Chapter 62

Chapter 62. Qualification for Happiness**

Feels like ribs are cracked.

Magic circuit is half frozen.

Joints crack *crunch* when putting strength in knees.

Lips burst tasting blood.

Even so I am still standing.

Last Black Knight standing.

Black Knight of Romance Fantasy must definitely be standing at the end.

Because ending credits rolling up while collapsed is Dark Fantasy.

I decided so.

Stuck Abyss Sword in floor using as substitute for walking stick.

"Phew……."

Exhaled.

White breath rose *mura mura* then…

This time just scattered without freezing.

Krampus disappeared with light.

Seems chill cleared together as the guy disappeared.

Did it. Won.

"Haa."

Short sigh heard from side.

It was Leona.

She too stuck Holy Sword in floor leaning on it in same posture as me.

Ended.

Really end.

Then something caught in corner of vision.

Spot where Krampus was.

Something was fallen in middle of floor where crack was filled and light withdrawn.

Snow White.

Thorn Society Rank 5. Witch of Frost.

Hair that was originally full of luster now covered in sticky transparent liquid.

Dress melted to rags by stomach acid here and there, and only melted metal traces remained where jewel decorations probably hung.

Spit out from penguin's stomach?

Anyway appreciation up to here.

Pulled out Abyss Sword from floor.

*Screech-*

Took steps one by one dragging it on floor.

Snow White lifted head.

"W, Wait! Save me!"

Blue pupils looked up at me through sticky hair.

Took another step.

"Black Knight, we… we are on same side!"

Same side.

Must mean Thorn Society.

But I never agreed to join in first place.

Didn't even do interview. Didn't write employment contract either.

One more step.

"Wait, wait a minute! I, If you keep me alive will definitely be useful!"

Voice went up one tone.

"I am Witch of Frost! Best in continent in freezing magic lineage!"

Freezing magic? Freezing magic huh.

Here is North. Place where snow and ice are everywhere.

No demand.

Besides let's recall party composition.

Main Tanker cum Dealer - Me

Sub Dealer cum Guerilla - Leona

Barbarian - Freya

God of Administration - Lucia

Witch Class - Eris

Witch slot is already occupied by Eris.

No reason to pick two people of same job group.

Another step.

"Th, Then!"

Snow White swept sticky hair back with one hand.

Arranging face covered in penguin saliva as much as possible, lowered eyes slightly and twitched lips.

"I am… pretty right. Black Knight, you are man too. Huh? Isn't it waste to just kill me like this?"

Objectively Snow White belongs to pretty axis. Admit that.

"I just wanted to be warm too. Is that so bad? Huh?"

Wanted to be warm.

So tried to steal others' warmth.

Because no warmth inside self, tried to bring from outside.

Can understand that logic.

But.

Understanding and forgiving are different.

This woman has no qualification of heroine.

Minimum condition to become heroine in Romance Fantasy.

Must not kidnap Princess.

Must not plan to destroy world.

Must not release penguin.

Violated all three.

Eliminated.

*'Understand pain, but you cannot be my heroine.'*

[Intimidation Roll Success]

"You have no qualification."

*Stab-*

Abyss Sword pierced Snow White's heart.

Snow White's body shattered white like ice crystals, and Abyss black fog rose between those ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fragments.

Fog was sucked towards Abyss Sword.

*Thump-*

Abyss Sword pulsed once.

And became quiet.

Nothing remained on floor.

Sticky penguin gastric juice marks and few melted metal fragments.

That was all Witch of Frost Snow White left in this world.

***

Unsummoned Abyss Sword.

Turned around checking center of altar.

Cracked magic pattern. Dying light.

And one frost sword stuck in floor.

Freya was kneeling in front of it.

Could see from afar.

Shoulders were trembling.

Was suppressing sound but couldn't hide trembling.

Moved steps.

Could hear sound getting closer.

"U, Heuuk……"

Freya is a strong child.

That spirit swinging twin swords at axe festival.

That tenacity attacking again even falling by finger flick.

That guts not retreating even in front of me.

But strong person is not unhurt.

……What should I say.

Should give comfort or something.

Some warm word.

Word making father's sacrifice not in vain.

'Was hard right', 'Fought well', 'Father would be proud'.

That kind of comfort.

Assembled best sentence in head.

Containing sincerity. Softening tone. Lowering tone.

Wouldn't system let me off just this once.

Wouldn't output threat even in front of child who lost father.

