episode_0064

Chapter 64 – In the Snowy Mountains

Finally, I arrived at the Friuli Estate.

Stepping out of the carriage, I faced a mansion built against the backdrop of a magnificent mountain range.

Servants and knights, lined up long on both sides, formed a path, and at its end stood Ian Friuli, the father of this body.

From him, a man whose level exceeded 300, emanated an aura reminiscent of an iron wall, befitting his epithet, ‘Guardian’.

Ian greeted us brusquely.

“Both of you have arrived well. Were there any problems on the way?”

“Yes, Father. We encountered monster attacks a few times, but resolved them without major issues.”

“That’s good. Come along. I’ve prepared a meal.”

Ian gave me a fleeting glance before turning his back. At his cold response, Isis discreetly exchanged glances with me. I gave her a reassuring look and followed Ian.

A short while later, we arrived at the dining room and sat opposite each other at a spacious table.

The prepared meal was immediately served, and Ian brought up the topic after emptying about half of his soup.

“How is academy life for both of you? Especially Isis, you said you were running for student council president, didn’t you? Are your preparations going well?”

“…My preparations are going steadily. More importantly, Father. Ruan achieved good grades in the end-of-term evaluation this time. Did you know?”

“Good grades?”

Isis’s desperate appeal seemed to have worked, as Ian looked at me with a surprised expression.

It was an expression that showed he couldn’t understand how this reckless, wild brat had managed to get good grades.

I explained with a dismissive gesture.

“It’s not that impressive. I just endured the opponent’s attacks and managed to get a draw. At best, I’ll finish around the middle ranks.”

“Middle ranks? So what I sensed wasn’t a misunderstanding. You worked hard.”

A meager compliment.

But for the owner of this body, who had never heard such praise except when he was very young, it was quite astonishing.

However, looking at it from Ian’s perspective, it was understandable.

After all, this fellow who used to spend all his days rolling around with maids before enrollment had risen to the middle ranks in just four months.

That’s why, even after realizing my level, he must have thought he was mistaken.

After that remark, silence fell. Ian gazed at me for a moment before turning his attention to Isis.

Ignoring the resumed conversation, I focused on my food.

‘As expected of a marquisate, the food is good.’

While the academy’s dining hall also had considerable cooking skills, it couldn’t compare to the head chef of the Border Count, who virtually ruled the North.

After concentrating on the meal for a while, I opened my mouth when I felt sufficiently full.

“Father, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“You have something to say? Speak.”

What reaction would Ian show?

Hoping that things wouldn’t become too complicated, I revealed my purpose.

“I wish to break off my engagement with Skadia.”

“…What did you say?”

“Ru—Ruan?”

The Maryland family was a long-time friend of the Friuli family.

Annulment of a marriage arrangement intertwined between such families was a tremendous risk.

Surely, it wouldn’t escalate to outright enmity, but all resulting complications would ultimately be recorded as my fault.

Humans are creatures obsessed with evaluation.

Once they gain wealth and power, what they next desire is lasting fame that will never fade.

There’s nothing more to avoid than being recorded as a worthless individual in later generations.

That’s why both of them were puzzled.

Skadia wasn’t seriously flawed as a fiancée, and she was someone everyone would desire, so why would he take such a risk to break the engagement?

“…What is your reason?”

“Do you remember the recent attack by the Dark Cult?”

“Yes. But what does that have to do with this?”

“During the evacuation, I encountered a Dark Cult member. There was no way I could win. So, I abandoned Skadia and my friends and fled alone.”

The unvarnished truth.

Upon hearing it, Ian’s face twisted violently.

“Hah! Don’t tell me that’s why Skadia said she wanted to break the engagement?”

“Yes.”

“And you accepted it?”

“That’s right.”

“Haa… This is maddening.”

Ian clutched his head as if he didn’t know how to handle this. He even shut his eyes tightly, unsure how to face his friend.

Silence continued for a while.

After much deliberation, Ian finally sighed and accepted the situation.

“Understood. I will send a letter of annulment to the Maryland family. Are you satisfied with that?”

“Yes. I no longer have any lingering feelings for Skadia. There are many lovely young ladies at the academy, you see.”

