Volume 4 Chapter 1 Winter Arrives
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Summer had ended, and the fruitful autumn had swiftly passed like an arrow.
Before one knew it, the season had turned to winter, where white snow gently danced over A Town on the eastern outskirts of the Franz Kingdom. The Adventurers of the town had long since given up hunting, retreating to inns and homes with the gold they had diligently saved since spring. Yet, A Town—an Adventurer’s hub—never truly grew silent. Though the vibrant energy of spring and summer faded, the streets remained alive with steady, if quieter, movement.
Kian hurried down the main street, weaving through a crowd of drunken Adventurers. He wore a thick fur cloak wrapped tightly around his body and a warm hat pulled low over his brow. On his back, he carried a bundle of dry branches tied with rope, as large as a small hill. The weight, heavier than a person, did not trouble Kian—his enhanced Vampire Ability made the burden feel lighter than it should. At this early dawn hour, the streets were less crowded; during the day, such a load would surely cause many collisions.
”Ah! Good morning, Mr. Kian!” called a cheerful voice.
Turning, Kian saw Esther, the innkeeper’s daughter, her chestnut hair dusted with snow as she balanced a T-shaped tool in her gloved hands, deftly knocking snow from the roof of The Boar’s Trot Inn. Her white cheeks flushed from the cold, she smiled warmly, letting out a puff of breath that formed soft white circles in the crisp morning air.
”Good morning,” Kian said, lowering his bundle with a grunt. “I brought some firewood. Should I put it in the back as usual?”
”Yes! I’ll help carry it, too!” Esther said, setting the tool down and trotting over to him.
”Thanks. But since it’s quite a large bundle, it might be better to carry it whole to the firewood storage in the back alley,” Kian explained with a small smile.
Together, they entered the narrow alley beside the tavern. Kian had carefully measured the length of the branches to avoid snagging them on the tavern’s walls. With a heavy thud, the bundle landed in the storage area, which was running dangerously low on fuel. Kian quickly untied the rope and arranged the branches and split logs in neat stacks.
”Wow, you really help me out every day,” Esther said, rubbing her gloved hands together, relief warming her fingers. She had finished clearing the snow and followed him into the alley.
”I used to request quests from Adventurers to get firewood, but it was costly. With the money saved, I’ve expanded the cooking menu and got new uniforms for the staff. The quality of our tavern has soared like summer grass,” she added, beaming.
Kian chuckled softly. “I’m just gathering firewood… isn’t that a bit much to say?”
”No, no. Fuel from late autumn to early spring is literally a matter of life and death for the tavern!” Esther insisted, waving her gloved hands animatedly.
Indeed, the fireplace must burn day and night, and fuel had to be constantly added to the kitchen furnace. Last year’s fuel costs had been shockingly high. The dangerous wilderness beyond the town’s borders made gathering firewood a risky business. Since she had been paying Adventurers to fetch it, including brokerage fees to the Guild, expenses had spiraled.
’… rather, spending less than five large coins a week on food, I’ve worried about your eating habits.’
It was Talia’s voice, the ethereal presence that had taken residence in Kian’s right arm for the past four months, since early August. Normally silent, Talia had recently begun interjecting her thoughts like this. Her voice was clear and bright—a ringing bell—and it always lifted Kian’s spirits.
Clearing his throat at Talia’s embarrassed cough, Kian returned to the conversation as Esther stacked branches beside him.
”Spending five large coins a day means using around sixty silver coins to get through winter, right?” he asked.
”Hmm, about seventy, I guess. Until the snow melts and the staff can go pick up firewood again.”
”Springtime sounds dangerous. Bears and wolves waking from hibernation wander the eastern wilderness.”
”Yes, so I instruct the staff to head west towards the town road. Last year, the massive outbreak of lower-rank monsters made me rely heavily on vendors until you and I met.”
Esther glanced sideways. “Speaking of which, that stray griffin from the herd was what caused goblins and kobolds to migrate all the way to the western road.”
”If you had exterminated that griffin sooner, perhaps fate would have changed,” she said with a soft chuckle.
Kian gently grasped Esther’s left hand, which was busy stacking firewood, and pulled her close.
”Huh!? M-Mr. Kian…?” she whispered, startled.
”Nothing’s changed. We met the same way, and we’ve built a wonderful bond just like this. I’m sure of it,” he murmured.
