I Have Become The Snow Maiden I Created

Translator: Marctempest

Editor/Proofreader: TempWane

—

Chapter 31: 10 Years (2)

It had been a full ten years.

Ten years of hiding in fear as the scenario progressed.

During that time, I avoided significant locations in the original work, such as the Empire or Eulistia.

I never showed myself.

I left no traces.

I only traveled within distances that allowed for an immediate escape. To be honest, I initially thought my resolve might waver.

Though I felt a sense of crisis, there was no imminent danger.

If nothing had happened, it would have remained that way.

“…The Black Calamity.”

However, as I encountered a series of grim news, I had no choice but to revise my thoughts.

A flood of disasters and incidents occurred, and some were rumored to be the work of “Calamities.”

It couldn’t be true.

I had heard that it was still dormant.

Yet every time such thoughts surfaced, that phrase came to mind.

[The scenario is progressing.]

“Would it kill them to explain in detail?”

What exactly was progressing?

The deeper I delved, the darker my thoughts grew.

I felt no inclination to venture further.

So far, I had been unable to grasp the full scope of the changes.

I was anxious. But I had grown used to it.

Living in the Snow Castle, I occasionally visited villages near the mountain range.

At first, it was tedious. Then, it became tiresome.

And eventually, I grew accustomed to it.

A dull life, but not necessarily a bad one, was it?

“If it weren’t for this.”

I thought I could continue like this until the reality became clear.

That complacency was shattered by a recent special bulletin I read.

〈Breaking News! The Stirring of the Red Calamity!〉

The contents were absurd.

Calamities weren’t something to be casually mentioned, but I had mentally prepared myself.

The problem lay in the modifier preceding it.

“The Red Calamity? What in the world…”

The world’s enemy, Calamities, were black.

From ancient times, they had always been referred to as the Black Calamity, and the name stuck.

Yet this document distinguished between the Black Calamity and the Red Calamity.

I was bewildered and demanded an explanation from the boy selling the bulletin.

“They say there’s a mad Calamity splashing blood all over the Holy Nation! It’s all crimson, so they call it the Red Calamity.”
The Astar Holy Nation.

It seemed to possess red hair, red eyes, and red garments.

“Adventurers were dispatched but failed to capture it. It must be incredibly strong!”

I didn’t know what expression I wore as the boy continued his story.

It was nonsense.

There was only one Calamity.

The Black Calamity, Mahabharata.

There were no others.

In the in-game world, there had never been mention of additional Calamities.

That one alone was more than enough to be overwhelming—what could possibly justify the emergence of another?

[Scenario Progression…]

“Huh? What did you say?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Even thinking about it was horrifying.

Could this possibly be a result of the scenario’s progression?

I needed to confirm it.

This was a matter on a completely different level from other issues.

If there truly were two Calamities, hiding wouldn’t solve anything.

Even in the Snowfield, I wouldn’t be safe.

“Tell me more.”

“Huh?”

“Tell me more, in detail.”

“Um… The Red Calamity story? That’s all I know. I just delivered the bulletin. They’re probably distributing it to warn people not to go to the Holy Nation. You be careful too, pretty lady!”

The boy’s last words echoed in my ears.

“It’s terrifying. Maybe the Sword Demon will handle it. That monster hunter is said to be in the Holy Nation too.”

Thwack!

I slammed the bulletin down on the desk.

End of reminiscence.

“I want to go home.”

I truly wanted to return home…

Holding my forehead, I shook my head.

One way or another, I needed to visit the Holy Nation.

I was so stressed that I couldn’t eat, though I didn’t actually need to.

It seemed I wouldn’t find peace until I uncovered the truth.

Now, let’s see, what do I need?

Items, catalysts, and perhaps… should I change my costume?

As I prepared to gear up, Frike entered the room again.

“Quelli!”

I turned my head, irritation flaring.

“What now…”

“Shu is here!”

Huh?

At the Snow Castle’s main gate.

Beyond the closed doors, a rustling noise could be heard. Mishra was always like this.

She never entered uninvited.

Was it out of respect for her dignity as the Dragon King that she refrained from trespassing?

What a resolute personality she had.

When I opened the door, Mishra appeared, accompanied by the wind.

Her silver hair shimmered, and her gray eyes stood out.

I spoke in an icy tone.

“It’s been a while.”

Her calm greeting was as consistent as always.

She visited occasionally.

“Indeed. …May I come in?”

Her expression appeared strangely dejected.

As I examined her appearance, I was taken aback.

There was a scar on her cheek.

It was just a scratch, but for the mighty White Silver Dragon King to sustain an injury… Could she have gotten into a fight with her kin?

Looking closely, her clothes were a bit tattered as well.

“Are you hurt?”

I asked, tinged with caution and curiosity.

Her reaction was intense.

“What, what? Oh, this…! It’s nothing! Just a little mistake, not what you’re thinking at all! I’m perfectly fine! There’s no need for even a sliver of concern or worry!”

