Chapter 89

The cold of the real world is also a problem...

For example, an extremely low temperature wind.

Let's compare it to a blizzard.

In the former case, the wind hits the exposed skin on the face.

After a while, one would start to feel a coldness that gradually becomes painful.

And in the latter case.

In the latter case, one must first be prepared for the worst visibility.

This means the risk of getting lost is much higher.

When considered this way, the former is undoubtedly easier.

After all, even if one feels pain, as long as one still has the strength to keep walking, the possibility of dying is almost zero.

"The sound of the snow has stopped."

"Yes. The temperature around here is even lower, I suppose."

As Dill said, the temperature drops as they get closer to the former Demon King's territory.

The surface snow has not melted and is in a dry state.

Therefore, stepping on the snow does not make a squeaking sound; instead, it feels like stepping on powder snow, which is dry and sandy.

Because of this, many people kept slipping on the snow.

The guide from the guild is walking behind Ein and the others.

Even though they are guiding, there is a danger of monsters appearing, so they need to walk while guarding the surroundings.

"...This is a snowfield training, isn't it?"

"Snowfield training...?"

Near Ein, Loid and Dill are walking as his guards.

Occasionally, Loid raises his voice to give instructions and commands the group, but his main job is to guard Ein.

When Loid spoke, a white breath escaped.

No matter how tough a knight he is, it is natural to be affected by such natural conditions.

"Yes. As soon as we return to the capital, I will report to His Majesty... Training in areas with snow. We should increase it."

"That's right, Father... If we can't do this, we won't be able to face the people of Ishtarka."

It seems they both suffered a lot.

The journey to the former Demon King's territory is extremely harsh.

Due to the terrain, such heavy snow does not fall near the capital, and the temperature does not drop this much.

"A budget needs to be allocated. So it won't be easy, but this is urgent. We should assign snowfield training to the Royal Knights in Balt."

"Ah... So you're still dissatisfied, Loid."

"Well, I may sound arrogant, but I'm also having a hard time. Dill, when we get back to the inn, please compile a plan. Alright?"

"Understood, Father."

It seems the knight father and son have a new task.

The task is to draft a proposal for "snowfield training in Balt."

Ein always admires their intelligence but hopes they take care of their health.

"Still... The scenery is beautiful, but the environment is terrible."

A frozen sky and a world of silver.

Occasionally, large snowflakes like cotton fall. The scenery is a first-class, beautiful world.

It is truly a hidden realm, but it is simply too cold.

To reach the former Demon King's territory, they need to climb a slight slope and cross a pass.

They have already passed the halfway point, so it's just a matter of pushing a little more.

Ein took a deep breath, sending the cold air into his lungs.

For a moment, his body felt cold, but it also felt refreshed.

"...Lord Ein, please stop."

As Ein was enjoying the air, Dill's voice reached him.

It seems he has noticed something and is staring into the distance.

"Father, something is coming from the two o'clock direction."

"Understood. ...Everyone, halt! Prepare for an attack!"

At Loid's signal, Ein's body reacted.

To be ready for battle at any moment, he prepared "Phantom Hand."

"Lord Ein, please step back. Please stand between Father and me."

"Ah, alright."

Loid stood in front, ready to protect Ein.

He drew the large sword he had been carrying and held it in a ready stance.

The Royal Knights walking behind also drew their swords and formed a protective circle around the researchers and the guide.

Monsters do not appear in the former Demon King's territory, but since they have not yet entered it, monsters from the snowfield can appear.

"...Three enemy shadows!"

"Confirmed medium-sized monsters. All enemy shadows are at the twelve o'clock direction!"

A knight confirmed the enemy shadows with a telescope and loudly informed everyone.

Loid and Dill, upon hearing this, exhaled quietly and felt relieved that it didn't seem to be a major problem.

"Have you confirmed the enemy shadows?"

"Yes! All enemy shadows are Yatsume Rabbits!"

...What? What is that?

A rabbit version of the Yatsume Eel?

The humorous name piqued Ein's interest.

"Right... Dill, I will take care of them all. You stay by Lord Ein's side and protect him no matter what. Don't protect anything else."

"Understood."

Loid, saying "Oh well," swung his sword lightly.

Ein, who had been trained by Loid, knows his strength firsthand.

But this is the first time seeing Loid's strength in an actual battle.

It is impressively clear that he is different from training, as he is now enveloped in a killing aura.

"Hey, Dill. What kind of creature is a Yatsume Rabbit...?"

The Yatsume Eel is not called that because it has eight eyes.

It is called Yatsume because it has six gill slits and two eyes, making it look like it has eight eyes.

But a rabbit. Rabbits don't have gill slits.

So, what does it look like?

"A rabbit about five meters long that lives in cold regions."

"That's too big. That's not a rabbit anymore."

