The son of the God-Emperor in Warhammer Fantasy

By the time Ryan had finished all his tasks and exchanged the beastman leader's head for a bounty at the Church of Justice, night had fallen. Following the instructions of the gate guards, he found his way to the Butterbeer Inn in the center of the town.

The streets of Karlzenhaven were quite different from those of Ulan. Ulan was a small town with most houses being typical longhouses, neatly arranged. Karlzenhaven, being a medium-sized port city, had many shops and two-story buildings. The cold wind blew across the land but didn't deter the city's residents. Though it was afternoon, most people were still hard at work. For instance, a carpenter was busy making furniture, urging his apprentice to work faster as the sun was about to set.

Many travelers and caravans were stranded in the city, and Ryan noticed numerous wagons and horses along the way. Many local residents had rented out their houses to these caravans.

Hopefully, the Butterbeer Inn still has space.

The Butterbeer Inn was a common name for inns that served butterbeer. This particular inn was converted from a tall fortress, with three floors and a high, sloped roof. Smoke was billowing from the chimney atop the roof, and the walls were painted white. The sign above the door depicted a large wooden mug filled with butterbeer, making the inn easily recognizable.

Entering the inn's lobby, it was immediately clear that this was no cramped establishment like the inn in Ulan. The first floor of the Butterbeer Inn spanned over a hundred square meters, with neatly arranged tables and chairs. The large fireplace provided ample warmth, and the bar area was several times larger than the one in Ulan. The hall was crowded with travelers enjoying their drinks and entertainment, creating a noisy atmosphere.

Teresa, the deputy leader Wirt, and Banda were sitting in a corner. Apparently, Wirt's double-handed sword intimidated others enough that no one dared to trouble them. Teresa looked impatient but waved at Ryan when she saw him.

Ryan walked over and sat down. "Are there any rooms available?"

"No. When we arrived, only the worst stalls and thatched rooms were left, and the luxurious suite on the third floor, which Lady Trovik has already booked," Wirt explained. The thirty-something deputy leader said that the Blood Axe Mercenary Group had booked a large room, setting up a common area for everyone to sleep in.

Teresa's face turned sour at the mention of the common room. Curious, she had gone to take a look earlier and was almost knocked out by the stench of sweat and foot odor emanating from the room full of mercenaries.

So, I'm left with either a stable or a thatched room? Ryan saw Banda's barely contained delight but chose not to comment. He turned to Teresa. "So, you'll be staying here tonight, and I'll find another place to stay. You'll be okay by yourself?"

"Of course, if Lady Trovik doesn't mind, we can arrange for someone to sleep outside your door..." Banda eagerly suggested.

"No need," Teresa raised an eyebrow. Ryan secretly found it amusing. No way would she let a smelly man sleep outside her door.

After sitting for a few minutes, Ryan subtly hinted to Wirt that he and Teresa needed to talk. The deputy leader, being perceptive, dragged a reluctant Banda away.

Ryan switched to the seat opposite Teresa. The tavern hall was bustling, with several drunkards wandering around. One drunk tried to approach the beautiful sorceress but sobered up halfway upon seeing Ryan's knight badge and quickly retreated.

"So noisy. Why choose this place to talk?" Teresa extended her hand, wrapped in a white lace glove, to lift the mug of milk coffee. Only then did Ryan notice she had changed into a new outfit, a purple high-neck velvet robe that hugged her tall figure, making her look like a beautiful violet blooming by the fire.

Coffee was a southern crop, a tropical plant only grown in the south. While Nord could easily get milk, the coffee beans were clearly something the sorceress carried with her. This luxury item from the southern lands, transported through the Empire, was not something ordinary people could afford.

"Belter escaped. He sailed yesterday," Ryan told Teresa directly. "So, are you still going to pursue him? If you decide not to, you can use teleportation to return to Sky Castle, and I'll handle the rest."

The sorceress frowned immediately. "What are you talking about? I won't give up so easily."

"Well, since that's your decision, Karlzenhaven is off-limits for sailing, so our only option is to head south to Mijodenvan. However, the journey from Karlzenhaven to Mijodenvan is dangerous. Let's rest for a few days until you recover. I think some caravans might organize for the trip, and we can travel with them. What do you think?" Ryan spread the map on the table, pointing out their options.

To the south and north of Karlzenhaven were mountains. If not for the Adal River flowing into the sea here, creating flat land along its banks, no one would have settled and built a city in such a location. The geographical position made this port city easy to defend and difficult to attack. The ancient glacial erosion created a complex terrain of fjords and overlapping mountains, ensuring the port's safety with minimal garrison troops and effectively countering pirate raids.

