Chapter 57

Chapter 57. Demon of the Snowfield**

*Kukuung─!*

The last Yeti's neck fell.

Leona evaporated the black blood on the Holy Sword and looked around the center of the altar.

The remnants of the battlefield were gruesome.

The corpses of seven Yetis were sprawled everywhere.

Remnants of pink and blue thorn vines covered the floor, the altar stone was cracked, and the pillars were half-broken.

And.

*'Missed her.'*

Snow White was gone.

Leona's brow narrowed.

Only then did she discover that Snow White had disappeared.

She had a bitter taste in her mouth.

But there is no leeway to chase right now.

So Leona turned her gaze to the witch collapsed on the floor instead of the fleeing witch.

Witch Eris.

Witch of the Cult. One who handles the power of the Abyss.

Small and petite.

A nape that looks like it would break if grasped with one hand.

It is questionable where such immense magic power is contained in this small body.

'…….'

This girl is a witch.

An executive of a terrorist organization that threw the Empire into chaos and drove countless people to their deaths.

She is fainted right now, but if she wakes up, she becomes the enemy of humanity again.

*'I am a Hero.'*

To cut down evil, purify the Abyss, and bring light to the world.

That is the reason for existence granted to Hero Leona.

It is clean if purified like this.

Rational, efficient, and most correct.

Leona approached Eris.

The tip of the sword aimed at Eris.

"What, are you doing."

Lucia blocked Leona's front while embracing Eris.

"Move. This is a Hero's job."

"No."

"She's a witch. Affiliated with the Cult. The very person who kidnapped you. She kidnapped you, deceived you, and used you. She confessed with her own mouth."

"I know."

"You know what happens if you leave an existence using Abyss magic power alive, don't you."

"I know that too."

Knows everything. Knows everything but doesn't move.

"……This child protected me."

Lucia's hand swept Eris's hair back.

"You know. You saw it too. This child taking the magic instead in front of me."

"That could be a disguise. A calculation to make the enemy let their guard down──"

"No. It's not calculation. Who puts their life on the line with calculation? If a witch, if a villain, she should have just run away. When Snow White targeted me, she would have just left me alone."

Leona bit her lip.

*'Someone risking their life with calculation? There is. Many. Especially those following the Evil God.'*

She wanted to refute.

Logically, rationally, utilizing the professionalism of the Hero job.

But.

*'……Damn it.'*

Past memories flashed through Leona's mind too.

The time spent fighting alongside Eris.

The 15-meter pink thorn vine pillar that soared from beneath her feet to support her when she was falling unable to reach the eagles in the sky.

The pink thorn vines that suppressed the blue vines to prevent regeneration when facing the endlessly regenerating Yeti legion today.

The extremely human, extremely pathetic appearance bickering hanging on her back saying this is the safest place.

"Pudding… thirty… stamp on… contract……"

And the word witch simply did not match that twitching pink-haired kid over there.

Leona's hand trembled minutely.

"Haa."

The Holy Sword lowered.

"I'll pretend I didn't see it this time."

Tension released from Lucia's shoulders.

"Thank you——"

"No need to say thanks. If that guy wakes up ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠again and shows hostile action, then I will cut her down without mercy. Thorn vines and twintails and all."

"Yeah. Thank you, Leona."

"I said don't say thanks."

*'A Hero sparing a witch. I'm really something.'*

Perhaps she is a much softer Hero than she thought.

"So."

Leona crossed her arms.

"What are you going to do, with this kid."

Eris's condition was serious. The chill of the Abyss was continuing to spread from the penetration point of the Frost Beam. The speed at which her skin was turning bluish was getting faster and faster.

"Can't you purify only the chill with the Holy Sword?"

"Even if I try to purify it with my holy power, that guy is a witch. Since she harbors Abyss magic power, she'll just be purified along with it."

Injecting the Holy Sword's light into a witch's body? That's not treatment, it's execution.

"If it's Knight-nim, there might be a way."

Leona's eyes narrowed.

"If it's Knight-nim…… he might be able to do something."

"……Do you trust that monster that much?"

Lucia shook her head.

"It's not about trusting…… just, he's that kind of person."

That kind of person.

Not words of trust, but 'because he's that kind of person'.

*'……I saw it too.'*

Leona also recalled.

A monster spouting crazy talk whenever he opens his mouth, but.

The power that monster possessed has always been used to protect something.

Leona let out a long sigh.

If there is a possibility of saving Eris in this situation right now.

"Right. If it's the Black Knight."

Eventually, Leona admitted it too.

"Then it's decided."

Leona reached out a hand towards Eris.

"I'll carry this guy for now. You look like you're struggling just to walk alone."

"Ah, yeah……."

Leona made the conclusion.

Lucia carefully handed Eris over to Leona.

Leona picked Eris's body up swiftly.

