Kays Translations

Chapter 3: The Frozen Suspect

"...!"

Late at night.

I woke up sensing someone's presence while sleeping in my sleeping bag inside the log house. Rolo is still asleep. Whoever it was must be experienced since they didn't trigger the "Warning Alert" spell.

I quietly stood up, holding a hatchet for splitting wood in one hand, and approached the door. I could sense it. They were close. Leaning against the wall, I reached for the door and opened it quietly. The rush of cold air through the crack cleared my drowsy mind.

"...!"

Without a word, I pushed the door open and darted outside. Someone stiffened in surprise and was restrained from behind all at once.

"What are you doing here?"

To my surprise, the suspicious intruder felt soft to the touch. In other words, it was someone familiar—Fimia.

"Hehe, busted, huh?"

"It's not a matter of being busted. Why are you here?"

"Well, there are various reasons for that..."

"Anyway, come inside. You'll freeze to death out here."

I lifted her up and hurried back to the log house. Fimia, covered in snow on her shoulders, was trembling slightly. What was a girl her age doing out here, risking catching a cold?

"Fimia?"

Rolo greeted me with surprise as I returned with Fimia in my arms.

"Sorry, Rolo. Did I wake you?"

"Or you could've woken me up before you went."

I felt a bit guilty seeing Rolo arching her eyebrows lightly. I didn't want to wake him since she was sound asleep, and I didn't want him to be alerted to the intruder—this silly "Saint."

But well... I should have at least said something. Lesson learned.

"Anyway, why is Fimia here? Did you come alone?"

"Well, I thought I'd take a little break and needed distraction..."

A break? Venturing into the winter unexplored territory all the way to the deep part just for a break? Remarkable, or rather, reckless.

But anyway... I need to take care of her first. She looks quite pale, covered in snow everywhere.

"By any chance, were you the one wandering around near the river before sunset?"

"Ahaha..."

Trying to laugh it off, huh?

Seriously. I thought she was starting to calm down a bit, but she still does things I can't understand. If she's going to follow us, she should have said something first.

"Save the lectures for later. Shake off the snow and take off your coat. Rolo, I'll go pick up some charcoal."

"Wait, won't that trouble you, Jurg?"

"Don't be cheeky. I'm in charge of the fire, so don't worry."

After tossing Fimia into my sleeping bag, I lightly poked at the burning coals on the frying pan. It's not the most civilized thing to do, but it's the only way I could think of to raise the temperature inside.

"Aren't you angry?"

"Well, you’re already here, so what can yoIu do? But next time, just say something, okay?"

"..."

"Say you understand, you reckless saint."

While smiling slightly, I felt a little relieved that Fimia was safe.

She's mature for her age...she's supposed to be, but she does things like this that befit her age from time to time, so it's hard to take my eyes off her.

"Anyway, just stop here, Jurg."

"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, let's sleep for tonight. If you catch a cold, you can cure it with your own magic, right?"

"I'll be fine."

I wonder why she’s putting on a brave front while she’s shaking like a leaf. She’s not aware of my concerns at all.

"More importantly, can we continue with the story of how Jurg caught the Mandible Salmon in the river?"

"Hey, Rolo."

"Since we've come this far, why not? Fimia should get a taste of Jurg's adventures too."

Rolo, halfway out of his sleeping bag, smiles and laughs. I messed up. I should have tossed Fimia into Rolo's sleeping bag. Then Fimia wouldn't have to get into my stinky one.

"But you defeated it, right?"

"Jurg was amazing back then. He threw rocks the size of a man and when he hit that Mandible Salmon, it was like something out of a fairy tale."

"That's a bit exaggerated. It wasn't that big."

I chuckled lightly and gave up on changing the subject. It's a bit embarrassing, but it's not bad being the protagonist of a bedtime story.

Especially when it's narrated by Rolo, I kinda like it. Even though it feels like he doesn't really know me, I find him likable. He makes me want to be that kind of person for Rolo.

"And then, he reached into the river... and hurled it onto the riverbank."

"So he's been strong since way back?"

"Yeah, I've been saved by him countless times. And despite him being a bit rough around the edges, he always helped me and was reliable. He's actually very kind."

Oops, the conversation seems to be veering off course. Is Rolo still tipsy?

"I know. Jurg always comes through when it counts."

"Yeah, even though he puts on a grumpy face, he never says no."

"Hey, you two, cut it out. It's getting annoying."

Feeling uncomfortable with the direction the conversation is taking, I interrupt the two in their sleeping bags.

"It's kinda cute when you guys get along like this."

"You got that right. It's the weakness of our heavenly breaking strike that only we know."

Rolo and Fimia laugh together amicably.

Seriously, these two lovebirds.

They're getting too cozy with each other, using me as a backdrop!

"Come on, seriously, it's time to sleep. Tomorrow, Fimia will help with the investigation too."

I sigh and gently poke the burning coals with the fork.

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