Chapter 34
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 34. The Rabbit Dies
Let's discuss the means of transportation called dog sled.
Dog. Sled.
Doesn't the combination of words alone reach a lethal dose of romance already?
Loyal dogs running on the snowfield.
White breath they exhale. Sense of speed rushing while scattering snow. And communion with the human riding behind.
Usually, one would imagine such an image.
But this place is a Dark Fantasy wearing the mask of Romance Fantasy, and I am the Black Knight.
Therefore, the dog sled I ride is also a bit different.
"Let’s go."
Bark! Bark bark! Grrr!
The answer was thunderous.
8 massive huskies, demonic dogs called 'Cloud Feet' in Northern terms, kicked off the snowfield simultaneously.
These guys are dogs only in name; their size is like calves and their teeth crush bones of other demonic beasts.
Originally, they are guys who should bite the neck instead of wagging tails when seeing humans.
But thanks to my excellent taming skill (Strength SS) and affinity (Intimidation S), the guys came to acknowledge me as the pack leader.
Sometimes when they look at me, they avoid eye contact and flip their bellies showing expressions saying 'Please just spare my life', but that can be interpreted as an expression of submission and trust.
Originally dogs show their bellies to the leader. Like Lucia.
Tatadadadadak!
I only held the reins lightly, but the huskies started sprinting simultaneously.
Indeed famous dogs. Reading intentions just by the owner's fingertips.
Screeeech-!
Sled blades scratched the ice letting out a sharp scream.
A slightly modified version of the dog sled Lucia introduced for supply.
Frame reinforced with steel, blades plated with black iron. Spikes attached to the collision angle, and auxiliary wings attached to left and right for balance.
Resultantly closer to an ancient chariot than a sled.
……Lucia's tearful face saying 'Where did the supply sled go?' came to mind for a moment and was erased.
Why modified this much?
Because it’s cool.
Because it’s a man's romance.
And because the place I am heading to now is not a peaceful promenade.
Far away, an ice barrier soaring as if to pierce the sky is seen.
Ice Wall of Lamentation.
The northern end where humans can go in this Romance Fantasy worldview, and the boundary line dividing unknown territory and civilization.
According to original settings, beyond there teem ancient demonic beasts, remnants of forgotten civilizations, and plot devices that will destroy the world.
Northern Grand Duke Valter Grombalt.
He, who was the guardian of the North, went to investigate beyond that ice wall and went missing.
Search party annihilated too.
No one returned alive.
Usually in this situation, 'Let's live harmoniously among ourselves' would be the correct answer, but I am a romantic Black Knight.
Rescuing the heroine's family, or at least confirming their end is the duty.
Until now there was no leisure. Because there was physically no time dealing with monsters all over the North alone.
But the situation changed.
Hero of the Holy Sword Leona joined. Thanks to her remaining in Frostgard, I feel relieved even if I empty my spot.
Freya is getting stronger day by day too.
And above all, thanks to Lucia's administrative system, supply and public order stabilized.
Search for Grand Duke Valter. Can't delay anymore.
Shoooooong──
Sled slid on the snowfield.
Snow powder rose like mist from under the huskies' feet.
It was then.
Kieeeeeeek-!
Strange scream was heard over the snow-covered hill.
Thump, thump, thump.
Simultaneously, something jumped up onto the white snowfield.
One, two, three… ten… twenty… too many to count.
White, fluffy, long-eared creatures.
'Rabbits?'
On their crowns, spiral twisted vicious horns the length of a finger were sprouting.
Combat Horned Rabbit.
Naming sense is truly intuitive.
Combatting, horned, rabbit.
But shouldn't underestimate because they are cute. These guys are like piranhas of the North.
Moving in groups, using hind leg jumping power to fly like bullets and embed horns.
Intelligence aiming for armor gaps, and cruelty stepping on comrades' corpses to jump.
What is scary above all is tenacity. Cut one and ten rush, sweep ten and twenty pop out digging the ground. Don't care whether a comrade is cut in two in front of eyes or not.
Hidden powerhouse of the Northern ecosystem that even Frost Bears run away from.
Their red eyes captured me and the huskies.
