#tngdh

The carriage ran without rest.

The barren land of the North had more areas untouched by human hands than there were that were touched.

The road was barely wide enough for the carriage to pass. If it turned to the side a little, the wheels would get caught in the wild vines or bushes.

That was why the carriage moved rather slowly. And the ground was so uneven that if the wheel hit a rock, my butt literally lifted off from the seat.

“……Hup.”

Damn it, motion sickness.

I never felt motion sickness as Bae Soohyun. Is it because I’m just not suited for riding horses? How is it that I’m always feeling sick whenever I ride one?

I leaned against the wall with a pale face, then rolled my eyes towards the main sitting across from me.

Even when the ceiling and floor was shaking, Kyle was steadfastly processing documents. It was as if he was sitting in a separate space than me.

As if I was sitting on top of a moving tortoise while he was on the flat ground.

“……Do you not get motion sickness?”

I couldn’t contain my curiosity and asked. After going through a few more documents, he raised his head and looked at me.

“Not at all. Is it very bad?”

“……I feel like I’m dying.”

“You should sleep.”

“…….”

Of course, I wanted to sleep. I would rather faint and ask them to wake me up when we arrive at the palace. But I couldn’t do that. I didn’t have enough time left for ‘Summon’.

It would take three days to get from here to the palace, but I only had two hours each day for ‘Summon’. Not even half a day would pass before I end up turning into a hamster. I’ve been surviving until now by eating the store-bought cookies.

I rolled my eyes and glared at the system window next to me. 3 hours and 30 minutes before ‘Summon’ was canceled.

“No……. it’s alright.”

“There’s a village close by. I’ll wake you up when we arrive, so take a nap for now.”

“Ughhhh…….”

I wanted to be a bit more stubborn and stay up, but I didn’t have the stamina to do so.

I crossed my arms above the hamster house and leaned against them. I called the system quietly. Hey, come out.

[_:(´ཀ`」∠):_ ]

“…….”

……You also get motion sickness?

Is that even possible?

I stared at the emote for a moment with a puzzled expression on my face, then closed my eyes as the carriage started shaking once more.

‘Hey…… system……. sound out an alarm for me after two hours. Please…….’

At this rate, I’ll really die of motion sickness before I could even do anything.

After sending out a nodding emote, a 2 hour timer appeared mid-air. As the time ticked away, I took out the [Emergency Toffee Nut Candy] out of my inventory and put it in my mouth.

I didn’t know if anything would happen, but I wanted a temporary measure. I didn’t want Kyle breaking into the hamster house while I was asleep.

The hard and sweet candy melted in my mouth. I felt the sweetness of caramel syrup melting into syrup and went to sleep.

In my fading consciousness, I felt the wind blowing through my hair.

Hopefully, when I wake up, I’ll be at the village……

*

Beep beep beep beep―.

A familiar sound rang in my head.

As I continued to ignore the constant beeping noise, it began to change into different variations. After an intense vibration, I even heard an obnoxious voice saying “good morning”.

‘Let me sleep for 10 more minutes……. no, 5 minutes…….’

I frowned and turned my head the opposite direction of where the noise was coming from. I found a more comfortable position to sleep in. Yes. If I could sleep just a bit more like this…….

Suddenly, I felt a chill run down my spine.

I raised my head in shock. When I opened my eyes and looked straight ahead, I saw Kyle just a few centimeters away from my face.

“Wha…… wha, wha- what is it?”

My words came out like a broken radio.

I reflexively moved away and held onto the hamster house tighter. Kyle watched me quietly and opened his mouth to speak.

“You seemed to sleep uncomfortably, so I was going to put it down.”

His eyes landed on the hamster house I was holding.

Wrong. What’s uncomfortable isn’t the hamster house but the carriage.

“I’m quite alright. More importantly…… we stopped?”

The carriage was no longer shaking.

I looked out the window. People were out gathering themselves into groups of twos and threes.

“We thought it would be best to rest for a bit, so we stopped momentarily. There were quite a few servants besides you who got motion sickness.”

“It’s more incredible that you don’t get motion sickness…….”

“……If you’ve woken up, let’s go out.”

I sighed in relief and nodded. As I slowly pushed myself off while hugging onto the hamster house, Kyle reached out his hand again.

“You cannot!”

“…….”

Before he could say anything, I quickly got off the carriage.

Since we got further away from the castle, I felt an unfamiliar spring breeze blowing. Of course, when I looked around, it was still covered in snow.

‘More importantly…….’

The strange feeling I felt earlier seemed to be from the effect of the toffee nut candy.

Even if there was a ghost behind my back, I wouldn’t have felt this way. Aside from being surprised, it felt rather unpleasant. No wonder they gave 5 candies for 0.5 Miracle Points…… the remaining 4 shall remain unused forever.

“I guess I’ll have to start making a move.”

It was impossible to keep eating cookies and holding onto the hamster house.

At this rate, my Miracle Points would run out dry and I would turn into a hamster inside the carriage.

Then, all the trust I gained until now would shatter to pieces……

‘They would definitely think it’s magic.’

And would think I lied to them.

From Kyle’s point of view, it’s natural that he would think that way. A person turned into a hamster. What reason would there be besides magic? Actually, I don’t know if even magic could even transform people into hamsters.

On top of that, he met me as both Cashew and Shu. He could think that I was trying to use him. He wouldn’t believe me if I say that that’s not the case. After all, the evidence would all be right in front of his eyes.

I inspected my surroundings. I must find a way out of here and transform back into a hamster.

“The village is pretty close from here, right?”

“That’s right. It was half destroyed after being attacked by demonic beasts in the past, but it has been recovering well lately.”

“It must’ve been due to His Highness Kyle’s efforts.”

“Yes. He’s truly an amazing person.”

I perked my ears as I listened to their conversation.

A village. And one that’s been attacked by a demonic beast at that?

Just then, a brilliant idea popped into my mind. I walked up to them to join their conversation.

“It’s good to hear that the village recovered. I haven’t heard any news about it after losing all my family members.”

“Family? Is your hometown that village?”

“Yes. It’s been a while since I’ve left.”

“When you said you lost your family…….”

“It’s a long story. An unlucky accident. ……No one would be there to welcome me, but I still want to visit my old home. I want to greet my parents and walk around to relieve my memories.”

“Then…….”

“If you tell His Highness, he would definitely help you!”

“Definitely! You know how His Highness is!”

The eyes of the servants sparkled.

I glanced over to Kyle. He was talking with a knight and was too preoccupied to look over me.

The servants stuffed snacks into my mouth, stuffed them into my pockets, and stacked them on top of the hamster house. Holding them all, I got back into the carriage. In that time, Kyle must’ve finished speaking with the knight and got back onto the carriage too.

“What are all those?”

“Snacks. Would you like some?”

He sat across from me and only laughed.

He’s been like this once in a while. He would just look at me and laugh with no reason. And when I would turn towards him, our eyes would meet right away.

‘……Makes me feel a little embarrassed.’

I avoided eye contact and opened the package filled with biscuits. I offered a piece to Kyle.

Just when I thought Kyle would accept the biscuit, he leaned over and bit it. Use your hands will you? Grab it with your hands.

“Does it taste better to eat it from my hands?”

“Very.”

“…Eat well”

The carriage began to move again. The horses must’ve rested well, because the carriage ran fast despite the rough road.

Thus, I felt like dying once again.

Watching me grow pale, Kyle offered me his laps. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to tell if I’m still on Earth or the afterlife once we reach the village.

I wondered how much further we had to go.

When I started to think the ride would never end, the carriage began to slow down its pace.

“Ahhhhhhh…….”

I got down the carriage while making a zombie-like groan. In front of me was a village.

‘It’s a lot larger than I thought.’

I heard it was half destroyed due to the attack, but besides a few collapsed buildings, it looked not much different than the Blake estate. It was a little smaller, but it was still quite lively.

After confirming that all the servants and knights were present, they took a 10 minute break and said they will start moving again. It seemed the palace was still quite a long way off, so they wanted to hurry.

Upon hearing that, I raised my hand. Everyone’s gaze turned towards me.

“I will stay here for a bit.”

“What do you mean?”

“This is my hometown. Since I’m here, I want to look around.”

“I cannot allow that for whatever reasons.”

“Please don’t worry. I’ll follow after…….”

“He said it’s his hometown, Your Highness!”

One maid shouted out loud.

“That’s right. His family all passed away and somehow ended up in the Blake estate. Look how scrawny he is! It must’ve been tough to travel all the way to the estate.?”

“He doesn’t talk about himself, and yet he brought up about his hometown. It must’ve been on his mind a lot.”

Everyone began to speak up for me. Some said I was too pitiful. Few argued that I could catch up with a single horse and a map.

As long as you weren’t a combatant, it seemed that stopping by your hometown was somewhat acceptable.

Kyle looked reluctant but eventually nodded with a sigh.

“Shu.”

He held out a heavy-looking bag in front of me. I struggled to accept it with the hamster house in my hands, so he put it on top of the cage.

“With this amount of money, you could catch the best carriage in this village. Don’t hesitate to use it all.”

“……Thank you.”

“Will you…… really be alright alone?”

It was a voice filled with concern. I kept my mouth closed for a moment, then mumbled awkwardly while avoiding his gaze.

“I’m not a child. Since it’s been a while since I’ve been here, I want to see everyone. My family.”

“Alright.”

His held my cheek and the nape of my neck with his hand. The leather tickled my skin, and I slowly walked away as if I was feeling a little regretful.

I unconsciously opened my mouth. I didn’t want to make anymore promises, but it felt like I had to at the moment.

“I will follow after you soon.”

So, please go first and wait for me.

Kyle smiled. I turned my head around slightly and our eyes met again. It was as if he had never taken his eyes off me.

