Chapter 127

“This should keep me from freezing to death.”

After several days of work, Thorvar had prepared a way to stay warm and sleep in the same room as Asies.

First, he insulated the walls and floor and installed temperature-regulating stones that emit heat as they detect cold in various corners. He also included a sleeping bag he constructed.

Only after all this was the cold barrier possible. Of course, it wasn’t perfect. A chill still seeped in, similar to the feeling of sleeping in a tent with a sleeping bag in the dead of winter.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I can sleep well.”

“Is that really the extent of your desire to sleep beside her?”

“What a silly question.”

In the emotionally charged dawn, the intimacy of sharing a room and talking quietly together does wonders for bond-building.

“Why do you look at it that way?”

“To think someone like her is a slave to a guy like you. The gods must be dead.”

No, it would be disappointing to receive such treatment after all the dedication I’ve given for my slave. Regardless, I am the one ensuring the life of my daughter.

Perhaps realizing this too late, Thorvar awkwardly changed the subject.

“More than that, living like this for a lifetime is not a sustainable way to go on. It’s at a level where normal daily life is impossible.”

“That’s true.”

“So I have thought of something…”

At that comment, my ears perked up.

If Thorvar is proposing something for Asies at this timing, I can guess it is just one thing.

“How about creating a magical tool to control the cold?”

Just as I thought.

It would be the production of a magical tool, the first major event for Asies’ liberation.

This is an event that occurs when Thorvar’s favorability towards me increases by crafting accessories. Missing this would mean that complete liberation for Asies would slip away.

However, there is a necessary condition which I cannot mention first, so I pretended not to know and said, “Of course, I welcome it. If such a thing exists, why didn’t you make it sooner?”

“You dim-witted brat. It just suddenly came to mind while I was thinking of methods. Besides, I can’t make it right now; I don’t have the essential materials.”

“What material do you need?”

“It’s Lazurite. A gemstone that contains the cold of the frozen soil.”

Lazurite, a gemstone containing the cold of the frozen soil. As the saying goes, “like cures like,” an accessory crafted from Lazurite would suppress Asies’ coldness.

With that, there would be no need to pretend to keep warm inside the room like now.

“However, it is an extremely rare gemstone. It’s elusive and hard to find.”

In the original story, one would have to scour a lot to find the gemstone, but there’s no need for that. I know exactly where it is.

“I believe I’ve heard of Lazurite. I think the Northguard of Isgangar possess it.”

“How do you know that in such detail?”

“I’m a merchant. To survive in this business, one has to have at least this level of information.”

Thorvar shot a skeptical look at me, but it didn’t last long. After all, he had no choice but to trust me, as he had no information about Lazurite.

“Then the discussion can proceed swiftly. Go to Isgangar and bring back Lazurite. After that, I’ll somehow manage to control the princess’s cold.”

“Understood.”

“When will you depart?”

“I’ll go right away.”

There’s no reason to hesitate.

The sooner, the better.

“I don’t recommend just the two of you going. The Northerners, especially the Northguard, are inherently savage and hostile to outsiders, so it’d be good to bring a Dwarf along. They’ll be quite helpful.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

While Asies alone is sufficient with brute strength, having someone dependable on our side is never a disadvantage.

Back in the game, I had gone with one Meister and a few subordinate Dwarves. I could take Rocksar since I won the drinking contest just yesterday, but it feels too precious to use the wish right now.

“I need to find someone suitable to take…”

“Me! I’ll go with you!”

Perhaps eavesdropping on our conversation, Perka burst in dramatically.

“Aren’t you all busy? So I’ll volunteer! If it’s me, I can perfectly support Carami and Sister!”

“Don’t talk nonsense, Perka. Why would you think you can go there?”

“What’s wrong with that? I can take care of myself!”

“Is there any need to show a Dwarf’s weaknesses to Northerners? Stop talking nonsense and stay home quietly. I’ll find someone else to take.”

Ignoring Perka entirely, Thorvar brushed her off. Perka frowned and shook her trembling fist.

“My father is always like this! Whenever I want to do something, he tells me to just stay home! You won’t let me do anything! I’m a person, not some accessory you’ve made!”

“How dare you speak so boldly…!”

Furrowing his brows, Perka shoved Thorvar and stormed off, slamming the door behind her with a bang.

“Ha, I wonder whom she takes after.”

Thorvar sighed heavily, shaking his head while watching her retreating figure. Asies, unfamiliar with the raised voices, tilted her head at me.

“It’s a typical father-daughter relationship.”

Although their family is slightly peculiar. I know the details, but for now, Asies is the priority.

Moreover, Perka is no longer my slave; I don’t have any reason to intervene.

They’ll figure it out themselves, I suppose.

A few days later, Thorvar introduced someone to accompany us to Isgangar.

