Edwin pulled a parchment scroll from his desk and slowly unrolled it on the tabletop. A closer look revealed a simple map showing the entire Northern Lands and a small part of the surrounding regions.

It was worth noting that while everyone said the Frostland Druids came from Rime Valley in the Northern Lands, Thousand Masts City itself was also part of the "Northern Lands."

To most people in this world, this area was also considered part of the north.

"Where is the location you were given?"

Colin thought for a moment, then accurately pointed to the location from his dream.

"Alright. As an Adventurer, a fundamental skill is being able to judge the difficulty of a commission, even when the client hasn’t provided specific details."

Edwin took a sip of his cheap tea and continued, "For locations outside the city, the simplest way to assess the danger is by its distance from the nearest human settlement.

"Generally, you won’t find any particularly strong monsters in areas within twenty-five kilometers. At most, you’ll just find a few goblin encampments.

"Within fifty kilometers, you might start running into creatures like Petrifying Lizards and Ogres. Beyond that, it’s hard to say exactly what you’ll find.

"Of course, this also varies with the environment. Monsters in places like mountains, swamps, or deserts will certainly be more powerful. The same is true for regions that have suffered a major disaster—like the area around Thousand Masts City right now.

"Of course, these distances aren’t some law of Nature. They are the result of countless warriors securing the city’s safety with their own blood and lives."

Colin made a quick estimate using the map’s scale.

The spot he had indicated was only a dozen-odd kilometers from the nearest city, though it was located amidst some hills. It should be well within the safe zone.

"Looks like you have your answer," Edwin said, taking another sip of tea. "On another note, would you be willing to do me a small favor?"

Colin asked, "What is it?"

"You know about Orelia, don’t you?"

Edwin said, "To be specific, Thousand Masts City isn’t standing alone in this world. We’ve formed the ’City-States Alliance’ with the other Northern City-States for mutual support.

"Orelia is from the southern Holy City Cadopolis, which is also my hometown. As the name suggests, the people there are devout followers of the Morninglord and are fond of helping others.

"Therefore, after this winter calamity began, Cadopolis has sent many members of the Clergy over in waves to provide aid. Orelia is one of them."

As Edwin spoke, Colin began to have a feeling where this was going.

Edwin continued, "Our plan was to integrate the Priests into the field teams that lacked one, or into the City Watchers’ patrol squads. But because of that whole affair at Pig Badger Village, Orelia missed the ideal window for team assignments.

"Furthermore, because of her... ancestry, most teams are reluctant to take her. So, I was hoping to ask... could she join your party?"

Colin felt a bit troubled.

It wasn’t that he was prejudiced against Tieflings or anything like that.

He had his Golden Finger, and Kase was an experienced Orc Warrior.

In other words, the two of them were already stronger than a typical rookie Adventurer, and they were bound to grow much faster as well.

’If they recklessly brought that Tiefling along, what would happen if they ran into danger once the gap in their abilities widened? Wouldn’t she be as good as dead?’

’It would be hard to watch a young woman he was acquainted with, and who he didn’t dislike, die right in front of him.’

With this in mind, Colin said hesitantly, "But right now she’s just a Priest who can cast Tier One Magic, and she’s not skilled in close combat. I’m worried..."

"Well, six months ago, or even just a few months ago, could you have imagined you’d be standing before my desk, let alone acquainted with a major figure like Albert Weston?"

"Honestly, just a little while ago I was still worried about how I was going to pay my rent." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Exactly."

Edwin continued, "That’s just how it is with Adventurers. I’ve seen plenty of talented people get tripped up by a simple mistake and end up killed by goblins. I’ve also seen those judged unfit for this life eventually walk a Legendary path.

"Also, do you know why most Adventurer parties are composed of five or six members?"

"Because that number ensures a party has all its bases covered, functionally, without being so large that it’s easily spotted. A frontline fighter, a Mage, a ’face’ to deal with people, a Scout for reconnaissance and disabling traps, and a healer," Colin replied.

As a Transmigrator who had played his fair share of games, he had a good grasp of these concepts.

However, they had only ever dealt with bottom-tier Adventurers before.

Recruiting those kinds of people into their party was too unreliable, so they had always put the idea on hold.

"You seem to know your stuff. That said, your party will still need to find a few more reliable members eventually. Of course, I’m not saying you should just let anyone join," Edwin said. "Think of this as taking a new step, won’t you?"

"Alright, then," Colin said.

He had felt during their recent commissions that just he and Kase were not enough; it was too easy to get overwhelmed by sheer numbers.

Besides, they had coordinated well with Orelia the few times they’d worked together. There was nothing wrong with having another healer in the party.

"I’m glad you agreed."

Edwin said with a smile, "Her ability to sense evil is quite strong, too. If something were to go wrong with your ring, she would be a good safeguard.

"It will put my mind at ease knowing a Priest of the Morninglord is with you. Thousand Masts City can’t spare any more Clergy at the moment. If not for this winter calamity, I would’ve gone with you myself.

"Oh, right. Orelia should still be at the Main Hall of Morninglord. You’d best go and discuss this with her soon."

"Thank you, Mr. Helder," Colin said, his gratitude sincere.

Edwin tapped his fingers on the desk. "Overall, while this mission doesn’t seem particularly dangerous, and I don’t want to interfere with your decisions, safety must remain your top priority.

"Once you arrive in Rommon, first report to the local Morninglord Sect. I’ll arrange for them to provide you with some support. Let them know when you’re ready to head to the target location. If they don’t hear from you within four days of your departure, I’ll request they send out a search party."

Colin nodded silently.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Edwin, he left the office and returned to the streets of Thousand Masts City.

’It was certainly reassuring to have a Paladin for a boss,’ Colin thought. ’With these arrangements, there was nothing to worry about concerning this special commission down south. He could even use the trip to see what the situation was like there.’

With these thoughts in mind, Colin headed for the Black Heart Tavern to see if Kase was awake yet.