I Have Become The Snow Maiden I Created

Translator: Marctempest

Editor/Proofreader: TempWane

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Chapter 41: Human or Monster

The journey on the Chevran Line express carriage from Glenborough, a small town, back to the Ice Mountain Range was uneventful.

The problem arose when we arrived at the mountain range.

An armed force was occupying the entrance.

When they introduced themselves as the Imperial Guard, I was quite surprised.

But I wasn’t as surprised as I would soon be.

“······.”

The Crown Prince was collapsed right in front of me.

I had no idea what was going on, and as I rushed over in confusion, this was the sight that greeted me.

It was a development I had neither seen nor heard of before.

Hadn’t he grown up and been living well?

Why on earth was the Crown Prince, who should have been resting peacefully in his palace, here in the Demonic Realm?

“Stupid weed.”

I couldn’t hold back my instinctive scorn.

Artan was wearing some intricate armor, seemingly prepared, but it clearly hadn’t been enough.

Or was it his own skills that were the problem?

Could he have ignored my advice and just idled around?

As if he had sensed my suspicions, Artan stammered out some words.

“Quill…ière…”

It wasn’t so much speech as it was a mumble.

His frostbitten face had no vitality, but his eyes staring up at me were alive.

Thankfully, it seemed communication was still possible.

Suppressing the rising wave of nausea, I muttered coldly.

“Why are you here?”

It was a question laced with genuine curiosity.

As far as I knew, he had no reason to come to the Snowfield.

Artan’s lips trembled slightly before he managed to answer.

“I… came to meet you.”

“Me? Why?”

“That is….”

The claim that I was the reason surprised me, but I quickly understood.

I had once mentioned heading east.

The question was why.

However, Artan trailed off, hesitating as if reluctant to continue.

My eyebrows twitched in annoyance.

“Speak.”

“······.”

“Speak!”

Artan opened and closed his mouth a few times before clamping his lips shut again.

The frustration gave way to resignation that filled me.

“How pathetic.”

What could he possibly be hesitating about when he was at death’s door?

I continued, my tone cold as I gazed at his trembling form.

“I explained the two paths for a greenhouse flower to you before, didn’t I?”

“…I remember.”

“Remember? You ignored my advice, recklessly ran out of the greenhouse, and now you’re here, standing at death’s door, and you still….”

I stopped mid-sentence, startled.

Death’s door?

I looked at him again.

He was undeniably on the brink of death.

But even now, he couldn’t clearly state his motivation.

How could that make sense?

The anger subsided, replaced by suspicion.

He said he came to meet me.

Could the reason he couldn’t state his purpose have something to do with me?

He had risked his life to come here, yet he couldn’t say the reason in front of me—could it be?

I awkwardly asked him.

“What am I to you?”

Perhaps because I had phrased it abstractly to make it easier to answer, Artan suddenly lifted his head.

From his lips, absurd words spilled forth.

“You are my flame, my hope… my salvation from childhood….”

“What—”

I opened my mouth, then shut it again.

The muscles in my face twitched slightly, and confusion and wild speculations swirled in my head.

What on earth was he saying?

Why would I be his flame?

I’m the Snow Maiden.

“······.”

I tried to escape from reality, but it didn’t work.

No matter how I looked at it, it was exactly what it sounded like.

But how on earth had it come to this?

My connection with him had only ever been brief.

All I had done was to ensure he owed me a debt when he was younger.

“···Is it because of me?”

Was it because I was Quellière?

Was it this face?

Whatever the reason, I couldn’t leave things as they were.

When I glanced at Artan, his gaze was intense.

Thinking about how we were in the Snowfield made me feel terribly gloomy.

“I’m not.”

“Pardon?”

“You mean nothing to me.”

I crushed his feelings as coldly as I could.

I had no need for a man’s love.

If anything, if he had been mediocre, he wouldn’t have climbed the Demonic Realm alone.

Whether he understood my resolute mindset or not, Artan bit his lip.

“I see… I expected this.”

His gaze, which had dropped to the ground, suddenly lifted as if he had recalled something.

“Then why did you save me ten years ago?”

“Ten years…?”

The carriage had been destroyed, and he had fallen off a cliff.

It was a disgrace for the young prince, and though he would have been rescued soon enough, I had known his potential and intervened for my own selfish reasons.

I couldn’t explain that, so I answered simply.

“I thought you’d die if I didn’t.”

“Just…?”

“You were suffering at the bottom of the cliff. I pitied you.”

