episode_0049

“…I’ve heard that the northern tip is cold, but I didn’t expect it to be this freezing.”

“It’s probably because we’re not trained enough, Stroheim. Have we been neglecting our training lately?”

“First, take off that fur coat before you speak. I’m really curious if your fancy muscles can withstand this extreme cold.”

“I’m still lacking in training. Besides, didn’t we also get into a fight with those crazy guys down south?”

“What a cowardly excuse. Why are you being so talkative today? Be quiet.”

*Chuckles*

As they neared the northern edge, a different kind of biting cold began to assail them.

Despite exchanging warm jokes to momentarily forget the cold, the group soon found themselves unable to keep their loud banter going due to the penetrating chill seeping through their fur coats.

It wasn’t long before they had to close their mouths; any more noise and even their breath seemed like it would freeze inside their mouths.

The only saving grace was the battle enthusiast Dragonean, Louis, intermittently creating fire to thaw their bodies.

If it weren’t for Louis’ fires, the group would have likely ended their march for the day, set up camp, and rested.

Were they silently expressing gratitude towards Louis in their hearts?

Once again conjuring a fireball, Louis, with a smirk, directed a question at me.

“By the way, unlike the west, there are no monsters or bandits here? Is it all because of the cold?”

“That’s right. It’s not only an inhospitable environment but also pointless to provoke passing merchants.”

“Why?”

“Well, the merchants traveling through here enjoy the protection of the famous Northern Duke.”

The merchants heading towards the northern edge are essentially ‘suppliers’ for the Duke.

However, attacking these ‘suppliers’ and seizing their goods would be akin to declaring war on the Duke himself.

The Duke, bolstered by a formidable military force due to the incessant attacks from the ‘Winter Forces,’ possesses significant military power.

Moreover, the Duke himself is a skilled fighter akin to a sharp blade. So why would some lunatic choose to settle here and attack the merchants?

I comforted Louis, who seemed extremely bored, by gently playing with her tail.

“Just wait a little longer, Louis. Once we reach the Duke, you’ll be able to do whatever you want.”

“Really?”

“Yes. You’ll have plenty of freedom. But don’t complain later that you’re bored, okay?”

“…Saying that makes me feel uneasy.”

Louis looked at me with a face full of doubt.

I smiled back at her.

You’re right about that.

Judging by this level of cold, it seems likely that the ‘Winter Forces’ will launch an attack once we reach the territory.

In the original work, it was described that the cold at the Duke’s residence, even with fur coats, was just pleasantly cool.

But how about now?

Without fireballs, wouldn’t it be difficult to endure, even with fur coats?

Of course, this could be just my excessive worry, fretting over things that may never happen.

Based on our experiences so far, it’s highly probable that ‘winter’ will arrive as soon as the group reaches there.

Most likely… No, it’s almost certain.

Contemplating how to deal with ‘winter,’ did they move forward a bit more?

As the sight of the spring fortress began to emerge amidst the snowstorm, and looking at the heavily scarred walls, I thought to myself:

Here we go again, another round of hardships.

—–

Upon arriving at the Duke’s residence, the gatekeeper pointed his spear at us and demanded to know our identities.

“Halt! Identify yourselves!”

The group exuded a palpable sense of danger. Was it because of the tense atmosphere, or was it due to the arrival of unfamiliar faces during sensitive times?

For some unknown reason, the gatekeeper’s vigilance was exceptionally high compared to when dealing with others. Convincing him and gaining entry to the Grand Hall proved to be quite a challenge.

Understandably so.

With an impending war on the horizon, how could they trust newcomers who appeared unexpectedly strong?

Nevertheless, after overcoming various obstacles and successfully persuading the gatekeeper to enter the Grand Hall, he sighed and muttered towards the group.

“To come seeking the Spring Fortress in such ominous times, do you not value your lives?”

“…”

Though outwardly silent before the gatekeeper, inwardly, there was no choice but to sigh.

I didn’t come here by choice.

If I didn’t come first, how would I handle it if someone came looking for me in any way possible?

Even though it’s a presumption, if I don’t visit the “Spring Fortress” first, this place will be engulfed by “Winter.”

And everyone here would become minions of Ark Lich, awaiting even more damn difficult episodes.

After breaking through the “Winter’s Forces,” I’ll have to face both the Sword Master turned minion of Ark Lich and Ark Lich himself, who has regained all his power…

“It’s beyond dreadful just to imagine.”

