The road was quiet. Occasionally, a wind would pick up, blowing through the sled, as the werewolf-skin awning wasn't quite secure in places.

However, due to the nature of my duties, I had to rest in the barracks, which were colder than the street itself. After all, proper rest isn't always possible, and in the midst of combat, there's no time for such luxury. Therefore, if you compare a sled to a barracks, this is the most comfortable.

Besides, now, in addition to the creaking of the wooden supports, the awning, and the wind that was just about to pick up, I could hear the staff officer's snoring.

His face might not be pleasant, but it was tolerable, but his voice... Open your mouth and it feels like metal scraped across glass.

Perfect for a grumpy scarecrow, even if not the most repulsive one. You can get used to something like that, but calmly accepting an unexpected companion is harder. It was a great surprise to meet a representative of the Imperial nation in such a remote land.

My duties required me to interact with various people and creatures who helped maintain the defense of the Frontier. So I had to memorize a few traits.

Glowing skin, devoid of any roughness, slightly rotten cheeks, and wide eyes. They clearly enjoy the good life. However, this girl's hair... The first time I saw her, I thought she was a member of the Pendragon family and had deliberately given a false name.

But if you look closely, there's a huge difference. The Pendragon family has silver hair, like a silver coin, while this one looks more like snow. Furthermore, this young lady has violet eyes, like demons, while the Pendragons' are closer to turquoise.

And her accent... the problem is, it's practically nonexistent, making it hard to believe she's from another country. Usually, a resident of the central part of the continent or the northern region is immediately recognizable by their dialect. Many learn northern to understand at least something, hire translators, or try to hang around native speakers.

But this not-so-punctual, flighty, irritable, and annoying person seemed to have grown up in our region since childhood. Which is even a little frightening.

And yet... even leaving aside the above, she still remained an important person.

White Whale Velina Raubtin, or Black Pox... I've often heard about her from other knights, brave men, and some heroes. And frankly, it's hard to believe that such a fragile-looking girl is capable of defeating an entire horde of demons.

I don't even know how to convey to my colleagues that the "Strongest One" they vaunt is actually a simpleton with only magic on her mind.

However, that idiot Ragnar didn't care. I wish I could have his carefree insouciance.

"By the way, Miss Velina..."

"What a jerk, smiling like a child who's seen the toy they've been waiting for.

No, I can't watch this anymore. The right thing to do would be to ignore these two's conversation and do nothing. That was my plan. Just sit and occasionally glance around, but that idiot Ragnar's words made me tense up and listen intently.

"Is it true that you possess a Divine Instrument?"

"Wow! I didn't think anyone would be interested in that. Are you so interested that you're even willing to lose your head?"

"Smiling slyly, the girl glanced at Ragnar, who flinched slightly and fell silent for a moment.

How excited do you have to be for even I to hear him swallow?

"Although, it's an interesting question."

Among the wide variety of weapons inscribed in legends, tales, and epics, the Divine Instrument is the only one possessing its own will and soul. It is even said that such a weapon can change shape and perform incredible miracles.

However, the origin of such a weapon remains a mystery. No matter how much they have studied it, no matter how many attempts they have made to create it, few have been able to give a clear answer to just two questions: "How does a weapon become a Divine Instrument?" and "How does a soul originate within a weapon?"

The only thing we managed to achieve was the creation of a new race capable of becoming a weapon – the Edel-ray.

Closing the tent, beyond which a snowy wasteland was visible, I waited for the conversation to continue, pretending nothing interested me.

Having pulled her knees as close to her stomach as possible, the knight covered herself with her cloak.

"Don't worry, I was joking. As for the Divine Instrument, yes, I possess it."

"And you confirmed it so easily?"

"I merely confirmed a well-known fact."

"If it's a well-known fact, then why confirm it?"

"So, what was your purpose in asking that question?"

"I... I was curious to know if the rumors were true."

"That's the answer. Not everyone is ready to accept the fact that I possess such a rare weapon. And so they try to verify whether it's true or not. They're looking for a way to assert themselves and exert pressure. They're trying to find a reason to ignore reality."

"Because few are willing to accept that a woman can wield a sword. The battlefield is not for soft and cowardly idiots."

