Chapter 99: The Strangeness Brought by Fern
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Frieren couldn't help but feel genuinely worried about Fern's physical condition.
However, the racial differences between them made Frieren entirely unaware of her concerns. Fern, on the other hand, chose not to dwell on it. She focused on herself, wrapping her arms around Ash as she basked in his warmth against the biting wind and snow. Her demeanor, simultaneously independent yet reliant, gave her the aura of both a caring mother and a petulant eldest daughter. After all, Frieren had earlier said something that irritated Fern, so she was naturally content now.
In stark contrast, Ash's mood was entirely different.
This is bad… I can't feel my heartbeat at all. Is the difference between people really this vast? The firm yet incomparably soft sensation pressing against his back made it impossible for him to describe his feelings. A strange, subtle emotion he couldn't quite name began creeping into his thoughts.
Despite his best efforts to ignore it, the overwhelming sensation was too vivid to dismiss. The more he felt it, the more a peculiar sense of guilt grew within him, making him feel oddly conflicted.
His silence in the midst of the howling snowstorm didn't escape Fern's notice. Concerned, Fern leaned forward slightly and asked, "Master Ash? Am I really too heavy?"
"No, that's not it…" Ash quickly replied.
"Really?"
"I was just thinking… You said you'd always stand by me, but then you suddenly said you'd die with me. Sigh~ As expected, as an old father, I'm very sad~"
Of course, he couldn't possibly say what was truly on his mind. So, he feigned a wistful sigh as he looked ahead into the swirling snow.
Fern flushed with embarrassment, resting hier chin on Ash's shoulder as he mumbled, "That… that was just a joke…"
"Oh? So you'll stand by me, then?"
"—No! I meant what I said: we'd die together!"
"…That doesn't sound like a joke at all."
"Because…" Fern tightened his hold around Ash's neck, whispering near his ear as if sulking, "I'd really be upset!"
Ash sighed inwardly. Why do girls care so much about their weight? He didn't understand it, not even a little. The only thing he was sure of was that girls' moods could shift faster than the northern winds.
Unconsciously, he glanced up at the stormy sky, sighing again, his breath visible in the freezing air.
---
The world around them was a vast expanse of white, ravaged by relentless wind and snow. Snowflakes, thick and fast, poured from the heavens like feathers, blanketing the earth in silver and obscuring their vision. The howling wind tore through the landscape like a wild beast, seeking to devour every ounce of warmth.
Behind Ash, the girl's long, violet hair danced with the tempest, brushing against him and carrying a faint, enticing scent.
It wasn't just the smell of shampoo or perfume. It was something deeper—something closer to the sweet temptation of natural hormones.
The realization made Ash's already unsettled thoughts spiral further. Why can I even smell this? he wondered. I'm a demon, after all.
Then again, animals could sense human auras too, couldn't they? The difference between species didn't seem as significant as he once thought. Of course, different creatures probably experienced different hormonal reactions to one another, but this wasn't the time to dissect such matters.
Still… Fern is so… big! No, stop! I need to block these thoughts out! Am I a pervert?! The one behind me is Fern! I watched her grow up! She's just a human who'll pass away in the blink of an eye!
As the storm raged around them, Ash wrestled silently with his thoughts, berating and blaming himself for feelings he couldn't quite suppress.
Fern clung to Ash's back, not only hugging him tightly but also gently resting her head on Ash's shoulder, savoring the warmth amidst the wind and snow. Her quiet gaze lingered on Ash's face as if trying to discern his thoughts. Unable to contain her curiosity, he finally asked:
"Master Ash… what's wrong? Are you worried about getting lost?"
"Ah, yes, that's it…" Ash replied evasively.
"…You're lying to me again." Fern narrowed her eyes in suspicion, her expression tinged with dissatisfaction. "Why do you have so many things you won't tell me? I decided a long time ago that I would always be your helper, but you…"
"I'm very grateful for your trust and support, Fern, but life is full of complications. Even the closest people hide small secrets from each other, don't they?"
"I don't hide anything, Master Ash. That's not fair."
"…Really?"
"Really. I'll tell you anything you want to know."
"…The weather is nice today."
Ash's deflection was as smooth as it was transparent. Gazing ahead at the snowstorm battering their path, he muttered softly, "Maybe tomorrow, it will be as peaceful as it is now."
Fern raised her head, her disbelief evident. "I'm surprised you can say something like that while looking at this blizzard."
