Chapter 46: Man of Mystery.
The snow was gone—melted by the heat of late spring. The flowers bloomed, shining in the bright light of the sun.
The Blackthorne forest's withered trees were now filled with lush green leaves. The chirping of birds and the smell of fresh earth lingered.
But the same could not be said for the cursed entrance.
Frost still clung to its cave-like entrance, sealed by an iron door that held back whatever creatures loomed inside. Cold air seeps through the small spaces of the hinges.
Few wooden houses were constructed besides it, as a registry—to keep track of the people that headed inside.
A man stood inside the house, facing the open window counter. He had jet-black hair, dark green eyes, and fair skin covered by a white formal uniform with a Raven emblem at the right side of his chest.
His name was Norman, an employee who had previously worked as a referee for combat practicals.
He was before posted at the Ravenspire Guild's Eisenmarche Branch, a town in Edelstein, but later was transferred to the Frostholm Duchy's branch to manage the registry for Frostcove Maze.
The registry staff was short on people. So, he was chosen.
Now, far from his family, he stood inside a wooden house with a window open for taking people's names for entering one of the most dangerous mazes.
Frostcove Maze—A Maze in the northern parts of the Blackthorn forest. No matter what the season is, be it blissful spring, scorching summer or hailing monsoon. It always remains frozen.