Episode. 04 Snowfall (3)
“Oh, you’re a bastard!”
“Ah, some!”
I frowned and glared at Baron Hessen. The baron, who was begging in a cold sweat, was on the verge of bursting into tears.
“Why are you climbing that dangerous snowy mountain!”
“Are you ignoring the Battenberg escort knight, or are you ignoring me? Will it be the latter?”
“I-I’m just worried about the young master… … .”
A laugh came out of his mouth at his words.
Worry is sh*t.
“I’m afraid that if something happens to me, you’ll use the dump tank.”
As proof of that, the baron became mute after eating honey.
I’ve felt it since yesterday, but he’s the type of person whose emotions show through his expression.
“Stop worrying unnecessarily. You guys should go back quickly and send support supplies.”
“You can’t go back while the young master is staying in Hessen. And the supplies were delivered by soldiers.”
So stop acting nonsense and go quickly, it seemed to be written on his face.
“Anyway, Aaron and I are going up the snowy mountain.”
I gave notice and left his barracks. Scared to do that, Aaron, who was next to him, opened his mouth.
“… … young master.”
“why?”
“Did you know that Master Moritz competed on equal terms with a mid-level knight a while ago?”
What kind of nonsense is he talking about?
“I don’t know. Why did that suddenly come out?”
“I told you because I thought you should know.”
Aaron looked at me with a meaningful expression.
“That bully also has Battenberg blood, so can’t it?”
“… … .”
Looking at him with strange eyes somewhere, I felt sorry for him.
Come to think of it, this guy was also a mid-level knight now.
You’re not going to stab me with a spear for ignoring me, are you?
Knowing that in the distant future Aaron would be called a ‘window’, I had no choice but to notice.
That’s right, it was named because there is nothing to see if you hold the spear.
“Go ahead and get ready to climb.”
“Is it only me and the young master going?”
“okay.”
I thought he would object, saying that it would be dangerous to go alone, but surprisingly, Aaron silently nodded and disappeared.
‘There’s something strange about him.’
I looked at Aaron, who seemed to be in a bad spirit today, and turned my head.
Anyway, what should I do, I just need to protect my body well in that snowy mountain.
◈ ◈ ◈
Aaron’s preparation for the climb was quick and perfect. Curious about what Richard was looking for in the snowy mountain, he hurriedly packed his things.
‘It’s clear. The young master has an ulterior motive.’
Aaron strengthened his conviction by watching Richard looking up at the snowy mountain.
He probably didn’t come all the way here just to climb a mountain.
Today, I will definitely find out the fragment of Richard.
“Then let’s go.”
They eagerly climbed the snow-capped mountain.
The beasts and monsters that appeared occasionally died at Aaron’s hand.
Seeing this, Richard frowned.
The monster’s blood was scattered on the pure white snow.
It is quite a disgusting sight for him who has become ‘Richard’ after living a normal life.
Of course, this was a problem that could be overcome by repeating numerous real battles.
‘There’s an easier way, a better way, so there’s no need to go back.’
Richard, who was looking down at the monster’s dead body, turned his gaze to the inscription on the back of his hand.
The pattern of the engraving was very slight, but it was faded.
Feeling hesitating in a life-and-death battle meant that each imprint had no qualifications to judge.
‘That’s how you judged it.’
Although the imprint faded a little, Richard smiled.
I got a rough idea.
‘Isn’t that what it means to fight well and become strong quickly?’
The mana insensitivity that held him back. It was more than overcoming it with the unprecedented power of faith.
Kwak-
Richard clenched his fists and recalled his purpose.
His goal is to enjoy everything he enjoys and to live well without worries.
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‘Of course, returning to the original world is even better.’
If it was primitive, it could be seen as a primitive, ordinary purpose.
However, this world he created was a place where countless incidents took place, so living well without worries was also the most difficult dream.
Even the possibility of realization was not seen with half-power.
“I need to get stronger soon.”
Richard, who was muttering softly, felt Aaron’s gaze looking at him.
“What you looking at?”
“… … no.”
After that, the two men climbed the mountain. The sun was slowly going down.
It was around the time when it was only a short distance to the top of the mountain.
I started to feel eyes from somewhere.
“First of all, go up. I can’t even find it anyway.”
Richard hurried his steps toward Aaron, who was startled and alert.
“Do you know something?”
There was no answer to the question.
Then, when he finally reached the top of the mountain, his gaze toward them deepened even more.
At the same time, Aaron’s spirit caught the tangled array of mana.
It was a sign unique to the barrier.
Aaron’s face hardened.
“Aaron. See that big tree?”
Then Richard raised his finger and pointed at an exceptionally large tree.
As I followed his fingers and turned my gaze, I saw a tree that had a thin branch but remained.
“young master. It’s not that important right now… … .”
“Isn’t it strange that you scolded the snowy mountain?”
“… … yes?”
Only then did Aaron, who felt strange, shut his mouth and looked at the tree again.
Richard smiled.
“Stop what I was trying to say. That tree is the center of the barrier. With your mana, you can destroy it without difficulty.”
“… … !”
Aaron couldn’t believe his ears.
As a middle-class knight, if he hadn’t noticed it until now, it was clear that it was a high-level barrier.
Did Richard know how to break such barriers?
But there was something more surprising than that.
‘You’re feeling the mana… … ?’
It was as if he already knew about the existence of the barrier.
Richard urged.
