Due to the guarantees given by Ronald and Costate.

The final departure time of the expedition team was set for the next morning.

At night, Ronald and Costate did not return to their own inns but stayed at Giovanni's place for a simple night's rest, ensuring the convenience of the team's movements.

The next morning.

After waking up, Ronald took Costate downstairs for breakfast.

However, there was already someone on the first floor early in the morning.

In the early hours when guests are rarely seen, Giovanni was conversing in an Entrode dialect with a strong, towering local Entrode man.

This man had dry blond hair, and a composed expression sunk into his large face, unconsciously clenching his fists while talking.

Anyone seeing this man for the first time.

Would get the immediate impression of a steady and reliable person.

"Giovanni, Yavik, you're up so early?"

"There have been personnel changes, so some preparations also need adjustment."

Ronald greeted them and walked forward.

Among the two, Giovanni naturally didn't need another introduction. The other man, Yavik, the steady gentleman, was the local guide Giovanni had hired.

After all, any somewhat skilled explorer would invite someone familiar with the environment for relevant work when exploring unknown territories for safety reasons.

Yavik's identity was that of a renowned hunter around Waterfall City.

Ronald had breakfast with Costate, listening to Giovanni and Yavik's discussion, understanding the specifics of their agreement.

Under their agreed terms.

Yavik would lead them along safer roads, continually heading north for more than a week until they reached areas hunters had never ventured before. At that point, their contractual relationship would end, and Yavik would return to Waterfall City on his own.

Of course, if Yavik still wished to serve Giovanni.

They didn't mind continuing the contract and maintaining such a relationship on the subsequent northern journey.

Once the discussion ended and the details were settled, Yavik left the inn on his own.

Today was the day the expedition team was to set off, and naturally, the members wouldn't delay much longer.

While Ronald and Costate hadn't finished breakfast yet.

Betina also arrived with one man and one woman, three team members, into the downstairs hall. Upon Yavik's return to the inn, the team of seven exchanged pleasantries and enjoyed their last breakfast in Waterfall City.

This time, due to delving deep into the northern tundra.

The transport chosen by Ronald's group of seven would naturally differ from the previous trip to Twin Creek City.

On the recommendation of the local guide, Yavik.

The transportation this time was a kind of large antlered deer native to the Entrode region.

This animal's spine is sturdy enough to support human weight.

Long domesticated by the people of Entrode, it proved to be an excellent beast of burden. However, for safety reasons, the antlers of these animals were removed by the handlers in advance to avoid unnecessary issues and accidents.

Giovanni initially prepared four large antlered deer.

Among them, Yavik the guide rode one alone, with the other expedition members paired to ride one, and the last deer tasked with carrying supplies.

And with Ronald and Costate joining the team, Giovanni didn't skimp on the investment.

This expedition team leader discussed with Yavik in the morning, commissioning him to purchase two more large antlered deer, one for Ronald and Costate to ride together, and the other also tasked with transporting supplies.

Indeed, Ronald really learned a thing or two here.

The large antlered deer of the Entrode region possessed remarkable talent in bearing weight, excelling over any horses or camels he had seen before, effortlessly carrying two adults or goods.

If not for the fact that these animals could only live in colder regions.

They would surely become excellent beasts of burden, widely known around the world.

...

Riding a deer across an unfamiliar land should be an enjoyable journey.

Especially with a guide like Yavik, a professional hunter, Ronald felt no need, or rather found it unnecessary, to worry about the team's safety initially.

Besides progressing along the road and enjoying the near-at-hand natural scenery of Entrode, he could comfortably gaze into the distance and observe the distribution of distant mountain ranges.

In the perpetual accumulation of snow.

The diamond-shaped peaks pierce the clouds with their white caps, and amidst the humid vapor above, one might catch glimpses of refracted light occasionally.

If one takes the time to appreciate it.

It's undoubtedly a beautiful picture worth experiencing.

...

On the third day of the expedition, the weather became increasingly cold, and no trace of any visible human residence could be found around.

Guide Yavik continued to lead alone on a large deer in the front.

Though the search seemed to be for roads to advance further, there were really no rugged paths or wild trails in sight; they were merely adjusting their direction on the icy terrain, seeking the more gentle slopes to continue onward.

Throughout the journey, only by making the intelligent large deer smooth their gaits did they find some comfort in the experience.

Until it reached the early morning of the fourth day.

Everyone packed up their temporary camp to continue their journey.

Ronald observed the others, and these expedition team members visibly showed the wear and tear of travel. As they settled onto the deer, Ronald quietly began to chat with Costate:

"Honestly, having an experience like this outdoors trip occasionally is quite nice."

"Compared to scheming against those Casters or dealing with incomprehensible strange creatures, breathing in this cold, yet fresh air in the icy expanse, could be considered a kind of enjoyment."

Costate nodded in strong agreement:

"Sir, I agree with you."

"Though I have no objection to the outdoor activities of the past few months, living a regular life back in Kurpis is more aligned with my usual habits."

Hearing this, Ronald chuckled joyfully:

"Expressing personal thoughts like this is quite beneficial for you!"

"Costate, if you aim to develop a complete personality model, your liking for the comfort zone is a necessary trait, indicating you're on the right path!"

Costate maintained his composure:

"Sir, I also wish you find what you hope for."

"..."

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