The Ice Witch (1)
It had been a day since we arrived in the city... or was it two?
I remembered that the first night, we hadn't let go of each other once until dawn. After that, we'd drifted in and out of sleep, both wanting more, so my sense of time had gotten all fuzzy.
This morning felt so hazy I couldn't tell if it was the morning after one day or two. My mind was a wreck. I was utterly spent.
This feeling of having my energy completely sucked out hasn't happened since Ferio.
At least there were no side effects from Agnes's potion this time, which was a relief. My body just felt a bit feverish.
Maybe I hadn't noticed, but she insisted it wasn't anything like the agonizing pain from before.
"Ugh... you're already up?"
My whole body still felt heavy with sleep, but Ashu was already dressed neatly in her priestess robes, sipping tea.
She looked especially radiant today, her complexion glowing. Her mood seemed great too.
"Please rest more. I have to head out first for my scheduled visits. I'll probably see you this afternoon..."
From the way she was beating around the bush, it sounded like she wanted to meet outside.
"Guess we'll meet for lunch outside, then."
It was a predictable flirtation met with a predictable response, but playing along like this had its own fun.
Ashu set down her teacup and came over to where I was perched on the bed, giving me a kiss.
Compared to last night, it was chaste and brief. It left a lingering savor, like the perfect umami.
As if to make up for it, she pulled back with the faintest smile.
"Thanks to you, Kirgil, I'm looking forward to tomorrow's sun. And the day after... even today's noonday sun."
Because of me, Ashu's faith was overflowing. Kalderan's customer service strategy was meticulously brilliant.
Ashu had meetings at the cathedral with various dignitaries. There was a commemorative event with the mayor and the academy president in attendance.
I figured that's why we'd come to the city—to time it with this event.
"I wish you could come with me, Kirgil, but it's a rather formal occasion, so I can't just bring you along suddenly. Next time, I'll make sure to introduce you properly. Just listing your exploits should get approval easily."
She was basically submitting my debut paperwork for high society.
I'd mentioned building a reputation going forward, and she was executing it with frightening speed and thoroughness.
Ashu's initiative was seriously scary.
After Ashu headed to work, I finally dragged myself up and had a meal to recover my strength.
She must have noticed how early she'd risen and how drained I was, because a ton of food had been ordered as room service—heavy on the protein. I wasn't sure I'd have room for lunch at this rate.
I stretched out my body and did some personal training, since I hadn't properly swung my sword around lately.
The inn had a courtyard, perfect for quietly practicing with weapons. Surprisingly, there was even a training dummy.
Once I got into it, I realized how much I'd been relying on my magic sword lately.
I'd gotten so used to chanting the activation words and slicing through with slash slash that I'd nearly forgotten the feel of normal cuts and thrusts.
When Ferio taught me longsword techniques, it wasn't just about powerful slashes or quick, precise stabs.
She drilled me mercilessly on how to thrust without getting hit, how to pin down an enemy and slice while they couldn't move. By the end, it felt like I was wielding a sword in judo or wrestling.
Shtai, the adventurer, on the other hand, taught me about landing decisive blows and creating perfect openings. It was practical combat for fighting monsters alongside adventuring companions.
To sum up the difference simply:
Ferio was about cunningly toppling an enemy so they couldn't counter and finishing with a sword strike. Shtai was about putting every ounce of power into an axe swing that would hurt even if blocked.
The reason I was suddenly drilling swordsmanship like this was my ability. Thanks to Happy Moment, I could stop time, clearly observe enemy attacks, judge, and analyze.
Normally, these skills come from brutal training, internalized into reflexes. But I could watch, think, and apply them consciously.
Anyone who's trained in martial arts knows how insane that is.
If I used it right, I could strike or thrust with full power without getting hit. I figured I could blend both styles effectively.
After swinging my sword and spear until breakfast felt like it'd sunk to my feet, the sun was high overhead.
Kalderan cathedral's major events were timed for noon, when the sun blazed strongest, so I washed off the sweat and hurried to get ready.