“…Alright. You may go now. I’ve had a maid wait for you to guide you to your room.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I rose from my seat.

I had already filled my stomach, anticipating this, so I had no regrets.

Just as Isis stood up to follow me.

”Isis, you stay. I have something to discuss with you.”

“…Yes, Father.”

At Ian’s command, she had no choice but to sit back down on the chair.

Even then, Isis kept glancing at me, as if with lingering reluctance. I left the dining room, leaving her desperate gaze behind.

Immediately, a maid approached.

“Young master. My name is Becky. I will guide you.”

“Alright. Lead the way.”

The maid named Becky trembled at the sight of me, perhaps being a new recruit. Or was she simply anxious that I might try to sleep with her after hearing the rumors?

Either way, it didn’t much concern me.

As I walked down the corridor, guided by the maid, I suddenly looked out the window.

Outside, a group of knights were diligently shooting arrows at targets with their bows.

As I stopped to observe the scene, Becky quickly explained.

“Th-They are preparing for a hunting competition that will take place in a few days. Lord Ian has decided to bestow a potent elixir upon the person who brings back the largest game.”

“A potent elixir?”

“Yes. A thousand-year snow ginseng.”

“Definitely worth the effort. Let’s go now.”

“Yes.”

While a thousand-year snow ginseng couldn’t compare to the potent elixir I came here for, it was still an item that could accumulate considerable magical power.

Individuals who have hit a wall in their cultivation would certainly not give up on it, as merely digesting the magical power and spiritual essence within the snow ginseng could lead to enlightenment.

If only I could, I would participate in the hunting competition and claim the snow ginseng.

‘Come to think of it, I do need to go to the snowy mountains.’

Since my objective is also in the snowy mountains anyway, it wouldn’t be bad to participate in the hunting competition and get a feel for the terrain beforehand.

I had memorized the paths in the game, down to every blade of grass, but reality is different.

As I nodded, I suddenly met Becky’s eyes.

At that, she flinched and stiffened for a moment, then lowered her gaze to the floor with movements reminiscent of a bullied student facing their tormentor.

She gripped her skirt tightly and drew her thighs together.

I roughly understood what she was thinking.

“Becky.”

“Y-Yes!”

“I’m not interested in you.”

“Of course! Tonight, to my bedroom— Huh?”

Becky, who had been answering promptly, belatedly understood my meaning and let out a bewildered sound.

I confirmed it for her.

“You’re not my type. So don’t look so anxious like that. Got it?”

“Uh… Th-That is to say.”

“I’m not going to sleep with you. Or what, do you want to have sex with me?”

“No!”

A denial at an incredible speed, unlike anything before.

Becky seemed surprised by her own outburst and covered her mouth with her hand.

“That was quite a vigorous answer. So, you don’t want to, and I don’t want to, right? Then is there any need for us to have sex?”

“No…”

“Exactly. There isn’t. So stop being so cautious and just guide me. I’m too lazy to convince you.”

“…Understood.”

Becky’s face was confused.

While she was glad that she didn’t have to offer her body to me, she also felt depressed, wondering if she was truly that unattractive.

Humans are truly amusing creatures.

‘Should I practice when I get to my room?’

I can’t completely neglect my training while staying at the mansion, so I should at least do some quick home exercises.

*

The day of the hunting competition.

Isis and I were looking at the snowy mountains, towering as if to pierce the sky.

“Are you sure it’s alright for you to be with me?”

“Yes. I’m happy to be with Ruan.”

“But didn’t you always associate with the knights every year? If you’re with me, competition will be impossible, won’t it?”

Isis had visited her home and participated in the hunting competition last year during the break. I recall she caught a giant elk and came in first place.

The knights must be expecting her too, is it really okay?

When I said that, expressing my concern, Isis sent me a gentle smile and shook her head.

“No. Although there are no monsters in the hunting grounds, they sometimes descend from the mid-slope. It would be dangerous if you encountered one while alone.”

“I’ve become quite strong too, you know?”

“Still no. Ruan is the most precious to me, you know? I can’t let you get hurt.”

There was no room for compromise with her.

