I Have Become The Snow Maiden I Created

Translator: Marctempest

Editor/Proofreader: TempWane

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Chapter 29: The Birth of Calamity (3)

I was quite the veteran in this body.

Even if I couldn’t adapt to the changed geography on my way to Yulistia, I roughly remembered the path I had taken.

“…”

The return route wasn’t difficult.

Although it had changed significantly over a thousand years, the foundation remained similar. But when did it begin?

Someone started pursuing me as I ran forward without hesitation, fear driving my steps.

I realized I was being chased as I approached the Far East.

“Chase her!”

Red thorns and black masses flew toward me.

I deflected them with magic or dodged narrowly.

The attacks weren’t ordinary.

A shiver ran down my spine.

“…What the hell is this?”

Figures in black robes.

They appeared to be minions of the Dark Holy Society targeting me.

I couldn’t understand it.

Why were they trying to kill me?

What had I done recently? All I could recall was…

“Ah.”

I remembered when they called the Serpent God the “Servant of Calamity.”

Was it because I had defeated the Serpent God? As the realization dawned, irritation surged within me.

Even in death, it’s still causing trouble.

At that moment, the sound of something breaking the air rang out nearby, and a thorn grazed my arm.

Though it was only a minor injury, pain flared up.

“Ugh.”

A short groan escaped me.

It hurt. I had rarely been injured since coming to this world.

Through the tear in my clothes, I could see the wound.

Yet, there was no blood.

This was because no blood flowed in the body of the Snow Maiden.

It felt like a sculpting knife had scratched clay. The traitors who saw it raised their voices.

“Look at that! Not a single drop of blood flows!”

“As expected of the Apostle of God! Even her body is different from humans!”

Their voices carried astonishment and fear.

I was dumbfounded.

Why were they the ones reacting like that?

I was the one in a desperate situation, wanting to scream.

“Stand down, Apostle of God!”

“Hurry! We must eliminate her before she regains her strength!”

Their tone soon turned desperate.

It resembled the cries of humans before Goliath. Internally, I grumbled at their nonsensical statements.

“Why would I be an Apostle of God…?”

When did I become such a grand figure?

And even if I regained my strength, what could I do?

The catalyst’s energy was spent, and my remaining mana was minimal.

Even if I replenished it all, I couldn’t compare to an Apostle.

“Do not let her escape! Kill her for the sake of the Great Work!”

It was a fervent cry from someone who appeared to be their leader.

Though I was supposed to be desperate and fighting for my life, they seemed even more earnest.

Still, the fact remained that I was in danger.

Fwoosh—!

With a mix of complicated emotions, I invoked a transformation spell.

I downed the “Elixir of Mana Circulation” and discarded the bottle.

With my mana nearly exhausted, I had to maximize the distance between us.

“The Apostle is casting another divine spell! Chase her with all your might!”

Don’t treat me like some sealed demon…

Shouting at the top of their lungs, they continued their relentless pursuit.

*

Some time later.

By the time the sun had set, I had reached the Ice Mountains.

At last, I arrived in a place where environmental advantages came into play.

However, the situation only worsened.

No, it was the worst. I was surrounded.

Among the pursuers, now panting and exhausted, only one looked unaffected. He spoke.

“…Face the retribution of calamity, Apostle of God.”

“Retribution of calamity?”

Though his robe was also black, it bore a distinctive swirl pattern.

At my question, he responded.

“Indeed. The crime of slaying the servant of the Great One, who seeks to enlighten the world, is grave.”

As expected, they were insane zealots.

What was their reason for following calamity? How could they revere something so harmful?

The man spread his arms as he introduced himself.

“My name is Adein! One of the Seven Apostles who serve the Master of the Holy Society. Remember this, Apostle of God.”

“…!”

I was momentarily taken aback.

The Seven Apostles.

They were part of the traditional system of the Dark Holy Society.

I had no memory of the name Adein.

Naturally.

He must have been one of the Seven Apostles from a thousand years ago.

He wouldn’t be an ordinary skilled individual.

I grew tense from the core.

Adein stared directly at me as he asked.

“How rude. Are you merely going to listen? Speak! Who do you serve? Are you the Apostle of the hateful Lord?”

What a ridiculous assumption.

If I were such an incredible entity, I wouldn’t have been running for my life.

“An Apostle again…”

Even fighting at full strength would be difficult, and to make matters worse, my mana was nearly depleted.

I had already used all the elixirs I had brought with me.

Though I was in dire straits, I forced myself to stay calm and search for a way out.

I scanned my surroundings.

They were under a grand misunderstanding.

Because they didn’t know my current state, they looked tense.