--------------------------------------------------------

After the two fought, the miracle value rose to 8%, perhaps because I changed the course of the original plot.

This is quite expensive for just one performance of painting. Although, because of this act Kyle called for a veterinarian the day after.

'Your magical beast is quite cute, Your Highness....'

There was one problem, the doctor that came seemed to know nothing about magical beasts and could only say the sentence above.

But it was to be expected, how could a doctor who only examines rodents have any idea on what's wrong with a magical beast. I think it's even more amazing that there are veterinarians in this world.

'Was my acting too real...'

At this rate, if I really sneeze, the whole castle of Blake might be sent into a frenzy. The future of the North is bleak...

Kyle seemed to not want to leave my side, yet he didn't have a choice since it was a busy time and he needed to look over the preparations. It's not easy to be in charge of a territory. Still, seeing that the affairs are being finalized, he seems to be pretty good at his job as a lord.

Eventually he left the study to check the dinner preparation during the afternoon. He looked quite commendable today, so I'll let him kiss up to 5 times.

Thanks to him being busy, I also have some free time. As soon as I confirmed that he has moved far away from the study, I quickly used the skill and became human.

[ Good luck! (ෆ`꒳´ෆ) ]

*

"So you're saying your name is... Shu?"

I'm doomed.

I'm tired of saying 'I'm doomed', but I have no other words for this situation.

Right now, I'm roughly dressed in different pieces of clothing which I found in other laundry rooms along the path from the maid's laundry. I managed to find an attendant's uniform.

And although it didn't fit, I was lucky to find leather boots clean shirts and pants.

​Thanks to the nice situation, I felt a little elated thinking my luck has finally turned around, that is until I ran into Sen at the hallway.

"Well, yes, I guess-"

Sen frowned as I spoke indifferently.

"Where in the world would you find someone who says, 'I guess' when asked about their name."

Where you ask? It's here in this world. Since you wouldn't believe that my name is 'Cashew Nut,' I could only say 'Shu.'

I don't have any other name prepared, if I said my real name which probably doesn't exist in this world, you would think I'm strange.

So, I could only say that my name is 'Shu'. It's taken from Cashew Nut, although it's not a good name, I took it from the name the Grand Duke sincerely bestowed upon me.

The quick-witted Sen immediately recognized that I was wearing someone else's clothes. It's because of this shirt that's suspiciously large on my frame.

"Did you steal these clothes? Are you perhaps the infamous, companionship pervert-"

"I'm not!"

Of course, it's me, but I can't admit it!

What do you mean companionship pervert, I'm just a companion okay? When I shouted in reply, Sen grumbled and said,

"If it's not you, then why are you yelling?"

Luckily, she was as kind as she was clever. Instead of accusing me, she decided to listen to my explanation.

Thanks to this, I was forced to come up with a sob story of my past on the spot. I stammered and told her how my family was killed by demonic beasts when I was young and how I had nothing to wear now since I outgrew my old clothes. I also told her I couldn't remember the name my family gave me, so I gave a name to myself, thinking it was an appropriate name for me.

..... Come to think of it. It was not far from the truth, when I was young, my parents did indeed die, due to a car accident. And I was poor and unable to buy clothes.

"I see. It is indeed common for refugees to enter the estate or the castle during the festival. That's why His Highness prepares a lot of food during this period. A lot of orphans like you stumble around here."

Sen looked at me with a complex expression and said,

"I also lost my family, so I came here all the way to the North, just like you, I don't have anyone left."

She seemed to have felt sorry for me.

After our conversation, Sen disappeared for a while then brought back a few clothes. She said it was clothes usually worn by servants. It was simple and clean, and it was easy to move my body wearing it.

Thanks to Sen, my situation actually became better, so I gave the stolen clothes back to her.

"Shu, it seems that we are hiring more servants because there's not enough workers in the castle these days. Why don't you apply? You can stay at the castle, and you won't have to steal clothes like this anymore."

"I won't steal. Really, please believe me. I'm also embarrassed by my actions."

I can't believe I have to look for a job here as well. It's really hard to make ends meet. Everything was free when I was just a hamster. Ah, maybe because I paid it with my human rights.

I asked in a faint voice.

​"But there's going to be an interview, right?"

"Of course, they don't just blindly pick. And working here in the castle is much more sought out than you think!"

"Is that so? How many rounds will the application process have?"

Sen looked at me blankly as if I asked a weird question.

"Hmm? How many what?"

​"It's nothing..."

That's right, this isn't even a company. There might not be enough spots as well, so I need to do my best to get picked.

After that, I stuck with Sen as she gave me a tour of the castle. I earnestly memorized the layout of the Blake Castle and at the same time, eavesdropped on servants passing by in case I hear any rumors, I learned the way to the study, I found out about a passageway used by servants only, and discovered rooms that were not being used.

Thanks to this, I also found a good place to hide my clothes. It was the most fulfilling 30 minutes I've spent since I've transmigrated.

"Can I leave you for a bit? I need to give these documents to His Highness, he asked to strengthen the security, so I made a new timetable for the soldiers patrolling."

"Oh that, His Highness said he was going to return to the study, he must almost be there by now, it's fine we can take our time."

W-what? His Highness is returning to the study? Already?!

I stood stiffly on the spot.

It hasn't even been long after 30 minutes as a human, this plan is ruined again. If this continues, it's easier to count the moments in life that's not ruined.

"So that's everything about the East Tower, now let's look at the Central Area where the banquet hall is found... Huh? Shu! Where are you going?!"

"Sorry, I forgot about something I needed to do! I'll look around the banquet hall next time!"

Right now, the problem isn't that I can't look around the banquet hall. If I'm not back in the hamster house in 3 seconds I'm afraid the Blake castle will be turned inside out again.

I quickly stuffed my clothes in the unused storage room and closed it from the inside. I need to hurry and go back and pretend like nothings amiss...

As soon as the white light wrapped around my body, I suddenly felt uneasy. I had an instinctive intuition that I shouldn't release the skill without thinking.

'Hey system, can I specify a location inside the hamster house?'

[ Of course!  ]

'Then... please put me in the most out of sight. Where was it again? The place where I piled up the sawdust to make the ground soft? It's around the corner of the first floor.'

The white light slowly wrapped around my body again and as it flashed the surroundings turned brown. It seems I arrived safely as expected...

Then someone suddenly grabbed my body.

― Squeak! [ What the?! ]

"Cashew Nut."

His voice was several times lower than usual. Even when Belial was here, I don't think his voice sounded this gloomy.

Kyle's eyes fell on me, and my body trembled reflexively. H-hey! Wait a minute, what's wrong with you? Let's talk, just t-talk it out. Of course, you don't understand what I'm saying but-

'.... Why does it feel like your eyes are a bit off.'

No, not just a bit, I meant a lot.

"I thought you disappeared."

​I did disappear, but I was going to come back, it's just you came back before me!

I rolled my eyes and glanced at his hands, the tendons on his wrists, turned black and blue, as if he was preventing himself from exerting too much force on his hands.

Seeing the sawdust stuck between his fingers, he must've been searching the floor of the house when he saw I wasn't at the usual spot with the feeding bowl and toys.

Thump. Thump. 

A heartbeat that seemed quite fast could be felt from the palm of his hand.

Why are you so nervous. I'm just a magical beast found in the wild. If you act like this, people will think you love me more than you love your own life.

"Cashew Nut, please don't scare me like that again."

I heard him sigh.

Kyle looked at me with complicated eyes and gently stroked my head. His hand that was holding me was shaking, yet the hand that swept through my fur was so gentle and stable.

"Am I ridiculous for liking you this much? I don't know if the rest of the world thinks like Belial. But from the first moment I held you in my hands, I was determined to give you all the love I have. Isn't it natural to cherish you with all my might since I decided that you'll be my companion."

Why are you speaking such touching words.

I stopped twisting in his grasp and stretched out my paw to touch his palm.

​'You really must've been worried.'

That's right, I suddenly disappeared just a few days ago while you were washing up. For me, I was just turning into human to look around the castle, but for you it must have been shocking to find that I've gone.

I felt sorry towards Kyle. But I can't help it, I need to go out... Okay then, I'll adjust my schedule, how about going out when you're sleeping? Alright, let's do it like that.

Kyle put his lips briefly on my forehead and said affectionately.

"I want to make you the happiest magical beast in the whole world."

What a commendable remark. It's this hamster's luck to be picked by you. It's indeed convenient to live when your owner is a kind human.

"And if ever someone kidnaps you, he will not have the luxury of being buried in one place."

I take back what I said about you being kind. This owner is a bit strange. Please, don't be to obsessed with hamsters!

"Tomorrow afternoon, the vet will come again to examine you, Cashew Nut. It still bothers me that you fainted out of nowhere. Maybe you're too skinny.... I'll bring you a lot of special snacks tomorrow morning. For now, here, Sen brought you a beef snack."

Wow! Beef... Alright I'll let you slide even if you're too overbearing. Korean beef.... Ah, there's no Korean beef here. Northern beef, come to me~

By the way, you make me eat until I'm full every breakfast, lunch and dinner, but you think I'm skinny? Just because you can hold me with one hand doesn't mean I'm skinny!

​Back in my old world, I was originally a glutton. I ate a lot and ate more freely once I got here. I guess I brought that habit with me here.

'Is the hamster constitution, the same as human constitution?'

​Of course I don't know, I've never lived as a hamster before. Excuse me, does anyone know what's the average weight for a hamster?

"But it's alright, since you're still cute."

To Kyle, I seemed to be the definition of the most perfect specimen in this whole universe.

'This hamster otaku.....'

Hmph, still I felt a bit happy today, so I'll let it slide and call you a kind owner.

T/N:

everyone tysm for the notes and follow! it's really nice to see the number of readers grow! also please don't forget to support the author by buying the raws! it's linked at the novel masterpage :)

I endured it for just a day, and then popped my head into the capital the next morning.