To me, who only possessed Ruan’s memories and felt no particular familial affection for Isis, her actions evoked contradictory emotions.

The main feelings were guilt from deceiving her and a strange sense of immorality.

I tried hard to push away these inexplicable emotions and brought the conversation to a close.

“Then there’s nothing for it. But I can move freely within the designated area, right?”

“Yes. As long as you don’t go to the mid-slope, it’s fine.”

“Okay. Then let’s get going too. It seems we’ve fallen quite far behind.”

“Alright. Let’s hurry.”

We mounted our horses and entered the snowy mountains.

I pretended to diligently chase game while searching for familiar terrain.

Isis seemed truly intent on only acting as a bodyguard, as she didn’t interfere with my peculiar tracking methods. She merely let out small laughs occasionally.

Her face was so incredibly beautiful that ascending the snowy mountain wasn’t entirely boring.

About two hours had passed since we started traversing the snowy mountains.

“That’s…”

A deer antler-shaped tree, growing diagonally on a steep slope, caught my eye.

It was a shape I had seen before.

As I meticulously examined the tree and the surrounding terrain, Isis, with a puzzled expression, came closer.

“Ruan, what’s wrong? Is something the matter?”

“No. It’s just that the tree looks peculiar. Let’s go this way.”

Relying on my memory, I circled around the slope and finally came face to face with conclusive evidence.

‘Found it.’

Strange, red flowers bloomed in a spiral pattern. Their appearance was so alien it was hard to believe they were in the middle of these snowy mountains.

If I advanced a little further north from here, I would finally reach the Red Dragon’s lair I was looking for.

The moment I gripped the reins to explore a bit more.

“Ruan, let’s go back now.”

Isis stopped me.

When I turned around, a little displeased, she calmly persuaded me.

“Beyond this point is the mid-slope. It’s dangerous. Who knows what might happen.”

“Isn’t the monsters’ territory far away? I was just thinking of looking around for a moment.”

“Still no. I absolutely cannot agree.”

The person who usually always yielded was incredibly stubborn only in moments like this.

Since her reason was nothing other than my safety, I couldn’t push too hard, even while acting like a profligate.

“Hmph… Understood. Let’s go back.”

“That’s a good thought. It’s almost lunchtime, so let’s find a place to eat.”

It was just as Isis finished speaking.

A tremendous roar!

A tremendous roar echoed from the snowy mountains, and the falling snowflakes abruptly began to thicken.

Isis stared at the sky in fright.

“This is… a White Break?”

“What’s that?”

“It’s a strange phenomenon that occurs every ten years. It’s not time for it yet, so what’s happening?”

Confused as if she couldn’t comprehend, she quickly made a judgment.

“Hmph! Let’s go! There’s no time to explain. We need to get out of the snowy mountains quickly. Follow me!”

She, who had been full of leisure moments ago, forcibly snatched my reins and turned the horse around, as if facing a trauma.

Galloping through the snowy mountains at full speed, she constantly looked up at the sky, checking the weather.

Following her gaze, I looked up at the sky and saw the blue firmament, though not bright, swirling like a storm.

The falling snow intensified, turning into a blizzard in just ten seconds. Now, it was impossible to discern objects even three meters ahead.

Isis, who had been continuously riding, stopped the horses, seemingly deciding there was no other way.

“Ruan, dismount! We’re going to the nearby hideout.”

“A hideout? Is there such a place?”

“Yes. I’ve prepared it for situations like this. Hurry! If we’re late, it’ll be a disaster!”

Indeed, if this situation continued for long, safety couldn’t be guaranteed unless one was a transcendent being capable of altering the terrain.

I abandoned the horses without hesitation and followed Isis to the hideout.

It was at that moment.

CRASH!

Another tremendous roar echoed from somewhere, and a spine-chilling dread washed over me.

I lifted my head to see a cliff collapsing and flowing down.

“Isis! It’s dangerous!”

Without a moment’s hesitation, I immediately grabbed Isis’s hand and pulled her into my embrace.

The thought that nothing would happen to her, who was superior in all stats and had a higher cultivation realm than me, was not in my mind.

Feeling the female body pressed deep into my embrace, I lowered my stance and shielded her from the debris of the cliff.