Kays Translations

Chapter 1: Winter Seclusion in Pioneer City

Six months have passed since the threat of the "Scarred beast" subsided.

Winter had arrived for the first time in Malhas, now transformed into a "pioneer city."

As expected, many people were struggling in Malhas due to the cold, with many falling ill.

Especially at the church, where it was bustling with patients every day.

"Fimia, how is it?"

"Many people are visiting the church with cold symptoms. To be honest, even I am feeling cold... It's tough."

"I thought so, that's why I brought the magic heating stove artifact. Keep it nearby."

Placing a somewhat small magic heating stove at Fimia's feet, I activated it.

She looked at it with a faint sparkle in her eyes as it immediately emitted a gentle warmth.

"It's warm..."

"A fireplace wouldn't be enough to warm up this space. Even though diseases can be treated with magic, being cold can still be depressing. Take it, it's for you to keep warm."

"Thank you, Jurg."

"Don't mention it. I'll come by later."

With that, I left the church where the patients were sitting.

To avoid catching a cold—according to tradition, I was exceptionally healthy, and even when I was an orphan, I used to sleep outside during this season.

I can still manage work even without such luxuries.

"Jurg!"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Things haven't changed much. But it might be better if someone experienced picks up branches and fallen trees for firewood in the forest."

"...Movement slows down in the cold."

Even in winter, the monsters in the unexplored areas are active.

While there are fewer monsters like the Grayback Bear and the Travie Lizard that hibernate in winter, there has been an increase in creatures like the Snow Shark and the Icicle Bug.

The underground labyrinth—named the "Malhas Ruins Labyrinth"—seems to have a good sense of the seasons.

"We have solid fuel, oil, and magic heating artifacts. Make sure to warn people other than adventurers not to enter carelessly."

"Yeah, I already told the magistrate about that."

"As expected, you work fast."

I lightly pat Rolo's shoulder, showing a grin.

With him around, many small tasks are completed, which is helpful.

The magistrate, who recently came from the dairy farming city of Hilte, is not a bad person, but he's a bit easygoing.

Well, he probably chose harmless people like us and Saran to avoid interfering with our work. Nevertheless, it feels a bit unsettling when there's trouble.

As a result, the new town is mainly managed by the adventurers' guild.

"We'll survey the dungeon after winter."

"Yeah, there are other things for adventurers to do this time of year."

If adventurers are accustomed to the cold and snow, they can earn a living in this situation, but many adventurers aren't.

Some have never even seen snow before.

So, for a while, they've been tasked with escorting merchants traveling to and from the dairy farming city of Hilte or handling miscellaneous tasks in the new town.

Income may decrease, but there are plenty of things to do during this time.

For example, repairing and strengthening the walls of Malhas.

In addition, installing faucets using magic artifacts and constructing new houses, among other things, are tasks that adventurers should tackle while they have free time.

"Oh, I want to go into the forest for a bit."

"What's up? Is something wrong?"

"I want to investigate the distribution of winter monsters and see how long we can survive at the winter watch posts."

To Rolo's words, I pondered for a moment.

Indeed, information about the unexplored areas during winter is necessary for emergencies.

In addition, it's also essential to understand how harsh patrols at the watch posts in the forest can be.

In the future, large campsites will be established there, where staff from the adventurers' guild will rotate monthly.

It's like setting up a small adventurers' guild facility in the forest.

Of course, it will be stationed regardless of the season... so now is the time to sense what kind of facilities and equipment will be needed.

"Got it, I'll come too."

"Huh, can you?"

Rolo's eyes sparkle a little, and he immediately shakes his head slightly.

"Nope. You have guild master duties, Jurg."

"I see. Kati and Saran should handle things well. Besides, our staff are all so ridiculously competent that they'll be fine even if we leave them alone."

"But still..."

"Plus, if I let you go alone and something happens, I won't be able to recover. It's familiar territory in the winter forest, so it's better to go together."

To my words, Rolo nodded timidly.

Good, he understood.

It's not that I doubt Rolo's abilities.

But the opponent is the unexplored area, and the season is winter.

We don't know what unexpected events may occur.

"Shall we go now?"

"Um... Yeah, let's do that. It shouldn't take too long with both of us."

"Right. Then I'll go tell the guild members."

"I'll inform Fimia and Saran."

We lightly bump our fists and part ways.

It's been a while since the two of us went scouting together, so I'm actually looking forward to it.

And camping with just the two of us... it might be the first time since Fimia joined us.

Sometimes it's nice to have a conversation with your best friend without anyone else around.

"Now, I wonder how Kati is feeling?"

Thinking of the competent secretary, I lightly jogged towards the adventurers' guild.

◆

"Was Kati okay? She looked really scary."

"If I don't allow a bit of that, I'll end up merging with the chair."

"Well, make sure to apologize properly when we get back, okay?"

We had such a conversation as we raced across the snow.

Thanks to Rolo's enhanced magic, even the snowy forest paths were remarkably comfortable.

Who would have thought that he could modify the "Water Walk" magic to move on snow? Rolo's magic sense is as outstanding as ever.

"Have you seen that monster before?"

"Which one?"

Rolo looks around and I point to it.

It's like a snake with only its head sticking out of the snow, and several of them were popping their heads out from the same spot, swaying.

"That's rare. It's a Tiny Snow Snake."

"This is my first time seeing it."

"I've seen it before. It's okay, they won't attack."

Rolo gazes at the Tiny Snow Snakes with a nostalgic look.

Well, they don't seem like they would actively attack, that's for sure.

"It's said to bring good luck if you see them in the city."

"Really? Good luck, huh..."

I can't think of anything good.

Actually, I've been saturated with good luck lately.

I somehow managed to reconcile with the villagers and properly apologize for my "bad boy" days, and the urban development is going smoothly without the crisis of going out of control at a breakneck speed.

It's no good.

It seems that the luck isn't very meaningful to me.

Well, if it brings good luck to Rolo, that's fine.

"By the way, what good thing happened when you saw them last time?"

"Um, that's... a secret, I guess."

Rolo smiles shyly.

I know it's rude to pry into that kind of thing, but for some reason, I'm curious.

"I'll tell you eventually."

"Alright, don't forget."

We exchanged a light laugh and quietly left the spot, so as not to startle the Tiny Snow Snakes.

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