Chapter 13: A Frozen Night

The setting sun painted the snow in deep crimson.

A vast, frozen wasteland stretched before us—lifeless, silent.

Crunch. Crunch.

Footsteps pounded across the snowfield.

"Hah!"

I swung my Sledgehammer down—

—straight at the demon before me.

It was massive, covered in thick fur, standing twice my height. Three arms—one on the left, two on the right—made its silhouette unnervingly unnatural.

It lashed out wildly.

If even one of those arms landed clean, I’d be crushed, Ether shielding or not.

I aborted my strike, letting my momentum carry me into a slide across the snow. The demon’s attack whiffed, leaving a perfect opening—

—but I wasn’t in position to take it.

Then—

"I’ve got this!"

Yuri’s Claymore swung upward, carving into the demon’s abdomen.

Not deep enough to kill, but enough to stagger it.

The creature roared and swung down at him—

"Bind it! Restraint Bind!"

Golden chains of light wrapped around its arm. The spell was quick and weak, but it slowed the demon just enough.

Yuri ducked past its guard, slashing at its ankle. Not a clean cut, but effective—the demon staggered, knees buckling—

"Elsie!"

"I know, I know!"

Before Yuri even finished, I was already airborne.

Sledgehammer raised high.

The demon noticed too late.

"Too slow!"

It lifted an arm to block—

—CRACK!

The hammer struck.

Ether detonated on impact.

Its limb was blown away—but my swing didn’t stop. It kept going, slamming into the demon’s skull.

"Gh—!"

The Sacred Silver in my weapon burned through its flesh. The recoil sent me flying back, skidding across the snow.

Smoke rose from the wound.

It was working.

"Yuri! Finish it!"

Yuri lunged.

Half-blinded, the demon flailed, but he weaved past its attacks with practiced ease.

"Hah!"

His Claymore cleaved through its torso.

The demon twisted, swinging wildly—

Yuri severed its arm mid-motion.

───THOOM!

The air trembled, thick with rage. Not a scream—just pure, raw fury.

I charged in, gripping my hammer.

"Yuri! Ending it now!"

"Got it!"

My hammer smashed into its skull.

Yuri’s blade carved through its legs.

I struck its spine, driving it down.

He split its chest wide open.

No chance for counterattacks. No wasted movements.

Annoying as it was, all that training against Freyla had paid off.

Then—

Yuri drove his Claymore straight through the demon’s heart.

From the other side, I swung.

Steel met flesh.

The air shuddered.

Black particles scattered—

And the demon dissolved into mist.

I hit the ground rolling, the cold biting into my skin.

"...Did we win?"

Twisting upright, I scanned the area.

Yuri stood still, Claymore in hand. Then, after a long breath—

"...Yeah. Looks like it."

He exhaled and let his weapon shrink back into a rosary. I did the same.

"Hmph. Kinda anticlimactic."

Only the disturbed snow remained. No body. No traces.

"Haha... Yeah. We've been fighting nothing but high-rank demons lately. Compared to those..."

"...It’s weird how casual you are about high-rank encounters."

"Fair point."

This one had been mid-rank.

We handled it easily. I hadn’t even needed my Miracle Sign.

If only all fights went this smoothly.

I exhaled, watching my breath turn white in the freezing air.

The mission details surfaced in my mind.

A boy from the village at the mountain’s base had been the first witness.

He and his father had gone hunting in these snowy peaks.

Then, they encountered this.

His father fought to buy time.

But a hunter’s weapons meant nothing against a demon.

He never returned.

...A tragedy.

But a common one.

This world was cruel like that.

So the Church had sent us—Exorcists.

The demon had been prowling these mountains.

We climbed—no easy task, even for us.

The weather had been merciful. Reinforcing our bodies with Ether, we pushed through.

And today—

We found our prey.

"Elsie... That demon didn’t have any special abilities, did it?"

"...Not really. It wasn’t that big of a deal, was it?"

