EIITAB - Chapter 76 < White Racoon >
Even if it is Trampled and Broken
"It's no different... Why don't you just go back to the castle?"
Today was the fourth day since they climbed the snowy mountain. The lieutenants carefully brought up the story that he had been unable to tell due to the pressure of Aslan's momentum that seemed to sweep the entire mountain.
However, Aslan's reaction was just sad.
"Already?"
Dean looked at him for a moment with a tired expression on his face and then responded dissatisfied.
"Not already. It's now the fourth day. Moreover, we climbed the snow mountain three days after arriving at Kalathi Castle. Why on earth do you have to sleep outside in this cold, leaving behind a perfectly fine house?"
Aslan sighed lightly. Homelessness was not something he had done once or twice. He couldn't quite understand why they were already making groaning noises even though they weren't dealing with a magical beast.
"I guess you guys are old too. It's okay to see him sounding like he's already dying."
At Aslan's scolding, Wharton, the eldest of the three generals, looked annoyed and cleared his throat. Dean pouted his lips, then took up the gun and expressed his opinion more freely.
"Yes! We are old too! And you've caught enough, right? Please go back now."
"...You can't even eat that much."
"Are you going to spoil the gifts you brought from the capital?"
Aslan closed his mouth in dissatisfaction. The prizes were mainly dried meat similar to beef jerky. What Aslan wanted was not something so ugly and skinny. He wanted to get meat that would fill her mouth with juicy meat when she chewed it.
Before Aslan left the castle, he heard from Angela that Hestia, who is short-tempered, likes to eat seafood. However, in Kalathi, which is an inland region and even has frozen rivers, finding fish or shellfish was as difficult as picking stars from the sky. As unfortunate as it was, he had the thought that he should at least let Hestia eat meat.
'Your body is too thin.'
It felt like a bone somewhere would break into pieces if he held or hugged her even a little bit. Walking and breathing with a body like that felt like a feat. He thought that if he left her like this, it wouldn't be strange at all if she broke and died soon.
The anxiety that grew like that made Aslan's heart impatient, and he reluctantly climbed the snowy mountain.
Of course, hunting wasn't the only goal. As he had told Wharton on the day he arrived here, he also wanted to check the movement routes and habitats of the demonic beasts one more time. So he climbed the snowy mountain with Dean, Martin, and Wharton.
If Aslan moves with a large number of knights, there is a great risk of irritating the still demonic beasts. Therefore, to increase mobility, it was decided to move in small numbers with only the four most skilled people.
Aslan added in a slightly lower voice but with slightly less force as if making an excuse.
"But we haven't yet been able to properly understand the movements of the wolf-type beasts."
Dean couldn't hold back any longer and frowned.
"Whoa, Your Excellency. Stop making excuses. Honestly, you're just hunting with your movements in the background!"
Dean raised his voice and pointed to the pack sled in the back. Wharton and Martin even quickly got out of the way in front of the sleigh, as if to hurry up and watch.
Sleds were made to move comfortably with luggage on mountains with a lot of snow. And on top of it were various animals that Aslan had hunted. A rabbit, a live pheasant, and a wild boar. There were also a few white raccoons, which are rare to see.
Raccoon meat is so fishy that it is almost impossible to eat. However, the leather was very valuable and useful. This is because the fur is dense and perfect for blocking winter winds. To avoid damaging the skin as much as possible, the arrow was shot exactly in the center of the forehead, killing it instantly, so there was minimal trauma.
Among the game, there was some caught on the first day. However, because the weather was so cold, there was no need to worry about it rotting.
Dean sniffled and began to persuade Aslan again.
"We also want to go back and rest for a while."
"...."
"And we have to leave some food for the demonic beasts. If we hunt with the determination to dry up the seed like this, don't you know very well that those who can't find food may attack the wall or find a way to go around and go down to a private house?"
"I was already thinking of going back."
Asian answered harshly in a voice that didn't seem like that at all.
However, since he didn't grab his weapon or turn his body, it seemed like he was going to hunt some more.
The three lieutenants noticed this and each sighed inwardly.
Rustle.
Just then, there was a small sound of someone stepping on a tree branch nearby.
"Shh."
Aslan placed his index finger at the corner of his mouth and held his breath. Then, before even seeing the target with his eyes, he guessed the direction and pulled the bowstring.
Swish!
