- In Marvel: I Start by Marrying Scarlett Witch [Complete]
- MWM Chapter 444
“Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!”
Raising both hands, Leo unleashed two bolts of lightning, turning several wolves that leaped from the roadside into charred remains. He couldn’t help but sigh.
“The wilderness in this part of the world is truly dangerous. No wonder Gerdo didn’t dare to ask the villagers for help.”
On his journey from Hemwood Town to Whiterun, he had already encountered wolves twice and been attacked by giant rats once.
And that was during broad daylight. According to Kaimira, at night, he might even run into vampires, werewolves, or necromancers who enjoy experimenting on humans.
Perhaps it was because he was traveling alone. If there had been more people, the journey would likely have been much safer.
“We must be close now.”
Seeing a sloping hill with a left turn ahead, Leo knew he wasn’t far from Whiterun.
According to Kaimira, if he followed the White River all the way, then turned left at a hill, he would see the beautiful city of Whiterun.
The White River flowed from the serene Lake Elintana, through Hemwood Town, and toward Whiterun, before emptying into the Sea of Ghosts in the northern part of the region.
Sure enough, as Leo rounded the hill, the view before him suddenly opened up.
Previously, he had been in a mountainous forest area, but ahead lay vast plains, expansive grasslands, farmlands, and the faint silhouette of a massive city in the distance.
That city was unmistakably Whiterun.
Leo had learned a bit about the history of Whiterun from Kaimira during their chat at the inn the previous night.
The origins of Whiterun were tied to the most powerful mercenary group in Skyrim, the Companions.
According to legend, Ysgramor, the Companions’ forebearer, led his fleet to Skyrim and discovered the Skyforge, a forge fueled by the unquenchable fire of a fallen meteor on the plains of Whiterun.
It was around this forge that the Companions established their first stronghold in Skyrim, Jorrvaskr. As more people gathered around, the settlement eventually became the city of Whiterun.
Back then, it wasn’t considered a city because there was no lord—just a gathering of people.
The one who truly elevated Whiterun to the status of a city was the legendary Nord hero, Olaf One-Eye.
It is said that he used a terrifying shout to defeat the dragon Numinex, who had ravaged Skyrim, and was subsequently revered by the people of Whiterun as the first Jarl of the city.
Today, Dragonsreach, the towering fortress where the Jarl resides, was once Olaf’s prison for Numinex. If one is qualified to enter, they can still see the skeletal remains of Numinex hanging within.
Olaf One-Eye’s fame as a dragon-slayer earned him the title of High King of Skyrim, bringing an end to the civil war over the throne.
For more detailed information, Kaimira suggested that Leo visit the Whiterun Trading Company and purchase a book titled *Olaf and the Dragon*, which chronicles these events in detail.
With Whiterun now in sight, Leo quickened his pace.
However, he hadn’t gone far when he noticed a small squad of soldiers wearing Imperial armor. They were escorting prisoners, and upon seeing Leo, they immediately became vigilant.
Leo slowed his pace, waiting for the soldiers to head down a different path before continuing.
“Flaevitdo!”
He picked up a stone from the roadside and cast a transformation spell on it.
The stone quickly morphed into a sturdy black horse that appeared in front of him.
What should have been a three-day journey would now take him just half a day. If the Jarl of Whiterun questioned him about it, things could get awkward. Plus, with more people on the road ahead, his walking speed would draw too much attention.
Riding a horse seemed much more fitting.
“Hyah!”
With a loud shout, the black horse galloped toward Whiterun.
As the magnificent city of Whiterun drew nearer, the number of people on the road increased.
Merchants driving wagons of goods to trade in Whiterun, adventurers and mercenaries seeking fortune, and farmers and workers from nearby farms and breweries all appeared in his view.
Of course, there were also patrols of Whiterun guards, dressed in armor and wielding shields adorned with the white horse emblem, maintaining order and protecting the people of Whiterun’s lands.
“Boom!”
Just as Leo passed a farm, a loud crash erupted from within, followed by the ground shaking and a massive cloud of dust rising into the air.
When the dust settled, a giant, standing seven to eight meters tall and wielding a massive club, came into view.
Giants were a common sight in the wilderness of Skyrim.
However, they generally wouldn’t attack unless provoked, such as if someone approached them or their mammoths.
This particular giant, though, seemed to be having some kind of issue. It was swinging its club wildly around the farm in a fit of rage.
The people on the roadside fled in terror.
Meanwhile, distant Whiterun guards, alerted by the commotion, were rushing over with their weapons drawn.
But before they could arrive, an arrow shot from a tree near the farm, striking the giant squarely in the chest. The powerful force of the arrow caused the giant to stagger.
Before the giant could remove the arrow, it extended into a mass of ice, freezing the giant in place.
However, the giant wasn’t easily subdued. With its immense strength, it shattered the ice in just three seconds.
Before it could make another move, a figure appeared behind it.
A burly Nord man, as strong as a bear and clad in armor that was clearly of exceptional make, wielded a sword as wide as a door.
Leaping to a height almost equal to the giant’s, the man brought his sword down with the force of a mountain, cleaving the giant’s head in two. The body ignited into flames as it fell.
Soon after, a nimble woman with a bow slung over her back emerged from her hiding spot behind the tree.
“It’s Farkas and Aela from the Companions!”
Seeing the giant slain, the onlookers cautiously returned. When they recognized the two warriors from the Companions, they erupted in applause. Even the approaching Whiterun guards showed respect as they questioned them.
“Such big dark circles under their eyes.”
Sitting atop his horse, Leo glanced at the two Companions warriors speaking with the guards, muttered this observation, and continued toward Whiterun’s gates.
Although the strength of these two was impressive, they were no longer a match for Leo.
He just found it strange that both of them had large dark circles under their eyes.
(Chapter Ends)