Chapter 89

Perhaps it was the warm wine that made me feel good, or maybe it was the joy of meeting an old friend I thought was dead.

Strictly speaking, Count Andrew Mondely wasn’t someone I considered a close friend.

We merely shared similar values and were kind to each other without animosity.

Not having enemies in high society felt like a kind of intimacy, even if we weren’t particularly close.

I had always been grateful to him, perhaps because of Alec.

‘It seems Andrew truly harbors a desire for revenge against the Emperor.’

I was startled when I saw Andrew’s fiery eyes cursing the Emperor back at the wild men’ dwelling.

It was surprising to see someone who had always been mild-mannered become so passionate.

Having faced life-threatening situations, Andrew seemed much stronger than the last time I saw him.

He was competent and had no enemies in high society, so I felt he would be a valuable ally moving forward.

How wonderful it would be if I could have many trustworthy people like Andrew in the future!

After resting briefly on the bed, I left my room.

Wrapping a fur cloak around myself, I headed to Alec’s room.

‘When will we head to Mount Kalanysh?’

It would probably be after sunrise, right?

I was a bit anxious about whether he would still be there when I woke up.

Knock, knock.

Finally arriving at the lord’s room, I knocked on the door.

Fortunately, it opened shortly, revealing his face.

“Alec.”

My face naturally brightened.

Until just a moment ago, I felt a bit dazed from the alcohol, but seeing Alec’s handsome face made my mind feel clear.

“Louise. Please come in.”

“What were you doing?”

As I asked, I removed the cloak draped over my shoulders.

Being with him made me smile without realizing it.

As I sat on his bed, he pulled up a nearby chair and sat down, saying,

“I was preparing for tomorrow’s trip to Mount Kalanysh.”

“Really?”

Had he been doing some physical training?

Mount Kalanysh—honestly, I wanted to go too.

But it’s not a leisure trip, and I felt like I would only be a burden, so I didn’t bring it up.

‘It would be such a hassle if he had to carry me around again.’

Feeling a bit disappointed, I asked him,

“When do you plan to leave tomorrow?”

“I’ll probably have to go when the sun starts to rise. Since I’m going alone, could you explain that to the others for me?”

“Got it. Don’t worry about that.”

“Thank you.”

“Then I’ll wait for you until you return. Since Andrew is here, I’ll show him around the tower while I wait.”

“…”

At my words, he suddenly stiffened and touched his lips as if deep in thought.

As I tilted my head slightly, he looked up.

“Louise.”

“Yes?”

“Would you like to come with me tomorrow?”

“…Should I?”

* * *

“Are you really going to Mount Kalanysh?”

Early the next morning.

All the servants and Andrew gathered in the hall to see Alec and Louise off.

They all looked at the two of them with worried eyes.

After all, they were heading to a treacherous mountain, covered in wild animals, extreme cold, and snow, to find a legendary fruit that might not even exist.

It was a place where getting lost was inevitable.

But Alec had already heard from Cassdain that the Hiliberry indeed existed on Mount Kalanysh.

Louise smiled, trying to reassure them.

“Don’t worry. Even if I don’t find the legendary fruit, I’ll bring back at least some straw from the mountain.”

“Huh? Straw?”

Jane asked, puzzled, and Louise calmly replied,

“I should bring something to show Kililul my sincerity. If he knows we almost died climbing that dangerous mountain, he might open his heart a little.”

Though the first gift Louise prepared was rejected outright by Kiliul.

“Ah… but if something really happens to the two of you…”

“Then I’ll go with you!”

Suddenly, Andrew shouted desperately, stepping forward.

“I can’t just stay here lounging around while Alec and Louise are going through such hardship. I’ll go and help too!”

“Huh?”

“If that’s the case, we all want to come and join forces.”

Following Andrew, even the servants tearfully pleaded.

Alec, who had been silently listening, lowered his gaze slightly and touched his lips.

Their reactions were natural.

They couldn’t just send their lord and lady into such a dangerous place.

Moved, Louise stepped forward and took Andrew’s hand.

“Everyone.”

“…?”

“Andrew, and all of you, thank you so much just for offering. But we’ll be fine, really. Just think of it as us going on a date to the mountain.”

“A…date?”

Everyone made dumbfounded sounds.

Considering his abilities, it wasn’t unreasonable for Louise to think of it as a date.