However, the downside was that transportation to and from Karlzenhaven was not well-developed. The port city, flanked by mountains, had only three routes to Mijodenvan, Nord's largest port city to the south. With the sea route blocked, two land routes remained—either a long detour via the capital, Winter City, or crossing the dangerous Hodalan and Skavel Mountains to reach the mouth of the Oflin River, Nord's largest inland river, and on to Mijodenvan.

The trouble was that both Hodalan and Skavel Mountains were fraught with danger, home to bandits and goblin tribes, and rumored to have chaos beastmen. These terrifying split-hoofed beasts were formidable, and any group larger than thirty would require the Nord Kingdom's regular army to eliminate.

"Skavel Mountain has an abandoned fortress now occupied by a goblin tribe. If I were alone, I could take a detour or even swim through the glacier, but with so many people, we must climb the mountain and possibly besiege the fortress," Ryan pointed to the marked fortress and goblin tribe on the map.

"Yes, you're right. The dangers on that path are too numerous," Teresa agreed, valuing Ryan's advice, especially considering his calm and experienced demeanor. He removed his gloves, exposing his hands to the flames in the fireplace, and pulled out a baked potato.

Ryan's hands were scarred, yet the flames left no burns, not even redness, as if the fire were fake.

But the baked potato was real.

Extraordinary constitution! At not yet twenty-five, Ryan already possessed an extraordinary constitution.

Teresa recalled her mother's teachings. Warriors were the most common and easy-to-join profession on the continent, with four out of ten newly awakened talent becoming warriors. They were short, heavy, and lacked spells or divine abilities, often treated as expendable in mercenary and adventurer groups. Rangers would shoot from afar, rogues would hide, and clerics, bards, and monks could use spells or escape techniques. Only warriors fought on the front lines, getting the most injuries and the least rewards, often left to cover retreats or sacrificed in dire situations.

Warriors were a tough profession, with most dying before reaching elite status. Even those who became elites, few rose to knighthood, with most serving as sergeants in the army—still cannon fodder despite higher status, always engaging in close combat and suffering heavy casualties.

But upon reaching legendary status, warriors transformed.

Legendary warriors gained "extraordinary constitution," an unparalleled physical enhancement. Ordinary weapons couldn't harm them, their bodies becoming harder than the finest leather armor, with strong magical resistance. Spells of the fourth circle or lower had minimal effect on them. They could often catch fireballs bare-handed, and their strength and stamina multiplied, healing rapidly from wounds, and even regrowing limbs with divine aid.

Thus, at the legendary level, warriors became the second most popular profession after spellcasters. However, the number of warriors reaching legendary status was extremely low, making those who did true legends.

And at the sanctuary level?

Simply put, Harald-Frank, the King of Nord, could bathe in lava.

Legendary warriors were ideal partners for spellcasters. Teresa didn't dislike Ryan. His light blue aura was soothing, making her consider his suggestions.

A legendary warrior wasn't invincible against ordinary and elite opponents. There was a famous story of a drunk legendary sword saint being killed by a rogue's backstab with an iron dagger. However, generally, legendary fighters were highly sought after, representing advanced combat strength and core power. An army led by a legendary warrior was vastly more formidable.

"And you? Really going to sleep in the stable? Maybe you could ask the lord for a place," Teresa suddenly mentioned Ryan's lodging situation.

Her eyes stared straight at Ryan, who had no idea what she was thinking. He joked, "So, you're concerned about a man who only knows how to ride and fight?"

"You're not just any man. You finished reading the entire Nord library in a few years; your knowledge rivals mine. I have no interest in arguing with you. How you save money is your business. Just plan our departure well," Teresa replied, sipping her milk coffee, indicating she didn't care if he slept in a kennel.

Ryan felt a bit miffed and remained silent. Soon, the innkeeper served dinner—roasted bread,

 a pot of vegetable stew, a whole roast fish, and a plate of black pepper beef. The meal cost fifteen silver dinars, and Ryan invited Teresa to join him.

They ate in silence under the dim oil lamps.

After dinner, Ryan excused himself, walking straight into the dark, snowy night.

Teresa watched him until he disappeared from sight, feeling a pang of regret for her usual commanding tone.

She had only recently stepped into the legendary rank at twenty-seven or twenty-eight, considered fast for a human. But compared to Ryan, who had likely advanced some time ago, his aura stable at the legendary initial level, her progress seemed insignificant.

At the legendary level, who wanted to be managed like a servant or soldier? Her mother's favor to Ryan's family wasn't an excuse to repeatedly act superior.

Her attitude needed to change. Otherwise, their companionship wouldn't last long. Ryan was young, handsome, strong, considerate, and respectful. Teresa knew he was already doing his best. It was her who had to adapt, being used to a life of luxury and privilege.

Inside was the warm inn, outside the icy world, like two different realms.

Today's update came early.