A rosy flush spread across Esther’s cheeks and ears. The sweet, earthy scent of her sweat mingled with the cold air. Kian’s hand slid along her back and shoulders beneath her thick winter clothes. Finally, he leaned in and kissed her soft, full lips. Esther wobbled on her feet, her face glowing crimson.
”I really appreciate being able to stay here for such a low price. Thank you, Esther,” Kian said sincerely.
”N-no, please don’t worry about the lodging fee. I even talked to my father about letting you stay for free…” she stammered.
”But it wouldn’t be right to let me stay for free just because I’m a guest,” Kian interrupted gently.
The Boar’s Trot Inn was considered a high-end establishment in A Town, charging one silver coin per night. Yet Kian and his group had been granted a special rate of five copper coins each. Mrs. Camilla, Aliona, and three elderly residents of Isthbaran lived in Roses Mansion, located further east on the plains. Meanwhile, Kian, Natra, Rufna, and Serena stayed in guest rooms on the tavern’s second floor. This arrangement sometimes prevented other guests from staying, so Kian, Natra, and Rufna had decided to help run the tavern.
Kian’s role was to gather firewood. Natra taught the tavern staff to read and write Azrael language and the common tongue of the West. Rufna provided magical kitchen tools and golems that cleaned automatically. Natra also taught arithmetic and pharmaceutical knowledge in turns. Thanks to their efforts, the educational level of The Boar’s Trot Inn had risen dramatically in recent months.
”But, Mr. Kian, are you okay financially? You purchased Roses Mansion, yet haven’t taken any adventuring work lately,” Esther asked, tilting her head.
”I’m fine for normal living expenses. We decided to make this a training period for now,” Kian explained.
”If I were to become an adventurer at present, we’d have to form a party with Pigfoot and the four of us: Isthbaran, Serena, and Aliona.”
(Ah. In that case, the battles would end quickly — either with Ms. Aliona’s ranged attack or with me or Isthbaran finishing it in one leap.)
Even replacing Aliona’s role with Natra wouldn’t change the outcome. Serena had no combat role at all.
She accompanied them only. For gathering proof of defeated monsters or other tasks, it was more efficient for Kian or Isthbaran, skilled campers with superior Detection Ability, to handle it. Moreover, Kian and Isthbaran needed almost no rest, leaving little for Serena to do.
It would be pitiful—and dangerous—for Serena to face quests in such a state. For that reason, Azrael was conducting warrior monk–style intensive training to help Serena keep pace with the others in combat.
Previously, Sarah had eagerly taught Serena, but now Natra and Rufna took turns instructing her. However, the gap in combat ability between Kian and Serena had only widened, leaving even talented Serena with a long road ahead to catch up.
Therefore, despite boldly declaring to Sarah and Linca, “I will become Rank 1 Adventurer!” with unwavering determination, Kian now spent his days in a state of uneasy peace.
’I don’t think it’s peaceful, though.’
”Huh?” he said aloud, startled by the sudden voice in his head.
’Kian, have you ever wondered why the gap between you and Serena never closes?’
No, he hadn’t. In truth, he didn’t care. Kian—the forlorn beast chasing strength and fleeting romances—was content training by day and indulging in pleasures by night.
”Phew, it’s cold,” Esther said, stepping into the empty kitchen beside him.
While Kian arranged branches and dried leaves in the fireplace to coax flames to life, Esther lit candles in the dim corners. Having trained in magic under Rufna, she now wielded simple spells with ease.
”What do you want to do tonight?” Esther asked casually, approaching as Kian stood by the warming hearth. Her chestnut hair was tucked neatly behind her ears, exposing the smooth curve of her pale neck.
”I might go out after training,” Kian answered.
”…♡…Yes. Then I’ll be waiting,” Esther said softly, then hurried away to prepare by activating the golem mechanisms scattered around the kitchen. Though their conversation seemed ordinary, a subtle tension lingered—tonight, they would share intimacy. Esther had grown accustomed to their routine over four months, masking her anticipation with quiet composure.
Kian swiftly prepared the chicken, relieved to be far from Sarah and Linca in Izerland. Had they been nearby, his freewheeling nights with Aliona, Esther, Natra, and Rufna would have been fraught with chaos and jealousy.
His main partners were Esther and Natra, with Rufna occasionally joining. Every visit to Aliona at ‘Roses Mansion’ ended with sex. Though Kian hoped to increase those encounters, ‘The Boar’s Trot Inn’ lacked space. Moving everyone to ‘Roses Mansion’ would jeopardize the Pigfoot family’s clientele—a gamble not worth taking until after the snow melted.
