I Have Become The Snow Maiden I Created

Translator: Marctempest

Editor/Proofreader: TempWane

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Chapter 72: Peace and Turbulence (3)

In the outskirts of the Empire’s territory.

A city, naturally sweltering even in winter, rarely saw snow, making the recent snowfall all the more special.

People rejoiced, raising cheers of joy as they watched the snow fall.

…That had only been a day ago.

In a place where even a fleeting snow sky would be a rare topic, an artificial disaster struck without warning.

Crack!

“Aaaahhh!”

The sound of destruction mingled with the citizens’ desperate screams.

The monsters, exuding ominous energy, paid no attention to the chaos they caused.

People fled while the creatures pursued them.

In an instant, the streets turned into a hellscape.

A monstrous boar-shaped demigod let out a distorted roar.

Its minuscule divine power had granted it disproportionate strength.

The mindless pig god rampaged recklessly, sweeping through the city.

Crash!

It smashed into buildings, destroying them and devastating the city center.

As citizens fled, the city guards and militia mobilized to confront the monsters.

Despite being responsible for maintaining order, they were no match for the creatures.

The sudden onslaught left them unprepared.

Slaughtering a demigod with haphazard methods proved futile.

“This won’t do! Lead the creatures away!”

In the end, the guards shifted their approach, exploiting the creatures’ low intelligence.

They aimed to lure the monsters to open spaces to minimize civilian casualties.

Driving them out or eliminating them was deemed impossible, so they opted for this second-best strategy.

“Lead the monsters away! Follow the captain!”

Despite the sudden explosion of monstrous activity, the situation was managed without catastrophic losses.

This was the Empire, after all.

…But similar incidents were occurring across the continent.

The southern Yulistia and northern Astar Theocracy were no exceptions.

The demigods spread across the Empire’s territories and eventually reached the capital, Roblock.

Roblock, the heart of the Empire, housed its knights and mage battalions.

Although the monsters were subdued more easily here than elsewhere, the severity of the situation was undeniable.

And now…

At the heart of the capital, in the audience chamber of the imperial palace.

In front of the imposing gates, the Crown Prince silently closed his eyes, recalling the recent chaos.

“…Has it finally begun?”

The existence of Quellière and various circumstantial evidence.

Artan had anticipated that the calamity would unfold soon.

“I knew there would be upheaval… but it’s faster and more urgent than I expected.”

Thus, he had convened meetings at the Grand Temple and engaged in discussions with the ministers, trying to sway their minds.

His actions had seemed somewhat rushed.

Now that the crisis had erupted, his decision had proven to be correct.

“Has the calamity sensed a threat?”

It was as if a storm had been unleashed all at once.

It wasn’t surprising, given the unexpected obstacle named Quellière that the calamity had encountered.

Even he had been influenced by her presence.

…In any case, the time had come.

The situation was graver than he had predicted, but it wasn’t the worst-case scenario.

Following his plan, he had come to seek the authority of the nation’s pinnacle.

“…In the end, all decisions rest in my father’s hands.”

The leader’s approval was necessary to proceed.

What he needed was persuasion and dignity.

Soon, the Crown Prince passed the checkpoint without trouble and entered the majestic interior.

“We greet Your Highness, the Crown Prince. Please proceed inside.”

The plush carpet beneath his feet was a symbol of wealth.

His hands stirred the air conditioned by magical engineering.

Ahead, the throne radiating the ruler’s majesty captured his gaze, asserting its dominance.

The gaze originating from that throne bore into the Crown Prince.

“….”

The current Emperor of the Empire, his father.

Eoloman Fricas III.

Artan Fricas swallowed hard as a heavy voice descended upon him.

“You’ve come, my son.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Though he had reigned for a long time, the Emperor’s vigor remained intact, and his intellect had not dulled.

The Crown Prince addressed his father with a formal title, as this was no private occasion.

Eoloman’s eyebrows twitched.

“So, what brings the Crown Prince here?”

“Surely, Your Majesty has heard of the current situation.”

“Indeed. A matter shaking the entire continent—how could I not be aware?”

The Emperor regarded Artan with calm eyes, probing his intentions.

“State your purpose. If you’ve come at such a critical time, it must be for a matter of great importance.”

“I’ve heard that you’ve declared an imperial council.”

Even under the Emperor’s icy and overwhelming presence, the Crown Prince stood firm.

He revealed his will without hesitation.

“Grant me a seat in that council.”

The imperial council was the highest assembly where civil and military officials convened to deliberate on the nation’s most crucial matters.

It was there that the Empire’s internal and external policies were determined.

“Standing?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. May I share my thoughts with you?”

It was a pivotal moment.

Artan took a deep breath.

“Alright. Speak.”

