The story of how I, who became the beloved child of Winter Fenrir, was healed from despair

Chapter 57: Battle with the Monster

While moving through the snowy mountains, guided by Fenrir, we sensed the presence of a monster. Suddenly, magical ice crystals appeared before us.

<< Lady Winter~ >>

It was the trembling voices of Orb and Tito. This is no ordinary situation, right…?

“Wh-what happened!?”

I shouted as I approached the magic circle. Straining my ears, I carefully discerned their voices.

< We can’t handle it on our own. That nimble thing, weaving through the gaps in the ice magic, it’s too crafty! >
< And a small creature that appeared at the Fairy’s Spring absorbed some foreign object from another world, turning into a composite creature. >
< It’s incredibly smart. It avoids every trap we’ve set. >
< And it keeps making this ear-piercing noise, giving me a headache! >
<< Will you please come and help us!? >>

For them to say that… they must be in serious trouble. I trust them; they’ve always completed their tasks diligently and never complained or gave up easily.

We exchanged tense glances, our faces pale. Fenrir closed his eyes and meditated.

< Near where we were headed, there’s a Snowman and a Black Snow Leopard transformed from a Black Willow. Shall we leave that area to them? >
“Got it!”

I contacted the former green fairies. I conjured a small magic circle rimmed with green leaves over ice. I could feel the magic from the other side—it’s connected.

“Please, could you stop the mechanical monster? I’m counting on you.”

I prayed as I made my request.

< Understood. We shall handle it. >
“Thank you…! Please coordinate with the other Black Snow Leopards and ensure it doesn’t escape.”
< By my life, we shall see it done. >

To that extent…?
Is that just the nature of the former green fairies? Before I could caution them, they cut the connection. I looked at Fenrir, feeling a bit troubled, and he gave me a wry smile.

< Those green fairies excel in stealth and have battle experience. I believe they will fight well. And now that they’ve become snow fairies, even if they’re attacked, I can revive them. Their lives won’t be lost. >
“I’m relieved to hear that.”

Fenrir shattered the icy path ahead with a single swipe of his claws. Then, with a stomp, he created a new path forward.

< The monster that emerged from the largest Fairy’s Spring is likely the most dangerous. Its ability to absorb other machines and its high intelligence… Given that Elle’s hair dissolved into that spring, it has probably undergone a powerful transformation… >
“Ahhh… you’re right…”

I felt guilty and drooped my ears.

< Don’t lament, Elle. Good intentions sometimes lead to unexpected results. >

Fenrir’s calm voice deeply resonated within me.

< What’s important is to resolve the problem in the best way possible. People have faced such challenges countless times and learned how to survive in these snowy mountains. Animals have developed skills to escape natural disasters. We will overcome this as well, so that Elle can adapt to this land. >
“…I want to learn from my mistakes, reflect, and do better next time.”

Everyone is counting on me for what’s next.

< I don’t think it was a mistake. Thanks to your kindness, the weakened snow fairies were able to recover. You did a good thing. The problem lies with those who abused it. > Fenrir smiled kindly at me.

< Once this is all settled, I shall become your bed again, and we’ll spend the whole night together. Sleep soundly, for I will protect you. >
“Yeah. I love you, Fenrir!”

My tears, which had started to form, retreated back into my eyes. With a clear view, I admired the beautiful beast before me. Feeling overwhelmed, I gently rubbed my cheek against the ring on my left-hand middle finger.

Behind me, I heard a “sniff” sound, and when I turned around, the prince was covering his face with both hands, sniffling like a maiden.

“Sorry, I couldn’t help but cry.”

“Uh, from your nose? That’s rare. Usually, tears come from the eyes…”

I made a weak joke in response… The prince wiped his hands and smiled, saying, “May you be happy.”

Together, we gazed down the new path ahead.

A consuming darkness lay before us. We had to be careful not to stumble as we planted our feet firmly on the path. With Fenrir, the Unicorn, and the Ice Horse united, we began our advance.

☆ ☆ ☆

Strange lights flickered in the distance. It was a powerful, unnatural glow. A sharp, piercing mechanical noise rang through the air.

“This is… rather than a light…”

< Lightning magic…? >

Gleah’s awestruck mutter cut off my words. That’s probably the correct answer.

It felt more like some terrifying electrical energy—like from a stun gun or something. I had that hunch… My instincts were screaming in warning.

One snow fairy was struck by lightning and collapsed on the snow. The monster advanced, blocking the attacks of the other snow fairies, and ran over the fallen fairy, seemingly retrieving it.

We watched the battle, desperately focusing our eyes on the scene.

Suddenly, a snowstorm erupted around the monster, spiraling upwards like a small tornado. From a safe distance, it shot needle-like objects, piercing Orb, who had been protecting Tito.

< Oberon—!? >

Tito’s scream was heartbreaking.

Fenrir howled and summoned a pillar of icicles to block the monster’s next attack, protecting Orb. Orb noticed us and let out a relieved sigh. The monster, now retreating warily, moved back into the snowfield.

Its intelligent nature was clear from its behavior.