At Yuri’s words, I turned back toward the battlefield.

Powerful demons sometimes had unique abilities.

High-rank ones always did.

Mid-rank ones? Occasionally.

But this one wasn’t even memorable enough to stand out in the original story.

Which meant—it shouldn’t have had anything special.

"...Huh?"

Yuri’s confused noise made me pause.

I was about to ask what was wrong when—

—a sharp, piercing cold stabbed through me.

"Hyah...!?"

I couldn’t stop the sound from escaping.

The temperature was dropping.

Fast.

But that wasn’t right.

Our priestess robes were crafted from special materials—durable, slash-resistant, designed to regulate temperature. Yet, the cold seeped through anyway, biting deep.

It wasn’t normal.

"...E-Elsie?"

"W-What... is this?"

I cringed at how unsteady my voice sounded—

—until I saw Yuri’s face.

Dead serious. Eyes wide.

He was pointing behind me.

I turned.

"...Hah?"

The endless sunset over the snowfield—

—was disappearing into night.

Dark clouds surged toward us at terrifying speed.

Snow twisted into a howling gale, the wind lashing against my skin.

The demon’s doing?

No.

We killed it.

Which meant—

"...That damn demon—!"

The calm weather had been its influence.

Now that it was gone, the mountain was reverting to its true, merciless state.

A brutal gust ripped through the air, cutting between us—razor-sharp, impossibly cold.

Our winter gear might as well have been paper.

Snow whipped against my face, stealing warmth with every second.

"Tch—kuh...! Yuri!"

"U-Uh-huh!"

"Retreat! Back to the cabin!"

"G-Got it!"

I grabbed Yuri’s wrist and ran.

We had to reach the hunter’s cabin—the one we’d used last night—before the storm fully hit.

If we didn’t—

We’d die.

By the time we stumbled inside, the blizzard had become a whiteout.

"Kuh... ugh..."

My whole body throbbed—not just from cold. From pain.

I sucked in a shaky breath and forced out an incantation.

"O-Our Lady... g-grant this frozen soul... t-the warmth of the earth... Holy Warmth!"

The chant was rushed, sloppy.

But the miracle took hold.

Heat bloomed in my core, spreading through my limbs.

"...Hah... That should... hold..."

The spell drained Ether continuously, but it would keep me warm until morning.

Enough to wait out the storm.

Enough to survive.

But—

"U... ngh..."

Yuri sat curled into himself, arms wrapped around his knees.

His face was pale.

The miracle was self-targeting.

I couldn’t cast it on him.

I yanked off my outer robe and threw it at him.

"Use that."

Even with the miracle, losing my outer layer left me chilled—but it was bearable.

"S-Sorry... Elsie..."

His voice shook as he draped it over himself.

But his color didn’t improve.

Like trying to fight fire with a thimble of water.

What do we do?

We won. We killed the demon.

And now we were going to freeze to death?

That couldn’t be how this ended.

Holy Warmth couldn’t be cast on others.

Yuri’s Ether reserves were too low to sustain it, even if I taught him now.

And in this state, there was no way he could pull off a miracle he’d never used before.

So—

If I could just share my warmth with him—

"...Yuri."

"Y-Yeah... wh-what’s up?"

His voice was faint, but he still tried to sound steady.

I placed a hand on his shoulder.

"...Let’s warm each other up."

"H-Huh?"

Ignoring his confusion, I nudged his legs apart—

—and sat between them, leaning back against his chest.

"...Close the front for me?"

"Eh—ah, okay."

With me at the center and the robe draped over both of us, we formed a layered cocoon.

Yuri hesitated, adjusting awkwardly—his hands hovering in the air.

I grabbed his wrists and pulled them firmly around me.

"...Do it properly."

"B-But—"

"Wanna die?"

"N-No, but... ugh, sorry..."

He finally wrapped his arms around me, locking them tight.

His skin felt ice-cold against my back.

Which meant—

For him, pressed against me—

—I must’ve felt warm.

