NOVEL NEXT chapter 41
41 – Man or Monster
The journey back to Glenver from the small town to the Ice Mountains in the Chevran Ship Express Wagon was smooth.
The problem arose when we reached the mountain range.
Some armed troops were occupying the entrance.
I was quite surprised the moment they introduced themselves as the Imperial Guard.
However, I was not as surprised as now.
“·······.”
The prince had collapsed right in front of him.
I didn’t know what had happened, so I ran to it in a hurry, and it was like this.
It was an unprecedented development.
Didn’t you grow up and live well?
Why did the prince, who should be sleeping comfortably in the palace of the queen, come to the Devil’s Palace?
“Stupid weeds.”
I didn’t put up with the vicious language that was close to instinct.
Artan was wearing a mysterious armor as if he had made some preparations, but even that seemed to be useless.
Or is his skill the problem?
It’s not like you listened to my advice and just played Tangja Tangja.
As long as he sensed my suspicions, Artan stuttered.
“Quillie···er···.”
It was more like muttering than words.
His frozen face was lifeless, but his eyes looking straight up were alive.
Fortunately, we can talk.
I shook my brain while enduring the soaring nausea.
“Why are you here?”
It was a question filled with pure curiosity.
As far as I know, he has no reason to come to the snowfield.
Artan opened his trembling lips.
“…I’m here to meet you.”
“Why me.”
“That’s…”
It was quite surprising to hear that I was the cause, but I was soon convinced.
I’ve talked about going east.
The point was what was the reason.
But Artan murmured and hesitated. My eyebrows twitched.
“Tell me.”
“·······.”
“Tell me.”
Artan opened his mouth and closed it, then hardened his mouth. Excitement and desolation engulfed my heart.
“It’s pitiful.”
What do you think about right before you die?
Looking at him who trembled at the cold tone, he continued talking.
“I should have explained the two paths of the plants in the greenhouse before.”
“…I remember.”
“Remember? Ignored the advice and ran out of the greenhouse on my own, reached the threshold of death, and what…”
After continuing the reprimands and accusations, I hesitated.
Threshold of death?
I saw him again. Definitely on the brink of death
Does it make sense that you can’t even say a single action principle? Anger ceased and wonder took its place.
He said.
He said he came to see me.
Maybe the reason why I can’t tell you my purpose is because of me.
Even though I risked my life, I couldn’t say anything in front of the person concerned… No way.
I asked awkwardly.
“What am I to you?”
Is it because I deliberately asked an abstract question to make it easy to answer?
Artan suddenly raised his head.
Absurd words leaked from his mouth.
“You are my spark and hope… The salvation of my childhood…”
“What-“
I opened my mouth and immediately shut it.
My facial muscles went into a slight spasm, and all sorts of confusion and fantasies cluttered my head.
What are you talking about?
Why am I a flame? Am i a snow girl?
“·······.”
I tried to escape from reality, but it didn’t work.
No matter how you look at it, that was it.
But why the hell did that happen?
I only had one contact with him.
He just wanted to erase his debts in his childhood.
“…I am.”
Is it because of Quilière?
Is this beauty the problem?
Whatever it was, I couldn’t leave it like this.
Artan’s gaze was hot as he glanced at it.
Thinking that this is a snowy field… Made me feel depressed.
“I am not.”
“Yes?”
“You are nothing to me.”
I trampled on his heart as coldly as possible.
Because I don’t need a boyfriend’s love.
If it had been halfway in the first place, he wouldn’t have climbed the Devil’s Terrace alone.
Artan bit his lip, whether he knew my desperate mentality or not.
“Is that so… I expected that.”
His gaze plummeted, but he stood up again as if he remembered something.
“Then why did you save me ten years ago?”
“Ten years…”
The wagon broke and he fell off a cliff.
It was the humiliation of an immature prince, and he would have been rescued sooner if left as it was, but knowing his potential, I helped him for my own personal gain.
I couldn’t say such a thing, so he answered simply.
“I just thought I would die if left alone.”
“Just…?”
“He was sick at the bottom of the cliff. I felt sorry for him.”
I looked down at him with cold eyes.