We slipped behind a solid icicle wall, using it as defense.

Fenrir, large in stature, shifted fluidly into a humanoid form. …Perhaps this way, he could better distract the monster if it targeted me.

“You’ve endured well, Fairy King.”

< Ah, Fenrir. Even we found this monster too much to handle. It may be small, but it harbors immense power within. >

Fenrir pulled out the needle embedded in Orb’s arm and froze the wound with ice. This, apparently, serves as healing for the snow fairies.

“Tito…!”

< Lady Winter. Sorry for causing you worry. >

I covered Tito with frost. As it melted, her pale face regained its usual snow-fairy whiteness. I was relieved…

“You were protecting the entrance to the Fairy’s Spring by yourself, weren’t you?”

< I won’t let that monster enter the spring again! It’s infuriating how it took advantage of your kindness and ravaged our resting place! >

Tito, who was pouting angrily, furrowed her lips in a “Hmph!” gesture. I was happy that she considered my feelings.

“We’ll properly re-strategize against the monsters and restore the Fairy Spring again.”

“What are the monsters aiming for?”

Wow, you can do that too?
It seems it’s only possible with me.

‘Something from another world emerged from below and appeared in the spring. The snow fairies noticed a floating machine and hurriedly brought it to the shore, but it began to change and broke free. It tried to absorb other items from another world and return to the spring to grow stronger. The snow fairies guarded the spring, and the machine started attacking and absorbing them. Orbs and Tito joined the fight to hold the monster in place.’

The voice resonating in my head conveyed shocking information.
Ugh, my head hurts…

“Tell me the characteristics of the two items from another world.”

Knowing that might help with a countermeasure.

…If that was combined with lightning, then it could have turned into a supercharged version of the mini-stun gun I kept in my room for protection against stalkers. This is bad.

I frantically thought of various possibilities.

Tito added that detail.
…Did it get smarter? Could it be a tablet device with artificial intelligence?

A chill ran down my spine.
As if confirming my suspicion, my phone buzzed with a notification.

I quickly glanced at my phone… The screen clearly displayed the message: “Sync target detected.”

──This phone is connected to the monster.
──No matter where I hide, it will probably find me.
──But if I let go of my phone, I’ll never be able to talk to my parents again.
──What should I do?

My mind went blank.
The monster, of course, wasn’t going to wait for me to resolve this inner conflict.

Fenrir’s ice shield crackled as it was forcibly pried open by an electric physical blow, revealing mechanical components underneath.
It had claws like a baton at its tip.

“I crafted that with considerable strength, though.”

Fenrir sharply exhaled, twitching his ears.

“! Ice magic: Gungnir!”

He instantly formed a gigantic trident and stabbed it into the ground with a thud.

“The part that cut through the ice was a decoy. It’s quite clever.”

It terrified me to think what might have happened if Fenrir hadn’t noticed the real body of the monster lurking in the shadows.

The tablet’s screen was pierced by the spear and shattered.
Hopefully, this is the end…

Fenrir was about to cast the “Eternal Freeze” spell.
But then, the tablet began to vibrate.

A shrill, ultrasonic-like sound radiated from the tablet, expanding across the snowy field and reaching the distant snow-covered mountains.
This vibration in the mountains… could it be?!

“Watch out for an avalanche!!”
“What did you say?”

Everyone reacted to my shout, but the avalanche came upon us with alarming speed.

With the first tremor, the snow had piled up heavily around this “Midwinter’s Daydream” spot.

“El!”

I was frozen in fear, unable to move, but Fenrir embraced me tightly.
The heavy impact of the snow felt like being hit by a truck.

In this critical moment, I ended up losing consciousness.

☆

“…Mm…”

My body felt warm and drowsy. I began to surface from my slumber, wondering why it felt like I was being squeezed.

“…Fenrir…?”

I opened my eyes, dazed.
Our silver hair was tangled together, and we were way too close. He was holding me in his arms.

I managed to move my head and noticed the warm, orange-colored water.

“Levi?”

Water dripped onto my face.
It was easy to imagine those were Levi’s tears.

“──What about the monster!?”

I recalled the events of that night and raised my voice.
Just as I sensed, Grea responded.

“Let me explain step by step.
El and Fenrir were caught in the avalanche and lost consciousness. To make matters worse, you were also struck by a falling tree.
The monster escaped from Gungnir and was trying to dig you two out.
Oberon and Chris attacked it with all their might, and since the monster was also injured, it fled.
We prioritized getting you and Fenrir to safety and returned.”

His voice was tired. He must have been running while protecting us.

“Thank you. I’m so sorry…”
“Not at all, I only did what was necessary. We’ve also received word from the former Green Fairy that the other monsters have been defeated, so you can rest easy now.”

I let out a sigh of relief, my tension easing.

As I moved, Fenrir’s arms, which had been holding me, slackened.

“…Hey, how is Fenrir?”
“He hasn’t regained consciousness. His injuries were severe.”

I clung to his human form, sobbing, though I could hear his heartbeat, knowing that the worst hadn’t happened.