"...How is it?"

"Eh? Ah... warm, yeah..."

A quick glance back.

His face was flushed red.

Good. That meant it was working.

"...Tighter."

"...S-Sorry."

He squeezed.

The pressure of his arms made my heart skip—but this wasn’t the time for that.

Yuri probably wasn’t even thinking about it.

"............"

His breath brushed my ear.

The rhythm of his breathing was steady now, warmth slowly returning to his body.

I reached back, covering his exposed knuckles with my hand.

He flinched—but didn’t pull away. Too desperate for heat.

Slowly, I rubbed small circles over his skin—

“T-That tickles…”

Hearing those words, I quickly pulled my hand back.

Outside, the wind howled.

The wooden-framed window rattled violently, its glass panes shuddering under the force of the storm.

The sound of breathing.The sound of a heartbeat.

Warm breath.Body heat.

Inside this small mountain cabin, wrapped in silence and snow, it felt like we were the only two people left in the world.

…Maybe the cold was messing with my head.

I let out a quiet sigh.

“…Yuri. No matter how bad the blizzard gets, we’re heading down at first light, once my Ether recovers.”

“…Yeah.”

“For now, just focus on staying warm.”

“…Got it.”

With that, silence returned.

The window continued to rattle.

This cabin had once belonged to a hunter—before a demon killed him.

If this waypoint hadn’t existed, I didn’t even want to imagine what would have happened to us.

Yuri’s shivering was finally easing.Was his body temperature rising?

I exhaled in relief—

—No, wait.

“…Yuri?”

“……”

No response.

I reached out and pinched the back of his hand.

“Oww!?”

“Why are you falling asleep!?”

“Huh—ah… eh? I… was sleeping…? A-Ah, s-sorry!”

His flustered apology came from behind me.

…This was bad.

His body was still too cold. His brain function was slowing.

If he fell asleep like this, he might never wake up.

“…Jeez.”

I turned around.

Yuri’s face was right in front of mine—

“W-Wait, Elsie—!?”

“Just stay still.”

I pulled him into a hug.

Face to face, our bodies pressed closer than before.

His cheek brushed against my ear.

…It was freezing.

“…Ah, w-whoa…”

Yuri let out a helpless little noise.

But his body temperature was stabilizing—

So this was the right call.

“Wrap your arms around me.”

“…O-Okay.”

Hesitantly, he hugged me back.

“…I-Is this really okay?”

His hold was gentle but firm—like he was handling something fragile.

“If you fall asleep, you might die. So no sleeping.”

“…O-Okay. I got it. Sorry.”

Since we were facing each other, I couldn’t see his expression.

And that was fine.

Because I didn’t want him to see mine.

“If you die from something like this… I’ll never forgive you.”

I didn’t want to lose him.

That thought alone made my grip unconsciously tighten.

“…Yeah… I got it. I won’t die.”

“Good.”

His heartbeat.Mine.

I could feel them both, steady and warm where our bodies pressed together.

The blizzard howled outside, drowning the world in white.

“…Yuri?”

“…Yeah?”

“As long as you’re awake, that’s fine.”

Every now and then, I called his name.

And every time he answered, I felt relieved.

That cycle repeated.A way to keep him from drifting off.

Then, an idea struck me.

A way to keep him awake.

“…Yuri. I’m bored. Tell me something interesting.”

“Huh? Me…? But I don’t have any funny stories…”

If I made him talk, it would keep him conscious.

And I’d know he was still awake.

“Doesn’t have to be funny. Just say anything.”

“Anything…? Uhh…”

He struggled to think of something.

In that case—

“Alright. What’s your favorite food?”

“Eh?”

“C’mon, think about it and answer properly.”

“Ah… well… I guess… the instant vegetable soup I usually eat on missions?”

“…Huh? That stuff?”

I blinked.

Instant vegetable soup.

A survival meal. Dried vegetables, salted meat, boiled in water with random spices.

