164: Chapter 164 Heading to Ice Lake City! Appraisal of Extraordinary Materials!

One day later, the snow plains cleared up.

Outside Black Mountain City.

A caravan was already ready to depart.

The escort knights were in bright armor.

The Golden Flame banners fluttered in the breeze.

In the center of the procession, a spacious carriage was particularly eye-catching.

Rowan, accompanied by the respectful farewells of Commander Desmond and other remaining officers, boarded the carriage.

Behind him, the five women—Helena, Cecilia, Isabelle, Adeline, and Charlotte—also stepped onto the carriage one by one using a small stool.

After these days of getting along, the five women were no longer as unfamiliar with each other as they had been at first, and there was some laughter and conversation.

After boarding, Helena sat beside Rowan, giving a final report on matters.

Unlike when they arrived, Vanessa's caravan would not be traveling with them this time.

Earlier that day, she had already taken her advisors and guards and returned to Purple Thorn Territory.

Although the beast tide had retreated, her territory had also suffered some impact, and there were many matters waiting for her, the Lord, to go back and handle.

"Depart!"

The coachman gave a sharp shout.

The tip of the whip cracked crisply in the air.

Four magnificent northern draft horses exerted force simultaneously, and the huge carriage began to move slowly.

The entire procession began to march toward Ice Lake City.

...

Meanwhile.

Regarding the outcome of the battle at Black Mountain City, with Rowan's tacit approval and even promotion, it had already spread throughout the territories of Gino County, and naturally, it had also reached Ice Lake City.

But rumors are always embellished in the telling, becoming increasingly exaggerated and bizarre.

In the taverns, some swore that the newly appointed Count Golden Flame, upon arriving at Black Mountain City, had torn dozens of magical beasts apart with his bare hands, and then directly punched the so-called Lord of Frost Howl to death.

Others said that The Count had actually used some kind of powerful magic weapon, blowing up half a mountain with one shot to kill the Lord-level magical beast, and that Gino County's finances were now completely bankrupt because of it.

But no matter how absurd and outrageous the rumors were, the core facts were true.

The new Count Golden Flame, Rowan Flynn, personally led reinforcements to aid Black Mountain City, and within a week, he had shockingly slain the source of this beast tide—the Lord-level magical beast, the Lord of Frost Howl!

The beast tide had completely collapsed!

...

One day later.

Ice Lake City was in sight.

In the carriage, Adeline and Charlotte leaned out the window together and said, "Wow, how beautiful!"

In the distance, the vast Ice Lake was like a huge silver mirror, reflecting the winter daylight.

By the lakeside, a majestic gray-white city was built along the water, and the towering city walls and towers appeared solemn and peculiar against the backdrop of the lake light.

The caravan traveled along the road by the lake, heading toward that huge city gate.

Just then, Commander Miles at the front of the column gently raised his hand, and the speed of the entire procession slowed down.

Before the city gate, a ceremonial guard was arrayed.

Two teams of soldiers wearing the uniforms of the Hawke family stood on both sides of the road, their halberds shining bright.

And in the center of their guard, stood a middle-aged nobleman dressed in a gorgeous dark green mink cloak.

He wore an impeccable welcoming smile on his face.

Behind him, several well-dressed officials stood with their hands down, their postures respectful.

Viscount Hawke glanced at the flag in the caravan that looked like burning golden flames, and his smile deepened.

Then he took the initiative to step forward a few paces, bowed slightly toward the main carriage, and said:

"Is this the arrival of Count Golden Flame, Lord Flynn? Everyone in Ice Lake City has been looking forward to this!"

Inside the carriage, Rowan looked through the window and saw the grand welcoming formation at the city gate, then smiled at Helena sitting beside him:

"Quite a spectacle. It seems our Viscount Hawke is a very hospitable person."

After speaking, he released Helena's slender waist, straightened his lapels, and stepped off the carriage:

"Sorry to trouble you for coming to greet me personally, Viscount. The splendor of Ice Lake City is truly well-deserved."