*'Light.'*

She was much lighter than she looked. A lightness that seemed like only skin and bones. Eating pudding like that every day, where did all the fat go.

*Kugugugung──!*

It was then.

The floor shook.

Stone dust poured from the ceiling. Cracks formed on the pillars. The floor began to split.

*Kururururung―!*

A boulder fell from the ceiling. Leona twisted her body to the side to avoid it.

"The altar is collapsing! Run!"

There was no more time to ponder.

Escape. Escape unconditionally.

Leona ran towards the passage while holding Eris. Lucia followed closely behind her.

"Lucia! Don't stray from my side!"

"Got it!"

Lucia stayed by Leona's side even while gasping for breath.

*Tadadadadak!*

Slipped through the collapsing pillars.

Jumped over the splitting floor.

The passage came into view.

The exit leading to the outer wall of the altar.

*Kuuuuung!*

The entire passage started collapsing from behind. Dust and debris chased right up to their backs.

Leona squeezed out her last bit of strength.

"Lucia, relax!"

"Kyaak!"

Held Eris in one hand and hugged Lucia with the other.

And kicked the floor.

The bodies of the three people soared out of the exit.

Leona rolled her body as she landed, keeping Eris wrapped in her arms.

Her back hit the snowfield.

It was cold, but it was a healthy cold incomparable to the chill inside the altar.

*Kwargwagwang-!*

A roar echoed from behind.

Soon the altar completely collapsed, turning into a pile of rubble.

"Phew…"

Leona looked up at the sky.

Snow was falling through the ash-gray clouds.

Ordinary white snow. Clean snow uncontaminated by the Abyss.

Leona stopped walking and looked down at Eris.

Still a pale face. Still a spreading chill. But her breath is attached.

"Leona, thank you."

"I told you it's fine."

Lucia looked up at Leona while holding Eris's hand.

"……Let's move to a safe zone first. There might be monsters nearby too."

"Knight-nim is safe, right?"

"No way that monster would die."

Lucia smiled slightly at those words.

Leona turned her gaze.

***

The snow that was ash-gray until just now turned white.

It means the Abyss magic power is draining from the atmosphere.

Normally, that's a good sign.

Normally.

"……The magic power is converging into one place. That witch has started the ritual."

Grand Duke Valter muttered, looking up at the sky.

The sky was unusual.

The scattered Abyss magic power was sucked towards the altar.

"Let's go."

I turned the reins of the husky sled toward the altar.

Freya followed, supporting Grand Duke Valter.

And.

"Lucia!"

Outside the collapsed altar debris, silhouettes of people were seen on the snowfield.

Leona was holding Eris, and Lucia was standing next to her.

Alive.

Everyone is alive.

I jumped off the sled.

My feet stepping on the snowfield naturally sped up.

I stood in front of Lucia.

Is she hurt anywhere. Is she in pain anywhere. Did she eat.

From head to toe. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I must check without missing anything.

*'Lucia. I'm so glad you're safe. The moment I heard the news that you were kidnapped, I thought my heart stopped. Are you hurt anywhere? Even a small scratch is fine, so please tell me. Because your pain is my pain.'*

A masterpiece line blended with the perfect ratio of worry, affection, and devotion.

With this one phrase, Lucia's favorability will increase by at least 10.

[Intimidation Roll Success]

"Are there any wounds? If you don't speak clearly, I will strip you to check."

……

Ah.

What did I just say?

Strip to check?

Sexual harassment right after reuniting…

No, no.

This is an expression of intent to inspect for trauma from a medical perspective.

To check the wounds of the injured on the battlefield, there are cases where armor or clothes must be stripped off. It's an extremely rational and practical statement.

Of course, I admit the nuance is too criminal to rationalize but──

"I'm fine, Knight-nim."

Lucia shook her head.

She didn't get startled. She didn't cower either.

She just said she was fine.

"I'm not hurt. Really."

That voice was strangely calm.

If it were the old Lucia, she would have started with 'Hiek!' and stepped backward.

She would have wrapped her body with both arms and trembled *shiver shiver* while distancing herself by more than 5 steps.

This is truly the fruit of trust created by the time spent together.

"Knight-nim… excuse me, Eri is… please save Eri…!"

Lucia's gaze flowed to the side.

Pink hair drooping limply in Leona's arms.

Eris.

Thorn Witch.

Self-proclaimed super genius beautiful girl.

But right now, she's closer to a frozen beautiful girl than a genius beautiful girl.

Her face was beyond pale, it was bluish. Blood had drained from her lips, and her body temperature looked abnormally low. Abyss chill was rising like fog around her body.

"Black Knight."

Leona opened her mouth.

The Hero's eyes hesitated.

"This guy…… can you save her?"

I reached out a hand to Eris.

*Wooooong-*

I flowed the Aura of the Abyss. My magic power wrapped around Eris's body, suppressing the spread of the chill.

It's first aid for now.

