Chapter 18
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 18. Wise Life in the North
Three days after the Axe Festival ended.
Finally, I realized.
No, I admitted it.
Love at first sight, heart pounding at a fateful meeting, and a happy ending with a sweet confession──
That such things are stories only possible in comics.
Romance in reality. Especially in the situation I am placed in, a much more delicate approach was needed.
Not a sprint, but a marathon.
The point is, I shouldn't be hasty.
Lucia is still wary of me.
It is natural. Since I poured out all sorts of threatening remarks from the first meeting.
Of course, that wasn't my intention, but resultantly, my image imprinted in her brain would be close to a 'scary monster'.
Image improvement is needed.
Brand renewal.
Black Knight 2.0.
Since words don't work. Since the more I speak, the worse the situation gets.
So I decided.
Work silently. Devote sincerely. Protect by her side quietly.
A man who proves with actions rather than words.
Wouldn't that be the attitude of a true romanticist?
The morning of the North comes early.
Before dawn breaks, a time when darkness still lies heavily.
White breath rose as I exhaled.
"It’s an urgent report!"
A scout ran over in a hurry.
"A nest of 'Snowfield Widow Spiders' has been discovered near the outskirts village!"
Snowfield Widow Spider.
I've read about it in the original work. A representative pest of the North.
Size ranging from a large dog to a calf. 8 legs. 8 eyes too. Fur is shaggy.
Poisonous, strong reproductive power, and above all, gross.
Ranked 1st creature unsuitable for Romance Fantasy.
"Scale is at least dozens! It is estimated that there is a Queen individual too!"
There is a Queen individual. In other words, it means they are reproducing.
If left alone, they will multiply into hundreds, thousands.
'Can't have bugs infesting around the newlywed house.'
Of course, we are not newlyweds yet. Let alone marriage, we haven't even dated yet.
Anyway, creating a pleasant residential environment is the duty of the head of the household.
"I will go."
"We will follow too!"
Looking back, Brynjolf was standing with his war axe on his shoulder.
About ten Northern warriors were also already fully armed and waiting.
"Kuhaha! As expected of the Black Knight! Seems your blood is boiling from the morning!"
It’s not that my blood is boiling, but my sense of hygiene is thorough, you barbarians.
Outskirts of Frostgard, rocky canyon area.
White threads were woven between snow-covered rock crevices.
Gloomy.
Creatures crawling creepily between rock shadows.
Scritch. Scritch scratch.
The sound of tens, hundreds of legs scratching the snow.
Of course, it’s not a pleasant sound, but noise pollution inducing an impulse to bring a flamethrower and disinfect immediately.
Kieeeeeeek—!
One spider at the lead screamed cheerfully and pounced.
Body covered in white fur. Eight red eyes.
Size of a calf. Green venom was dripping from its jaws.
'What would happen if Lucia saw that.'
I imagined it.
She would probably scream.
Emerald eyes shaking with fear, pale face becoming paler, slender body trembling while hiding behind me.
'K-Knight-nim……! I’m scared……!'
Then I embrace her and say.
'Do not worry, Your Highness. I will protect you.'
……
……That appearance would surely be pretty too, but.
What I want to see is tears shed from happiness, not tears shed from fear.
Conclusion.
Annihilate these gross things.
Whoosh.
Swung the greatsword.
Swordsmanship? Technique?
Such things are not needed.
Do you calculate the angle when swinging a flyswatter?
Just force. Overwhelming mass and acceleration.
Puck—!
The spider's upper body scattered like a burst tomato.
Swish. Swish.
Swung once more to the left and right.
Three were disassembled in mid-air simultaneously.
The cross-sections were clean.
As expected, one must use good cleaning tools.
"Ohh! As expected of the Black Knight!"
Sounds of admiration from the warriors behind.
I don't care.
Swish. Swish. Swish.
Every time I swung the sword, green bodily fluids scattered.
