Blustery winds carrying ice crystals and downy snow slapped against Caine's face and body one after another, forcing him to remain alert as his body involuntarily tightened and slightly hunched, trembling. "It's... it's really cold," he nearly muttered, realizing he was deep within a landscape of low visibility, shrouded in snow and ice. He had always thought the damp, chilly atmosphere of Bekland in winter was the worst, but now he understood that the combination of absolute cold and wind like blades was truly deadly—despite having worn a sweater beforehand and despite his outer coat being a thick formal dress suit, it now felt increasingly strained. This time, he did not wear the "Sun Brooch," because it generated a heat at the spiritual level. While effective in the short term for countering intense cold and preventing the body from becoming stiff, it proved to be a form of self-sacrifice when faced with a prolonged icy environment—the spiritual heat would open the body's pores, shifting it into a summer state, thus removing the final layer of defense against cold and even actively welcoming the chill. Therefore, Klein cast the magical item into the gray mist, intending to retrieve it only when a specific occasion arose. The harsh environment had left him with no time to delay. After initially surveying the surroundings, he immediately burned the blood from the copper small knife and tucked it into his pocket. Then, Klein drew forth his "Explorer's Panpipe" and attempted to blow a few notes. Amid the roaring wind, the subtle activation of his spiritual sight failed to reveal the arrival of the messenger, Miss Renette Tynicol. Indeed, this place is disconnected from the spiritual realm—perhaps it even has its own unique spiritual domain. Hmm. So, praying to the "Sea God" seems ineffective; only incantations directed toward the mysterious space above the gray mist can penetrate the barrier. Then comes the question: As a devoted follower of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, Edwena possesses the true name of this deity—why hasn't she attempted to seek His aid? Or, if she has, why has it been unsuccessful? Hmm. Not every deity personally responds to their devotees; often, they offer returns according to certain established principles. As for me, a "hidden presence" who personally handles each request, I find myself without a second option. Klein chuckles to himself, forming an initial judgment. He then sets down his panpipes, takes out the paper stained with Daniz's fresh blood, and wraps it around the tip of his staff. "Daniz's position," Klein murmurs, invoking the "Staff Divination Method" to locate him. Then, based on the results, he swiftly moved through the thick snow, navigating the gusty winds beneath the dim sky, occasionally casting new auguries to adjust his course—after all, Daniz wouldn’t stand still; otherwise, he’d turn into an ice sculpture. About ten minutes later, Caine spotted a streak of crimson light. He exhaled a breath, took a few steps forward, and made out his destination. Indeed, it was Daniz—the renowned sea pirate—wearing quite thin garments, walking with arms folded, seemingly at a loss. Yet he didn’t feel cold at all, as a flock of crimson fire ravens circled around him, evaporating the snow and warding off the wind, creating a warm, spring-like atmosphere. At this moment, Caine particularly admired the "Pyromancer." While the "Magician" could also summon streams of flame, this ability was inherently short-lived and effective only in brief bursts. To rely on it for warmth would require constant summoning, quickly exhausting the user. As for the ability to manipulate flame, it depended on existing flames or combustible materials—both of which were exceedingly scarce in the icy world. Watching the flame crows soaring upward, Caine quickened his pace and drew closer. Danelis noticed someone approaching and jumped in surprise. Only after peering through the wind and snow to identify the visitor did he exhale in relief, then offered a smile that seemed oddly composed. "Ha! Here, even the stars are hidden—getting lost is practically inevitable," he said. Caine paid no attention to his words and asked directly, "Was it burned?" "Burned!" Danelis nodded eagerly, his entire demeanor radiating an unspoken sense of fear. Klein stared at Daniz for several seconds, confirming that he had not lied, then drew out a Gorman Sparrow-style polite smile and said: "Remember: 'Those who have spoken His name are His believers.'" "...” Daniz's expression twisted instantly, and then he managed a smile that was worse than a cry for help. I don't want to convert! I absolutely don't want to believe in any unknown entity with an undefined origin! He was screaming this internally, yet said not a word. He feared that if he objected, Gorman Sparrow would bury him alive in the snow right then and there! Klein maintained his smile, tinged with a touch of madness, and spoke calmly: "Remember: keep it confidential. Once it's revealed, you and your captain will both die." "What does the captain have to do with it?" Daniz asked aloud. Klein held steady his expression, smiling gently at Daniz and said: "What do you think?" Danzel opened his mouth slightly, already knowing the