Chapter 216

The Arctic is cold. Really, really, ridiculously cold.

I’ve never been there myself, but according to the journals of explorers who’ve ventured to Antarctica, the Arctic is even colder than its southern counterpart.

I had the feathers of the Bluebird, so I didn’t feel much of the cold, but the Arctic’s chill is infamous. It’s legendary across the continent.

“Isn’t it because the cold is just too brutal?”

The greatest adventurers conquered the South Pole with sheer will and magical power. Their homeland is long gone, but their names are still remembered.

But the Arctic? No one, no matter how great, has ever conquered the North Pole. It’s not that no one tried. They just never came back alive.

—

“Not wrong. But hey, ever thought about why the Arctic is colder than Antarctica? Like, way colder?”

“……”

I’ve never been to Antarctica, so it’s hard to say. I wish I could compare the two myself.

Oberta, who claimed to have been to Antarctica, got heated while talking. Having lived so long, they’ve traveled a lot.

“The Arctic and Antarctica are both polar regions. They should be similarly cold, right? But the difference is huge. The temperature gap between the two poles is even bigger than comparing the hottest place on Earth to Antarctica. Excluding volcanic areas, of course.”

“Honestly, I don’t know.”

“Heh, figured.”

This isn’t my field of expertise, nor is it even an interest of mine. It’s better to admit ignorance and seek the opinions of those who know more.

“It’s not like doing this will increase my followers or boost my Divine Power. But I went to the Arctic anyway. I had something to say to the Demon King, but more than that, I wanted to set foot on that North Pole.”

“Well, if you succeed, it’d be a historic achievement.”

“Exactly! But… I gave up. You know why? Conquering the North Pole is impossible.”

The Evil God’s words left me stunned.

“Even Grimudo wouldn’t stand a chance. What I saw there was an indescribable flow of divine power and ice pillars reaching the sky. The moment I saw it, I knew. One more step, and even my spirit would freeze solid.”

They reminisced. What they saw was the most perfectly dead place in the world.

“It was clearly the trace of an Ancient God. Like a footprint, you could say. Just that footprint alone made it clear no mortal could ever approach. The owner’s identity is obvious, isn’t it?”

That frozen world rejected all forms of interaction. If anyone forced their way in, they’d become part of that world.

Back then, our destination wasn’t the North Pole but Polaris Fortress. We were a Hero Party, not explorers. So, I can’t verify the Evil God’s claims right now.

“Why are you telling me this? It doesn’t seem like you’re just sharing an interesting story…”

“It’s because you’re heading to the Arctic. Something just came to mind.”

The Evil God sighed. The truth was simpler than expected.

“I think I know what crisis your deity warned about. If that chill from the North Pole spreads across the continent for some reason…”

“If that happens, what’s the point of me being a god? The whole world would freeze over.”

They said this for their own sake, not anyone else’s.

“An Ancient God’s chill freezing the continent? Are you sure something like that could really happen? You sound way too calm for that.”

I scratched my head. It felt like unnecessary worry.

It seemed no different from worrying about the sky falling or the ground collapsing. The Evil God didn’t seem entirely confident in their own thoughts either.

“I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking you. I can’t reach the North Pole, but you might. It’s not that you’re stronger than me, but the one who empowers you is a different story. You might be able to make it.”

“I’ll have to try…”

“You’re going to the Arctic anyway. While you’re at it, check it out. If the chill from the North Pole shows any strange signs… well, I’ll just do what I wanted before I perish.”

They said it so casually, as if they weren’t even sure themselves. It was refreshing, in a way.

The North Pole, huh?

I’ll keep that in mind.

—

“……”

“……”

Two women sat awkwardly, avoiding each other’s gazes. Ardein, unable to bear the awkwardness, sipped her tea.

She was genuinely uncomfortable. Whether it was dislike or not was hard to say, but for the Princess, Yanid was definitely someone she wanted to avoid.

It wasn’t Yanid who had driven her to near-death, nor did Yanid know about it. So, Yanid didn’t understand why Ardein avoided her. But she didn’t think much of it.

How many people would see her in a good light? She wasn’t human, nor a dragon, but some kind of incomplete monster stuck in between.

“Mom! Look over there! It’s the Guardian Dragon!”

“Shh! Stop looking. Your horns will wear out.”

But lately, that thought had started to waver. For the Beastmen, who revere the strong, Yanid was someone worthy of respect.

They’d seen her save them all in front of Epirna. Even Epirna hesitated to face Yanid directly. Unintentionally, Yanid had undermined Epirna’s dignity.

“So that’s the famous Guardian Dragon.”

“We were lucky to flee here. With the Guardian Dragon here, what can Epirna even do?”

The moment this spread, Epirna’s kingdom was shaken. Beastmen started flocking here in droves.

Some came with their families, others alone. Regardless, it was clear that Yanid’s strength was what brought them here.

No one had planned this, no one had set a trap. No one could’ve predicted this. Even Epirna was dumbfounded by the sudden mass exodus.

So many people came that if it weren’t for the mud ovens, it would’ve been a disaster. The Beastmen kingdom had effectively split in two. This meant the next Beast King Tournament would be crucial.

Epirna would surely try to restore her authority in the tournament.

“Aren’t you happy? They all came here because of the Guardian Dragon.”

The sly Gray Wolf clan clung to Yanid, spouting sweet words. Roka, who disliked them, had left for training in a nearby basin.

In that short time, they’d switched allegiances like flipping a hand. Yanid being of a different race didn’t matter. Dragons, or anything mixed with them, were considered noble.

“The Guardian Dragon is our treasure and pillar. We all rely on you.”

“Ah, thanks…”

“How can someone so beautiful also be so well-mannered! Truly, a noble body houses a noble soul. You are our Guardian Dragon! Everyone, let’s chant! Yanid!”

“Ya! Ni! D!”

Amid the fervent cheers, the so-called Guardian Dragon was stunned. She just blinked. Strangely, it didn’t feel bad.

Everything in the world has its use. Even flattery and sweet words can have a positive effect sometimes.

It showed her, without a doubt, that she was loved, that she was someone worthy of love. It was a surprisingly good experience.

She felt pretty good. Something inside her seemed to swell with fulfillment.

“Well, well.”

Roka, returning from training, was speechless. In just half a day, her so-called “kin” had abandoned their own and chosen some dragon-like being.

‘I’ll just be human.’

With no expectations, there was no disappointment. She was just baffled.

Roka turned her head away, grumbling internally. The girl, who never had much pride in being a wolf, now disliked her kin even more.