“We’ll return safely. So, Andrew, relax and take it easy. You can explore the tower if you’d like.”

“Louise…”

The servants couldn’t say anything more.

“We’ll avoid any real danger. So let’s meet again when we return.”

“…Understood, my lady, my lord.”

“Please come back safely.”

Only then did they reluctantly let them go, though their faces still showed concern.

They seemed to hold back further objections simply because it was Louise speaking.

Soon, Alec and Louise left the castle.

They took a carriage to the closest part of the Mount Kalanysh ridge, near the castle.

***

After finally sending away the coachman who had offered to wait for them, I gazed widely at the towering, wall-like mountain.

“It’s truly grand.”

Realizing the sheer size of the mountain, Louise took a deep breath.

“Honestly, I’ve always wanted to visit here. There’s nowhere in the north I don’t want to explore.”

“Is that so?”

“Shall we head out then?”

After surveying the snowy landscape, I turned and smiled at Alec.

“Alright.”

With that, Alec approached me.

As he lifted me in one arm, I wrapped her arms around his neck.

I was wearing a leather dress that covered half my neck, a garment made by the tailor, Bruniel.

The top part clung tightly to my body, while the lower part flared out, layering to block the wind several times over.

Alec was also wearing clothes made by Bruniel, which faintly radiated a magical aura.

‘A sorcerer?’

However, it seemed like the aura was not fully concealed, as if Bruniel were a beginner sorcerer who had not yet mastered hiding their magic.

Bruniel wasn’t a character mentioned in the original story. Was it merely a coincidence that I recruited her?

Aksen had been stealing magic from mages to enhance his own power. If Aksen were to discover Bruniel, she would likely become his next victim.

“Hold on tight.”

“Alright.”

As I firmly held onto him and closed my eyes, Alec activated his speed skill.

Our bodies shot forward like an arrow.

Thanks to Alec’s increased level, the speed of his quick movement skill had become much faster.

At the same time, Alec gave instructions to his familiars.

‘Cassdain, Gideon. Spread out further and search for the Hiliberry.’

‘Grr!’

‘Understood, master.’

Gideon gave a lively response and disappeared, while Cassdain vanished in a cold breeze.

They had to find that fruit—Hiliberry. But it wasn’t just for Kililul.

The moment they arrived at Mount Kalanysh, a quest had opened.

—

[Quest Activated!]

[~Obtain the Hiliberry growing on Mount Kalanysh!~]

[Several rare plants, including the legendary Hiliberry, grow on Mount Kalanysh. Each Hiliberry consumed increases your experience points by 50,000 points!]

[Quest Rewards]

[Experience(?), Reputation(?), Affection(?), Trust(?)]

[Time Limit: 1 hour]

—

A single Hiliberry provided 50,000 experience points.

There was no easier way to gain experience than consuming one of those berries.

At the moment, Alec was in greater need of experience than affection points.

After spending two nights with Louise, his level had risen from 8 to 12.

During that time, he had earned a staggering 303,760 affection points. Compared to the 300 points he gained from just a kiss atop the tower, this was an astonishing increase.

What surprised him even more was that his relationship with Louise allowed him to gain not only affection but also experience points. His experience had increased by 91,128 points, 30% of the affection points gained.

While his affection points were enough to reach level 17, his lack of experience capped his level at 12.

But where exactly was the Hiliberry?

Alec recalled what Cassdain had mentioned earlier.

“I’ve heard the Hiliberry grows in the habitat of white bears.”

The white bears were beasts that lived on Mount Kalanysh.

They resembled polar bears from his original world, and just as polar bears were among the most powerful predators, these white bears were likely formidable as well.

‘They could probably rip a person apart…’

Finding the white bear’s habitat was the first priority.

Cassdain, who had never been to Mount Kalanysh before, didn’t know exactly where the white bears lived.

“Ah!”

As Alec slowed down, Louise let out a soft sound from the sudden deceleration.

The tree they landed on shook, causing snow to fall from the branches.

Whoosh.

The wind howled around them like an enveloping force.

Was the temperature -50 degrees? Or -60?

“Hngh…”

The bone-chilling cold caused Louise to let out a low groan.

Without delay, Alec used the “Hot Touch of a Novice Husband: Fiery Heat” skill to heat her body.

“Louise, you’ll warm up soon.”

“Thank you, Alec. But where are we―?

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories