The Guide

The Blizzard Wolf positioned itself in front of the barrier Alexia had erected.

It seemed to be watching them, gauging the situation.

Perhaps the fire barrier was keeping it at bay.

"When I give the signal, I'll drop the barrier and hit it with everything I have. Charge in at the same time."

Elza and Azu nodded.

Their frozen bodies had warmed up a little, enough to move again.

Elza refreshed her blessing and readied her mace, waiting for the signal.

Azu unleashed her Apostle's power, ready to pounce at a moment's notice.

The Blizzard Wolf opened its maw wide toward the barrier again.

It was about to fire another volley of icicles with its magic.

"Now!"

Seeing that, Alexia shouted, dispelled the barrier, and gathered mana into her right hand.

She needed a spell strong enough to cancel out the icicles.

Elza stepped forward and drove back the wolves trying to interfere.

Then Azu broke into a sprint.

She wove through the gaps between Elza and the wolves, closing in on the Blizzard Wolf.

The Blizzard Wolf launched its icicles toward the carriage, but Alexia's magically conjured fire arrows intercepted them one after another.

The ice melted and evaporated, only to freeze again, sending white powder snow swirling through the air.

Azu burst through and closed in on the Blizzard Wolf.

For a single instant, their eyes met.

A fierce killing intent radiated through its gaze.

What were monsters, really?

Of all the ones she'd encountered, the stronger a monster was, the stronger the malice and hatred it held toward humans.

The answer eluded her, but she brushed aside the sparks raining down and slew the monster all the same.

To survive. For Yohane.

She swung her sword through.

The Blizzard Wolf's fur was tough, but the Apostle's power was more than enough to cut it.

Confirming the blade had reached its neck, she activated the Sealed Sword Grungaus's power.

The wound deepened dramatically. Not enough to take the head clean off, but fatal nonetheless.

The Blizzard Wolf collapsed slowly, blood pouring from the gash.

With a heavy thud, it went still.

The wolves fighting Elza saw that and retreated.

Their footsteps grew distant. This time, they really were gone.

Yohane emerged from the carriage bundled in cold-weather gear.

In his hand was a skinning knife.

"Might as well. Let's collect the materials."

"Do we have time?"

"Barely. But look."

Yohane pointed his index finger skyward.

Azu followed it and saw the sun coming out.

The blizzard itself was still going, but its intensity was dying down rapidly.

The weather was clearing up.

If the carriage could run, they still had time to spare.

The four of them set to work skinning the hide.

Normally it would have been a blood-soaked job, but the blood had frozen almost immediately after death, so they managed without getting dirty.

Then they extracted the magic stone from its heart.

It was shaped like ice, and even Yohane could tell it held considerable power.

He peeled off the caked-on blood.

They collected the fangs and claws as well.

The meat was too much to store, so they had no choice but to leave it behind.

Since they'd taken the magic stone, other monsters eating the leftover meat wouldn't grow stronger from it.

"Alright, load it all up and get in. We're behind schedule, so we're going full speed."

"Everything's packed."

Azu reported. They climbed into the carriage.

Yohane gave a firm nod, took his place on the driver's seat, and set the mules running.

Snow still blanketed the ground, but the wind had died down and posed no obstacle.

The mules ran hard, making up for lost time.

He had Alexia smooth out the road ahead of them, the same as before.

With no need for blizzard countermeasures, she could redirect that effort.

Half a day later, they arrived at the location printed on the ticket.

It was just as evening was giving way to night, at a spot right before the entrance to the mountain range.

Yohane checked against the map and confirmed it was the right place.

"Nobody's here, is there?"

Elza looked around, but true to her words, there wasn't a soul in sight.

It was eerily quiet, the mountain range where dangerous monsters dwelled looming overhead as if peering down at them.

"What's going on?"

"The place and time should both be right."

Alexia checked the map against the ticket, and indeed, everything matched.

They all got out of the carriage. Right as the appointed time arrived, a man with a cane appeared from thin air.

He wore a mask on his face and a top hat on his head.

Azu instinctively put her hand on her scabbard at the man's sudden appearance.

Seeing this, the man held out his free hand to stop her.

"Azu, take your hand off the sword. It seems he's our guide."

"Yes."

At Yohane's instruction, Azu released her grip.

The man nodded with apparent satisfaction and spoke from behind his mask.

"Right on time. I have come to escort you all."

With that, the man tapped his cane on the ground twice.

A portal materialized behind him.

"Teleportation magic…"

Alexia couldn't hide her surprise.

Teleportation magic was said to be one of the lost magics, with almost no living mages who could use it.

She'd known of its existence but had dismissed it as a tall tale.

"You are well-informed. Now then, if you would step inside. I will collect your tickets here."

Yohane handed the masked man their ticket.

He had no idea where they'd be sent, but after coming this far, turning back wasn't an option.

There was also the reassurance that with Azu and the others along, they could handle a reasonable amount of danger.

Alexia alone remained somewhat wary, but she had no compelling reason to overrule the plan.

The other side of the portal was invisible from here.

"Let's go."

At Yohane's word, they pressed forward. As they entered, a strange floating sensation enveloped them.

After all of them had entered the portal with the carriage, the masked man checked the surroundings and closed it.

"Now then, let's see… one more group to go, I do believe."

He tapped his cane on the ground twice, and a portal appeared at his feet. The man dropped straight through it.

He pressed his hat down so it wouldn't fall off.