Stood in front of Freya.

Opened mouth.

[Charm Roll Failed]

"Don't say weak words."

……

Wonder if I was granted F-rank humanity not F-rank speech skill.

Is this something to say in front of crying child who lost father.

Freya's shoulders shook significantly once.

Felt presence from behind.

Sound of Leona approaching.

"You… even in this situation…"

Glared at me once while passing.

Sorry, Hero.

I didn't want to do this either.

Clearly warm word was assembled in head, but rapidly cools to minus 40 degrees moment coming out of mouth.

Leona kneeled next to Freya.

Said nothing.

Just put hand on Freya's shoulder.

That was all.

Silent comfort. Transmission of body temperature.

Then.

*Woooong─!*

Holy Sword rang.

Clear resonance spread from Holy Sword hanging on Leona's waist.

"……?"

Leona tilted head. Seemed communing with Holy Sword for a moment.

After a while Leona looked down at Freya.

"Freya."

Freya's shoulders paused.

"……Holy Sword is feeling. Wave of life inside seal."

Freya lifted head.

"…What, did you say?"

"Your father didn't die."

Leona's voice was calm.

"Sealed together with Krampus. Faint but clear. Alive."

Freya's eyes widened.

"So."

Leona looked straight into Freya's eyes.

"Someday if become strong enough to completely defeat Krampus── can take Grand Duke Valter out."

Alive.

Hope passed over Freya's face.

Have no choice but to sit down in front of cliff, but can stand up in front of uphill road.

Comfort given by Leona. Hope conveyed by Holy Sword.

What is left.

Embers. Catalyst.

One blow to forcibly stand up sitting warrior abruptly.

What Freya needs is not soft hand.

This child is type becoming strongest when angry.

Northern warrior whose fuel is anger. Human swinging sword harder if feeling unfair.

Already confirmed that during axe festival.

Then.

[Intimidation Roll Success]

"Pick up your father's sword and stand up."

Words capable of surging anger if heard right after losing father.

But not end.

"If you sit like that North will easily become mine."

Kukukuku.

Even added ridicule.

Leona glared at me again.

Sorry, Hero. I wanted to comfort too.

But I am human whose 'Don't say weak words' is output if I comfort.

Rather than that better to choose provocation from beginning.

Let's at least match direction of intention and output.

Freya lifted head.

Tear marks clear on both cheeks. Tip of nose swollen red.

But eyes.

Eyes didn't crumble.

Embers still remained inside red pupils.

Embers not gone out.

Embers of hearth.

Freya grabbed hilt of frost sword.

With both hands.

Moment touching hand, frost covering sword surface started moving.

Cold frost crawled over Freya's skin.

Riding Freya's palm, passing wrist, came up to forearm.

"Kuh…."

Freya bit lip. But didn't let go of hand.

*Clang─*

Frost sword rang short and clear resonance. Altar vibrated for an instant.

Freya lifted frost sword. Sword tip aimed at me.

"……Right. Will stand up like Valter Grombalt's daughter."

Baring teeth.

"And won't let North become as you please absolutely."

Face baring teeth amidst flowing tears is quite funny.

Child standing up even while crying.

Child falling forward even if falling.

That is Northern Sword Princess, Freya Grombalt.

Embers lived.

"That is enough."

This was best.

Now time to return.

From altar passing Ice Wall, crossing snowfield, to Frostgard.

Problem is transportation.

I am battered. Leona right before exhaustion. Freya looks tired too.

Since dog sled returned with Lucia.

Looked around.

Cave entrance near altar caught eye.

Sound of faint snoring heard inside cave.

Three Frost Bears were hibernating.

Done.

"Wait, what are you trying to do?"

Leona looked at me with suspicious eyes again.

"Procuring transportation."

"Those are Frost Bears."

"1 minute is enough."

Entered inside cave.

After a while.

Three Frost Bears were sitting in line outside cave.

"……How did you do it."

Leona asked blankly.

"Persuaded."

Decide not to describe persuasion method specifically for Frost Bears' privacy.

Depart.

Frost Bear's running was unexpectedly smooth.

Rhythm of four feet stepping on snow is constant, thick fat layer acted as natural cushion.

This is unexpectedly good?

Frost Bear Taxi. How about commercializing.

Of course there is fatal flaw having to pay taxi fare with passenger's life sometimes, but that much would be cute to Northerners.

Snowfield spread under moonlight.

Snowfield after battle was more beautiful than thought.

