Boyle's arrival turned the entire barbarian camp into a sea of ​​joy. The men shouted his name, while the children followed behind him, laughing and playing.

Boyle handed his longsword to his follower, bowed to the tribal shaman, and then sat down in the head chair.

"Is he the chieftain of Froststone?" Todd asked in a low voice.

Rachel nodded: "Yes, but he is also the leader of several other tribes."

A look of confusion crossed Todd's face.

Why not integrate these tribes into one large tribe when you are simultaneously serving as the chief of several tribes?

Just as Todd was about to ask, Boyle asked in slightly broken Common, "Miss Rachel, why didn't you go to the agreed location? Why did you choose to meet here instead?"

Rachel shrugged. "My ship ran into a storm and I had to change the meeting place."

Boyle shifted his gaze, scanning Todd, who was seated in the fourth chair, up and down, before finally fixing it on the man's mutated right arm: "Is this the important figure who wants to go to the 'Shadow Kingdom'?"

Rachel gestured behind her back, signaling Todd to be quiet: "Yes, you'll help me with this, right?"

“Don’t be in such a hurry, let’s talk about our previous agreement first.” Boyle extended his hand to Rachel, his expression grave: “Where is what you promised me?”

"It sank to the bottom of the sea along with the ship."

"What?!" Boyle jumped up from his chair, furious. "You mean the promised food, weapons, and medicine are all gone?! And you came to see me empty-handed?!"

The surrounding barbarians were intimidated by Boyle's anger and stopped talking and moving, making the atmosphere awkward.

Rachel lazily adjusted her posture, and Todd's familiar smile reappeared on her face: "That's right, I came empty-handed and asked for your help."

Boyle laughed angrily: "Do you think I would agree?"

“I think you have no other choice.” Rachel examined her fingernails by the firelight, then smoothed her hair, and said to Boyle with a smile, “Cowardice, desertion, disobeying orders, and attacking friendly forces. Boyle, you are now a wanted criminal of the entire Northern Alliance. No one or no force will help you. Your former friends and allies have all abandoned you. Perhaps only I am your hope for survival…”

"Hope?! Rachel! Isn't your synonym misfortune? Every time you come to me, nothing good ever happens!" Boyle waved his arms wildly, looking both angry and resentful: "The time in the Eko Plains, the time in Watchtower, the time in Northrock Fortress! In the end, you're always the one who benefits! And I've been used by you all along!"

Rachel seemed firmly against such accusations: "Boyle, think about it. I've been assisting you in establishing the first kingdom among the southern tribes! You dispersed these supporting tribes to evade capture by the northern kingdoms. But without intelligence from my subordinates, do you think they could have evaded searches every single time?!"

Boyle's face darkened, and he slowly sat back down in his chair.

"You say I brought you misfortune, but why don't you think about yourself ten years ago? Back then, you were nothing more than an unknown soldier captured and sent to the army of the Kingdom of Ulster, enduring your master's whippings, not even knowing if you would see the sun rise tomorrow. And now! Look around you, you are the leader of several tribes, with thousands of warriors under your command, and you call this misfortune?!"

Boyle closed his eyes and waved his hand: "Ratchet, I can't argue with you, it's always the same..."

Rachel paused for a moment, then gently took Todd's hand.

The latter was somewhat surprised, because he could feel the slight sweat on her hands, caused by nervousness.

“Boyle, I hope you'll do me this favor for the sake of our past friendship. Getting to the ‘Land of Shadows’ as quickly as possible is extremely important to me…”

The barbarian chieftain suddenly interrupted the woman: "Do you know what the 'Land of Shadows' means? Every year, hundreds of people venture into that desolate place, and only a handful ever return. It's a journey without end; you will be lost in the endless mist, and even your corpse will be forgotten by this world... Rachel, take my advice and turn back! While there's still time!"

Rachel laughed and said, "You didn't mention any of this in your letter."

Boyle grinned and laughed. "If I bring this up, will you still send me supplies?"

Rachel laughed until tears streamed down her face, until a cough finally calmed her down. After regaining her composure, she said softly, "I have to go..."

"Why?"

"This concerns my ideals and long-cherished wish. Even if it's a road of no return, I can only grit my teeth and take every step..."

Hearing Rachel's words, Todd lowered his head and looked at the ground, his expression unreadable, but his grip on the woman's hand tightened.

Boyle looked up at the starry sky and sighed deeply.

"If that's the case... I think I have no reason to refuse anymore. Pack your bags, tomorrow! Tomorrow we'll set off for that endless wasteland—the land of shadows!"

——————————————

Amidst the snow-covered mountains, two travelers left a trail of deep footprints in the knee-deep snow.

“Giving up a warm fireplace and delicious food, how could I agree to come to this damn north with you! I must be fucking crazy!” Under the heavy cloak, the woman with a childlike face spoke words completely out of character for her age.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!