I Have Become The Snow Maiden I Created

Translator: Marctempest

Editor/Proofreader: TempWane

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Chapter 75: To the Landfill (2)

I had to eliminate all the lesser gods.

······Or so I resolved, but there wasn’t much for me to do.

“Our allies are really strong.”

The bloody battle raged on, with Nell, Mishra, and the others fighting valiantly.

Monsters fell one by one under their unrelenting strikes.

While lesser gods were formidable foes, these hastily produced ones were noticeably weaker than average.

Of course, they were still strong opponents.

It was just that our allies were extraordinary.

Watching their overwhelming prowess, I reached a conclusion.

Everyone except for Paile had reached the realm of ‘heroes.’

“Chandrafail is beyond even that······.”

At that moment.

─────!

A nauseating shriek like a pig being slaughtered erupted.

Perhaps realizing there was no way out, the monsters began to flee.

But the frenzied warriors didn’t let them escape.

“Where do you think you’re going, you four-eyed freaks?”

“······Do you think you can run?”

They chased after the staggering creatures and cut them down.

And before long.

No lesser gods remained standing.

The monster crisis in Glenver had been resolved.

“······.”

The sound of carnage ceased, and a brief silence descended.

The people, still in disbelief, wore dazed expressions.

However, no new danger arose no matter how long they waited.

“······Ah!”

As if breaking free from petrification, their faces lit up with joy, and cheers erupted.

“Wow, waaaaah!”

“We survived! We’re alive!”

“They’re annihilated! Those terrifying monsters are gone···!”

I gazed at the scene with a slightly proud feeling.

My gathered comrades around me seemed to feel the same.

Nell, chuckling awkwardly, spoke up.

“Good thing we weren’t late. It would’ve been bad if everyone here died, even if we didn’t know them.”

“Yeah. You’re right.”

Though I didn’t do much myself, I contributed just enough.

Then, the citizens suddenly turned toward us.

Their voices and demeanor seemed unusual.

“The Goddess has delivered us!”

“···?”

I tilted my head in confusion but quickly realized they were referring to me.

The citizens’ cheers grew louder.

“She descended from the sky on a dragon!”

“Look at that radiance! And her beauty······!”

“Ooh, Goddess!”

“······.”

Perhaps it was my imagination, but I felt a cold sweat.

Was it the radiance? Their misunderstanding was grander than I anticipated.

I thought they’d just treat me like a saint, but ‘Goddess’ felt a bit over the top······.

The crowd, oblivious to my thoughts, surged toward me like zombies spotting prey.

“Goddess─”

At that moment, Dewade and Chandrafail stepped in to block them.

“Stop. That’s far enough.”

“Do not come any closer.”

The two stood like a wall in front of me.

Startled, the citizens regained their composure.

“···! The Goddess’s guards···!”

“Y-Yes. We shouldn’t get any closer······.”

Murmuring voices filled the air.

Taking the opportunity, I extinguished the radiance.

It had proven more effective than necessary.

“Goddess! Thank you!”

“Thank you for not abandoning us······ sob······.”

“······.”

It didn’t help much.

Though the crowd didn’t approach any closer, they expressed their gratitude from a distance.

Among the voices, one particularly loud one stood out.

“Your Excellency!”

A high yet dignified voice.

It was a middle-aged man, who I suspected was the local lord I had seen earlier.

Accompanied by knights, he approached me······ only to be stopped by Chandrafail.

“Stop. Speak from there.”

“Oh··· Ah, yes! I apologize!”

The middle-aged man and his knights flinched under his imposing aura.

The Black Knight’s aura and intimidation were that strong.

Curious, I blinked in surprise.

“······I used to think he was just a stiff guy.”

It felt reassuring to have him as an ally.

*

The continent was currently engulfed in chaos, much like the era of the Great War that had caused ‘the worst incident in history.’

The cause was the disaster targeting the entire continent.

The crisis had already crossed a certain threshold and was rapidly heading toward its climax.

It was no longer an issue that could be resolved by one nation or one hero’s effort.

The Empire, the Kingdom, the Holy Nation—every hero had to unite for this monumental task.

To that end, the Crown Prince boldly declared the conquest of the landfill at an imperial council meeting.

This was unanimously approved and established as the Empire’s official policy.

“······.”

This declaration of willingness to become the revolution’s focal point was soon conveyed through the Emperor’s personal letter to countries around the world.

The first recipient of this letter was the Astar Holy Nation.

“That Crown Prince has done it.”

In the central hall of the Grand Temple, Sariel murmured softly.

