Chapter 34: Frostheld
His father and mother said some words of encouragement. Grandpa William also said a few things that he needs to be careful about.
"Goodbye, and take care."
With that, Apollo left the Fletcher castle and moved unexpectedly in the direction of the northern plains.
This surprised him, as the northern side is not where the capital is. Even more, considering the northern side is the opposite of a vibrant and diverse capital.
The Fletcher family is already considered to be at the border of the northern side of the Rrioweth kingdom, where people live in large quantities.
But if they continue to move ahead, they will reach those wastelands where no plants or animals survive because of the inhumanely low temperature that can freeze most humans in minutes, as the whole place has remained covered in ice and snow for thousands of years.
Master Aaron noticed the expression on Apollo's face, understood what this kid was thinking, and said a few words to clear his apprentice's doubts.
"I know what you are thinking, so let me answer your few questions."
"First, why are we travelling by foot instead of mounts? It is because mounts attract too much attention and make it difficult to blend in with the locals. And our bodies are not weaker than beasts, so it is easier to travel on their feet."
"And second, where are we going? The answer to this question, you guessed almost correctly. That we are going to the northern wasteland covered in ice, or 'Frozen Hell' as many travelers call it."
"Frozen hell?"
This was entirely new for him, as books don't mention anything, about it.
"It is not surprising you never heard about this, as only the veterans called that place by this name. As usual, weaklings wouldn't survive there, so the words don't get out."
"Which is why most people only know that the deep northern region is desolate and devoid of any life, but that's not the truth."
Master Aaron smiled and said, "You will later see the truth."
Apollo was surprised after knowing that the northern wasteland also had this kind of secret. Knowing this, he looks forward to seeing what kind of place that is and who lives there.
He was not worried about the harsh cold conditions. That kind of environment is heaven for someone like him. He would be like a fish in water, which would boost his fighting prowess.
They maintained a good speed with their strong physique and stamina and took only two hours of rest every day. And after six days of travel, they finally entered the northern wasteland, or 'Frozen Hell'.
The closer they came to the wasteland, the more the temperature started to drop, and slowly, grass, plants, and trees completely disappeared when they finally arrived at their destination. It was a place that was entirely covered in ice from every direction, without a sign of any plants or life.
"Now, let's go to the city 'Frostheld'."
"Wait there is a city here? In such conditions?"
Apollo couldn't believe his master's words. The temperature here was already -40 C without any signs of life, and yet his master suddenly said there was a city—not a village or small town, but a city.
He followed his master, and after crossing a frozen river, he saw a small igloo-like structure made of ice crystals in the middle of nowhere.
Master Aaron and Apollo walked a little ahead to that igloo. He was still a bit confused about why there was a single igloo in the middle of nothing. But he followed his master's footsteps, who, after arriving in front of the igloo, knocked on the door lightly.
A second later, nobody opened the door, but a small, pigeon-sized hole appeared on the door with a voice asking.
"Who and why are you here?"
"My name is Aaron, and I am coming here to meet a friend."
"Who?"
"Aragon."
"Um..."
After a moment of silence, the door opened.
"Come, let's go."
Apollo quickly followed the master, and as they went in, the door shut down.
And behind the door, Apollo was shocked as he saw the person standing. As it was not a human being, they were now instead standing in front of a polar bear—a f**king polar bear.
A polar bear, that can communicate and walk like humans. His mind was going crazy. Where had they come from? 'A Disney movie'.
Apollo quickly regained his calm, as anything or everything is possible in this world. Why make a fuss?
Behind the polar bear, there was a staircase that seemed to lead somewhere underground.
"Let's go."
Master Aaron was not surprised to see a polar bear; he quickly led him to the stairs. Apollo quietly followed his master, but he still did not forget to glance at the polar bear as he followed down the stairs.
The stairs were long, as they seemed to be quite deep underground, but after a few minutes of walking down, they appeared to be at the end, but when he saw what was ahead, he was shocked.
"Welcome to Frostheld."
Apollo looked at the city ahead and couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the 'Frostheld'.
A city made of ice, every house, road, and even plant seems to be made of ice. It looks heavenly, with a unique charm that he had never seen.
The crowd here is also a little unusual, as not only humans were strolling around, but more than half were non-human alien beings.
He saw many beastkins with a similar figure to humans but with various animalistic characteristics. Here, he also saw some elves that looked like books described in his past life.
They are all good-looking and tall, with white skin and pointed ears. Apollo also noticed an elf with such massive tits that he could let it crush him to death gladly.
"Kid, where are you looking?"
Master Aaron looked in the direction Apollo was looking and couldn't help but interrupt his fantasies.
"Brat, what are you thinking!"
And he smacked his head with a cane in his hand.
"Hehe..."
He laughed, as during their journey, they had already become close. And Apollo already has some understanding of his master's personality.