Of course, I didn’t forget to place the replica hamster inside the house while I was using ‘summon’. I asked the system to make the crying sound believable, so it should be ok for a while.

‘Still, I should go back quickly……’

Kyle, he’s so perceptive, he’ll probably call the vet again, saying our beast is acting strange. For the sake of the poor veterinarian who was trembling in front of the Grand Duke, I had to resolve the issue as briefly and quickly as possible and then return.

“Okay then.”

I ‘summoned’ to a deserted bush outside the castle, and the first thing I did was find out the location of the top of the castanets with the help of the system. Fortunately, it wasn’t too far away, and if I went straight, I’d be there in less than 10 minutes.

However the real problem was different.

I don’t know how life can be such a clogged sewer. Even if I sold my country in a previous life, honestly, it wouldn’t be any worse than this.

[⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄]

Ha……

I squeezed my eyes shut and took a few deep breaths before I looked down at my body.

The sweater knitted by hand, stitch by stitch, was riddled with holes. An embroidered strawberry so large it could be seen from 50 meters away. And, of course, my skinny thighs that felt like they were basking in the warm breeze of the Imperial Palace. 

It’s the icing on the cake, it’s the icing on the cake.

I sank down and put my head in my hands. Then I let out a soundless roar.

At this point, I think I’d be happier as a hamster. At least my dignity wouldn’t be hurt!

“.......”

Nope. Isn’t it more dignified to be a hamster?

“.......Ugh.”

I sighed and stood up.

In any case, it was better to acknowledge the situation quickly. I had some work to do, and I couldn’t waste time here.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and looked around. The first thing that caught my eye was a family home with a wall as high as my waist and a simple but beautiful rose flower bed.

“I’ve never committed a crime in my life, and I can’t believe I……”

I muttered to myself as I walked up to the wall of the house. Then, I raised my tiptoes and, after failing around a few times, I finally managed to grab a pair of shorts that were lying on the clothesline.

Just the pants, please, just the pants, I’ll wash them and return it to you.

My eyes were also drawn to a shirt hanging right next to the pants, but I held back. If I can just get to the top, I’ll find my clothes, and then I can say goodbye to this nemesis, the strawberry-embroidered sweater.

Right. Even if there were people at the top, how many would there be?

*

“......”

Damn castanets top. I should have known when they said they had branched all over the place to move stuff.

[The Castanets Shipyard is the fourth largest shipyard in the Meinhardt Empire, and the largest transportation business!]

I hit my chest. 

You should have told me something that important beforehand! Then I would have stolen the shirt! I thought there would be a couple of receptionist at most!

“Look over there…”

“Bare feet and a strawberry-print sweater.”

“......It’s really unique.”

It’s not that I’m unusual…….

Ah, Kyle Jane Meinhardt, for real!

I wanted to tear off this strawberry embroidery, but if I did that, I would become infamous in the capital as a true pervert wearing nothing.

Let’s calm down. You need to stay calm.

“But, those bare legs…… No way, he’s not wearing pants?”

I shouted, my patience quickly running out.

“I wore it?!”

What are you looking at, man? Did you see it? Don’t follow me! Don’t even whisper. Just stop paying attention to me!

“......ha.”

Being treated like a pervert by strangers was not part of my plan, but I managed to retrieve my money and items safely.

After changing into normal clothes, I returned to the palace as quickly as possible. I only have a penny or two, and it would be a shame to lose it,

“Oh, Shu. Are you here already? Your Majesty said it would take a little longer…”

As soon as I entered the imperial palace, I ran into Sen, who was strolling through the gardens. It was a stroke of luck.

I approached her with a happy expression. After a quick hello and a quick “How are you?” we reached out to shake hands.

[The overdue miracle figure is settled all at once!]

[Person, ‘Serena’ has been deleted]

…….What?

Serena, deleted? 

Who is the person in front of me then?

[A character not in the original work, ‘Sen’, has appeared.]

[To the extent that it contributes to the character’s change, it is reflected in the miracle value.]

Because I became involved in this novel, her fate changed over the course of the winter.

But what does it mean that Serena has been deleted? Sen becomes engaged to her prince, Belial… Does this mean that, unlike the original, Belial will not become the emperor this time?

System windows began to appear mercilessly before my confused eyes.

[Current miracle value 31.0%]

[Current miracle value 34.5%]

[Current miracle value 37.0%]

[Current miracle value 39.2%]

“......”

I got a little tired of that bright blue light, so I hesitated and took a step back. The instantaneous increase in miracle value seemed strange. 

Is the change in Sen’s fate a good thing for Sen? Would she be able to find her own happiness this time, without killing Kyle…..?

Whether it knew my thoughts or not, the system window, still glowing menacingly blue, just came layer after layer.

[This person is not in the information!]

[You cannot view the person’s story!]

It was a strange thing to say.

From the beginning, this story was about the contents of <Heart of Winter> being reconstructed  due to my appearance and actions. But what happens if someone becomes a different person to the point where they can’t be viewed at all?

‘Serena’ is the term for empress.

But just now, the ‘Serena’ of this story disappeared.

Why?

You don’t know the future. It can change. There are three princes of the Meinhardt Empire. Lorenz, Belial, and Kyle.

Kyle has no interest in the throne, but Belial does. He’s not dead, and he hasn’t broken off the engagement yet… Why did fate make ‘Serena’ into a non-existent person?

“Shu?”

Sen stretched her arms out to me. Seeing that worried expression, I bit my lip and took a step back.

I didn’t know what to say. What the hell had happened to the Imperial Palace while I was gone, and what would happen to Sen now that she was no longer a character?

Sen approached me. I took a step back.

Sen approached me again. I took another step back.

“......Wait, Sen. I’m sorry. I’m…..”

What expression should I make?

What should I say?

As I hesitantly stepped back, my body hit something, hard and warm. When I lifted my head to the shadow overhead, Kyle was staring down at me.

“Shu.”

In a flash, my vision snapped back. He grabbed my shoulders and spun me toward him.

Grabbing my chin and lifting it, Kyle looked at my expression, then pressed his body close to me, almost as if I was half-hugging him.

“Did you take a carriage on the way here?”

“.....No.”

I wondered for a moment whether I should tell him that I rode a horse or a donkey, but Kyle didn’t ask anymore questions, looking like he’s just asking for a good excuse.

“Okay. You must be tired.”

“......ah. Yeah, I guess so. You said we got separated halfway through, right?”

Sen smiled awkwardly, as if apologizing.

“I didn’t think of that, sorry, Shu. We’ll talk about it later, but first, let’s go inside and get some rest. The room is……”

“I’ll show you, it’s next door.”

“You sure?”

“Mhm.”

I looked up at Kyle. There was no expression on his clean-cut, stern face.

What are you thinking? He still doesn’t ask me anything. He just watches my expression, then walks away, his arm around my shoulder.

“Your Majesty.”

“.......”

“....... Your Majesty.”

“Just a little.”

He said, matching my pace.

“Just a little while. This way.”

There was more than one thing suspicious about me.

Not only did I show that unnatural expression to Sen, I arrived much earlier than expected despite not getting on the carriage, and I looked neat……

But Kyle doesn’t ask me anything. I’m a little taken aback by his attitude, as if nothing is more important than my current state. 

Rattling.

The door opened, and the two of us were gently sucked into the darkness. The curtains were closed, so I could barely make out the outlines of the furniture.

“You must be tired.”

Kyle said, placing his chin on the top of my head and hugging my waist.

“You’ll feel better when you wake up after a nap. I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep.”

It’s not that I’m not suspicious. There are so many questions I want to ask. But I don’t ask because I don’t think it’s the right time.

“I’m okay……”

Kyle cut me off with a low laugh.

“It doesn’t look very good.”

“.....”

“I’m just tired.”

Kyle would get away with anything with that excuse. At least, for today.

“You’re right.”

In the end, I responded with a light sigh.

“I’m just tired, and maybe a nap will help.”

Turning my head slightly, I saw the system window floating in the air.

There was less than 10 minutes left until ‘summon’ ended. I slipped out of Kyle’s arms and obediently laid down on the bed, and turned to him.

“Don’t worry, just go back.”

“I’ll watch you fall asleep.”

“......”

I quickly closed my eyes tightly. He was so determined to see me fall asleep, so I had no choice but to pretend to sleep. It’s awkward even thinking about it, and I don’t know if he’ll fall for it, but…….

I heard footsteps walking towards the bed. With my eyes still closed, I felt him move closer.

Stopping in one spot, Kyle gently brushed my forehead, then leaned in close enough for our lips to touch.

However, the lips that seemed like they could touch did not. His hand slowly moved away and pulled the covers a little further, and then he walked away with a small voice.

“Have a nice dream.”

The door closed, and the room was filled with silence. I lifted my hand to touch my forehead, where his fingers had been, and where his breath had grazed.

“It’s…… hot.”

Yes. It was hot.

It was as if he had transferred his heat to me.

-----------------------

Caelum's Note

This chapter had me giggling ahhh I love them so much (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄). I think I might have a somewhat schedule. I'll try to get chapters out every Wednesday and either Saturday/Sunday. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, please look forward to the next one °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°.

“For this reconnaissance, we will investigate further. With the new demonic beast’s appearance recently, we must be more careful.”

“Yes sir!”

The knights answered in unison. It was so loud that even I, who was leisurely enjoying a sunbathing session while lying on the sawdust, could hear it.

‘Already another reconnaissance.’

It has been about a month since the previous one.

―Squeak squeak. Squeak. (But why hasn’t he told me about going on this one?)

I rubbed my stomach after stuffing myself with the almond, macadamia, and strawberry that Kyle had brought. I must’ve gained more weight, because it was getting harder to breathe. Just a little bit.