It was nailed that there were no personal feelings or likes at all. If you do this, you will understand, I thought, but Artan, who was silent, said.
“That’s not what I said.”
“… Huh?”
“You saved me from the killers, didn’t you?”
His eyes were clear.
I was taken aback by the unexpected remark.
“Ah.”
“I don’t know who they are, but seeing as they’re targeting you, they must be uncommon. Even so, you followed them for my sake.”
I felt embarrassed.
I was stabbed in the blind spot.
Looking back, I think it was a misunderstanding, but at that time, I also believed that I was a killer.
If I just go, Artan will die.
It was a big deal for the main character of the continent to die.
That’s why I took some risk and helped… How do you explain this?
After thinking about it for a while, I shook my head.
At times like this, shamelessness was necessary.
“Because you had to live.”
“Yes? You mean…?”
“I expected from you.”
Artan opened his eyes in amazement.
However, his expectations were shattered by my next remark.
“But I was disappointed. You were just a weed too.”
“Ah…”
He looked around him as if to recall his situation. He left the greenhouse on his own, and was lying face down.
His head dropped.
I was heartbroken. Alright, let’s pass it like this.
The moment he was about to speak, he declared in a serious voice.
“I will try.”
The low voice overflowed with earnestness or despair.
“I will work harder than now. As a decent Artan Pricus, I can face you—”
“Don’t try.”
His determination was cut with a sharp blade.
At that time, a fierce snow wind blew and scattered my hair.
I felt a sense of refreshment and pronounced it clearly.
“Don’t try to face me. I don’t have time for you.”
“…Yes?”
My head hurts just from working in the Catholic Church, but you made it even more disturbing.
When Juyeon gets away from the situation or dies, it becomes more difficult for me.
I stared straight into the eyes of the determined prince.
“Lack of time…”
I grabbed his arm without answering the question.
Artan was startled.
“···!”
“Go back. There’s nothing for you to do here.”
Then I put his arm on my shoulder and supported him.
I could hear his empty breath from a short distance away.
I didn’t want to get too close to the guy either, so I immediately activated my magic.
Paaat-
Without a sound, without a trace, my feet floated in the air.
“The body…!?”
Artan’s body, which vomited in astonishment, was also injured.
Snowfall.
This skill, which means walking through the snow, was faster than Transfiguration and was easy to take with others.
However, it can be used only when the environment is right, so it was right to use it at this time.
“Hold tight.”
After exclaiming like a car racer, he raised his mana and ran through the mountains.
It was a technique that required a high degree of control even if the legs did not move.
“Uh, uh uh…!”
Uncharacteristically, the prince’s heartbeat was clear. You probably won’t hear anything from me.
-Kieek!
There were many monsters in the mountain range, befitting the power of the Demonic Realm. However, the public was a difficult opponent even for them.
I crossed the foot of the mountain, deftly dodging monsters.
“·······.”
While I was going, I didn’t say anything, and he was silent as well, looking at me.
Only the sound of cutting the wind stayed by my side.
Soon we reached the entrance and saw upright figures.
Imperial Guard.
I threw Artan at them, who widened their eyes while looking this way.
“Goodbye.”
“Your Highness the Crown Prince!”
As the frightened guards accepted, the prince hurriedly looked back at me.
I spat out before that.
“Reinforce your internal stability.”
“···Resilience?”
“It means take care of your surroundings. Instead of this nonsense.”
“Somehow… Oh, wait! Wait a minute!”
Artan held on to it.
I turned my back, lamenting how it had gotten to this point.
“I want to meet you—”
His voice quickly faded as he ran at great speed. It’s better now.
It was easy to return the way we came.
At some point, I reached the snow field where Artan had fallen.
There was no trace of him already buried in the snow.
Then thump- thump – Jicheon shook.
Looking at the epicenter of the roar, I saw a frost giant approaching.
─────!
He was obviously delighted.
Other people may not know, but I, the creator, could know. I still looked up at the tall guy.
“Sasquatch.”
I saw him wince.
He was reassured by just that appearance.
Thanks to the confidence that made the Yeti, he struggled for years after challenging a higher level spirit.