Kiek!
With a signal, the rabbit swarm jumped simultaneously.
Narrowing the encirclement bouncing zigzag on the snowfield.
"Dinner side dishes walked in on their own feet."
Wound the sled reins tightly on the left hand.
Summoned black greatsword in the right hand.
Wooooong-
Heavy weight transmitted to palm.
"Break through."
As soon as the order was given, fur of Husky Unit 1 to Unit 8 stood on end.
Awooooooo!
Acceleration.
Sled shot forward as if bouncing off.
Towards the center of the rabbit swarm.
Head-on collision.
Whish.
I swung the greatsword horizontally.
Total sum of kinetic energy combining sled speed, my arm's rotational force, and huskies' traction force.
Puck!
Rabbits at the front disintegrated in mid-air.
Before blood spray scattered, the sled already passed that spot.
Rabbits kept popping out from inside the snow.
Surprise attack aiming for blind spots.
But unfortunately for them, I have no blind spots.
Pulled reins roughly.
Screeeeech──!!
Huskies turned direction urgently. Sled slid by centrifugal force drawing a fan shape.
Drift.
Drift on the snowfield!
Swaaack-!
"Slow."
From top to bottom, from left to right.
Every time black trajectory remained in the air, rabbits fell thud thud.
Cutting flying rabbits matching timing.
Not breaking combo, matching tempo.
Pleasure like playing a rhythm game.
Kiaaaaak!
Whether angry at comrades' death, or just appetite.
Remaining rabbits reorganized formation and rushed from the front simultaneously.
Wave attack.
Strategy to push with quantity and overturn the sled itself.
Smart guys for rabbits. Want to praise them.
But the premise of the strategy was wrong.
What you are facing is not an ordinary knight.
Black Knight whose stats are deformedly concentrated on one side, unbecoming of RoFan.
"Move. Busy way to go."
Aura wave mixed in my voice stretched forward.
Movement of rushing rabbits paused momentarily.
That moment gap is enough.
Without letting go of reins, I lifted the greatsword over head and drew diagonally down.
Abyssal Aura Deployment.
Shoooooong-
Black wave shot in half-moon shape.
Kwaaaang!
Aura exploded.
Snow and ice, and Horned Rabbit fragments soared mixed together.
Dog sled leisurely passed through the aftermath of explosion.
3 minutes.
Time taken from encounter to annihilation.
Huskies decelerated slowly.
Pant. Pant pant!
"Useful. Should keep you alive today."
Whine whine.
Guys rubbed against each other rejoicing.
Wait.
Since possessing this world, was there an existence who liked it this much listening to my words?
……Somehow feel like crying.
Stopped the sled and collected loot.
Combat Horned Rabbit meat has little fat and is rich in protein. Since it holds magic power, consuming it is good for stamina recovery too.
Perfect ingredient for Lucia. Seemed stamina waned due to overwork these days, she would like it if I make stew with this. Shall I make steak with breast meat?
I am a frugal housekeeper Black Knight.
Loaded loot full behind the sled. Weight increased but no problem with 8 huskies' power.
Tried to grab reins again, gaze stayed at a distant place.
Ice Wall of Lamentation.
Looking close, that intimidation was greater.
And energy flowing from that gap.
Certainly concentration of Abyss is thick.
Something is beyond the ice wall.
Identity of 'Anomaly' Grand Duke Valter tried to investigate.
Reason why monsters proliferate abnormally is there.
Impulse to break through right now rose, but endured.
Still premature.
Information insufficient, preparation insufficient too.
Above all, promised Lucia 'Will return before dinner'.
Man who breaks promises is not attractive.
"Today up to here."
Reconnaissance is successful.
Checked boundary of danger zone, grasped monster distribution too. Secured top-grade ingredients as bonus.
This is excellent profit.
I got on the sled again.
Cold wind seeped into helmet gap, but heart was warm.
That there is a place to return.
That there is someone waiting.
And that there is meat to feed that person.
Happiness is not far away.
It is inside Rabbit Stew.
Shook reins vigorously.
Huskies started running towards Frostgard again.
Hallway heading to the dining room.
