Once all preparations were complete, Gauss and his companion waited a few more days in Gray Rock Town.
The waiting period gradually brought colder weather.
The snow grew heavier.
Finally, amid their eager anticipation, they received the final gathering notice from the Adventurer’s Guild.
On the main avenue of Gray Rock Town.
Passersby stayed off the streets, clearing the main road for the Bronze Adventurers preparing to leave the town.
Town residents curiously leaned out their windows, observing the crowd below.
Usually rare to see, Bronze Adventurers were now a common sight.
Occasionally, a child seeing such a departing scene for the first time would shout excitedly.
Bronze Adventurers grouped in twos and threes, preparing to board the carriage compartments.
Some Bronze Adventurers chose to ride their own mounts.
On the street side, Gauss glanced towards the front of the procession, led by the head of the Gray Rock Town Adventurer’s Guild, Abelhard.
The one whom Gauss previously recognized in his mind as the strongest Professional he had encountered.
He rode a handsome white horse.
Of course, Gauss’s gaze was drawn not by the horse but by the griffin that always accompanied him.
Perhaps due to leading the group, Abelhard didn’t ride the griffin beside him.
But keen observers could easily see the relation between them.
Gauss was not the only one noticing the griffin. In fact, many in the Bronze Adventurers’ group were quietly watching it.
As a mount, especially a flying one, the griffin was exceedingly eye-catching.
With the body of a lion and the head of an eagle, its forepart was a giant eagle covered in dark golden feathers, and its beak curved like a black iron hook; the hind part was a mighty male lion, with amber fur, and a thick lion tail whipping the air with a sharp sound.
Besides its robust physique, this griffin mount wore a headplate and chestplate that glimmered with mysterious light, and its back was fitted with a saddle suitable for riding.
Even from a distance, it looked very formidable.
Moreover, Gray Rock Town and its surrounding areas were not the usual habitat for griffins, which typically thrived atop high mountains.
They liked to build nests on steep cliff tops and mountain peaks, using branches, leaves, and prey bones.
This was why Gauss and many others were seeing this magical creature for the first time.
"I wonder how many Gold Coins it would take to buy this griffin?" Perhaps because Gauss was currently planning on purchasing a mount, the thought naturally popped into his head when he saw the griffin.
"I reckon it must be an astronomical figure."
He shook his head.
Such a level of mount was still far beyond his reach.
Even if he had the money, lacking sufficient strength would make it difficult to tame such a wild creature.
But to be fair, among flying mounts, the griffin wasn’t exactly the most extravagant.
Gauss remembered that there were Dragon Knights in this world.
And not the Sub-dragon Two-legged Flying Dragon, but true purebred Giant Dragons.
In terms of value, dragon mounts are the truly immeasurable existence.
Gauss watched the bustling crowd, a hundred-strong group of Bronze Adventurers, along with ten certified Bottom Adventurers possessing adequate combat strength, a convoy of several dozen meters including personnel for logistics and supplies.
The grand, hundred-plus-meter procession filled the street.
Seeing this display, Gauss felt a rush of excitement for a moment.
Gauss boarded a carriage with Aaliyah.
Aaliyah was still instructing Gray Wolf Ulfen to carefully follow the vehicle amidst the crowd, not to get lost.
Gauss lifted the window drape.
On the windowsills of the buildings on both sides, the town residents seemed to know this group of Bronze Adventurers was set to depart, for their last large-scale sweep of the nesting forest monster army before winter fully settled in.
Seeing such a crack team and fantastical creatures, they excitedly turned red, waved both hands, and shouted farewell cheers.
The Adventurers were in good spirits, eager to start harvesting monsters and earning Gold Coins, and they waved back to the residents on both sides.
Gauss did the same.
After making sure everything was ready, the convoy began to move slowly.
"Clunk, clunk!"
The grand convoy rolled over the cobblestone road, making a heavy but rhythmic grinding sound.
Gauss was about to withdraw into the carriage.
Suddenly, at a tavern entrance, he caught sight of a few familiar figures.
Levin, the Swordsman apprentice Doyle, the Archer Oliver, the Priest apprentice Daphne, and Medvedeva.
The five stood at the shop entrance, casting their gazes in his direction.
Waving their arms incessantly.
Really such...
A slight smile tugged at Gauss’s lips.
He leaned out again, vigorously waving towards the five.
They seemed to be saying something, but unfortunately, the distance was too great, and the area, filled with the clatter of wheels and residents’ cheers, drowned out their words.
At the tavern entrance.
"Gauss saw us."
"How grand! One day, I want to experience such a moment, departing amidst thousands of cheering people; with such a scene, it’d be worth it even if I die."
"Tsk tsk, please don’t curse Gauss just because you can’t stand seeing him doing well!"
"Ah! I meant myself, though."
"Oh, I wonder if Gauss heard us say we’d find him for a drink after he returns."
"This is all your damn fault; Medvedeva had long proposed finding Gauss to gather, but you chickened out for fear of embarrassment and didn’t agree." Oliver reconcilingly taunted.
"Was it just me? What about you and Levin?"
As Gauss’s carriage exited their view, the few soon laughed and began to bicker.
Gauss sat back in the carriage, settling down his emotions.
"Why is this year’s expedition so grand?" Aaliyah commented, settling in and murmuring.
"Isn’t this how it always is?" Gauss was puzzled.
"No, at least it wasn’t last year when I participated." Aaliyah shook her head. "Although those who wanted to inquire would know about our expedition, we gathered outside the town to depart that day."
Hearing this, Gauss displayed an expression of sudden realization.
He remembered, back in winter last year, he had already arrived at Gray Rock Town, so he didn’t recall such a grand departing scene occurring.
"Perhaps it’s to boost morale." Aaliyah speculated further.
"After the Legendary Sword Saint’s passing, I started hearing rumors of a potential war with Demons within the coming years."
"As a border town like Gray Rock Town, being at the frontline with the Demon Territory, many townsfolk are anxious, with those who can afford it considering relocation to safer inland areas."
Gauss nodded.
"Possibly so..."