kscans

Chapter 25 - Winter and a Promise

The One Month of Winter began.

Let me explain the seasons of this other world. On Earth, the seasons change constantly through spring, summer, autumn, and winter. In this world, however, the climate is mostly spring-like, with only slight increases in temperature. The temperature doesn't fluctuate drastically, but there is an exception.

Once a year, there is a month-long period of intense cold and blizzards.

During this season, even the monsters retreat to their nests; none of them move about in the cold. As a result, not only adventurers but also soldiers have no work for this one month, save for escorting people who absolutely must travel to the next town.

It was a season when everyone shut themselves away at home.

During my training, I used to spend it at my master's house so as not to arouse suspicion. But now that my master is gone and my identity has been revealed, I no longer have to worry about such things. However, I decided to use this time for a certain task.

That task was smithing.

The forge was stocked with all the ores I had ever seen, but with so much work from hunting and adventuring, I hadn't had the time to do any smithing. But now, I could finally create the weapons and armor I had wanted to make. I immediately began my work.

First, I decided to make a Kodachi.

There had been a time before, when exploring a cave, that the weapons Bardos and I carried were too long, and we couldn't swing them properly. What's more, the monsters inside the cave were small, giving them a significant advantage. In the end, I dealt with them using only my magic. Realizing that continuing to take on such jobs carried a high risk of death, I knew we needed weapons that could be used even inside a cave. There was even an anime where someone died for that very reason. That's why I chose the Kodachi.

Its length and blade were ideal. I thought about giving one to Bardos as well, but it wouldn't suit his physique. A Machete would probably fit him best, I thought, and set to work.

I began my training in the forge.

Amidst the blazing heat of the flames, I struck the iron. I hammered it fiercely. My body, and indeed my heart, grew hot as I continued to strike the iron with intense emotion. Iron—no, was it Tamahagane? It gradually changed shape, taking the form of a sword. I plunged it into cold water to cool it, then put it back in the fire to heat it, and hammered it again.

I repeated this process, striking for over half a day, until finally, it was complete.

Yes, I had created a fine piece, if I did say so myself. Alright, just as I was about to start on the next one, I sensed a presence outside. There was no killing intent. Who could it be in this blizzard? I opened the door with a slight sense of caution.

There stood Tina in her armor, carrying some luggage.

What was she doing here in this blizzard? As I wondered, Tina said,

"U-um, today, I came to treat you to my home cooking!"

She replied with a great deal of spirit.

Home cooking? Oh, right, the meal we promised a week ago. But back then, I was supposed to be the one cooking, so why was she? Well, whatever. It's a kind offer, and I'm hungry anyway. I'll gladly accept.

"Alright. Please, come inside first. I'll be right there after I clean up here."

At my words, Tina, her face beaming with a huge smile, immediately headed for the house.

After I finished cleaning up the forge, I returned to the house. A wonderful aroma wafted from within. A feeling of anticipation welled up inside me. I, too, am a man with desires. There is no man who would not be happy with a woman's home cooking. Recalling such words, I entered the house.

Inside, Tina was cooking, still in her armor.

She was simmering a soup in the kitchen, and on the table, slices of meat arranged like roast beef were garnished with herbs. It looked quite professional, I thought. I took a seat and waited for the soup to be ready.

Tina must have noticed me, but she continued to cook without turning around. I could feel a tremendous intensity from her back. Her posture, as if she never forgot that she was constantly on the battlefield, was truly impressive. Then, Tina poured the soup into a bowl and brought it to the table.

She also took a seat opposite me.

"I don't know if it will suit your taste, but I put my all into making it. Please, go ahead and eat."

She spoke with a slight blush on her face.

Alright, first the soup. The moment it entered my mouth, I tasted a mellow flavor within the rich taste.

It's delicious. I couldn't help but think her cooking skills were top-notch. Tina was staring at me intently. It seemed she wanted to hear my opinion on the taste.

I said,

"It's delicious. I've been eating nothing but strongly flavored food lately, so this is a fresh taste. I like it."

I gave a fairly conventional answer.

With things like this, being direct is often more effective than getting overly detailed.

Hearing that, Tina replied,

"I'm so glad. I'm happy you like it. It makes all the hard work worthwhile. I'll continue to do my best to become even better."

Tina answered with a huge smile.

She'll continue to do her best, huh? Well, for an adventurer, camping outdoors is common, so I agree that putting in the effort is a good thing.

From then on, Tina and I enjoyed our meal. It was supposed to be idle chatter, but her adventure stories were incredible. The job that led to her promotion to A-rank was the destruction of an organization that had been controlling the chancellor and manipulating the country at will.

The organization had fifty members, with three B-rank executives. Furthermore, they had a monster as their trump card—a Black Dog, three times the size of a normal dog, which they had to defeat.

They succeeded in destroying the organization in cooperation with the King's Royal Guard. The 'Beautiful Sword' party's defeat of the monster was particularly significant, and they received the king's approval and were promoted to A-rank.

What an amazing achievement, I thought. Still, to try and control the chancellor... that organization had a good idea. Instead of targeting the king, they went after the person who knew the country's internal affairs best. I was impressed; they must have had a sharp mind among them.

It had been a lively conversation, but the end was approaching.

We finished our meal and cleaned up together.

Tina, beside me, didn't look my way, but her profile was filled with a smile. It was a sight I wouldn't get tired of, but it's rude to stare at a woman's face, so I quickly looked forward.

Still, to think I would be having a meal with a woman like this was something I could never have imagined on Earth. I remembered what had happened at my company.

In my second year after joining, a cute new girl came in. At the time, I was happy to have a seemingly honest junior colleague and was determined to do my best. But she was only cute on the outside; inside, she was a terrible she-devil.

When I taught her the work, she would hurl insults like 'creepy' and 'don't come near me.' When she made a mistake in the work I taught her, she would lie and say that's how I had taught her. If I tried to argue, she would start crying fake tears, and my boss, seniors, and colleagues would all point their fingers and decide I was the one at fault. Seeing this, the woman would stick her tongue out with a wicked look on her face, at an angle only I could see.

I was devastated. There was no place for me here. Convinced of this, I quit.

Now, I'm grateful. If that hadn't happened, I would never have returned to the countryside, found the book, and come to this other world. I can't thank that company enough.

Well, it's a fact that they treated me horribly, and I have no interest in what they're doing now.

Moreover, I've developed a habit of not letting my guard down around beautiful women. This habit is still valid in this world. In a medieval setting like this, I can just picture the nobles strutting around with their heads held high. And if they're beautiful, all the more so. That's why I will never let my guard down. I've made up my mind.

I knew from our conversation that Tina next to me was not such a she-devil. She's a good woman, and I even thought about asking her out, but I immediately stopped myself.

Because she is a representative of adventurers, and I am a hunter. We are not a good match.

I decided to treat this meal as nothing more than a friendly get-together. It was probably time for Tina to head home. I thanked her for the meal.

"Thank you for dinner today. I was happy to be able to eat your cooking."

To my simple words, Tina replied,

"No, thank you. I know I came suddenly at a time like this, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. Everything is going according to plan."

Her last words were so quiet I couldn't hear them.

The moment she tried to open the door, a fierce gust of snow blew in. We hurriedly closed the door. Outside the window, a blizzard was raging. It was impossible for her to go home.

Which means, I thought calmly.

It's night, we can't go outside because of the blizzard, and I'm alone with a woman.

At that moment, Tina said,

"Um, I can't go home in this, so... may I stay here?"

Tina's face turned red as she spoke.

That's not good. Of course I won't do anything, but this is a line I can't cross. Sleeping under the same roof as a single woman... a straight-laced man like me can't do it!!!

With that thought, I said,

"Then I'll sleep in the forge. It's close to here, and if I light a fire, I can get through one night of cold. Tina-san, please use the bed in this house. This was originally my master's house, and the bed was his, but when I inherited it, I changed the sheets to new ones, so please don't hesitate to use it. Well then, good night."

I said it all in a rush and quickly left the house.

The blizzard was raging outside. I started running before I froze to death, and at that moment, I thought, 'Why did you have to come at a time like this!!'

Screaming this in my mind, I headed for the forge.

Meanwhile, Tina.

She stood there all alone, thinking about something. 'He's such a serious and honest person. He really is my fated one,' she thought, blushing.

However, while she was half-glad they hadn't slept together, she also felt a little disappointed. Why did she feel that way?

That morning, a flashback in time.

As she was preparing for her meal at his house and calming her nerves, Leona appeared.

"Welcome back, Tina. By the looks of it, you failed?"

To those words, Tina replied,

"Wh-what?! How do you know about that!?"

To her astonished words, Leona said,

"I can tell just by looking at your face. We've played and hunted together since we were children. So I can just tell. At least whether you succeeded or failed."

One might want to ask what kind of childhood they had, but there was no one here to ask.

Returning to the story, after hearing the details of the failure from Tina, Leona thought and said,

"I see. He has the spirit of a knight, even more so than I thought. But at this rate, there will never be any progress. In that case, how about we invite him to join our party?"

To that proposal, Tina replied,

"That's impossible. He's already paired up with Bardos. Poaching party members is strictly forbidden, and even for us A-rankers, it's not something we can do easily."

Tina gave a model answer with a serious face.

She's so precise when it comes to serious matters like this, so why does she get so flustered in front of her fated one? Leona thought as she said,

"Then let's have Bardos join too. That way, it's not poaching, but rather incorporating their entire party. Even with two new members, our party's movements won't be hindered; in fact, we might be able to cover a wider area. What do you think of this proposal?"

Leona asked Tina.

Tina thought for a moment. It was true that this wouldn't violate the rules, and both of them were B-rank in skill. No one would complain if they joined. And just thinking about being able to be with him all the time made her heart pound uncontrollably.

With that in mind, Tina said,

"I understand, Leona. I accept that proposal. Let's consult with Milfy and Rumily right away. They wouldn't want to be left out, after all."

Tina said with a beaming smile.

Leona was confident that those two would not refuse. Tina's happiness was the wish of all the members. And when they told the two about the proposal, they readily agreed.

And now, the present.

As a result, it was a spectacular failure.

To think he would venture out into this blizzard... it was amazing, or rather, something else. As she thought about it, was she disappointed by the failure, or was she relieved that she didn't have to resort to forceful measures when they hadn't even become close friends?

In any case, with these complex emotions, she decided to go to bed.