Kays Translations

Chapter 24: Ice and Snow Princess Part 3

"...Saying such strange things. The opponent is a monster that has nested in the mountains for a long time. We might not be able to handle it."

Upon hearing that from the young man in front of me, I hesitated on how to explain myself. However, upon careful consideration, it was clear that there couldn't possibly be a exorcist who would believe a first-grader like me, with my appearance, could exorcise the "Winter Lord" and just let it go with a simple "I understand."

Even if my magic power is at the "Seventh Rank," it's clear that my appearance would be enough to deter them.

Hmm? Oh, right.

If I can't persuade them with my appearance, then maybe I can persuade them with my magic power.

"Even if you may be somewhat knowledgeable in magic, this time we're dealing with a dangerous enemy. It's better to retreat before losing your life."

"No, I'm fine."

I responded with just one word, dismissing the exorcist's warning.

"...You should leave it to me.

"

Saying so, I released a small amount of magic power from my tandem, the reservoir of magic power I had accumulated.

At that moment, my overflowing magic power spread out and scattered the snow on the ground like a ball, causing the air to ripple. The air that had been repelled by my magic power turned into wind, causing the trees in the forest I had passed through earlier to sway loudly.

Although the flames of the torches were diminished by the wind, they didn't completely go out and soon returned to their original size.

Yet, none of the villagers said anything. Even the girl who resembled Aya-chan remained silent.

They simply stared in astonishment at me and the young exorcist.

On the other hand, the young exorcist with a yin-yang master-like attire quickly lowered his sleeves to prevent snow from getting on his face.

"...I see."

The young exorcist groaned in a small, barely audible voice.

"This might be rude of me. Although you're just a child, you might indeed be able to exorcise the Winter Lord."

"Yeah, that's why there's no need for any sacrifice."

If the ‘Winter Lord'—the Ice and Snow Princess—was enraged by hunger and had kept the village in perpetual winter, it would have been drawn out by my magic power by now.

Indeed, in response to my words, the young exorcist nodded.

"I suppose, if you can truly exorcise the winter lord... then indeed, there would be no need to make this girl a bride. However, that's a story for when you successfully exorcise it. If you fail and die in the process... then we must offer a sacrifice."

"I understand."

Therefore, I must exorcise the Ice and Snow Princess.

However... to be honest, I can see a vision of exorcising the Ice and Snow Princess.

I remember not being able to use 'Haze Moon because it was inside Aya-chan’s mind earlier, but this time it’s the Snow Princess. It should be fine to use a powerful spell.

Huh? Wait a minute.

Is that really okay?

So now the ice and snow princess is in Aya-chan.

If I trust the words of the Ice Snow Princess, using a powerful spell within the spiritual world might break the mind of the owner of the spiritual world. Would that be only the Ice Snow Princess or Aya-chan as well?

...It's getting a bit suspicious.

However, considering the battle with the Ice and Snow Princess earlier, simple magic like 'Attribute Transformation' or 'Trait Transformation,' which doesn't use 'Composite Attribute Transformation,' should be safe to use. Let's fight with that.

"Uhm, exorcist-san?"

As I settled on a plan in my mind, the girl who looked like Aya-chan spoke up. Between her and me was a white, sparkling thread.

"What's wrong?"

"Really, I don't have to become the bride?"

"Yeah, it's alright. I will exorcise it."

"I-I see..."

The girl seemed relieved but still had a somewhat worried expression.

"Exorcist-san, please tell me your name."

"Me? My name is Itsuki."

"You know, Exorcist-san, I... want to be your bride."

"Uh... huh."

As soon as the girl said that, a tree from the forest flew toward us.

It was several meters long.

It looked like a straight conifer, but I'm not familiar with tree types, so I didn't know what kind of tree it was.

However, the tree that was uprooted flew toward us like a javelin.

"Get back!"

The first one to shout was the young exorcist. However, before he could reach into his chest and take out some tool, my 'Guiding Thread Silvate' wrapped around the whole tree, preventing the attack.

