Hunter!
The image that flashed through Sean's mind was another girl from the archaeological team back then—the one who often walked with Lucille. What was her name again...
Gwen.
When she introduced herself back then, she said she was a hunter and trapper, and the title "Trap Master" was actually coined by Lucille.
"Are they all Flashgold Hunters?"
"Only some of them," Freya said.
"Then how can it be called a City of Hunters? The hunters I know are like the Amsha people in the northwest." Sean looked at her and suddenly noticed Freya had entered a [Surprised!] state.
"You know about the Amsha people too?!"
"I've seen them. Sigh~ Even though I never left the town before, that doesn't mean I don't know anything."
"True. As long as you're willing to learn, news from any distance can reach every corner of the world—that's the most convenient and most terrifying trait of humans as social beings." Mid-sentence, Freya seemed to hint at something again, entering a [Thinking!] state.
There was still some time before afternoon, and Sean always tried to glean as much information about the world from her as possible.
Because everyone operates at different levels... Luke could impart the wisdom of a city scholar, the coachman taught survival skills of common folk, and witches like Igunia and Lucille belonged to the realm of magic.
But this woman before him was the leader of a wizard organization. She had access not only to the upper echelons of nobility but also to the world's hidden secrets.
"So what's the difference between this City of Hunters you mentioned and the Amsha people?" Sean pressed on.
"They were originally the same!"
"Huh?" He looked at her curiously.
"The western highland people live in a place that's cold year-round, and that environment shaped their way of life. In western countries, you rarely see professions like wizards or warriors—most are hunters."
"What's different about them?" In Sean's mind, hunters were people with bows and arrows, maybe a pet, occasionally using traps as backup.
"The Amsha people are a warrior race."
"I've heard that from many people. Some also say the Edaks are a warrior race," Sean said with a smile.
The Amsha were hard to distinguish, but the Edaks were too distinctive...
They were tall and robust, with thighs as thick as an ordinary person's arms. Sean had always suspected Freya had some Edak blood, though she was fairer-skinned.
"You'll understand when you see their fighting style one day. They're adept at using all kinds of tools—blades, guns, gunpowder, bombs, hidden weapons, poisons, and sometimes even a handful of dirt or a rotten egg can be turned into an attack. The western highlands are barren but teeming with beasts, and the harsh weather forces them to use anything at hand, with no set rules."
Unorthodox and unpredictable—sounded right up his alley.
"But they live in the west. What does that have to do with the Cliff Peak City we're heading to?"
"A long time ago, before Koga City was even fully established... Cliff Peak City was the largest city in the southern empire. Some Amsha people migrated and settled nearby, and that's when many hunters started appearing in Cliff Peak City."
So they were migrants.
Sean suddenly thought of Gwen back then—maybe she was in a similar situation.
Hadn't she been introduced as coming from the north? And now he was heading north himself...
The airship flew for an entire day until evening, when they were stopped by a nearby rest area. The reason was that many ahead were still undergoing inspection, so they had to wait here.
Looking at the dozen or so airships lined up ahead, it was already dusk. If they couldn't get through, nightfall would ground them, and they'd have to wait until tomorrow to enter the city, just as the bearded man had said earlier.
From a distance, Sean could see white spire-like structures on the mountains, like landmarks. Behind them should be the so-called Cliff Peak City.
"How long will it take?" Freya asked the soldier on guard at the rest area.
Only soldiers had the authority to force so many airships to stop!
The soldier gave Freya a once-over... his eyes lingering on her alluring figure.
Unlike the bearded man from the morning, this soldier was far bolder, already triggering a [Dissatisfied!] state in Freya.
"Just wait. When it's your turn, we'll call you. See those people over there? Go line up there," the soldier said, pointing to the opposite side.
"Let me through. I'll explain it to your captain later."
Though annoyed, Freya maintained the composure befitting a leader of an organization.
Her imposing aura made the guard soldier nervous...
Sean had seen Freya fight before. Battle mages never retreated, and such a forceful demeanor would likely overwhelm even an ordinary general.
"You... who do you think you are? Go wait over there. Don't cause trouble."
Despite a heap of negative statuses above his head, the soldier refused to back down verbally.
"How dare you! You're not even qualified to speak to me."
Her long-handled magic staff struck the ground heavily...
Thud~
It felt like a shockwave, making the ground tremble.
[Intimidation~]
Sean noticed a skill icon appear above Freya's head. She then pulled a special badge from her waist and held it before the soldier.
"Take a good look. Will you let me through now?"
"Yes, yes... Quickly, let this airship go first! What are you waiting for!" With an incredulous expression and a [Terrified!] state, he hurriedly called for the other soldiers to clear the way.
So this woman had special privileges.
That made sense. After all, she was someone the Count had to personally invite while gravely ill. And hadn't the Prince himself asked her to report back in person? A bit of special treatment was normal.
Under the [Surprised!] and [Curious!] gazes of the crowd, Sean followed Freya as their airship continued through the specially cleared airspace...
"Sean, there might be a lot of people soon. Let's hurry. Follow me... I'll take you somewhere."
"Okay." A simple reply.
The closer they got to the city, the more her previously subdued [Anxious!] state reawakened.
Passing through the towering spires...
In a vast area surrounded by mountains on three sides, clusters of buildings appeared.
This city was very different from Koga City. It was a fortress-like city built into the heart of the mountain—starting from the walls at the base, layer upon layer rising upward.
From a distance, it looked like a massive castle made entirely of white stone.