Lucia's steps were heavy.
Because the Black Knight is always in the dining room.
Black Knight. Lucia's Knight-nim.
And… North's worst bizarre food chef.
What will come out today again.
Last week Braised Spider Legs came out. That scene of legs escaping out of pot still appears in dreams.
Before that was Stir-fried Frost Bear. Muscle chunks floating on blood-colored soup. Taste was good. So more scary.
Purple jelly, unidentified tentacles, cocktail with eyeball embedded.
To die, or to live.
Or eat and die, or not eat and die.
In short.
Black Knight's table was Russian Roulette.
Winning probability is about 30% by feeling.
If win normal food. If lose nightmare visual.
And what is scary is taste is good either way.
Lucia stopped in front of the dining room door and resolved.
'Today must protect Princess's dignity! Whatever comes endure scream. Today absolutely no 'Hiek'!'
Solidified resolution and opened door.
Creak.
Hinge sound echoed exceptionally loudly.
And.
"Hiiiek!"
Resolution broke in 0.3 seconds.
Lucia's gaze reached inside the dining room.
There, Black Knight was wearing an apron.
Apron.
Massive body over 2 meters. Black armor. Red glint under helmet.
Ladle and spatula. Plus apron there.
Visual dissonance caused overload in cognitive function.
Sniff sniff.
"Huh?"
Fortunately savory smell awakened brain.
Smell of meat cooking. Herb scent. Deep broth smell boiled from bones for long time.
'Did I win?'
But still not lowering guard. Might be reassured by visual being normal then 'Actually this was Troll Soup~!' comes out.
There is a precedent. Suffered 2 weeks ago.
Lucia stepped inside carefully.
Banquet was already set on table.
Appetizer. Wild vegetables placed on thinly sliced red raw meat. Color is clean.
Soup. Milky white broth. Steam rising mura mura. No eyeballs floating or tentacles writhing either.
Main. Steak. Breast meat coated with herb crust. Cross-section cooked perfectly pink.
Yellow sauce. Unidentified but color is normal. Sufficiently relieved just by not being purple.
Dessert. Pate and rye bread.
'Survived.'
Honestly speaking, a banquet not falling behind Imperial Chef's banquet dishes.
'Good. Today survived.'
Goddess, thank you. Although Empire ruined, father missing, and I kidnapped, at least tonight can have a human-like meal.
Meal prayer complete.
Sat in seat.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Freya was already seated. Holding forks in both hands banging table. Attitude having never heard word table manners in life.
Opposite is Leona. Posture is straight. Maintaining distance hand reaches sword even sitting on chair. Not losing combat readiness even during meal seems to be Hero's habit. Or because of stress of having to sit at same table as Black Knight.
"What is today's ingredient?"
Question asked every time, regretted every time. But knowing and eating was better for mental health than eating without knowing. Can at least prepare heart.
"Combat Horned Rabbit! Black Knight caught a swarm near Ice Wall today! Said it’s Horned Rabbit season!"
"Rabbit…?"
Lucia's hand stopped.
Rabbit.
Moment those two syllables stuck in brain, auto-play started.
Round eyes. Fluffy fur.
Appearance tearing grass moving small nose twitch twitch.
Silhouette jumping hop hop with short hind legs.
That lovely figure pricking ears and tilting head.
Of course Combat Horned Rabbit is different from normal rabbit.
Knows with head.
But moment hearing word 'Rabbit', Lucia's emotional circuit ignored logic circuit and output image on its own.
Fluffy. Round. Hop hop.
'……Following doggy, rabbit too? These barbarians!'
While Lucia was in agony, Leona already ate half the steak.
"Mm… well cooked."
Hero Leona always thinks strategically.
Meal is no exception. Is nutrition high. Is magic power replenished. Does it help maintain combat power. If these three criteria met, it passes.
"……Ate rabbit?"
Leona hearing Lucia's words turned head.
"Why? What’s the problem?"
"……Cute."
"Combat Horned Rabbit is cute?"
Leona looked at Lucia holding fork.
Expression genuinely not understanding.