There'd be important people around Ashu, so I should look as sharp as possible. She'd already prepared everything.
The clothes hanging in the living room—I'd wondered whose they were, but they were for me.
Considering my personality, they weren't flashy: comfortable, clean, and practical. Like a casual suit. I just added Killgent's Oath and my ever-sharpened hunting dagger for self-defense.
By the time I reached the cathedral area, crowds of various races were thronging the streets.
Today marked the anniversary of the Kalderan cathedral's founding in the city, and the priests offered healing to anyone as a way to spread Kalderan's grace.
Ashu's talk about the miracle in Prosek—and officially healing a shadowkin—had everyone buzzing.
The event had turned into a festival atmosphere. Riding the wave, priests were even treating shadowkin, goblins, orcs—races usually seen as hostile.
I didn't know about other cities, but in a multi-species hub like this, it made sense.
Some humans were shocked just that prayer could heal other races.
This city was full of culture shock for ordinary humans from this world.
We hadn't set a specific meeting spot. Wherever I was, she'd find me.
Thanks to the Connection Ring, her stalker level was maxed.
With the crowds surging like this, where should I wait?
More worrying: would Ashu even slip away from such a massive healing event without people noticing?
If she didn't show, we'd meet back at the inn anyway. But she'd miss me more than I her.
I found a restaurant with fewer people, tipped extra, and snagged a quiet second-floor room by the window.
Gazing out at the street scene full of diverse races was entertaining.
"Sorry I'm late. Whew..."
She was breathing hard from rushing. Behind her, I spotted other priests and knights.
Guess she didn't have time to refuse a personal escort here.
Ashu told the cathedral staff she was meeting an important guest and directed them to eat elsewhere.
Finally, just the two of us.
"I wanted to tell you not to push yourself."
"It's not pushing. I wanted to."
Instead of sitting opposite, she slid in beside me and leaned her head on my shoulder.
Was this her version of recharging her "someone" levels?
More importantly, if she was busy, we should eat quick! Eat!
Ashu shared the reactions after she'd introduced me at the gathering.
The mayor was thrilled about Katona's death and said a hero who took him down was always welcome. Apparently, Katona had been a huge headache here.
The academy president was away on business. The acting vice president already knew my name, showed keen interest, and asked where I was—he wanted to meet right away.
"Then can't we go see him now with you?"
"That would turn our cathedral event into a political schmooze-fest with all the VIPs. Better to just introduce today and visit individually starting tomorrow."
"Ugh, all these procedures give me a headache. I'll leave it to you, Ashu."
She flashed a grin, radiating confidence and a hint of slyness.
Everything she'd planned long ago was falling into place perfectly. Time to tug that smug face of hers.
"Ack—!"
I let go when she tried to speak. Since she was busy, I'd cut her some slack.
"Vice President Parania is eager to meet you, so she's first on the list. She's incredibly proactive and decisive.
Her personality is... unique. You might need to brace yourself."
If Ashu—who had the strongest initiative of anyone I knew—called someone decisive, it wasn't just quirky; it sounded threatening.
In less than an hour, she'd recharged plenty.
Ashu rose, refreshed from her personal recovery time amid healing others. Her eyes hinted she'd visit again tonight, so we made plans.
I saw her off first, then finished her leftovers to kill time.
I also enjoyed the street view from the window. With so many races, it never got boring.
After eating, I'd check out the city's shops.
The shopping district was my treasure dungeon. Using the Status Window, I might spot another gem like Killgent's Oath.
Oh, and I need to write that letter too.
With tasks popping into mind, lounging felt wasteful, so I left the restaurant.
Right as I stepped out—
"That's right!! You must be Kirgil!!"
A haughty female voice calling my name made me turn instinctively. Before I could even see who it was, my vision went dark.
Someone else had rushed up and thrown a black hood over my head from behind.
"I've been waiting for you to show up!! I've wanted to capture you for so long!
To give her a lesson she won't forget.
I can already hardly wait!! Ohohohohoho!!"
"......"
Time to let the voice's owner know.
You've messed with the wrong person.