Most exorcists just ate compressed bean flour bars, but I preferred hot meals when possible.

I’d use my “miracle” spell to heat food over a metal canteen. It didn’t take extra supplies, so it was efficient.

For a field meal, it was decent.

But compared to real food? Not even close.

“…Yeah, I like it.”

“You have weird taste.”

“…Maybe. But eating that soup outside makes it taste amazing.”

“…Doesn’t matter where you eat it. Food tastes the same anywhere.”

“Nope.”

Yuri shook his head.

“Where you eat, when you eat, who you eat with… that changes everything.”

His words made me pause.

It reminded me of a pancake shop I once visited with my old partner, Shelly.

When I went there again after she died… it didn’t taste the same.

“…Hmph. Whatever.”

“What about you, Elsie? Do you have a favorite food?”

“…Me?”

I searched my memory.

Favorite food, huh…

“I don’t think I have one.”

“…What?”

“If I had to pick… I guess I like ‘good food.’”

“…That doesn’t count. Everyone likes ‘good food.’”

His voice held clear disapproval.

Even if he understood my words, he clearly didn’t accept them.

“…You know, Elsie… there’s a lot I want to know about you.”

“…A lot?”

“Yeah. You never talk about yourself.”

“That’s not—”

…Not true.

I couldn’t say that.

Because—

“I don’t want to.”

“…I see.”

His voice carried a trace of sadness.

But he didn’t press the issue.

That should’ve been a relief.

Yet, for some reason… a hollow feeling spread in my chest.

Like he didn’t care.

“…You’re not even gonna try to pry?”

I sounded like a bothersome woman.

Yuri gave a small chuckle.

“I won’t ask about things you don’t want to share. I don’t want to be a burden to you.”

“…Hmph.”

His response was typical of him.

Thoughtful. Considerate.

And for some reason, it annoyed me.

His restraint was meant to respect my boundaries.

But strangely enough… it left me feeling empty.

“…Alright, next question. What have you been working hard on lately?”

“Learning new ‘miracle’ spells… I’m bad at theory stuff.”

“…Hmph.”

If he asked, I could teach him.

Not that I’d ever say that out loud.

“What about you, Elsie?”

“…Nothing, really? Nothing I need to work hard on.”

“…That’s a lie. You’re dodging the question.”

“Hah? I’m not dodging anything. I’m just naturally talented.”

Yuri sighed.

…What a rude guy.

“Then, next—”

The blizzard roared outside.

The window trembled violently.

Yet the world beyond felt distant.

The warmth of his body.

The feeling of his touch.

The hardness of his muscles, honed through training—proof of his dedication.

As we talked, question after question…

Even as partners, we’d never spent a night just talking like this.

I thought I knew him.But there were still things I didn’t.

And now, there was one thing I really wanted to ask.

"Hey, Yuri..."

There was something I needed to ask him—about this world, about the future...

"...Yeah?"

"Do you... have someone you like?"

This world, Pure-Blood Exorcist, was a multi-ending adventure game.

The branching paths depended on who you grew closer to.

Just like a dating sim, the ending changed based on which heroine you chose.

So right now... I wanted to know which heroine Yuri was heading toward.

"...Someone I like?"

"Yeah. Someone you... like."

That said, the only person he really interacted with was Freyla, right?

Or had he grown closer to another heroine somewhere I didn’t know about—?

"I... uh..."

But why...?

Why did this make me so uneasy?

It was probably because I didn’t want to lose Yuri—the boy I’d practically raised—to someone else.

I must’ve felt possessive of him.

As a partner.

"I... I like you, Elsie."

My heart skipped.

The unexpected answer nearly made me shove him away.

With trembling lips, I spoke.

"...What about Freyla?"

"Huh? O-Of course... I like Freyla too, but—"

Hearing that, my racing pulse slowly settled.

I let out an audible sigh.

"...That’s not what I meant. I meant, do you have a romantic interest in anyone?"

