The Black Fog that Devours

“Excuse me.”

As I exit the front of the base, I walk up to Bob and company and approach them.

Teleport? I won’t use it. It would be exceedingly adverse for me to be exposed to them any longer if they discovered the outline of my skills.

“So you are the perpetrator who wreaked this havoc… Who are you and where do you come from? Antarctica is supposed to have a defense line of the Polar Queen-sama’s demons in all directions.”

Bob-san reveals his wariness and questions me while masking his trepidation.

I mean, Bob-san, seeing you up close, you are huge… almost 2 meters in height.

“My name is Ichiko. I was sent here by someone with a transportation skill.”

“Ichiko… Japanese, huh? You said you were transported here, but where did you come from?”

His vigilance grows in intensity. Well, I doubt that Bob-san’s capabilities will be adequate to handle this situation even if he is alerted.

For now, I should answer the question. Though I can predict your reaction after saying it,

“From the Korean peninsula.”

“Ha?”

Ah, I knew you would react like this. Anyone would have this reaction. Even I would respond this way if I had no knowledge of the incident.

“Well, is that a joke?”

“No, it’s true.”

“That’s absurd! Don’t you know how far away that is! I doubt even the Demon King could do such a thing!”

“But it’s true.”

“Like I said, that’s not possible!!”

“That is sadly the truth…”

I put my palm on my temples to demonstrate to Bob-san how much my head hurts. Until a moment ago, Bob-san had a look of incredulity on his face, but now even he has the same expression as mine.

But you know, I understand how you feel. When I informed him that this was the truth, I became saddened as well.

“Who the hell is the one who transported you? That Demon King…”

“That’s…”

Somehow, I feel that it would be advisable not to answer this question honestly.

“…I don’t know.”

“I see…”

It seems that Bob-san did not suspect anything. Perhaps the Polar Queen… is peeping at me through Bob-san.

“And now, the Polar Queen-sama has a question for you. [So, what is your race?]. Excuse me, but the day you don’t answer or deceive her, she will regard you as an enemy.”

“I don’t mind that much. My race is the ‘Blade Princess of the Unsettled Sword’.”

Once I disclose my race, Bob-san’s expression becomes utterly vacant.

That face is probably implying, “Eh? Are you not joking, but serious? Are you out of your mind? That kind of obvious endemic race is limited to Demon Kings. To be frank, I can’t catch up with your explanation, so I’m going to stop thinking about it”.

“What? Huh? Wait a minute, my head can’t follow all this. Ah, it seems that the Polar Queen-sama is going to take control of the matter in my place.”

“That is fine.”

Oh, since he admitted straightforwardly, my standing should be very favorable, and if the Polar Queen is going to appear in his place, I must renew my resolve.

[You said you’re Ichiko, right? Is everything you just said factual?]

“Yes.”

Of course this is a fact, so I affirm it.

[Did you hear it?]

Did I hear it…? You’re likely referring to the God of Calamity.

“I have heard. Shall I elaborate on the circumstances if you need me to?”

[No, I don’t want Bob to hear that part. So come to my castle, the ‘Eternal Aurora Palace,’ which is owned by me, the ‘Eternal Queen of the South!’]

…Let’s pretend I’ve never heard of her dungeon’s name.

After all, the name of the dungeon sounds very unsettling as if I might die after entering it.

After a slight pause in thought, I follow Bob-san as he walks off somewhere, beckoning me to join him after issuing some instructions to the demons he has brought with him.

Somehow, I have a feeling that the future is very uncertain…
After surviving the blizzard for several days, I am greeted by the most majestic structure I’ve ever encountered.

Eh, you are wondering about what happened on our way? Nothing occurred to me save for a near-death experience from the bitter cold. Apparently, half Demon King, like the kin and the Demon King, does not require food or sleep.

Now, regarding the most crucial building, it is a medieval Western-style castle composed of something like white snow. However, it bears no resemblance to the palaces of the era. Its windows are made of high-precision transparent ice, and the roof is covered with a gradation of colors like the Northern Lights.

Moreover, despite the fact that it is not nightfall, the sky above the castle is illuminated by multiple layers of aurora borealis, creating a surreal atmosphere.

“Heh. Are you amazed?”

“Yes, It did take me by surprise. Even though you mentioned it to me on the way here, I didn’t expect it to be as spectacular as it appears.”

Since Bob-san is conversing with me, I return my honest impression.

“Well, I’m glad to hear it, but this time I’m going to ask you to refrain from entering the dungeon.”

“Is that so?”

Despite my wondering, Bob-san points to a spot right next to what appears to be a gate.

A small hut-like building can be found there. It looks to be a hastily erected building based on how it merges in with the surrounding landscape.

“Is the Polar Queen in there?”

I ask Bob-san while turning my attention to the hut.

“Yes, that’s right. Well, since the rest of this is between you and the Polar Queen-sama, please excuse me.”

With that, Bob-san opens the gate and heads off into the dungeon.

“Then I’ll go my way too.”

And I enter the hut next to the entrance of the dungeon.