Volume 6 Chapter 28 The Land of Extreme Cold
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
A month had passed since I began my stay in the Kashiwagi territory with the Three Elders¹. With the help of Baron Tethyrkan, I had guided them through the local landmarks. While the trio seemed thoroughly satisfied, I was starting to seriously worry if their official duties back home were being neglected.
However, since the Elders-led by Lord Kororon-noja-were tirelessly brainstorming ways for my mother to recover her life force², I couldn’t exactly turn them away.
Then, finally, word arrived from Lady Claudel. The research base at the Vaulted Peaks³ was ready.
”That was faster than I expected,” Master Sharlin said. Beside her, Lady Beyond looked equally surprised. As veteran adventurers, they had both heard enough rumors to know how treacherous the Vaulted Peaks could be.
”If we don’t find the Yggdrasil⁴ soon, Princess Shu-shuria won’t be able to return, and Akari’s future will remain uncertain… Alright, Karin. Time to buckle down,” Lady Beyond said, offering me a look of encouragement.
The meeting point Lady Claudel designated was Bethe, the capital of the Rainsheyn territory.
”Oh, isn’t that where Claudel’s family estate is? I suppose that’s the closest town to the Peaks,” Lady Beyond noted. I didn’t recognize the name, but a quick look at the map confirmed it was situated deep in the heart of the continent.
We immediately organized a caravan and went to say our goodbyes to my parents. My mother still couldn’t speak, but she looked content simply clinging to my father’s side.
”Well then, Father, Mother. I’m off. I’ll find the Yggdrasil and make sure the Elders fix Mom’s body… just you wait.”
”Be careful, Karin,” my father replied. “Losing Akari would be heartbreaking, but losing you would be just as devastating. Don’t be reckless.”
”I’ll be fine, Dad. I’m not doing this alone. I have Master Sharlin and Lady Beyond, and most importantly, I have the Three Elders with me. They’re the strongest team anyone could ask for.”
”Haha, true enough… I’m counting on you!”
With that, we left the Kashiwagi territory behind and set out for Rainsheyn, Lady Claudel’s homeland.
* * *
”Oh, Lady Karin! You’ve certainly grown. You were just an infant when we met in the Baiden downtown… has it really been over twenty years? Or did I catch a glimpse of you at the Palace after that?”
Lady Claudel’s father, Lord Rainsheyn, had served as the Prime Minister of the Zerlant Kingdom until a few years ago. He had since retired, handing the position to his daughter to live a life of leisure on his estate. I had spoken with him a few times when I was appointed as the diplomatic liaison to the spirit clan, but having such a distinguished man treat me like his own granddaughter was slightly embarrassing.
”Claudel should arrive in a few days. Until then, please make yourselves at home. I shall ensure the Elders are well-rested. And Lady Beyond, it has been quite some time. Is Lord Mihail well?” Lord Rainsheyn asked with a smile.
”He’s… probably fine. Lately, I’ve been so busy guarding princesses and elders that I haven’t seen my husband’s face in three years.”
”My, my. Isn’t that a bit lonely for both of you?”
”It’s alright. He’s likely using my absence as an excuse to flirt with every young woman at court. Besides, I’ve heard whispers that you and your wife live quite independently as well. At this rate, I might be the most virtuous one here-desuwa,” Lady Beyond said.
”Hahaha! You have a sharp tongue. Please, keep those matters between us and Lord Yasura… he can be dreadfully straight-laced about such things.”
Master Sharlin grumbled something about this not being a conversation for children, but it wasn’t as if I was a kid anymore. Still, I wondered about the elven sense of propriety. If this was the norm, then the rumors that the nobility didn’t care about my father’s relationship with the Queen might actually be true. Lord Yasura, however, looked distinctly unimpressed.
Two days later, Lady Claudel entered the town of Bethe at the head of the research team. I went to greet her immediately.
”Lady Claudel, thank you for your hard work. Have you discovered anything?”
”Ah, Karin. Thank you for looking after the Elders. We’ve managed to set up the forward base, but we’ve found nothing regarding the Yggdrasil yet. It’s a nightmare up there. We might not make any progress without the Elders’ expertise-desuwa.”
”A nightmare?”
”Yes. I inspected the site myself… it’s truly a hellish place-desuwa.”
Early the next morning, we departed from Bethe.
”Prime Minister,” Lord Yasura said, “isn’t it over a hundred kilometers from here to the Vaulted Peaks?”
”It is. And that only gets us to the base. We’ve established several relay points along the way. With the Empire’s help, we’ve set up temporary Gates⁵ every twenty kilometers.”
