Chapter 9: Siegfried Kaslana

"What should I do? Right, the doctor! We need to find a doctor, quick!"

"Zeke said—to just head straight—toward that mountain peak! It'll be fine! Hang in there, Zeke!"

Kiana covered Zeke with every available blanket she could find before climbing back up front to urge the donkey-cart onward, trying desperately to increase its speed.

Unfortunately, this donkey cart lacked such capabilities.

The more anxious Kiana grew, the slower she felt the donkey was moving. All she could see ahead of her was a vast expanse of white snow, with no sense of progress whatsoever.

To make matters worse, it began to snow again.

"Dammit! Dammit!"

Tears welled up in Kiana's eyes as frustration mounted, but there was nothing she could do to urge the cart faster.

She glanced back once more and distinctly sensed Zeke's weakening presence, as if...as if he could pass away at any moment.

"But just last night...you were so strong, Zeke! Hang on, please!"

Kiana turned forward, staring at the donkey plodding along obliviously, completely unperturbed by her growing desperation.

"Curses! I'll have to do this myself!"

Gritting her teeth, she grabbed a large flatbread from inside her coat, stuffed it into her mouth, then pulled out a pistol hidden beneath the seat cushion and aimed it at the cart's reins.

Bang! Bang!

Two gunshots later, and the stubborn donkey was freed from its harness. Startled by the noise and suddenly relieved of its heavy burden, it picked up speed—just slightly—and bolted off to the side.

Kiana paid no heed to the donkey's antics; she jumped down from the driver's seat, still biting into her flatbread as she grabbed hold of the cart handles with both hands.

"Come on... Move!"

In her frantic state, an inexplicable surge of strength coursed through Kiana's body. Despite its considerable weight, she managed to pull the donkey cart forward, gradually accelerating until they were swiftly racing across the snow.

That mountain over there... Just head toward that mountain...

What thick snow—it must be freezing out here for Zeke... Damn, flakes got in my eyes!

Taking a deep breath, Kiana gritted her teeth around the flatbread and sped up once more, white steam rising from her exertion.

Only one thought consumed her mind: Faster, faster.

Even Siegfried's disappearance hadn't caused such panic within Kiana.

Kiana knew Siegfried was strong and wouldn't come to harm; they would surely meet again as long as she kept searching for him.

But Zeke was different. He lay before her eyes, so weak and frail, on the brink of his last breath—as if he might stop breathing at any moment.

There were few people Kiana knew, even fewer who cared about her. One had gone missing: Siegfried. The only other one left was Zeke, whom she'd known for barely two days.

Now, this person who cared for her was dying right in front of her eyes.

It felt like someone had gouged a hole in Kiana's heart, the pain suffocating yet utterly helpless against it.

"Ahhh!"

With a defiant cry, the half-eaten flatbread fell from her hand onto the snowy ground. At the same time, within Kiana's beautiful blue eyes, a hint of gold quietly emerged.

Meanwhile, several kilometers away, Siegfried—who had never strayed too far from Kiana—sensed something amiss. His head snapped up towards Kiana's direction, and he charged through the swirling snowstorm.

Half a day later, at night, Kiana lifted her quilt and sat up.

She found it quite peculiar.

Her memories cut off abruptly as she was racing with the cart, struggling to discern direction amidst swirling snowflakes.

When she regained consciousness, she discovered herself covered by a blanket, lying on a neatly arranged straw mat and mattress. Looking around, it seemed like they were inside a medium-sized cave.

Kiana turned her head and spotted a warm bonfire nearby. At the entrance of the cave, there stood their well-stocked cart—minus the donkey.

Beside the fire, Zeke sat wrapped in a thick cotton quilt, holding a cup of hot water, his expression calm as he gazed at her.

"Huh? Zeke, you're okay now?!"

"More or less."

"Uh, where are we? How did we get here?"

"...Wasn't it your doing?" Zeke asked mildly.

In response, Kiana tilted her head, question marks seemingly floating above her bewildered face.

"It seems not. Makes sense, given your intelligence, I doubt you could manage things so efficiently."

"Hey!"

Kiana sprang up instantly, her cheeks puffing indignantly like an enraged pufferfish.

"Sorry, did I accidentally poke fun at you again?"