"Olaf, don't say that! Miss Velina is far stronger than others. Don't compare her to ordinary girls."

"Are you listening? How can you not compare when reality interprets the truth? Have you ever seen a regiment made up entirely of women? Have you ever seen them in the heat of battle, and not in the bed of another officer?"

"What about the priestesses and medics? Where did your sense of understanding go?"

"Died on the battlefield."

"It may have been harsh, but after so many battles, it's hard to believe that a girl can be the one fighting in the vanguard.

From the Military Academy, where all the cadets are mostly young men, to the military regiments, there has always been the same diversity." The only way to meet a girl was if they were medics or in some other support position.

Captains, scouts, most military medics, and soldiers were mostly men. Even among knights, it was rare to encounter a woman.

So, in principle, I understand why they suspect she's not taken seriously, even after she's achieved such a high position.

But Ragnar merely snorted.

"Oh, come on! Forgive him, he didn't mean to insult you."

"It's okay, I'm used to this kind of behavior. Besides, on the battlefield, a soldier's actions speak louder than words."

"Exactly. The sword is the only language in battle."

"Olaf! Stop being so unsociable."

"I merely said what I thought. Logically, it's a perfectly understandable outcome."

"This kind of behavior is just bait for demons."

"Are you asking for trouble?"

"Keep quiet. I don't want to wake him."

Miss Knight, interrupting our conversation, pointed to the staff officer.

Amidst a pile of documents and a makeshift desk made from a wooden box, sat an officer from the Ministry of Military Affairs. Or rather, he was asleep, snuggled up in a blanket.

So the only sensible thing to do was to shut up and continue the journey in silence. At least until we reached today's station.

***

As soon as we arrived at the First of the five stops, we immediately began preparing for the night.

Most travel takes place along the Indus River, as it is always frozen, making it often used as a main road. However, large settlements are rare along the river. Instead, small villages struggle to make ends meet due to constant attacks by wild animals, bandits, demonic creatures, and the banal elements. Nomadic camps that would vanish in a week or two, as if they had never existed. Bands of bandits, wanderers, and mercenaries were also occasionally encountered along the main road.

Of course, the state deployed searchers to at least somehow secure the area, but in reality, it was like cutting through a snowstorm with a sword. Simply useless.

As for the other roads, most of them ran 60 kilometers from the mountain range, either through the forest or along it. Parts of the route were possible through the snowy wasteland. And such a winding route mostly depended on the locations that posed a threat.

The first transit point was located near the mountains at the very beginning of the forest.

Tall trees, reaching toward the ridge, rose high into the sky and seemed to grow in one place, as close to each other as possible. They siphoned the last remnants of sunlight, which made one even more nervous.

"It's an eerie sight," said Miss Raubtin, looking around.

"We're now about 100 km from the mountain range, and the Indus River is about 386 km away. And this is the safest stretch of road on this stretch," said the elderly driver, feeding his animal. Beforehand, he'd gone into a shack and pulled out something resembling a feeding trough.

Continuing to look around, the girl continued the conversation.

"Do you think this is a safe stretch? The miasma makes me sick."

"What can we do? There's even more of it in the forest, since this place is considered the domain of witches, sorcerers, and evil spirits. The local evil spirits often creep out from here, but rarely come here."

"Then wouldn't it be easier to get a little closer to the river?"

"Then we risk getting caught in a blizzard. After all, the trees are saving us a bit."

"Safe a bit?"

I looked around. There may have been a lot fewer trees on the river side, but yes... most snowstorms really wouldn't be that dangerous.

Having dragged some boxes and documents into the hut, I glared at Raubtin.

She surveyed the area, more intensely than we had been unloading and preparing the hut for the night. What was there to see? To the right, a dense, dark forest; to the left, endless snow.

Of course, there's always the possibility that she's afraid of an attack by beasts, but what good is that if we're constantly on guard?

At the slightest sign, we'll immediately start a fight, unleashing our devas. In a pinch, I'll just use an artifact or some enchantment.

But the old man didn't seem to care, and he continued the conversation.

"The Snow Desert is generally considered the territory of beasts that constantly roam in groups, and a gathering place for solitary fiends. What do they call them these days? Lost evil, I think." "Lost Evil... hm... a strange name."