Instead of staring at the Eternal Snow Mountain, I shook my head vigorously.

…How did things end up being uniformly disgustingly difficult?

The South was like that, and so was the West.

The upcoming events in the North might be relatively better, but there are still matters pending in the Central and Eastern regions.

“Sigh…”

Did I let out a long sigh due to the daunting path ahead?

The sword beside me swished back and forth in the air, then furrowed its brow.

“What’s wrong?”

Did it sense something?

Scanning the surroundings and posing the question, the sword narrowed the distance and whispered softly into my ear.

“…Doesn’t it feel a bit colder to you?”

“Really? Isn’t it just because of the wind?”

“No? The wind has definitely picked up, and the temperature has dropped further. Something feels off…”

Wooooo – !

The sound of a horn blaring from the northern walls interrupted the sword’s words.

Soon, an overwhelmingly chilling aura descended upon the Grand Hall, and all combat-ready forces began rushing towards the walls.

Damn it… Could it be that Ark Lich has already started causing trouble?

After dispelling the chill with surging magic, I followed the sword up onto the wall.

A grand spectacle unfolded before me.

An awe-inspiring magnificence that cannot be adequately described in words.

Within that magnificence lay an overwhelming sense of terror.

Observing the undulating waves of white bones that seemed to hint at why it was called the “Forces of Winter,” doubt crept into my mind.

Can we really win against that?

Why does it feel like we might lose even though it doesn’t resemble Ark Lich?

My burning determination wavered.

Hope itself was shrouded in despair, and only gloom prevailed…

“No.”

Smack – !

A sharp slap brought me back from my reverie.

Although a stinging pain was felt, it was a relief in a way.

Having overcome the encroaching fear in my heart.

“Is this some kind of curse?”

Looking again, I didn’t feel like we couldn’t win.

Perhaps it was because Ark Lich had played a prank with the “Forces of Winter,” making me feel that way.

…Defeated by the minions of Chapter 1 after handling the Chapter 2 boss.

What a fool.

Feeling somewhat disheartened, I slowly began gathering magical energy at my fingertips.

Crackle… Sizzle…!

Just like when I first started manipulating magic, I crudely bunched and compressed the energy, creating a massive, ominous energy ball and hurled it towards the Forces of Winter.

“Energy Bolt.”

In essence, it was not magic but rather akin to simply throwing a pure mass of magical energy.

The astonishingly powerful cluster of magic created a miraculous scene on the pure white waves.

Kwaaaaaaaang!!!!!

“Huh?”

Even I didn’t anticipate such overwhelming force.

Momentarily taken aback, I hardened my expression under the weighty gazes coming from those around me.

Why are they looking at me like that?

Instead of staring, they should deal with those pathetic bastards quickly.

If they’re going to whimper and wail from a casually thrown cluster of magic, isn’t that a sign of weakness?

With a grimace, I nodded, and only then did people start to move.

And so, the first battle at the Spring Fortress ended in a great victory.

—

“Young master, did you see that?”

“…I did. It was indeed brutal. To halve our forces with just one strike.”

“That brutal magic… it must be a witch, right?”

“Most likely. Only witches or dragons could create such miracles and remain so nonchalant.”

Surveying the neatly arranged battlefield, the old man and the woman fell into thought.

Why has a witch come to the Spring Fortress?

Is she an ally? Or an enemy disguised as an ally?

As they exchanged questions, seeking answers, witches were inherently unpredictable beings.

Unable to find any answers, they could only let out sighs of resignation.

“She must have come for something she deems necessary…”

“Indeed. Her actions may seem whimsical, but there must be a purpose behind them.”

They didn’t believe it was merely a game.

Unlike dragons, all witches have a tendency to cling to the ends of magic.

Thus, the woman pondered.

‘If we provide what the witch needs, perhaps we can welcome spring more easily.’

‘Surely, she came here for something unique to the Grand Mage.’

“I’ll go meet the witch for a moment, young master.”

“…Are you sure about this?”

“If things go awry, we’ll just fight. There’s nothing worse than dying from a mistake, right?”

With a sly smile, the woman left her seat.

Watching her depart, the elderly steward sighed as he gazed at the empty space she left behind.

“…Things better resolve smoothly.”

Why am I feeling so uneasy?