Legs cut off, bodies ground, heads burst.
'……Came to clean, but getting dirtier.'
But it’s okay.
Once the pests are exterminated, the snow will cover it up on its own.
Because the snow of the North is kind.
It covers everything in white.
Screeeech!
A cry like a scream echoed.
Whether angry at the death of their comrades(?), spiders poured out from the ground in droves.
From rock crevices. From under the snow. From all directions.
Snowfield spiders reaching hundreds.
"Damn, what is all that!"
One warrior screamed.
'Many.'
Well, doesn't matter.
Since I just need to stomp them all to death anyway.
Numbers becoming fear is a story applicable only to the weak.
Just as a hundred ants gathering cannot defeat a human.
Hundreds of low-rank demonic beasts gathering cannot defeat me.
"All charge! Clear the path!"
Brynjolf shouted swinging his axe.
"Wooooooh—!"
Warriors cheered and rushed at the spider swarm.
No, you don't need to clear the path.
I can just catch them all.
Well, since they say they'll help, there is no reason to refuse.
Cooperation with neighbors is also the charm of country life.
I released the Aura of the Abyss.
Black energy rose from my body and spread in all directions.
For a moment, the spiders' movements stopped.
And.
Ran away.
Scuttle scuttle.
The bastards that were rushing aggressively just now started fleeing without looking back.
'……Is it animal instinct.'
Reaction when meeting a predator stronger than oneself.
But.
"Can't run away. I will dry your seeds."
I chased the fleeing bastards.
Every time the greatsword drew an arc, spiders were swept away.
Northern warriors also followed and fought, but honestly, I think I handled 80%.
No, 90%?
…Maybe 95%.
"Black Knight! Over there! It’s the Queen Spider!"
Brynjolf pointed to a rock crevice with his finger.
Kooooooo—
The ground shook.
A spider the size of a house revealed itself.
Twelve red eyes. Legs with shaggy hair were thicker than logs.
It is the Queen individual.
The culprit of this unhygienic environment.
Catching that one ends the cleaning.
Kyaaaaaak!
When the Queen opened her mouth, green mist spewed out.
"Dodge! It’s spider poison!"
Warriors freaked out and retreated.
The deadly poison of the Queen Spider. Acidic poison mist that rots skin just by touching.
But I didn't dodge.
Sizzle.
Poison poured over the armor.
Sensation of skin prickling slightly.
Feeling similar to body wash used when showering.
'Hm. This must be thanks to Ulfric too.'
With a rather refreshed feeling, I kicked off the ground and leaped.
Boom!
The snowfield caved in. My body reached 5 meters above the Queen Spider's head in an instant.
Her twelve eyes looked up at me.
Since she has many eyes, looking up seems cumbersome too.
Why did she attach so many eyes.
Inefficient. Failure of evolution.
"Cleaning finished."
Gravity. Body weight. And Aura.
Loading three things, fell vertically.
Puwuuuuk—!
The greatsword pierced the Queen's crown.
But didn't stop.
Crushed down as it was.
Piercing, splitting, tearing, to the end of the abdomen.
Crunch! Squish!
The Spider Queen's body split open to left and right.
Green intestines and bodily fluids soared like a fountain.
Sticky liquids splashing in all directions.
The snowfield was dyed like matcha shaved ice.
"……."
Landing.
Shook off the armor.
Looking around, the remnant spiders who witnessed the Queen's death were trembling like aspen leaves.
Shiver shiver shiver.
Since they have 8 legs, is the trembling 8 times more too?
I kindly chased after the fleeing ones and stepped on them one by one.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
"Clean."
It was a satisfying morning exercise.
Northern warriors approached panting. Their whole bodies were covered in spider fluids.
I should say good work.
'Ah, good work everyone. Thanks to everyone fighting bravely, it ended easily. Especially Elder Brynjolf, you suffered a lot at the front. Let's do it together next time too. It was fun being together today.'
