Chapter 82

Chapter 82

After finishing his meal without leaving any meat behind, Ian promptly took off his cold-weather pants and nearly destroyed greaves. They were among the best items he had, so it was a shame to discard them, but he had no choice. The wound across his thigh was already scabbing over and healing.

I seem to be healing faster and faster.

While Charlotte cleaned up the remaining meat and the campsite, Ian changed into a spare set of cold-weather clothes and greaves from his pocket dimension. After checking his physical condition once more, he picked up the Sword of Judgment.

“That, I found it," Thesaya declared, having been watching Ian.

"You did?"

"Yeah. It smelled like you, and something about that sword gave off a repulsive feeling."

"She couldn't even lift it. That's why I moved it," Charlotte added, checking the horse's reins.

Ian nodded in approval. These companions, despite everything, seemed to be gradually becoming more in sync. It was a welcome change. Whatever was in that ice forest, ghost or otherwise, it wouldn't be an easy adversary.

"I won't be fighting for a while," Ian announced as he got on the carriage.

Charlotte, nearly done with the preparations for departure, looked back at him.

"I've used too much magical power. It's not something I can recover from in a day or two."

"...What if another monster like yesterday attacks?" Thesaya, climbing up, asked.

Ian shrugged, "A monster of yesterday's level won't appear. We've proved our worth."

"What worth?"

"You don't need to know that."

Turning to Charlotte, Ian added, "So, for the time being, you and Thesa will have to fight. You'll be the main one fighting."

"I will gladly do so," Charlotte responded from the driver's seat, her face strangely gleeful. Nêww chapters will be fully updated at novelhall.com

As she steered the carriage, she added, "I don't mind if a strong monster like yesterday attacks. I'd actually like to fight it, see how strong it can be."

Ian smirked at the memory of her dismembering the giant warrior but soon composed himself and said, "And don't ever bring a monster's head to my bedside again, Charlotte."

"..."

"Not even the corpse."

As the carriage left the building, they passed by snow-covered ruins.

Heading toward the opposite exit they had entered, Charlotte cautiously added, "What about leaving it at your feet? Would that be okay, Ian?"

"Are you seriously asking that?"

"Yes, but..."

"Ha..."

With that unproductive conversation, the carriage left the abandoned village behind. The endless white snowscape unfolded around them.

***

"It's beautiful. Everything's so white."

Thesaya marveled at the surrounding scenery as the carriage continued through the snowfield. The path was still discernible, though the snow piled higher as they moved north. Fortunately, the wind wasn't too strong.

Ian spent most of the time with his eyes closed, not moving, to recover his strength and magic. Thanks to his high level of Meditation, he was able to maintain a meditative state without diving deep into his inner self. Meanwhile, Thesaya chattered away, paying him no mind.

"I'm glad I followed Ian."

"Lucky you. It's like you’re going on a picnic," Charlotte sarcastically remarked.

Despite everything, Charlotte was usually the one who responded to Thesaya's comments.

"What would you know, kitty cat?" Thesaya retorted.

"I've never really taken the time to enjoy the scenery around me. I've never leisurely walked through a city. I had to survive, so I did what I had to. Do you even know what it's like to be dropped into an unknown world and survive on your own?"

...I know all too well. Ian thought to himself.

Charlotte's scoffing continued, "Pretentious words. You have no idea what it's like to live as a beastfolk on this continent."

"And how is that?"

"I will continue to fight life-threatening battles alongside Ian. Even if I die before regaining my tail, it would be an honor as a warrior."

"Okay, go ahead, die all you want. I plan to survive a long time."

"Do you think that's a blessing?" Charlotte turned to Thesaya.

"Even if you have to live forever with a different face by day and night, tormented by that cursed thirst and impulse?"

“...” Thesaya momentarily fumbled for words, not fully comprehending the length of eternity.

"So what, you're saying I should just live moderately and die?"

That was all she could retort with, a jab in return.

Charlotte shrugged, "If you ever get tired of living, just say the word. I'll gladly grant you the most painful death."

"I'll offer that blessing first. Ah, of course, I'm talking about after our business is finished, Ian."

"You're making death wishes sound so long-winded."

"...!" Thesaya gasped, not expecting Ian to respond.

"You were awake? I thought you were sleeping."

"With all the noise you two are making, did you really expect me to sleep soundly?" Ian opened his eyes with a snort.

"You two are like one body. Don't forget that."

"If this crazy cat keeps wanting to die fighting, there's not much I can do about it, Ian."

"Then you'll just have to die together."

"What...?" Thesaya's eyes widened.

Ian looked down at her calmly.

"If you don't like that, then watch Charlotte's back. And I mean protect her, not try to kill her."

As Thesaya grimaced, Ian turned to Charlotte.

"And you, tone down all this talk of an honorable death. I have no intention of dying either."

"...Fair enough."

With those words, Ian closed his eyes again. He left unsaid the acknowledgment that, despite their reluctance to admit it, the two of them had more in common than they thought, and so did he. Ian reactivated his meditation, delving deeper into his consciousness than before. This time, he reached into the very depths of his inner self, aiming to shed unnecessary emotions and stray thoughts.

***

Contrary to the rumors of the white demonic realm, the midnight assaults were not as threatening as feared. Surprisingly, it was due to the sigil engraved in Ian's hand. After killing the Gatekeeper, the sigil began to serve an opposite role from before. When the sigil resonated, spirits from the ancient giant kingdom inevitably appeared nearby. However, they no longer approached as before, merely observing from a distance.

"...It's annoying, can I go and kill them all?"

"I actually agree with the kitty on this one. They're irritating."

While Charlotte and Thesaya were displeased, Ian paid them no mind. There was no need to engage if they weren't attacking, especially since most of these spirits didn't even yield experience points.

"Save your strength. Just deal with those that come too close to our camp."

Of course, not all creatures in the snowy wasteland were remnants of the giant kingdom. Mutated wild animals and indigenous monsters like ogres appeared, along with undead and spirits unrelated to the giants.

Most were no more than warm-up opponents for Charlotte, while the non-physical beings that Charlotte couldn't handle fell prey to Thesaya's unexpected ability to tear them apart with her bare hands. Her shadow familiars even devoured them.

"How do you catch spirits with your bare hands?"

"I don't know. It just works?"

There was no need to delve into the unknown reasons. Ian simply chalked it up to one of the many abilities inherent to demons. Having an additional method to deal with such troublesome entities like spirits was welcome enough. Days passed, and the mountains that once seemed like mere fingernails in the distance now loomed high enough that one had to tilt their head back to see their summits. The wind was as cold as if it bore blades.

"Turn the carriage around, Charlotte," Ian, glancing around, made the call.

A desolate valley stretched out, marked only by snow, rocks, and the occasional bare tree.

"There's no sign of anyone passing through. No path either."

"That means we've found the right place."

"I agree."

With that, the carriage veered onto an indistinct slope, heading toward an unknown destination.