Snow-Covered Forest
A day had already passed since leaving Snowfall. When Cain tried to drag all the women from the household along, fury boiled up inside Rowen. This moron must not grasp the situation. When a large group moves together, there's always someone who lags behind. And that opens the door for Arkanthia to track them down. Better than everyone dying like dogs. Traveling in small numbers was far wiser. They hadn't left the people in Snowfall. They'd dispersed in small groups. Biden was commanding them. As head butler, he had the skills to relocate everyone safely. That's why Cain was such a fucking idiot. If he liked it so much, he could just follow Biden. Honestly, they didn't need him. Was he any help in hunting? No. Survival? No. Risking whores for one worthless Cain was the wrong call. And wiping traces every time they moved was exhausting enough. In a life-or-death situation, what the hell were women doing here? With Madam Miyabi no less, and all he could think about was screwing.
This bastard was beyond saving. The crackling firewood. Cold, snow-packed ground. He'd layered fallen leaves under the snow and topped it with blankets. Gazing at his family sleeping soundly under the covers. They were blood-related, sure, but it still felt awkward. He was grateful they treated Rowen with warmth. He didn't even know his own mother. Madam Miyabi had permitted him to call her mother.
Even I'd hate a kid born from an affair.
Miyabi was strong—the woman who'd become his mother. That's why it hurt even more. It wasn't a death notice, but it was as good as dead. Rowen felt the same. His heart ached. Emotionally, mentally, it was grueling. Honestly, it still hurt like hell. But he endured. Seeing Miyabi this disheveled for the first time. A noble elf who couldn't hide her feelings. She'd even yelled at the emperor, they said. That's why he pushed on harder. With Kael gone, he had to protect the family here and now. He remembered losing his father in his past life, blinded by revenge. Reborn, and he'd lost his father again. Two fathers gone from his side. Knowing that pain, he had to move. Had to protect his people.
"This damn occupational hazard."
A hero must protect people. If they screw up, deliver fitting punishment. Always carry a righteous aura. Never yield to evil. The mission to safeguard humanity was etched in Rowen's mind. An unshakable duty. Like a curse. Rowen didn't cry. He tried not to. He'd shed plenty of tears in his past life. Above all, he didn't want to break down in front of others. He had to set an example. Couldn't shake the bastard label, but he could be a role model. Couldn't reveal his past life, but he could draw on its wisdom. Rowen tried not to cry. But the surging emotions were impossible to hide. Even after all the tears and rage in his past life, sorrow forced tears from his eyes. The wind howled fiercely. Biting cold. Chilly weather, yet the snowy night was still. Like the sea before a storm. Was night's silence the calm before the storm? The tears he'd held back overflowed, unable to contain the feelings.
"Father…!"
No standout memories came to mind. Father was busy, and there weren't many times they'd been together. But he'd sparred with him. Kind and benevolent. He knew his father loved him equally, without favoring his siblings. What good was past-life memory? The raw pain remained. Rowen clamped his mouth to not wake the family. Tears streaming down his cheek soaked his wrist, melting the piled snow. The droplets burned hot. Like Rowen's blazing heart. Once more, hatred for Arkanthia swelled.
*
Early morning. They had rations, but to conserve them, they decided to hunt. Those who could fight: Miyabi, Arahan, Lucius, Rowen. Miyabi had recovered somewhat after a night's sleep—thankfully. Still shaken, she opted out of the hunt. Arahan barely managed to stop her from joining. As Valenos maid and Rowen's swordmaster, and formerly a fierce adventurer from Kalia Rune, she knew combat conditioning better than anyone. Rowen knew it too. So he joined.
"Mother, please look after the siblings."
"Why are they your siblings?"
"Then brothers?"
"My birthday's earlier."
"You don't act like one."
Rowen shoved the dumbass Cain aside. Miyabi, aware of her condition, nodded obediently. Karin made a face like she wanted to tag along.
"No."
He refused. Still too dangerous. No real combat experience, and the wolves in this Albrin Forest were nimble. Snow-white fur. Blue eyes. Jagged blue crystals sprouting. Long-exposed to mana, these wild beasts were strong.
That just means they'll taste better.