"Exhausted at just this level. Weaklings."
"Kuhahaha!"
Brynjolf laughed uproariously.
"Listen everyone! He says we are weaklings!" "Right! In the Black Knight's eyes, we must look like newborn babies!" "It means we are still far off! Must become stronger!"
……Huh?
They aren't angry?
Northerners were rather nodding with sparkling eyes.
"As expected of a Great Warrior!" "Did what would take us a week in half a day!" "Kuhaha! I'm buying drinks today!"
Is this the mindset of Northerners?
Truly a convenient culture.
Hunting continued after that day too.
Monsters were overflowing in the North, and I went out cleaning every day.
'Steel Walrus' appeared on the coast.
"They say its tusks are harder than steel! Be careful!"
Interesting. Let's check personally.
Check result.
It was just a big tooth.
Grabbed it with bare hands and twisted, it snapped off.
Was steel this weak?
Or is my hand harder than steel?
Seems to be the latter.
Anyway, fang extraction complete. Feel like a dentist.
Herd of 'Frost Bears' in a cave.
Zzzzz.Grrrrrrr.
Sleeping winter sleep.
Peaceful scene.
Honestly didn't want to disturb.
Since waking a sleeping guy is against etiquette.
But.
"When they wake up from winter sleep, they will raid surrounding villages indiscriminately."
Eventually visited to protest because they snored too loudly.
After a physical conversation, they fell into eternal winter sleep.
Now the nearby villagers can sleep comfortably too.
Happy ending for everyone.
……Except the bears.
Of course, sometimes there were interrupters too.
"Move!"
A red ponytail crossed my vision.
Freya.
Sword Princess of the North.
My sister-in-law (future).
"That is my prey!"
She rushed at a herd of Horned Deer swinging twin swords.
Momentum is good.
Posture isn't bad either.
But.
Puck!
As expected, got rammed and flew away.
Freya flying drawing a parabola.
One step.
Snatched Freya's scruff.
Like catching a cat.
Freya, stopped in mid-air, widened her eyes roundly.
"…………."
Awkward silence.
Her face turned red.
"Ughhh… Don't interfere! I could have dodged alone!"
I saved her, but instead of saying thank you, she screams loudly.
But I don't bother to point it out.
Since an adolescent girl's pride is precious.
'Work hard, I'm cheering for you, it’s good to see you growing.'
"The sight of you struggling is worth watching."
"Hmph! Just wait! Someday I'll shut that snout of yours!"
My snout? Shut with what?
Freya gritted her teeth and huffed, swinging her sword again.
Like this, the bond with my sister-in-law was also deepening day by day.
Such peaceful days.
As expected of a RoFan.
Like that, one week, two weeks, a month.
The ecosystem around Frostgard regained stability rapidly.
Of course, from the monsters' perspective, it would have been a catastrophe.
My appearance is like a natural disaster to them.
Just as one doesn't hate a typhoon, I hope the monsters don't feel too wronged.
"It’s an honor to go hunting with Knight-nim!" "Heard he caught ten Frost Bears yesterday!" "No, twelve! I saw it myself!" "I will definitely follow next time too!"
Anyway, like that, before I knew it, I became a popular person in the North.
My reputation among Northern warriors was the best.
Accompanying the hunt itself began to be considered an honor.
Since Northerners worship the strong.
And even if I speak a bit roughly, they rather like it saying 'Magnanimous'.
Northern culture is truly convenient.
'Good. This much external cleaning is enough.'
Now I should care about the interior.
And now.
I looked inside through the gap of Lucia's office door.
"This part, we need to record the food ration amount. And supply priority…"
Lucia was buried in piles of documents.
Holding a pen with small hands, meticulously reviewing documents and giving instructions.
Old civil officials of the North are sweating profusely while writing down her instructions.
'Excellent.'
Responsibility carried on slender shoulders.
Dignity as a Princess.
