Chapter 309

Now that I have a solid goal, all that’s left is to prepare. I got right to it without any delay.

Frozen, located at the very top of the North, is renowned for having the coldest weather in the world.

But it’s not like some ridiculous chill of the Arctic or Antarctic – think more along the lines of Russia.

In simpler terms, it’s your typical northern setting you’d find in a novel. But the people from the North share a trait with the Tartars – they were once barbarians.

As ages passed and they were absorbed into the Matra Empire, they gained the rank of principality.

“Are there any characteristics unique to Northern folk? Are most like Professor Sara, all stoic?”

“Most tend to have less of a sense of humor and are quite patient. Also, many have hair that’s a striking icy blue.”

Northerners are traditionally great at fire or ice magic. It’s a bit contradictory, but there’s a reason for that.

First off, their proficiency in ice magic comes from natural causes. The blue color of their hair is said to be because they absorb energy from the cold.

As for fire magic, it’s just accumulated know-how for ‘survival’. Not that it’s just magic, they are just brutally strong.

“Frozen Principality is known for its abundant resources. Its ancestors realized this and used it as a bargaining chip. It has become a very important nation now.”

“Resources? What kind of resources?”

“There are plenty of mountains like Olympus. So, you can find just about every type of mineral.”

Alongside that, there are strong monsters in abundance. Especially monsters residing in Olympus that can be compared to those deep in the Chaos Forest.

Depending on the circumstances, it might even be worse because at least the Chaos Forest doesn’t have blizzards or avalanches.

However, Olympus has entities that can artificially trigger avalanches. If you let your guard down, you’ll be history.

“Sivar, are you really going to climb Olympus?”

“I am.”

“Are there no other ways…?”

Rize stopped mid-sentence. Even she agreed that there weren’t any good options.

Not just her, but I felt the same. It’s dubious whether an herb from legends even exists, and if it does, whether it’ll be useful.

Currently, Rod’s soul and memory were gradually regressing into the past. It’s not like you can just back up memories like a computer.

‘I have no choice. I absolutely have to do this.’

I felt like I wanted to grab onto anything, even if it was a straw. I couldn’t just sit around hoping for a miracle.

Someone once said that gods don’t hand out miracles directly but provide opportunities to create them.

For now, doing what I could was the best option. That steeled my resolve.

“Sivar, if you’re really going, I can help. But you have to master one skill before you go.”

“What skill?”

“Olympus is a snow-covered, perennial snow mountain. So, there’s bound to be a significant amount of snow. Especially since it’s winter now, it’ll be even worse. You need to learn a technique to walk over the snow comfortably.”

I quickly picked up what Rize was trying to teach. It wasn’t quite light-footedness, more like practical know-how.

It would be more convenient to buy special snow shoes, but who knows how long they would last. They could end up wasting time.

Plus, they would come in handy when visiting Tartar later. Traversing a desert might have you sinking into the sand.

“How many days will it take?”

“Three days should be enough.”

“Got it. Let’s get started.”

Preparing thoroughly is definitely better than just winging it. Randomly heading out could just waste time.

“Then I’ll go look for clothes suitable for climbing.”

“I’ll research herbs further. There might be other kinds we can find.”

My acquaintances were supporting me vigorously. Everyone united with the same purpose of breaking Rod’s curse.

Among them, I was the most desperate. The more time passed, the more I felt anxious, but I stubbornly suppressed it.

“But are you going alone? You should at least take someone with you.”

Luna expressed her concerns while preparations were underway. It was a valid worry, so all eyes turned to me.

Honestly, I wanted to go with someone else. But the ‘environment’ of Olympus was brutally harsh.

It’s like the Earth’s Everest. It wasn’t the Amazon – just plain mountaineering and people were dying left and right.

Even after advancements in technology, one moment of carelessness could cost you your life. And here, it’s worse.

“I’ll go alone. It’s too dangerous.”

“Hmm… and what about the Saint? Won’t she come with you?”

“I have to stay and take care of Rod. I need to find a way to delay the curse.”

Rize would be able to help, but she had to stay here to nurse Rod.

As time goes on, Rod’s memory will keep regressing into the past, possibly back to before he became a dean.

If that happens, the current state of Rod would surely come into question. The only one who can prevent that is Rize.

I had to force Rod to stay in the room. If it came to it, I’d have to subdue him.

“Now, putting preparations aside, what about the way to get there? Isn’t Frozen not too far from here?”

“It’s not too far at all. Just head northwest from the Vatican.”

“Even so, it sounds like it’ll take days by carriage…”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

Coming back would be the issue; getting there isn’t hard. There are already two people who can manipulate space like clay.

Before long, slashing or breaking through space, we should arrive at Frozen in no time. Isn’t that a problem?

“As long as you can mess with space, you’ll be given the treatment of a VIP wherever you go. It’s fine to ignore it.”

“Uh… is that really okay?”

“What can they do? They’ll have to crawl on the ground.”

As Grace said, I guess crawling is the way to go. Might makes right, regardless of time or place.

Of course, both Rize and Rod are decent people, so they’d rather pass through properly. Given the circumstances, it can’t be helped.

Three days later, I received support from everyone around me.

“Here’s a storage bag. It’s best to keep Sehon Ice Grass and ice together. I read in a book that if the temperature is high, it’ll melt like snow.”

“Thanks.”

I also picked up knowledge about herbs along the way. It was information I had no clue about.

Since Olympus is a perennial snow mountain, ice would be lying all around. If I got lucky, I might find some that doesn’t melt.