But urgency was unnecessary. Even now, his desires felt sated enough to revel in wine and women.
’Die, you pig cock.’
”What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?” Kian muttered, bemused.
’…You’ll get stabbed someday.’
”Glasses said something similar.”
’Anyone would say that looking at your situation.’
”──Hey, I’m back, Master!” Rufna’s voice cut through his thoughts sharply.
The tall dark elf with snow-dusted silver hair stepped inside, carrying a box full of bags. She wore the same light blue military coat from northern Ramsey, her hands sheathed in thick brown gloves.
”Welcome back, Ms. Rufna,” Esther greeted her.
”Thanks for coming back. Sorry, and thank you,” Kian said.
”Yeah. Thirty kilograms total of pork bones, shrimp shells, fish heads—you name it. I made sure to deliver everything,” Rufna replied.
”That’s a big help. The ramen recipe Mr. Kian devised is super popular—the soup runs out fast.”
”Wasn’t me who devised it, but Mrs. Camilla. I just followed her instructions,” Rufna said modestly.
”Instructions? More like ‘make it greasier,’ ‘add vegetable scraps for sweetness,’—all vague orders,” Esther laughed awkwardly.
Kian inspected the pork bones and seafood remnants Rufna had brought from Châtillon. “How was Châtillon?”
”Same as always. Thanks to the ocean currents, it’s warm even this season. The acorns for pig feed haven’t vanished from the thickets, likely because the Owl has brought the Bloodsucking Kind under control and moved to Ramsey. The ecosystem is shifting—deer hunting is popular in the hills,” Rufna explained.
”I see.”
In August, news from Châtillon shook the frontier. The great hero who opened the ancient Châtillon lands and founded today’s thriving port city had died. Yet, his children proved exceptional and united—no typical family strife.
The eldest son Guy had become Count of Châtillon, the second son Adrian commanded the city’s security force, the third son Gosh remained unheard of, and the fourth son Louis served as Defense Minister at the Margrave’s fortress in Izerland.
The frontier now revolved around the Châtillon clan. The only other forces were the Western Church, infiltrating the power vacuum with finesse, and local nobles of the Anti-Maribel Alliance.
Unable to challenge the Châtillons by force, the Alliance resisted politically and economically through salon debates and lobbying.
The alliance between Defense Minister Louis and the newly appointed Head Magician Sarah suggested the Anti-Maribel nobles’ downfall was imminent. Yet, inexplicably, they remained strong—growing financially and militarily.
It was clear someone supported them. Sarah suspected this and deployed intelligence agents far and wide. Yet, Maribel’s agents’ low skill hindered progress. Louis employed hired gangsters for intel, but their results were limited by reliance on the Châtillon stronghold.
According to Sarah, reprimands leaked more often from Louis’s usually mild-mannered office.
”By the way, I got a letter from Priscilla’s little lady while out shopping,” Rufna said.
”From Ms. Priscilla? Is she well?”
”No, the letter was delivered by the little lady’s familiar. Remember? There were two familiars—a clown and a lady?”
”Ah, both powerful spirit-form monsters.”
”The lady delivered it. Here.” Rufna pulled a white envelope from her pocket.
Esther smiled. “I’ll get the fire going in the hall’s fireplace,” she said and left the kitchen.
Kian thanked her. “Sorry, thank you,” he said, taking the envelope.
”It seems this is a personal request for you.”
”I told her I wouldn’t get points for this. She should go through the Guild.”
Kian broke the red wax seal and slid his finger inside to reveal finely perfumed paper soaked with Priscilla’s scent.
”What does Priscilla want?”
”It’s top secret.” Rufna said, lowering her voice.
Kian scanned the letter.
”‘Death Fruit,’ ‘Underworld Smoke Crystal,’ and ‘Heart of the Immortal Minotaur’—those are her requests.”
”‘Death Fruit’? ‘Underworld Smoke Crystal’?”
”All supposedly found south of Châtillon, in the Kingdom of Crete, floating in the Azrael Sea.”
The Azrael Sea—a massive inland sea bordered north by the Franz Kingdom and Western Church territories, west by the Kingdom of Castile, and surrounded east and south by Azrael.
Castile controlled most of the western region, but Nizaam—the feared one of the Twelve Divine Generals—had threatened Castile, and many key cities remained under Azrael’s shadow.