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! It may sound strange to you, but for us it makes a little sense."

"And which one? No matter how you look at it, a filth is a filth."

"But if it gains sentience, then what? Mistress, you may not believe me, but when a filth begins to show the rudiments of intelligence, it becomes like a lost child trying to figure out what it is. And as a result, it breaks away from the crowd and wanders alone, committing only more atrocities."

"Ah, I think I see what you mean. Perhaps you mean Khaybir Kiran. Quite unpleasant creatures."

"Of all the things you might encounter here, the filth is the most repulsive."

"I agree. Perhaps we should strengthen the defenses..." the knight muttered, surveying the campsite.

"Strengthen the defenses? What the hell is that talking about?" Does she really think we can't handle our task?

Well, that's easy for her to say.

While Ragnar and I are slaving away, casting barrier spells against beasts and filth, this idiot just sits there, wasting her time.

What good could she possibly be? Does her presence really drive away the evil spirits, so they simply don't come near us?! What kind of nonsense is this?!

Shouldn't she be doing her job?

As for the inspector, after the documents were moved to the hut, he settled down to work there. So he's definitely not coming out anytime soon.

Noting my displeased look, the girl just smiled and waved. As if greeting me? And why? Why is she doing this? I don't understand. I don't understand anything at all. Maybe it's some kind of psychological pressure? Or is she just really that stupid...

How can you act so carefree in a place where a battle could break out? What's going on in her head?

"Tsk..." escaped my lips as I pulled another talisman from my pocket to cast a protection spell.

"You look displeased."

"What's so happy about that?"

"Still sulking about what happened this morning?"

"Am I a child, you think?"

"Of course not. You've just been dissatisfied all day."

"Really? Does it matter that we're behind schedule? What if a blizzard had started and we'd come under attack from angak, abas, makha, or rekken? You know how much those storm creatures like to roam in packs."

"I think you're overthinking it. Nothing happened."

"Ragnar, are you serious? The only reason nothing happened was because we were lucky and the spirits were kind to us." And if not? Do you even understand what would have happened?

"Is that what Aud is telling you?"

"What does she have to do with it?"

"Listen, I haven't seen her since last night. So it's entirely possible you're making her work overtime again."

"She agreed to it. And don't make her out to be a know-it-all."

"Yes, yes, yes. So? Do you still think the lady knight is useless?"

"And do you think she's useful? All she does is walk around chatting with the cabbie."

"Well, who knows? I'm sure you'll change your mind about her very soon."

"Is that what your 'instinct' tells you?"

"Don't talk as if I'm hiding something."

"Aren't you? Unlike me, you keep blabbering about being a simpleton."

"But that's true." And I don't want the hassle that's dumped on you.

"You just don't want to work hard."

"That's not it. I just don't want to constantly rely on unreliable things."

"Unreliable things? With your eyes? Are you a jerk?"

"I'll decide whether or not I'm a jerk."

"Still, that doesn't change my attitude toward her. Consider it dislike, given how easily she takes everything.

"Really? Well, yeah, for the eternally serious Olaf, someone like her is a real problem."

"You're a problem too."

"Hey! I'm actually trying to work."

"Exactly, 'trying.' Just give you some motivation, and you'll start working right away. Normally, you're just a parasite with no sense of respect or shame."

"Ha-ha-ha-ha! What a funny joke." As soon as that idiot Ragnar said this, I immediately wanted to put my fist to his face, but alas, that weirdo was no longer there.

Idiot! How irritating!

~Aren't you too hard on him?

As soon as the gentle voice appeared in my head, I immediately sighed and answered silently:

~It's even good for him.

~It's good for him, then? Well, I don't think it'll bother him at all.

~That's true too. So? Have you found out anything at all?

~Nothing... I'm sorry... I can't read her fate...

~You can't read it?

~Well... she just doesn't have the same connection with God as others.

Not the same connection with God...

I don't understand what exactly Aud is trying to say, but it certainly won't end well. And what if she couldn't read Fate? The very connection with God... could this girl really be following the path of Will...

~ Olaf, behind.

As soon as Aud said this, I immediately turned around and... froze, unable to say anything else.