Then, with just one word, Zeke managed to pacify Kiana's fury: "Thanks."

"Huh? Huh?!"

Kiana was utterly astounded, akin to how an Ultraman fan would react upon witnessing their favorite hero passionately kissing a monster they'd been fiercely battling moments earlier.

Wow! Could it be that even this arrogant little brat, Zeke, knows gratitude?

Zeke turned his gaze towards the fire, hiding the slight upward curve of his lips from Kia.

"Although I was delirious due to the fever, while you were pulling the cart, I could still sense what was happening around us."

"Oh?"

"I actually wanted to tell you that you were heading off-course, but I didn't have the strength to speak. So, thank you for working so hard to save me."

"I see... Ha ha ha, no problem, absolutely no problem! As a loyal and righteous lady, there's no way I'd let you die before my eyes!" Kiana scratched her head, seemingly dismissing the fact that she had indeed gone the wrong direction, wearing an expression of pride and self-satisfaction.

Zeke patted the spot next to him. "Come over and have something to eat. Then I need you to go outside and check the weather and surroundings so we can decide our route."

"Hey! You're making me work right after waking up?! Are you even human?!"

"After reaching the nearest town, I'll treat you to some delicious food—fill your belly till you're content."

"Deal! Not that it's about the food or anything. As a concerned friend, considering how weak you are, what if you faint again while scouting for directions?"

As Kiana spoke, she reached out to feel Zeke's forehead.

Hmm, his temperature seemed normal now.

She finally let out a genuine sigh of relief.

"Yes, yes, Lady Kiana is truly magnanimous," Zeke replied, gently swatting her hand away from his forehead as he handed her the prepared soup and food.

"Pfft, treating me like a kid!" Kiana huffed but, feeling famished, decided not to argue further with Zeke. Instead, she eagerly dug into her meal. Once satiated, she burped contentedly, patted her full stomach, and suddenly remembered something.

"Huh? So how did we end up here?"

"You ran in the wrong direction and ventured deeper into the snowy mountains until you collapsed from exhaustion. Luckily, a kind passerby found us and brought us to this place. However, he had his own matters to attend to, so once I woke up, he left. Don't worry; I properly thanked him."

"Wait, but didn't you say earlier that you weren't sure what happened?"

"I was just teasing you." Zeke casually replied, taking a sip of hot water.

Kiana's eyes widened instantly.

Oh my gosh! How could there be such a despicable person in this world? This lady risked everything to save you, nearly crying with worry, only for you to deceive her right away?

"Zeke!"

Kiana lightly punched Zeke's shoulder, stood up, and stuck out her tongue at him:

"Pfft! Miss Kiana won't talk to you anymore. I'm going outside to check the situation—you stay here and reflect on your behavior!"

"Take your time and look around carefully. But don't wander too far. If you get lost, stay put and shout loudly. I'll come find you if you're not back by then."

"Do you think I'm stupid?"

"Are you not?" Zeke feigned surprise.

Kiana gasped sharply, feeling her blood boil—Oh no! Why did I even bother saving him?!

Just as Kiana was about to explode with anger, Zeke suddenly grinned.

This was the first time Kiana had seen such a warm and genuine smile from Zeke.

"My apologies. You're actually quite adorable when you're mad; sometimes, I just can't help but tease you. Stay safe, I'll wait for your return."

A-da-orable...

Ado-ra-ble?

ADORABLE?!

That Zeke guy actually called me cute?!

"Oh... okay."

Kiana turned away, clumsily stumbling out of the cave.

Out of Zeke's sight, she couldn't suppress a wide grin spreading across her pale, soft cheeks, which flushed bright red.

Long after Kiana had left, Zeke set down his cup and let out a long breath before suddenly calling towards the cave entrance.

"You can come out now. Kiana's already gone."

"Here I go!"

A deep male voice echoed as a figure descended from above and appeared at the cave mouth.

Zeke took a closer look: A tall stature, silver-white hair, blue eyes, clad in a thin white trench coat with a pair of exquisite white pistols holstered at his waist. Most strikingly, he was missing one arm.

'So it really is you, Siegfried Kaslana.'

Zeke swirled the hot water in his cup, feeling both surprised yet unsurprised by this encounter.