“Fortunately, it doesn’t look like there will be that many monsters. Unlike long ago, only the ones that can withstand the cold would’ve survived.”
“The number may have dropped, but the moment even one comes down into a residential area, that place will be razed.”
“Yeah.”
The three of them were still carrying on the conversation around the same topic.
“The Scholtz Mountains...”
It was a place Camilla had heard of, too. Whenever the Gracia Empire came up, it always came up with it.
The mountains were notorious for their harsh terrain, but they were also famous for something else entirely.
At her murmur, all three sets of eyes turned to Camilla at the same time.
“A place they call a paradise for monsters.”
Jainer responded kindly to her interest.
“But a long time ago, the climate changed and an ice wall formed around the Scholtz Mountains.”
Camilla nodded. She knew that much.
Thanks to that ice wall, the monsters could no longer come out, and the surrounding region had been safe all this time—wait. Ice wall?
“But now that ice wall is melting fast.”
“Is it because the weather...?”
“That’s right.”
This was something she hadn’t considered. That the Winter Spirit King’s long-withheld fury had actually helped keep things in place.
“I’m really curious why it warmed up so suddenly.”
Jainer kept speaking without taking his eyes off Camilla.
“Aren’t you curious too?”
“...It’s a strange thing.”
“That’s all?”
“Then what else is there supposed to be?”
“Right. So why do I keep feeling like there’s more to it?”
You bastard. Do you actually know something? Why are you saying that while looking straight at me?
“So then.”
He put on that uniquely gentle smile again.
“Could I ask for a bit of your help?”
“Help?”
“To be more precise, not your help—help from that Guardian.”
As Jainer’s gaze shifted to King, Camilla turned her head as well.
[Gyuu?]
With an apple in his mouth, King looked at Camilla like, What? Why?
“It’s in the records. There were times people received help from Guardians when dealing with monsters.”
As he said it, Camilla had seen it in books too.
Long ago—back before the Gracia Empire was buried in snow—they’d sent a Guardian to the Scholtz Mountains as a gesture of goodwill, to help with monster extermination.
“And the Guardian is right in front of us.”
Jainer’s smile drew an even prettier curve.
“Denied.”
But the answer to Jainer’s suggestion came from somewhere else—immediately—and it wasn’t Camilla.
“What’s that bean-sized thing going to do.”
Duke Kais Escra shook his head lightly, like he didn’t need to hear another word.
“Even if it’s small, it’s still a Guardian. I’ve heard it shows unrivaled power against those with evil energy—and against monsters. Wouldn’t it be worth testing?”
Duke Kais Escra’s brow furrowed deeper.
“Using a Guardian without the Duke of Sorpel’s permission could turn into an issue between nations.”
“Wouldn’t it be enough if Camilla gets permission?”
“Besides, a Guardian doesn’t follow just anyone.”
“I know.”
“If you want to take the Guardian, that means that girl has to go with it.”
“In that case, I suppose so.”
“So no.”
Duke Kais Escra ended it firmly, as if he wouldn’t tolerate any other opinion.
In the end, even Jainer didn’t bring up the Guardian again. He knew Duke Kais Escra well enough—once he decided something, he never changed it.
“If the season hadn’t changed, this wouldn’t have happened.”
No—so why do you keep saying that while staring at me?
“Let’s hope there isn’t major damage.”
I’m not feeling guilty. Spring coming isn’t my fault.
“I’m really worried. Let’s hope not too many people die.”
I said I’m not—
...Damn it.
*****
“You’re saying you’ll follow Jainer?”
“Yes.”
Jainer had been selected to lead the support force being sent to the Scholtz Mountains.
He’d barely returned home before leaving again, but this wasn’t the time to nitpick about that.
The situation in the Scholtz Mountains was, literally, a hair-trigger.
The moment the monsters that had been trapped behind the ice wall for so long started spilling out, it would only be a matter of time before everything turned into hell.
“Why?”
“I feel like I’ll have nightmares.”
“What?”
...It’s true, though.
Duke Kais Escra’s brows twisted hard, like he thought she was joking. Camilla hurriedly pointed at King.
“He says he wants to go.”
[Gyuu?]
King, who’d been playing on the floor with a ball about the size of his own torso, lifted his head with a look that said, When did I ever?
“Like Jainer said, he might be able to help.”
“It’s not something you need to concern yourself with.”
Duke Kais Escra threw down the paperwork he’d been holding like he was tossing it away, then pressed his fingers hard into his brow.
Did he pull another all-nighter yesterday? He looked exhausted.
Rustle.
From the small bag she always carried, Camilla took something out and slid it onto the desk in front of him.
Candy.
When you’re tired, sugar is the best fix.
Back when she lived the life of a busy celebrity, she probably ate candy more than actual meals.
