Chapter 53
Karl’s Summons
Tsk, the commander clicked his tongue and glared at the captain of the imperial guard.
“We don’t have time. We’ll evacuate, so you all deal with the golems however you see fit.”
“Thank you for the permission. We will prove our worth through this battle.”
The commander shot a sharp look at the captain and then ordered our squad.
“Everyone, did you hear that? They’re going to prove their worth, so we’ll step back quietly for now.”
Following the commander’s orders, we moved to a new position—but not too far away.
The commander stood on a hill not too distant from the guard and watched over them.
Even though they were Erhardt’s elite guard, it seemed he had no intention of letting them be brutally crushed by golems.
After all, it was the Silver Knights’ duty to protect humans from monsters.
“Yulia, Karl, Maximilian. Be ready. If things look dangerous, we might need to intervene.”
“Yes!”
We responded enthusiastically to the commander’s order and watched the imperial guard.
Soon, three golems appeared before them.
Kuwoooaaah!
The golems let out bizarre cries and charged at the emperor’s elite guards.
In the end, however, there was no need for us to intervene.
It seemed the guards had been carefully trained by Erhardt—they did not falter against the monsters and fought skillfully.
Watching the dazzling battle, I whispered to the commander.
“I’ve heard rumors about the imperial guard. They are said to operate secretly in the shadows for His Majesty alone, not for the empire… Why would they appear before us like this?”
Indeed, the emperor’s guards were not supposed to operate openly.
I knew of their existence and their emblem, but this was my first time seeing them directly.
The commander nodded and replied.
“I’m curious too. I wonder what their purpose is.”
Karl, standing beside him, spoke cautiously.
“Whatever their purpose, they seem quite competent in battle. They’re calm and handling the golems well.”
As Karl said, even though it was their first time fighting monsters, the guard displayed remarkable skill.
Maximilian, observing silently as usual with his tired expression, muttered.
“Let’s figure out their intentions later. For now, we could make use of them.”
He yawned and continued.
“It would take at least half a month for the five of us to take down the Winter Queen or princess… but with them, we might finish faster.”
Always one to seek the easy route, he seemed eager to rely on them to complete the hunt quickly.
Oscar added his opinion.
“I agree. It seems one of them has clairvoyance like mine. If we take turns keeping watch with them, it would be much safer.”
Oscar still worried about being caught off guard earlier, unable to sense approaching danger due to his magical limits.
He likely just wanted to protect the squad more safely.
After everyone voiced their thoughts, the commander looked at me.
“Yulia, what’s your opinion?”
I considered my squad carefully—Karl, impressed by their combat skill; Maximilian, eager to finish quickly; Oscar, wanting to ensure our safety using his clairvoyance.
After weighing all their opinions, I answered carefully.
“Let’s accompany them halfway. But—”
I met the commander’s gaze and continued.
“It’s better if we face the Winter Queen on our own. Being attacked from behind while fighting such a powerful monster would be extremely dangerous.”
Yes, it would be fine to rely on their help against some minor golems along the way.
But using them against the Winter Queen carried too much risk.
What if Erhardt sent them to kill us?
If they suddenly turned on us mid-battle, we would be annihilated.
“So, we use them only on the way.”
The commander murmured as the battle on the other side ended.
The guards reported to him as if to a superior.
“The three golems have been safely eliminated.”
The commander stared at the reporting captain and sighed.
“Not bad for a first try. I had originally planned to just send them away, but—”
He glanced at me and added, finishing his thought.
“I’ve changed my mind. Let them follow quietly so they don’t interfere.”
“Yes!”
Fortunately, they showed no suspicious behavior.
For two days, as we crossed the snowfield, they followed silently, helping us defeat any monsters along the way.
Thanks to them, our travel time was greatly reduced, and the squad seemed satisfied.
Yes, as long as we remain cautious, they could be useful tools.
That’s when the captain of the guard, Reymont, discreetly called me over.
“Sir Schnestern, please spare a moment.”
“…….”
I was gathering firewood for our camp when suddenly called, and I didn’t hide my irritation.
“Why not discuss this when we’re all gathered? Right now I need to collect wood.”
“It’s urgent.”
Reymont, with his deep green eyes reminiscent of Erhardt’s, explained.
“Sir Karl slipped and rolled down the snowy hill. He needs assistance.”
Karl had rolled down a hill in the middle of the night?
I immediately dropped the wood I was carrying.
“Karl rolled down? Why are you telling me this so calmly? We should—”
“No, Sir Karl only wants you, Sir Schnestern. He doesn’t want to trouble the others.”
“…….”
“He’s already healed himself with his abilities, so he’s not injured. It’s just difficult for him to climb back up because he rolled too far. If you clear some snow with your ability, it will be easier for him to get up. That’s all the help he needs.”
It didn’t sound serious—probably just a minor slip.
Apparently, Reymont had happened upon Karl after he fell.
I decided it was best to follow.
Judging by Karl’s absence since earlier, Reymont’s story seemed true.
Even if it were a trick, it wouldn’t matter—I could easily handle Reymont if needed.
“All right. Lead the way. Even if he’s uninjured, I’m still concerned.”
“Yes, follow me.”
Reymont led the way, but it took much longer than I expected.
Where exactly was he taking me in the dark?
Finally, he stopped and pointed down the hill.
“There he is.”
“Karl!”
Reymont wasn’t lying.
Looking down, Karl was struggling in the snow.
“I’ll get you up!”
I immediately used my ability to clear a path through the snow.
Until now, I had only used my power to create ice for attacking, but my ability could also manipulate existing snow and ice.
I cleared the piled-up snow to the sides, creating a path, and Karl easily climbed back up.
“Phew, thanks to you, Vice Commander. The snow was too deep to climb on my own.”
“You really weren’t hurt, right?”
“Of course not. I twisted my ankle slightly, but I healed it with my ability.”
Karl flexed his ankle to prove it, and seeing it move normally, I sighed in relief.
“Good. Let’s head back. But why did you go so far? That’s how accidents happen. Next time, stay closer—”
“But Vice Commander—”
“Hmm?”
As I was about to lecture him, Karl’s unusually subdued voice made me stop instinctively.