The endless snowflakes, swept by the howling wind, surged like waves in a stormy sea. Fern instinctively shrank against Ash's back for warmth but still managed to bump her forehead against Ash's shoulder.
Why does he think this is no big deal? Isn't this weather terrible? Fern couldn't help but wonder, shivering slightly.
Meanwhile, Ash, as a warrior, remained unfazed. He wasn't one to complain about a little snow. His clothes left a hollow space at his back, which provided unexpected warmth. Combined with Fern presence, which brought a subtle, pleasant fragrance, he found the experience oddly comfortable.
Especially now that Fern had grown older, moments of such closeness had become rare. Far from complaining, Ash found himself hoping the snowstorm would last a little longer. Clearing his mind of distractions, he even began to pray silently for the blizzard to persist.
Fern, though she occasionally grumbled, seemed equally content. Resting peacefully against Ash's back, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to relax. The harsh environment didn't seem to bother her much. In fact, a small part of her was looking forward to tomorrow… hoping the snowstorm would continue.
But not everyone shared their perspective.
Following behind them, Frieren had a far different experience. She trudged along, hunched over and trembling, her face pale as she cursed the cold.
"Really… I'm going to die… Why is it that, after all these years, the snowstorm here still feels so cold? No, it's definitely colder than before!"
Her voice quivered as much as her body. With her hands tucked deep into her sleeves and her posture curled up like a frozen shrimp, Frieren could barely manage her complaints. Instead of worrying about Fern catching a fever, she was far more concerned about whether she might freeze to death.
A pang of regret struck her. Why did I let Ash carry me earlier? she thought bitterly. The fleeting warmth had only made the cold that followed feel even harsher. It was as painful as waking up in the middle of a winter night to use the bathroom.
---
Apart from the relentless howl of the wind and the crunch of footsteps on snow, silence blanketed the white wasteland.
In this vast, frozen world, it seemed as though only Ash and Fern existed. Isolated yet deeply connected, their presence brought a sense of solace amidst the desolation.
Even though the environment was harsh, the warmth Fern radiated from behind gave Ash an odd sense of comfort. But still, something felt a little off. The storm may have muted many sounds, but the atmosphere between them was too quiet, too harmonious.
"Come to think of it… I feel like I've forgotten something," Ash muttered to himself, his instincts tugging at him. He glanced around cautiously, scanning the endless expanse of white.
"What's missing… ah!?"
"—Did we lose Frieren!?"
Fern suddenly jolted awake from her thoughts, her voice tinged with panic. At that exact moment, Ash realized who they had unintentionally left behind.
Frieren, who should have called out for a turn to rest by now, was unnervingly silent. When Ash glanced back, the familiar figure was nowhere to be seen.
Fern anxiously scanned their surroundings, her voice trembling. "What should we do, Master Ash?! Lady Frieren must have fallen behind somewhere!"
"Calm down, Fern. Even though she's terrified of the cold, she's not that fragile—she won't die so easily!"
"Please don't say such things at a time like this! Lady Frieren! Where are you? If you can hear me, please respond!"
Fern's desperate shouts were swallowed by the howling wind and snow, leaving no trace of an answer.
The blizzard's intensity rendered visibility abysmally low. The world beyond a few meters was obscured by swirling snow, making it impossible to spot any movement.
Ash frowned, his mind racing. If she's in trouble, we might have to resort to extreme measures to find her. Before he could act, something unexpectedly bumped into his stomach.
Startled, he looked down and saw Frieren—her small form barely noticeable unless he lowered his gaze—hunched over and clutching the hem of his clothes with trembling fingers.
"…Oh, so you were here all along?" he said, blinking in surprise. "The wind's been so strong I thought it was just snow slapping against my coat."
Frieren slowly raised her head, her expression frozen in a mix of anger and exhaustion. Her teeth chattered uncontrollably, making her words almost incoherent. "Why… why…"
"Why don't we just leave you behind?" Ash interjected, grinning as if it was the most natural thing to say.
Frieren froze, her eyes wide with confusion. She had only meant to ask why they'd forgotten about her, but Ash's bizarre response left her completely baffled. She blinked a few times, at a loss for words.
Ash, fighting back a laugh, lightly tapped her on the head with mock seriousness. "What are you talking about? How could we possibly leave you behind?"
"…No, no…"
"Alright, alright, don't worry! We would never abandon you. There's no need to be afraid!"