“…Really?”

Mishra shook her head vigorously, her silver hair swaying along with her movements.

I felt a little awkward.

I hadn’t been that worried.

Was this what people called being overly self-conscious?

Well, considering the pride of a Dragon King, it made sense.

Whatever her opponent had been, getting hurt must have been embarrassing.

“Come inside.”

“Ah, alright.”

With Mishra in tow, I walked through the castle corridors.

The Frikes, who had gathered noisily, started chattering.

“Shu is here! It’s been so long!”

“But she’s injured! What does getting injured even mean?”

“Injured? Injured?”

It was probably unintentional, but their chatter sounded almost mocking.

Glancing at her, I noticed Mishra’s cheeks were flushed red.

I felt a bit sorry for her, but… she really had no one to blame but herself for coming here injured.

For reference, “Shu” was a nickname for Mishra.

The Frikes seemed to have warmed up to her after her sporadic visits.

“Why did you come?”

I asked gently about her purpose.

It was just a customary question, yet for some reason, Mishra looked flustered and averted her gaze.

“Just… for a visit.”

“A visit?”

“Y-yes. Touring and monitoring the territories can be dreadfully dull. It’s not that I dislike it, but… anyway, I came by for a bit of rest. Is that a problem?”

Now that she explained, it sounded reasonable.

Even if it was her master’s command, staying in one place for hundreds or even thousands of years must be monotonous.

I had barely lasted a year before fleeing to the continent.

Perhaps the Snow Castle was such a place for her.

There was no reason to object.

“I don’t mind.”

With that, I led her to the dining hall that we had once shared a meal in.

After seating her, I placed a cream puff before her.

A food-type item.

The name reminded me of her nickname, Shu.

“Oh, oh…?”

It was unclear whether her reaction was one of wonder or confusion, as she tilted her head slightly.

Leaving her to it, I headed to the storeroom.

I had left a few treats for her; she could eat at her leisure. I had work to do.

Over time, Mishra and I seemed to have developed a casual friendship.

Given my poor communication skills and her lack of sociability, even this level of connection felt like significant progress.

“Phew.”

The storeroom.

Towers of items were piled up.

Rolling up my sleeves, I started rummaging through them.

I needed to carefully select useful items.

This time, I had to be even more cautious than when I left for the continent ten years ago.

Most of the practical items had already been used up.

“Still, I can’t go empty-handed.”

I had to bring something along.

Not a mountain of things like before, but just the essentials.

After a while of searching, my haul was only a few items.

“…Sigh.”

Just as I let out a sigh, I heard footsteps.

“What are you doing?”

“Hm?”

It was Mishra.

Why had she followed me?

I wondered if she hadn’t eaten yet, but there was cream smeared at the corner of her mouth.

Her gaze swept across the room and landed on the pack I had prepared.

Her light blue eyes glimmered with understanding.

“Are you planning to go out?”

“Yeah.”

I confirmed.

Mishra’s lips pressed together in thought.

Then, suddenly, her eyes widened.

“Are you going alone? Or are you planning to go with someone?!”

Another sudden outburst.

Perhaps due to having spent so much time alone, Mishra occasionally behaved like this.

Her question made me think.

The castle had Frikes, Yetis, and the newest addition, Sasquatch, but their range of activity was limited.

It was because of the environment.

It would have been nice to get help, but it wasn’t feasible.

I would have to go alone… or so I thought when I glanced to my side.

“…”

The White Silver Dragon King.

There was one more resident of the Snowfield.

If I could get her help, it would be perfect.

I could travel comfortably all the way to the Holy Nation if I rode her…

But there were a couple of things holding me back.

“Mishra.”

First, were she and I close?

I would say we were fine, but if you asked whether she would be willing to guard me, the answer would be no.

This was a matter of trust.

“Why do you ask?”

The crucial point was next.

Second, the master’s orders.

I knew her background through the setting book.

Mishra had been guarding this Snowfield under her master’s orders.

Her loyalty ran deep, and she had been protecting this place for thousands of years.

So, of course, she would refuse. But with a faint hope, I asked.

“Can you disobey your master’s orders?”

“…!”

Immediately, Mishra froze.

Her reaction was stark. Her skin stiffened with cold, and her eyes shook.

Then, as though a fire had been lit, she vehemently denied it.

“No! Absolutely not! Do I look like the kind of person who would do that…!”

“…Ah, right.”

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

The settings were always reliable.

Except for when it came to scenario progression, of course.

I gave up cleanly.

But even so, I didn’t expect her to despise the idea so much.

I felt a little sulky.

“I’ll go alone.”

“Ah… I see.”

She drooped her head and looked down, clearly disappointed.

“Alright.”

*

I finished preparing with the carefully selected items.

They fit neatly in my handbag, making it easy to carry.

After packing the catalyst, I entered the dressing room.

There were countless costumes I had collected during my player days.

