One Who Halts Steps (4)

I’m going to be devoured.

That single thought flashed through Lost’s mind.

“That was a joke too.”

Línea smiled brightly and hopped back to create some distance.

She had long since released his hand, which she had been gripping tightly as if she wouldn’t let go.

She stood there, just as Lost always remembered her.

“I know we’ve put you in a difficult position, Lost.”

Línea’s mood was completely opposite to how she’d been just moments ago.

“Hmm, I’m sorry. You probably need some time to think too.”

With a bitter smile, Línea scratched her cheek and said:

“But please come back by this evening, okay? I’ll worry otherwise.”

“…Yeah.”

*     *      *

“Ugh, ughhhh…”

After sending Lost away, Línea clutched her head and writhed in agony by herself.

She was terribly embarrassed by her actions from earlier.

“B-but it was effective.”

Línea crouched down alone and opened a book she had recently purchased in Arcanum.

[The Principles of Love, Volume 5]

In truth, Línea wasn’t particularly dissatisfied with the current situation.

Of course, she didn’t like Ilina Crowley flirting around, but their existing relationship was fine.

Although there hadn’t been much progress since their first kiss in Alfheim, she was still satisfied. At least she knew that Lost loved her.

The reason she took such an aggressive approach this time was solely because that vixen Ilina Crowley had interfered.

“It was effective, but…”

She had finally opened volume 5 and tried out the aggressive and explicit methods described in it.

The result was clearly visible.

She could feel Lost becoming more conscious of her. Now that he was getting used to and comfortable with their relationship, such stimulation would definitely be helpful.

“B-but that was too much.”

Those last words.

The words that had delivered a massive mental blow to Lost and established an overwhelming presence—unfortunately, she hadn’t planned that.

She simply didn’t know.

She genuinely didn’t know what came next.

She had put into practice everything she had read in the book up to that point, but she didn’t know what to do after that.

Of course, it wasn’t that she lacked knowledge. After all, she was a doctor.

But she didn’t know the stages of romance. She hadn’t had opportunities to access such knowledge because she’d been ostracized within her family. The girl who had no friends couldn’t help it.

“How embarrassing that I actually asked him directly…”

So she had asked.

And immediately after asking, she realized.

Even if she didn’t know, there were some things one could intuitively understand.

She realized just how embarrassing her question had been.

“…No. Lost will handle it well, right?”

Yes, she could leave it to him.

The Lost that Línea knew was a very mature person with a wealth of life wisdom.

So all she had to do was be good and listen to what Lost said.

“…”

Affirming this to herself, Línea examined the book she was clutching again.

“Or not? M-maybe I should put in some effort too?”

Fox instincts and flimsy reason.

Línea’s peculiar seduction was set to continue.

*     *      *

I’m wandering the streets.

There’s no reason to be out like this anymore, since I had pretended to faint to mediate the fight between the two women.

But I needed to calm my heart, which was beating unusually fast.

Honestly, I was caught off guard.

It’s not like I haven’t seen such temptation before.

But experiencing it firsthand made me realize. It’s more troublesome than I thought.

“Love spreads like wildfire; even if you try to stop it, you cannot.”

But I didn’t have the luxury to think about such things right now.

For some reason, whenever I try to take some time for myself, something always gets in the way.

“So what to do? Should we let the hot flames burn the field until its inner flesh is exposed, or should we dig up a portion of the field’s grass to prevent the fire from reaching it?”

Kigigigik.

Everything in my field of vision distorts and mixes like blending paints, and a different world unfolds before my eyes.

“Connections are quite interesting, aren’t they, little one? Don’t you think so?”

There was no need to be startled.

As far as I knew, only one being could create such extraordinary phenomena as naturally as breathing.

Plus, considering what happened to his granddaughter’s hair, it was understandable.

“Oh dear… am I in trouble?”

Mystic King, Castian Crowley.

The magical transcender of logic had twisted everything around us and invited me into his own world.

“Though one’s lips may be sealed tight, the traces of tears pooled at the corners of the eyes cannot be hidden.”

“Um… are you perhaps very angry, Your Majesty Mystic King?”

“Watching the blossoming youth of growing children is inherently bittersweet. I’m too old to get angry at each and every such incident.”

Those words don’t match your appearance, which is too young.

Mystic King Castian Crowley looked like a boy even younger than Claire or Lilia on the surface.

But no one could mistake him for a mere boy when looking into those blue eyes overflowing with mana.

It was already clear that he was not a simple human but something transcendent.

“However, watching my granddaughter have such an experience doesn’t exactly feel good.”

“Ah, um… I’m sorry.”

“No need for apologies. This is just an old man’s sentimentality.”

Castian Crowley said with a hearty laugh that contrasted with his appearance.

It’s uncomfortable. Just standing here talking with him makes me feel like he can see right through me.

“You’re heading to Skadi, I hear?”

“Yes.”

“Ilina has been insisting on going too, which is why I wanted to meet you.”

“Do you want me to dissuade your granddaughter? I’ll try, but, um…”

“No, even I can’t stop that child’s stubbornness. Knowing that, I can’t make such an unreasonable request. It would only hurt Ilina.”

That’s certainly true. Even when she was dealing with trauma, didn’t she relentlessly save money to improve her condition?

What impressive perseverance.

And she’s just as persistent about clinging to people too.

“What I want to say is…”

*     *      *

The next day.

