Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. Chapter 152 - South Continent Expedition — Land of Frozen Ice (2)

Chapter 152 — South Continent Expedition — Land of Frozen Ice (2)

 

“Hahaha!”

I ran through the streets formed from transparent ice. The strange patterns carved into the outer walls of the rounded buildings created the illusion that they were moving rapidly.

Rrrrraaaak!

The intricate patterns on every building suddenly began spewing icicles all at once.

[It wasn’t an optical illusion; they had actually been moving this entire time!]

“Ah, I see.”

No wonder the “illusion” had seemed so unusual.

Thud, thud, thud.

Frozen icicles embedded themselves into my face, chest, and abdomen. I coated myself in [Death · Flame · Transformation] to melt them while continuing my sightseeing. After running for a while, I arrived at a plaza.

“Oh.”

A magnificent ice statue stood there. It looked so lifelike that it seemed as though a real monster had simply been frozen in place.

Crack, crack!

Without warning, the statue shattered apart, releasing the thick-furred monster sealed inside as it charged straight at me.

 

[Iceberg Mammoth (Level 5)]

[A violent monster with considerable resistance to cold. An actual wild monster was captured and frozen inside.]

 

“Oh, so it really was a genuine monster?”

Coming here in reality let me discover all sorts of things I never knew back when this was just a game. Field trips really were educational.

“Pwoooo!”

The Iceberg Mammoth wrapped its trunk around my body. It possessed extraordinary strength.

“What a bold way to initiate physical contact.”

“Pwoo!”

“It wasn’t bad. But if you’re going to do it, I’d prefer something much rougher.”

Only an overwhelming assault capable of making me feel utterly powerless was worthy of my wholehearted acceptance. Half-hearted intensity only counted against it. Time to teach it a lesson instead.

Squelch.

Rotting slime began oozing from my skin. The authority I had obtained after absorbing the Kraken’s Soulstone. Anything it touched, living or not, would rot.

“Pwoooo…!”

The mammoth’s trunk slowly began decaying where the slime had touched it. Seizing the opportunity, I shoved my left hand into its mouth.

Fwoosh!

The Iceberg Mammoth burst into flames. I immediately alternated black lightning and fire in rapid succession, causing it to collapse sideways.

— Want to kill a snowman with me?!

While I was taking a brief break, a giant snow spirit appeared and began rolling me around endlessly. 

Not a moment’s rest. This was exactly why I had to be the one sent in. If another expedition member had come instead, it would’ve been incredibly dangerous.

Fwoosh!

— Fire! Hate it!

Even after driving away the snow spirit with flames, ice-element traps continued appearing without end. This time, a gigantic frozen hand materialized in midair.

BOOM!

The enormous palm slammed into the ground.

“What exactly are you looking at?”

I had been watching from a nearby alley before casually stepping out.

“That’s merely my illusion.”

“I am the adorable [Eyes That Whisper Falsehoods], of course!”

The Falsethy that emerged through the center of the frozen hand poked both of its cheeks with its index fingers.

Whoooosh!

The giant hand melted away beneath the flames. Its technology was remarkable, but it possessed no fire resistance whatsoever, allowing [Death · Flame · Transformation] to shine.

[Regrettably—[Death · Flame · Transformation] has reached Tier 5!]

Following [Life · Reverse · Cycle.], [Death · Flame · Transformation] had also reached Tier 5.

Fwoooooosh!

The crimson flames imbued with the Silent One’s power now burned with incomparable ferocity. A rewarding exploration of ancient ruins. Fresh and refreshing hardships.

“Hahahahaha!”

Unable to contain myself, I burst into hearty laughter and sprinted onward once again. How long had I continued advancing while repeatedly freezing solid?

[All freezing traps within the ruins have been eliminated!]

With that, Brinya’s safety was finally secured. Only then did I put away [Demon Suppressor] and begin leisurely strolling through the ruins. There was somewhere I needed to visit.

[The hidden space you mentioned lies within the building ahead!]

Near the outskirts of the city, I entered a round, charming little building. The interior was filled with an unusually chilly atmosphere. Inside a cradle-like coffin rested a small-statured race.