Scenery looking from bear's back was different from looking at husky sled.

Because viewpoint is high horizon looks wide, and bear's body temperature comes up under back so cold was a bit less.

Freya's bear ran in front. Freya's red hair with frost sword tied to back scattered in wind.

Leona's bear ran side by side. Appearance of Hero struggling to maintain posture while hanging on bear's nape was quite funny.

Not bad picture Black Knight-wise.

***

We returned to Frostgard.

This rough landmass feels like comfortable house entrance now.

Human is indeed animal of comparison.

After walking in demon realm contaminated by Abyss, minus 30 degrees snowfield feels like warm hometown.

Familiar scenery unfolded opening office door.

Document mountain range.

Ah, that is still same.

Sealed Krampus but document mountain range is robust. There is disaster unable to be sealed in world.

Blonde girl climbing that mountain range.

Lucia put down pen and lifted head.

"……Returned."

"Have something to inform."

Pulled chair and sat. Opposite Lucia.

Our gazes crossed between document piles.

I summarized what happened beyond Ice Wall.

Only what's necessary. Without superfluity.

That Snow White proceeded with Krampus awakening ritual.

That Krampus's true identity was 5-meter Adelie penguin.

"……Penguin?"

"Bird with black back and white belly."

"5 meters?"

"5 meters."

Lucia blinked once.

If it was past, expression 'what nonsense is this crazy person saying' would have surfaced, but different now.

"……Yes. Penguin."

Accepted.

Digested information of 5-meter demon penguin in 3 seconds. Swallowed without chewing.

This is fruit of months of Northern life.

Weird food roulette at Frostgard, Monster Wave, Eris's identity… As result of passing through all those shock therapies, Princess's common sense already transcended that of ordinary person.

Proud.

I raised.

Continued explaining seal reversal process.

That Grand Duke Valter ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stuck frost sword into magic circle reversing seal.

That his body melted into magic circle as cost.

Still alive though.

"Maternal uncle……"

Bit lip.

Tears welled up on tip of eyelashes, then didn't fall.

This is growth too.

Past Lucia cried. Wailing loudly in cave vomiting her misery.

Current Lucia doesn't cry.

"…If alive, means there is a way."

"That is so."

Lucia wiped ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠corners of eyes once with back of hand, and nodded.

"Understood."

Folded all emotions into that one word.

Princess. This child is becoming more like Princess gradually.

"Eris?"

"Checked receiving help from merchant guild's mage."

Lucia took out one document. Memo summarizing Eris's condition.

"Is in fine state. Seems Abyss Aura Knight-nim put in as emergency is acting well."

Lucia read down memo.

"Chill penetrated by Snow White's Frost Beam is… should I say state unable to move scared of Knight-nim's magic power. Feeling Knight-nim's magic power is driving chill into corner and monitoring inside Eris's body."

Meaning there is hierarchy even within same Abyss power.

"When Eris's body condition stabilizes, I will suck out chill properly."

Lucia nodded.

Understood as 'Knight-nim will handle somehow'.

Can I call this trust, this.

"……Thank god."

Lucia sighed in relief.

Silence flowed for a moment.

Candlelight swayed between document piles.

Lucia looked up at me.

Eyes were strangely different.

Should I say calculating aspect usually present is missing.

When first met, Lucia's eyes were always calculating something.

Survival calculation always ran behind pupils.

But not now.

"Knight-nim."

"What is it."

Heart paused for a beat.

"Because Knight-nim was here until now could endure. Frostgard, North, everyone becoming safe is…… thanks to Knight-nim."

Not just paused.

Heart is running wild.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Heartbeat echoes inside armor.

Lucia lowered gaze slightly, then raised again.

"And…… during that time I, regarding Knight-nim…… seems there was part I misunderstood slightly."

Misunderstanding.

Right, misunderstanding. Was misunderstanding. Of course.

Misunderstood me as kidnapper, sadistic pervert, omnidirectional predator.

Means that misunderstanding is resolving?

Transparent wall always existed between Lucia and me.

Physical distance narrowed from 5 steps to 0 steps, but psychological wall remained.

That wall now.

Felt like thinned one layer.

What should I say.

'I am moved.'

No, a bit more.

Must say words couldn't say properly when first met now.

'I was happy because you were here too.'

That will protect you. That will be your knight. That will make world where you smile.

No well even if not going that far. At least word 'thank you'.