Perfect.
As expected, my eye wasn't wrong.
'She will rule the Empire well later too.'
But.
Looking closely, under her eyes is a bit dark.
Even if her skin being pale is originally so, her lips have no color.
Is it because of the cold weather of the North?
Or excessive work stress?
Does the Northern food not suit her taste?
Meat, meat, potato, meat, alcohol, meat.
The Northern diet is generally like that.
It might be a bit rough for her who ate delicate cuisine in the Imperial Palace.
'Worried.'
The role of the head of the household is not only removing external threats.
Taking care of the family's health is also important.
Health food. Right, health food is best when tired.
Samgyetang. Bosintang. Galbitang.
……There are no such things, but.
There is something similar.
I looked down at the sack on my shoulder.
It contains 'Special Grade Ingredients' caught early this morning.
'Good. It’s a surprise.'
I opened the door.
Knock? That is for others to do.
What formality between us.
Bang.
"Wh-Who…!"
Lucia was surprised and lifted her head.
"B-Black Knight nim…! Y-You came…?"
As soon as she saw me, her shoulders flinched and jumped up.
That appearance like a frightened rabbit.
Cute today too. Stimulates protective instinct.
I walked in clomp clomp and put down the heavy sack I was carrying on her desk.
Thump!
"Wh-What is this…?"
Lucia's pupils shook.
I untied the sack's opening.
Slither.
Contents poured out.
Internal core of the Snowfield Queen Spider. Bundles of spider webs sticky with mucus. And a few spider legs brought as a bonus.
Surely the original work said it tastes like crab.
Snowfield Spider Full Course.
If converted to money, it is a gift worth hundreds of gold coins.
"H-Hiiiiiiek?!"
Lucia bolted up from her chair.
Tried to hide under the desk, but perhaps due to Princess's face, barely stopped.
'Your Highness looked tired these days so I brought it. If you make health food with this and eat, you will gain energy. Work is good but Lucia-nim's health is priority above all.'
"It’s late breakfast."
Uh oh… I definitely intended to give a sweet and affectionate comment?
"It-It’s still alive! It’s moving!"
Lucia shouted tearfully.
Pointed at the spider leg with her finger.
Wiggle. Wiggle.
Certainly moving.
"Because it’s fresh."
"Freshness isn't the problem! Why put this on the desk…! Please clear it away over there!"
Clear it away, she says.
'……Hm. Doesn't like it?'
As expected, even if it's a Queen individual, a spider is a spider?
Seems it was insufficient for the Princess's taste.
Good.
"Understood. Tomorrow I will catch a bigger one."
"Hiek!?"
Lucia's face turned deathly pale.
"N-No! I like this! I like it very much! Thank you!"
She hurriedly grabbed the spider leg with both hands.
"……I really like it. Yes. It’s the best."
Tears welling in eyes.
Spider leg wriggling in hands.
After that day, a bizarre collection began to pile up in a corner of Lucia's office.
Tusk of Steel Walrus. Heart of Frost Bear. Horn of Horned Deer.
Besides that, magic stones, leather, teeth……
All top grade. Didn't even think of bringing low-grade goods from the start.
Always carefully selecting only the biggest, rarest, and most expensive parts to deliver.
"Ah, aah… Th-Thank you……"
Lucia never refused a gift.
I even witnessed her ordering servants to move them very preciously to the warehouse after I left.
'As expected, sincerity works.'
Romance is devotion. Effort. Time.
And above all, consistency.
'Since Lucia says thank you every time, she must definitely like it.'
Love and Devotion.
This is my answer.
If I build up favorability step by step like this, someday the day to see the light will come.
'What shall I catch today.'
Glacier Worm. Frost Scorpion. Blizzard Eagle.
There are still many monsters not caught in the snowfield.
Choices are infinite.
"Hiek!"
Seemed to hear a pitiful scream from somewhere, but surely it was the sound of the wind.