Chapter 558
Chapter 558
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 558
Chapter Title: The Little Match Girl
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"Exactly one week."
After much deliberation, that's what I answered.
"I'll spend just that much time and go there once. If it doesn't work out, I'll drop it right there and call it quits."
Winter was quite long.
Since it's a season when you can't really do proper work anyway, it's better to get things done when you can.
So if it doesn't pan out, I'll quit.
But it still feels doable, so I'll give it a shot.
To achieve my ambition of wealth and glory, now's the time to move.
Saintess Cardia is like the big sister backing me up. So the only way is to handle her request perfectly and rack up points. If I solve something unexpected and come back, won't she adore me even more?
"No way! Darky, you'll freeze to death! We found traces already! Just write up a rough report and wrap it up! Stay home and play with me!"
"Yeah, same here! I can't let my husband suffer in this freezing weather! Shut up and stay home with me! The guild closes even on weekdays when it snows heavy!"
Once I shared my intentions, Winia and Karin came at me, thrusting out their ample bosoms, yelling. Man, temptations like this melt my resolve.
"Huh? Darky, wanna stay home and play with me?"
"Karin doesn't want to be apart from her husband!"
"Good grief."
With both of them acting all cutesy, it was fatally charming. But they can't break my ironclad stubbornness.
"Winia, sis. But this is a request from the Saintess. We'll be seeing her face all the time in the capital, so we gotta handle her tasks perfectly ahead of time to earn trust. To live well later, we need to prepare steadily from now."
"No, fuck, Karin doesn't wanna be apart from her husband? Don't you love sis? If not, I'll kill you."
Whoa, this sis of mine.
"Of course I fucking love you. But sis, come on? I really wanna go. I'll come back and spoil you rotten, so just this once?"
I slipped my hand into Karin's panties and squeezed her ass hard. Her waist arched as a moan escaped her.
"H-Hey...! W-Who said you could grope sis's ass while begging, you bastard...!"
"I'll be back quick. Come on, sis."
I wiggled my fingers a bit, teasing her cute slit, and her body started trembling hard.
"H-Hah... F-Fine, who can stop our husband's stubbornness. Yeah, a real man needs that fire... Go on then. But don't get hurt. And keep your promise when you return."
"Heh heh heh, obviously."
Karin seemed convinced.
This sis can't refuse strong requests either. I don't wanna force it, but this job's important for our future.
"Darky, you're really going? Even when I'm telling you not to?"
"I-I obviously wanna do what Winia says too... right, Winia?"
Winia, on the other hand, looked pretty pissed. I mean, of course I wanna do what Winia says too...
"But hear me out, this is important for our future...! Argh! Don't be mad, Winia! Just one week! I'll drop it after that! Please, Winia, say yes!"
"Darky, you...!"
"Winia, my queen!"
I hugged Winia's waist as she was about to get angry, rubbing my face against her belly. Immediate action is the only way to break her guard!
Her breasts pressing on my head right now was a surprise, though.
"Winia, Catt's begging this hard. Come on?"
"No, sis?"
Claudy came over as I kept stroking Winia's waist.
"...I'm worried too, but if he wants it this badly, I can't hold him back. It'd just torment him... My honest feeling is to let him do what he wants freely."
"L-Lisha sis too..."
Then Lisha approached, knelt down to my eye level as I nuzzled Winia's belly, and spoke.
"I trust you. I believe you'll do well, but if things don't go as planned, just give up as promised then."
"Lisha..."
Thus, Claudy and Lisha convinced Winia.
"...Sigh."
Winia watched and let out a deep sigh.
"Fine, I'll go with you."
She reached out and hugged my head. Wait, with me?
"I can't let Darky go alone."
"W-Winia? It'll be cold! I'll go by myself!"
"Even if I freeze to death, I'll freeze with Darky."
"Ah!"
Her astonishingly sweet words melted my heart instantly.
I didn't want to make Winia suffer in winter since she struggles with it. I just wanted to call Hilde, handle it with her, and return.
Anyway, tomorrow Winia would come along. Honestly, no worries then. She's a seasoned mage.
"Catt, one week. I believe you'll do great since it's your own task."
"Claudy..."
With the decision made, Claudy spoke up.
"I wanna go too... but it's too cold. One day is fine, but longer would be tough. My physical abilities drop for real. Can't have that."
"Like always, don't worry and wait."
I conveyed my intent right away.
"I'll solve it and come back this time too. Gotta handle the Saintess's task right."
In the end, we reconciled opinions, hugged our wives passionately all night, then rose early morning, prepared, and set off.
Crossing the snow mountains was no different, so we needed gear. We stopped at a general store, bought everything needed, and packed our backpacks like military gear.
I don't fear the cold much to begin with. Prince of Snow Removal Kim Catt shoveled snow throughout military service.
Snow mountains and snow are no match for me.