...

Ice Lake City, Silver Pool Manor.

In a study on the second floor of the manor's main residence.

Rowan and Viscount Hawke sat opposite each other across a wide mahogany desk.

After a moment of pleasantries.

Rowan stopped beating around the bush, took out a prepared list, handed it over, and got straight to the point:

"Viscount, I have a matter to inquire about."

"I was fortunate enough to slay that Lord of Frost Howl that was plaguing the border at Black Mountain City, and I obtained some materials."

"I heard that you are an important member of the Purple Gold Merchant Alliance in the North, with a unique eye and extensive channels."

"Therefore, I would like to ask you to evaluate the value of these materials on my behalf, and at the same time..."

He paused slightly, looked directly at Viscount Hawke, and said:

"I want to exchange these materials for a relatively complete mage legacy. I wonder if that is possible?"

Upon hearing this, a glimmer flashed in Viscount Hawke's eyes:

"You are too kind, Count. It is my duty."

Then he solemnly reached out, picked up the list, and began to read it.

As his gaze swept line by line across the list.

The composure on Viscount Hawke's face was gradually replaced by an undisguised amazement.

Although he had long heard news of the other party slaying the Lord of Frost Howl through various channels.

But when this list, detailing the extraordinary materials of a Lord-level magical beast, was truly placed before him.

The sense of impact was still unparalleled.

This was not just proof of strength, but a rare strategic resource of Great Knight level!

After a long while, Viscount Hawke slowly put down the list, and the look in his eyes as he looked at Rowan now carried unprecedented gravity and a trace of eagerness.

"Count," his voice was lower than before, but more sincere, "To be honest, when I heard the battle report from Black Mountain City earlier, although I believed in your divine power, I could not help but have a trace of doubt in my heart."

"Now that I have seen this list with my own eyes... Your achievement is indisputable!"

"The Lord of Frost Howl, although I have never seen it with my own eyes, its fame has long spread throughout the Mess Mountains area; it is an overlord of a region."

"That you were able to slay it and obtain such complete materials... I truly admire you!"

Subsequently, Viscount Hawke's gaze fell back onto the list, and he began to comment item by item:

"The Lord-level Frost Wolf magic crystal core, intact, with a peak fourth-ring spell solidified inside; this item is undoubtedly the most valuable."

"If you encounter a buyer in urgent need, or if it appears at a top-tier auction, this item alone is worth eight hundred to one thousand standard magic crystals!"

"A pair of Ice Jade Fangs, complete, in excellent condition, filled with Frost magic power, can be used to forge anti-magic weapons, estimated at three hundred to four hundred magic crystals."

"A set of Ice Crystal Spines, complete without fractures, clear bone patterns, good magic conductivity, can be used to make high-level magic armor or alchemy puppet cores, estimated at two hundred and fifty to three hundred and fifty magic crystals."

"Lord-level Frost Wolf pelt, complete, top-quality fur, estimated at one hundred and fifty to two hundred magic crystals."

"Lord-level Frost Wolf source blood, well-preserved, estimated at a total of about two hundred to three hundred magic crystals."

"Lord-level Frost Wolf claws, intact, estimated at a total of about one hundred to one hundred and fifty magic crystals."

"Lord-level Frost Wolf pupils, a pair intact, estimated at about fifty to eighty magic crystals."

Viscount Hawke gave a rough valuation range for each item.

Finally, he looked up and gave a comprehensive estimate:

"If all the materials on your list are true, and their condition matches the description."

"Then, the total value of this batch of materials, roughly estimated, should be around two thousand standard magic crystals."

"The specific value can only be determined after physical appraisal by the Alliance's professional appraisers."

"But the difference should not be too great."

He paused, then added:

"At this price, it is enough to exchange for a fully equipped ocean-going magic ship in any large free trade port in the empire."

"It can be said to be... worth a fortune."