Tuned vocal cords. As soft as possible. Not greasy.

'……Thank you, Lucia. Really glad you said that.'

Perfect.

Answer containing sincerity yet not excessive.

Go, my sincerity.

[Charm Roll Failed]

"Hmm. Became quite cute."

What is quite. Quite.

Lucia's cheeks reddened.

'Ah, felt bad. Sorry Lucia. Sincerity wasn't that.'

But additional remark is dangerous.

If this level of accident happened in 1st round, 2nd round might come out sexual harassment.

Keep mouth shut. Silence is golden.

"……Anyway really reassuring because Knight-nim is here."

Thump-!

Heart beat once again.

'Reassuring because Knight-nim is here'?? Said?? Definitely said???

This is expression of favorability right. Right.

To think Lucia's favorability came up to this level.

That means soon.

Progress. Can make progress right?

No not saying let's do something right now. Just let's liven up mood a bit.

Chance to proceed with proper romantic event this time indeed.

Heart beats faster.

But armor is problem.

If wearing armor in this situation mood doesn't live. Uncomfortable to do something too.

Take off?

No, weird if take off suddenly.

Obvious she will scream 'Hiek!! Why taking off armor suddenly!?'.

But if don't take off can't show my heart.

Must show sincere pupils beyond black armor, then should take off helmet first?

Moment pondering like that──

*Bang!!*

Office door opened with momentum to hit wall.

Few documents flew up in wind. Candlelight swayed.

Freya was standing.

Panting.

Breath filled up to chin. Red hair wet with sweat stuck to forehead.

……Ah.

No, Freya.

Timing is worst.

Worst of worst.

Moment romantic event flag was about to be erected. Favorability rapid rise section.

Right after Lucia said 'Knight-nim is reassuring' for first time.

Mood ripening, candlelight swaying softly, two people's eyes meeting beyond document pile, and then lips──

All those events shattered to pieces.

But Freya's expression was too serious to get angry.

"That guy……"

Voice trembled.

"That guy came!!"

***

On top of wall.

Frostgard's available troops gathered.

Warriors lined up gripping spears and axes. Faces were stiff.

To have combat deployment again right after taking breath saying barely passed Monster Wave and subjugation beyond Ice Wall of Lamentation ended.

Leona stood next. Putting hand on Holy Sword's hilt. Complexion not good because before full recovery, but still most reliable power.

Freya on opposite side. Gripping frost sword tight.

"What came."

Asked Freya.

"……Will know seeing directly."

Beyond horizon of snowfield.

On white canvas, something was moving.

One black dot.

Waddling *waddle waddle*.

Getting closer gradually.

Narrowed eyes.

Silhouette caught.

Black back. White belly. Orange beak. Short wings.

Penguin.

Adelie penguin.

Not 5 meters this time.

1 meter.

At most adult waist height.

Exactly that size walking in line on ice in Antarctica documentary.

Extremely ordinary Adelie penguin.

Mini Krampus?

Pierced through seal and came out?

Seal completed even with Grand Duke Valter sacrificing. Pierced that?

Why became small?

Shrunk consuming most of power in process of escaping forcibly from seal?

Still Krampus is Krampus.

Demon of Snowfield. Disaster of Frozen Earth.

Essence doesn't change even if shrunk to 1 meter.

Must not lower guard.

Put hand on Abyss Sword.

*Kieeeek─!*

Cry crossed snowfield reaching wall.

That moment.

Top of wall fell into panic state.

"Wh, What is that?!"

"What, that monster?! Beast seeing for first time in life!"

"That cry…… Void Bird of Prey! Definitely!"

Is penguin for now.

Waddling.

Must not let guard down at that walk. Already learned must not be deceived by appearance.

*Kieeeek!*

Penguin cried again.

And.

"Me! It’s me!"

Human language.

Human words coming out stuck between penguin's cries.

"Th, That spoke?"

"Monster speaks human words!"

"E, Evil beast! Stole human's tongue!"

Cunning demon bastard.

Changed strategy because became small?

Because physical power doesn't work trying to compete with cuteness?

Fantasy version of 'It's me, it's me' scam.

Not deceived. Black Knight doesn't fall for voice phishing.

Moment about to pull Abyss Sword.

Penguin shook short wings.

*Flap flap.*

Gesture meaning it's unfair.

Small orange beak opened.

"It’s me, me! Valter Grombalt! Woke up and became this body!"

Huh?

……Father-in-law became penguin?