reason, and could only chuckle dryly: "Do I seem like someone who can't keep secrets?" Klein nodded, pulling out a slip of paper stained with Anderson's blood, and chuckled softly to Danzel: "Faith in Him, serve Him—perhaps one day you'll become a Vassal like me. Then your name will be known across five seas, no less renowned than the pirate admirals." As he spoke, he had intended to make a gesture of a follower of the Fool, but sadly found he had no such gesture to offer. He comforted himself internally: "Secret organizations must remain secret—surface-level matters like these are entirely meaningless... The Sir of the 'Hanged Man' was right... No less renowned than the pirate admirals..." Danzel suddenly brightened. Anyway, I've already chanted the sacred name of the hidden entity, and from a mystical standpoint, it's truly hard to shake off now. Why not take this opportunity? He thought deeply, even already naming his children. Hey, if it weren't for Gelman Sparo's established persona, I'd have directly said that by then you'd match the reputation and strength of a "Commander of the Iceberg"—of course, whether the other person likes you is another matter. Based on my observations, you're likely to have little chance. Edvina probably seeks a partner who can grow and learn alongside her, someone who shares intellectual discussions and pursuits... Klein mumbled a few words and once again employed the "Staff of Divination Method": "Anderson Hude's position." "...Has he also arrived?" Daniz was first startled, then expressed genuine surprise. After Klein finished the incantation, he released the staff, confirmed the direction in which it fell, and nodded. "I'm not at ease with him being outside." "I suspected Anderson-Hood all along," Daniz said with a warm smile. "Exactly! He's the kind who smiles pleasantly on the surface, then cuts you down the moment he turns around. He's not well-regarded in the Mist Sea—every pirate dislikes him. He even deliberately undermined you just now, trying to make us all watch you with suspicion and hostility!" If the pirates liked him, then perhaps the title of "the Greatest Hunter" wasn't entirely solid. I heard all of Anderson's maneuvers. Klein said nothing, picked up his staff, and stepped forward into the blizzard. Daniz followed closely behind, his swirling fire-owls scattering the snow and warding off the cold, ensuring neither of them froze. Indeed, quite attentive. At this moment, Klein once again felt the advantage of having a servant—someone to hold an umbrella on rainy days, someone to keep the warmth flowing during blizzards! In the vast, snow-covered expanse, the two figures seemed like dark spots, crunching through the accumulated snow, inching forward steadily, taking nearly twenty minutes to reach the spot indicated by the staff. "No one here..." Daniz surveyed the area, but failed to spot Anderson Hood. He had no doubt in his mind about Germán Sparo's "staff-based search method," since he himself had been the last person to be found using it. Klein furrowed his brow, then activated his spiritual vision, strengthening his intuition. Suddenly, he noticed that merely by pushing the staff forward, the snow beneath it collapsed with a rustling sound. Where the snow had given way, a cave emerged, its dark stone walls reflecting the glow of the firelight. Klein crouched down and peered inside, discovering that the cavern extended into a narrow passage. At the far end, a pile of red stones hosted strange subterranean plants slowly burning. Anderson Hood sat beside them, leisurely roasting what appeared to be a rabbit, the warm aroma of rendered fat drifting out and filling Klein and Daniz's nostrils. "You've arrived! Would you like to try it? We've got a peculiar rabbit that can survive in the snow here," Anderson said, lowering his body and peering into the cavern entrance as if greeting companions from a picnic outing. "Danziz asked with determination, though his body honestly leaned closer to the fire. Anderson flipped the rabbit over, now resting on the short, dark sword, and glanced at Danziz: "The first lesson of a hunter: observe the environment, become familiar with it, and use it to your advantage." Danziz's expression instantly stiffened. Anderson then turned to Gelmann Sparo, chuckling: "How about the burrow I've dug out? Not bad, right? The pressure control was excellent." As he spoke, he sniffed the air: "It's fragrant—definitely done. Would you like to try it? I didn't bring any seasonings, but there's rock salt here—just a bit bitter." "You're sure you can eat it?" Danziz remarked, skeptical. "If this is some extraordinary creature, you might lose control right away." Anderson glanced at him again: "The second lesson of a hunter: distinguish between what's edible and what isn't in the wild." He carefully reached out, pulled down a leg, and bit into it, savoring every bite. As克莱恩 was about to speak, he suddenly felt a fierce, violent presence approaching from afar—pressure emanating from a higher-being, tangible and overwhelming, causing Daniz's body to tremble uncontrollably. This presence swept past the sky, unnoticed the oddity below, and swiftly moved away. The King of the North... that title flashed through克莱恩's mind at once.