Book 9: Chapter 31


    The snowy mountains were still some distance away from Socina City. We need to cross over the icynd in the north of Socina before we can arrive at the mountain paths. The snowy mountains looked as though they were right in front of us, yet it felt as if we never got closer. The sun was shining brightly overhead, but we couldnt feel any warmth from it. The breeze from the direction of the snowy mountains was freezing. It felt as though the winds were des cutting our skin. Although we had changed intopletely new gear, it still felt cold. It was as though the cold wind and snow pierced through our every cell, to sting every inch on our skin.


    As opposed to calling them mountain paths, I would argue that theyre better off described as the only ce that you could walk on the mountains. We switched our horses out for Socinas short and long-furred horses that were specialised in traversing the mountains. These horses were unafraid of the cold winds. However, I could tell that the temperature here in the mountains and the outside were drastically different. It was as though they were two different worlds. The temperature in the mountains was so low that I was shaking from head to toe. Ice quickly formed on the red scarf mom made me due to my breathing. We couldnt speak to each other with the whistling cold winds and heavy snowfall. We had to tie ourselves together with ropes around our waists to avoid being separated.


    Nightfall came even earlier in the mountains. I, however, was looking forward to night time already by noon. Despite being on horseback, the cold and fatigue wore me down, causing me to feel as if I ran out of energy. Had I not been on horseback, I probably wouldve had to take breaks after walking short distances.


    At night, our guide led us to a small cave. There was quite a bit of residue from fires started.


    <em>It seems that a fair number of people have taken short breaks here. </em>


    We left our horses outside and everybody entered the cave; but as I said, it was just a small cave. We were a group of about twenty people. When we squeezed into the cave, we virtually couldnt budge.


    Shusia,e, Ill hug you.


    Philes looked at Shusia. Shusia was a little embarrassed, but she ended up walking over to him and sitting in hisp, nevertheless. She leaned on him and looked at the fire. Philes looked at us and said, If this is how it is, let us sit around the fire, then Your Majesty Could you squeeze in with Lord Karana? Nobody has the right to hug Lord Karana. after all, right?


    I dont mind, but what about you, Karana?


    Hugging Karana for warmth is nothing but good news for me. She, though, is a married woman at the end of the day. Shes considered a widow now, but still, there are other people here. It wont be good if somebody sees us, now, would it?


    Karana smiled, and then walked over to sit in front of me. She then wrapped the two of us up using an overcoat. She leaned her back on my chest. While looking at the fire, she smiled, Staying alive in these mountains is of most importance. Further, this is not an unforgivable betrayal. Plus, there are very few women who have the privilege of resting on your chest, Your Majesty, so please allow me to use the Princess spot for now.


    Shes not going to be a Princess, is she?


    Philes, what was that?


    No, no, no, I did not saying anything. I did not say anything!!


    I red at Philes, causing Shusia to softly giggle She then asked, Your Majesty, when you told Instructor Nier about you and Miss Lucia or when you told Miss Lucia about Instructor Nier, did they just calmly ept it?


    I quickly recalled their Earth-shaking battle, Lucias escape and when Lucia saw Nier and me kissing in her wedding dress


    I touched my face then chuckled dryly, Mm I guess you could say they epted it peacefully


    You sure are amazing, Your Majesty to be forgiven after two-timing. Do you have ns to find yourself another princess?


    Im not two-timing! I How could I possibly find a third Princess? Im loyal in love! I loved Nier and Lucia, because theyre very important people to me. Im not the kind of person who likes them just because theyre a female!


    <em>As if I dare to find myself a third girl Nier and Lucias rtionship has just rxed a little. They would never allow me to have another woman. If there was going to be another woman, theyd have to be either Vyvyan or Elizabeths standard. Otherwise, she cant beat the two of them</em>


    <em>Nier and Lucia wont hesitate to deal fatal blows when ites to this, after all. I cant let an innocent girl die at their hands</em>


    Shusia looked at me. She quietly giggled, and then gestured with her hand to hush. I looked down to see Karana had fallen asleep. She sat within close proximity to me with her head down. Despite having fallen asleep, she didnt lean against me. She maintained a few centimetres distance from me.


    Though she said survival was important, she still minds physical contact. Shes a widow, all right, one that loves her husband.


    I smiled. I didnt pull her into my arms; instead, I raised the coat up higher, trying to cover her best as I could. The fire in front of me crackled. Nobody was singing and drinking the way we did in the desert. We, virtually, fell into silence not long after sitting down, with just the sound of the wind whistling outside.


    My eyes gradually shut. My head lowered and entered my dreams.


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    <strong>*Pant Pant Pant*</strong>


    <em>Ive already ran for a very long time  a very long time truly too long</em>


    <em>How long have I run for? I dont know I dont know Probably around a week, I think After my father was taken by that group and after I received my fathers head from them, I ran with all my might. I ran through the snow and northern winds. Behind me were screams and bloodshed. Im getting further and further away from my home</em>


    <em>I cant turn back, though. I cant take one step back. I dont have anybody with me anymore. Theres nobody left with me to stop those maniacs</em>


    <em>My father did what he did for their sake</em>


    <em>My father did what he did for this continent</em>


    <em>Our tribe has done our best every generation for the sake of this continent that the gods abandoned</em>


    <em>Why why why. does nobody remember that? Why didnt anybody stand up? My father gave up everything he had for them, and yet he couldnt even exchange it for mercy in the end. My father gave everything he had for that tyrant, yet had his life taken from him, just because he wouldnt hand me over</em>


    <em>Thats too disgusting</em>


    <em>Thats too despicable</em>


    <em>Thats too cold-hearted</em>


    <em>I must continue to run. I must continue to run</em>


    <em>I must find the power to seek revenge. I must acquire the power to get revenge. I cant turn back now, but I must return to kill those traitors. I must save this continent again. I cant let my fathers death be in vain. I cant let the continent my tribe has protected for centuries be destroyed now.</em>


    <em>Run Run Run!!</em>


    She suddenly slipped, causing her red silhouette to roll down the snow.


    She couldnt get to her feet again