"Ah, fuck. Darky, I'm so cold."
Winia was the concern.
"Winia... Sorry. Making you suffer because of my stubbornness."
"I chose to come. I get you wanna impress the Saintess."
"Thanks!"
Her understanding shot my mood sky-high. With this vibe, no problem working my ass off.
Better to dress light while moving. Add extra coats from the pack when resting. Luckily, good weather today.
Snow piled up, but not brutally cold. Winia and I, properly dressed, exited the gates.
"Hildegaard appears! Hmm? No Lady Claudy today?"
When fewer people around, I summoned Hildegaard. She looked warm in the clothes I bought her.
"Yeah. Long search today. Claudy's an elf, weak to cold."
"Hmm... Got it. Same route as always?"
"Up to the middle."
"Then let's go. Lady Winia, give me that bag. I'll carry it."
"No need. I'll handle it."
"Hee hee hee, don't be like that. I'm fine, okay?"
"..."
Hildegaard smoothly took the bag from Winia and slung it over her shoulder. Her friendly nature means no reservations even with Winia.
Thus, we headed north like the past few days.
"Darky, those guys came south from Todens Barony, right?"
"Yeah, as far as I know. That's what Saintess Cardia's report said."
"Lemme see the map quick."
I handed it right over.
"We'll camp and move steadily, so minimum this far per day. And if they're heading south... probably this way? Let's plot the route here."
Winia checked the map, marked distances and spots, set direction. She's the best at this anyway. Battle-tested smart mage.
Since we're doing it, time to plan the march properly.
"Winia rocks!"
"Lady Winia, so cool!"
"Hey, you two... Let's go. No time to waste."
Snow mountain march like before. My superhuman stamina's a given, flying Hildegaard no issue.
Mage Winia has double the endurance of normals too. She's a survivor who rolled in the dirt.
We ate midway, pushed hard, and reached new territory. We'd done day trips before, never this far.
"New path from here. Darky, camp now? Snowfield, better set up early."
"Bad spot here? Let's go a bit further for a good one."
"Okay."
We descended the ridge, found a path. Any valleys nearby? Weather's not freezing water solid. Good chance to head there.
Found a spot and camped immediately. Trees around, perfect for tents.
Leveled ground, laid mats, broke branches, pitched tents. Brought all supplies.
"Wow, Sir Catt! Sleeping in this tonight? Can I join?"
Hildegaard peeked inside first and gushed.
"It'll be cold? Return to your place?"
"That uses a bit of mana surprisingly."
Then summoning her repeatedly is inefficient. But still, sharing a tent with an outsider girl...
"Lady Winia, can I sleep together? We're comrades today!"
"This is ridiculous. No."
"I can use a spell to warm just around me. It'll be cozier. And I won't do anything worrisome, promise? Please?"
"Ugh..."
Winia reluctantly nodded. That small warming spell swayed her. Me too, obviously. More heaters in a tent the better. Anyway, we entered after lighting a fire for dinner and heating flat stones.
After eating, brushed teeth with brought powder and melted snow water, simple wash-up.
Then tossed heated stones in and entered.
A bit cramped for three, but warmer than outside.
"Woo hoo! Sir Catt! I love this! Heart pounding! Dreaming to sleep with you!"
Hildegaard, first in, squealed happily.
"Hey, quiet. Winia's here."
"Hee hee hee, Lady Winia, you're so cute and pretty up close. Huge boobs too. Absolutely gorgeous."
"What're you complimenting... Darky, shut this succubus up."
By Winia's call, lay order: Hilde, Winia, me. Hilde kept pestering Winia nonstop.
Well, can't sleep right away with three. Winia snuggled into my blanket, acting cutesy. Hilde chattered endlessly.
Thus, we spent the night appropriately in the tent.
We crossed the snow mountains for days like that, camping in tents. Directions all per Winia. Checked likely spots, but nothing on Hilde's radar.
While traveling like that.
"Sir Catt...! Something's there!"
"Deja vu!!"
Far in, we finally detected something. Winia couldn't hide her joy either.
But detecting meant battle prep.
I switched from joy to battle mode instantly, following Hilde to the source.
"...Sir Catt, Lady Winia, down there."
That something was spotted a bit far, down below.
—Grooooaaarrr!!
"Kyaaaaaaa!!!"
We dropped flat, crawled slowly, peeked out to witness the insane scene below.
—Grrraaaawww!!
"Grahhhhaaack!!!!"
Down there, a battle raged.
"Guwaaaack!!!"
But not ordinary.
—Rooaaarrr!!
Dozens of sasquatches roared maniacally, rampaging wildly. Even more black-clad people wielded weapons, using eerie purple magic, fighting the sasquatches.
Fiercely intense battle.
Black-clad flew through air, sasquatches knelt or fled under relentless assaults.
We held our breath, watching the spectacle.