Gishta was helped by Lars as they returned to the village.
In her hazy mind, the biting cold penetrated even deeper into her skin. It was a temperature she had lived with all her life. She didn’t know why it felt colder today, or why she clung tighter to the warmth of the man she met for the first time.
Ah, she had faced death a few times.
Her blood loss had blurred the events.
… What did she say to him?
There were so many questions she wanted to ask, but her lips froze, making conversation impossible.
“The Commander has returned!”
“He’s injured!”
“I brought a man!”
Gishta returned, receiving the villagers’ concerns, while she had the duty to deal with the aftermath of combat. However, Lars stopped her.
She was dragged into a nearby hut and forced onto a bed. Trusting someone else with her body was a refreshing experience.
“The man, Commander! He attacked!”
“He’s the enemy!”
“No, Lars saved my life. He’s a friend.”
She introduced him as a friend to calm the excited villagers.
Lars was also the leader of outsiders. Gishta knew the adventurers’ way well. Unlike her, who had to stay tied to this land, they could run freely across the continent without a home.
Often, she envied them.
Her lifelong confinement was the exact opposite of their freedom.
Finally alone, Gishta and Lars could talk.
“I’m Lars Gothberg. I’m the commander of the Hippogriff Brigade.”
“I’m Gishta, the devourer. I lead the Thunder Tribe. Lars, are you a healer?”
“You can call me that.”
Lars answered lightly, continuing his treatment. Watching his focused expression, Gishta accidentally caressed his cheek with the back of her hand.
“Why?”
“Ah, never mind.”
“I’m in the middle of treatment. My hands might slip. Let’s save it for later.”
“… I see.”
Later? Did that mean touching was allowed? Gishta’s heart raced like never before.
Lars thought it was a light joke, but for a barbarian who rarely had contact with men, it was quite a stimulating comment.
This northern region felt like an isolated world of reversed genders.
Sometimes the men abducted by the tribes would tremble in fear. It was the first time someone behaved so calmly towards her like Lars.
Huff.
Imagining a future with him, even down to great-grandchildren, Gishta slapped herself to regain her senses.
“Are you really that bad?”
“Hmm, I almost lost consciousness. But, Lars.”
Changing the subject, Gishta pressed on.
“Where did you come from? Why did you help me?”
Gishta knew him well. A few years ago, she had often seen a silver-haired young master while she was out exploring the lower lands.
He had been a noble prince then, but after a short disappearance, he returned as a full-fledged adventurer.
“Haha, I came to be friends.”
Lars replied cheerfully, and Gishta’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Friends…?”
“Yeah. We’re facing the same enemy, so it makes sense. I was chasing that Great Demon alongside my friends.”
“Are you an adventurer?”
“I’m somewhat famous. I’m the leader of the scoundrels scattered outside. I came at the request of the royal princess. I got quite the reward too.”
Gishta realized he wasn’t lying. Recalling the battle just before, an important fact finally dawned on her.
“My mother! What happened to my mother?!”
Lars’s expression grew serious.
“The Great Demon took her. What he was doing here was a summoning ritual, using the mana of the Heavenly Dragon as a medium.”
“I have to save her!”
Gishta roughly yanked the potion out of her arm and tried to get up. Lars forcibly pressed her shoulders to calm her down.
“You can’t go like this. We need to treat you first.”
“There’s no time! Didn’t you say the bad guy is using my mother? She’s sick! She can’t withstand his curse!”
“Your situation isn’t much different.”
Thud.
As soon as Lars’s words finished, Gishta felt a sharp pain in her chest and stopped breathing. She collapsed onto the floor.
“What did I tell you? Seriously.”
Lars resumed the treatment. While massaging Gishta’s heart, he ended up giving it a strong fist.
Huff.
Gishta barely got back on her feet. Lars used [Diagnosis] and warned her.
“The situation was urgent, so there are aftereffects. Your heart is infected with the Great Demon’s black magic.”
“Phew… I can feel it. My heart won’t last long.”
Lars didn’t deny this. She had less than a year left.
“I have a duty to protect my mother. Of course, Lars, I want to repay you for saving my life first. But can you help with that quickly? I’ll do anything.”
“Anything?”
“Yeah. I don’t mind at all. You can carry me all day!”
Gishta proclaimed confidently. Lars chuckled lightly while looking at her.
“Actually, I have business with the Great Demon myself. Let’s go together to that place.”
“Oh, that won’t be difficult. During the trip, should I carry you? Just say whether you want it in front or behind.”
“Forget it; we’re friends now. And.”
Lars took out some candy from his pocket and put it in Gishta’s mouth.
Startled by the sudden ambush, Gishta looked up blankly at Lars’s face. He smiled leisurely.
His expression looked like he wanted to dive in and embrace her inside his heart.
“The advance payment is more than enough already.”
A burst of sweetness mixed with an indescribable tingling sensation spread along Gishta’s tongue.
*
While Lars treated Gishta, the Thunder Tribe and the adventurers had become quite close.
Having fought the same enemy, they shared a camaraderie for wandering through dangerous terrains.