Though his words might sound absurd, they must not come across as utterly ridiculous or nonsensical.

Whether by fortune or misfortune, this commotion increased the odds of success.

The consensus that this disaster could no longer be ignored would form easily.

The calamity now threatened to bring the continent to ruin, so much so that even those who had been mere bystanders felt its menace.

“I will subjugate the landfill.”

Finally, that bold declaration resounded once more.

Even the Emperor couldn’t hide his shock at such an audacious statement.

“…!”

He had succeeded in creating an impact.

Now, the only task left was to display his conviction and persuade the Emperor.

Artan was confident.

*

…Inside the igloo where two people sat.

Chandrafail contemplated his desire for struggle.

It was a condition he had suffered from since the moment he had memories—a part of his very existence.

The urge, once blurred by Quellière, now felt entirely transformed.

It hadn’t disappeared, but it was undeniably different from before. He had an inkling of why.

“Pretty heavy.”

The voice of the culprit interrupted his thoughts.

The gentle, beautiful voice belonged to Quellière, who sat on one side of the long seat.

The two of them were currently occupying the igloo crafted by Nell.

“More solid than I expected.”

The Black Knight’s gaze fell upon her hands.

She was holding his black helmet.

At her request—and out of a desire to showcase the equipment he had forged for himself—he had lent it to her temporarily.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Did you wear this every day for over ten years?”

“Of course. It’s practically a part of me.”

With a curt reply, his thoughts continued.

Unable to forget the thrill, he still yearned for excitement.

The only reason he didn’t feel that need was because it was perpetually fulfilled.

That was the conclusion he arrived at.

…

The reason his desire for thrill was endlessly satisfied was simple—

It was entirely because of Quellière.

With an absolute presence like hers always by his side, he was perpetually enveloped in a sense of exhilaration.

It was a straightforward, crystal-clear answer.

“Part of you… You, of all people, wouldn’t even need a helmet.”

“That’s not true. Equipment is useful just by being prepared.”

“Is that so.”

Quellière tilted her head slightly, as though puzzled.

Then, she carefully stroked the helmet.

His gaze rested silently on her pale hands.

“…Hmph.”

The one who had bested him with a single hand.

If she wanted, she could take his life at any moment. How could he not fear her?

That chilling composure of hers was no different.

If he upset her, she might declare his end on the spot…

And yet, he found it fascinating.

Unaware of his thoughts, Quellière murmured, lost in her own musings.

“Hmm… Somehow, it feels strange.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Seeing the custom equipment he had crafted up close to her,

It was a peculiar feeling, one only someone in his position could understand.

“More importantly, why did you come here?”

“I didn’t come here for you. I simply stopped by a place I wanted to observe, and you happened to be here.”

Thus began an unexpected conversation between the two.

Their dialogue, devoid of affection or resentment, didn’t bother either of them.

“Is that so?”

“It is.”

As their casual talk briefly paused, a high-pitched, immature voice broke the silence.

“Uncle~ Are you here?”

A small girl in a fluffy snow rabbit coat appeared.

It was Paile, a new member of the castle.

The moment she entered, she held her breath.

“…!”

The combination of the Black Knight and Quellière—

Their stoic, cynical, and mature aura overwhelmed the little girl.

Intimidated, she stammered and turned to leave.

“I-I’ll just leave~ Please continue your conversation…”

“Wait.”

As she was about to shrink away, Quellière stopped her.

She handed him back my helmet and stood up.

“Big sister?”

“I was just thinking of stepping out.”

Knowing Paile’s feelings, she tactfully gave them space. Quellière straightened her attire and headed outside.

“Have a good talk, you two.”

“Y-yes, sister… W-wow. Oh, oh.”

Before leaving, she gently patted the young girl’s head.

Then, showcasing her elegant demeanor, she disappeared beyond the snowy field.

Paile watched her retreating figure with admiration before sitting down beside Chandrafail.

In a lively, girlish voice, she asked,

“Isn’t big sister amazing?”

“She is.”

“Right? She’s so beautiful and charismatic. I want to be like her when I grow up!”

Expressing her simple—no, grand—dream, her eyes sparkled.

The Black Knight responded curtly.

“Someone like her… It’s not a bad path.”

“Exactly, right?!”

“As long as it’s possible.”

It was a subtle reproach.

Who could imitate a being of such high caliber?

But Paile wasn’t discouraged.

“Hmph. I know that, too. Still, the bigger the dream, the better!”

“Who told you that?”

“A book! I read it in the castle’s library. A famous scholar said it!”

Her prideful explanation revealed her healthy ambition.

“…Hmm. That’s not wrong.”

Chandrafail didn’t bother denying it and instead stroked the helmet he had gotten back.

His thoughts began to wander again.

The gap between himself and Quellière was immense.

