Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Fury of the White-Horned Deer
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"You're getting along well with everyone lately."
"They're all good people."
On a quiet holiday when the entire village was taking a rest, Snow-Covered and I ventured into the forest.
It was the perfect day now that the blizzard had finally stopped, and we had a special reason for coming out here too.
The forest after the snow had ceased was breathtaking.
Pristine and untouched, the snowdrops cascading with every gust of wind caught the light and sparkled like jewels.
And as you left the first set of footprints atop it all, the worries in your heart began to melt away bit by bit.
For the people of the North, winter was as harsh as it was a healing homeland that mended the soul.
"Wow!"
I turned my head and saw Snow-Covered darting this way and that, her eyes sparkling with wonder.
No matter how steadfastly she trained in silence, she was still a teenager deeply swayed by emotions.
It was good for her to become a fine king someday, but growing into a fine adult was just as important.
As her master, I felt a sense of responsibility, but more than that, I wanted to guide this child in the right direction.
With a faint smile, I strolled through the woods, and Snow-Covered busily followed close behind.
"This is about the spot."
Deep down, I wanted to wander far and wide, letting her experience even more wonders.
But regrettably, today's purpose wasn't rest—it was to search for something.
Snow-Covered scanned the ground for a good while before looking up at me with disappointment.
"The footprints are all gone."
"Can't be helped with all the snow that fell overnight."
The White-Horned Deer that had chased the hunter all the way to the village had already become a favorite tale among the villagers.
But unlike their excited reactions, I'd slipped out of the village early to track the traces the deer had left behind.
This was my chance to capture them and tame them as mounts.
'Pruuuuh!'
Born and raised in this brutal wilderness, strong enough to drive off natural predators and hunters alike—what incredible vitality they must possess.
Especially that massive leader; it carried an aura so immense and powerful it was worthy of being called a divine beast.
Just ten ordinary mounts could shift strategies and turn the tide of war.
My conscience pricked a little, but this wasn't the time to be choosy about hot or cold rice.
I raised my hand and pointed in one direction.
"Take a good look at those tree branches over there."
Deer typically live solitary lives or in small herds.
But White-Horned Deer, much like horses, form massive groups.
A herd numbering well over a hundred, by my count.
No way that many could cross the forest without leaving a trace.
Snow-Covered followed my finger, turning her head, then clapped her hands in quiet admiration.
"Ah..."
Sure enough, where they'd passed, broken branches littered the ground in every direction.
And clinging to most of them were tufts of white fur, proclaiming the culprits loud and clear.
They'd circled the village for a time before heading back to their habitat.
I fingered the cottony fur as I gazed toward the distant edge of the forest.
A small plain.
They might be gathered there.
There was a time when I managed the king's deer.
A squire's basic virtue lay in polishing sword and armor—and caring well for the deer that were practically a knight's best companion.
Thanks to that, I understood White-Horned Deer habits better than any tamer and knew how to tame them for mutual understanding.
But that very knowledge bred questions.
Why had the White-Horned Deer driven off the hunters and pursued them all the way to the village?
'Did you shoot an arrow at it?'
'A-Are you mad? It seemed like a divine creature, so we quietly stepped aside...'
White-Horned Deer were gentle by nature.
They possessed the power to easily repel fierce beasts, yet they never misused it or indulged selfish urges.
But this herd was different.
They'd clearly lowered their horns to kill the hunters and charged fearlessly right up to a human village.
What on earth had happened to make them so hostile and unyielding toward humans?
Knowing the species' docility, I hadn't been able to guess the reason until just yesterday.
Yes, until yesterday.
"Wh-What's this...?"
Snow-Covered and I arrived at the plain where we'd expected the herd to be.
But instead of White-Horned Deer, the air reeked of rot, and corpses lay strewn everywhere.
All of them with their horns severed.
"The barbarians' handiwork."
"Why on earth...!"
"They needed the horns."
The barbarians' civilization level barely reached stone-age tools—grinding or splitting things at best.
Sure, they occasionally wielded iron or bronze pilfered from villages, but they lacked the skill to craft or maintain them.
Yet right there on the plain, a material superior to iron roamed about.
The horns.
Specifically, the sturdy horns of White-Horned Deer, structurally unlike those of ordinary deer.
Snow-Covered sighed as she gazed at a fawn among the adults, its horn crudely hacked off.
"That's too cruel..."
Good and evil held no meaning before nature.
We harmed other lives to survive, bound by the inescapable pyramid of predator and prey.
But this was wrong.
Even if such sympathy was a contradiction, nature demanded ferocity—and due respect for its ordained laws.
Was this hunting?
No, it was slaughter for greed.
I exhaled a breath like fragrant incense, quietly surveying the barbarians' devastation.
No wonder they'd been so furious with humans.
I recalled the leader gazing sadly toward the village.
But on this plain scarred by death, such reflection lasted only a moment.
Dududududu!
"Master!"
Snow-Covered, sprawled on the ground, sensed the intense vibrations rumbling through the earth.
I'd already noticed the change myself and quickly turned to pinpoint the source.
Clop clop clop!
Uooooooo!
"Shh—get down!"
Sure enough, the source was a herd of White-Horned Deer fleeing in a group.
But unlike the massive scale we'd seen before, their numbers were drastically reduced.