Most importantly, the Thunder Tribe had started vying for the favor of the male adventurers they liked, which also made their shoulders puff up with pride.
Though they were often looked down on as rough outside, here, that was actually a bonus. Everyone was thoroughly enjoying the delight of becoming attractive, popular men.
The flirtation continued until Gishta took charge. Lars gathered the adventurers.
“So, that Great Demon, when he completes his ritual, it’s bad news.”
“Black magic and curses? We don’t know much about that. Should we call the priest and paladin?”
“How about dividing money with those goddess worshippers? We can take care of it before the summoning, right?”
“Let’s think about it after hearing the additional payment from the royal kingdom.”
The adventurers split opinions upon hearing Lars’s words. Adventure was a fantasy, but most were motivated by treasures and money.
Lars was well aware of this fact.
“Looking at the direction they fled, the next extermination operation will be in the middle realms.”
“W-Will we go to the middle realms?”
“The Chief of the Thunder Tribe has connections with the clans there. We secured a safe route.”
“A chance to explore the middle realms…”
“Not to mention the materials from mythical creatures and rare ores and artifacts? Only the brave will get in. I’m going.”
Lars’s words made the adventurers gulp.
“There will be Fairies too. I’ve heard they give out presents when you meet them.”
“Besides, we’re going with the Thunder Tribe.”
“Overflowing flowers in both hands and arms.”
“I’m going to marry Pintapan! I fell for her at first sight.”
Their deliberation didn’t last long. The adventurers stood up and shouted.
“Commander, let’s go!”
“We’ll tear apart the demons and black magicians!”
“Prepare to move!”
In an instant, morale skyrocketed. Adventurers, by nature, were emotional. Deciding on life’s great lines impulsively was their style.
“I’ll leave the negotiations with the chief to you, Commander.”
“That chief seems to have a crush on you too.”
“Right? She seemed to be in a good mood when you came out; do well this time.”
The adventurers teased Lars playfully. He simply chuckled and pretended not to hear.
Most of the Rock Tribe and Glacier Tribe followed the Great Demon, but some remnants remained. Lars and Gishta rallied the remaining Thunder Tribe villagers and started exterminating.
Gishta’s mammoth appeared and wiped them out in just a few steps, leaving the adventurers agape.
“Lars, ride, Tara!”
“Oh, I’m riding in front, not behind. That’s fine. I have no complaints.”
The adventurers envied Lars, who was half-clinging to Gishta while riding the mammoth.
With supplies received from the marquisate, the newly established Hippogriff Brigade traveled west, reaching the kingdom after a month.
Upon receiving the report, the kingdom actively sent support. They had tried negotiating with other countries, but the Empire rejected them due to royal chaos, and the Kingdom of Law turned them down due to lack of resources.
When they transcended the boundaries of the human realm and the scenery changed drastically, Gishta laughed and shouted to the skies.
“Aah— LaLaLaLa!!”
It was a roar that felt refreshing just to hear. Whenever she ran on the mammoth with Gishta, Lars always felt the thrill of freedom.
“You’re particularly excited today, Gishta.”
“Ah, actually, saying this might make me unfit as a chief, but…”
The wind created by their speed swept across Gishta’s azure hair. She hesitated for a moment before confessing.
“I’ve always wanted to run this far away. Not just a land full of ice, but with sand, storms, grass, trees, rocks, and even mountains. Look, isn’t it hot here!”
“It’s cold enough to need freeze barriers. How long have you wanted to leave?”
“Hmm, when was it?”
Gishta took out a book from her waist. It contained tales from the legend of the Heavenly Dragon to stories of the small kingdom where she was born. A tattered bundle of papers outlined her history little by little.
“… I can’t read this. It feels like it was ages ago.”
“You carry a notebook too? I have one as well.”
Lars took out a notebook from his pocket. It was filled with chemical formulas and medical information grounding alchemy.
“Oooh.”
Gishta couldn’t understand a single word, but she could see how much Lars had been contemplating.
Especially with the illustrations of hearts, it was clear that he was trying hard to heal her.
“Good for you. Regardless of the reason, you’ve traveled around a lot, haven’t you?”
“Yeah, honestly, it’s been fun. Even if it shouldn’t be.”
“What’s wrong with that? You only need to be serious when it’s time to be serious. If someone is always earnest, they’ll die of stress.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. And you’ve done enough up to this point.”
Including thoughts of the future, Lars’s sincerity resonated with her. Though the feeling didn’t fully reach him, Gishta could sense it.
“… Is that so?”
The grip on her reins tightened. Gishta slightly curled her arm, leaning her body forward. This naturally put her in a position to hug Lars from behind.
Perhaps it was due to the draconic bloodline, but Gishta’s body temperature was much hotter than that of an ordinary person, and it conveyed itself through contact with Lars. He felt a profound sense of trust along with it.
“Let’s go.”
It had been six months since they departed from the valley.
Lars and Gishta arrived at the lair of the Heavenly Dragon, where a black vortex had settled.