He recalled when Rian's party visited the north in his past life. Abel hunted several and cooked them. Tender, intense flavor. Mana-saturated lifeforms had meat quality rivaling the finest domestic stock. Just grilled, and juices flooded the mouth. No spices, so the gamey taste lingered. But in this wasteland, it was top-tier grub. Rowen wiped his drool and headed to Karin. Miyabi wasn't at full strength, but she was formidable. Pre-marriage, she'd fought alongside Kadan. She could protect Karin.
"Be good. I'll be right back."
"Tch, I wanna go too."
"Haha, next time together."
"Can't I at least watch?"
"Hey now."
At Rowen's scolding, Karin's cheeks puffed more. She knew her brothers were soft on her. But Rowen's firmness meant it was truly off-limits.
"Wait nicely."
"I wanna try this sword out."
Karin drew her packed sword—a long blade with a pitch-black blade that caught the eye. Too big for her yet. Kadan's gift for her coming-of-age. Soul Spring was out now that they'd left Snowfall.
"Next time together."
"Really not now?"
"Yeah, it'll be dangerous."
"Tch, fine…."
"Good girl. Listen to Mother. Be back soon. Oh, and keep an eye on that idiot Cain so he doesn't fuck around."
Karin nodded glumly. Rowen placed a hand on her white locks, stroking them. Pure white, unlike his gray-streaked hair. He moved to Lucius and Arahan to divide areas. Lucius's skill was no joke. From last night's mana scan, he rivaled an advanced knight. Could probably unleash blue sword aura. Walking farther, he spotted their tracks. Unfrozen scat everywhere—recent passage. Three paths forked. Perfect for their trio. They faced each other.
"What'll we do?"
"Split up, right?"
"Seems best."
Arahan hefted an axe. Massive and vicious. Rowen couldn't hide his shock. Where the hell did that giant thing come from? Arahan caught his stare and smiled faintly.
"If you thought I couldn't use magic, that was careless."
"Really mid-tier?"
"Mid? It's advanced."
"What?"
"Young master looks down on me too much. Reflect on it. I'm ridiculously strong, you know?"
"Yeah… I know. I know, but this is overkill, isn't it?"
"Pardon?"
In his past life, mana shunned him. Hero's talent gave sword and magic aptitude, but scant mana. So he fragmented it, reconstructing runes. Otherwise, stuck at basic spells. He'd barely managed short chants. Her life made his look pathetic. Unfair. A twinge of jealousy hit. Arahan seemed amused, chuckling.
"No idea what you mean, but are you jealous, young master? I have my doubts."
"Shut it."
"Oh? Is it true? First time seeing someone magic-talented besides you?"
"No."
"Heehee, you have cute sides. Seeing you anew."
"I said no! I don't get jealous. That's childish bullshit."
"Jealousy's natural. Don't lie to yourself."
"Arahan, please!"
*
The frozen wastes. Through blinding snowfields, the barbarians and Frost Knights reached the seal. Cold intensified; some froze to death. Amid chaos, Kael never forgot the light. Amid the four pillars, the red crystal pulsed with dread. All who saw it shuddered.
"What violent energy!"
Kael trembled. Overwhelming terror nearly buckled his knees. Beyond fear, awe struck him.
"Is this really the sealed one?"
Over a millennium. The seal finally cracked, trembling. Not critical yet, but grave. Demon King from legends. The King of Frost, Belphegor, loomed with flowing white hair. Could they mend the crack? Answer: impossible. He'd read in Kadan's study. Sealing the seven kings needed the Holy Sword. Greatest hero sealed six, using sword shards for pillars. Later hero drained Demon King Belzebub; comrades finished the seal, making pillars from his shards. Remains buried with his body in sunlight, in mourning. Such a sword was needed now. Problem: no hero. Humans' champion, world-saver. None in this era. Kael eyed his frozen sword. If only this were holy. Fleeting fancy. He knew it was absurd. But without such delusions, the terror was unbearable. The frost king slept eyes closed, yet watched. Felt the gaze. Something staring relentlessly.
"Here they come."
Kael raised his sword. Barbarians and knights drew weapons. His frozen sword and shield dimmed.
"Protect each other."
The gaze closed in. Vast horde. Army of death before them. King slumbered sealed, but not his forces. With his seal weakening, theirs broke first. Teeth chattered in rotten, frozen bones. Approaching corpses roared monstrously. Dozens, hundreds. Swelling numbers made Kael click his tongue. Skeletons numbered thousands; zombies charged. Legs crumbling, shattering—no pain. They just drew blades and ran.