To the south, the Nakash family once ruled the vast grain-producing Nile region, alongside the Malc family of Nizaam’s lineage governing coastal cities. But the Nakash family had fallen, and the Malc family weakened due to Nizaam’s scandalous homosexuality and the death of elder Nizaam, ‘Fiend with the Tiger’s Beard,’ killed by Oswald.
To the east lay the holy city of Azrael, seat of the Council of the Twelve Divine Generals, alongside the territory of Vahid, ruled by Jibril, and the Shakerdoust lands of Abbas, Shakerdoust, and Katyusha, situated somewhat north by the sea.
Given the advanced age of the Twelve Divine Generals, and considering Jibril’s fraught history with Umar yet friendly ties with him, the Shakerdoust situation remained tangled. Just months prior, Abbas and Zayn had blundered severely—captured by Châtillon. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Council, including Jibril, now pondered a reorganization following the inevitable passing of the elder generals.
In the past year, Kian’s life had shifted dramatically. Even more so, the geopolitical landscape around the Azrael Sea, involving foreign powers, had undergone a complete upheaval.
”What could the ‘Immortal Minotaur’ be? Rufna, do you have any idea?” Kian asked.
”Well, I haven’t the slightest. When you say Minotaur, it’s usually a general term for monsters classified as cursed beings. Essentially, a bipedal bull. Their lifespan averages about twenty years,” Rufna explained.
”The reward is… two thousand Gold Coins!? And Ms. Priscilla will cover travel and lodging expenses to the Kingdom of Crete. She apparently has a villa there we can use freely,” Kian said, eyes widening.
”How wealthy is that little lady… She’s like the former Milady Sarah, isn’t she?” Talia murmured, a touch envious.
”I suppose she can’t quite outdo Sarah, the eldest daughter of the Nile’s ruler and Azrael’s ‘Death Sword User,’ can she?” Kian replied thoughtfully.
”Speaking as the former Head Magician of the Nile’s ruler,” Rufna added, “it’s a fair contest. Châtillon really pulls the strings behind the scenes as the true ruler of the Azrael Sea. Money and connections wield tremendous power.”
”Hey, I’ve been wondering,” Talia said as she conjured a small mouth on the bicep of Kian’s right arm. “Does anyone in our group actually have a good sense of money?”
”You hit a sore spot there,” Kian admitted. “I’m normal. It’s everyone else who’s a bit… unusual.”
”I won’t deny that. Both Milady Natra and I are pretty odd…” Rufna said.
”Serena’s also the daughter of the Wolfmen’s leader,” Kian added.
According to Serena, not only could she eat her fill even in winter, but she could also acquire nearly anything she desired, no matter how long it took. Backed by the military might of Isthbaran and Juji, her brother Ozeas, and the rare intellect of magician Barghest, the ever-expanding ‘Storm Herd’ never hit a deadlock in its management.
”Looking back now, I think I was quite spoiled,” Serena confessed quietly.
”I’m still unfamiliar with this era’s sense of money,” Kian admitted.
”Isn’t it more that you’re unfamiliar because you’re from Count Cain’s territory?” Rufna teased.
”I’ll just clarify that I’m better off than Mrs. Camilla,” Kian said firmly.
”That old woman spends recklessly,” Rufna grumbled.
”What’s wrong? Complaining again? If you’re short on cash, I can lend you some. I haven’t touched the reward I got from Oswald,” Talia offered.
”That’s your money. I’ll cover her living expenses. I can’t trouble Rufna,” Kian said quickly.
”You don’t have to worry about me. I’m your magician, after all,” Rufna replied.
Kian shook his head at the dark elf, who frowned slightly.
”I say this because you’re my important Head Magician. Lending and borrowing money can ruin relationships. I don’t want to lose you—loyal and excellent.”
”If it comes to that, I could give Master a hundred or two hundred Gold Coins. These past months have been fulfilling. I’ve thoroughly investigated the nature around the town on the eastern outskirts of Franz Kingdom. And now, with you as Duke of Dacia, I have a new research subject there. My intellectual curiosity won’t fade soon. If I’m greedy, I’d want the latest magic papers from Franz’s Royal Capital or Azrael…” Rufna said thoughtfully.
”Sarah mentioned in her letter there are no books at Izerland fortress,” Kian added.
”That’s because Oswald burned them. Along with the intellectuals Chancellor McCutchen had,” Rufna said bitterly.