"A cheeky little brat has come, huh? Hey!"

A deep, rumbling voice echoed from the depths of the belly.

...A man's voice?

As I felt a sense of incongruity, a gigantic ape that seemed to be about three meters tall emerged from the forest.

Speaking of a gigantic ape, its appearance was far from ordinary.

First of all, its fur was white. I had heard somewhere that some male gorillas turned silver all over their bodies, but this was beyond comparison.

Its entire body was like pure snow.

Moreover, despite being an ape, it walked on two legs like a human.

However, there was one peculiar thing—it had a human face.

And its eyes were compound eyes like those of a dragonfly.

It was genuinely creepy.

"Oh, it's here!"

"Run! It's going to eat us!!"

As soon as the monster appeared, the villagers in line threw down their torches and started running.

Wait, what? What's going on?

Can everyone see the monster??

While I was taken aback, the adults all ran away without even looking back... The only ones left were me, the young exorcist, and the girl who looked like Aya-chan.

On the other hand, the monster, which had been seen by everyone, looked down on the young exorcist next to me and laughed.

"Hey, priest! Weren't you supposed to bring a child to be devoured? Hurry up and get one for me!"

"...So, the Winter Lord has appeared."

The young exorcist addressed the monster in a resentful tone.

Huh? Huh?

Wait, this giant ape is the Winter Lord?

Not the Ice and Snow Princess???

As my mind was filled with question marks, the monster in front of us pulled a nearby tree out of the ground and held it up, preparing to attack us.

"Don't think you can just pretend nothing happened now!"

Then he threw the tree again.

I entangled it with "Guiding Thread Silvate" and swung it like a hammer throw, sending it back. The monster, seemingly caught off guard by the unexpected move, couldn't dodge the thrown wood and took a hit to the abdomen. As a result, it was knocked over.

...Huh?

Feeling quite surprised by the unexpected outcome, I tilted my head and then created a spear of flames, shooting it at the fallen monster.

"White Flame Bee!"

The spear of flames flew at the speed of sound and directly hit the overturned giant body, causing an explosion. As I watched the snow being swept up by the shockwave, I saw the monster gradually turning into black mist, mixing with the snow.

“Huh…?”

I couldn't help but blurt out in surprise.

The one just now was the "Winter Lord," right?

They couldn't exorcise it normally, so they were trying to use a girl who looks just like Aya-chan as a sacrifice, right?

Based on the feeling just now, it was probably around a "Second Rank" monster.

Why would they try to offer a sacrifice for such a level of opponent... I was about to turn to the young exorcist and confront him, but I couldn't move.

My body... can't move...

"Hmm. Even though I thought you were using some strange technique, a simple 'binding' can still be effective, huh? Who the hell are you, brat?"

"......!"

I could hear a voice from behind me.

It was the young exorcist's calm voice.

"The monster that you exorcised earlier... Its name was ‘Snow Priest.' Oh, don't worry. It's not a particularly strong monster; I just gave it that name. It's one of the ordinary ones amongst many."

I don't know what's going on, but I now know what the young exorcist is.

He's... the enemy.

"Still, even though it may not be much, it's convenient to have someone who can see the supernatural even if they lack talent... Well, never mind. It served to distract you for a while."

"...."

I tried to speak to the young exorcist, but my mouth wouldn't move.

It was like it had been sewn shut.

However, my magic power could move.

My 'Guiding Thread Silvate' was still functional.

So I unleashed ‘Sky Piercer’ behind me and swept it sideways.

With a powerful force, the water cutter was fired and seemed to engulf the young exorcist... or so I thought.

I wasn't sure.

However, my body moved.  

"Good job, Itsuki!"

As the young exorcist vanished, the girl who looked like Aya-chan shouted.

The girl remained as a girl, dressed in white attire, and she kicked off the ground towards me, launching herself forward.

One thing that's different about the girl from earlier is that snow is falling only around her.

"Save Aya-chan for me!"

With those words, the girl reached out her hand toward my forehead... and when she touched it, my consciousness was drawn into the girl.

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