I looked down at him with icy eyes.

I made it clear there had been no personal feelings or fondness involved.

Surely, he would understand now, or so I thought. Yet Artan, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“…Huh?”

“You saved me from assassins.”

His eyes were unwavering.

Startled by his unexpected words, I flinched.

“Ah.”

“I don’t know their identities, but considering they were after you, they couldn’t have been ordinary people. Yet, you pursued them to save me.”

I felt a wave of discomfort.

He had hit a blind spot.

Looking back, it did seem like a misunderstanding, but at the time, I too had believed they were assassins.

I just thought Artan would die if I left him.

A major figure of the continent’s main story dying was no small matter.

So, I had taken a certain level of risk to help him—but how could I explain this?

After pondering for a moment, I shook my head.

In situations like this, shamelessness was the answer.

“You needed to survive.”

“Excuse me? That means…?”

“I had expectations for you.”

Artan’s eyes widened in shock.

But whatever hope he had was shattered by my next words.

“But I was disappointed. You’re just another useless weed.”

“Ah….”

As if reminded of his pitiful state, he looked around.

Himself, a prince who had left the greenhouse on a whim, now lying wretchedly.

His head drooped in despair.

I inwardly smirked. Good, let’s leave it at that.

Just as I was about to continue speaking, he declared in a serious voice.

“I will do better.”

His low voice was filled with desperation, perhaps even anguish.

“I will work harder than ever. So that I can stand as Artan Fricas, worthy to face you—”

“Don’t bother.”

I cut through his resolve with sharp finality.

At that moment, a biting gust of wind blew, scattering my hair in all directions.

I felt a certain clarity and spoke each word clearly.

“Don’t try to face me. I don’t have time to waste on you.”

“…What?”

Just dealing with the affairs of the Holy Kingdom gave me enough of a headache, but now you’ve made it even worse.

If the protagonist strays too far from the political stage or dies, things will become harder for me.

I stared straight into the Crown Prince’s resolute eyes.

“By saying I don’t have time….”

Without answering his question, I grabbed his arm.

Artan flinched in surprise.

“…!”

“Go back. You have no business here.”

Then I moved his arm over my shoulder and supported him.

I could hear his shallow breaths nearby.

I didn’t like being this close to a man either, so I immediately activated my magic.

Fwoosh—

Without a sound or trace, our feet lifted off the ground.

“My body…!?”

Artan exclaimed in shock as his body also floated alongside mine.

Snow Walk.

This skill, which means “walking through snow,” was faster than shapeshifting and made it easy to carry others.

However, it could only be used in suitable conditions, so moments like this were ideal.

“Hold on tight.”

After shouting boldly, I drew on my magic to cross the mountain range.

Although I didn’t have to move my legs, the skill required precise control.

“Uh, uh…!”

The Crown Prince, surprisingly clumsy, had a heartbeat loud enough for me to hear clearly.

He probably wouldn’t hear anything from me.

Screeeeeech!

The mountains, true to their status as part of a demonic realm, were teeming with monsters.

However, even for them, the sky was a challenging adversary.

I deftly avoided the monsters as I traversed the mountain ridges.

“…….”

During the journey, I remained silent, and he stayed quiet, cautiously observing me.

Only the sound of wind cutting through the air accompanied us.

Before long, we arrived at the edge of the mountain range, where upright figures came into view.

The Imperial Guards.

As they glared in our direction, I tossed Artan toward them.

“Take care.”

“Your Highness!”

The startled guards caught him, and the Crown Prince hastily turned to look back at me.

But I spoke first, cutting him off.

“Fortify yourself.”

“…Fortify?”

“I mean, take care of your surroundings. Instead of wasting time like this.”

“What exactly do you… Ah, wait! Please wait a moment!”

Artan clung to me persistently.

I sighed, lamenting how things had turned out, and turned my back on him.

“I came all this way to meet you—”

As I sped away, his voice quickly faded into the distance.

Finally, some peace.

Returning the way I came was easy.

Before I knew it, I had reached the snowy field where Artan had collapsed earlier.

His traces were already buried under layers of snow.

Thud, thud— The ground trembled.

Looking toward the source of the sound, I saw a Frost Giant approaching.

─────!

It was obvious he was glad to see me.

Even if others couldn’t tell, I, his creator, could recognize it.

I looked up at the still towering figure.

“Sasquatch.”

I noticed his slight flinch.

That alone was reassuring.