“Oh, it’s cold. do it faster.”
“… … yes.”
First of all, follow the master’s orders.
Having made up his mind, Aaron approached the large tree.
Kak, after stabbing the spear, poured mana.
Kigi Geek-
Then there was a roar that filled the summit.
Aaron erased his thoughts and gave strength to the hand holding the spear.
cracked-
The entire tree was cracked and the surrounding scenery was distorted.
‘The barrier… … It’s crumbling.’
Indeed, it was as the master said.
Feeling confident, Aaron’s spear gained strength.
“Haaap!”
Kwachang!
When Aaron exploded with mana, the tree shattered and at the same time the surrounding scenery changed completely.
Aaron, who watched the scene, opened his mouth to the scenery that unfolded out of nowhere.
“That… … .”
It was a palace.
A large and beautiful ice palace that can be seen very well from the village.
The best castle that could not even be dreamed of with the architectural technology of this era appeared in the blink of an eye.
“… … Let’s go in.”
Richard fastened his coat to the sudden chill. His real business was with the monster in there.
◈ ◈ ◈
“Whoa-.”
The pure white breath was scattered.
The inside of the ice castle feels twice as cold as the outside.
We moved on without slowing down.
“What the hell is this place… … .”
Aaron murmured as he looked around the scene inside the castle. The castle, carved from ice from one to ten, was so elaborate and beautiful that it evoked admiration.
“How did you know about this place, Bocchan?”
“Don’t ask. I can’t believe it even if I say it.”
Aaron’s expression turned strange at my answer.
what am i thinking alone For a while now, he keeps looking at me with strange eyes.
‘What kind of treatment do you want to be treated after talking about it?’
I had no reason to tell Aaron, and I didn’t want to be treated like a madman anymore.
“Now move.”
“yes?”
I gripped my sword.
This is the middle of the enemy camp. Wandering thoughts are unnecessary.
“Ugh… … .”
When I stepped into the center of the hall on the first floor, the ice statues standing here and there pulled out their swords.
Guardian.
They are artificial beings created by those with excellent magical skills to protect their dwellings.
In other words, it means that the owner of this place is an unusually talented person.
‘Originally, the owner of this place was a wizard of great skill.’
One wizard died, and a new owner was guarding this place.
Aaron blocked my way.
“Dangerous! step back… … .”
“These guys are fine.”
puff-!
I thrust my sword into the Guardian’s nape.
Since I had never actually cut anything with a real sword, the ice guardians felt less pressure.
Of course, if it were a normal Guardian, I wouldn’t even be able to deal with it… … .
‘If you only aim for the neck, it will end soon.’
I knew their weaknesses.
Since it had been produced for a long time, it was awkward to move, and since it was not a guardian with strong military force in the first place, even a low-level article could deal with it.
“Is it over?”
Twenty or so Guardians were quickly organized. Of course, most of it was taken care of by Aaron.
He was looking at me as if he was surprised.
“I knew that the boy grew up quickly, but… … I didn’t expect the Guardian to be able to deal with it easily.”
I looked straight ahead after answering him roughly.
Before we knew it, the stairs leading to the next floor stretched out in front of us.
◈ ◈ ◈
“Is it over?”
Aaron’s skills were also outstanding. It was a genius-like skill that exceeded the qualifications of an intermediate and advanced knight at a young age.
“The third floor.”
I answered while stretching my sword.
We broke through the second floor in an instant and took down all the guardians on the third floor.
As the layers went by, their strength grew stronger, but it couldn’t compare to Aaron.
‘Anyway, this is a joke level. He can’t be careless.’
Lord of the Ice Castle.
He reminded him of the guy he had only seen through the monitor and warned Aaron.
“Don’t relax. Because the guy in front of me is dangerous.”
“… … yes. I feel an unusual aura.”
It was as Aaron said.
A huge door at the end of the third floor where we are standing. From there, a cold aura wafted through.
“I’m really going to freeze to death.”
I felt like I was trapped inside a good freezer. The worst environment for me, who is weak in the cold. My frozen fingers started to tingle.
Aaron looked at me and opened his mouth.
“If you can’t stand it, take a rest outside. I will finish quickly and come back.”
“… … .”
Did you hit the corner? Aaron opened his mouth.
“The thing beyond that door is at least a 3-star or higher monster. As expected, the young master is avoiding his seat… … .”
“It’s four stars.”
His eyes widened at my words. A 4-star would be a formidable opponent for Aaron, a mid-level knight.
“How about you die? According to the master’s words, there will be no major damage unless a subjugation party is formed.”
It was not wrong.
There was no need to die in a place like this.
It’s not like he’s come down to town and is messing around, Aaron thinks I’m just a burden.
“This alone is a great achievement. Since you found a hidden 4-star monster, you master has done a very big job… … .”
“It’s already too late. Do you think he doesn’t know us?”
As if to prove my words, the huge ice door squeaked open.
“… … !”
Aaron, who let out a quiet voice, soon made up his mind. Veins welled up in the hand that gripped the spear tightly.
“I will buy time. Please, Bocchan, please get out of this castle.”
Aaron speaks in a firm tone, as if telling him not to be stubborn.
When I nodded obediently, he turned around and walked through the door.
‘Then let’s get ready.’
Of course I can’t just walk away. I looked at the back of Aaron, who was determined alone, and turned my head.
The ice swords of the guardians scattered on the floor were dripping with cold air.