It was a tough time, but I finally completed it.
My strongest power and absolute ally.
Fricke came down from Sasquatch’s shoulder.
– Quilly! Quilly! I saw something strange
The guy shook as if he was having fun.
I heard a lively voice in my brain.
– It’s a human, it’s a human! The animals Quilly talked about!
“Human…?”
I immediately guessed who it was.
After listening to the guy’s story, it became more clear.
I sighed.
“Why didn’t you help?”
– Huh? Help me?
Fricke tilted his head innocently.
Well, spirits are different from humans.
It’s not that he’s bad, it’s just that common sense among humans doesn’t work.
My friques, who grew up in the snow castle, don’t even know what death is.
“Next time, at least suck in the cold.”
– Huh? Huh! Okay!
The answer is very good.
As I was about to go to the castle shaking my head, I saw a silver-haired beauty.
Of course, it can’t be human.
“Mishra.”
I didn’t even want to go, so I started talking.
I wonder if she was near her too.
Mishra shook her shoulders startled.
“Why… Why?”
“What are you doing here?”
“No, just…”
She slurred her speech all over the place.
Did you go for a walk?
As she tilted her head inwardly, Nimisura asked carefully.
“Are you back now?”
“No. I just stopped by.”
I had to pack my costume and go back immediately.
There are still a lot of unfinished business in Kyoguk.
“Is that so…”
“Yes.”
After giving her a casual nod to her grouchy face, she moved on.
A blizzard wrapped around me as if welcoming, followed by a sasquatch, shaking her ground.
I saw the castle of snow on the other side.
The feather-like eyes of the Heavenly Demon flowed gently down her silver hair.
Shaking off her cumbersome eyes, Mishra thought as she gazed at the blue-grey mountains.
“…A human man.”
I don’t know who.
However, judging from the momentum it gave off, it wasn’t just such a creature.
I remembered the conversation between the two.
“Does he have a crush on him…”
Not just his words, but the man’s energy shook in every action he took.
Come to think of it, it was pretty serious.
Barely human subjects.
“Even if you’re not human.”
He was unworthy of all beings on earth.
She was Mishra hardened between her eyebrows in disapproval, but she soon found herself slightly elated.
To think that there is someone other than himself who admires him.
She risked her life to reach the snowy field, so that feeling was not normal.
“…Well, that’s only natural for a mere creature to touch even a speck of dust.”
I suddenly remembered something from the past.
The ordeal of winter before he left.
Four human spirits arrived here.
They failed to change the owner’s mind.
Calm as winter ······ No, he was originally merciful, but at that time he was ruthless and did not waver.
“It was impossible to convince the original woman as well.”
As a mere confidant, I couldn’t melt that heart.
The old human man… Is that possible?
Mishura shook her head as she sighed.
“It can’t be.”
His longing for him seemed strong, but he was clearly disliked by him.
The next time he comes, he’s at a level that needs to be kicked out.
Although he would like to come back even after going through the cold hell once.
Since he seems to have his own status, he should have lived well in a warm continent.
“Continent…”
Then the existence came to mind.
Black Calamity.
After he left for the continent, he didn’t appear. Until then, he had often been fooling around in his realm.
A strange ominous feeling tickled his spine.
“…It will be fine.”
You didn’t say anything.
Mishra got a glimpse of the mountain range and went back to the castle. She was still in human form.
– Quillidaaagh!
-Wow!
Is this the atmosphere of a kindergarten joke party?
Upon arriving at the castle, I was immediately surrounded by a number of freekes.
– Quilly! Are you back?!
“Come out.”
-Quilda! Not Yeti, Sasquatch, or Shu, but the real Quilla!
“Away.”
– Quilly! Quilly! Quilly!
The sound echoed in my brain, not my ears, and I was about to lose my mind.
I’m afraid to release a few of them.
I stared at them with cool pupils.
“Get out of the way. Don’t block the road.”
It hasn’t been a long time since I defeated the stubborn frikes and climbed the stairs.
Perhaps because I was light, the sound of the stairs echoed softly. After looking around the pure white inner wall for a while, we arrived at our destination.
Dressing room.