”We were nearly turned to ashes along with the many books Godfrey Danofen brought from the Royal Capital,” Rufna added with a sardonic shrug.
Kian exhaled quietly. “I want to do something about it, but books are expensive—even now. Ordering copies of magic papers too. I’d love to send Natra to study at the Academy in the Royal Capital… but it all comes down to money.”
”Rufna, has Natra finished her Witch Training?” Kian asked.
”Yes, she completed the basics three months ago. Now she’s trying to become a ‘specialist’ with her own research theme,” Rufna replied.
Witches specialized in a particular field, beyond their basic magical aptitude. In the fragmented modern magical system, each absorbed knowledge valued by the dominant ruler who became their master.
Christy studied herbalism.
Priscilla, public policy and necromancy.
Sarah, public policy, law, spirit summoning, magical pharmacy, engineering, and herbalism.
Linca, public policy, law, spirit summoning, ancient Eastern magic, barrier magic, and herbalism.
Aliona and Rufna remained less known. Rufna’s reputation was of one who could do everything and knew everything.
As for how public policy and law related to magic, Kian, whose studies halted at fifteen, struggled to understand.
”Is it that they study policy through magic, or more specialized laws relating to magic? Especially Sarah, who must perform ritual magic related to the Nile’s flooding for policy. I imagine legal insights about land issues affected by magical floods were necessary,” Kian reasoned.
”It’d be good to gather everyone after today’s training and discuss. I’m concerned about the situation in Izerland.”
”I heard from Sarah’s report last week that the anti-Maribel faction may have hired a new, powerful group of assassins.”
”‘I want support’ was clearly written. For Sarah to ask for help like that while managing alone means a lot. Right, Rufna?”
”Why point that at me? Sorry, but working under Milady Sarah isn’t for me,” Rufna said bluntly.
(Finally said it clearly.)
Though they denied it, Sarah and Rufna certainly did not get along. It wasn’t that Rufna had changed, but lingering resentment since working under the Twelve Divine Generals, especially Shajar, persisted. Both harbored old grudges.
’I didn’t get along well with the magician chief either.’
(Why was that?)
’Because I was exceptional. If my proposals weren’t accepted, I felt slighted. Being his daughter, I heard Albert secretly adopt many of Talia’s suggestions.’
(I see.)
Though allies by necessity, their ambitions clashed. Sarah was known for assertiveness and aggressive ambition—like the time she ordered an innocent oasis burned to crush opposition. Her thinking sharply contrasted with Rufna’s moderate nature, who avoided conflict and sought resolution through discussion.
(By the way, I’ve been curious—how old were you when you died?)
’Fifteen years in our calendar. But converting to yours is impossible. Some things you don’t need to know. Asking a woman’s age? That’s the act of a scoundrel, pig.’
(I’m sorry.)
”Well then, I’ll be holed up in my room until breakfast. The golem I sent to Dacia brought back some soil. I want to analyze its components.”
”I’m sorry. That helps,” Kian said.
”Don’t worry. I’m glad you rely on me more than Christina’s analysis!” Rufna smiled shyly before leaving the kitchen.
Kian called out to Esther, cleaning in the hall, before starting the task of peeling vegetables.
Notes:
• Isthbaran – The High Warlord of the ‘Storm Herd.’
• Camilla – A woman; the subject of the chapter; her body was used to seal Erynys’ soul.
• Serena – Wolfmen Girl
• Linca – Jibril’s favorite girl. High-ranking warrior monk woman from Shin, with strong abilities like ignoring attacks and poisons.
• Louis – Trusted subordinates from the Châtillon family, part of Guy’s elite force.
• Mag – The wolfwoman under Yelmar—the one who was caught by Kian’s group earlier.
• Nizaam – A former member of Azrael’s Twelve Divine Generals and the current head of the Malc family, though he has passed both titles to his daughter to return to the battlefield. He is a prominent warrior noble in Azrael, known for his love of beautiful boys and fierce battles.
• Katyusha – A female warrior monk of the black panther race and a follower of Abbas Hashmalik Shakerdoust.
• Abbas – The heir of the Shakerdoust family, a prominent clan within the Twelve Divine Generals.
• Ozeas – Son of Glen, involved in forbidden experiments.
• Juji – Male. Leader of the Wolfmen’s ‘Jinsou’. A skilled warrior with sharp senses and combat abilities. Relationship: Part of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Count Cain – Talia’s father.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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