I had to exploit that opening.

“I am no Apostle of God.”

The zealots stiffened momentarily.

Quickly, I pulled out a “Firekit” and charged at one of them.

It was the weakest part of their formation.

“Aahhh!”

The man flailed as flames caught his robe, and the others froze in shock.

They were startled by this unexpected weapon.

This was why I had saved it until now.

Through the disrupted formation, I broke free from their encirclement.

I spotted a slope. If I could reach the snowfields… no, even the middle of the Ice Mountains, they wouldn’t be able to pursue further.

As hope surged, a man blocked my path.

“I don’t know what you mean, but I’ll finish this here.”

Adein.

A black vortex spun in his hand, emitting a dangerous glow.

If it hit, it wouldn’t end well for me.

“…Ah.”

But my body was already at its limit, and it was too late to dodge.

As I closed my eyes, a roar erupted.

When the ground shook, I opened my eyes wide.

“Ugh!”

Adein was sent flying.

The absurd sight unfolded in slow motion, as if in disbelief.

I turned my gaze.

The culprit behind the scene was covered in white fur.

A mid-level Snow Spirit—Yeti.

The pure white snow beast stood tall, glaring at the crowd.

A mixture of laughter and a sense of relief welled up within me.

“…Well, well.”

On that day, which now felt like a distant memory, I had just left the mountain range and ordered the Yeti to return.

Yet it had disobeyed my command and stayed.

She must have been waiting endlessly.

In this demonic realm, she waited only for the day her master would return.

Forever, and ever.

*

I thought it wouldn’t be easy.

Rather, Adein valued Quellière’s prowess even more highly than his subordinates.

Just by observing her battle against the Serpent God, I couldn’t gauge her exact strength.

All I could do was hope she was near her full power.

If that wasn’t her full strength, there would be no way to deal with her.

But it had to be done.

She had killed one of my retainers.

There was no chance she’d join our side.

An opponent this powerful, who could hinder our future plans, had to be eliminated immediately.

Moreover, slaying someone of such strength would elevate my own rank.

The chase wasn’t easy.

The target avoided fights for some reason, employing strange techniques like transforming her body into mist and clouds, and she glared at us coldly as if we were insignificant.

It ignited a stubborn resolve within me.

When I finally reached the ice mountain range, I felt a sense of accomplishment.

The extreme cold gnawed at my flesh, but there was nowhere left for her to run.

Yet, because she seemed to be an apostle of a god, I couldn’t let my guard down.

Even with her surrounded, I guessed she would escape at least once.

So, I stayed vigilant and prepared to respond immediately.

As soon as she broke through the encirclement, I blocked her path and unleashed my arts.

It was a golden opportunity.

The target couldn’t react in time.

If I pierced her chest, I could end her life instantly.

Yet, even in that moment, her expression remained chillingly calm.

How could someone remain so composed with death looming before them?

As unease welled up within me, that’s when it appeared.

“Urk!”

ROARRR!

A monstrous creature covered in white fur.

It hurled me away and moved with ferocious energy.

It rampaged across the ice mountain range as if it were its own home, charging and rushing in relentless assaults.

It was as if it had been battling endlessly for days on end.

“Guh… Argh!”

The screams of my subordinates echoed in the air.

Those struck and trampled had their arms twisted and knees shattered.

The creature appeared utterly enraged, and that assumption was correct.

The Yeti had been confined here, waging constant battles against the mountain’s monsters.

Already in a frenzied state, it lost all reason upon seeing black-robed attackers targeting its master.

“What the hell is that thing…?”

A deep chill enveloped my entire body.

Could this be one of the infamous great monsters of this treacherous realm?

My subordinates cast magic in resistance, but it was futile.

As terror began to cloud my mind, I desperately forced myself to think.

Could I defeat it with my arts?

“There’s a possibility. There’s a chance. But…”

I stiffly turned my head to glance at the woman.

At that moment, the last of my subordinates fell, struck down by the creature’s mighty blow.

Her cold gaze shifted as if she were observing her only remaining enemy.

What was reflected in those eyes was nothing but an icy calm.

“This is impossible…”

Her expression hadn’t changed in the slightest.

As if no matter the variables, nothing could frighten her.

Those who sought her life were naturally guided into this demonic realm.

Into the same place where she had planted her loyal servant.

Even if by some miracle the monster was defeated, there was no way to triumph over her.

Only now did her previous words make sense.

“I am no apostle of any god.”

That statement, uttered with contempt and icy disdain, wasn’t a simple denial, was it?

The roles had reversed.

Now I was the one running away.

The harsh cold gnawed at my stamina.

