The leather was quite warm.
With the added body heat of the two people, one could easily forget that this was a snowy mountain.
“Do they have hotels in Latnia as well?”
“Unfortunately, there are no JS Group hotels in Sevia.”
The areas where JS Group was granted permission for hotel business in Latnia were only those close to other kingdoms. Beyond that, they could not build hotels within Latnia’s territory.
Instead, there are said to be luxury accommodations made by copying the JS Group hotels in Latnia.
Aila’s financial situation wasn’t great at the moment. Just the tuition fees for me and Jema would be quite tight.
The individual named Python, who commissioned this job, promised to pay upon completion.
This means that all costs incurred while carrying out the request must be covered by Aila’s own funds.
After finishing our rest, I opened the previously blocked cave entrance.
The warm air inside the cave quickly turned cold.
Aila, who had been using the leather like a blanket, rolled it up and slung it over her back.
“Are you taking it with you?”
“We can’t sleep on the snow, can we?”
Since the leather was quite large, it seemed like it could be used like a sleeping bag outside if folded.
It was something needed to cross the snowy mountains.
Only two or three ridges need to be crossed to enter Latnia’s territory.
They say that the only place where the territories of the two empires are this close together is in the north.
Although it looks much closer to the south, the vast plains on both sides actually make the distance significantly greater.
When we crossed one ridge, Aila used the cloak she had brought to hide her ears and tail.
And I steeled myself and downed the potion I held in my hand.
“This feels awful every time I drink it.”
“I’ll give you some candy to wash it down next time.”
My height shrank, and my limbs became thinner.
As the traits of a demon race disappeared, I suddenly felt isolated.
My senses, which had been sharp, dulled, and I felt like I couldn’t hear well.
“Fire!”
I conjured a flame in my hand out of frustration.
“Is it because of the cold? My senses feel too dull.”
“First and foremost, it’s because I’m in a human body now.”
I could see several lights gathering at the bottom of the mountain.
“A village!”
While the environment was harsh, humans adapt and live anywhere.
Aila and I moved towards the village where the lights were.
Having crossed the mountains overnight, it was now sunrise.
The surroundings brightened with sunlight reflecting off the snow.
The villagers in the mountain came out early in the morning and began to bustle about.
When we revealed ourselves, their expressions turned rigid.
“Who are you?”
“We are just passing through after hunting in the mountains.”
“Two kids?”
The middle-aged man, looking quite older, must have thought we looked young enough.
And I also appeared several years younger due to the transformation potion.
“We didn’t catch anything.”
“Tsk tsk. You shouldn’t be wandering around the snowy mountains at this time. A Paki is out there.”
“A Paki?”
“I hear it only preys on children.”
They say that there are several small villages scattered in this area.
That creature has reportedly appeared in the mountains nearby and is said to be preying on children.
Since then, the children have been confined to their homes.
Now it made sense why the villagers looked so stiff when they saw us.
“Have you contacted any nearby hunters or the larger cities?”
“We did, but it’s been ten days without news. If they are alive, they are likely searching, and if not, then they are dead.”
To survive for ten days in the snowy mountains, one would need sufficient supplies.
If you’re a magician, the required amount of supplies would drastically decrease.
However, this is now Latnia.
It is extremely rare to find someone skilled in magic here, let alone a magician in such a remote area.
Aila and I were provided with an empty cabin by the villagers.
It was an empty cabin left behind after the parents who went out looking for their child never returned.
I felt uneasy, but it still had most of the necessary tools left behind for living.
“To leave the mountain, we have to deal with that unidentified monster.”
“Paki…”
I began refining my mana occasionally to prepare for anything, putting up light defensive magic.
“You’re starting to look like a magician now?”
“Really? Should I put up a defensive spell for you?”
Using elemental properties for defensive magic was much easier than using it for offense.
Once cast, it maintained itself until broken, making it quite convenient.
I closed my eyes and created a transparent ice barrier around Aila.
“I should be able to block one attack.”
“Just one?”
“With my current skills, that’s the limit. If you don’t want it, I can take it down.”
“No, it’s better than nothing.”
It was too early to sleep.
Staying inside the cabin was incredibly boring.
“I’ll go out and gather some information.”
“That’s a good idea. They might be less wary of you than me.”
Not everyone is kind to children, but there were not many who were overly cautious.
I wandered around the village to collect information about the Paki.
“What? What does it look like? Around 2 meters tall? No, 3 meters!”
“It’s covered in fur, with sharp teeth and claws.”
“It uses its long claws to rip open bellies and eat their insides.”
