In the Snowy Mountains
At last, we had arrived at Priouli Territory. The moment I stepped down from the carriage, I found myself facing a grand mansion built against the backdrop of a majestic mountain range. On either side, a long line of servants and knights formed a path, and at its end stood Ian Priouli—the father of this body. At over Level 300, the man radiated an aura as impenetrable as an iron wall, perfectly befitting his title as the Guardian.
Ian greeted us in his usual curt manner.
"No, Father. We were attacked by monsters several times, but we handled it without any major issues."
"Then that's fine. Follow me. I've had a meal prepared."
Ian spared me only a single fleeting glance before turning his back. The cold dismissal made Isis glance at me nervously. I gave her a reassuring look and followed after him.
A short while later, we reached the dining hall and sat across from each other at a massive table. The food that had been prepared was immediately served, and when Ian had emptied about half his soup, he finally spoke.
"...I'm making steady progress. But more importantly, Father—Luan achieved excellent results in the end-of-term evaluation this time. Did you know?"
"Excellent results?"
Isis's desperate appeal must have worked, because Ian turned to me with a genuinely surprised expression. His face clearly asked how this wild, good-for-nothing bastard could possibly have earned good grades. I shrugged as if it were no big deal.
"It wasn't anything impressive. I simply endured my opponent's attacks until we reached a draw. At best, I'll finish somewhere in the middle ranks."
"Middle ranks?" Ian repeated, then gave a small nod. "It seems my senses weren't mistaken after all. Well done."
It was the barest, most meager praise imaginable. Yet for the original owner of this body—who had rarely heard even this much since childhood—it was shocking. From Ian's perspective, though, it made perfect sense. Until enrolling at the academy, this body had spent every day rolling around with maids. To climb to the middle ranks in just four months was nothing short of a miracle. No wonder he'd doubted his own senses.
After that remark, silence fell. Ian studied me for a moment before turning his gaze to Isis. I tuned out their continuing conversation and focused on the food.
Figures a marquis family would have excellent meals.
The academy cafeteria was skilled enough, but it couldn't compare to the head chef of a border count who essentially ruled the North. I ate with enthusiasm until my stomach was pleasantly full, then finally spoke up.
"You have something to say? Go on, then."
I wondered what kind of reaction he'd have. Hoping it wouldn't complicate things too much, I stated my business plainly.
"I wish to break off my engagement with Scadia."
"...What did you say?"
"L-Luan?"
The Maryland family had been close allies of House Priouli for generations. Nullifying a marriage agreement between such families carried enormous risk. It probably wouldn't turn them into mortal enemies, but every consequence would ultimately be recorded as my fault. Humans are creatures obsessed with reputation. Once they have money and power, what they crave next is a name that will never tarnish. Being remembered by later generations as a pathetic failure was the last thing anyone wanted.
That was why both of them looked so bewildered. Scadia had no major flaws as a fiancée—quite the opposite; everyone desired her. So why take on such risks to break the engagement?
"Do you remember the attack by the Dark Cult not long ago?"
"I do. What of it?"
"While we were evacuating, I encountered a member of the Dark Cult. There was no way I could win. So I abandoned Scadia and the others and fled alone."
The unvarnished truth. Ian's face twisted brutally the moment he heard it.
"Yes."
"I did."
"Haah... This is madness."
Ian clutched his head as if he had no idea how to clean up this mess. He even squeezed his eyes shut, unsure how he should look at his old friend's daughter. Silence stretched on for a long while. After much internal struggle, he finally let out a deep sigh and accepted the situation.
"Yes. I no longer have any lingering feelings for Scadia. There are plenty of fine young ladies at the academy."
"...I see. Then you may leave. I've prepared a maid to show you to your room."
"Thank you."
I stood up from my seat. I'd made sure to fill my stomach thoroughly beforehand, so I had no regrets. The moment Isis moved to follow me, Ian's voice stopped her.
"...Yes, Father."
At his command, she had no choice but to sit back down. Even so, she kept stealing anxious glances at me. I left the dining hall behind those desperate eyes.
A maid immediately approached.
"Young master, my name is Becky. I'll show you the way."
"Alright. Lead on."
The maid named Becky seemed to be a new hire; she trembled visibly in my presence. Or perhaps she'd heard the rumors and was afraid I'd force myself on her. Either way, it didn't matter to me.
As I followed her down the corridor, my gaze suddenly drifted to the window. Outside, a group of knights were diligently firing arrows at targets. When I stopped to watch, Becky quickly explained.
"Th-they're preparing for the hunting competition in a few days. The person who brings back the largest game will be awarded an elixir."
"An elixir?"
"Yes. A thousand-year snow ginseng."
"No wonder they're working so hard. Let's keep going."
"Yes, young master."
A thousand-year snow ginseng couldn't compare to the elixir I'd come here for, but it was still a valuable item that could accumulate considerable mana. For those stuck at a bottleneck, simply digesting the spiritual energy within it could bring enlightenment. No one would give it up easily. If possible, I'd participate in the competition and claim it for myself.
Come to think of it, I do need to head into the snowy mountains anyway.
Since my goal was there too, joining the hunting competition to scout the terrain in advance didn't seem like a bad idea. I might have memorized every blade of grass from the game, but reality was another matter.
As I nodded to myself, my eyes suddenly met Becky's. She flinched, then immediately dropped her gaze to the floor like a bullied student on the first day of school. Her hands clutched her skirt tightly, thighs pressed together. I could roughly guess what she was thinking.
"Becky."
"Y-yes!"
"I'm not interested in you."
"Of course! Tonight in your bedroom—huh?"
