The One and Only Guide - Chapter 32
Her claim of strain was a lie, but it seemed like a necessary precaution. That’s what she thought, and she just blurted it out. However, Axion’s expression turned grave.
“A strain on you?”
“A bit.”
“What are the symptoms?”
“…..They vary.”
“I see. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Had she said too much? Jian felt uncertain, observing Axion’s expression. Her conscience seemed to be shouting at her from somewhere deep inside, telling her “I’m here.”
Jian tried her best to ignore Axion’s serious face. Such a small lie should be easy, but his expression made her feel weak.
Regardless, her lie firmly took root in Axion’s mind. He believed her words completely and did not showcase his ability to create paths with his sword wind again.
Still, whenever he swung his sword, a path still formed. It wasn’t as grand as the previous demonstration, but the creation of a path about ten to fifteen meters with a single swing of his sword was still an awe-inspiring sight.
How is it possible for a human hand to function like an excavator? When asked if it’s possible through sheer force alone, the Duke replied,
“By focusing on achieving maximum effect with minimal effort, it’s possible.”
To Jian, it was an answer beyond her understanding. All she could do was accept it; comprehending such a feat seemed possible only for those on par with Axion’s Esper level.
“How long will it take to reach Mandalen?”
Axion assessed Jian’s pace. Even with crampons fitted to her fur boots, her steps were painfully slow by his standards. She moved with the lethargy of a sea turtle, a creature he had heard existed in the Western Sea. Surely, even a seven-year-old child in the North could walk faster than Jian.
“Three days, no, perhaps five.”
“What? That long?”
Jian was taken aback, and Axion suddenly remembered that Jian knew nothing of the northern lifestyle. It was due to his oversight that he hadn’t been able to explain to her about traveling from village to village in the north.
Meanwhile, Jian, looking dismayed, wondered if she should turn back. Her previous attempts to leave the castle had always been thwarted at the gate or by the cold, leaving her ignorant about the actual distances in the North. Until now, she had assumed Mandalen was a day’s journey at most.
“Mandalen is the closest domain to Odergen Castle.”
Despite Axion’s awkward explanation, Jian was uncertain about sleeping outdoors in such cold. She was already missing the castle’s warm fireplace.
“Can I make it there? And where will we sleep?”
“If walking becomes too difficult, I’ll carry you. For sleeping, we’ll use snow. You might not know, but compacted snow can be built like bricks, making a cozy shelter. It’s surprisingly warm.”
He was talking about an igloo. That solved the sleeping arrangement, but…
“What about the luggage you’re carrying?”
Jian pointed out the obvious difference between her light load and the large backpack on Axion’s back. After a moment of thought, Axion replied.
“Then I’ll just carry the bag in front.”
At the Duke’s words, Jian imagined herself on his back.
No matter how I think about it, this is not right. Wouldn’t it be better to wait for spring? When the grass is green and the snow has melted, then we can go to Mandelen. It’s not too late to visit after the roads thaw in the spring.
‘But….’
The problem was that the Duke was on official duty. Her interruption of his schedule was her own doing. She couldn’t start complaining or expressing a desire to quit midway.
Jian resolved that she would not let herself be carried by the Duke under any circumstances.
* * *
However, resolutions are often made to be broken.
Three hours into their journey towards Mandalen, Jian found herself being carried on the Duke’s back. Her feet ached terribly, and she was breathless. For Jian, who rarely exercised, the relentless three-hour trek was an overwhelming ordeal.
Cold, tired, and in pain, especially with the Duke constantly looking back and suggesting she should let him carry her, Jian initially refused. But after over two hours of trudging through the snow, she found it increasingly difficult to reject his offer. The allure of being carried was too tempting, especially as her legs tingled and her feet burned. Jian wouldn’t be surprised if she were to find large blisters all over her feet.
