It was white and pale all around. From the moment the snow began to fall, the boundaries between the sky and the land felt blurred. Grand Duke Kyle Blake moved slowly, keeping a close eye on his surroundings. Even he, who was called a master of the North, could not enter carelessly; he did not dare to enter this area without caution. Yet, they were getting closer.
The wizard who came from the end of the world walked faster and faster. The snowflakes clinging to his face seemed cheerful and carefree, as if he were even happier in this cold wind.
"I'm standing here."
With no one else to see, Knox naturally stopped using honorifics. There was even a strange hint of contempt in his voice, but Kyle didn't care. He simply shot a suspicious glance at the magic circle inside the cave, then slowly moved to its center and stood.
The blue light leaking from the mobile magic circle gave it a damp and chilling feeling. It was strange that it was so different, even though it was a similar color to the magic I was using. Because it was like a miracle that his bold and smart lover surrounded me by cutting my life. Because there was a brilliant and affectionate light in the power of silver.
Kyle put his hand in his pocket. As if comforting him, he felt my small, warm, and cheerful feet tapping his fingers. A smile came to his mind, lulled by that shallow warmth.
Yes, it's okay because we're together. This time is different. I will protect Shu no matter what happens.
Directly, and as best as I can.
This time by all means.
"You seem very determined." Knox glanced at Kyle's expression and said.
"Yes."
"Is she worthy of going that far?"
Kyle replied without hesitation. "Of course."
"It seems to me that the two of you know less about each other than I thought." As the world turned blue, his eyes, which were the only ones red, narrowed slightly.
"I give up."
"Does that matter?"
"Hmm?"
"Well. If you know each other well, you can love each other more specifically. However, even if you don't, it doesn't mean you don't love me."
It doesn't matter. Kyle thought so. He may not understand all of Shu in his life. He knew about half of her strangeness and loneliness, and the other half was just a guess. Even so, it was okay. What mattered was not how much he knew or didn't know about his lover. The only thing that mattered was that they had chosen each other and wanted to be together. It was a natural and instinctive choice for Kyle. Just as Shu risked her life for him, Kyle was also ready to risk his life for her.
"Branches."
"If the Grand Duke says so, without delay."
When the magic was activated, my eyes were lightly struck. But he didn't falter in the slightest. He was a person who had a good understanding of patience, capable of enduring even if he vomited a handful of blood.
After an eternal moment, with the feeling that his whole soul was being sucked in somewhere, he moved.
"..."
The first thing Kyle noticed was his skin. The cold air that penetrated through his armor was like a well-sharpened blade. It was a severe cold unique to the North, a temperature that felt uncomfortable even to him, who had become quite accustomed to it.
In the bone-penetrating cold, Kyle looked around. It was so white that it hurt his eyes. The ground, which looked like it was made of white snow, was flat, and the ice was so thick that he couldn't see the blue of the sea underneath.
The pure white tower, which he had never seen before, stood there like a remote island. It was an awkward yet overwhelming existence, as if dropped by a giant with a wrong heart, boasting its imposing presence. The pale white iron fence was about twice the height of a grown man. Between the sections, which were connected as if hundreds of windows had been erected, there were no doors, not even gaps, so it seemed to have an advantage over the tower from this vast world.
Kyle gently caressed the pet beast in his pocket to hide his nervousness. No matter how thick his coat was, he couldn't help the bitter cold. I had been trembling pitifully from earlier. He was worried that I might catch a cold. He wished he could warm me up.
Kyle's hands were not very warm now. Bringing in magic to warm it up a little was all he could do.
"It's my first time bringing a guest."
Knox stepped forward and stretched out his hands. Under his elegant and leisurely gesture, the front fence where Kyle and Knox stood side by side slowly melted, and a gap formed. Knox, who strode beyond it, bent his waist exaggeratedly and bowed in a courtly style.
"Welcome to the Frost Tower."
Kyle thought about it for a moment, then followed him into the walls. With a heavy cracking sound, the sections of the fence that reappeared interlocked with each other. He had a glimpse of it.
It is like being dragged into the devil's den head first. I'll have to be on my toes from now on. Kyle moved a little more magic with his fingertips and tried to take care of his lover.
"... Shu?"
My small body didn't tremble for some time. Did he pass out because he couldn't overcome the cold? Kyle's heart went cold.
'Wow, crazy! I'm going to die of cold!'