Buoyed by the confidence I gained from creating the Yeti, I had spent years challenging myself to summon a higher-ranking spirit.

It had been an arduous journey, but I finally succeeded.

He was my strongest ally and my absolute supporter.

Frike climbed down from Sasquatch’s shoulder.

—Quelli! Quelli! I saw something amazing.

The playful spirit wobbled cheerfully.

His lively voice echoed in my mind.

—A human! A human! The animal you told me about, Quelli!

“A human…?”

I immediately had a hunch about who it was.

Listening to his continued story only confirmed it further.

I let out a sigh.

“Why didn’t you help him?”

—Huh? Help him?

Frike tilted his head innocently.

Well, spirits weren’t the same as humans.

It wasn’t his fault; it was simply that human common sense didn’t apply to him.

My Frikes, who had all grown up in the Snow Castle, likely didn’t even know what death was.

“Next time, at least absorb some of the cold around him.”

—Huh? Oh! Okay!

He was always quick to answer.

I shook my head and was about to head back to the castle when I saw a silver-haired beauty.

Of course, she wasn’t human.

“Mishra.”

It felt odd to simply pass by, so I spoke to her.

Had she been nearby all this time?

Mishra flinched and stiffened her shoulders.

“Why… why are you here?”

“What are you doing here?”

“Just… nothing.”

She trailed off vaguely.

Was she out for a stroll?

I tilted my head slightly, and Mishra cautiously asked.

“Have you returned now?”

“No. Just stopping by for a moment.”

I needed to grab a costume and leave immediately.

There was still plenty left to do in the Holy Kingdom.

“I see…”

“Yes.”

After a brief nod to the downcast Mishra, I resumed walking.

The snowstorm swirled around me as if welcoming my presence, and Sasquatch followed, shaking the ground with each step.

*

In the distance, the Snow Castle came into view.

Feather-light snowflakes drifted down like the plumage of a celestial horse, sliding along Mishra’s silver hair.

Brushing off the bothersome snow, Mishra gazed at the pale gray mountains and thought.

“…A human man.”

She didn’t know who he was.

But judging by his aura, he was no ordinary creation.

Recalling their conversation, she muttered.

“Does he yearn for her…?”

It wasn’t just his words; his every action radiated the energy of a man captivated by her.

Thinking about it made her feel a twinge of irritation.

“How dare a mere human…”

“No, even if he weren’t human…”

She was a being too exalted for anything that roamed the earth.

Despite her furrowed brows, Mishra realized she felt a faint hint of delight.

Knowing that someone else admired her as much as she did.

For a man to risk his life and reach the snowy fields, his feelings couldn’t have been ordinary.

“…Well, for a mere creation to even graze her presence, that much is only natural.”

Suddenly, she remembered an event from the past.

The Trial of Winter, held before her departure.

Four human heroes had made it to this place.

They had failed to sway their master’s heart.

Her master, as cold and impartial as winter—no, she had once been merciful, but in that instance, she was unyielding.

“Even I couldn’t persuade her.”

As a mere subordinate, she had no power to melt her master’s heart.

Could that human man succeed?

Mishra sighed deeply and shook her head.

“Of course not.”

Though his desire for her seemed strong, her disapproval was clear.

If he came again, it would be to his detriment.

Surely he wouldn’t return after enduring the hellish cold of this land.

He seemed to have some standing, so he’d likely live well in the warm continents.

“Continents…”

That thought reminded her of a certain presence.

The Black Calamity.

Since her master left for the continents, it hadn’t appeared.

Before then, it had often lurked within her domain.

A strange sense of unease pricked at her spine.

“…It’ll be fine.”

After all, there had been no word from her master.

Casting a glance toward the mountains, Mishra turned and headed back to the castle.

She was still in her human form.

*

-Quelliiiaaahh!

-Waaahhh!

It felt almost like the atmosphere of a kindergarten talent show.

As soon as I arrived at the castle, I was immediately surrounded by numerous Frikes.

-Quelli! You’ve returned?!

“Move.”

-It’s Quelli! Not a Yeti, Sasquatch, or some fake—it’s really Quelli!

“Step aside.”

-Quelli! Quelli! Quelli!

Their voices didn’t just ring in my ears but resonated in my brain, leaving me feeling dizzy.

Should I just release a few of them into the wild?

I shot them a cold glare.

“Move. Don’t block the way.”

Although it hadn’t been that long, I had to fend off the clingy Frikes and ascend the stairs.

Perhaps because my body was light, my footsteps echoed softly.

