Chapter 123

I’ve awakened Asies and completed the slave contract.

As always, we need to establish a base of operations and develop the story around it.

Naturally, Asies’ case revolves around Doomheim.

It would be wise to secure lodgings in an appropriate place in Doomheim.

There’s no need for modesty now—I’m rich. Running a cat café has been quite profitable, and when I freed Lin, I skillfully extracted quite a bit of value from the situation. I currently have thousands of gold coins readily available.

Though blacksmiths are abundant, there’s no harm in building our own home if needed, though the upkeep would be bothersome.

“Since Asies needs to interact with others continuously…”

For that reason, the place I’ve chosen is none other than Thorvar’s home. Plus, it includes Perka, a female of a similar age, making it an excellent arrangement.

“Stop with the ridiculous talk and get lost.”

Of course, Thorvar wasn’t about to agree so easily.

“Are you suggesting that we leave the princess to sleep on the street?”

“Are the other Meisters inviting her into their homes something you’re unaware of? Pick any house; they are all the same anyway.”

“I’ve refused them all. Since I get easily embarrassed, unfamiliar people make me uncomfortable.”

At this, Thorvar gave me a look akin to “Who gets embarrassed?” Truth be told, if I were to take an MBTI test, my ‘I’ score would hit 98%. Thus, my days are spent holed up in a corner playing games until I’m summoned to this world.

“Are you asking Perka to live with a slave merchant?”

“She’s a savior. Moreover, this arrangement benefits you as well.”

“What exactly about it?”

“Asies is a princess—the highest status a woman can hold. No one can match her femininity. Wouldn’t Perka be inspired spending time with her?”

Thorvar’s eyes lit up at this.

“Wow… Is sister really a princess?”

“Princess…?”

“Isn’t she pale and beautiful? I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as her.”

Our gazes turned to the source of girl-talk. Asies sat demurely while Perka showed an unwavering interest. As promised, Perka has been freed.

Perka’s eyes glimmered with longing as they rested on Asies.

Thorvar, who was troubled by Perka’s constant companionship with servants, might see her change under Asies’ influence, alleviating his concerns.

Thorvar’s pupils trembled as his resolve wavered. With one more word, this would be over.

“We’ll provide for her lodging and meals. If you need help with any quests, we’d be happy to assist. You know how capable I am, don’t you?”

“…”

Thorvar struggled as tempting conditions were laid out before him. It was only a matter of time before he relented.

“There’s only one spare room in my house.”

“That’s fine. We’ll be sharing it anyway. We just need two beds and for the room to be kept warm.”

With Asies’ constant frost presence, sleeping in the same room might be dangerous—one could freeze to death while asleep.

“If you treat your slave however you wish, that’s your business, but remember this is my house. The moment I hear anything strange, she’s out.”

“Haha, don’t worry. I’m a kind slave trader who would never harm a slave.”

“Pfft…”

Thus, we secured accommodations without much fuss.

***

“Wow… It’s like a walking statue of a goddess.”

“Hey, why are you staring so intently?”

“Huh? Oh, I just thought it was curious to see a Human here in Doomheim…”

“A walking statue of a goddess, you say. If this woman is a goddess, what does that make me?”

“Hmm…”

“Hmm? Hmm hmm hmm? Why can’t you answer?”

The man reached into his pouch strapped to his waist and pulled out a chisel and a hammer.

“You’re an uncarved block. But you have the potential to become something beautiful. Would you allow me to sculpt you?”

“Whoa, this guy has the weirdest ideas. Fine. Let’s split. Have fun staring at your goddess. Enjoy.”

“Huh, you’re right?”

The man turned his head back towards Asies.

“Hey! Are you really looking after telling me not to?”

That’s the third couple Asies has broken up today.

A roaming couple breaker—Asies’ new nickname.

I’ve traveled with a Witch, an Elf, and even a Gumiho before, but this takes the cake.

Every single person turns to look as Asies and I stroll through the streets of Doomheim.

“Well, she did capture a Dragon, after all.”

A beauty so captivating it entranced even the strongest species, the Dragon—it’s unfair to ask ordinary men not to stare.

Of course, if I were them, I’d contain myself.

Prove me wrong if you can.

“What about this place?”

“…?”

“Isn’t it crowded here with people bustling around? And it’s warm because of the large forge?”

“Warm…?”

Asies tilted her head in confusion.

“What is ‘warm’?”

“Hmm, what is warmth…?”

That’s right.

Being perpetually cold, Asies has no concept of warmth.

“Is it like the feeling of morning sunlight on your skin after the night has passed? The melting of hard-frozen winter soil as it becomes moist in preparation for spring could also be considered warmth.”

“The snow… melts?”

“Ah…”

An odd sensation, like drifting through endless space.

It was fundamentally incorrect.

“Wow, she’s even worse up close.”

