Chapter 138 (1/2)
It has been a few days since we entered the mountain range.
The area is dyed white with snow, in which my feet sink up to my ankles.
”My Lord, where are you?”
”Over here.”
”Oh, there you are! Let's go, Panda.”
”Kyui!”
Frau and Panda, who went on a reconnaissance mission, have just returned.
They seemed to have gotten used to the temperature in the mountains, and Frau looked fine even in light clothing.
I envy the high body temperature of the fairies.
But still, when she stops moving, she seems to feel the cold, and sometimes she dips into my scarf for warmth.
It can be very annoying for me.
”I'm going to make some hot tea, so please rest.”
”Sorry.”
Kaede took out a kettle from her luggage and put water to boil.
I sat under a tree and listened to the report.
”And how is the fort?”
”There are about fifty soldiers who looked to be demons. The fort also acts as a prison, with about 20 captive dark elves. I've seen several being tortured and weakened, as well as a burly man who looked like a commander.”
”What does the fort look like?”
”Apparently the whole structure is a ruin. It is very old, and is being repaired in multiple places.”
I see, that's interesting. They didn't build it from scratch, they occupied it as a fort.
”It's going to take a long time if we take a detour. It's much faster to go through the fort. I've also seen a demon riding a wyvern, so traveling by air will be tricky.”
”Here's your tea.”
”Thank you.”
I grabbed the cup and took a sip.
Taking a detour will take too long, and flying isn't a good option either.
I'll have to go through the fort.
I hated Elohim's idea of taking on the Demon King, but I guess I have no choice. After this, I'll be in Demon King Rudra's sights.
And I'm curious about the dark elves that are being held captive.
They were probably sent to rid the mountain range of the demon forces.
I looked at Kaede and Frau.
”I will follow you wherever you go, Master.”
”I will do as you wish. Frau is the Lord's slave.”
It was decided.
We headed straight for the fort.
The demons who were standing guard were the first to notice and readied their bows.
”This road is blocked by order of Demon King Rudra. No one is allowed to go further. If you don't want to die, turn back now.”
”I have no intention of dying, but I won't leave!”
”Foolish human, do you think you can beat us? Kill him!”
More than ten arrows were launched at us.
But Kaede intervened and shot them down with her iron fans.
”Damn it, don't let them enter the fort! Call the mages, otherwise Arken-Sama will kill us!”
The mages lined up on the outer wall.
They chanted a spell and used ice magic.
A fierce wind of cold air rushes down from the fort.
”You think they're going to defeat us with cold air? Don't make me laugh, you guys are no opponent for my master. Frigid Fire!”
The blue flame cuts the enemy's magic in half and hits the outer wall where the mages are.
The outer wall instantly froze and countless ice-encased mages came into view.
Kaede, whose eyes were as cold as ice, turns around and flashes her usual smile.
”We have removed all the obstacles.”
”Thank you.”
”Wow, Kaede's magic is as relentless as ever.”
”Kyu!”
Frau peeked through an opening in my scarf, followed by Panda.
Kaede bowed politely, but her tail wagged prolifically and, from the looks of it, she had the air of someone who wants to be praised.
I petted her head, and her fox ears flopped down and perked up with glee.
”Well done.”
”Master~”
She hugged me and buried her face in my chest.
Her long white eyelashes sway, and her lips look even pinker than usual, maybe because of the snow.
Now, let's go inside.
”Hmph!”
Booong
I knocked down the large metal gate in one fell swoop. We then entered the fort with ease.
”Intruders! We will not allow you to harm Arken-Sama!”
Several enemies waiting in ambush thrust their spears at us.
Their expressions changed drastically the moment their spear tips split.