Taking a brief glance around the snow-white inner walls, I soon reached my destination.

The dressing room.

It was still a breathtakingly refined space.

All my grand time and effort had accumulated here.

“…Alright.”

Let’s look for it.

I rolled up my sleeves and braced myself, then began rummaging through every corner.

…There were certainly a lot of costumes.

So many that I didn’t know where everything was, which took quite some time.

But eventually, I succeeded.

I gazed intently at the outfit in my hand.

A deep Red hue, exuding an air of antique elegance.

The exclusive costume of the progenitor.

“…The Vampire Suit.”

Some costumes came with additional abilities.

They were categorized into those requiring specific conditions and those that didn’t.

This one belonged to the former.

The wearing condition was being the progenitor itself.

With this, Nell’s chronic affliction, the Curse of Blood, could be resolved.

Though it had the drawback of needing to be worn consistently, she’d understand that much.

“Ah.”

Just as I was about to take it out, a thought struck me, and I paused.

Returning to the piled-up clothes, I rummaged through them again and pulled out another item.

A primarily white outfit with an overall cute design.

The Snow Rabbit Coat.

“Just in case.”

I decided to take it too.

It was useless to me, but others might find it helpful.

After packing the coat, I opened the door to the dressing room.

Now, all I had to do was head to Glenborough, board the carriage, and return to Disdel… but the road ahead seemed bleak.

Once again, I’d have to overcome the barrier known as the Frikes.

“It can’t be helped….”

I let out a deep sigh and began to move.

*

Main city, Disdel.

Known for its virtue and integrity, an unusual gloom hung over its entrance.

Passersby whispered among themselves as the steady clatter of hoofbeats echoed dully.

The source of the heavy, solid noise was a jet-black warhorse.

Twice the size of an average horse, the massive black steed carried two riders.

“Uncle, Urbos seems tense.”

It was the voice of a young girl seated at the rear.

She patted Urbos’ sleek black coat, feeling the warmth beneath her hand.

The famous horse’s body trembled slightly, unlike its usual composed state.

“Faile.”

A chilling voice came from the front.

The girl, Faile, was startled.

She hadn’t expected a response.

“…It’s excitement.”

The man corrected himself and fell silent again.

Blinking, the girl broke the quiet.

“Excited?”

She frowned, but soon decided it made sense.

The unnaturally robust black horse had a disposition that mirrored its master’s.

The stronger the opponent, the more welcome it might feel.

It was a world of men she couldn’t comprehend.

Faile let out a soft hum and changed the subject.

“We’re almost there now. …Will it be alright?”

Worry tinged the girl’s tone.

She gazed absentmindedly at the back in front of her.

…Rather than a back, it felt more like iron.

Enclosed in black armor and a matching helmet, nothing of the man’s form was visible.

Perhaps because the armor concealed even his strength, the girl couldn’t help but voice her concern.

She knew this man wouldn’t lose.

She was almost certain of it.

But her worries were about something else entirely.

“Faile.”

“Yes.”

The eerie voice came again.

The girl’s eyes widened at his next words.

“You have a bias.”

“…!”

Faile, who prided herself on being a “girl without bias,” shrieked as if in protest.

“What did you say?! I don’t have biases!”

She swung her head back and forth in defiance.

The man’s deep voice continued calmly.

“If you’ve witnessed the same phenomenon countless times, don’t doubt it.”

“….”

It was true.

The man had never once been defeated in her presence.

No, not since she could remember.

Faile had a rough understanding of this.

But it still bothered her.

More than anything, not worrying at all seemed cold and indifferent.

So she stood firm and said,

“No! I will doubt! I’m a girl without biases, so make it so I can’t doubt you!”

“…I see.”

The man fell silent again.

He thought the girl had grown bolder over time.

She was vastly different from when they first met.

“….”

He tried to continue his thoughts, but they soon blurred like spreading ink.

The void was filled with a burning desire for battle.

“…The Red Calamity.”

What kind of opponent would it be?

He hoped this time he could truly enjoy himself.

It seemed a particularly intriguing monster had appeared recently.

He was late to the scene, having dealt with the great demon beast of Chelmburd.

That creature had failed to stir him in any way.

Hiiing─!

As they neared their destination, Urbos neighed sharply.

The man clad in black also felt a rising thrill.

“If it’s a monster, I’ll slay it….”

The man, known as the Sword Demon, was feared across the land.

…He was a monster hunter seeking the Red Calamity.