The Journey After the Comfort

Chapter 108 - The Journey After the Comfort

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At the time of her waking-up, Seia left the bed as quick as she can as soon as she started to remember what happened last night. With visible tears at the corner of her eyes, Seia dashed out of the room with her face albeit paled in white, was also red in the process. I already knew it was just of her impulse but man, even I would get embarrassed if I suddenly blurted out such bold invitation like that. Anyhow, I hope she get over it sooner.

Seia and I slept late so we're the last one to head downstairs to start our morning. I waited until a few minutes before I followed suit to give Seia some time to have some girl conversations with the rest if there's any. Once over, I went to wash my face then went downstairs after.

"..."

Hm, the atmosphere was quite tense, and felt like I was being watched about. We we're all having our breakfast but for some reason, everyone was utterly quiet. Well obviously, they already knew I slept with Seia last night. I have no reason to hide it, though. After all, we just slept together, like literally. That's why everyone, can you please stop looking at me as if I did something underhanded?

* * *

We immediately left the hotel after a bit of preparation. The penthouse sure was cozy. It makes you want to stay there a bit, if not, longer, but so, does the excitement of the adventure. For starters, we made our way into the frigid place encompassing with mountains of Ice—a place located at the northernmost part of the planet—the [Artic].

Eh? Wasn't I already at the northern part of the planet? Nearly. Wintervale City was located at north but not the northernmost, I'd say it's on the edge, at the boundary of the Artic Circle? Nonetheless, our main destination lies at the innermost which is far from here, too far and too dangerous. It would take us at least 10 hours at full speed just to get there. Not to mention we'll be exhausted in the fullness of time. With that in mind, we...

"S-So cute!!"

The girls (with the exception of Akari) screamed in unison as they all pat the dog that's slightly taller than them. This dog—the Snow Malamute with a similar breed of the Alaskan Malamute in my old-world boast their size as large as a van that can accommodate 4-people in their back while sprinting a speed slightly faster than a regular car. Moreover, their fur was unbelievably thick. It's no exaggeration to say that you'll sink if you lay yourself on their body. I get the adoration of the girls in this giant fluff. Even I was getting tempted to pet them.

"He's so big— Uwah?! He—?! Wahahaha!" Lily who was at the front of the girl scrunched-up her face as she was licked whole in the face. Hm, delicious.

"Master! Master! Can we adopt them, please?" Luna who was in a state of hysteria came to me in a rush, sporting a desperate look on her face. "Please? I—no, we, will take care of them carefully!"

Upon her insisting request, the girls who heard Luna turned into me straightly into my eyes. Even Astra who was quite nonchalant about this was looking at me in anticipation. Of course. The art of persuasion.  Ugh! The pressure...

"Hm..." I paused briefly before heaving a sigh. "We won't be able to go home with us walking our way back to the city so a Mount will be necessary. Once we're done, let's go find our own Snow Malamute if you're still interested by then."

"Yay!" Hearing my approval, the girls simultaneously shouted in delight. Akari just gave me a warm smile while Astra on the other hand just grinned in response.

"You're incredibly popular aren't you, young man." While I watched the girls celebrate in delight, the owner of the Stable—a gentle old man came with me in a joking manner. "Most guys I see always asserts themselves dominantly from the girls which oftentimes leaves an unpleasant impression, but you seem really different."

"Ahaha... Thank you for the compliment." I gave the old man a faint bow with a bitter smile. I always heard that statement from everyone, but never once get to experience to witness one. But seriously, do they think they look cool when they do that? "So, about the Mount. We would like to rent 3 of them."

With that in mind, all of us left the city, riding the Snow Malamute in a hasty manner. 

* * *

"Oh yeaaah!! Let's gooo!!"

With the strong heads of frigid wind gushing through our front, a shout of delight can be heard towards Astra who was having the moment of her time riding a giant ball of fur rushing towards a hasty direction. Although, the same could be said to the rest of us. 

All of us who were separated by 3 Snow Malamutes we're currently running at the speed of 75mph anchored about. The first pair we're Astra and Lily. The second was Luna and Seia. Last was Lemuen, Me, and Akari who was sitting in front of me. Anyhow, the cold wind was blowing us whole. Good thing I already anticipated this and had all of us drink a [Potion] that gives us immunity to cold.

"It's so fast! I feel like I'm going to fall over...!" Luna who was the rider anxiously said so.

"It's just a matter of balance and rhythm. It'll take us a very long hours before we get there so get used to it in the meantime." I replied.

"Y-Yes...!" Luna firmly answered. I hope she get used to it, though. Even I took quite a while before I get used to it before. It's just a matter of learning the fundamentals of back riding.

The rest could be the same about being a total beginner in back riding, though. I don't know about Astra since she looks like enjoying this experience together with Lily, but I can't say the same about Lemuen. I mean, even now she still has both of her arms wrapped around my body. I'm not going to complain, though.