“Hey, skinny! You’re going to Isgangar again, huh?”

The warhammer-wielding Hargran.

It’s this guy again.

“Of all the people, why you again?”

“I hear it’s about getting involved with the Northguard? There’s no one better than me for that. I know those bastards too well.”

Why are Dwarfs always so long-tongued?

The guy who expressed disgust at going to wake Asies now voluntarily wants to go again. The reason is obvious.

Hargran’s gaze shifts to Asies. He kneels as if he were her knight and bows respectfully.

“Princess. Just trust me. I, Hargran, will ensure that no one lays a finger on you.”

As he attempts to kiss Asies’ hand, ice frost clings to the tips of Hargran’s fingers that gently grasp her hand.

“Whoa!”

Hargran quickly retracts his hand.

He rubs his hands together to generate heat and melt the ice.

“Ha, ha, ha… Princess, your hand is quite cold.”

What a spectacle he’s making.

And who will protect whom here?

This guy is probably several times stronger than you.

Yet, honestly, Hargran is the optimal choice. Having someone sturdy on our side can’t hurt.

When such a reckless individual is on the opposing team, it’s chaotic, but when they’re on our team, it’s reassuring.

Thus, we headed towards Isgangar with Hargran and a few Dwarfs.

***

Our destination is Isgangar.

Among them, the Northguard has established their stronghold in a gorge called Lake Fortress.

The North is fraught with terrifying beasts prowling in packs, which is why they’ve settled in the gorge, known as the Fortress of Eternal Ice.

We crossed the snowfield with luggage and sleds loaded onto the Frostbeasts, creatures with traits of wolves and horses.

When I went to find Asies last time, I rode one briefly. If it were an ordinary horse, it would have been impossible to move through the extreme blizzard, but since the Frostbeasts are beasts…

They have magical abilities, and the difference in power compared to ordinary horses is enormous.

Of course, as we approached a lair, the Frostbeasts sensed the aura of dragons and became frightened, so we had to walk behind them this time, but it wasn’t like that now.

There was no need to dismount. Thanks to that, our movement speed was significantly increased, but the problem was, inevitably, it was extremely cold.

As we ran against the blizzard, several times colder winds poured over our entire bodies.

“Ugh…”

“Is that another whine?”

Hargran, teasing me again.

What whining? At this rate, I’m going to end up frozen before we arrive.

It was freezing, even though I was bundled up like a bear when going to pick up Asies.

A Dwarf, generating warmth from his body, only needs a thick layer, while Asies, being cold incarnate, wore a shorts dress that fully exposed her legs and seemed unaffected.

I was the only one shivering in the frigid cold. I clasped the temperature-regulating stone in my hands, but it didn’t have much effect.

Asies tilted her head at me.

“Cold…?”

“Ha, haha… It’s just a bit chilly because of the wind. Ah, you don’t have to worry, it’s definitely not because of you, Asies.”

“Wind…”

Asies gazed up at the sky.

Her blue and white hair wildly danced in the harsh winds.

Asies’ hand gently lifted.

It felt like the moment when winter holds its breath in stillness.

The white snowfield stopped breathing, following her graceful gesture.

As if a delicate sound echoed out, clear ice walls rose up, appearing on both sides.

The blizzard howled as it was pushed outside the walls.

“What the hell is this?!”

The raised ice walls met above and formed an arch overhead. An ice tunnel, as if carved by the breath of winter, was created.

The wind continued to rage outside the tunnel.

It was like a battlefield of fierce snowflakes.

Yet, the walls of ice held serenity.

Inside the tunnel, it was chillingly quiet.

“W-what is this…?”

Startled, the Dwarfs looked around until they spotted Asies. In the middle of the snowfield, Asies stood with a massive ice tunnel constructed around her, still wearing an expressionless face.

“The wind… is gone now.”

Asies said flatly.

‘Wow~ I never expected Asies would make an ice tunnel for me.’

A wave of emotion washed over me.

Being a Master is rewarding.

This is why you keep a slave.

***

At the house left behind by Carami and Asies.

Since their departure, Perka had also closed herself up in her room and hadn’t come out.

It seems she’s quite sulky this time, as the absence has stretched on for a while.

However, no matter how discontent she might be, as a father, wouldn’t it be wrong to let his daughter go hungry? Thorvar knocked on Perka’s room door.

“Come out and eat. How long are you going to act like this?”

“…”

“Perka.”

No response from Perka.

Even so, she’s not the type to skip out on meals.

Suddenly, a dark thought crossed Thorvar’s mind, and he felt uneasy.

“I’m coming in.”

With a little push, the locking mechanism broke, and the door swung open.

Inside, Perka was nowhere to be found.

The room was in shambles, as if she had hastily packed her things.

And on the desk lay a single letter.

– I’ve gone out.

Thorvar grasped his neck in shock.