From the villagers’ description, I was able to sketch a rough image of the Paki as a monster.
When I returned to the cabin, I explained what I had learned to Aila.
“3 meters? At that size, it would be visible from afar.”
“I hear it moves extremely fast. And…”
I had something specific I wanted to tell Aila, but I couldn’t remember it.
Having gathered enough information regarding the Paki, all that was left was to start our search.
We dined on the food the villagers provided us.
As I lay down on the bed to sleep, my head hit the pillow, and suddenly I recalled it.
It was an important matter, so I quickly got up and headed for Aila’s bed.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
At that moment, someone began pounding on the cabin door roughly.
Aila, startled awake, slowly approached the door, and I quickly blocked her path.
Seeing my strange behavior, Aila immediately stopped in her tracks.
“Are the sisters asleep? If not, come out!”
A voice belonging to one of the villagers.
I raised my finger to my lips to signal her to be quiet.
“Hey! Are you awake!”
“Let’s break it down.”
The outside was filled with voices debating whether or not to break down the door.
Noticing the situation, Aila had already pulled out a sword.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
This was definitely not the sound of hands knocking on the door.
Since it was made of wood, it wouldn’t be able to hold up for long.
Creak! Crunch! Crunch!
A hole opened in the door, and someone glanced inside.
“The girls are gone! Search every corner!”
Aila and I crouched down, hiding from view near the hole in the door.
“Tsk! Just as I thought I could finally have a good meal!”
I heard someone muttering outside as the voices began to fade away.
I lowered my voice to finally share what I had intended to tell Aila earlier.
“This village is strange.”
“What’s so strange about it?”
“They said there were children, but I haven’t seen a single one.”
“Maybe they’re keeping them indoors because it’s dangerous?”
While I was wandering, the villagers kept inviting me into their homes.
Even though I hadn’t visited many houses, there were no children in any of them.
It could be a coincidence that all the houses I went to lacked children.
If that were the case, then it raised one clear question.
“Why are there no women in this village?”
“A!”
This was the story I wanted to share with Aila.
We casually began to brainstorm strategies inside the cabin.
The village must have at least thirty people.
“How much magic can you use?”
“About a day’s worth?”
While taking classes at the Academy, I discovered one thing.
The refined mana contained in my mana hole was roughly double that of a regular demon.
If necessary, I could also call for reinforcements.
“Let’s try to avoid calling Niv as much as possible.”
I put away the Demon King’s horn that I had taken out from my pocket.
“Then I’ll create confusion among the enemy once.”
“Do you think you can do it?”
“Yes.”
Aila looked at me with a slightly worried expression.
The magic that matched me best was lightning.
This elemental magic truly fulfilled my desires perfectly.
It was fast, powerful magic!
Moreover, it accurately fell exactly where I wanted it to.
Although I hadn’t learned it for long, I found this magic incredibly endearing.
“Ririan, remember. Don’t hesitate. This is enemy territory. Got it?”
“Got it.”
Though it was worded differently, I understood the essence well.
I was being told to ensure the opponent wouldn’t rise again.
I unlocked the almost broken wooden door and stepped outside.
Zap! Crack!
A bolt of lightning struck directly over the head of a villager standing guard before me.
“Hanus was hit by lightning! Everyone, dodge!”
“What lightning, it’s clear weather…”
Crack! Crack!
The unfortunate person who was standing nearby was struck alongside Hanus, unable to even scream.
Startled by the bizarre lightning, the villagers all poured outside.
“Is it a witch?”
“No.”
Zap!
Another bolt of lightning fell right over the head of the person who had just called me a witch.
“Wait, wait a moment!”
A man darted out from the crowd and kneeled before me.
“Lady Witch, or should I say, you are a magician!”
Crack!
I accurately struck lightning beside the kneeling man.
As the snow-covered ground became charred black from the lightning, he trembled in fear.
“So, who are you?”
“I am the leader of these ruffians!”
This so-called leader was much larger than I was.
Even though he lay flat on the ground, he appeared like a large rock to me.
“Order everyone to lay down their weapons.”
“Th-That’s impossible. We must be prepared for any crisis…”
At those words, I shot a bolt of lightning into the air.
Boom!
The frightened subordinates began to drop their weapons one by one.
As I heard the sound of weaponry clattering to the ground, the leader jumped up in a hurry.
“Are you all trying to get yourselves killed?!”
“B-But how do we defeat that?”
“Who knows, maybe she’ll take care of him for us!”
The leader’s unexpected suggestion gained traction among the subordinates.
They exchanged glances before, in unison, they all knelt before me.
“Please help us!”
“What?”