Like sardines scattering from a school, darting every which way in panic.
Chasing after them came a band of barbarians, howling grotesquely.
Greedy ones who'd left the plain early and were out hunting.
"Th-This...!"
"I know—grab your sword."
True to form, Snow-Covered couldn't stand by at injustice, her eyes pleading earnestly.
But this time, I didn't stop her. I simply slung my own sword at my side.
Perfect number—just right for killing.
Let the disciple gain real combat experience while thinning the barbarian ranks. Two birds with one stone—no need to hold back or flee.
Of course, my sly plan to snatch a few injured deer amid the chaos was a secret from the pure-hearted child.
Rustle rustle rustle!
We rose from our spots.
And hurried toward the plain where the chaotic drive-hunt was unfolding.
"Aha? Poyo?"
"Grrrrr!!"
They spotted us immediately, of course.
But the moment they realized there were only two of us, they bared their teeth like beasts.
Some had already succeeded in the hunt—a few doe deer writhing on the ground.
Their sharpened bone clubs, aimed at us, were caked in blood and flesh.
Not the slightest threat, of course.
Slash!
"- - - - - - -!!"
I cleaved its throat mid-charge.
The severed head sailed high, spraying blood across the snow, as the body crumpled limply.
The barbarians faltered in panic.
But that wasn't the end—Snow-Covered, more refined than before, leaped in nimbly.
"Hyaaah!"
The quiet-spoken girl always grew loud and gravelly the moment her hand touched a sword.
And her slash toward them was just as fierce as her spirited shout.
"Guhk—gurgh!"
Once to the left, once to the right.
Dodging attacks deftly while slashing away, Snow-Covered was no longer a green novice—she was a full-fledged trainee.
I praised her lavishly.
"Well done!"
Our swords clashed in unison.
Gruesome work of parting flesh and cracking bone, yet Northern Swordsmanship danced with elegant grace, like a waltz upon the snow.
Growth through live battle, indeed.
Between swings, I observed her stance and path, mentally noting corrections needed.
"Pow! Pow a!"
"Uaaa!"
Three slashed, then three more.
The ground littered with headless corpses, the few remaining barbarians lost their will to fight and scattered in all directions.
"No! There!"
But one barbarian, unable to abandon his greed to the last, began dragging a leg-injured fawn away with a rope.
Fool—up close like this, courting death for mere avarice.
Before I could intervene, Snow-Covered—fuming more than ever—panted hard as she closed right in behind him.
Clop clop clop!
Pruuuuh!
"?"
That was the moment.
Something white like a flash pierced the blind spot beyond my vision.
I cried out in alarm.
"Damn it—dodge!"
"Kyaa!"
Crunch!
The leader!
Snow-Covered flew with a short scream as the fleeing barbarian was skewered by horns like ancient tree trunks and hurled away.
A living siege chariot.
One charge turned the lifeform to pulp.
The White-Horned Deer leader snorted like a steam locomotive.
Here to save its herd?
I moved on instinct, urgently blocking Snow-Covered's front as she fell.
Pruuuuh!
It pawed the ground.
Its once-wise eyes blazed with human-directed rage, its aura swirling ferociously.
No use trying to explain, I sensed strongly.
Thud thud thud!
And sure enough, it backed up slowly to build momentum, then charged at Snow-Covered and me again.
Dodge?
No—block it.
I shoved Snow-Covered aside and swung my sword at it with all my might.
Or tried to.
Peep, peeep!
"- - - - - - -?"
That instant, the beast thrusting its horns...
Me, about to swing...
We both froze at the faint cry from right below, just before collision.
And as if by agreement, we slowly lowered our gazes to the small space between us.
There was Snow-Covered—and the fawn.
"Thank goodness..."
Ignoring how close she'd come to death, Snow-Covered untied the rope binding the fawn.
The fawn, in turn, nuzzled her cheek cautiously with its snow-dusted muzzle, as if in thanks with its tiny cry.
"Ha."
A hollow laugh escaped me.
Not from the absurdity of the scene, but a quiet lament at myself for thinking I knew all of the North's nature.
Yes—should've protected the young first.
The leader and I met eyes, sharing the thought.
Shing.
I sheathed my sword.
It took a step back too.
Snow-Covered shook off the snow and stood, gently leading the now-freed fawn toward the herd.
"There, now go on."
Peeep!
Pruuuuh!
The fawn trotted vigorously toward the herd that had come to rescue it.
The leader stepped back as well, inspecting the fawn's condition.
Relieved at last.
It nudged the fawn with its muzzle, then glanced quietly at us once more.
Understanding its rage washed away my dark intent to tame them in an instant.
They couldn't speak, but this herd was every bit a vital part of the North.
With the misunderstanding cleared, it slowly turned its massive frame toward the herd.
"Bye-bye!"
Snow-Covered beamed.
She waved her arms excitedly as the deer gradually vanished beyond the plain.
So thrilled, oblivious to her master's feelings.
I stroked her snow-covered hair and murmured softly.
"Today, I was the one who learned."
"Huh?"
"Come on, let's head back."
Being beside this child, white as fresh snow...
I felt myself turning pure as well.
And so, we left the plain of so many events behind and walked back to the village as the sun set.