"Didn't see what that guy brought earlier right? Horns forearm size and blood on teeth. Their staple isn't grass. Carnivorous. Monster tearing meat is cute?"
"St, Still… Rabbit is rabbit…"
"Lucia."
Leona pointed at steak with fork.
Calm voice.
"Cows have big eyes and are gentle too."
"……."
"Pigs are smarter than thought too."
"……."
"Sheep are fluffy. Chickens are cute when chicks too."
"……."
"Those are okay but rabbit is not?"
Lucia was speechless.
Logically Leona's words were perfectly correct.
No room for refutation. Eating beef and pork casually, but rabbit alone not allowed is emotional argument. Area of emotion not reason.
"That is… so…"
"Combat Horned Rabbit is precious delicacy in North! Eating this is good for skin too! Sister has dark circles these days. Eat this and become pale?"
Freya joined in too.
"……Not skin problem."
"Ah, and magic power replenishment too! Energy comes! Become strong against cold too!"
"Not that either……"
"Tasty too!"
"Taste is……"
Lucia's gaze shook.
Turned gaze to direction she was ignoring.
Black Knight.
Red glint under helmet was staring at Lucia's plate.
Precisely observing situation where Lucia is holding fork and not eating.
"Hiiiiiiek!"
Lucia's shoulders shrank reflexively.
No words. Not a single word.
But that silence is heavier than words.
'Why not eat?'
Red glint was saying so.
'Caught hard. Cooked with sincerity. Put herbs you like too. Prepared honey sauce separately too. Why. Not eat.'
Sweat flowed down Lucia's spine.
What happens if not eat?
Force to eat?
'Daring to refuse dish I put sincerity in. Ungrateful thing.'
This much is rather relief.
But if.
'Should I feed directly?'
If this direction?
'No no no no.'
Princess's dignity becomes dust. No, becomes something less than dust.
Sweat on spine became waterfall.
'Sorry, Rabbit. Will remember your cuteness forever. But my survival is a little more important.'
Lifted fork.
Stabbed steak.
Felt slight elasticity when fork pierced flesh. Resilience unique to well-cooked meat.
Put in mouth.
……Delicious.
Chewy meat texture chewed elastically between teeth. Herb crust scent spread full in mouth. Umami of meat itself explodes more chewed. Meat having such various tastes. Whether because meat imbued with magic power, or Black Knight's recipe is extraordinary.
Nom nom nom.
One more bite.
Delicious.
Resentful but.
Too too too delicious.
Scooped soup too.
Moment milky white broth touched inside mouth, deep and savory flavor wrapped tongue. Heavy umami unique to long-boiled bones. Warm energy spread inside body just by drinking. Felt like blood circulation returning to stiff fingers suffered from documents all day.
One more spoon.
Cannot stop.
After soup, appetizer raw meat. After eating raw meat, dipped steak in side sauce.
'……Why. Why delicious every time!'
Delicious even when visual was terrible.
Delicious even when ingredients unknown.
And even more delicious when normal dish like now.
Black Knight's cooking skill was growing. At first level 'Just cook right?', gradually became sophisticated. Learned herb usage, mastered sauce consistency control, started caring about plating too.
Growth curve is scary.
Lucia bit a mouthful of bread.
Savory. Rough texture of rye bread and soft flavor of pate harmonize perfectly.
'……Perhaps.'
Lucia thought chewing.
'Am I already tamed.'
Taste. Stomach. Palate.
'A body once tamed cannot return to before.'
Words Black Knight said suddenly came to mind.
Did those words mean this.
Taming with food.
Seizing stomach to make unable to run away?
Step 1 of conquest strategy was meal?
"Sister, delicious right?"
"……Normal."
"Sister eating third bowl now."
Leona put down fork quietly, took out notebook and noted.
"Hate to admit. Guy has good cooking skill."
Lucia and Leona's eyes met.
Emerald and Cobalt.
Didn't speak, but could know thinking same thing.
'Why does Black Knight cook well?'
Table four people sat around.
Black Knight crossed arms and watched girls' figures.
Red glint seems to have somewhat satisfied light, or maybe not.
Anyway today too Lucia Von Astellia survived.