"...Oh? Uh, well..."

So he hadn’t realized.

I felt relieved.

But at the same time... a little disappointed.

...Why?

No, it must’ve just been my imagination.

A misunderstanding.

Yuri spoke up again.

"Then... what about you, Elsie? Do you... Like anyone?"

"...Of course not."

I averted my gaze slightly as I denied it.

With only six years left to live, making lifelong promises would be irresponsible.

Besides, I was... a former man in this world.

My body was scarred.

My personality was...

So... no one would ever fall for me.

"...No one would ever... like me."

The words slipped out quietly.

Uncharacteristically weak.

A clear mistake—but once spoken, words couldn’t be taken back.

"............"

But Yuri just stayed silent.

Maybe he hadn’t heard.

If so, good.

I wouldn’t have to explain.

...Ah, whatever.

The night was deep, I was sleepy, and it was freezing.

My brain must’ve been half-frozen.

That’s why I was thinking weird things.

Making weird mistakes.

Acting... like this.

Outside, the wind whipped the snow into the air.

In the darkness, white flakes simply drifted across the plains.

---

...Elsie is pressed against me.

Soft. Small. Warm.

And she smells... kind of nice.

She’s an incredibly strong Exorcist—someone I rely on and admire—but right now, I’m reminded that she’s also just a girl my age.

I knew that, but I pretended not to notice.

When she asked if I liked anyone, her name slipped out before I could think.

I’m not sure why.

But... maybe that was my true feeling.

I chickened out and tried to play it off, though.

Even so, I think...

"............"

...I like Elsie.

I can’t say it with absolute certainty, but...

When I held her, I wanted to protect her.

Even though she’s stronger than I, I still felt that way.

...Her words from earlier replay in my head.

“Of course not... No one would ever like me...”

That’s not true.

At the very least, I—

But I’m weak.

I’d just be a burden to her.

I can’t even put my feelings into words.

Elsie probably has no idea.

And if she knew, it’d just trouble her.

So I can’t say it.

Making excuses, running away—how pathetic.

But still... someday, I want to stand beside her as an equal.

Holding onto that faint, conceited hope... I’ll keep striving.

Training, studying, gaining experience.

I’m getting stronger, bit by bit.

So... someday.

When I’ve become someone who can stand beside her without shame...

Then—

"............"

Outside the window, the snow had buried the ground.

All I could see was a world painted pure white.

Snow piled on the barren trees... then collapsed with a heavy thud.

The only sound left was the howling blizzard.

A few hours later, the storm subsided.

Elsie opened the cabin door and stepped outside.

The snow, not yet hardened, crunched underfoot.

Looking up, the sky was clear—sunlight pouring down in golden waves.

The silver-white plains reflected the light, almost blindingly bright.

After a sleepless night, it stung my eyes.

Rubbing them—

"...Yuri? You okay?"

I turned to Elsie, who wore a worried expression.

The reflected light illuminated her skin.

Maybe that’s why she looked... prettier than usual.

Or was it because of last night?

Trying to distract myself, I shook my head lightly.

"I’m fine, Elsie."

"...If you’re too drowsy, descending will be dangerous. If you hit your limit, tell me. I’ll carry you down."

"...Yeah. If I really can’t go on, I’ll say something."

A lie.

I’d never admit something so embarrassing... so I probably wouldn’t say anything.

I forced a stretch, pretending to be energetic.

Then... I noticed Elsie staring at something.

Following her gaze—

Ah, I see.

Far in the distance, the sun was rising.

The further the land stretched, the paler the scenery became.

Frost clung to the leafless trees, glinting like glass flowers.

Elsie just stared, her expression slightly dazed.

...I spoke up.

"...It’s a nice view, Elsie."

At that, her lips curled into a faint, happy smile.

"It’s... alright, I guess. Nothing special."

Despite her words, her expression was calm.

This was her way of acting tough.

As I watched her, bathed in the reflected light...

...That’s what I thought.