Anyways, it would be a good idea to follow along this time too. If another accident occurs, it’d be good if I were there.

I crawled to a corner and just when I was about to use ‘Summon’―.

“Wait a moment.”

Kyle opened the door and came into the study.

I took back my hand from the system window and slid back to the center of the hamster house.

“Cashew.”

Kyle’s soft voice called for me. I pretended I wasn’t doing anything and made a gesture that said, “You’re here?”.

Then he lifted me up and naturally started kissing me.

―Squeak……. (Alright…….)

Of course. If he didn't do this, he wouldn’t be Kyle Blake.

I received his kiss and waved my hand in goodbye. Hurry up and leave.

Kyle only left after glancing back at me twice at the study door. I quickly used ‘Summon’ and wore my clothes.

Really! At this point, shouldn’t I be able to automatically wear clothes? This is so inefficient!

[(´。＿。｀)]

……I’m not saying it’s your fault. It’s not like we could do anything about it. I’m just complaining out loud…

I comforted the sullen system and walked down the hallway at a brisk pace. I diligently headed out of the castle, greeting the workers carrying laundry baskets and brooms along the way.

When I pushed the tightly closed door, a light so bright that it hurt my eyes poured in. I stepped outside, feeling the cool air surrounding me.

Now, Kyle. Take me with you. Look at this perfect timing I appear before you when you need me.

“Your Highness! ……Huh?”

I looked at the empty field in front of the castle with a dumbfounded face.

He’s not here.

There’s nothing here. Even though this is the front gate?  Surely they would’ve reorganized their ranks here before going up the mountain?

I hurriedly searched the surrounding area. The flower beds, bushes, pillars… I looked closely everywhere, but I couldn’t find a single one of his familiar footprints.

“Just where exactly did you go!”

I shouted at the sky in frustration and a passing worker flinched.

“H-his Highness Kyle went to the back gate.”

“Yes?”

“He said someone fearless may try to follow him…….”

I stood in place with a dumbfounded expression. The employee, seeing my reaction, quickly bowed his head and disappeared.

Then, does this mean…….

“He’s avoiding me?”

I went back into the castle and thought for a while. There weren’t any other demonic beast specialists within the castle so why would he go without me?

No, I knew why even without having to think. It was because I fell off the cliff last time.

It must’ve been a shock to see the person he promised to protect to fall into danger right before his eyes. What if it happens again? Would I be able to grab onto him properly this time? I could imagine him worrying about it all night long.

Still.

“It’s only right to keep the person you want to protect by your side.”

As I trudged down the hallway, I felt an inexplicable sense of loneliness. I must’ve gotten used to spending my time with Kyle.

I wandered around for a while before arriving at the kitchen to eat two freshly made sandwiches, scones, and cookies with black tea and then returned to my room to cancel ‘Summon’.

―Squeak. (Sigh.)

I laid down and stared at the dark ceiling of the study room.

There was no time to get lost in sentiment. I spent the entire day walking around and thinking about Kyle, but my heart felt heavier than it did before.

‘……Why do I feel so heavy?’

I grunted as I turned over. However, I couldn’t get up. I was only able to stand after grasping the floor with my paws.

―Squeak squeak. (……Just how much weight did I gain?)

Now, I could no longer deny it. At this rate, I may become an obese hamster and would have to survive on just chicory and lettuce.

I suddenly felt a sense of crisis and started walking on the hamster wheel. And here I thought I’d never have to ride this horrendous thing again!

Alright. Let’s do some morning dieting.

To the point where Kyle will be so surprised upon seeing me again.

*

Reconnaissance usually takes about four to five days. They said they would go further this time, so it should take about a week. Today was the first day of the week.

During this time, I was quite busy as both a human and a hamster.

During my time as a hamster, I worked on my squishy belly by running on the hamster wheel, and when I was human, I helped around.

Mass production of the quilted clothes have begun, because they thought it would be good to distribute them to the residents of the territory. The remaining knights in the castle also spent their days hunting.

I, of course, helped with sewing and teaching the kitchen staff various other healthy recipes. The most delicious recipe was the one made with the fish beast.

There was a pond to the south of the castle that was frozen all year long, so people often went ice fishing and hunting there.

They would gather together and light a bonfire to have a feast.

The grilled fish grilled with an even coat of spice and sauce…… it was tastier than any other seafood I’ve eaten.

As a result, the people greatly enjoyed the fish. And best of all, the fish would break through the ice on their own if there were a lot of them.

Anyways, it was hectic and busy. Thanks to that, my Miracle Value went up to 24 percent. It was a huge increase despite Kyle not being here.

In other words.

‘The people here has accepted me.’

Although, I did benefit a bit from the ‘passive effect’ of gaining favor with the Northerners.

When I walk across the hallways in the castle, the workers greet me and the knights sometimes look for me with monsters they caught in their hands. When I go to the kitchen, I’m gifted with freshly baked bread and some cookies. Yesterday, I even received the tart that the youngest worker of the castle baked.

‘……But we are still a little awkward with each other.’

It was definitely not a bad feeling though.

I cleared my throat and glanced at the clock. It was ticking just past noon.

―Squeak squeak. Squeak squeak squeak. (Kyle, just when exactly is he going to come back? The weather is fine so he should be back pretty soon.)

While mumbling to myself, the system window blinked.

[(❤´艸｀❤)]

That’s not it. Don’t look at me like I’m a wife waiting for their husband to return home. We’re not in that sort of relationship.

I kicked the system window and it flashed again on the opposite side of me.

‘Ha?’

I frantically kicked hard at the moving system window. I was so absorbed that I didn’t even hear the study door open.

“So you also knew how to dance.”

A soft voice came from above my head.

I paused and turned my head up. Kyle was looking down at me with a very disheveled appearance.

“Sorry for being gone for so long. I rushed back, because I was worried about you, but it seems like I could’ve washed up first. I can’t hold you with my hands dirty like this.”

Kyle mumbled while holding his hands caked in dirt and blood. My eyes naturally went to his hands.

―Squeeeak! (Hey! What’s with your hands!)

I stuck myself to the transparent wall and squeaked towards Kyle.

Kyle must’ve thought I was glad to see him after a long time, so he looked at me sweetly and left the study, saying that he would come back soon.

I pounded my chest in frustration and used ‘Summon’.

It’s a good thing I didn’t use it earlier in the day today. How could I hold in after seeing him like that? I must take a closer look myself to see if the body I cherish has any injuries.

“I think right now is good.”

I hung around in front of Kyle’s room for a while before knocking the door. Then, I heard a voice from inside telling me to come in.

“Shu?”

Upon opening the door, I saw Kyle with a robe draped over his shoulders, drying his hair with a towel.

I quickly scanned him from head to toe. No injuries on his arms. Not a single scratch on his chest. He just looked a bit messy.

I sighed in relief and walked over to him.

“It took you a while this time.”

“I thought it would be good to go the longer route after encountering the new demonic beast before.”

“You didn’t tell me to go together this time.”

“There is no need for you to accompany me on every reconnaissance. Besides, didn’t you say you were busy?”

I crossed my arms and puffed. You could hide all you want, but I know you better than yourself.

“Not because you are afraid I might die?”

“…….”

Kyle stared at me silently. It seems I got it right.

I reached out and gently grabbed both ends of the towel covering Kyle’s head to help dry his hair. He obediently lowered his head to narrow the distance between me and him.

“Teach me how to use the bow tomorrow. I learn quickly, so it’ll be worthwhile for you to teach me.”

“…….”

Kyle’s brows narrowed, and then he relaxed with a short sigh.

As if he missed me for the week he was gone, he wrapped my waist with his strong arms and pulled me in. I entrusted myself to him. With his familiar body scent reaching the tip of my nose, I felt at ease.

I let go of the towel and placed my arms around his neck. I smiled as I heard him saying that he would teach me and that he’s glad to be back home.

--------------------------------------------------------

Knock knock.

Kyle didn’t respond to the short, clear knock.

After counting to three inwardly, I entered the study. He was still sitting on the sofa as if he were ruminating on something for a long time.

The silence that engulfed the room seemed to represent his loneliness. I walked beside him and parted my lips.

“What are you thinking about?”

“……I said I would kill him.”

“Kill who.”

“My brother.”

Brother.

I felt bitter.

Kyle, Belial, and Lorenz spent their childhood at the palace together.

To say that their relationship back then was harmonious would be a stretch, but they didn’t really resent each other. It was only because of the problems between the adults. They must’ve spent their time together practicing their swordsmanship and blessing each other’s birthday.

But to say he’d kill him.

When did he say those words? And how did young Kyle feel as he said those words?

I didn’t know the story behind them, but perhaps that was why Kyle was chased to the North. Kyle, who was the child of a concubine named Jane, must have been a thorn in the eyes of the people in the palace.

I sat next to Kyle and watched him quietly. His expression was a mixture of regret and remorse.

“At first, I wanted to survive to show them. Show them that the world won’t always go the way they want it to. And I wanted to protest. Just because they want to get rid of something doesn’t mean it would be gotten rid of so easily. That was why I survived and survived and survived no matter what…….”

To him, there were no words more tiresome to hear than to survive. After all, human beings don’t survive just by breathing.

Eventually, we would have to eat, and when the sun falls down, we would go to sleep. When the temperature drops, we wear more clothes, and to be able to do anything, we need money.

That’s right.

This was why I liked Kyle in <Winter’s Heart>. His life after being driven out to the North resembled my own.

“…….”

I couldn’t say anything back to him. I felt that no words could measure the depth of sadness contained in his voice.

However, I knew that he had been lonely during all those times. It had been a loneliness colder and harsher than the North itself.

“……But I realized revenge isn’t everything. I realized this after a long time. Just because I have my revenge doesn’t mean I would become happy. I won’t be able to forgive the people of Duke Klein until the day I die, but I have no intention of devoting my life to revenge.”