So large, he doubted if he could ever close it.

“Big dreams are indeed better.”

If he followed her path slowly, perhaps he could one day reach it.

It was a resolve the former Black Knight would never have embraced.

Paile, interpreting his muttering positively, smiled.

“Right? Anyway, I’ll set my goal to be like big sister. I’ve got a long way to go… A very long way.”

“Do as you wish.”

“Yup! …Oh, by the way, what do you think of her?”

A sudden curiosity struck her.

With innocent, wide eyes, the girl asked,

“Do you still desperately want to beat her?”

“…”

Without hesitation, the Black Knight shook his head.

Things were clearly different now.

“Not anymore.”

“Really~? So, what about now?”

“Hmm. Now, you ask…”

Taking her question literally, he answered honestly, revealing what he’d been pondering.

“For now, just being by her side is enough.”

It allowed him to suppress his urge to fight and observe his goal.

“…Huh?”

The problem was, the girl didn’t understand the long process that led to this conclusion.

Paile froze.

The Black Knight, unfazed, continued.

“I’m completely satisfied. I have nothing more to ask for. At least for now.”

“Huh? H-huh?!”

“That’s how it is for now.”

The shocking statement ended rather succinctly, leaving behind some misunderstandings.

Paile’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“U-uncle…?!”

She was so startled that her eyelids even trembled.

*

I left the igloo and returned to the Snow Castle.

My encounter with Chandrafail wasn’t planned, but it turned out better than expected.

When I opened the main gate, I immediately met Mishra’s gaze.

“Quellière? Where have you been?”

“The igloo.”

Answering her question, I calmly watched her approach like an eager puppy.

Mishra glanced around, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

“Alone? You could have called me along.”

“No need. Being alone isn’t bad. Besides, Chandrafail showed up midway.”

“…Hmm.”

Her temple twitched for a moment.

I tilted my head.

Did she dislike the Black Knight?

“Do you not like him?”

I asked.

Mishra scratched the back of her neck and avoided my gaze.

“Well, it’s not like I hate him.”

“Then.”

“He’s got a strange personality. The way he treats you is… hmph. Isn’t he rude?”

It seemed his poor manners were considered a flaw.

There was no denying his personality had issues, so there was no helping it.

I shrugged my shoulders.

“You’re free to dislike him.”

“It’s not that I dislike him, it’s just—”

“Still, try to get along.”

Even if someone disliked him, he wouldn’t care.

But since we were kind of like family—or at the very least neighbors—getting along wouldn’t hurt.

After that brief comment, I walked further inside.

There was someone I needed to find, and soon I did.

…

In the castle’s dining hall, Nell and Dewade were seated.

However, in this spacious room, Nell sat to the left, while Dewade was on the far right.

They were positioned at opposite ends of the space.

“…Try to get along a little.”

I could understand since both of them had low sociability.

Old habits die hard; Nell, who had spoken to him a few times recently, seemed to have reverted to her solitary self.

So it wasn’t just a problem between Mishra and the Black Knight.

I let out a deep sigh and headed toward the right side.

Sensing my presence, Dewade lifted his head.

The moment he saw me, he leaped to his feet.

“Greetings, Lady Quellière!”

“….”

“Even today, your beauty seems to cleanse the world—”

“Don’t do that.”

No matter how many times I heard it, I couldn’t get used to that kind of remark.

He took my words seriously and revealed his face, which was bright and refreshing.

I got straight to the point.

“I have a favor to ask.”

“…!”

Bringing Paile here had made me realize how urgent the world’s affairs could be.

The issue was that the Snowfield was so isolated that it was hard to get timely news.

Hearing the word “favor,” Dewade’s expression turned so solemn that it almost felt burdensome.

“A request from Lady Quellière?! Anything you ask, I shall obey!”

“It’s nothing that grand.”

I simply needed someone capable of regularly gathering information.

A scout to track things like the movements of the recent calamity, hungry for divine power, or the remnants of the Dark Holy Society we had recently destroyed.

There might still be traces of them left.

For this, Dewade was the most suitable candidate.

“You’re a guest of the castle.”

Though a member of the Holy Kingdom, he was currently living here as a freeloader.

“Yes, as you say.”

“So you’ll have to earn your keep. Listen carefully.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Surely, this kind of request wasn’t too much.

With that thought, I briefly explained the situation.

Surprisingly, he didn’t show even a hint of reluctance and seemed exceedingly enthusiastic.

“A scout mission! Leave it to me! I won’t let you down!”

“…Alright.”

“I, Dewade, will depart immediately! It won’t take long!”

And with that, the crusader bolted out as if every second counted.

My unspoken words hung pitifully in the air.

“Take your time…”

Honestly, I let out a helpless laugh.

Really, there are so many peculiar people around me.