Tavern Flames in Snow Under
The northwestern reaches of the northern land of frost. A massive mountain range coursed through the land of cold, pulsing with bitter chill. Frozen forests stretched between rivers of glacier, sharp icicles growing larger with relentless cracking sounds. Following the glacier's trail downward led to a modest village. Rowen and Arahan had arrived at the village called Snow Under.
It wasn't a place teeming with people. Surviving on such barren soil was admirable in itself. The residents lived alongside a handful of barbarians. They had no choice.
"No one's here?"
"It looks that way, young master…."
"Let's look around a bit more first."
In his past life as Rian, he had no memory of this village. He'd circled the world, but this place hadn't existed a thousand years ago. The entire area had been ravaged by battles between the King of Frost and heroes of old. In other words, it was a desolate wasteland scarred by his father's fights.
Rowen and Arahan walked on. The cold was fierce, but sharing body heat by pressing close made it bearable. Arahan was happy, but Rowen felt nothing. Perhaps her interest had waned a little; she stepped back a pace from his arm, creating distance.
"...This is no fun."
"What isn't?"
"You're definitely a eunuch, young master."
"What the hell's the problem now?"
"How can your expression not change even a bit when a peerless beauty like me is clinging to you? I just can't understand it."
Rowen wore a look of genuine bafflement. He had no clue where to even start objecting. But that was a secondary issue. Lately, Arahan had been saying weird things. She was always a bit odd, but now it was worse.
"You've been acting strange lately."
"I'm perfectly normal. You're the strange one, young master."
"To me, you're like family. Why would I react every time?"
Arahan stared blankly at Rowen for a moment. The dullness in her eyes gradually sparked back to life.
"So, you think of me as more than family. Is that what you're saying?"
"...Yeah."
"I think 'family' is still too soon. We should take more time, go slow…."
"What the hell are you on about, kid?"
Rowen sighed. Arahan smiled faintly at the sight.
"Hehe, it's nothing."
"If you get it, come back here already. You can't use fire magic."
"Are you worried about me in the cold?"
"Obviously. So quit it and get over here. It's cold enough without you making it worse."
A faint heat spell coated Rowen's body. The Valenos family's mana attribute was frost, but that didn't mean he couldn't use other magic. His primary attacks were ice and frost, but he handled everything else proficiently too. As always, Rowen wasn't an idiot. In his past life, mana scarcity had limited him, but his knowledge rivaled that of a grand mage.
Rowen wrapped himself in warm energy. He wanted to extend it to Arahan, but he couldn't. His Mana Flower hadn't bloomed yet, so his mana circuits were underdeveloped. Forcing unripe inheritance into immature DNA wouldn't make the flower bloom—it would just spin the core uselessly. So he opted for a heat spell on himself and close contact with Arahan.
Arahan handled all weapons masterfully but was hopeless with magic. Her master Uba had been the same. Like master, like disciple. Enduring the cold pushed her to her limits.
Arahan smiled shyly.
"You can't do without me, can you, young master?"
"Cut it out."
"Understood. I suppose I must stay by the side of my spoiled young master forever."
"Oh, Arahan, please. I'm freezing."
"Then promise me. I'll be by your side. Will you stay by mine?"
"Who cares about that? Just come here."
"Young master."
Rowen flinched at Arahan's commanding tone. Why was she so stubborn about something so trivial as staying close? He still couldn't fathom her thoughts.
"Fine, just come here."
"Really? I hate breaking promises."
"...Just stick close. What if I freeze up and go numb? You gonna take responsibility?"
"Even if your lower half freezes numb, this Arahan will take responsibility for you. I won't let you die. I have the confidence to keep you by my side for life. Sounds perfect, actually."
"...Sigh, fine, come here."
Rowen pulled Arahan's shoulder tight against his chest. His heart didn't race, but hers pounded wildly. Surprised by her own reaction, she hid her flushed face in his fur cloak.
"What're you doing?"
"...It was too sudden."
"Uh... Did it hurt? Sorry."
"Yes, it hurt a lot. So much it feels like it'll burst."
"You're exaggerating. I didn't grab that hard."
Arahan turned her head and buried her face fully in his chest. Rowen still couldn't comprehend her sudden actions. One thing he noticed: his ears had reddened a bit. They were already red from the cold, but noticeably more now.
"You told me to stick close, so I'll stay like this a little."
"...Back off a bit."
"So heartless."
"Can't walk forward like this."
"You told me to stick close earlier."
"Not blocking the way."
"...Then promise what I asked before."
Stay by my side. I'll always be by yours. Let me savor this heartbeat just a little. Anywhere by you is fine.
Arahan's unspoken thoughts. She took deep breaths to calm her excited heart—still wrapped around Rowen. His scent hit her mind again. They were still outside. If her switch flipped already, she might not hold back.
"...Might still be a little cold."
"Told you to stick close sooner."
"We're holding each other now, aren't we?"
"Can't walk, though."