Before I became unable to move, I turned back and ran.

“Damn it, damn it…”

As he hastily fled, the screams of his subordinates rang in his ears.

He had to survive.

He had to live and report the existence of that monster to the Sacred Society.

The birth of a formidable adversary who might become a great obstacle.

At the boundary between the mountain range and the continent.

Relieved by the sight of greenery underfoot, Adein turned his gaze back unwittingly and locked eyes with her.

Her icy, indifferent gaze stared down at him as she stood with the monster at her side.

His legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, only to frantically rise and flee once more.

*

“Hmph.”

What a spectacle.

Was his claim of being a knight of the Holy Society just a bluff?

I exhaled and surveyed the surroundings.

“…”

The sight was grim.

The black-robed attackers were in terrible shape, having lost their ability to fight.

The battle was over.

I was still alive.

“You did well.”

I quietly expressed my gratitude while stroking the Yeti.

The phrase “thank you” had morphed into a slightly arrogant acknowledgment, but that was nothing new.

The attackers were unconscious or gravely injured, but none of them were dead.

The Yeti must have understood that I didn’t want them killed.

I had never killed a person before, nor did I want to.

“…But, that’s not how things should be.”

This world was harsh.

There was no longer any social safety net to protect me.

Not to mention, the immense variable of advancing the scenario had already been set in motion.

I had to grow stronger.

Both outwardly and inwardly.

These people were from the Dark Holy Society.

They were irredeemable villains.

On top of that, they had tried to kill me first, so sparing them had no value.

“Of course, there’s no need for my hands to get dirty.”

This was the ice mountain range.

A habitat for the most fearsome monsters.

There was no need for me to stain my hands.

After casting a cold gaze at their crumpled forms, I ascended the mountain.

─────!

On the way, we encountered quite a few monsters, but each time, the roaring Yeti rampaged.

The presence of a powerful ally.

It felt incredibly reassuring.

How much time had passed?

Suddenly, my field of vision cleared.

Beyond the blue-gray mountain range lay an entirely white expanse of snowfield.

A vast plain of snow with no visible end.

“Here we are.”

I muttered without much realization.

It had been so long since I last saw such a landscape.

Was this what they called a sense of historical distance?

The Yeti growled as if sharing my sentiment.

I gave it a light pat and was about to step forward when—

─────!

From a distance, a loud noise accompanied by the sound of wings flapping echoed.

A strange sense of déjà vu hit me, and as I suspected, it was Mishra—the White Silver Dragon King, Pankaj Mishra, the guardian of the snowfield.

She flew toward me at a ferocious speed and landed, polymorphing mid-air.

Her rugged landing left me speechless.

“Uh, uh, welcome… Welcome back! Long time no see!”

Mishra hesitantly greeted me.

Unlike her tough initial demeanor, she seemed bashful.

Well, maybe that wasn’t the case.

“It’s been a while.”

Ignoring a greeting would be rude.

Since she was a dragon—a Lord at that—it was only right to acknowledge her emotions, even if my tone was cold despite my intention.

“Is your business on the continent… over now?”

“For now.”

I hadn’t mentioned much, but she must’ve known I had left.

It wasn’t so much business as it was for observing the world’s flow and enjoying myself, but there was no need for detailed explanations.

“Then… oh.”

Her words were cut off by the roaring snowstorm.

Thud, thud, thud—a sound of something running came closer.

Turning my head, I saw silver wolves.

The wolves charged ferociously as if they’d found prey.

-Quelli!

The wolves, crashing through the snowdrifts, instantly transformed into fluttering snowflakes.

They were low-level snow spirits—Frikes.

They seemed to have come to greet me.

-Quelli! It’s really Quelli!

-At last, patience has triumphed!

-The hot one did it!

Mishra gave a bitter smile.

It seemed the spirits had followed her here.

The spirits were practically in a festive mood.

All this fuss just because I’d arrived.

“I told you to guard the castle.”

Feeling embarrassed, I spoke curtly.

But, as always, they took my words seriously.

-Oh no!

-Big trouble! The castle is empty!

-The hot one will try to take it!

Watching the Frikes fluster about, Mishra muttered.

“…I am here, though.”

Her lips pouted slightly.

I couldn’t help but chuckle in disbelief.

“Ha…”

This wasn’t some kind of family reunion.

Who would’ve thought the day would come when I’d be glad to see these troublemakers again?

I had fled, terrified of their antics, but perhaps my home was the most comfortable place after all.

All my fears and concerns melted away in an instant.

Surrounded by beings who adored me, I felt at ease.

While glaring at the Frikes, Mishra cautiously asked me.