Extreme environments like volcanoes or snowy mountains tend to have elementals showing up. And if you defeat those elementals, you can obtain their essences.

If I pack those essences together, I should be able to gather enough. What’s most important is finding that Sehon Ice Grass.

“Looks like we’re all set now. Let’s get going, Rod?”

“I don’t really understand what’s going on, but… okay.”

Rod, who’s lost his memory, took Rize’s request somewhat blankly. His sword moved gracefully as he slashed through the air.

By the way, his sword is the Usuk Blade. The sword he used was destroyed in a battle against False.

Maybe that’s why he asked me about his sword every day since. And always seemed to suspect me.

‘Why does he suspect me…?’

I guess I must have caused a lot of trouble. Even if he lost his memory, it seems he still clearly remembers my existence.

It was a mix of reassuring and worrying feelings, knowing that Rod might not remember me as time goes on.

-Whiip!

As space was sliced away, a whole new scenery unfurled before my eyes. I took a moment to assess my state before entering.

Wearing a fur hat and gloves that covered my whole head. I heard they were made from bear skin.

Just like Rod had said before, carrying a shotgun, I looked just like a hunter.

‘At least it’s warm.’

I couldn’t help but wonder how long these clothes would last. They’d probably end up tattered the moment I had to fight.

Plus, I had to think about hygiene. No matter how cold it is, I’d been warned I should at least wash every week or two.

Honestly, I don’t even know if I’ll have time to wash. I was thinking of just ignoring everything and focusing solely on finding the Sehon Ice Grass.

-Whiip!

While cutting through space once was enough for Byzantine, with Frozen, it was much further.

So, I moved by cutting through space two or more times. Each time I moved, I could feel the weather growing colder.

-Whooosh!

Finally, I arrived at Frozen, where the snow was lightly swirling. It was all white around, probably because it’s a winter country.

Facing me was a massive mountain, towering up so high that even looking to the very top felt impossible: a gigantic perennial snow mountain.

Famous throughout the world as the highest mountain, Olympus. Might this feeling be similar to witnessing Everest firsthand?

I had to stake everything on climbing that mountain and the uncertain possibility it held.

“Sivar, we’ll be heading off now.”

“Be careful.”

As I stood there blankly gazing up at the mountain, Rize and Rod, who had followed me, turned to head back.

Or rather, they were on the verge of returning. I snapped out of my daze and called out to Rod.

“Um… Grandfather.”

“Huh? You talking about me?”

“·····”

Calling him ‘Grandfather’ made Rod’s eyes widen in surprise. His reaction tugged at my heartstrings.

We had made a promise to call each other by comfortable titles. I had completely forgotten that promise. The curse had progressed too fast.

But I couldn’t let that worry show. I forced down the crumbling heart and quietly said,

“······Stay healthy.”

“Will you be alright? Make sure to return safe.”

Rod waved his hand with a nonchalant smile. I waved back in return.

In the end, Rod and Rize fully returned. The space they had sliced through restored itself.

I looked at the spot they’d departed from with mixed feelings, then turned my head back.

The Olympus that stood steadfast like it could pierce the sky entered my view.

“Sigh…”

With a heavy heart, I took my first step. I staked everything on a slim chance.

Could I truly manifest the miracle I yearned for? It started to feel like fear rather than just worry.

‘I must. I absolutely must.’

Regaining my resolve, I set my sights on Olympus.

“No way, damn it.”

And as soon as I reached the entrance of Olympus, I couldn’t help but curse vehemently.

Olympus wasn’t just a mountain.

“There are… several mountains?”

It was a ‘mountain range.’

*****

About a month had passed since the monster attack at the Academy.

While there hadn’t been any major casualties, it could have spiraled into a huge issue.

Naturally, countries began to clash due to this problem. It was already a tense situation between them.

Even if it didn’t serve as a valid justification, they had enough reason to bicker or sabotage each other.

Of course, amidst such a scenario, there were a few countries that remained free. One prominent example being Frozen.

Frozen was rich in resources yet infamous for the brutal cold that lasts all year.

Also, since it was a nation founded by once barbaric tribes, it’s well-known alongside Tartar as a warrior race.

Recently, strange rumors started circulating around Frozen.

[A new monster has appeared in Olympus.]

[Monsters residing in Olympus have been descending more frequently after losing food competition.]

Changes had occurred in Olympus, the largest mountain and mountain range.

No matter how harsh the environment, life finds a way. Even in colder climates, environments like forests persist.

If you were to equate it to Earth, think of Siberia. The weather may be cold, but the forests are still thriving.

The problem is, mountains are practically the lifeline for Frozen. Minerals are found in mines, and those mines are located in the mountains.

If there’s an issue with the mountains, then it’s immediate investigation time to figure out why. The emergence of a new monster could not be overlooked.

[The monarch of Frozen has dispatched an investigation team…]

[Eyewitnesses are unanimous in saying: the new monster shows no interest in humans.]

[The type of monster is assumed to be humanoid, wielding what appears to be an axe…]

[Witnesses describe it as being covered entirely in snowy white fur. It’s believed to be an previously undocumented creature.]

While it hadn’t directly harmed people, the emergence of a new predator has influenced the area significantly.

A prime example being the monsters that previously thrived in the mountains have now come down. Most of them were trembling in ‘fear’.

[The new monster has been named ‘Yeti’. Avoid provoking it at all costs.]

[Where did this monster come from? What impact will it have on mining?]

While Frozen was in a state of panic over the appearance of a powerful monster,

“… Where the heck am I?”

The culprit remained blissfully unaware, endlessly climbing the mountain.

---