"Are you really going?"
Kai'Sa's beautiful brows were almost pressed together. After hearing their plan, she could not help worrying.
"I would have had to cross paths with the Winter's Claw sooner or later. If I go with them now, their odds will be a little better."
Caleb had not told Kai'Sa what they had really come to the Freljord to do, but after everything they had been through together, even life and death, she trusted him deeply.
"Do you have to take this risk?"
Kai'Sa's face grew even more worried. After all, she had come to understand just how bitterly cold this place was.
She had also come to understand what resources these people lacked.
This was far worse than Zaun's kind of never knowing where the next meal would come from.
Here, even after eating one meal, waiting another two or three days for the next was entirely normal.
It all depended on each person's ability to find a little extra food for themselves.
They could fish through the ice or dig up grass roots in the surrounding mountains.
There were also many hibernating beasts, and even top predators capable of hunting in a world of ice and snow.
If they had the ability, they could do any of that.
However, large-scale hunting depended on luck, and for the Iceborn, it was still extremely dangerous.
Sejuani understood the climate around this area. During this period, the animals had all retreated into their dens.
Anything that could still wander outside was an exceptionally ferocious monster.
Hunting weaker prey would not be worth the cost. The calories they gained from eating it might not even make up for what they spent on the road.
Hunting stronger prey meant burying some of the hearthbound, or even some Iceborn.
For Sejuani, if they could obtain that great cauldron, it would mean the entire tribe's winter problem would be solved completely.
From then on, food would no longer be a major problem for the Winter's Claw.
What did that mean?
It meant the hearthbound's logistics work would be reduced by more than half.
It meant even more Iceborn would come to join the Winter's Claw after hearing of it.
That way, in the future war against the Avarosans, Sejuani would be able to secure victory.
"You and Yuumi hide the food in Bandle City. Remember, don't reveal too much of it."
Caleb took out a great deal of food from his storage, so much that it nearly filled the tent to bursting.
"You're leaving this much?"
Kai'Sa could not help asking in confusion.
"This is only one seventh of it."
Caleb had only stopped because there was no space left in the tent. Otherwise, he would have kept taking out more food.
"That's too much. If we're camping here, I can go out and hunt."
Kai'Sa pursed her lips, somewhat unwilling.
"If there are people who need help, quietly share some with them. I know you're beautiful and kindhearted."
While Yuumi was stuffing the food into the old book, Caleb kept taking out more ingredients.
"They're all cured or smoked, so they definitely won't taste that fresh. Just make do with them."
After Caleb said that with his head lowered, Kai'Sa did not answer him.
She seemed to be deliberately looking elsewhere, as though trying to avoid something.
"When spring comes, if you need to go to the Avarosans, then go. Don't wait for me."
Caleb helped Yuumi continue stuffing the supplies into the Book of Thresholds. The old book tried unhappily to fly to the side.
However, under Caleb's ruthless hands, the Book of Thresholds' escape plan ultimately failed.
A mountain of food, and a smaller mountain of dried fish, all lay quietly inside Yuumi's home in Bandle City.
"Remember…"
Caleb was already checking all his equipment.
"What a shame I'm missing a good pair of boots. Otherwise, I could really take off this time."
Caleb was not talking about boots made with Hextech, but the kind of boot item from the game.
After all, the various stats they carried would still count as a boost to him, more or less.
"Come back."
Before Caleb walked out of the tent, Kai'Sa suddenly spoke behind him.
"I will."
Caleb turned back, only to see a terrifying mask.
"I'll do my best, all right?"
His earlier confidence took a small hit, but Caleb still left the tent.
The sky was not yet bright. Only scattered campfires swayed and flickered through the camp.
Caleb spotted the helmet with one broken horn and walked over to that campfire.
"You're really going tomorrow?"
Caleb was not trying to talk her out of it. He only wanted to confirm Sejuani's resolve.
"Of course. This is the only way for the tribe to gain glory."
Since Sejuani was willing to shoulder this kind of risk, naturally, there would be people willing to follow their Warmother.
"Other than Olaf, there aren't many who can fight."
Caleb's way of speaking was direct.
When she heard that, Sejuani curled her lip in disdain.
"True. They don't even have the courage of an Ionian who came rushing here looking for treasure."
Sejuani made no attempt to hide her mockery.
"I can understand it, though. Being steady like that is the way to survive."
"The Freljord's way of survival is to keep fighting until death stops your steps."
Caleb shrugged. This place really was incredibly Spartan.
"Ah, what a shame. I finally met a friend I can talk to so easily, and now I'm off to die!"
Olaf did not dare speak too loudly either. He quietly sat down beside Caleb.
"You don't look that old. Why are you so eager to die?"
Caleb looked at Olaf in confusion.
The three people currently sitting here could be considered the three strongest members of this expedition.
Sejuani was doing this for the tribe's further development. Caleb was doing this to convince her.
What was Olaf trying to get out of this?
Wasn't this purely a problem with his head?
"Ah, you don't understand."
Olaf could not help sinking into his memories.
"In my village, people actually kept warm with the rage in their blood."
"Rage can count as fire too…"
Caleb could not help sighing at how strange this place was.
"That's right. The people there were angry all day, and they loved arguing nonstop."
"One day, they asked me to go have my fortune told, and I happily agreed!"
"In the Freljord, as a warrior, fighting until death in a great battle is an extremely glorious thing."
"But that bone said I would pass this life safe and sound, and finally die of old age!"
"That is shameful! Shameful!"
The more Olaf spoke, the more agitated he became. His final words were practically growled out from his throat.
"Can you imagine it? When I'm old, I won't even be able to chop firewood, or catch up to a single mountain goat!"
"At that time, I'll still be clinging to life in the village, while the young warriors sneer at my glorious past!"
"Unbearable! Unbearable!"
He almost roared out loud. This warrior dared to go anywhere and fight anything.
Even on this trip to Volibear's territory to steal that divine great cauldron, he had not hesitated in the slightest.
A man like this was actually afraid of living out his natural lifespan, growing old and feeble in the village while waiting for death to visit.
That kind of ending was actually the one he found hardest to accept.
"I hope that demigod puts in some effort this time. If I can die properly beneath his hand, that would be best."
Olaf moved his powerful arms, then picked up his two iron axes.
Dawn was about to break. Behind the thick clouds and mist, a faint pale glow could vaguely be seen.
Caleb also stood up and gripped Youmuu's Ghostblade at his waist.
Sejuani picked up her True Ice weapon as well and summoned her mount, Bristle.
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