Ah, if were talking about the opposite...

My eyes fall downward towards the girl in front of me sporting a laidback look on her face whilst using my front to lean her back against it. Yes, we're talking about Akari.

"Hm? Aruji-sama?" Akari who noticed my gaze turned into me and said so.

"N-No, nothing. Just going to ask how you feel?"

"Hm, I don't know how to answer your question but I'm happy right now, Aruji-sama."

"Oh really... You really weren't the expressive type, huh."

"Yes." Akari nodded. "Although I could change it if you ordered me to."

"Hm, that's a bit troublesome..." Forcing others to change themselves kind of leaves a bad taste into my mouth, unfortunately. "I'm not into those things but how about you give me some examples?"

"Hm," Akari gave me a nod. Shortly, she suddenly scrunched-up and looks at me as if I was a trash bin. "Eugh, can you please stop looking at me? Just your presence here is making me shiver."

Woah?! That was a sudden turn of events! Although it hurts, the Gap-Moe1 made those pain felt like it was unlocking something inside me...

"How is it, Aruji-sama? I think I nailed it quite good, though." Akari replied, looking at me with a proud look on her face, albeit faintly.

"Ahaha... It's amazing, I guess?" I replied wearing a bitter smile. "Anyhow, I think I prefer your usual expression. Just do whatever you're comfortable with."

"Understood." Akari replied, then went back into leaning against me. That was out of nowhere. It felt like there was something more on her expression than I think but I won't stick my nose into it much longer. But before that, how's Lemuen going?

"......"

She still the same as before, tightly hugging me with her arms wrapped around my body. Well, she'll get used to it soon. For now, let's focus on our travel.

And thus, we rode our way into the center of the Artic Circle. After many hours and a few stops, we finally arrived at the place. So, with that in mind, we had to bid our farewell to the Snow Malamutes who greatly helped us to reach our way here.

"Take care on the way, okay? We'll really miss you guys..."

"Woof!"

Luna and the girls also bid their farewells, firmly hugging and petting the Malamutes who was about to go their way back to their owners. They're really good boys.

I also bid my farewell at the Malamute I was riding. For assurance, I each gave them a sandwich Luna made for our adventure. Of course, I also ask for her approval, and she agreed with a smile on her face. The fact that she was happy about it tells me that they got attached to them. Sadly, it's time to bid farewell for them.

"Bye-bye!" The girls waved their hands with a dejected look on their face as the Snow Malamutes had their figure getting small in the horizon.

"I hope they don't get attack by the monsters." I unnecessarily remarked as I also waved my hands into them.

"Huh?!" Upon hearing my disturbing remark, the girls (with the exception of Luna) responded at me in a worried manner. Even Astra were one of them.

"Master... you..."

"Sai..."

Suddenly, I was stared with such unpleasant feeling. And Astra, why are you looking at me as if I was a disappointment. Even the rest was...

"C-Calm down, guys. Don't underestimate those giants." I pointed-out as I shook my hands into them. "They're lot stronger than you guys think. If they're that weak, people wouldn't agree to let us ren them to transport us here, am I right?"

"Well, if you say so..." Lily timidly replied.

The unpleasant feeling I felt had finally ceased. It seems that I was able to convince them. I heaved a sigh and looked at the sun that's about set at the horizon. Our journey starts now, huh.

"For starters, let's go find a cave we can use to take a rest with." I remarked and began walking. The girls followed suit shortly after.

The Centermost place of the [Artic] was an unpleasant barren composed only of ice and mountains. There's only ice everywhere. It smells of danger, I tell you. Well, it's already a given coming here.

But all the more reason it's worth coming here since almost literally no one came here that many treasures untouched still lies here somewhere. I'm sorry but I'll be taking all the treasures whatever we find here.

"The sun's setting out. We need to hurry a bit since monsters will start to surround this place after."

I informed as we walk our way towards a floor of Ice. Then shortly after, I remember something that needs informing. The reason for that was—

—We're currently standing on an Ice. Not Snow.

"Also, everyone. Tread very care—"

"Awoooh!"

"Roar!"

As I was about to inform them of an important notice, a growl of a wolf cut my word short. Briefly, a pack of White Wolves suddenly came running towards us, coupled with Frozen Zombies emerging from the ground and a pack of Ice that's slowly forming into an Ice Golem. Damn, we're starting to get surrounded. Fortunately, they're still quite far away. We need to get outside of these Ice floor or else we'll—

"They're coming, Sai! I'll go take care of them while we slowly retreat!" Astra who responded first said so. Shit! She's—

"Stop it, Astra!" I shouted as loud as I could, hoping she would stop midway.

But it was futile.

The moment Astra dashed away. The force of her feet used to propel herself from the monster was so strong it shattered the Ice below her, cracking and continued to do so.

""—?!""

Suddenly, my vision saw everything rising and felt the feeling that I was falling. The floor below us collapse, putting all of us in an underground free fall. Goddammit!