“You will travel with Mr. Rocky, escorted by the Wyvern Cavalry, to the northern border as quickly as possible. I'm afraid we'll have to trouble you to ensure Mr. Rocky’s safety across the Snow Plains."

In the study of Ranch's private residence, the secretary explained the upcoming itinerary to the bodyguard, Sigrid.

Sigrid nodded, glancing at Ranch, who was leisurely sipping tea at the table.

Generally speaking, unless time was of the essence, they wouldn't ask the Wyvern Cavalry to quickly transport them to the northernmost part of the empire within the country.

This could shorten the journey within the country by several times to half a day, but the cost of air transport would be many times higher than land travel.

Further north, the Wyverns could not fly smoothly in the dark, extreme cold, and snow, so they would have to switch to land travel when crossing the Land of Eternal Night.

"The path across the Snow Plains requires strictly passing through several independent city-states..."

The secretary indicated to Sigrid, referring to the itinerary.

Ranch also opened a small map booklet with one hand, looking at it idly while waiting.

He now had a habit of always having a children's version of the map on hand, even if he had a guide.

Under normal circumstances, the Land of Eternal Night, as a long snow plain, was already quite treacherous, with hordes of fierce beasts, chaotic security, and a rejection of humans.

Now, it was wartime.

The current situation in the surrounding countries meant that there might also be lurking vampire scouts on the Snow Plains.

This could be said to have added insult to injury to an already dangerous journey.

As for the route on the Snow Plains, it had already been planned, or rather, there was only one optimal route—

Ranch had taken on a job to repair the statues of deities worshiped by the orc city-states along the way.

The orc city-states were particularly respectful of the gods, believing that their long-term prosperity was due to the protection of the gods, and the city-state's statues were an indispensable part of their sacrificial rituals and other activities.

Unfortunately, the orcs were not good at such crafts, and basically invited craftsmen from surrounding countries to maintain and repair their statues. However, due to the long-standing opposition between humans and orcs intensifying in recent years, and the already extremely poor security in the Land of Eternal Night, no famous craftsmen were willing to go to the Snow Plains.

Moreover, it was said that some暴躁 (bào zào – irritable) orc chieftains might even attack the craftsmen in a rage if the repairs were not done well.

This led to no mediocre craftsmen being willing to risk their lives to bluff and deceive.

Even Little Stone City, which was closest to the Porant Empire and the most friendly to humans, had repeatedly sought craftsmen from the Porant Empire, but no master was willing to take on this thankless and highly risky job.

After all, no one was confident enough to guarantee satisfaction for the orcs.

Of course, on the other hand, if the repairs were done well, they could gain considerable goodwill and favor, as they were straightforward in the first place.

This time, upon hearing that a great craftsman employed by the Porant Empire's royal family was willing to take on this job, and had even taken on the repair work for six city-states from south to north, the orc city-states were very much looking forward to it, and guaranteed that they would do their best to protect Master Rocky's safety along the way.

Ranch knew very well that the Land of Eternal Night, as the road between the Demon Realm and the Porant Empire, was even more crucial in this time of war.

Gaining the support and help of the native orcs meant great convenience. Similarly, this was territory that must not be given to the vampires.

Ranch would do his best to convey the Hohenheim Empire's intention to attack to the orc chieftains.

Although the orc city-states still had great prejudice against humans, someone had to take the first step to make change possible.

"This gentleman is quite distinguished. When you take him through the Land of Eternal Night, please follow this red book and do not allow him to suffer any harm or unpleasantness in the orc city-states."

The secretary handed a red-covered book to Sigrid, who reluctantly glanced at it, and then nodded.

If it weren't for the money, she wouldn't want to escort such an overly delicate nobleman.

"Damn, this is so troublesome."

She muttered to herself.

"Shh!"

The secretary trembled in fright.

"You can't use such vulgar language in front of this gentleman."

He hurriedly instructed Sigrid, and prayed that the Prime Minister hadn't heard that sentence.

"What's vulgar language?"

Sigrid frowned in confusion.

"It means your wording and sentence structure should be more elegant and polite."

The secretary patiently explained to her.

Although he also knew that this coachman had some minor issues, such as easily offending the Prime Minister out of ignorance and fearlessness, she was indeed a master at handling troubles. Entrusting the Prime Minister to her was the most reassuring thing to do.

"I haven't gone to school, I don't know how to say those so-called elegant words."

Sigrid spread her hands.

Most of the people she had escorted before were merchants going to the Snow Plains to do business. She had rarely heard of a high-ranking nobleman willing to go to the Land of Eternal Night in person. Even if there was necessary official business, it was escorted by professional troops, and there was no need for such a private commission that was so mysterious.

"Miss Sigrid..."

The secretary felt the words stuck in his throat.

He couldn't tell Sigrid that this gentleman was the Prime Minister, and that he was also shouldering a unique and important mission, needing to disguise himself as another identity to travel all the way north.

"It's okay, don't make things difficult for a child."

Ranch sat at the table, put down his teacup with a slight smile, and said.

Although he personally didn't swear, he wouldn't change other people's speaking habits.

What's more, this child didn't understand.

"Okay."

The secretary said to Ranch with gratitude, and then continued to explain the remaining content to Sigrid.

The Prime Minister had never made things difficult for him, and had always been very considerate of his subordinates at work.

Sigrid glanced at Ranch again.

It was somewhat surprising that this client was a little different from the high-ranking dignitaries she had imagined.

……

That afternoon.

A few hours of travel passed quickly.

On this silver-white snow plain in the northern part of the Porant Empire, a girl wearing a beret drove a sled, her figure calm and capable, as if merging with the beauty of this cold world.

In front of the sled, two Snow Plains Nether Deer galloped across the snow, their hooves stirring up patches of snow mist on the thick snow, as if drawing a map of nature on the Snow Plains.

Sigrid had set off with Ranch this morning, and had quickly arrived at the northernmost part of the Porant Empire by air.

After renting a magical beast that could travel the fastest in the Land of Eternal Night, they left the country.

The girl's face was slightly flushed in the cold wind, and she gently waved the Deer Driving Whip in her hand, making intermittent sounds.

Behind her, a man sat quietly in the back seat.

His gaze was focused on the small booklet map in his hand.

The map was blown by the wind, and the corners of the book swayed gently. The young man seemed to be contemplating the road ahead.

"Most of today's journey is already over. The first thing I want to ask you to do when we arrive at tonight's lodging is to find me a hotel that is as spacious as possible, and help me buy the ingredients. I will give you a list of ingredients, and try to buy them according to what is written on it."

Ranch's brown hair fluttered slightly in the cold wind, and his face was full of anticipation for the northern journey.

"Can't we just find a restaurant to eat at?"

Sigrid tilted her head slightly and asked.

She felt that these clients were all very delicate.

She hadn't had much interaction with him on the way in the Porant Empire. He seemed to be very tired from work a few days ago, and spent most of his time with his eyes closed.

"Although I thought so too, my chef suggested that I cook at home."

Ranch looked at the shadow under his feet and sighed.

Boss Cat always said to eat out less.

When he and Boss Cat were in the Northern Continent, it was mostly it who was the chef once the journey began.

"Alright."

Sigrid took out a pen and wrote it down on a note.

Anyway, according to the contract, these basic expenses were borne by Party A.

The better the client lived, the more she could reasonably freeload.

She usually lived frugally, but now she didn't have to spend money on food and lodging during work, and the boss didn't mind the expenses. All she had to do was carry more things.

Ranch watched her crooked handwriting in the front row, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

Even if she was a little reluctant, her professional level was very good, and she wrote everything down.

(End of this chapter)