They heard the sound of an arrow flying through the cold air and getting stuck somewhere.
Something fell down quite heavily, and then the head turned towards it. Before he could run away properly, his eyes caught sight of a large deer lying helplessly in the snow. A low exclamation simultaneously erupted from the Third Division Commander's mouth at the extremely clean shooting skills. But Aslan did not show the slightest hint of pride. He just silently walked to the place where his deer had fallen and confirmed that it had stopped breathing. He brushed the snow off his fur and carried the dead deer over his shoulder.
Aslan approached the three commanders again, put his deer down on the sled, and closed the lid of the quiver.
"Let's go back now."
Leaving only a few words, Aslan took the lead and began descending the snowy mountain, just as he had done before.
"Let's go quickly!"
"I pull the sled."
"Oh, let's go together!"
They belatedly began to hurriedly follow Aslan down.
***
Contrary to the commanders expectations that she would spend leisurely and boring days confined to her room, Hestia was busy in her own way every day.
This was because Madame Philippa and Dulcinea kept coming to her room.
As if there was a division of labor, Madame Philippa came in the morning with breakfast, and in the afternoon, Dulcinea came to have tea time. She never misses a day. Even if it was Lady Philippa, what Hestia couldn't understand was Dulcinea.
'Miss Dulcinea, you don't mind looking at me face to face?'
Hestia seemed to sigh involuntarily, so she had a hard time biting her lips several times.
The morning of the week after coming to Kalaty Castle. As soon as Hestia opened her eyes in bed, the thought of having to meet Dulcinea again today made her chest feel tight and she let out a long, heavy breath.
"Is there any way to refuse a visit...?"
She couldn't think of anything else to do other than to say straight away.
"Don't come here."
When Hestia, who had been lying down for a while and continuing her thoughts, managed to get up, there was a knock and the door opened.
"Good morning, Princess!"
It was her maid, Angela.
A smile quickly appeared on Hestia's face.
She doesn't like Angela worrying. And she'd rather be with her than alone anyway. In fact, she felt like the depression she had been feeling just a moment ago was starting to lift little by little.
"Hi, Angela. Good morning?"
"You know that I sleep well as long as I touch my head!"
Angela, who is always full of bright energy, smiled and answered cheerfully.
"I'll help you prepare to wash your face."
"Yes, thank you."
Angela went out with her sleeves rolled up and soon returned with a bowl of warm water that made her steam rise.
"If you're washing up, I'll make the bedding while you're at it."
Hestia did not give her answer, but simply watched Angela's actions as she poured the bottle of water she had brought into a small basin.
'Actually, she does chores that Angela doesn't have to do.'
She opened her mouth towards Angela, who was alternately pouring cold and hot water on her as if the temperature was not right.
"Angela."
"Yes, Princess."
"What about the North? Is it worth it?"
Angela then playfully pretended to shake her body.
"To be honest, no. Aside from everything else, it's so cold."
Is that all there is to it?
Just because she came with her, Angela's life here will not be smooth. She never leaves this room, so Angela has to bustle here and there in her stead. So, of course, she would have a lot more encounters with the users of this castle, and because of that, she would have to endure hardships at times.
Hestia lowered her eyebrows as if feeling sorry.
"Tell me anytime. If you want, I will send you to the capital."
"Oh, are you saying that again?"
Angela responded as if she had no idea what to say. This was possible because the two have been together since childhood and are very close friends. Angela put down the water bottle and looked back at Hestia with a slightly angry expression.
"What if I go? The Princess is left here alone."
"I'm fine."
Hestia swallowed her dry saliva, pursed her lips, and turned her gaze towards the window. She wished she had somewhere to focus her eyes.
When the fire was burning, the window was filled with fog, so much so that this large room felt muggy. Since she couldn't even see the scenery outside the window, Hestia turned her head again and added in a low voice.
"Anyway, I'm not even leaving this room... If anything happens, you can just ask Lady Philippa."
"I don't know you, Princess? They said they would just hold back for fear of bothering busy people for no reason."
Angela, who was watching Hestia pursed her lips, was unable to overcome her pitiful feelings relaxed her hold on her shoulders, and spoke playfully again.
"Princess, I will now speak for the last time. Listen carefully! This Angela is not going anywhere! Even if you try to throw me away, I'll stand still and I'll be this northern snowman. Did you know that ?"
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