Infinite Mana In The Apocalypse novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74 - A chance encounter

We flew away from the floating Nest on the Whitewing beasts, passing through the cold winds that now also had the addition of heavy snow as dark clouds hung overhead. My sight was locked onto this Skypeak Nest that I would most definitely visit for myself in the future

I was lost in my thoughts as we passed through the falling snow and became entranced with the scene playing out. The land floating in the sky receded from view as we approached the outline of the Frozen Kingdom. The minutes passed by in the skies as I introduced myself to the mercenaries I worked with today

We passed over the huge fortress wall and landed in the back of the [Mercenary’s Hideout] in a few minutes, where 5000 gold was given to every participating mercenary as a surprised receptionist came out and saw us returning much earlier than expected

I was looking forward to learning the rank A skill books now sitting in one of my storage rings as I followed Captain Ryner’s group. It was him and four other S rank hunters. After the extermination task was confirmed and the rewards handed out, we went further into the kingdom past the entrance town

The buildings became larger and grander the further in we went, and the beginning of one of the grandiose bridges that sn.a.k.e.d towards the sky to one of the floating lands above us appeared.

The bridge was wide and long, with rank two S guards decked in an exquisite white metal armor standing guard. Anyone that wanted to pass the checkpoint had to have proper authorization, or they would face the cold blades of the two guards if they tried anything funny

The boisterous attitude of Captain Ryner came to a stop as we neared the bridge and saw an escort taking place. An exquisite carriage waited besides the bridge a veiled woman that became surrounded by peak rank S guards got off and was walked towards the bridge

Captain Ryner’s entire demeanor changed as his voice lowered before he respectfully called out to the figures in front of us in a tone I was hearing for the first time today

"Princess, it’s my extreme pleasure being graced with your sight today"

His voice was low but clear, ringing out clearly in the ears of the figures up front. The guards standing besides the veiled woman showed annoyed expression as they turned to look at Ryner, seemingly this not being the first time they’ve come across something like this

The veiled woman turned to this direction and nodded towards Ryner, which made him breakout the largest smile as if he had won the lottery. I looked at this scene in fascination as it seemed this captain was completely stricken with the woman up front, but could only look from afar

The figures turned and began climbing towards the bridge, but not before I felt a gaze linger on me for a few seconds. I turned to the escort of people that were leaving and wondered if I had just thought wrong

Ryner moved with much more vigor after this as we entered into a much more expensive looking tavern than the ones I’ve seen on the way here. The tavern was much more high class, with private rooms that gave it an air of calmness

There were no boisterous noises from mercenaries as it seemed a noise canceling function was activated the moment the doors to the private rooms closed. We soon grabbed a private room of our own and sat on a thick soft furred carpet around a circular table

Ryner was animatedly moving around as the best dishes were ordered and the mercenaries began talking

"Hey hey hey, Captain Ryner seems to be completely taken in by the terrifying Ice Princess eh?"

"Bah, what do you know? I heard her highness’s main guard would be retiring soon, and I just signed up for the possibility of being chosen when the selection happens"

Ryner had began biting down on the huge chunks of meat as he talked back to the jeering mercenary

"Oh, you actually think you stand a chance from all those geniuses that are fighting for the position?"