It's like blocking poison with poison, so it's not a fundamental solution, but it buys time.

Maybe I can just suck up the chill entirely with the newly acquired ability, Abyss Predation, later.

It worked on the Knight of Cold too.

But Eris is precious, so it'd be better to try after practicing the skill a bit more.

Then.

"That comes first right now."

I pointed beyond the collapsed altar debris.

The earth was trembling. An unpleasant pulsation vibrating the whole body.

"The Frost Witch is still left."

Leona reported.

"Looks like she fled underground beneath the altar. There's something under the altar. Awakening Ritual… Probably a magic circle to wake up a sleeping existence is in operation."

Awakening Ritual. An existence sealed beneath the frozen earth of the snowfield.

The passage I stopped reading in the original work flashed through my mind.

"The Holy Sword is warning. It's a Myth-class existence."

Myth-class.

In the original work, Myth-class means a disaster of a level where 'if you send ten thousand knights, ten thousand knights die'.

Such a thing was waking up down there.

Then my job is one.

To present that guy with eternal hibernation again, like a Black Knight.

"Lucia."

"Yes?"

"Take Eris and return to Frostgard."

I handed the reins of the dog sled to Lucia.

"Knight-nim."

"Speak."

"Please safely."

"Throw away useless worries."

Lucia received Eris from Leona's arms.

"Cloud Paws. Please. Let's go."

Ah, right.

It wasn't Husky, it was a name like that.

*Bark!*

The huskies started simultaneously.

The sled running as if sliding on the snowfield.

After watching the receding blonde hair disappear into the blizzard, I turned my gaze.

Black Knight party formation.

Me. Leona. Freya. Grand Duke Valter.

An all-time flashy party.

The Black Knight, the Hero, just Freya, and the Northern Grand Duke.

With this level, we could even catch the Demon King.

……Although I hope the Demon King doesn't appear.

"Going."

A path was visible between the collapsed rubble.

The surface layer of the altar had collapsed, but the underground passage heading downwards was exposed.

Stairs led into the darkness.

Every time taking a step, the earth's vibration grew stronger.

The temperature dropped as we went down the passage.

Frost bloomed thickly on the walls, and when exhaling, the breath immediately froze and fell.

An unnatural chill created by the Abyss.

"It's down here."

Leona thrust the Holy Sword forward. White light pushed the darkness away.

"The Holy Sword is trembling. This level of reaction is a first."

Freya also drew her twin swords.

"I can feel it too. The soles of my feet are…… ticklish."

Isn't that just a precursor symptom of frostbite.

The stairs ended.

A massive space unfolded.

It was high enough that the ceiling couldn't be seen.

Ancient patterns were engraved all over the floor, and those patterns were pulsating with blue light.

In the center of it.

Frost Witch Snow White was standing.

Disheveled black hair. Madness-tinged bloody eyes. Torn hems of clothes.

The blue thorn vines that had stretched out in all directions were all withered.

There were no Yetis either. The only thing left was one witch.

And yet.

She was laughing.

"You came. Black Knight… you really existed?"

Snow White looked back at us.

"But it's already ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠too late."

The four of us surrounded Snow White.

Leona aimed the Holy Sword from the front.

Freya raised her twin swords on the left.

Grand Duke Valter aimed his sword tip from the right.

I summoned my greatsword from behind.

Encircled from East, West, South, and North.

Snow White's gaze stopped on Grand Duke Valter.

"……Oh my. You were alive?"

"Thanks to the young lady, I had a pleasant winter sleep. Thanks to that, I learned a lesson not to accept and eat what a suspicious woman offers."

Freya interjected.

"Don't lie! It's obvious Dad will do it again next time anyway!"

"Daughter, your father is trying to set the mood, saying such things──"

"It's the truth!"

Valter's mouth shut.

It seems he couldn't refute. The Northern Grand Duke is weak in front of his daughter too.

"Why do you keep nodding!"

Freya looked back at me.

I ignored her.

"You all get along well. So jealous."

Snow White giggled.

*Kugugugugung─!*

The patterns on the floor glowed all at once.

A brilliant blue light dyed the entire space.

"Do you think you've won?"

And.

From very deep below.

*Thump.*

*Thump. Thump.*

A heartbeat echoed.

The sound of 'something' waking up from its sleep.

Snow White spread both arms.

"All the warmth of this world disappears. Fire, sunlight, human body temperature too. All of it! Everything freezes!"

The floor split.

A crack bisected the ritual ground.

*Huuuuuuuuu-*

The breath of a giant existence.

With a single exhale, the atmosphere froze.

Frost spread instantly riding the walls, riding the ceiling, right up to under our feet.

Leona's Holy Sword shone even brighter. The Holy Sword screamed and pushed the chill away.

"Finally! The great Demon of the Snowfield…… Krampus awakens!"

Kyahahahaha!

Snow White's crazy laughter lingered.