Chapter 48 Are you cold?

It wasn't surprising that young recruits, spending so much time together, sometimes developed feelings for one another. Instructor Keith had seen this happen almost every year during his tenure with the Training Corps.

However, the dynamics were different in wartime. With far fewer female recruits compared to males, it took exceptional qualities to win someone's affection—and Ryo had both the skill and charisma to stand out. Yet, this also gave Keith a headache.

Krista was a special case. Her background was a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few within the Corps. Publicly revealing her lineage would place her in immediate danger. Thus, Krista's safety had been of paramount importance since her arrival, with quiet measures in place to protect her.

With Ryo by her side, Keith felt reassured. The young man's unparalleled strength made him a reliable protector. But that same strength brought its own set of worries. Krista's destiny would likely lead her down one of two perilous paths: either she would be eliminated by those in the capital who feared her, or she would rise to claim her birthright, plunging the realm into potential chaos. Neither outcome boded well.

Watching Ryo and Krista together, Keith sighed heavily before shaking his head and heading back to his office. Instructors would regroup in about five hours to catch up with the recruits, collecting stragglers along the way.

---

**"Are you cold?"**

Ryo gently adjusted Krista's hood, ensuring it was snug. The down jacket had a built-in hood, and it framed her face in a way that made her look even more angelic.

"I'm fine, Ryo, but why are we moving so slowly?" Krista asked curiously. It was unusual for him to lag behind. Typically, Ryo was at the front, leading every exercise.

"Because this training can't be rushed," he explained, unrolling a map he had sketched earlier. He pointed at their current location. **"Look here. We're at the base of the snow mountain, and our camp is on the other side. That means we have to cross the entire mountain range."**

Krista studied the map. **"But the straight-line distance is only eleven kilometers. That doesn't seem too far."**

Ryo chuckled softly. **"It might look short on paper, but snow mountains are deceptive. The terrain is treacherous, especially for those at the front of the group. They're tasked with scouting the safest path, but if they fall into a snow pit or hit a dead end, it'll cost them time and energy—and could even endanger their lives. So, while the distance may seem manageable, it'll likely take two to three days to cross."**

Krista's eyes lit up with understanding. **"Oh, I see! So you're saying we should stay at the back, letting those in front do the hard work of finding the best path. That way, we save our energy and avoid unnecessary risks, right?"**

"Exactly," Ryo replied with a smile, ruffling her hair affectionately. He then took her hand as they started walking at a leisurely pace.

---

Meanwhile, the recruits at the front of the line were struggling.

The snow was deep and treacherous, and the team was constantly slowed by accidents. Someone would fall into a snow pit, and it would take several others to pull them out. After just three hours, the group's morale was already starting to waver.

"How far have we traveled?" Eren asked, frowning as he scanned their surroundings.

"Less than three kilometers," Armin replied, tightening his collar against the biting cold. "And the first two kilometers were flat ground. We've only just entered the snow mountain's range."

Eren clenched his fists in frustration. **"At this rate, we'll never make it to the other side tonight."**

Mikasa, walking beside him, added, **"The further we go, the slower our pace will get. We need to find a place to rest soon. If we don't, people are going to start collapsing."**

Armin nodded in agreement, his gaze lingering on the map they had brought. The map was a copy of Ryo's, and it was a testament to how thorough Ryo's preparations had been. Even now, it was clear why Ryo was so far ahead of the others in skill and foresight.

But as Armin looked up at the endless stretch of snow ahead, he couldn't shake the growing unease in his chest. The snow mountain was vast, and its dangers were only just beginning to reveal themselves.