Up until now, I had only worn my default outfit, the white ceremonial robes, but I thought it would be good to change for a change of pace.

“As much as possible, I should blend in with the atmosphere of the Holy Nation…”

I searched around.

I was in the mindset I had when I was an avid collector.

Eventually, I found a satisfying outfit.

“Messenger of the Fortune Deity”

The lucky deity, who was said to bring fortune and blessings.

The outfit was suitable for the image of a messenger, giving off a refreshing impression.

It was primarily white and blue, and the design was light and airy.

“Not bad.”

After all, the Fortune Deity didn’t actually exist.

I changed clothes and placed a fedora on my head.

I had bought it from Roblock ten years ago, and after using it so long, I had grown attached to it.

It had a vintage feel, and I could tolerate it.

Looking in the full-length mirror, my reflection was revealed.

“…This is Quellière.”

I couldn’t help but admire myself.

On the outside, I was flawless, worthy of being called perfect. I looked just like a character created by a veteran player with great care.

Snow Maiden Quellière.

More than ten years had passed since I had been possessed by her, but sometimes I still thought about what it would have been like if I had possessed a different character.

“What if I had possessed Jinjo or the Black Knight…”

In the “109 Set” of the Four Seasons War, aside from the Snow Maiden, there were two other secondary characters.

Jinjo, the True Ancestor Nell Sartilla, and the Black Knight Chandrafail.

The latter was sometimes called a one-man legion.

“Well, Jinjo would be a bit much.”

While her power was undeniable, the extreme penalties she carried were a huge drawback.

Chandrafail would have been better.

If I had possessed them, I could have eliminated all the obstacles in my way.

“…But it’s already too late for that.”

After ten years, you end up getting used to anything.

I was the Snow Maiden Quellière.

I shook my head and went outside.

If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it, they say.

I’m not sure who said it, but it’s quite a meaningful saying.

“Whether it turns out to be a mess or a feast…”

Let’s just go for it!

The northern part of the continent, the Astar Holy Nation.

At the northern edge of this theocratic state, where most of the population were believers, stood a sacred land surrounded by five satellite cities.

*

Among the satellite cities, the capital, Disdel.

A woman was fleeing.

“Huff… huff…”

Her crimson hair streamed behind her.

The Holy Knights pursued her.

“Catch the Crimson Calamity!”

“Don’t let her escape!”

The Holy Knights, renowned for their extraordinary divine power and piety, clattered in their silver armor.

The woman bit her lip hard.

Blood trickled down.

“…Don’t compare me to something like that.”

Why were they treating her like a calamity?

She might not be fully human, but she certainly wasn’t a disaster.

She hadn’t committed any acts of terrorism or indiscriminate harm—not even once.

She didn’t know what she was, nor did she have memories of her childhood, but she was certain about that much.

“Ha…”

A bitter laugh escaped her lips.

If she said she didn’t know what she was, anyone would dismiss it as nonsense.

But it was the truth.

She couldn’t remember who her parents were or how she had spent her childhood.

She simply existed from the moment her memories began.

She had once thought everyone was like that.

“Attack!”

“Aim for her legs!”

Swoosh—!

“Ugh…!”

The surging holy magic of the knights.

Barely dodging it, the woman retaliated with a ‘blood spray.’

“Ugh! Using sorcery again, are you?”

Though one group of knights faltered, another quickly replaced them.

The woman resumed running, spitting out her hatred.

“Goddamn gods.”

She didn’t know what she was, but at the very least, she was certain that the gods despised her.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have laid this “curse” upon her.

A curse that made her loathed by everyone, incapable of forming any bonds.

Just then, the shout of a knight pierced her ears.

“Accept the judgment of the gods!”

“What? Those damn—”

The curses rose to her lips instinctively.

After all, it was because of them that she was suffering like this.

What right did they have to pass judgment on her?

Her crimson eyes gleamed as blood-red magic flared around her.

She had minimized the use of her blood power to avoid complications, but there was no other choice now.

The Holy Knights were no ordinary opponents.

Adventurers had been manageable, but this was different.

As her magic churned, her blood magic activated.

“Get lost, all of you!”

Though she felt a draining weakness in her body, the effect was undeniable.

The blood magic shredded through the knights’ spells and weapons, forcing them back.

Seizing the opening, the woman fled.

“She’s escaping! After her…!”

Angry shouts echoed from behind her.

Clenching her trembling legs, the woman reflected on the past.

How had it come to this?

Even with her curse, she had managed to live relatively well.

She had given up on human interaction, but this was the first time she had become a fugitive.

“I don’t know…”

She had done something noticeable recently… Could that have been the problem?

No, that couldn’t be it.

She had saved so many people.

If only ridiculous rumors about her being a calamity hadn’t spread.

“…All of this is God’s fault.”

If she ever met them, she’d slap them across the face.

Resolutely, the red-haired woman turned down an alley.

In places where there were fewer people, she was always adept at navigating.