Kyle looked straight into my eyes. His unwavering red eyes were more deeply embedded into my mind than ever before.

“……Why did you start to think that way?”

I barely managed to squeeze out my words.

I had to hear his thoughts.

The system clearly told me Kyle’s purpose was revenge. If he lived only for revenge, he would live a life where no one could ever point their fingers at him.

“I found something I love. Something I want to protect.”

His voice sounded sweet as he said that. His eyes were on me, as if he were saying it to me.

I felt myself getting hot and rubbed the back of my neck  while leaning against the armrest of the sofa.

“Still, I sometimes think that if I stop seeking revenge because of that, my mother’s death would become sad and unfair.”

The voice sounded sadder. I abruptly raised my head and reflexively opened my mouth.

“No! She would say you have done a good…….”

I couldn’t finish my sentence. Before I knew it, Kyle leaned towards me and wrapped one arm around my waist to pull me towards him.

My lips quivered as I continued.

“What do you think a parent would want for their child? It would obviously be for their happiness. They would say thank you for being born and for surviving………….”

I narrowed my eyes and closed my mouth. That was because the blurry image of the faces of my parents whom I can barely remember appeared in my mind.

What did their eyes and nose looked like, what kind of expression they made when they laughed, what their tone of voice was as they called my name. I couldn’t remember anything anymore, but I knew at least one thing.

I knew that they wished for my happiness. Rather than living in my uncle’s house and being exploited, and rather than accepting death so vainly, they would have hoped for me to lived in a more kind and gentle world.

A world where a person like Kyle would be in.

I stretched out my arms and hugged him. Then he hugged me back tightly by my waist.

“They would tell you that you did well. That you made the right choice to give up your revenge. That they hope you smile more tomorrow than you did today.”

“Strangely enough, when you put it that way it feels like what you said is true.”

I wasn’t sure if he was being sincere, but I somehow felt comforted myself by his words.

I let out a laugh and patted him a few times before trying to pull myself out from his embrace. I’ve been out of breath since earlier. Just how strong is he?

“……Umm.”

However, my waist was held tightly in his arms.

He seemed to have had no thoughts about letting me go, so I sighed and let him do as he wanted. Anyways, there was still some time left in ‘Summon’.

“If you don’t want to let go, please answer my questions. Was your revenge something like a rebellion?”

“That’s right. My mother was someone who was supposed to become Serena. However, she was falsely accused by Duke Klein and was forced to raise me on her own in the cold alleyways until her deathbed. I entered the imperial palace after her death.”

“……And you had no thoughts of taking the throne?”

“I’d be lying if I said I had no thoughts about it at all. But right now, I don’t. I’d rather have them take care of things like the throne themselves.”

Kyle spoke aggressively before toning down.

“This is my hometown.”

I understood what he was saying even without him explaining. How much he cared about this place and the people here. It was obvious even to me, an outsider.

It was the same in <Winter’s Heart>. Even though the land had nothing but steep cliffs and never-ending snow, the people were happier than those at the imperial palace.

‘……Then why.’

Why did it turn to treason in the original story? If what Kyle said was true, he would have given up on rebellion and lived with the people of this territory peacefully.

Was it also a trap made by Belial or Lorenz? Just thinking about one person was a headache, but with two, I don’t know what to do. Well, things will reveal itself over time. And besides, we won’t run into each other for a while.

After organizing my thoughts, I looked up at Kyle. I placed my hand on his shoulder and patted him.

“Then, let’s try to make your hometown grow a little more. Right now, the Blake estate is relying too much on Your Majesty.”

“……I can’t deny that.”

“There are a lack of trades and supplies are always tight. I honestly wonder how you grew it this much on your own.”

“……Hmm.”

“Anyways, even as a barren land where it is difficult to make a living, it is very isolated. If Your Highness is away for a long period of time, the people will be in danger.”

“You’re right.”

Kyle listened to my words seriously. Before I knew it, I was rambling in his arms.

“Let’s take it slow. First of all, it would be good for us to not be politically and economically isolated.”

For that, we need allies.

Kyle was capable but had a strong, single-minded personality. Of course, he had the bonds and strength of the people of the North, but it was only limited to the North.

‘I never saw him get along with the nobles outside the territory.’

So it would be easy to get cornered.

Thankfully, Kyle nodded his head. He listened to me carefully as if he agreed with me.

“It’s also important to figure out who was behind the attack on Belial. It should certainly not be one of your allies. We need to be careful in picking our allies, otherwise we might get betrayed and stabbed in the back.”

“Don’t they say the enemy of my enemy is my friend?”

“Perhaps. Perhaps not.”

“Is there anything you might know about?”

“……I’m not sure. It’s a secret.”

I was finally released from his embrace. Kyle stared at me suspiciously, but I ignored it.

“You are talking strangely.”

“I thought you’d pass it off.”

The system window displayed the 5 minute warning and I slowly prepared to return back to my room. I glanced at Kyle once and then at the hamster house once.

Then, I added one more word of advice.

“You must find out.”

“I understand.”

“Good. Then, I will get going…….”

“Where are you always disappearing off to? I never see you in the castle.”

“Don’t try to find out. You’ll only get hurt.”

I blurted out whatever response I could think of.

At this point, I was surprised at Kyle. Why was he keeping me close to him when my identity was unclear and when I never told him anything about myself?

Is it the trust in his people?

Or, is it because he truly cares about me…….

“……What nonsense am I thinking.”

I shook my head and headed for my room.

All the running on the hamster wheel finally showed its results. At the very least, I could run faster than during my previous life.

--------------------------------------------------------

That bad man.

A man without blood nor tears. A really terrible person. So merciless... I roared into the sawdust, floundering my limbs all around.

― Squeak! [ Give me back my wheel, you punk! ]

I'm not even halfway through the mission!

How can you only look at documents and pretend that you're not interested in this hamster at all then stab me in the back like this, huh? If I knew you were looking, I would have pretended to run moderately.

Indeed, I was stupid to believe that a crazy hamster otaku like him would be indifferent to me for even a minute. I'm the Northern Grand Duke and I'm superior to a running hamster, as if.

Kyle even went on patrol the next day taking the wheel with him. It's absolutely insane. There's no work to do, nor miracles in this cage, and I can't even do other quests.

That enemy-like miracle...

I climbed the slide from the end part to the middle, then let myself slide down, repeating it a few times and then sighing heavily at the end. 

I want to live like a human being until I die. Forget about eating well, or living luxuriously. I just want to live as a human, as defined by the dictionary!

Anyway, time went by against my will.

It was a day filled with playing and eating. Riding down the slide, eating walnuts, taking a nap, eating peanuts, stretching my body at a breathing room, eating sunflower seeds, riding the swing, eating pistachios...

I hear it's a cold neighborhood, are nuts a specialty? It's a great place to build a burum restaurant. It's only difficult to peel the nuts if you try and peel it all at once, but if you put it in a bowl, peel it little by little whenever you think of it...

/burum means assorted nuts, specifically walnuts, pine nuts, peanuts and etc./

...Fuck, what the hell are am I thinking?

I'm already thinking like a hamster.

All of a sudden, I started to fear what if I adapt to the situation casually like this. I'm a human being! I'm an intelligent person!

"Cashew Nut."

Kyle came back long after sunset.

I don't if he came in at a late time since I couldn't see the clock from here, and during winter in Blake's estate, nighttime took up more than half of the day.

He returned to the study to find me, but I pretended to not know. I wasn't in the mood.

Well, isn't this situation pretty.

I crumpled my body into the passageway between the first and second floors of the house that's not easily seen from the outside. He looked around the house for a while before giving up and returning to his bedroom.

He obviously looked disappointed, but....

Well, if you give me back my wheel, maybe I'll meet you face to face for a bit.

The next day, we met with a transparent passage between us. The frustrated Northern Grand Duke visited the study before sunrise.

"I'll be back soon."

He spoke affectionately, with his face close to mine.

"From today on, let's control your diet. Your body seemed to not be able to fit in that passageway."

Wait a minute... What the hell is this guy saying?

I lost my breath for a bit due to the shock of hearing those words.

But Kyle moved quickly, he was already pouring out the contents of my bowl. My bowl full of nuts... No... It's all empty, leaving only three almonds.

"I don't want you to strain your joints. I've still left some, so it'll be fine until the night. I'm busy preparing for the festival, so I think I'll come in late again today."

―…….

"...As expected, is it too little?"

Before I could protest, the man behind him said.

"No, I have heard from the magician that the growth period for the hamster have yet to come, Your Highness. The food is enough."

What are you talking about. What do you mean controlling my diet? Do you not have eyes? It's wrong to eat just one nut for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

It's the first time since school meals, that I'm eating food as someone else had planned. I looked up at Kyle, staring at him ridiculously and kicked the bowl over.

A dirty and cheap life, I can't even eat whatever I want.

I want to eat chicken with beer, salmon with capers, chicken feet, tteokbeokki, pane pasta.... Greasy, spicy, and bad for your health, it's something that only Koreans can eat!

"I guess, I'd better let him exercise a little."

"Yes, Your Highness, it's not good to overdo it, but it's still better than having it gain too much weight."

"Alright."

Kyle nodded his head, and with a grave look, put back the wheel in my house.

Yes! That's right!

I looked up at him, my blue eyes shining. He really looked like an angel today.

Get ready the party will start shortly. I only need to run 800 laps, not a single more and I'm done with this hamster life!

Let's calm down for now, if I ride it as soon as you give it to me, you'll probably take it away again. I pretended to be as calm as possible, and turned my head away from the wheel as if I didn't care that it has finally returned to my arms.

Kyle looked at me for a long time, his eyes were practically saying, "you're so cute, I could die."

Look at him, it seems like he had kissed me a hundred times with just those eyes alone. You've grown a lot, you already know how to control yourself when someone's next to you.