Netah responded.

“Indeed, he has.”

“There’s no avoiding it now. Nor should there be.”

“Haha. Quite right. We must also keep our promise, mustn’t we?”

With a hearty laugh, he glanced around the hall.

The High Priest and the Archpriest.

The key figures leading Astar gathered in one place.

“Everyone should be well aware of the situation. You also understand why we have convened, correct?”

The Church Nation was prioritized because the participation of the Holy Order, responsible for purifying grievances, was essential.

Naturally, the agenda of the central council was related to that…

“I wish to hear your opinions, particularly regarding how to devastate the burial ground.”

Unlike the Empire, there was no opposition.

The burial ground and the calamity were akin to mortal enemies for them.

Soon, the proposal to align with the Empire’s march passed.

──The news spread like wildfire across the Church Nation.

“So, are we aiding the Empire?”

“You fool. It’s not like that. This is a temporary alliance for the sake of our wish.”

Even ordinary citizens and gossipers focused on spreading rumors as quickly as possible.

In less than a day, the Church Nation was abuzz with news of the council’s decision.

The same held true for the famous Chelmberd restaurant, “Nomadic Garden.”

It was a branch derived from Disdel’s restaurant but, for some reason, was more popular than the main branch.

“You said you’re from Disdel? How are things over there these days?”

Amid the lively atmosphere, Sigina and Lucia conversed.

Having formed a small bond, the two were briefly traveling together.

“Same as always~ Same as always~”

“The same? Hasn’t the number of visitors surged since the Black Calamity was defeated?”

“That happened, but it tapered off before I left. With this council, it’ll probably flare up again~”

Sigina, responding lazily, was almost burying her face in her plate as she ate.

Chomp, chomp—her cheeks puffed out as if she hadn’t eaten in days.

“I see… I heard you’re an adventurer, but is there a particular reason you came to Chelmberd?”

Lucia, resting her cheek on her hand, asked again.

Sigina replied while chewing.

“I’m looking for someone.”

“Someone?”

“Yess~”

After Nell and Quellière left, she had stayed in Striven, investigating their whereabouts.

Not realizing they had left the capital, she found no leads.

Forced to alternate between earning money through adventuring and conducting brief investigations, she came across an intriguing rumor.

Its origin was Chelmberd.

“Can you describe them? I might know something.”

“Eh? No, no, it’s fine.”

“Sigina, you helped me. I’m not someone who ignores kindness.”

Grand rumors of a necromantic upheaval, the Archpriestess’s corruption, and more.

At the center of it all was Quellière.

Though her name became known later, it was undoubtedly her.

Having pinpointed her location, all that remained was to find her.

That’s why Sigina had come to Chelmberd.

“No, it’s not that. I already know~”

“Oh… really?”

“Yess~ She’s already gone~”

But apparently, the two had already left.

On a dragon, no less.

How was that even possible?

“…Ah, sigh~”

The flood of monsters was the work of the calamity.

Under the slogan of eradicating the enemies of the world, many priests and knights volunteered for the “Liberation Army,” which would join the Empire’s forces.

The Holy Knights and Radiant Knights would also be deployed.

Lucia, too, declared her intent to join as a chief priestess, and Sigina had no intention of staying behind.

As a gold-rank adventurer, she couldn’t miss out on the massive rewards for success.

“Must be disappointing. What’s that person’s name?”

“Oh, uh… that’s…”

And perhaps Quellière would also come.

Clearly opposing the calamity, there was no way she wouldn’t show up.

Sigina awkwardly avoided answering.

“Um, well, what was it~?”

“…What?”

“It’s a bit of a complicated name~ Haha…”

Revealing it carelessly would certainly cause a commotion.

The friend from not long ago had become an extraordinary figure.

“…?”

Lucia merely blinked in confusion.

*

As expected, the middle-aged man was Lord Kalein of Glenver.

He formally invited me as an honored guest of his castle.

Wishing for a conversation, I did not refuse and was escorted to the inner castle, receiving hospitality that felt almost burdensome.

The lord’s office.

Facing Kalein, five individuals, including Mishra, stood firmly behind me.

“…Hah.”

The oppressive aura and momentum were no joke.

The lord wiped his sweat with a handkerchief, smiling awkwardly.

“First of all, I deeply thank you for personally saving the city.”

“Not at all.”

“Ah, and… haha. Forgive me. It’s my first time in such a situation…”

It seemed the halo effect had worked wonders.

He was excessively polite to an almost strange degree.
It was terrifying.