After recovering, we headed to the Mystic King’s castle. Whether by coincidence or design, I didn’t encounter Línea much last night.

I was half worried, half expectant, and half wary that she might try something at night, but nothing happened.

Was it really just a joke?

Anyway, contrary to my worries, nothing special happened afterward. Claire did look at me with contemptuous eyes, but that’s no different from usual, so I didn’t pay much attention to it.

What are you going to do with that glare?

You’re weaker than me.

As I ignored the impudent little brat’s gaze and started moving…

“Ah, by the way, Lilia? Are you okay with coming along like this?”

“Huh? You’re asking now?”

“I didn’t have a chance to ask before.”

Because whenever related topics came up, things always went to hell.

Línea and Ilina Crowley’s presences were so strong that we couldn’t pay attention to our crazy girl.

“I’m just traveling around with Dad anyway, so it’s fine!”

“But you must have had some original plan or something, right?”

“Nope.”

“None?”

“Yeah! I’ve just been visiting places I’ve been to before, but there are no more places I’ve been to next, so I was just playing around here.”

Should I think that she was waiting for us? I thought we had met by chance, but maybe it was a situation where we were bound to meet.

But the place we’re heading to now is uninhabitable from the environment alone.

I’m not sure if she’s aware of that. I glanced down at Eremus, whom Lilia was holding, to check his mood, but he seemed unbothered.

If Eremus isn’t objecting, it must be fine.

“Senior, will you continue to come with us?”

-Of course I should!

“Well, being a ghost, you probably won’t feel the cold or anything.”

-We won’t know until we get there.

Hmm, it seems even Hecate hasn’t been to Skadi before. Or perhaps she hasn’t been there in such a weakened state?

“What about the rodent?”

“Don’t call me that. And do you think I would fear the cold? Me, who created Hraesvelgr?”

“True. Titan, keep a good eye on that bastard. Seeing how he’s boasting, he’ll probably be the first to freeze to death.”

“Will do.”

Ratatoskr is the weakest among us.

Although he’s gradually regaining his former strength, apparently it will take a few hundred years to fully recover.

Even though Hecate and Eremus have also lost most of their power, their original caliber still matters.

In that sense, Ratatoskr is probably in the most danger.

I told him to die fighting, but I don’t intend to let him die like a dog.

As I was confirming everyone’s opinions and arriving at our destination…

“Huh?”

“Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing.”

I noticed Línea’s tail wrapped around my wrist.

When did this happen? Honestly, I’ve become so used to this that I didn’t even notice.

I thought about asking her to let go, but…

I couldn’t ruin Línea’s mood just because I was conscious of Ilina Crowley, so I let it be.

In that state, we arrived at the castle, where Ilina Crowley, her newly cut hair neatly trimmed, greeted us with a sullen expression.

“…I assume you’ve heard, but I’ll be joining you to Skadi.”

“Looking forward to working with you.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“…Your hair suits you well?”

“Hmph.”

Ilina Crowley glances at Línea and snickers.

In response, Línea’s half-lidded eyes turn toward me.

No, I just said that as a courtesy because she was obviously fishing for a compliment. If you’re going to give me such dirty looks over every little thing, it makes me very sad.

“Well, shall we distribute supplies before departing?”

Perhaps she didn’t like how I was being mindful of Línea?

Ilina Crowley pulls on my wrist where Línea’s tail was wrapped.

Naturally, Línea’s tail had to unwrap, and in that moment, Ilina Crowley fastened a blue bracelet I’d never seen before around my wrist.

Wait, but this is…

“It’s made from my hair.”

“…”

Terrifying.

How am I supposed to interpret this? What expression should I make when a woman gives her cut hair to a man?

“Ah, I should say this in advance to avoid misunderstandings, but my hair works well as a catalyst for fire-attribute magic, so that’s why I used it. Since it’s part of my body, it lasts longer.”

Snap!

As Ilina Crowley spoke and snapped her fingers, I felt the surrounding temperature rise.

The skin where the bracelet touched felt a bit hot, so it must be a warming spell.

“You know, right? That I’m the only one who can properly use mana in Skadi. When it gets seriously cold, any mana that leaves the body freezes completely, making it impossible to do anything.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

Ilina Crowley’s parents died because of that.

Even when they released mana outward, it froze.

In Skadi, about the only one who can use magic is Ilina Crowley, whose mana is structured like a flame. Since we mainly use aura for physical enhancement rather than magic, it shouldn’t make much difference for us, but…

“You can’t use magic tools either, so this is the best we can do.”

She’s saying it’s not bad to have a magical means of keeping warm.

“And don’t you think it’s romantic to make jewelry from hair and give it to someone?”

“No, not at all.”

“…”

Normally I would have said something more diplomatic, but on this one thing, I can be definitive.

That’s disgusting, Princess.

*     *      *

It burns and burns.

Living while cursing immortality.

One who reaches the eternal cycle of embracing immortality while meeting mortality.

Like Malice, the 10th trial, this is the yoke that symbolizes immortality and mortality, half-fixed at the 9th position.

The 9th trial, <One Who Burns Eternity> Phoenix, quietly opened its eyes.

-Ah, you seek immortality once more. How foolish. Despite being blessed with mortality, why do you now try to defy that natural order?

At the core of <One Who Halts Steps>, Skadi, where even time freezes.

The flame that burns eternity has sprouted.