"Haha... By the way, as the name suggests, it has eight eyes. It also has six legs... and, by the way, it is carnivorous."

Impressive.

What does it want to do with eight eyes in such a cold place?

Putting in eye drops would be a hassle, and Ein feels a bit awkward.

"It's just like that..."

"Yes. But there is one more characteristic..."

The three Yatsume Rabbits approached, making a thudding sound.

Being carnivorous, they seem to think of Ein and the others as prey and charge at them.

But Loid, without any concern for their momentum, swings his large sword to test his senses, looking reliable.

The Yatsume Rabbits' charge continues without losing momentum, heading straight for Loid.

"Hunnuuuhh!"

At the moment Ein thought "They're going to collide!" the leading Yatsume Rabbit stopped about two meters in front of Loid.

It was so still that it seemed to have stopped in the air, causing everyone to wonder what was happening.

Loid's large sword, which had been swung down, began to sink into the ground.

"Yes. The characteristic... Yatsume Rabbits are considered a delicacy, known as 'Gems of the Snow Mountain.'"

"Wow, that's great."

This is good to know. Loid turned to Ein, who was thinking the same thing.

The remaining two Yatsume Rabbits stopped about ten meters behind, watching the situation.

"Hmm... It seems difficult to be at full strength."

"The body feels heavy, Father."

"Yes. But it's not bad, surprisingly manageable."

The father and son started their usual conversation.

Wait, what about the stopped Yatsume Rabbit? Ein's face showed his concern.

"Lord Ein, we have some good ingredients. This is a good start."

"Um, Loid? It's stopped, what happened...?"

"Huh? Oh, this? It's already over, no need to worry."

Already over?

What was over? The more questions arose, the more the answer appeared before Ein's eyes.

"This is what I mean. Occasionally, it's good to swing a sword."

Then Loid went to the stopped Yatsume Rabbit and kicked it suddenly.

The Yatsume Rabbit's body slid to the side and, a few seconds later, split neatly from left to right.

"Lord Ein, I have one idea. ...Just one. By honing just one thing, it becomes a killing move. For me, that is 'One Cut, Two Halves.' How was that?"

The technique Loid had devoted his life to.

It is 'One Cut, Two Halves.' ...A pure, straightforward technique.

It is his only and strongest technique.

The clean cut through the body is a scene that could be considered art.

Blood gushed from the cut, staining the white ground red.

"!"

"——!"

The two remaining Yatsume Rabbits, on guard, quickly retreated.

They seemed to understand that they should not engage.

"Well, Lord Ein, here you go."

Without any concern for the grotesque scene, Loid approached the half-body, searched it, and showed Ein an object he had wiped with snow.

—There's no way Ein, who is a food lover, wouldn't notice.

"A, a magic stone...!?"

"Please enjoy it later. I will prepare the meat, but I think this is the best for you."

Loid's favorability probably increased by several levels at that moment.

*

Unexpected attacks provided the survey team with high-quality ingredients.

This was more than enough to boost their morale, which was starting to wane.

"Ultimately, everyone loves delicious food, don't they?"

"Lord Ein, don't get too excited and eat the magic stone you brought."

"...Okay."

Thanks to a capable assistant, this concern had already been communicated to Dill and Loid.

Ein, who received the Yatsume Rabbit's magic stone from Loid, walked with a light step and a happy face.

The many ingredients from a five-meter-long body inevitably added to the load.

But considering the numerous benefits they would bring, it was impossible to leave them behind.

The knights finished the dissection and packed the items with snow.

They had brought enough food, but it was reassuring to be able to hunt on-site.

"Still, that technique was amazing."

"Father's, right?"

"Right. I was wondering when he cut it."

"Indeed. I think it was truly impressive."

How did he reach the target from such a distance?

Even if he could reach it, to split it open, including the spine, is not a human feat.

Loid, the strongest knight in Ishtarka. This glimpse into his strength was enlightening.

"It was a beautiful helmet split. ...The wall Dill needs to overcome is quite high."

"Haha... But I won't lose. I will definitely break through it someday."

Dill and Crowne.

Ein was fortunate to have such capable subordinates.

No matter how competent the lord, it is common to have incompetent subordinates.

—After walking for a few minutes from the Yatsume Rabbit attack, the group finally reached the end of the unfamiliar snow-covered slope.

From here, they would finally feel a flat road.

This means they are approaching the former Demon King's territory.

"Lord Ein, finally."

"Yes, Loid. ...Somehow, no one got lost."

It was fortunate that the only trouble was the Yatsume Rabbit attack.

The journey was smooth.

"By the way, Lord Ein. I have something to report."

"Something to report?"

Loid cleared his throat and composed himself.

"The former Demon King's territory is not uninhabited by monsters. The monsters are intentionally 'avoiding' it."

"Go on."

"Yes. ...I checked the escape routes and tracks of the Yat