Chapter 71: Where We Were Swept Away
[space_man][space_man]When Moira opened her eyes, she wasn’t in the snow, but in a warm cave. A bonfire was burning nearby, making the space quite bright. Moira sat up. She saw Eld by the bonfire, grilling meat.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Eld…… Where are we……?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]When Moira spoke, Eld looked up and saw her.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Thank goodness. You’re awake. After the avalanche subsided, I managed to dig you out and find this place, but you wouldn’t wake up, so I was worried.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld took the kettle from the fire and poured it into a cup. He offered it to Moira.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I just poured it, so it’s hot.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Ah, thank you.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira accepted the cup. She looked around the cave again. They must be deep inside because she couldn’t hear any sounds from outside. Eld was grilling meat over the bonfire. Beside him, the Magic Sword Tempera was stuck in the ground, its fiery blade flickering.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Seeing Tempera, Moira frantically looked around for her own magic sword. Healing was wrapped inside the blanket that had been covering her.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’m glad you kept it with you the whole time. I tried, but I couldn’t even grasp it.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld said with a wry smile.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well, it’s cooked, but what do you think? Mary is a better cook, so I’m not confident about the taste.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld cut the cooked meat, placed it on a plate, and offered it to Moira. Moira put her cup on the ground and took the plate. It was probably the rabbit meat from yesterday, but the pieces seemed a bit larger than how Mary usually cut them. Moira didn’t mind and took a bite.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”……Indeed. Mary’s cooking is more delicious.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I knew it. Oh well.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld also took a bite of the grilled meat. He frowned and chewed.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Hmm. No matter how many times I try, I can’t get it like Mary’s.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld made a sad expression. The two ate in silence. After a while, Eld spoke.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well, it’s a blizzard outside, so let’s spend the night here. If it clears up tomorrow, we’ll return to the base cave.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That’s fine, but where are we exactly?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I don’t know. We were caught in an avalanche, so we must be lower than that place, but I don’t really know how far we were swept away.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld said with a sigh.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Even when I crawled out of the snow, the visibility was so bad that I couldn’t even check the surroundings. We were lucky to find this place.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld poured hot water from the kettle, let it cool, and drank it.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Um…… Is Mary alright?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I can sense her magic power, so she’s not dead. Besides, she can use Heat Magic, so she can probably crawl out of the snow quickly even if she’s buried. She can also detect our magic power, so she’ll come looking for us when the blizzard subsides.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Hearing that, Moira breathed a sigh of relief. She was relieved that they wouldn’t lose their lives because of the request they had made.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’m really sorry. If we were stronger, we wouldn’t have to rely on you so much……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”No, I think it was for the best. If there were too many people, more would have been injured in the avalanche.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld drained his cup in one gulp.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well, I’ve used up quite a bit of magic power, so let’s go to sleep. I’m warming this space with Tempera’s flames, so it’s not cold.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira understood that the warmth throughout the cave was thanks to the magic sword. She had been wondering why he kept it stuck in the ground.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld hung the necklace he was wearing around his neck on Tempera.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Is that a Guidance Stone?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira looked at the stone attached to the end.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yes. It’s my mother’s keepsake. It contains my father’s magic power.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld flicked the Guidance Stone with his finger.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’ve poured magic power into Tempera, so it should last until morning, but just in case the magic power runs out, I can replenish it from the Guidance Stone.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”But if you do that, won’t the magic power inside disappear?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yes, but it would be troublesome if the magic power ran out and the cave got cold. I can manage, but you can’t use Heat Magic, Moira.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld smiled wryly.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Oh my, isn’t it customary to warm each other with body heat when you’re lost in the snowy mountains since ancient times? So there’s no problem if we do that.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira said, touching her cheek. Her cheeks were slightly flushed.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Ahaha. Please don’t joke about that, or Mary will kill me.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld laughed weakly.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Would Mary really do that? I think she would laugh and forgive us if it was an emergency.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Hearing that, Eld thought for a moment.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That’s true. Mary would probably punch me once and forgive me. But I’m scared of that punch, so I’ll never do it.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]They both laughed at his words and went to sleep in separate spots on the floor.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]When the bonfire died down and the crackling sounds ceased, Moira sat up. She could hear Eld’s sleeping breaths if she listened closely. Moira created a small light in her hand.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Can magic swords exchange magic power with each other?…… I see…… Then I might ask you for a favor.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Saying that, she got up and leaned Healing against Tempera. It seemed like this way, the magic swords could exchange magic power.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Then she went over to Eld’s side. Looking at his face, he seemed to be in a deep sleep, as he didn’t react even when she shone the light on him.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’m sorry. I’m going to use you for my own purposes from now on. Please…… forgive me for doing something that might tear apart your relationship with Mary. I’m sorry, Mary…… But I believe in your bond……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Saying that, she lifted Eld’s blanket and slipped into his arms. Then, she cast a Sleep spell on herself and Eld.