"Do you like that demonic beast that much, Your Highness?"

I heard their conversation as they were about to leave.

"Apparently, it's a northern field mouse type of beast, it's a bit late to give a mana stone for it's heart, so it's physical strength is weak but... It's able to socially interact and above all, it's pretty smart.

"Anyways, it's still young, that's why the size is a bit... It does resemble a hamster, however, if you look closely, it's just golden fur...

"It's just a mouse." /all the dialogue above is from the man accompanying Kyle/

"What do you mean, just a mouse?"

Kyle answered coldly and turned to him. "Are your eyes defective?"

"... Y-your Highness, I-"

"Enough, while I finish the paperwork for the celebrations, fetch me a small needle and some yarn."

"What will you do with it, Your highness?"

"There's no need to know, I'll be using it for important stuff, so only bring high quality ones."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Kyle left the study, while coughing. "This winter is especially cold."

This punk, don't tell me...

You're not going to knit my clothes, are you? Don't be weirdly domestic, Grand Duke, if you don't want to see this fragile hamster grab the back of your neck with just one hand.

The mere imagination of it made my body shiver and I rubbed my limbs quickly. Forget it, let's not think about it.

I quickly climbed onto the wheel. That's right, running on the wheel is best way to empty your mind. Now that I have the hang of it, I'll surely be able to finish 800 laps quickly.

I took a deep breath and began to move my four feet.

With a clatter, the wheel began to move slowly.

Now let's go with the flow, think about something peaceful and pleasant. Pizza, bulgogi, sundae gukbap... I felt my mouth watering and continued to run on the wheel with more force.

[ 0217/1000 ] …… [ 0322/1000 ] …… [ 0445/1000 ]

The numbers went up smoothly.

At this rate, I'm confident that there will be no hamster who can spin a wheel better than me. It's worthwhile to do this and count the number of times, so I think I'm accumulating points.

I just looked at the system window running, the number was between 600 to 700. Look at this, won't I be able to finish it soon.

I was a little hungry, so I was going to take a break and eat, but then I remembered what Kyle and the man discussed earlier.

What? Control my diet? Was I stuck in the passageway with my big body?

No, I won't eat anymore. I'll lose weight, and if I die, then I'll make him regret it.

I turned the wheel frantically with strange enthusiasm, refusing to rest. I was a little bit worried that the screw might fall off at this rate.

So, when I first heard a creaking sound, I thought this enormous wheel have finally met its end.

Huh, but is this really the right sound?

"Does the Grand Duke hide women in the castle?"

"I heard he loves her so much that he'll spend the day cooped up in here."

... A woman?

"You idiot! Why would you hide a woman in the study? You should put her in your bedroom, of course."

"... Really? Well, let's just search here for a bit, then go to the bedroom."

"That's right, by any chance we might get lucky and find some military secret in here."

I stopped turning the wheel and looked down at the men that crawled in through the door, literally.

The approached the desk, in a weird posture, they were wearing black masks. One look and you'd be able to tell, these people were not invited guests.

"Let's catch the woman, or maybe kill her."

"Right, if it's a commoner, then it will be pretty easy."

"Isn't that why he keeps her hidden, because she has no status?"

The masked men, no the thieves exchanged stories amongst themselves and searched the drawers. Documents in the top column, documents in the next, as well as third one. And in the last column-

"What's this?"

One of the men pulled out a bag from the drawer. I sat next to my bowl, eating the almonds as I watched them.

"Macadamia?"

There's one there too? For your information, there's also a bag of those in the small drawer next to the door.

Crunch. Crunch.

The thieves fell silent, and only the sound of me eating nuts could be heard in the study. Only then did they notice my existence and slowly approached me.

"What's this?"

"It looks like a mouse."

"Doesn't it look weird, this fur... it's gold right?"

"... Is it a demonic beast?"

"As expected from the Northern Great Duke."

No, I'm just an ordinary hamster.

I took the last almond and filmed a mukbang. Well? Bring me the macadamias in your hand. Three almonds are not enough for me.

"... Do you think it's expensive?"

The thief moved it's mouth after staring at me for a long time. They exchanged glances and soon began to open the hamster cage. 

You guys really didn't have any plan before coming here huh?

Talked about finding a woman and kidnapping her. But now you're kidnapping a hamster instead?

There's no backbone at all. How could such clumsy people try to steal. It's a miracle they didn't get caught on their way here.

I sighed without looking at the hand coming down from the ceiling of my house. Should I approach slowly? Is now a good time?

At that moment.

Clang! The sound of glass breaking echoed throughout the room.

"W-What's that?"

The three thieves, no, more like meerkats suddenly turned their heads towards the window, like real meerkats. 

"How dare you touch what's mine?"

The voice was like a sharp blade, resembling the wind of the highest highlands of the north. It felt like frost. The cowards, then began to tremble, as if they had already died three times just by hearing the voice.

Ah... I mean, this is karma if you look at it technically. In other words, it's time for the teacher to reprimand you.

[ How dare you kidnap my sweet little hamster! ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ ]

I didn't mean it that way. By the way, why are you so excited?

"You won't be able to take another step."

No... Is it really a death penalty for touching a hamster?

Kyle pulled out a knife from his waistband.

... I really didn't think it would turn out this way.

“Cashew. Stay still for a moment.”

The time has come.

My sluggish body which had been lazily lying on top of the sawdust to enjoy the warm light of the electric lamp was helplessly lifted by Kyle’s rough hands.

He picked me up more carefully than usual and took my measurements with a tape measure he got from who-knows-where.

―Squeak. (Sigh.)

I stretched out my arms and watched Kyle work with full concentration. His hands and arms were wrapped in bandages and yet on his day off, he was doing this instead of resting.

Just rest. Stay lying down on your bed.

I burrowed myself among the yarn and, with a sour expression on my face, read the book Kyle laid out, <Try making one yourself! 79 styles of hamster clothes>.

Well, I read it and closed my eyes shut in cringe.

The outfit Kyle chose to make was a pink cape with a large strawberry embroidered on the back. I turned my head to try to pretend I didn’t see it.

I knew it. I shouldn’t have given him this book. At the very least, I should’ve looked over it before giving it to him.

At that time, I was fooled by the viral marketing of the system that said [You can keep fluffy hamster clothes in your inventory and use them at your disposal!].

[d=====(￣▽￣*)b]

Why are you so happy.

I huffed and kicked towards the system window. Kyle must’ve thought I was fighting with the air, so he stopped for a moment and gently stroked my body.

“Wait a bit even if you’re bored. I’ll finish this up quickly.”

And then I was given an almond.

With a sigh, I laid down on my side and watched Kyle while nibbling on the almond.

‘Well. It’s already happened, so what can I do anyways.’

When I asked the system, it said that if I used ‘Summon’ to turn into a human, the clothes would also grow bigger to suit me. Anyways, isn’t it better to wear at least a cloak than to be naked when you’re in a hurry?

The problem was Kyle’s crafting abilities.

‘……Is that really clothes? Not something else?’

I scrunched my face as I watched him make what looked like a dish scrub. The dishes would become so clean if I used that. Anyways, it meant that I couldn’t wear that. 

Then, a knock and the voice of a knight came from outside the door.

“Pardon my intrusion.”

“No. Don’t come in.”

Kyle raised his voice as his fingers slipped. The large door slightly opened a crack before closing again.

“……Are you busy at the moment?”

“Coming into the study is prohibited unless someone has died. Do not come to me for trivial reasons!”

Kyle’s voice was firm.

‘Why are you talking like that? You’re just knitting hamster clothes.’

Even if it’s you, I bet you don’t want your subordinates to see this, huh…….

The knight outside raised his voice sharply and shouted, “Yes sir!” before walking away.

With that, it should be silent without anyone else’s disturbance for a while. The poor knight would tell everyone in the castle to not go into the study even if they’re dying.

I scratched my stomach and checked the system window. Kyle continued to concentrate on knitting.

[Currently Possessing Hearts ｜ ❤×14]

Your skills are atrocious but as long as you are enjoying it…

‘Your happiness will soon be my happiness, I suppose.’

As the ball of yarn grew smaller and smaller, the number of Hearts increased. I buried myself into the pile of yarn and fell asleep due to the warmth.

The system window flashed in my blurred vision.

[Kyle Jane Meinhardt. Approximately 50 days left from the expected time of death.]

I jumped when I saw the previous 15 days increased by over a month. I stared at it blankly and then slowly closed my eyes again.

50 days isn’t long either, but at least we would get through this winter. Long enough to see the spring in this desolate North together with him.

*

When I woke up, I was in the hamster house.

I yawned lazily while stroking my pressed cheeks from lying down on it for too long. I checked my body.

‘Whew…….’

Luckily, he didn’t make me wear anything while I was asleep.

It seemed he finished making the clothes before I fell asleep, but didn’t make me wear it due to its poor quality. I patted my chest in relief and sat on the swing.

‘The problem is the Miracle Points…….’

I opened the system window and checked the amount of points I had.

[Current Miracle Value 19.0%]

‘I sure used a lot.’

I sighed.

With this, ‘Summon’ was only an hour long. It would have to be at least two hours for me to use it comfortably…… just how exactly did I go around with 30 minutes in the past? I’m like a frog who can’t imagine what it was like to not be able to hop around on land when it was just a tadpole……

[=3 =3 =3]

I know. I know. I just ran around back then.

The first time I stole Kyle’s shirt and the second time I wore a maid outfit. Nobody knew about the shirt, but even Kyle found out that I stole a maid outfit. And to mistakingly make myself known as a pet pervert……

―…….

I let out a single tear drop as I turned my head up towards the ceiling.

Thinking back, wasn’t the dish scrub Kyle made actually luxurious piece of clothing personally made by the Grand Duke? Even if I wouldn’t know which hole to fit my arms through. Even if the neck was so tight I could barely breathe.