She'd answered reflexively before belatedly processing my words and letting out a dumbfounded sound. I decided to make it crystal clear.
"You're not my type. So stop looking at me like that. Understood?"
"Ah... um, that is..."
"I'm not going to sleep with you. Or what, do you actually want to have sex with me?"
"No!"
Her denial came at lightning speed, completely unlike before. Becky seemed shocked by her own volume and clapped both hands over her mouth.
"That's quite the energetic refusal. So you don't want to, and I don't want to. Then there's no need for us to have sex, is there?"
"No..."
"Right. There isn't. So stop being so nervous and just show me the way. It's annoying having to convince you."
"...Understood."
Becky's face was a mess of confusion. She seemed happy she wouldn't have to offer her body, yet also depressed at the thought that she lacked that much charm. Humans really are fascinating creatures.
Once I'm in my room, maybe I should train a bit.
I couldn't completely neglect training while staying at the mansion, so I'd have to make do with a home workout for now.
*
On the day of the hunting competition, I stood with Isis, gazing up at the snowy mountain that seemed to pierce the sky.
"Are you really sure it's okay to stay with me?"
"Of course. I'm happy to be with you, Luan."
"But you've always joined the knights every year. If you're with me, you won't be able to compete properly, will you?"
Isis had visited the family estate during last year's break and participated in the competition. I remembered her taking first place by hunting a giant elk. The knights were probably expecting her again. Would this really be fine?
When I voiced my concern, Isis simply shook her head with a gentle smile.
"No. Although there aren't supposed to be monsters where the competition is held, they occasionally come down from the middle slopes. It would be dangerous if you ran into one alone."
"I've gotten quite strong now, you know?"
"Still no. To me, you're the most precious thing in the world. I absolutely cannot let you get hurt."
There was no room for negotiation in her voice. I possessed Luan's memories but felt no real familial affection toward her, so her attitude filled me with conflicting emotions—guilt for deceiving her, and a strange sense of taboo. I pushed those incomprehensible feelings aside and brought the conversation to a close.
"Then I guess it can't be helped. But I can move freely within the designated area, right?"
"Yes. As long as you don't go near the middle slopes, it's fine."
"Good. Then let's get going. We seem to be falling behind already."
"Alright. Let's hurry."
We mounted our horses and entered the snowy mountain. I pretended to diligently track game while searching for familiar landmarks. Isis seemed content to simply play the role of bodyguard; she didn't interfere with my bizarre tracking methods, only letting out occasional soft laughter. Her face was so incredibly beautiful that climbing the snowy mountain didn't feel boring at all.
About two hours into wandering the slopes, I spotted it.
"That's..."
A tree shaped like deer antlers, growing at an angle on a steep incline. I'd seen that shape before. As I carefully examined the tree and the surrounding terrain, Isis drew up beside me with a puzzled look.
"Luan, what's wrong? Did something happen?"
"No. The tree just has an interesting shape. Let's head this way."
I guided my horse around the slope, following my memories, until I finally found definitive proof.
Found it.
A bizarre red flower bloomed in a swirling pattern. Its appearance was so alien it was hard to believe it existed in the middle of these snowy mountains. If I continued a little further north from here, I would reach the Red Dragon's Lair I'd been searching for.
Just as I tightened my grip on the reins to look around more, Isis stopped me.
"Luan, we should head back now."
When I turned to her with obvious dissatisfaction, she spoke calmly, trying to persuade me.
"From here on is the middle slope. It's dangerous. We don't know what might happen."
"The monsters' territory is still quite far, isn't it? I just want to look around for a moment."
"Even so, I can't allow it. I absolutely cannot permit this."
The person who usually gave in to me was being unusually stubborn now. And since her reason was nothing other than my safety, even while acting like a scoundrel I couldn't push too hard.
"Sigh... Understood. Let's go back."
"That's a good decision. It will be lunchtime soon, so let's find a place to eat."
The moment Isis finished speaking—
KU-GU-GU-GUNG!
A tremendous roar echoed across the snowy mountain, and the falling snowflakes suddenly grew thick and heavy. Isis stared at the sky in alarm.
"This is... a White Break?"
"What is that?"
"It's a strange phenomenon that occurs once every ten years. It shouldn't be time for it yet—how is this happening?"
She looked utterly confused, but quickly made a decision.
"Tsk! Let's move! There's no time to explain. We need to get out of the snowy mountain immediately. Follow me!"
The woman who had been so relaxed moments ago now grabbed my reins as if facing her worst trauma and wheeled our horses around. She galloped at full speed down the mountain, constantly checking the sky. When I looked up as well, I saw that the once-clear blue expanse had turned into a swirling vortex like a storm. The snow grew heavier by the second, transforming into a full blizzard in mere ten seconds. Visibility dropped so low I could barely see three meters ahead.
Isis eventually decided continuing was pointless and stopped the horses.
"Luan, get down! We're heading to a nearby shelter."
"A shelter? There's something like that?"
"Yes. We prepared it for situations like this. Hurry! If we're late, it'll be disastrous!"
If this phenomenon lasted long, no one short of a Transcendent capable of reshaping the terrain could guarantee safety. Without hesitation, I abandoned the horse and followed Isis toward the shelter.
That was when it happened.
KWAAAAANG!
Another massive roar came from somewhere, followed by a spine-chilling sense of dread. When I looked up, I saw a cliff collapsing and sliding down toward us.
"Isis! It's dangerous!"
Without a moment's thought, I grabbed her hand and pulled her into my arms. The idea that she—with superior stats in every category and a much higher realm—would be fine never even crossed my mind. Feeling her soft body press tightly against me, I lowered my stance and braced against the falling debris of the cliff.