[:O]

Its appearance resembled that of a penguin. As far as sheer cuteness was concerned, it surpassed even Half-Elves.

The Ultimate Frost Battle Emperor Clan.

 

[Corpse of an Ultimate Frost Battle Emperor Clan member. Unfortunately, too much time has passed for it to be suitable as an offering…]

 

Even if only as a corpse, I had finally encountered a race that was almost impossible to meet in reality. Reciting a prayer for the departed, I respectfully bowed.

“You have my deepest condolences.”

I took some snow I had brought from the mountain out of my subspace and carefully covered the penguin-like body with it.

Whoosh…

The two Arteins applauded simultaneously, praising my admirable conduct.

“I truly am such a commendable child.”

[The Wise One finds your actions interesting. Surely you didn’t do this simply because it’s the sort of thing that a hypocritical goddess likes!]

With that task finished, I stepped back outside and continued wandering through the city. This time, I intended to collect an item I would later receive as a “reward.”

“Master! Over there!”

Following the entrance to an underground passage whose location changed every time discovered by Falsethy, I descended below.

I navigated a maze so disorienting it muddled the mind, solving puzzles that remained confusing despite already knowing the answers. At the very end stood an enormous door engraved with magnificent patterns. It remained firmly shut.

Sizzle…

Placing my hand against the lock, I melted it away using the Kraken’s authority.

“There.”

While casually chopping off my right foot, which had rotted from the authority’s side effects with [Full Moon Executioner]… the door slowly slid open.

Beyond lay a chamber made of nearly transparent ice. A storage room belonging to the Ultimate Frost Battle Emperor Clan, filled with precious treasures such as shrimp, squid, and sardines. At the very back sat a cube-shaped artifact sealed behind numerous intricate mechanisms.

 

[Artifact — ???]

[Its hidden ability cannot be discerned, but it radiates an extraordinary aura. Presumed to have been created by the Ultimate Frost Battle Emperor Clan themselves.]

 

“This looks incredible…!”

The Falsethy bearing my appearance bounced excitedly in place. After waiting for my severed leg to regenerate, I walked deeper inside.

Crack…

Ignoring the freezing seal that would completely freeze my body at the slightest touch, I tore it apart with my bare hands and picked up the stored artifact. There was the minor side effect of my body remaining frozen for an hour due to my brute-force unlocking method, but that was a small price to pay.

It was while I was collecting the artifact.

“Kuruk?”

A squirrel suddenly poked its head up through the ice floor. This little one was absolutely indispensable.

 

[Spiritual Beast — Snow Squirrel Iquiril]

[A Snow Squirrel monster that has attained spirituality. Aside from the ability to pass through ice, it appears to possess no special powers.]

 

“Greetings.”

I politely greeted it, but the Snow Squirrel merely swished its tail as it wandered about, not even sparing me a glance.

“Master, it doesn’t seem interested in you at all.”

“In situations like this, there’s always a solution.”

Slice.

I cut off a small chunk of the room’s ice with [Full Moon Executioner] and swallowed it.

[Through the effects of [Sin: Gluttony], your body has acquired the same properties as the “Ice of Eternal Struggle” you just consumed!]

The name sounded grand, but it was really just exceptionally transparent ice that melted very slowly.

Having become an Ice Half-Elf, I lay flat on the floor.

“Huruk?”

Only then did Iquiril glance in my direction. Still, it seemed unimpressed and merely continued wandering around the room. 

Nevertheless, I waited patiently. Eventually, the aloof squirrel began observing me closely.

“So our eyes finally meet.”

[Through the effects of [Sin: Lust], you have become enchanted with Iquiril, and Iquiril’s interest has turned toward you!]

“Lord Iquiril…”

How could such a magnificent lifeform exist? The serene composure to leisurely stroll about, even after the entire Ultimate Frost Battle Emperor Clan had vanished.

Fur as cold as ice itself. Round eyes that seemed to embody the entire world…

“Hm. The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that Lust should simply be returned to the Demon King.”