”Oh! The Empire’s latest teleportation tools? That will be convenient,” Lord Yasura remarked.
”Yes. However, they require immense mana⁶ and skill to operate. There are few who can handle them, so we can’t move as efficiently as I’d like. Please keep that in mind.”
Temporary Gates, huh? That brought back memories. Even though the Bear was a beastman, he had mastered magic and used it to appear and disappear at will. Seeing that technology put to practical use was impressive.
Our caravan reached the first relay point in about half a day. A wooden hut had been erected, guarded by elven troops. Inside, there was a shimmering Gate.
[Ho. So this is the Demon Clan’s teleportation device? The mana flow is fascinating-noja,] Lord Kororon remarked, peering at it curiously.
”Yes. It was originally an Imperial military secret, but the Emperor granted me special permission for this mission,” Lord Yohaku explained with a hint of pride.
[I see. Well, everything is an experience. Let’s go, Karin-noja.]
One by one, we were transported to the next relay point. It became clear that without massive mana reserves, one couldn’t make this trip multiple times a day. We spent the rest of the day at the base camp at the foot of the mountains, waiting for the rest of the team to gather.
”You can reach this point by land if you take your time. But from here on, the Gates are the only way. The soldiers and mages who first climbed the mountain nearly died several times just to set them up… please, be extremely careful!”
After Lady Claudel’s dire warnings, I felt a knot of anxiety as we ascended to the forward base.
Wham!
The wind hit like a physical blow. It was a complete whiteout-a violent, screaming blizzard. The base was perched precariously on a steep slope. I couldn’t thank the mages and soldiers enough for managing to build anything in such a place. Inside, the fires were roaring, yet the air still felt bitingly cold. The Elders, Lady Beyond, and my master were all left speechless by the brutal environment.
”Prime Minister,” Lord Yasura asked, his voice trembling slightly, “is it truly here?”
”Yes. The ancient Demon Clan records regarding the mages’ dispatch point to this exact area-desuwa.”
”But… we’ll turn into blocks of ice the moment we step outside!”
”Yes… They say the weather clears up occasionally, but until then, investigation will be nearly impossible-desuwa.”
Was this going to be such a long process? My mother’s life force wouldn’t last five years. Shu-shuria might not mind waiting, but I couldn’t. As if sensing my thoughts, Lord Kororon spoke.
[Karin, do not be impatient. At times like these, we must simply do what we can, one step at a time. We will investigate and gradually expand our reach in the most promising directions-noja.]
”Lord Kororon… you’re right. I’m sorry. I was getting cold feet before we even started. I’ll think of a way to make the investigation more efficient!”
[Umu. That’s the spirit. Now then, Lady Claudel… could you perhaps brew some hot tea-noja?]
—
Summary:
After a month of preparation, Karin and the Three Elders travel to the Rainsheyn territory to begin their investigation of the Vaulted Peaks. They use high-tech ‘Gates’ provided by the Empire to bypass the grueling mountain terrain. Upon reaching the forward base, they are met with a brutal blizzard that threatens to halt their search for the Yggdrasil.
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Trivia:
- The Gates are a recent Imperial military secret and require significant mana.
- Karin’s mother has a strict 5-year limit on her remaining life force.
- Lord Rainsheyn is a former Prime Minister who retired in favor of his daughter.
- Lady Beyond hasn’t seen her husband in three years due to work duties.
- The Vaulted Peaks are so extreme that soldiers died just setting up the transit network
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Character Insight:
Karin shows vulnerability and anxiety regarding the difficulty of the mission, but her resolve is quickly bolstered by Lord Kororon’s pragmatic wisdom.
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Behind the Scenes:
The introduction of the ‘Gate’ system adds a layer of magitech to the world-building, suggesting the Demon Clan/Empire is more technologically advanced than the Elven territories.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Kororon – The oldest and most powerful Shaman of the Spirit Clan. Despite being over ten thousand years old, she appears as a young girl.
• Claudel – The elf captain of the royal guard assigned to Princess Asuka. At first, she had a strong dislike for Yuuta, who is human. Now, Yuuta’s saffle.
• Akari – Currently bedridden and staring blankly due to a past Gate accident that shattered her life force mechanism.
• Rainsheyn – Male. The prime minister. He assists Asuka in preparing for defense.
• Yasura – The Eldest of the Elf Clan. Appears as a young girl. Holds knowledge of ancient Elven legends regarding the World Tree.
• Gates – A classmate of Halt’s who prefers American comics over anime.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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