Rowen sighed deeply, as if the ground might cave in. When had it started? Since they'd been alone together, Arahan had grown unusually affectionate. They'd always been close, but lately it felt different. Seeing her soak up his warmth only made him sigh more.
"I really don't get it."
After bickering their way around the village entrance, they finally found a lit inn. Rowen entered naturally and ordered basic meals. They sat. Not a huge crowd, but plenty of adventurer types. Rowdy atmosphere. An old drunk adventurer slumped over, a girl who looked like a mage, a massive greatsword on the back of a barbarian warrior tearing into meat crudely.
"So there are barbarians here."
"The rest must be with young master Kael, then."
"Probably. But not all of them together."
"Something's up, huh."
"Yeah. Info's too scarce. Should I pry it out of those guys somehow?"
"I'm ready."
A metallic clank. Somehow, a steel mace appeared in Arahan's hand. The hefty bludgeon looked vicious. Imagining it smashing heads… Rowen shivered, goosebumps rising.
"Arahan, please stop."
"What misunderstanding is this?"
"You're not gonna beat info out of them with that, right?"
"...I am."
"What do you mean misunderstanding! Why do you always go off-script like this?"
Arahan smiled at his words, puffing her chest proudly.
"Hehe, must be how much I want to be with you. How wonderful—to be in your sight."
What ecstasy! Arahan hadn't drunk a drop, yet her face flushed. Arms crossed, smug—Rowen was beyond dumbfounded, utterly floored. All he could think was: Can't leave this to her.
"Forget it, I'll go."
Food hadn't arrived, but Rowen stood. Heading to what looked like an adventurer party of three. Chairs scraped and floorboards creaked, but the raucous laughter drowned it out.
Arahan worried. Adventurers were always headstrong. "Strong personalities," nicely put. Or brainless idiots, bluntly. She kept her mace ready. If they annoyed Rowen, she'd kill them here. But he'd hate that. He'd be disappointed.
...Can't let that happen.
Her legs trembled, body shaking. How agonizing, terrifying to be hated by him. She felt it keenly. Decision made: not here. Quietly, out of sight. They'd been drinking—judgment near zero. Arahan focused every nerve on Rowen. Just watching filled her with bliss she couldn't hide. Unconsciously, she licked her lips seductively.
Rowen approached casually and poured their drinks. He was assertive, but he knew to humble himself for info. Not just pouring and clowning—purely to learn about the area.
"Hahaha! Kid, where'd you learn that?!"
"From a boozehound companion."
"Smart guy. Hey, pour me one too."
As expected, Rowen thought. They didn't know him. Any northerner would've seen the Valenos bastard's face. Cloaked with snow-white hair hidden, sure—but still. They weren't northerners. The boisterous barbarian warrior was a barbarian. Simple: human adventurers had warriors; barbarians had barbarian warriors. Racial difference, nothing more.
The archer boy slumped drunk beside him was unmistakably an elf. Pointed ears. Less pronounced than Miyabi's, but pure elf certification—a walking guarantee.
Finally, the woman bantering casually with Rowen. Wide hat and staff screamed mage. The insignia precariously pinned to her ample chest marked her Magic Association member. The association was northern-exclusive. No invasion rumors from Arkanthia yet—reassuring. Grand mages wouldn't lose easily, anyway. Truth unknown. So, time to probe these guys.
But it was all for naught.
"Pffft, cute kid."
"Uh, th-thanks…."
"Wanna go to a room with big sis?"
Total disaster.
"No thanks. Can you answer my question first?"
"Spend the night with me, and I'll tell you anything. I'm an elite from the Magic Association, y'know."
"...Sigh."
This was pointless—wasting time. Wrong targets, Rowen realized. Booze usually loosened tongues. These were vermin on Cain's level. Why chug in this cold? Good for warmth, sure—but to slurring? Idiotic.
"Hahaha! Wendy, horny again?"
"Shut up, barbarian. I'm talking to my man."
They stood, grabbing at each other. The elf yawned hugely.
"...Kid. Better run."
"Huh?"
The sleepy elf signaled with earnest eyes. Much experience, perhaps. Every word rang true.
"That bitch is a monster. Run."
"That strong?"
"...You eunuch?"
"Huh?"
"Not that strong."
"Then what?"
"...Don't care if you get sucked dry and die by Wendy, but don't listen to her."
Wendy made a lewd face. Rowen sensed deep wrongness. And then.
"...What the fuck did that bitch say?"
"Arahan?"
"Did you just call him your man?"
Arahan was furious. Not at their antics—cursing, sloppy drinking. Fine if Rowen was okay. She'd endure. No scene. But.
"I haven't even called him that yet, and this bitch dares?!"
"Arahan, calm down…."
"Shut up, young master. I'm very angry."
She couldn't hold it. Rowen was speechless. Her domineering side was new. Fitting her moniker, terrifying golden mana surged.
"You there. Say it again. What did you call him?"
Her mad eyes passed Rowen, fixing on Wendy.