I roared inwardly and trembled violently. I once stole a shirt and ran barefoot at Blake Castle, but at that time, compared to now, the cold was just like a spring breeze. Because of the cold that was so intense that it cut my flesh, I was literally frozen. I felt like I was going to die.
'I'm going to die of cold! I'm really dying! Is there anything that protects against the cold?'
[We are looking for an appropriate number due to inappropriate intervention.] [It takes time for various settlements.]
What do you mean? Do you mean you can't do it or not? Get it before I pass out!
[（︶^︶）;;;;]
The system trembled as if in trouble, and soon the miracle numbers were settled one after another, and a nut shop appeared.
[We arrived at the 'Frost Tower'.] [The story of the original begins to change significantly.] [Information about the character, 'Knox' will be added.] [Current miracle figure 85.7%] [Current Incident Interference Rate 10%] [Coordinating...]
If I collected a little more, the miracle number would reach 90%. I really had a lot of work to do. It was a moment of pride.
NEW! [Soft and Fluffy Peanut Cream Steamed Bun | Miracle Figure Consumes 2% | Ensures deep sleep for about 3 hours. Recommended item for honey sleep!] NEW! [Almond fever relief taffy | Miracle value consumption 2% | Will completely reduce the fever!]
Overall, it was cheaper than other items. It's economical. I like it. But if I slept now, my mouth would turn or I'd freeze to death, and I didn't have enough fever, so I didn't have to eat taffy candy.
'What should I do?'
I thought about it for a while and then rummaged through the Love Love Corner. Sure enough, a new product that seemed to have been hurriedly sparked in the past.
NEW! [Earplugs for furry hamsters | ❤x500 ← recommended!] [Slot added!] [Current Holdings | ❤ x 1999]
'... There are many.'
Thanks to His Highness's hot and overflowing love, I bought earplugs for hamsters without any difficulty. The inside of the pouch was dark and narrow, so I couldn't see exactly what it looked like. Just warm, that's enough, what?
I bowed my head slightly, stretched out my short arms as hard as I could, and put a stopper on my head, where my ears were surrounded by fluffy fur. Of course, hamster ears are a little above, so strictly speaking, they are not 'ear' plugs...
(Wow.)
It works. It seemed to be a magic item. As soon as I put on the earplugs, the bone-chilling cold that had been hitting me improved. The hand that Kyle put in his pocket had a faint warmth from the magic. It was just right. I stopped trembling and clung to his hand and enjoyed this moment. I unknowingly had a peaceful smile on my face.
'Oh, I'll live for a while.'
But it seemed that this was just my situation. Kyle's hand stiffened all of a sudden. His fingertips, with a sense of ominous premonition, stirred his pocket in a daze as if he were underground.
Don't you think I'm fainting?
"What's going on?" The quick-witted wizard quickly intervened. Kyle's voice answered stiffly.
"Nothing happened."
"Why is the kid silent, but there must be no problem? Apparently, it is a body that has the duty to be responsible for safety."
I quickly came to my senses and slapped Kyle's fingertips. Come to your senses, you idiot.
"... It's cold."
"There is a stigma, so it can't be. Let the kid come here for a moment. As promised, I'll break the magic caught in the arm."
I quickly took my sunglasses out of my inventory and put them on. There was a little time left on the 'Enhanced Insight Eye.'
Knox held out his hand towards me and smiled naturally. Apparently, he had noticed that I was in a situation where I couldn't get out of Kyle's pocket.
Kyle took a step back and shook his head. "I'll do it tomorrow. Please guide me to the accommodation first."
"It's not fun."
Knox stared at me. It couldn't be, but with a thick pocket between us, I felt a chilling sensation, as if our eyes were making contact. Fortunately, Knox walked on without further investigation.
After climbing up a translucent staircase carved from ice, the main entrance of the pagoda was unusually located in the middle, not on the bottom floor. About half of the tower was buried under a dark staircase below, and the pointed, sharp icebergs created a bloody and strange atmosphere.
We went up for a long time after entering the tower. Only after going up countless spiral stairs and reaching a silver floor did a long and narrow corridor appear.
"The room on the left. Even though it's a little cold. If you want, I'll give you one more room..."
"No, that's enough."
I felt like my face was burning somehow, but I agreed with him. Staying away from the enemy's lair was not a good option.
"Are there any taboos?"
Knox replied with a smile. "Don't go downstairs; it's quite cold. I'm going to send my servants soon, so if you need anything, tell them over there."
"..."
"I'll come to see you in the morning." The white ghost looked at me and added, "I hope you stay safe."