……Never mind. It’s not okay.

I shook my head to chase away the random thoughts. That’s not what was important now.

―Squeak! (My Miracle Points!)

That’s the problem!

[＼（〇_ｏ）／]

I ignored the surprised system and got off the swing. Then I paced around the hamster house to think.

In the first place, saving a person’s life wasn’t the only miracle that existed in this world.

I was too focused on increasing Kyle’s lifespan that I didn’t notice. The number went up when I made the relationship between him and Sen closer.

In other words, the points would go up if the future changes for the better.

If death was the fate of all living beings, then the least we could do is to choose to live a better life.

I hugged a doll Kyle gave me and laid down together with it.

[_(:з)∠)_]

No matter how much I think about it, I wouldn’t be able to come to a conclusion.

It was during times like this that we must resort to magic.

### Not actual magic, but a chant to avoid responsibilities

I’ll leave tomorrow’s problems to tomorrow’s me.

Even if there were no solutions now, if you continue to push forward and live on, things would always work out some way or another. People who failed to do so would fall, just like the people of this land.

In <Winter’s Heart>, the Blake estate slowly went into decline after losing Kyle.

The surviving demonic beasts caused the people to leave the estate in fear and the supply routes cut off, making it a land near impossible to live in.

What was it? There was a description said by the people who left the Blake estate in the second half of the novel. It was…….

[An abandoned castle haunted by frost ghosts. That was what people called the frozen castle.]

That’s right. A castle haunted by ghosts.

I raised my head and took a look around the warm interior. I could feel the sincerity of the people who cared for this castle everywhere I looked.

Now that I think of it, even Sen and her colleagues seemed to enjoy working at the castle. Kyle was not an overpowering monarch, but rather, someone who was like family. Kyle, the maids, the knights, and all the other workers of this castle.

That was why I was more concerned. If I failed to save Kyle, what would happen to all these people?

“Sigh…….”

I scratched the back of my head and walked along the corridor.

I wondered if I grew attached to this place after spending time here. I wished for the people here to not only rely on Kyle, but to also find a way to survive the winters even without Kyle.

That way, even if the central pillar collapsed, the rest of the pillars would not collapse. Of course, I planned to save Kyle at all costs too.

“Whew. Catching this took a long time.”

“It’s difficult to catch a flying demonic beast.”

As I walked down the hallway, I came face-to-face with soldiers holding bird-like beasts in their hands.

“Oh! It’s the demonic beast specialist! Are you feeling alright?”

“Huh? Oh yes, yes! I’m alright. I’m feeling better than ever, in fact.”

“I’ve heard you returned but…… wow, to actually survive the fall from a cliff like that is incredible.”

I was confused for a moment since I couldn’t recognize them due to the dust covering all over them. Having a closer look, I saw that they were one of the new knights who had gone on the reconnaissance.

“Are you returning from somewhere?”

“We came back from hunting demonic beasts. They weren’t particularly dangerous, but they were still a bother to the village…….”

One of the knights held up the beast in their hands for me to see. A plump body with white feathers..

‘Hmm.’

So, it’s a duck.

No matter how I look at it…… it’s a duck.

They say it’s a demonic beast, but to me it was just a plump duck.

Wait. ……ducks?

“Wait, hold on. What do you plan to do with that?”

“Umm…… I suppose we would just bake or fry it and then eat it?”

Bake? Fry? Not boiling it to warm yourself up with a nice hot soup?

Now that they mentioned it, everything here was either baked or fried. They were delicious, but at the same time they were too oily. In the Blake estate where the temperature was low all year round, won’t soup dishes be a better choice? Were there no soup recipes here?

“Please give that to me. I will cook it for you.”

“……Yes?”

I guided the two dirty knights to the kitchen and rolled up my sleeves after receiving permission to use the kitchen from the maids.

I had a whole 7 years of experience living alone. I could easily make some baeksuk in an instant.

### Korean dish where a whole chicken seasoned with rice and medicinal herbs (in this case a duck) is braised

I took a knife and cut off the duck’s neck. Then, I prepped everything I needed to be able to put the duck into a boiling pot of water.

For your information, I learned this at a part-time job. He was a trash boss who refused to even pay me the minimum hourly wage, but I still learned a lot from him. Especially on how to report non-payment of hourly wages to the Labor Office.

“Should I throw this away……?”

I was inserting rice into the duck’s stomach when the knight next to me held up a pile of feathers that he helped pluck.

“No, how could you throw away such precious duck feathers! Do the Northerners not get cold at all? We must make clothes out of them!”

Since ancient times, the best parka has always been duck down parkas.

I carefully took care of the basket full of duck feathers. I took them to the maids and tried my best to explain to them using both words and body language. Collect this amount of feathers and quilt it to make the clothes warmer to wear.

Indeed, the maids have been taking care of the Blake estate for a long time. They quickly realized my intentions and gathered in groups of twos or threes before they started sewing excitedly.

All my hardships in my past life were becoming helpful in one way or another, huh.

While I looked at the scene with pride, the knights shouted that the water was boiling. I quickly returned to the kitchen.

It almost felt like a holiday due to how crowded it was, making me feel strangely ticklish and warm inside.

--------------------------------------------------------

“Goblins! Stay away from the cliffs to avoid the falling rocks!”

Before we knew it, we were surrounded by a horde of demonic beasts.

They hid themselves behind boulders, up in the tree branches, and in the crevices of the cliffs, sneering eerily. Even at first glance, they were high in numbers.

The knights muttered in agitated voices.

“There seems to be a lot of them?”

“There are and it’s strange……. They aren’t the type to come this close or threaten us with no reason.”

“Is this not a common occurrence, Knight Commander?”

I nervously inspected my surroundings.

Dozens of goblins were crouching down as if they were about to jump out at any moment.

Goblin.

The small, deep blue skinned demonic beast sniffed into the air with its hooked nose. Its pitch black eyes resembled a devil’s.

‘I’ve only seen them in movies and novels, and never thought I would see one personally…….’

[(⊙﹏⊙);;;!]

This isn’t the time to be staying still, shaking. We have to overcome this some way or another.

The knights began to gather in a new formation. They surrounded the non-combatants in order to protect them.

“Cover the researchers! Stick closer to each other!”

“You there! You’ll get hit by the arrows standing there. Go back further!”

“……Yes!”

“Those who are afraid get out of the way!”

The battle began without any signals. The knights drew their swords, and the goblins charged as they roared.

Everywhere was the sound of blades clashing, the cries of the beasts, and the rise of the dust from the battle.

In the midst of the commotion, I looked at Kyle’s back.

[Kyle did the work of ten, no twenty knights alone. A single swing of his sword sprayed the black blood of the goblin like rain all over him, and bodies piled up around him so he had no room to take even a single step forward.]

It was exactly as the novel described. It could not describe the scene any simpler.

Kyle moved as if he was doing a slow dance. His body sometimes flew into the air as if defying gravity, sometimes lightly spun around against a cliff, and in other times stood firmly in place and horizontally slashed with his sword.

The sense of reality disappeared as if it were a painting or a movie.

It was incredible. He had the atmosphere of a completely different person.

A strange feeling also arose. How did such a strong man die at Serena’s hands. Nobody should’ve been able to kill him.

[With only a single sword in hand, he conquered the North with his indomitable fighting spirit and overwhelming strength. He named the barren wasteland ‘Blake’ and created a home for those who lost their homes to the demonic beasts.]

Kyle’s deeds and accomplishments were so many that they were difficult to explain in just a few lines. That strong back that withstood all hardships and struggles seemed unlikely to collapse.

The goblins’ attack was resolved sooner than expected. A few researchers looted from the corpses into a sack, and the knights got back on their horses.

Then, the canyon was quiet once more. The people felt relieved by the silence and began to exchange a few words amongst themselves again.

It was only me who felt anxious about the silence.

‘……This doesn’t seem right.’

Following the contents of <Winter’s Heart>, Kyle’s injury was caused not by an attack by demonic beasts, but a group of unknown soldiers hiding in the region.

‘……Then is the real attack after this? When will it be?’

There are limits to a person vaguely recalling the original plot. Please tell me so that I could know more precisely about what happened.

[(ㅠ×ㅠ )=( ㅠ×ㅠ)]

It seems telling the story also had its limits.

Among the things the system mentioned the other day, there was one particular message regarding this. Mentioning the story in detail could tradeoff with the conditions for receiving compensation, making them more difficult to achieve. Whatever the case, it seemed to be a balance issue.

Alright, alright. I just have to be careful.

“Please be careful.”

I said to Kyle who got back on his horse. He questioned while brushing off the blood and dust from the hem of his clothes.

“If you’re talking about the goblins, they have all been eradicated.”

“Not the goblins. What can be truly scary are people, right?”

Someone who killed you, who could withstand thousands of demonic beasts at once.

He pressed his index finger between my brows.

“Okay.”

“…….”

“I said I will be careful.”

Push. He pressed between my brows again. Only then did I realize I was frowning and relaxed my expression a little.

Right. Since I’m here, it should be fine.

‘It should be fine.’

No, it will be fine.

*

And then three hours passed.

In that time, I bought and ate three acorn cookies. After the third one, Kyle couldn’t help but ask if I was eating some hidden acorns or something.

……Well, it was something similar. How quick-witted..

[Current Miracle Value 22.0%]

After circling around where we met the goblins and climbed up the canyon, we got off our horses to start walking. The road was steep and could easily lead to an accident if the horse got startled or lost its footing.

“Shall we go back now?”

“Yes, Your Highness. The new knights must’ve learned a lot through this expedition. Let us return before the sun sets.”

Among all that was said today, this was the most welcoming to the ears. Yes, let’s go home now. I checked the time anxiously.

