Chapter 282: The Aurora Town

Chapter 282: The Aurora Town

The Aurora Town, Northern Snow Nation, one o’clock in the morning.

The night sky extended like a deep, richly black drape, under which sat the snowy mountain range. And at the foot of the mountain range, hundreds of modern houses arranged into dense rows to form an isolated town.

Amid the pouring snow, the town quietly slumbered. Save for the street lamps lining the main road and the light coming from the two bars, the windows of all the other houses looked into darkness.

Three figures walked in the snow storm. Their every step squelched as their feet sunk into snow that was half a meter tall.

They were all wearing long, black down jackets and winter boots, and fleece-lined hats covered their ears and faces, revealing only their eyes.

Taking the lead, War Tiger grumbled, “This damn place snows even in summer.”

“The northern part of this nation snows throughout the year,” Azure Dragon said in a low voice. He glanced back at Colorless, who was lagging behind a little. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” Colorless’ androgynous voice had a hint of resentment to it. “I hate the cold.” This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

War Tiger patted on his puffed up jacket pocket. Inside was a military liquor flask half filled with local spirit.

“Want some? It’s gonna keep you warm from head to toes.”

“Did I not make myself clear?” Colorless said in a steely voice. “I said I hate the cold, not that I am cold.”

War Tiger shrugged at the cold shoulder and kept trudging forward. Dusting snow off his fat, he looked up at the houses on the sides and mumbled, “No. 103. We’re only at no. 31. There’s still a long way to go...”

It all started two days ago.

After the meeting of the big three in the Mouse Room, Azure Dragon, War Tiger, and Colorless immediately booked a ticket for the next evening, which was the earliest flight to the Snow Nation.

According to the information they had—mainly from the Qilin Guild—all leads pointed to one particular location, the Aurora Town in the northern part of Snow Nation.

It was Lilia’s hometown and where the Godbearer Cult originated from.

In the Aurora Town, though, the Godbearer Cult had another name that was better known: the Otherworld Order.

Most residents of the Aurora Town were followers of the denomination. They believed that all devout followers of their Lord would go to the blissful otherworld where they would be happy forever, free from the eternal struggle of reincarnations, which trapped them in the misery of the mortal world.

One would be hard-pressed to deny how well-thought-out and convincing the doctrines were.

Vermilion Bird and Azure Dragon were stunned when they first heard about it.

According to Black Tortoise’s body, the man wasn’t actually wholeheartedly devoted to the Heavenly Godbearer, but he did believe that the Mist World would one day meet its end, and that the Heavenly Godbearer would be able to take him to another world.

That was why he was willing to join the Godbearer Cult and served her.

...

After a fourteen-hour flight, Azure Dragon, War Tiger, and Colorless arrived at the airport of the Snow Nation in the morning, the third day after the meeting.

Without rest, they took a bus to the northmost part of the Snow Nation, the Aurora Town. This was the only official route to the town.

They arrived in the evening and claimed to be landscape photographers from other countries, settling down at a small inn.

To avoid attracting attention, they waited until after midnight to head to where Lilia’s mother lived.

Their investigation told them that Lilia’s only family was still alive—her mother, Sarah. The woman was 44 years old and lived on her own in the town, at no. 103.

She was a devout follower of the Otherworld Order. One day, she went mad for a mysterious reason.

The three decided to start with her.

The town wasn’t big, and soon, they reached the fringe of it.

Before them lay a frozen stream. On the other side were about a dozen run-down cabins that belonged to the previous century, now abandoned.

One of the cabins, however, seemed to have been regularly maintained. At least the rooftop remained intact, and the snow in front of the door had been cleared. Under the roof, there was a pile of freshly chopped firewood, covered by a tarpaulin.

They approached the cabin and saw the plaque on the door lintel, which said, 103.

They exchanged a glance.

War Tiger went up to the door and gently knocked on it.

Rat-at-tat.