I was aware of Asies’ innocence and knew how it came to be.

Though only the initiated would know, the inspiration for Asies’ storyline comes from *Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs*.

Asies playing Snow White, and the Seven Masters filling the roles of the seven dwarfs. The Dragon, Scadi, as the wicked stepmother, rounding out the tale.

When Scadi questioned the magic mirror, “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” the answer was Asies.

Asies is officially recognized in this world as the most beautiful woman in the universe.

Such beauty is enough to bewitch even a Dragon. Dragons harbor a habit of collecting beautiful, shiny objects for their lairs.

Think of her as the Dragon version of Ropermong, the collector we met in Noctar while pursuing Arfia’s story.

To the Dragon, the most beautiful woman in the world, Asies, was also an object for collection. Consequently, the ice dragon Scadi kidnapped Asies and hid her deep in her lair.

This plan worked well until Scadi faced a grave problem.

As time passed, people would age and lose their beauty. This truth was doubly harsh for Asies, who hailed from the frail Human race.

Like a certain movie star who dates only women under 25.

Or communities discussing the “ruin” of females upon reaching puberty.

Or those proclaiming that the “ideal woman” must be perfectly youthful.

Scadi belonged to the same group. The thought of Asies losing her beauty was unbearable.

Thus Scadi decided to use her magic to encase Asies’ beauty within a crystal, freezing it in time indefinitely.

Her body was sealed so it would not age.

Her emotions were sealed so she wouldn’t feel yearnings or heartbreak.

Her thoughts were sealed so she wouldn’t deeply ponder the injustices of her situation.

And time was sealed so eternity could extend forever.

With all her aspects completely locked, Asies became nothing more than an attractive mannequin. This was the Asies who had once been admired during every opening of the Glitter Ball in her home realm.

“Phew, what a pity.”

“?!”

To speak so disrespectfully to this lovely yet pitiable young woman. Out of sympathy, I absentmindedly patted her head.

Her hair was soft and cool to the touch, providing quite a pleasant sensation.

Touching a woman’s hair is usually a grave taboo, especially by a man she just met. Yet, Asies sat there motionlessly.

Her head moved as my hand guided it.

‘Feels relaxed.’

Since she doesn’t know right from wrong, there was no resistance.

The challenge now was how to awaken a sense of warmth in this living Dry Ice.

‘Should I plunge her hands into hot water?’

It wouldn’t work. She’d likely freeze the water before it could touch her.

There are many ways to feel warmth, and with effort, we’d find one that resonates.

Before withdrawing my hand, I roughly ruffled her hair.

“Let’s go. There are still many places I haven’t visited yet, so I’m eager to explore more.”

Walking ahead, I noticed Asies standing still, her hand touching her head.

“Warmth…?”

In response, I slightly inhaled and exhaled, letting a smile slip through.

“So, you could also say this is a form of warmth.”

***

Doomheim’s nights are special.

Artificial glowing stones adorn the ceiling, illuminating the city that receives neither sunlight, moonlight, nor starlight in a warm golden hue, making it as bright as day.

While the glowing stones serve well during active hours, darkness is essential even in an underground city.

The color of the glowing stones changes in accordance with external time, shifting from a clear sky blue to a deep indigo, eventually darkening into the violet of a starless night.

The flow of heat from Magma’s heart is cut off, blocking the veins of thermal energy, and blacksmiths close their forges, returning home.

The darkest hour of Doomheim’s 24-hour cycle has arrived.

On the second floor of Thorvar’s residence,

Asies lies alone in the bed of the room obtained by Carami. Meanwhile, Carami sleeps curled up on the sofa downstairs.

If it were Mirabel, or even one of the other狐, or Lin, a simple hug would suffice, but not with Asies. If we touched too closely, the cold Asies emits might freeze Carami solid.

This will continue until a new, more insulated bed can be crafted and preparations made for the cold.

“…”

Asies gazes out the window.

Asies doesn’t think about anything.

Neither about why she’s here, nor about what events shaped her past.

There’s no burning urge for revenge against Scadi, the instigator of her predicament. Frozen like an ice sculpture, all emotions are halted.

A flower that doesn’t know spring will remain a seed trapped in the frozen ground, never reaching its potential to bloom.

But there’s something Asies has begun to feel, something external.

The sensation of Carami’s hand gently patting her head was unfamiliar.

Asies may have called it ‘warmth’, but it wasn’t warmth. Her senses are so frozen that even fire wouldn’t register.

What she felt wasn’t warmth but the sensation itself, the touch of the hand.

How to describe it?

How to describe…

How to describe…?

“…”

What could that touch be called?

There are many things Asies, bound by countless seals, cannot express. Her eyelids flickered momentarily before returning to their original state.

It was just a fleeting moment.

“…?”

What was that brief sensation just now?

Asies couldn’t recognize it as irritation born from discomfort.

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