[‘Summon’ will be canceled in 30 minutes.]

Since there was the time required to go back, I assumed I would have to eat one or two more cookies. After arriving at a safe place, I should say that I have some business and head to a place where there are few people. As long as I hide my clothes well, it should be fine.

There was still no attack on Kyle. Although we encountered a few demonic beasts like a separated mutant wyvern or a bear, they were quickly disposed of.

My relationship with the other people improved particularly after I informed them that the thorns on the left wing of the mutant wyvern were poisonous as written in the ‘Encyclopedia of Demonic Beasts’.

‘More importantly, it’s about time for the attack to come.’

……Or will it not happen at all? But it’s not like anything changed greatly from the original plot? Did I change anything in particular…….?

‘The chandelier.’

Belial did not get hit by the chandelier. That is why the relationship between the two are not too bad.

Which is why Belial has no reason to kill Kyle at the moment. As Kyle mentioned before, Belial disliked Kyle but there was no need to get rid of him.

‘So, his life expectancy has increased?’

I looked at Kyle expectantly.

[Kyle Jane Meinhardt. Approximately 15 days left from the expected time of death.]

As always, he had little time left.

‘There is no attack, so why…….’

Thud.

The ground shook with the sound and the horses cried anxiously. The knights drew their swords once again and took their stance.

[o((⊙﹏⊙))o!]

[□ □□ □□ occurred! The crack □□ □□ □□□□□]

[Irregular anomaly]

[Danger]

As if it were natural, Kyle stepped in front of me with his raised sword. The four system windows that popped up sent a chill down by spine.

“That…… what is that?”

“This, what…….”

The faces of the knights turned pale and they retreated back hesitantly.

It was a demonic beast that had never been seen in the North before.

The beast had a massive horn and resembled a goat or a sheep. It had an abnormally long snout and was covered in fur, but firmly gripped the ground with its sharp claws.

It made a thunderous roar and stood on its two legs.

“……I-I’ve never seen something like that before.”

“It’s not something from the North…….”

I was surprised but for a different reason from the knights.

“This is crazy.”

Why is that here?

There was no way I wouldn’t know. It was something that shouldn’t be in the North. It was a beast that lived deep in the forest, drinking from swamps, and was known to bring disaster to its surrounding area due to its warlike nature.

The swamp goat.

People called it that.

Well, my work colleagues in my previous life did…….

‘Hey, system. Mind explaining what’s going on? Why is a monster from the game I developed coming out here!’

[Confusion]

[Temporarily reducing the ability to intervene in the world.]

[If further intervened □ the power of □□]

The system blinked for a moment and disappeared.

Just where exactly did it disappear to?

I was completely dumbfounded. I think that those blanks in the system words referred to ‘swamp goat’. Could this possibly be the price of me using the system to interfere with this world?

I clicked my tongue and put back the Demonic Beast Encyclopedia back into my inventory. This beast wasn’t from this world anyway, so the book wouldn’t be of any use.

However, I had information in my head.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t know what it is.”

Kyle extended his sword in front of him. I couldn’t see his face, but I knew it was a face of resolve.

No matter if it was an unknown beast or if it was stronger than any monster he encountered so far, Kyle would never hesitate to stand in front of it.

Kyle did not back down. If he did, it meant that he would be giving up on this land.

“All troops, step back!”

The two then clashed. Kyle jumped up and swung his sword with both hands.

He swung at the demonic beast as if he were trying to cut through both the heaven and earth. Bang. A noise louder than a falling boulder hitting the ground was heard and dust flew everywhere.

“……No way.”

Black blood dripped from the cut on the beast, but it disappeared and grew a new arm.

The enraged swamp goat raised its upper body and swung its arms wildly. A strong wind rose as sharp claws cut through the tree as if it were paper.

While the knights clicked their tongue, Kyle did not look surprised. He silently adjusted his sword in his hands and charged again.

The red sword flew diagonally, leaving a scar on the back of the beast’s neck. Kyle flew over the beast and landed on the other side.

The swamp goat stretched its arm back and tried to grab Kyle. While it its round eyes were clearly looking towards this way, it acted as if it could see behind it too.

“……eye!”

I remembered and shouted.

“Your Highness! Its eyes! Please stab its forehead! The bulging area a bit above the eyebrows!”

The swamp goat had three eyes. The magical eye hidden in the forehead could see beyond what was normally seen, so the goat was a difficult opponent that had no blind spots in its vision.

“Shoot the arrows!”

One of the sharpshooters of the Blake’s knights shouted. The knight who aimed with his breath held still, pierced right into the beast’s forehead.

A sharp cry shook the canyon. It swung its arm in this direction as it went berserk.

“Your opponent is me.”

Before I could realize what was happening, Kyle jumped in front of me and cut off its outstretched arm. Black blood flowed onto the ground. If only it didn’t smell so bad would I have felt relieved at Kyle’s appearance.

The arm recovered just like before. However, at that moment, I saw a small sparkle on its shoulder.

“The shoulder!”

“What did you say?”

I ran closer to Kyle and grabbed his chin to turn it slightly to the right.

“Please look over there. A little further to the left on the side where blood is spilling. There is a very small, glowing green dot above it. If you look closely, it will have the shape of a fish scale. ”

“…….”

“Do you see it?”

That scale was actually a special item that could only be broken under certain conditions. It was an expensive item that could be used to make weapons and shields.

The department meetings decided that it would be fun to implement such a feature for the gamers, and the developers suffered to make it into the game.

To think I’d be using this kind of information of my past here…….

“You must use your magic power to destroy it. Are you able to use weapons such as spears?”

Kyle let out a low chuckle. It was a voice mixed with admiration towards me and his competitive spirit.

“As if there are any weapons I cannot wield.”

He borrowed a spear from a nearby knight and inserted his magic into it.

The tip of the spear turned bright red and then turned redder and redder until it turned black.

The spear was thrown and flew through the air like an arrow, grazing the swamp goat’s shoulder. It screamed as if it was effective.

Unfortunately, the spear could not go reach the scale in one shot. Kyle didn’t give up, however. On the contrary, he rushed forward even more fiercely. If he were swept across his feet and sent back flying, he stood back up, and if his back was hit by a boulder, he let out a cough and raised his sword once more.

Kyle Jane Meinhardt swung his sword. He threw his shield. When his cloak became heavy with blood, he tossed it away and continued to stand ground, fly, land again, roll on the floor……

It wasn’t anything spectacular or cool like how I had imagined when I read it in the novel.

All he was doing was throwing himself in struggle to survive. It was a desperate, bloody battle in which he risked everything he had.

Seeing such earnestness and dedication, I could not say anything. He, who spent his entire life living like that, seemed so dazzling and heroic.

“Kyle.”

[Interfering now is dangerous,]

I ignored the system and opened the shop.

It has to be right now. I just knew instinctively.

[Panting Almond Financier ｜Miracle Points 3% consumption｜Increases running speed.]

You can’t change what has already happened, but you can change what hasn’t happened yet. And that is what I was brought here to this world for.

However, fate is like inertia. It may initially seem as if a change has effected the future, but fate will always try to go back to the original flow it had set for itself.

Like right now.

“Ha, seriously…… I’m making a tough decision to use up 3 percent for you.”

The 3 percent Miracle Points obtained from the hidden quest, ‘Collective Destiny’. I have no regrets giving back the points I obtained as a price for walking into your life to share your fate.

I stuffed the financier into my mouth and roughly chewed it before swallowing. The sensation of the lumps of flour scratching my throat was unpleasant.

There was no time to soothe my throat. I ran to him in an instant.

The swamp goat was crouching down with one arm cut off and lunged at Kyle, who was driven to the edge of a cliff. It seemed like it were planning to send him flying off the cliff.

I would never let that happen.

I quickly intercepted the goat. The rushing goat lost its sense of direction and fell down the cliff.

We couldn’t avoid the impact and was sent rolling on the floor. Kyle reflexively tried to cover me, but he missed as I slipped on the ground.

Then, my body fell off the cliff, just barely hanging onto the cliff.

“Shu!”

Kyle quickly stretched out his right hand and grabbed my wrist. His hand was damp from the blood from his injuries.

“Don’t worry. It won’t be long before I pull you up.”

The sound of knights approaching behind Kyle was heard. At the same time, the cliff he and I were on started to shake violently.

“Don’t come any closer!”

Kyle shouted to the back. It seemed that the ground grew weak due to the effects of the battle.

‘I’m really put on the edge.’

I breathed in and turned to him.

It wasn’t easy to pull up a hanging person. And it went without saying when Kyle was injured. Still, the injury must not be too bad considering how long he had been holding me this long.

What a relief. He won’t be dying a helpless death at the very least.

“I’ll be alright so please let go.”

“Don’t say ridiculous things like that.”

“Be stubborn and both of us will die here.”

I could survive. All I had to do was cancel ‘Summon’ mid-fall.

However, that was not the same for Kyle. There was no way to save Kyle once he fell. I thought about using items, but using them in front of him with no prior explanation was not a good idea. It would take up a lot of Miracle Points too.

While I was busy calculating what would be the best choice, Kyle’s arm started to shake. It seemed he had no intention of letting me go first.

I spoke in a friendly tone of voice, as if I were greeting him on a typical day.

“I’ll return, so don’t worry about it.”

“……How?”

“With the power of miracles.”

I smiled confidently and counted to three in my head. The moment Kyle began to open his mouth to speak, I let go of his hand.

My body fell down. As I watched him grow smaller and smaller, I eventually stopped smiling.

Kyle watched me fall without even retracting his outstretched hand. His pale face made my heart sink down to my stomach.

Snow began to fall from the sky one by one.

A fog obscured my vision and a pure, white light enveloped my body.

[‘Summon’ will be canceled!]

Don’t make that kind of face, Kyle.

I will return.

--------------------------------------------------------