IACGD 34

 Chapter 34

Once again, going outside during the Nightmare of the Snowy Mountains could be deadly.

In most cases, it was.

Clémen understood Rosia’s concern.

It wasn’t because the concern was unreasonable—it was because she herself wasn’t exactly ordinary enough to fit into it.

“I’m really fine. Anyway, the snow will all melt.”

“But the wind is blowing so strongly!”

“Maybe it’s similar to the desert sandstorms?”

In truth, the wind in the North was far stronger. But it didn’t matter to her.

No wind, not even one strong enough to uproot a tree, could stop her.

“…You’ll still do it even if I tell you not to?”

“I don’t know if this method will work. But it’s worth trying. I think it can reduce the number of casualties.”

Clémen was resolute. Seeing her like that, Rosia turned her mind elsewhere. Rather than wasting mental effort trying to stop her, it was better to guide her.

“Then while you do what you want, will you also help us a bit?”

“Us?”

“Me and His Highness. Broadly, the North.”

“Sure! What is it?”

Acceptance without a hint of hesitation. Rosia raised her eyebrows.

“You should at least know what it is before agreeing, Clémen…”

“It’s for the North, right? I’m a northerner now too. If it’s something I can do, of course I’ll do it.”

“Ha ha, well, I guess I have no choice.”

Clémen’s expression of certainty made her even more joyful than Rosia expected. There was no point in trying to stop her.

Instead, Rosia decided to explain the situation in more detail.

“Do you remember the letter I asked you to deliver to His Highness?”

“Yes. When I read it, wrinkles appeared on Master’s face.”

“Heh, hmm-hmm. The Noven Trading Guild has deep ties with the Fruina territory.”

Suppressing a laugh at Clémen’s description, Rosia continued seriously.

“This goes back to His Highness’s grandfather. It’s not just about money—they had a close, personal relationship. Person to person.”

“Hmm. So you’re saying there must be a reason the guild suddenly started acting strangely?”

“Oh, yes. Exactly.”

“So we just need to help figure out that reason?”

“I have a rough idea. That fellow acted immediately.”

Rosia already knew the rumors spreading among the villagers.

It was the result of him moving as soon as he heard the news of the guild’s delayed arrival.

This plan seemed designed to drag even Zephyrus’s already limited reputation through the mud.

“The public disapproves, he’s distracted by women and neglects his duties…”

If these became reasons, even the Emperor couldn’t move recklessly. Interfering with a local ruler under the pretext of replacing them could be seen as infringing on the territory’s autonomy.

‘And they don’t even know how hard His Highness has been working since taking the seat.’

Rumors alone had been enough to stir the Duke’s domain, despite him not stepping outside.

Rosia, understanding this, grabbed Clémen’s hand.

“So, Clémen’s role is basically to act like a ghost and share warmth.”

It was about ambiguously revealing what she was doing in secret. That was Rosia’s request.

Clémen would go around, stirring the villagers’ fear and anxiety. After the Nightmare, these dark emotions would transform, since unlike usual, few had died.

An unknown entity could be either good or evil.

After hearing the brief explanation, Clémen spoke with concern.

“But that means my method has to succeed.”

“Yes. I trust you, Clémen.”

There was no better motivation for Clémen than that trust.

The ominous rumors among the villagers were immediately buried, just as Rosia had planned.

Something was wrong.

Crunch, crack.

He bit his nails as he thought.

The village after the Nightmare shouldn’t have been so bright and cheerful.

With firewood scarce, gloom should have reigned. The atmosphere should have been dark and threatening.

“Hey, Hashu. How about a drink with snow as the backdrop after a long time?”

“Ah, haha. That sounds great!”

“Yeah! Let’s meet later! Haha!”

Instead of drinking in sorrow and despair, everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves!

‘It’s ruined.’

Years ago, when Hashu returned to the North, someone had helped him.

He hadn’t seen it directly, but this person had provided the foundation for him to establish himself. The very person Hashu now served as master was that individual.

Recently, he received a message. If he successfully completed the task given to him, he would be rewarded with a position once everything was over.

It wasn’t a difficult task. He only had to quietly spread rumors. With the villagers already anxious about the Duke, it was all the easier.

‘If he’s born with the right bloodline, he can succeed. Doing nothing outside is fine.’

Of course, he held grievances against the Duke. He had suffered through life in the cold while others lived comfortably.

His master had suffered similarly. Being a branch of the Fruina family, he had to leave his homeland because he wasn’t chosen as heir. Yet he still cared for the territory, even guiding ordinary residents.

Compared to the Duke, whose existence was uncertain, it seemed far better for his master to govern the land.

So this task had to succeed. Things had been going well until the Nightmare began.

‘So why is it like this now?’

Suddenly there was a ghost incident, and now it was warm. What? A fire fairy?

Ridiculous! Believing such nonsense… everyone must be out of their minds.

‘I can’t fail.’

Repaying his master’s favor was important, but advancing his own position was even more critical. If he failed, he’d continue to suffer while being denied further opportunities.

Hashu shook his legs violently and bit his lips.

When Juli introduced Clémen as her new friend, he hadn’t paid attention. Yet following her gesture, his gaze moved unconsciously.

‘…What is that?’

For a moment, he was captivated by her otherworldly beauty.

Then, as soon as Tom shouted that she was the incarnation of a fire fairy, he snapped back to reality.

It was her. The very person who had ruined their plans and driven him toward death was right in front of him.

Hashu instinctively realized:

‘I just need to capture her. The reward will be substantial!’

His mind raced.

Just by existing, she could melt snow. And if she really was, as Tom said, the incarnation of a fire fairy, all the better.

In the North, a fire fairy was revered yet approachable. If the incarnation of such a being was with his master, not the Duke, there was no clearer justification.

Capturing her would earn greater merit than just succeeding in the plan.

‘Once my master ascends to the Duke’s seat, I’ll… hehe!’

Hashu quietly stood, greeted, and watched the fleeing figure with a secret, desire-filled smile.

‘She’ll be going to the Duke’s mansion anyway…’

Catching just one woman wouldn’t be difficult. Hashu slung his bow over his back and moved, when a neighbor called out:

“Hashu? Where are you going?”

“My body’s stiff. Thought I’d go hunting a bit.”

“Be careful.”

“Is it just one or two hunts? Haha!”

He was confident.

If he captured the greatest prey of his life now, he’d never have to worry about small hunts again. Just imagining it thrilled him.

Chasing the prey was easy.

Perhaps it had only run initially; now it was leisurely wandering the area, looking around as it went.

‘What are you doing? Stay still.’

Hashu drew his bow behind a tree.

The instant the prey paused, however briefly, was his timing.

Moments later, the moment he wanted arrived.

Ping!

The arrow flew toward his path to advancement.

It shot forward with a crisp sound. Clémen turned, but it was too late to evade.

‘Hehe. My skill is perfect.’

The arrow, aimed at her leg, struck exactly where intended.

The woman collapsed with a grunt, struggling to get up. Hashu approached.

“Don’t exert yourself. There’s paralyzing poison on it.”

“Oh.”

Clémen, trying to rise, collapsed forward. Hashu moved closer, thinking the paralysis had suddenly spread.