[I agree with my partner…]

Truthy and Falsethy conversed among themselves, visibly horrified, but I boldly ignored them. How could beings that weren’t even human possibly understand true love?

I extended my right hand toward Iquiril.

“Please come with me. I promise you’ll live peacefully without hardship for the rest of your life.”

“Huu?”

At last, the Snow Squirrel that had merely stared blankly at me slowly approached. It didn’t come all at once… it hesitated repeatedly.

“So you even know how to keep someone in suspense.”

Love was always won by the one whose feelings burned hotter. Wasn’t it even more charming because it didn’t immediately open its heart?

Without disappointment, I simply continued holding out my hand patiently.

“Kururuk?”

Patience and perseverance are eventually rewarded. Unable to resist its growing curiosity toward me any longer, Iquiril finally climbed up my arm and settled onto my shoulder.

Bzzzt!

I immediately activated [Black Lightning Blossom], transforming my shoulder into black lightning and electrocuting it.

“Kuii…”

Iquiril fainted. Holding the limp Snow Squirrel in my arms, I gently stroked it.

“Hehehe… Now you can’t go anywhere.”

“……”

Beside me, Falsethy slowly shook its head.

[Please… stop using [Sin: Lust] already…!]

I dismissed the floating text and left the ruins feeling thoroughly satisfied.

Near the entrance, Marlin, who had been building a snowman with Pendrick, waved at me.

“Karr! Are you done?”

“I am.”

After returning my body to normal, I carefully placed the unconscious Iquiril on the ground.

Marlin bent down to examine my Iquiril closely.

“What is it? It’s adorable.”

“A monster that primarily inhabits snowy mountains, but it has become a spiritual beast. It’s the cause of all those mental attacks.”

“…Seriously?”

More precisely, the cause wasn’t Iquiril itself, but rather the intruder-expulsion mechanisms left behind by the Ultimate Frost Battle Emperor Clan throughout the ruins.

“They’re designed to activate whenever even a single resident remains within the city, driving away outsiders.”

“Oh, so this squirrel was recognized as one of the ‘residents’?”

“Exactly. In the end, the mountain launched all those mental attacks because it was trying to protect this little one.”

The snow replicas that mimicked figures from people’s memories. The blizzards that recreated scenes from the past to induce delirium. All of them were effective security systems for the city, created through the Ultimate Frost Battle Emperor Clan’s technology.

“Our Sir Iquiril isn’t at fault, so please don’t curse at it while shredding it apart with your fingernails.”

“…I wasn’t planning to do that in the slightest.”

Lying flat on the ground while examining the Snow Squirrel, Bartimir rolled over onto his back.

“So why did you bring it with us?”

“We need it to uncover a hidden piece.”

I carefully placed the unconscious Sir Iquiril onto Marlin’s shoulder.

“Marlin. Become friends with it within a few days.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s cute.”

“So you’re still not going to explain? Got it.”

“……”

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“No… Don’t do this…”

Marlin was responding to my teasing with complete composure. This was an emergency. At this rate, my heart would wither away.

“Captain. Is that squirrel everything you brought back from the city?”

“One more thing.”

I presented everyone with the cube-shaped artifact retrieved from the warehouse. Its craftsmanship was astonishingly meticulous, and it radiated a chilly aura.

“It’s definitely not something that formed naturally.”

Astrimia remarked in her clear, ringing voice.

“What exactly is it?”

“One could say… it’s your enemy, Lady Astrimia.”

“…My enemy?”

“I believe that explanation alone should suffice. You possess intelligence every bit as magnificent as your beauty.”

“Well… that’s certainly true!”

After storing the cube-shaped artifact in my subspace, I quietly lay down on the snow.

“Now all we have to do is wait. Until the Nunun Bear Love Guild  brings the Expedition Leader here.”

It could take several days.

“Please rest as much as possible. For the final battle.”

“A battle?”

Stretching my arms and legs to make a snow angel, I looked up at the sky. Clouds still filled it, without even a trace of blue.

“The mountain failed to break us mentally. The same will happen with the Nunun Bear Love Guild and the Expedition Leader. So what do you think happens next?”

The blizzard… had not given up yet.