Cheng Ziang had the genes of the Snow Elves, he should inherently be considered a Half-elf. So why did he not exhibit any traits typical of a Half-elf, and even his appearance aged just like a member of the Human Race?"

" This conundrum baffled Luo’er, as the Elf Race’s genes are known to be dominant, and any offspring resulting from their union with any other race would also be of the Elf Race. This is an important reason why Earth’s Elf Planet Project has not been widely promoted."

"But without Cheng Ziang, the carriage didn’t feel too crowded. Five people could comfortably fit inside, and there was still plenty of space remaining."

"Although this carriage belonged to Princess Melia, it had substantial interior space. Thinking of Princess Melia, who had once ridden in this carriage, Luo’er couldn’t help but feel an inexplicable palpitation and involuntarily sneezed."

"’You’re thinking about something strange again, aren’t you?’ Tangmo, sitting beside him, cast a cold glance and said emotionlessly."

"’Not at all, it’s just a bit chilly, I might have caught a cold,’ Luo’er replied, sniffing."

"The carriage seating was arranged with front and rear facing each other. Luo’er sat in the middle with Tangmo and Baiyue inevitably beside him, while Hu Daoke and Eve faced them."

"Eve seemed to become much quieter after separating from her brother. Most of the time, she sat silently in contemplation, sometimes not speaking for the whole day, and it was unclear what was on her mind."

"Really, why do we always need to pass through that woman’s territory?" Tangmo grumbled.

"You still have a bias against Melia, huh?" Luo’er said helplessly as he looked at her.

"Bias? I don’t think it’s bias," Tangmo said to Luo’er, "I almost killed her once, and now I am already restraining myself a lot; otherwise, she wouldn’t know how many times she’d have died."

"Why bring up those matters of killing again?" Luo’er frowned slightly.

"Melia is the only person, in my opinion, who can threaten me. I am really worried she will snatch you away," Tangmo averted her gaze with a dim expression.

"I am a person, not an object. What’s this talk of snatching? Don’t you consider my feelings?" Luo’er said, somewhat bewildered.

"Then let me ask you," Tangmo turned her head to stare at Luo’er seriously, "can you really treat Melia the same way you treat other girls? Does she hold the same place in your heart as those girls? Have you really never had feelings for her?"

"Uh..." Luo’er was at a loss for words.

"You don’t need to answer. Your reaction has already been within my expectations. Do you think I’m jealously making a fuss over nothing? Melia really is a danger to me!" Tangmo lowered her head.

"Have you forgotten what I told you that day?" Luo’er reminded intentionally.

"You only told me the outcome, but not the process," Tangmo lifted her head and said, "It’s a long road ahead, who knows what will happen and how many uncertain elements may arise."

Luo’er was rendered speechless by Tangmo’s words, staring at her with his mouth open awkwardly, no longer able to find anything to say. Seeing his leader’s embarrassment, Hu Daoke decided to change the subject for him.

So, he turned to Eve and started, "So, uh, Eve, does the Snow Domain have a lot of snow?"

"Are you saying something pointless?" Eve, who had been daydreaming, rolled her eyes unkindly, "If it doesn’t snow, what do you think the name ’Snow Domain’ came from?"

"Err, I mean," Hu Daoke scratched his head awkwardly, then continued, "I mean, if we go now, will it keep snowing?"

"It hasn’t started spring yet, so it’s sure to snow," Eve said, pausing, then patiently continued, "The snow in the Snow Domain won’t completely melt until summer, and even then, it only lasts a few months before the heavy snows return."

"By the way, if we go to the tomb ruins to look for the ’Ancient Scripture,’ could we be arrested?" Hu Daoke continued to make small talk.

"Who’s going to arrest us, the Aud Empire? It’s been extinct for hundreds of years," Eve shrugged, "The successor of the Aud Empire, Odelanqi, doesn’t extend its rule past the Northern Domain Mountain Range and has long lost control of the North Territory."

"I have a question." Hu Daoke’s attempt to draw everyone into the conversation had worked, and Luo’er began to pay attention to the conversation and raise his own question.

"What’s the question?" Eve looked at him.

"Are the burial sites in the Snow Domain all from the Aud Empire nobility? If so, after all these years of grave robbing, could it be that most burial sites have been destroyed?" Luo’er asked.

"Most of the burial sites in the Snow Domain belong to the nobility of the Aud Empire, and a few are from the Elf Race," Eve explained, "Although the Elf Race practices sky burials, it’s not unheard of for an influential Elf noble to have a grand funeral and build a lavish tomb."

Pausing, Eve continued: "Most of the burial sites in the Snow Domain are minor graves, and most are already damaged, with little of value inside. Our true target is those tombs that are massive projects, filled with numerous traps. Those who trespass recklessly often meet a fatal end."