What would he think if he learned I was just an ordinary Snow Maiden?

“Spare me the formalities.”

I cut through my doubts and spoke.

What I needed now was information.

“Tell me what you know about the current situation.”

“What I know, you mean? From where······.”

“From the beginning. In detail.”

“Ah······ yes.”

Kalein, pondering with rolling eyes, began to tell his story.

“The crisis currently facing the continent is called the ‘Monster Flood.'”

“Monster Flood?”

“Yes. It’s an anomaly. We don’t know what they truly are, so we call them monsters, but they surpass even great magical beasts.”

It seemed he was referring to the lesser gods.

Some circles apparently used the term “false gods.”

“They seem to have some mechanism targeting densely populated areas.”

The lord continued.

“Specifically, cultural hubs have been their primary targets. That’s why word has spread so quickly.”

“Of course. That’s typical of the lesser gods’ behavior.”

While there were exceptions, they generally targeted places with many people.

Kalein’s eyes widened.

“What? You know what they are?”

“Never mind that. Continue.”

“······Oh? Ah, yes. So, the most heavily invaded areas are strong nations like the Empire and the Holy Nation.”

He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly as he went on.

“They have the resources to handle it, but for small cities like Glenver, it’s a big problem.”

“Hmm.”

“It’s easy to become a target with our moderate population, but we lack the means to respond. If someone as noble as you hadn’t come, I don’t know what would have happened······.”

It was an obvious, almost obligatory statement.

But what he said next was different.

“I hear the southern city of Yulistia is in a similar situation. When I heard about it, my heart sank, and, as feared, monsters attacked soon after─”

“Wait. What?”

A familiar name.

My pupils wavered with a sense of déjà vu.

“What? I felt uneasy after hearing the news, and just as I feared, monsters─”

“Not that. Where?”

“······The southern city of Yulistia.”

I hadn’t misheard.

There was no way there could be another city with the same name, so it was definitely the city-state I knew.

I muttered absentmindedly.

“It hasn’t been that long since they were attacked by the Serpent God······.”

Though it was an event from a while ago, their fate seemed tragic.

Was the land cursed?

It felt oddly significant, though not entirely surprising.

“And······ oh, I almost forgot the most important fact.”

The next part was quite shocking.

With a grin as if bearing good news, Kalein spoke.

“There was an Imperial Council meeting in the Empire.”

“Imperial Council meeting?”

“Yes. At that gathering to discuss major issues of the Empire, the rightful Crown Prince proposed the conquest of the landfill.”

“······!”

My eyebrows twitched slightly.

My chest stirred uneasily.

I lost a bit of composure and asked in detail.

“Artan made that proposal?”

“Indeed. Crown Prince Artan Fricas proposed it, and it was approved by the gathered ministers and officials.”

“!”

“He’s truly achieved something great. The Emperor has sent letters to nations, so the Empire’s advance westward is now assured.”

It was one surprise after another.

My pupils dilated a little more.

Even as he chattered excitedly, Kalein seemed overjoyed.

“The source of this calamity is likely the Black Calamity. Until now, minimal peace had been maintained, allowing it to be ignored, but the situation has changed.”

“······.”

“With the chaos from the Monster Flood, they must have decided it was time to act. Other nations probably feel the same.”

I half-listened to his words, clenching my fist inwardly.

Artan, you rascal.

You’ve done something so commendable.

“Is that so.”

You’re proving your worth after I struggled to keep you alive as a key figure in the Four Seasons War.

This was unexpected good news.

Every individual was precious in the fight against this disaster.

“Thank you for sharing.”

“Pardon?”

I had gathered enough information.

It seemed like a good time to wrap things up, so I stood up.

“You’re leaving?”

“Yes. There’s still much to do.”

I had already decided on my next destination.

Turning my back, I walked toward the door, with my companions naturally following me.

Just before I exited, Kalein called out one last time.

“Your Excellency.”

His voice carried dignity and sincerity.

For someone who hadn’t seemed much like a lord, his high status suddenly felt apparent.

His tone was peculiar.

“Will the continent be safe?”

The earnest, almost princely question felt oddly pure.

Everyone’s attention focused on me.

“······.”

In truth, the fate of the continent rested on my shoulders.

The already formidable final boss had now gained divine power.

Conventional means wouldn’t suffice······ but still.

I placed my hand on my chest and contemplated.

Feeling the dormant “Apocalypse of Calamity” within me, I responded with a still-cold tone.

“It will be safe.”

Whatever happens, I’ll walk the path forward.