A bell started ringing, indicating that an enemy has infiltrated the village. Ultear and Kurtis lost sight of Simon who runs like his life depends on it.
Not before long after, the tables have turned. The ones being chase and the ones chasing have switched side. Ultear and Kurtis are now the ones running for dear life while being chase both by monsters, beasts and Calumbias Clan members.
The both of them went outside the village and enter the dangerous steep cliffs of the Impassable Mountain. Additionally, the snow started falling rather heavily. The already dangerous place become more dangerous with just the snow falling down.
"We're in great peril!" Ultear shouted.
"I know!" Kurtis answered back as they continue running. Their breaths were heavy and their limbs and legs started shaking, however they never stop running. The Black Moon Fox jump for their heads but Ultear slipped on the snow. She grab Kurtis arm and they both fall over from a cliff.
They both rolled over the snow covered ground for a while reaching a flat surface. Unfortunately, a huge, sharp boulder awaits them. On the bright side, the monsters, beasts and Calumbias Clan members stop chasing after them.
Kurtis right leg were broken and Ultear was unconscious with her forehead bleeding heavily. Kurtis groan painfully as he held his broken leg but despite his condition, the first thing he did was to check if Ultear was fine or not. After knowing her current state, Kurtis ripped off a piece of fabric from his clothes and wrap it around Ultear's forehead. In hopes to try stopping the bleeding.
With the snow continue to fall heavily, Kurtis started looking for a place to hide from the snow and the ones chasing after them in case they chase after them again. Even if Kurtis needs to drag his body with his crippled leg, he will if it means making Ultear safe and...alive.
However, he couldn't find a single safe place. No cave to take refuge or anything else. He could only bring her beside a huge old tree. Tired, hungry, freezing in cold and worried of what happens to the comrades left in the underground prison and the future of Betania Kingdom.
As Kurtis feeling anxious and worried, he hug Ultear's unconscious body. Sharing your body heat can increase your survival in the snow. It doesn't have any malicious intent. I swear! I'm too tired to even think of such a thing.
Time passes by. Kurtis started losing his consciousness. His eyes become heavy and darkness started pulling him. He couldn't feel his injured leg, toes and fingers. And soon after, his eyes closes.
But before he lost consciousness, a tall dark figure of a person looms over him.
A crackle of the fire from the fireplace spat sparks. The warm cozy bed and the delicious smell of soup from the boiling pot made Kurtis woke up. An unfamiliar place welcome him after he opened his eyes. The first thing his eyes look afterwards is Ultear. He only feel relief when he confirm that Ultear is safe and sound. She's peacefully lying on the other bed with herbs wrap around her forehead. His injured leg were also wrap with the same herbs.
Thank goodness, she's safe. But, anyway, where am I? Kurtis started looking around. Trying to look for clues of their location but failed. He's not familiar with the whole place at all. Even the furnitures and things around the place was new to him.
The door open. A tall, young man entered with a sack of firewoods. His wearing an animal fur, probably, a white fox's tail, as winter coat. His gray beret hat and black boots were covered with snow. As soon as he entered, Kurtis was alerted.
The man glance over him. "You're awake." He deadpanned. Kurtis didn't answered and just watch him walk inside the house after he lock the door, for the cold not to enter. He walk beside the fireplace and place the sack of firewoods.
"I'm glad you've already woken up. How's your condition? Anything hurt? Or maybe hungry?" he ask nonstop. Kurtis doesn't know what to answer first or what to ask.
"Where are we?" Kurtis voice is parch.
"Hmm?" the guy glance over his shoulder as he take off his hat and coat. He hangs them above the wall. "We're in my place. My house to be specific. Are you hungry? Why don't we enjoy some rabbit soup while we talk?"
Kurtis agreed after a moment of hesitation. They exchange names. He identified himself as Seiji.
Seiji helps Kurtis sit in the table and he even serve him rabbit soup and some bread. They silently enjoy their food for a while after starting a conversation.
"I have found in the snow while I was out looking for firewoods. You're both injured, unconscious and cold that's why I brought you here in my house to treat and let you rest."
"That's true. I see. You have my greatest gratitude." Kurtis politely stated.
"Ah, no, it's fine. It's nothing special. I only brought you here because it will left an unpleasant aftertaste if I just leave the both of you in the snow after knowing your conditions."
"Still, thank you." Kurtis insisted.
"...fine. Whatever, do what you like." Seiji give up in the end. When Seiji ask why they were in such bad shape, Kurtis tells him about their identity as Betania Kingdom's Knight, about their encountered with the evolved monsters and beasts and the village in the Twin Impassable Mountain Ranges, how he got prisoned and how they were caught and chased after planning to escape and that's how they end up falling in the cliff and being injured. However, Kurtis never mentioned about Ultear being a princess. He introduced her as a commander knight.
"How long was I unconscious?"
"Almost four days..."
They were in the middle of enjoying their rabbit soup while conversing, when a sudden interruption from a loud knocking on the door distract them.
"Your Grace, are you here? You're Grace, Seiji Von Calumbias III, please open the door there's and emergency!"