It was still an enchantingly noble space.
My grandiose time and efforts were gathered here······.
“···Good.”
Let’s look for it.
I rolled up my sleeves and made up my mind. After that, I searched every nook and cranny.
······There were many costumes.
It took quite a while because there were many and I didn’t even know where they were.
One was finally successful.
I gazed intently at the piece of clothing in my hand.
Antique elegance in dark red tones.
Exclusive costume for Jinjo.
“…Vampire suit.”
Some costumes had additional abilities.
It was classified into those that meet certain conditions and those that do not.
This was the former.
The condition for wearing it was Jinjo itself.
If you wear this, Nell’s chronic disease, the curse of blood, will be resolved. There are restrictions that you have to keep wearing, but you will understand that much.
“Ah.”
I was about to take it out, but I suddenly remembered it and stopped.
I went back and rummaged through the stack of clothes and took out another one.
Cute costumes based on white in many ways.
Snow hare coat.
“In case you don’t know.”
Let’s take this too.
It is of no use to me, but other people are different.
I packed my coat and opened the door to the dressing room.
Now, I had to go to Glenver, take the wagon, and return to Disdel… But the road ahead was bleak.
To think that he had to overcome the barrier called Freike again.
“I can’t help it…”
I let out a deep sigh and moved on.
Led Disdel.
There was a rare gloomy atmosphere at the entrance of a place famous for good policy and integrity.
Passers-by swayed, trudging – the sound of horses hooves rang out in a clunky way.
The owner of the heavy, solid noise was a black horse. Two people were riding on top of a black horse that was twice as big as other course horses.
“Mister, I think Urbos is nervous.”
Those were the words of the girl sitting in the back.
She stroked Urbos’ dark fur and felt the heat.
The horse’s body trembled unlike usual.
“Paley.”
Just then, a bleak voice came from the front.
Girl, Paley was a little startled.
I didn’t mean to ask for an answer.
“…To have fun.”
After correcting the man, he shut her mouth.
The girl who blinked her eyes broke the silence.
“Are you having fun?”
She
Frowned, but soon decided that might be the case.
This unusually strong black horse’s disposition is just like its owner.
The stronger the opponent, the stronger she might be.
She was a male world unknown to her.
Paley gasped and turned her words away.
“I’m really here now….Will it be all right?”
The girl’s tone was full of worry.
She stared blankly at the back of her eyes.
······ Rather than iron?
Her black armor was wrapped around her black helmet, so nothing of her manhood was revealed.
Perhaps because her armor hid even the strength, the girl expressed some concern.
I know this man won’t lose.
Almost certain.
However, worry was a different matter.
“Paley.”
“Yes.”
The eerie voice came again.
Her eyes widened at the remarks that followed.
“Be prejudiced.”
“···!”
Paley, who claims to be a ‘girl without prejudice’, screamed as if in a fit.
“What?! I’m not prejudiced!”
Her whimper. She shook her head.
Her man’s low voice continued silently.
“If you’ve witnessed the same phenomenon countless times, don’t doubt it.”
“·······.”
That was right.
A man has never been defeated in front of a girl. No, I haven’t lost since the moment I remembered.
Paley also knew about it.
But she was bothered.
Above all, if you don’t worry at all, there’s no affection.
That’s why I said it steadfastly.
“No. I will doubt it. I am an open-minded girl. So make sure I don’t doubt it!”
“…Is that so?”
The man shut his mouth again.
He thought the girl had become bold.
It was very different from when we just met.
“·······.”
I tried to continue my thoughts, but it soon became cloudy as if the paint had spread.
The empty space was filled with the desire to fight.
“…The red disaster.”
What kind of opponent?
I hope I can have some fun this time.
A very interesting monster seems to have appeared recently.
The fault was that the news was a little late because he was dealing with Chelmsford’s hemp water.
He didn’t give me any stimulation.
Hee hee hee!
Perhaps because the destination was approaching, Urbos writhed violently.
The jet-black man also felt a sense of elation.
“If it’s a monster, I’ll cut it…”
This is called the Sword Demon in the world.
······It was a monster hunter who came to the Red Disaster.