The habit stuck—so even now, she always made sure to carry a few pieces.
“......”
Duke Kais Escra stared at the candy and then at Camilla, looking utterly dumbfounded.
Then, finally, he let out a short snort of laughter.
“Denied, either way.”
“Either way, I’m going.”
“Camilla.”
“Uh... yes?”
Wasn’t this the first time? The way he’d called her name like that. A strange feeling swept over her.
“It’s a dangerous place.”
“I know.”
“And you still want to go?”
“It might help.”
Camilla repeated what she’d said a moment ago.
Honestly, she wasn’t sure either. No—she almost wasn’t expecting anything at all.
A Guardian might be able to show great power against monsters, but King hadn’t even fully grown yet. It didn’t feel like he’d be of any special help.
Still...
It feels off. My conscience feels... dirty.
Either way, I bear some responsibility, too.
If she hadn’t gotten involved, this place would still be winter, and the ice wall would never have melted.
Spring arriving was definitely a good thing, but if someone was harmed because of it... she couldn’t help feeling some responsibility.
More than that, it was also true that Camilla herself—and the Ducal House of Sorpel—had gained major business benefits from this.
And Jainer.
No matter how she looked at it, she needed to learn more about him.
Whether the things he’d said to her were truly thoughtless, or whether he’d said them because he knew something.
The best way to figure that out was to collide head-on and confirm it directly.
If he left for the Scholtz Mountains and she didn’t even know when he’d return, it would keep nagging at her—and her sleep would stay restless.
She hated thinking about something for a long time.
“I have absolutely no intention of getting involved in any fighting.”
“No one expects that of you, either.”
He made a look like she was ridiculous.
This man really doesn’t know. I can use that sword, you know? Well—when I’m borrowing Zeno’s power, anyway.
“I’ll just see whether King helps or not, then I’ll pull back right ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ away.”
I know my life is precious, too.
Duke Kais Escra went silent again. He stared at Camilla for a long time, then finally gave ground.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Yes.”
With everything said, Camilla scooped King up in her arms and stood. She dipped her head lightly toward him, then headed straight out.
“Oh? You were in here.”
Just then, the door opened and Count Alton stepped inside.
“I’m on my way out.”
“Already? You could stay a bit longer.”
“Next time.”
Leaving his disappointment behind, Camilla continued out of the office.
“What brings you here?”
As he watched Camilla leave, Count Alton walked straight up to Duke Kais Escra and asked.
“Did you talk with her?”
“Hm.”
Even at the question, Duke Kais Escra didn’t answer. Instead, he tapped the armrest with his fingers, sinking into deep thought.
With Jainer, it shouldn’t be particularly dangerous, but...
“Should I go along?”
“Go along? Where? I don’t know what you mean, but I oppose it. You know you have a mountain of work, don’t you? Where exactly are you going?”
“The Scholtz—”
Answering without thinking, Duke Kais Escra turned his head, then froze.
“What are you eating right now?”
“Huh? Oh, candy.”
Count Alton had popped one of the candies on the desk into his mouth. He smiled brightly.
“This candy is good. Where did you get—?”
But his smile didn’t last. Something about Duke Kais Escra’s presence wasn’t normal.
“Spit it out.”
“...Excuse me?”
“Spit it out! You bastard!”
“No, why?!”
“Do you even know what that candy is?!”
“Candy is candy.”
“Spit it out right now!”
“It’s just one piece of candy, why—”
“Just one? Juuust one?”
Without understanding a thing, Count Alton got grabbed by the collar and had to be shaken around for a while by Duke Kais Escra.
*****
“C-c-cold!”
“Seriously.”
“Why is it still cold here?!”
They said it got warm enough for the ice wall to melt!
In the end, Duke Kais Escra couldn’t break Camilla’s stubbornness.
Instead of excluding her from the party heading to the Scholtz Mountains, he shoved an enormous quantity of transport Mana Stones into Camilla’s arms.
If anything looked even slightly dangerous, she was to detonate one immediately without looking back—he stuffed her bag full of those absurdly expensive magic items.
And then...
“By the way, miss.”
“What?”
“Could you spare just one of those for me too?”
Dorman, who’d followed her, had been eyeing the transport Mana Stones for a while now.
“If it gets dangerous, I have to run too.”
Then don’t come. I told you not to.
He’d insisted he couldn’t possibly let her go alone, and forced his way into coming.
“Dorman.”
“Yes.”
“A shield, you know...”
“A shield?”
“A shield isn’t for running. It exists to block.”
“......”
“Block well until I escape safely with a transport Mana Stone.”
“Wow... seriously!”
What an idiot. Does he really think I’d actually abandon him and run?
Watching him whip his head away like he was sulking, Camilla let out a small snort of laughter.