“Then, will you be staying here for a while?”

“For the time being.”

Upon hearing my answer, she looked inexplicably pleased.

This wasn’t quite how it felt in the setting guide.

Maybe, having spent an incomprehensible amount of time alone, she, too, longed for warmth.

-Let’s go to the castle, Quelli!

The Frikes tugged at my hand, pulling me toward the center of the snowfield.

It was where the snow-covered castle stood.

“…Sure.”

Well, what could possibly happen?

At the very least, it would be safe here.

As long as I stayed out of the mainland until things settled, it should be fine.

For now, I’d stay here.

The fine snowflakes gently landed on my hair as if blessing me.

*

A research institute in Roblock.

The personal laboratory in its deepest part was enveloped in silence.

In that quiet room, an elderly gentleman was absorbed in his research.

“Hmm…”

The middle-aged scholar scrutinized an ancient text through his monocle.

He analyzed and dissected the peculiar letters.

The study of ancient languages was still an exceptionally obscure field, one that even renowned scholars dared not approach.

“So, the God of Autumn was once called Hypnos in ancient times… Hm, hm.”

And yet, the scholar ventured just past that boundary.

He delighted in exploring a field that would overheat the minds of even those deemed geniuses.

“A god’s name is bound to change depending on the era and tradition… Record this.”

Scribbling with a glint in his eye, he carefully documented everything, leaving out no details, however trivial.

He was utterly devoted to theology.

As he maintained his focus and prepared to turn the page, he heard footsteps approaching.

Thud, thud, thud! Bang, bang!

“Master! Master!”

Someone rushed toward him, shouting and banging on the door.

The unsettling noise disturbed the tranquility, causing the scholar to squint and close his book.

“Master! Maasteerr! Please open the door! Master!”

“……”

How obnoxiously noisy.

The gentleman rubbing his temple pulled a lever beside the desk.

Clatter-

“Oh my!”

“Why are you being so noisy?”

When the door opened, Petras fell flat on the floor.

Rubbing his nose briefly, he furrowed his brows as if recalling his purpose.

“Master! This is urgent… it’s a critical matter! Breaking news! A special report!”

“…Huh.”

Master Agnatz let out a sigh of bewilderment.

Why had his apprentice turned into such a fool?

Among his students, not one had ever struggled with their words.

To calm him down, Agnatz manipulated a nearby machine to pour some tea.

“You must have eaten something strange while traveling to the south. Drink this and clear your head.”

“A special report…! Oh, yes.”

This was one of Agnatz’s unique contraptions.

Though he was a theologian, he excelled in numerous fields, and magical engineering was one of them.

These devices could not be found anywhere else on the continent outside his laboratory.

Gulp, gulp.

Meanwhile, as Petras drank, he slowly organized his thoughts, piecing together his memories.

What surfaced in his mind was a single scene.

The day the Serpent God appeared, he had also been in the city.

This was because his dealings with the patriarch had not yet concluded.

Upon witnessing the grotesque Evil God, he thought they were doomed for sure.

He had regretted his decision.

He shouldn’t have come, blinded by ambition.

However…

“Master, please listen to me.”

“Very well, I’m all ears. What is it you ate that caused this mess?”

“I’m being serious.”

“So am I. What kind of ingredient could turn a sane man into an idiot in an instant…?”

“If you don’t hear me out, you’ll regret it.”

From the beginning, he had considered her a mysterious woman.

But she exceeded all expectations.

She defied reason as he knew it, and as a researcher, facing the inexplicable was driving him to the brink of madness.

If he couldn’t resolve this with his own abilities, he needed to borrow someone else’s mind.

Seeing the sincerity in Petras gaze, Agnatz stopped his joking.

“…Speak.”

Agnatz, the greatest scholar on the continent.

Until now, there had been nothing he couldn’t unravel—so long as it wasn’t the distant mysteries of ancient times.

“I may have witnessed a being beyond human comprehension…”

Petras recounted his story in detail.

What began as mundane soon became intriguing, then shocking, as the tale unfolded to its climax.

Though Agnatz had initially been skeptical, at some point, he became wholly engrossed.

As soon as his apprentice finished speaking, Agnatz rushed to his study and began flipping through old tomes.

These were texts related to the Serpent God or the Goddess of Winter.

*

Flowers bloom and wither.

The sun rises and falls.

The crimson-tinged autumn leaves soon shrivel away.

Spring’s lush greenery gives way to summer’s blazing heat.

Ripened autumn bows its head before winter’s white mantle.

The seasons changed countless times, dressing the land and its people anew.

…And so, ten years passed.