The New Year passed, welcoming the new calendar year of 1015.
Just a couple of days into the new year, the ice and snow began to melt.
However, the thawing season was often colder than when it was snowing, so even Gauss, with his cold-resistant constitution, added a few more layers of clothing for warmth.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
Gauss was packing his things, preparing to go out and train in magic, brute strength, and swordsmanship, when he heard a knock on the door.
He opened the door to find Aaliyah standing outside.
"Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year."
It had been too cold the past couple of days, so Aaliyah had been holed up at home for two days, not stepping outside.
This was their first meeting after the New Year.
Gauss welcomed her inside.
"Is there something you need?" Gauss asked curiously.
There was still some time before the scheduled day to gather and execute the commission.
"There’s big news!" Aaliyah couldn’t contain her excitement. "I just heard about it when I went out to buy meat for Ulfen and the others!"
"Don’t rush, tell me slowly."
Gauss poured her a cup of hot red tea, signaling her to have some tea first.
Aaliyah sat down on a chair, cupped the ceramic mug, took a sip, and calmed herself down before continuing.
"Near the Forest City of Barry, just in these past few days, someone discovered a newly emerged underground labyrinth!"
"Oh?" Gauss’s eyes lit up.
This was indeed explosive news!
Labyrinths were different from the dungeons he had previously experienced; they were larger in scale, multi-layered, and even had unique ecosystems inside. They were more challenging, but that also meant more demons, traps, and potential treasures.
A newly appearing labyrinth would undoubtedly attract countless adventurers from the surrounding areas, and could even spur the growth of a temporary town nearby.
And most importantly, it wasn’t far away, just in Barry!
"Can we go in and explore?" Gauss asked curiously.
"I think we can?" Aaliyah wasn’t quite sure. "I think we can first go to Barry and take a look? What do you think? We were planning to visit after the New Year anyway, we might as well move it earlier."
Gauss thought for a moment and didn’t object.
Either way, let’s go and take a look first.
A labyrinth full of demons and treasure was simply irresistible.
However, he was still pondering one thing.
The unusually early heavy snowfall before the year-end, the attack by the venomous wyvern, the arrival of the Griffin Knights in the town, and now this newly emerged labyrinth – could there be some connection between these events?
Perhaps the appearance of the labyrinth had signs beforehand?
But even if they decided to go to Barry, they couldn’t set off immediately. They needed to wait for further snowmelt, for the roads to become passable, and to prepare adequate supplies.
Exploring a labyrinth wasn’t like short-term surface commissions where one could often find villages and inns nearby. Challenging a labyrinth often required adventurers to prepare large amounts of food and water, clothing, cooking tools, various equipment, and so on.
Once deep underground, unless they retraced their steps to the surface, they could only rely on their carried supplies and what they could scavenge in the labyrinth, or perhaps trade supplies with unfamiliar adventurers.
"We need to purchase more supplies."
Although they could procure supplies in Barry, the unfamiliarity with the environment and the possibility that big city prices might be higher suggested buying them in town would be more reassuring.
"Yes, I’ve already prepared a preparation list." Aaliyah took out a piece of parchment; she was clearly prepared.
Gauss glanced at the information on the paper and nodded.
Aaliyah was meticulous, and the list was comprehensive with no significant omissions.
Over the next few days, the two only needed to purchase according to the list and wait for the snow to melt away, then take a carriage to Barry.
The trade route from Gray Rock Town to Barry was always busy, and as soon as the roads were passable, a caravan would depart at the first opportunity.
The days flew by.
Despite patches of lingering snow outside, caravans were already preparing to set off for Barry.
The labyrinth attracted not only adventurers but also an endless stream of merchant guilds eager to share in the profits.
Because it was the first caravan departing for Barry, seats on this trip were highly sought-after.
Usually, merchant caravans would actively post flyers inviting bronze adventurers to ride along, but this time, things were reversed, with adventurers needing to contact the merchants for seats.
Moreover, just asking didn’t guarantee one.
The merchants also needed to transport goods, so vacant seats were limited.
Therefore, ordinary 1-star adventurers couldn’t secure even a single seat.
Gauss’s two-person team only secured two seats because of his status as a Level 2 Caster, though they still had to share a compartment with others.
"They must be aiming for the labyrinth just like us, wanting to get the first-hand information." Aaliyah remarked, looking out at the bustling scene outside the carriage window.
She glanced at Gauss beside her, who had taken out a book to read during the journey, feeling fortunate.
Thankfully, she had Gauss, or she wouldn’t have been able to get on the first carriage by herself.
"The labyrinth..."
With her whispering, the specially-made anti-slip ox carriage slowly left the town.
Although Barry was the nearest big city to Gray Rock Town, it was still not that close.
The time spent on the carriage alone would take several days.
The caravan traveled at a steady pace, making camp, dining, resting, and occasionally encountering road-blocking depressions caused by melting snow, where adventurers had to step in to help.
Fortunately, nothing major happened.
The caravan continued to move forward in an orderly fashion.
During a break, Gauss even encountered the Iron Arm Squad. The two sides exchanged briefly.
Quik and the others expressed their shock and congratulations on his promotion to Level 2.
However, at the moment, they weren’t overly concerned about this, with their minds entirely occupied by the labyrinth in Barry.