"No, that's not—hey?!"
Before Frieren could finish her sentence, Ash suddenly hoisted her up, beaming with a cheerful grin.
"It's okay! Let's get out of here together!"
"...I…"
The absurdity of the situation, paired with Ash's hearty smile, made Frieren want to be angry. Yet, instead, she took a deep breath, attempting to compose herself. Slowly, she said:
"What I'm trying to tell you is… there's a small cabin nearby. Could you please stop—just stop—wandering around in circles?"
"I'm not trying to go in circles. We're just… lost."
"Lost or not, there's a cabin nearby. I know where it is! So, please, stop circling!"
She had been trying to tell him this for ages, but Ash, walking ahead with Fern on his back and entirely engrossed in their own world, hadn't noticed her attempts to catch up. Her voice had been drowned out by the wind and snow, and her near-frozen limbs hadn't helped.
To be honest, Frieren had been this close to resorting to offensive magic to stop them—avalanche risk or not.
Ash raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you knew there was a shelter nearby this whole time? Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
"Do you think I didn't want to tell you? You were walking so fast I couldn't keep up!" Frieren snapped, her frustration evident. "And you completely forgot about me! You just left me behind!"
Frieren seemed particularly resentful toward Ash at the moment, barely holding back the urge to give him a scathing retort.
"…Is it possible that this 'tragedy' happened because you're too small and walk too slowly?" Ash ventured.
"Is it possible…" Frieren's voice dropped into a chilling tone, her glare sharp enough to cut through the snowstorm, "…that if you keep talking, I won't be able to stop myself from killing you?"
"Alright, alright! Sorry! Don't get mad. Just calm down and tell me where to go."
Though Ash still felt guilty for forgetting Frieren, he wisely decided to hold his tongue and followed the direction her trembling fingers pointed.
Fern, on the other hand, had been silently consumed by guilt from the moment she realized they'd left Frieren behind. Still clinging to Ash's back, she buried her face against Ash's shoulder like a big, silent hot water bottle.
Being carried in front of Ash, Frieren was finally starting to feel a little warmer. Even so, she curled up in his arms, her gaze heavy with indignation and confusion.
"What on earth were you and Fern talking about that made you completely forget about me?" she asked with a hint of accusation.
"Thinking about some complicated things…" Ash replied vaguely.
"So? What complicated things?"
"…If there's a chance, I'll have a proper talk with you. But honestly, I hope that chance never comes…"
"??? When did you start saying such cryptic nonsense?"
Ash's response was as puzzling as it was unhelpful, leaving Frieren entirely confused. She couldn't resist the urge to grab her wand and whack him over the head.
Seriously, she thought, it's bad enough that I almost froze to death—he won't even give me a proper explanation?!
But Ash's dilemma wasn't something he could easily discuss. Fern's recent growth had brought its own share of awkward complications, and Ash was terrified of being misunderstood as a pervert—especially since Fern spent so much time riding on his back.
---
Despite being lost, Frieren's memory proved surprisingly sharp. Her directions, though delivered with lingering resentment, guided them back to the right path through the relentless wind and snow.
With Ash's speed, it didn't take long for him to bring them down the mountain. Soon, an isolated cabin came into view.
"…It looks like someone's already inside," Ash noted from a distance, detecting faint signs of movement.
Fern, still clinging to his back, immediately blushed at the thought of being seen like this. Without a word, she quickly slid off and stood on her own two feet.
Frieren, on the other hand, had recovered somewhat in Ash's arms during the trek. Yet, she had no intention of moving. The idea of leaving the relative warmth felt as unpleasant as being dragged out of bed on a freezing winter morning. She stubbornly stayed curled up, wishing she could just drift off to sleep.
Ash, eager to get inside and warm up, walked to the cabin door and pushed it open without hesitation.
"—Hum~! Hum~! Hum~! Hum~!—Good! Very good! I'm warming up! Hum~! Hum~! Hum~!"
A middle-aged man stood in the center of the room, shirtless and doing squats while grunting with enthusiasm.
It seemed he was exercising to keep warm, but…
"…If the indoor temperature is very low," Ash commented instinctively, "doing shirtless squats could cause your body temperature to drop even faster. It's really only advisable when the room temperature is moderate or high. Are you trying to stay warm or freeze yourself?"
Ash's natural tone and casual analysis caught the man off guard, and he blinked at Ash in confusion.