In the northern lands of the Rossiya Empire, where the climate is frigid and the ground is frozen solid, spitting on the street would leave ice shards.
Today, with heavy snow falling, even wearing a cotton-padded jacket outside would leave one shivering, but I'm not cold at all.
Because tied to a pyre, I'm about to be burned alive—cold is the least of my worries.
Struggling to lift my head, my gaze falls upon a diminutive figure seated on a makeshift, lofty "throne"—the executioner about to set me ablaze.
"Do you know? There's no other reason for burning you, except that my Rossiya Empire doesn't need toys that don't obey the Emperor's commands!"
Hopping down from the too-tall throne, she flicks her ponytail and grabs a bottle of alcohol from the table.
After chugging it…
She throws it over!
Rossiya's special Molotov, an alcohol with a potency of 89%. One drink and you're down…
One spark and it ignites!
Through the flying bottle aimed at me, I also see the shadowy figure raising a magic-guided gun.
"Farewell, oddly dressed big brother."
[Bang]
Flames seem to roar to life, and at this moment, no sane person would think of enjoying it like a sauna. Move, move! Activate any heart-protecting talisman, any hidden physique—anything! At the very least, a last-ditch strength boost to break the ropes and make a run for it! If not, I'm done for!
The next moment, the cry in my heart suddenly had a response. A slender shadow fell in front of me.
Oh, it's so big and so white, and it must be warm! And although it's a thin outfit that's even "sensual" in degree, she doesn't seem to be affected by the harsh winter climate at all, except for a faint blush on her shoulders that's unique to a girl.
I'm absolutely not deliberately staring at someone's chest and shoulders! After all, she's right in front of me, completely blocking my field of vision, so I can't help but admire her unparalleled beauty!
The next moment, without my reminder, she turned around and faced the danger. Her silver hair fluttered amidst the falling snowflakes, making her look like a winter fairy who had emerged from the snow, and I finally let out a sigh of relief as she was bound to me.
This "fairy" is not just beautiful!
"!"
As she turned around, she immediately kicked the whiskey bottle flying towards me, and the absolute domain in my field of vision was swallowed up by a cold light – the sword had been drawn, and it had fallen with precision, slicing through the flying bullet.
I, who was supposed to have been burned by the fierce flames, was saved, accompanied by everything around me: whether it was the ordinary people watching from the sides of the street, the guards surrounding me, or even the surprised and silent figure on the throne in the distance.
The guards who were originally gathered around the bonfire were the first to react! They instinctively wanted to rush up and catch the big rebel who had dared to "seize" me!
"Hmph, don't overestimate yourself."
The shadow behind me only glanced at me once before turning around and immediately crouching down on the ground like a group of rough-looking men. After all, the girl's gaze was not just "eye defense," but absolute pressure that had already paralyzed them!
"This time again, it's the Ross Empire…"
After she finished her actions, she gazed towards the throne in the distance, her voice growing even colder.
"The dwarf on that throne should assess whether he's worthy before he tries to move me."
There was no response, as even I, who was bound behind her, had just felt a sense of fear emanating from within. What was the expression on her face right now? Had she already transformed into a wrathful demon?!
I don't know, because I only know that she turned around to look at me, and I finally looked at her face when I did, only to find that it was not a sulk, but a concerned expression.
"Let me find you, you're so careless again. Idiot…"
"Listen carefully, next time I'll absolutely not come to save you!"
Regardless of who's watching, her face would be filled with discontent, but the girl couldn't help herself, and her eyebrows were filled with concern instead. She then looked around at me, and immediately drew her sword, freeing me.
The cold weather made me almost lose my balance, but the girl immediately approached me, hugging me tightly and holding me upright, and I felt her warmth. Enjoying her scent for a moment, I immediately left, afraid of being hit, and also… the danger wasn't over yet.
The figure in the distance who had been frightened by the girl's words and pressure finally regained his composure and began to shout like a cat with its fur standing on end!
"Who are you?! The Emperor will kill whoever he wants! You're a nuisance! Ura!"
[Boom boom boom]
Multicolored magic bullets flew wildly around us, startling passersby, and the scene became chaotic, but the girl in front of me didn't even glance at the opponent, just staring at me as if she had seen enough, and then let out a sigh and sheathed her sword.
"Alright, there are too many people here. I'll settle the score with you later."
"Uh… how do we get back?"
"Teleportation, that's faster. I'll take you back to the sky with magic, and you might freeze into an ice block."
We were silent for a moment, and a red flush suddenly spread across her white face.
"What are you still waiting for? Hurry up and grab my thigh!"
Yes, I'll take your white thigh! It's still black silk today, and it's strong enough!
The girl's soft chant began to rise, and though we were surrounded by enemies, I wasn't worried at all. After all, the "pillar" I was clinging to had such strength.
"Reload for me! Where is everyone! Useless, all of them, utterly useless, damn it!"
"What's that shorty yelling about?"
"Local dialect."
In truth, he was spewing curses, but if I were to speak the truth, I fear the tall and fair one beside me would not be pleased, and might just send the surrounding area back to the Stone Age.
"Quiet down, shorty!"
With a casual wave, the girl summoned a "wind" that instantly whipped up a storm of snowflakes, engulfing the impotent rage and the platform it stood on not far away. It was then that I suddenly remembered what I had forgotten.
"Kefir, thanks again for this time."
The girl's body trembled slightly.
"I just happened to pass by, just happened to! Understand?!"