Chapter 121

"Ugh…"

Despite quite some time having passed since Ashies was discovered, the dwarves’ astonished gasps showed no signs of stopping. While I understood their awe, I desperately wanted to leave this freezing place as soon as possible.

"Master Hargran, the flame from Magmar, please."

"Huh? Oh, right, I was just about to!"

Snapping out of his daze, Hargran barked orders at the others.

"Hey! How long are you going to stand there gawking? Get the container!"

"Yes, sir!"

Dwarves carrying oversized bags stepped forward. These were the special containers designed to hold molten steel from Magmar’s Heart.

The ice crystal imprisoning Ashies could only be melted with Magmar’s molten steel. After all, it was crafted by a dragon.

"You just need to pour it over the crystal," I explained.

"But won’t the princess inside get hurt?"

I hadn’t mentioned anything about her being a princess, yet they instinctively referred to her as one. Typical dwarves—they never missed details when it came to royalty.

"It’ll be fine. It won’t melt unless poured directly."

Though still hesitant, the dwarves begrudgingly began pouring the molten steel.

The boiling, fiery red liquid hit the crystal with a hiss, releasing clouds of steam. The molten steel dripped onto the ground, leaving patches of scorched earth.

Yet the massive ice crystal encasing Ashies barely showed any change, melting only a tiny fraction at a time.

"Even Magmar’s molten steel can’t easily melt it? What is this? Who is this girl, why is she here, and how do you know all this, you skinny brat?"

"It’s nothing complicated. This hill above us is actually a dragon’s lair, and she’s one of the dragon’s treasures."

"A dragon’s lair, you say?"

The dwarves murmured anxiously. The confidence they had displayed before the journey evaporated at the mention of a dragon, their faces turning pale.

"What’s the problem? Aren’t you both ‘Dr’ species? Shouldn’t you get along?"

"Get along with those damn reptiles who constantly steal our crafted treasures? Don’t be ridiculous! I knew something was off—this skinny brat is trying to sell us out to a dragon!"

"That’s nonsense. Yes, this is a dragon’s lair, but there’s no dragon here, is there? It’s obviously away. If we finish up quickly and leave, it won’t even notice we were here."

Noticing the dwarves had stopped pouring the molten steel, I gestured for them to continue.

"What are you waiting for? Do you want to become dragon snacks? You’d probably taste great, all plump and juicy."

With renewed urgency, the dwarves resumed pouring the steel. Bit by bit, the crystal’s volume visibly decreased.

If even Magmar’s molten steel could only manage this much, nothing else would have made a dent.

The cave filled with thick, steamy vapor, the heat driving away the cold.

The combination of cool air and warm humidity felt like being in a sauna—surprisingly pleasant.

Eventually, the dwarves slowed their efforts, their movements becoming sluggish. Soon, they stopped altogether, having emptied all the molten steel they had brought.

"It’s all used up."

"Good. Now we wait."

The ice crystal continued melting, thinning until strands of Ashies’ hair began to slip through. The scene resembled a frozen canyon thawing into trickling streams.@@novelbin@@

Cautiously…

Avoiding the puddles of molten liquid, I approached the crystal. Carefully, I extracted Ashies, cradling her in my arms like the princess she was.

At last, she was in my embrace.

"Is she alive?"

"Of course. She’s just in forced hibernation."

Though faint, she was definitely breathing.

From just a handspan away, I could see Ashies peacefully sleeping. Her delicate features were even more breathtaking up close.

Her long, fine lashes cast shadows on her closed eyelids, while her translucent, porcelain-like skin gleamed with a glassy smoothness.

Her hair, as white as snow with a faint icy blue sheen, sparkled like frosted snowflakes. She was like a statue carved from ice, a vision of winter’s beauty.

As fitting as her appearance was, her body temperature was remarkably low—she felt like a block of ice in my arms.

Holding her made me worry she might literally melt away.

"Hmm?"

Noticing my focus on Ashies, the dwarves tiptoed closer, their curiosity evident.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Can’t we get a closer look too?"

I lifted Ashies higher in my arms, keeping her out of their view.

"No. She’s going to be my slave, so you can’t ogle her. She’ll wear out."

"You skinny brat! You’re planning to make such a beautiful girl your slave? What kind of sin did she commit in her past life to deserve that?"

"She saved the world. That’s why she gets the privilege of meeting a kind master like me."

"Kind, my ass! What’s in that thick skull of yours? One day, I swear, I’ll split it open and find out."

Ignoring Hargran’s grumbling, I adjusted Ashies to carry her on my back. Draping Hargran’s coat over her, I smiled.

"Let’s head back to someplace warm, shall we?"

***

​

Cold.

It was the name of the curse that had plagued Ashies her entire life.

No matter how many layers she wore, the biting chill penetrated her skin. When she tried to warm herself by a fire, the curse responded, emitting cold that froze her soul even further.

As if to deny her the warmth every living being deserved.

Ashies had never known warmth—neither physically nor emotionally.

Her eyelids twitched, then slowly began to open. Eyes tinted with winter’s unique blue came into view.

They were as calm and cold as a frozen lake, with no ripples or traces of emotion. Her gaze was steady, reflecting the world like the surface of a mirror, with only a faint hint of lethargy.

The first sight Ashies saw upon waking from her long hibernation was...

"Hello," Karami greeted her softly, his smile gentle.

And that wasn’t all.

"Oh, you’re finally awake! Are you feeling alright?"

A deep, gruff voice reached Ashies’ ears. As she turned her gaze, she saw seven dwarves surrounding her, each of them eagerly observing her.

"What clear eyes you have, Princess. That deep blue suits you beautifully."

Urgdar’s affectionate tone brought other dwarves closer, each trying to get a better look.

"Move aside, Urgdar! Let me see too!"

"Step back! I brought her here, so I get the first look!"

As Roxar and Hargran bickered, Ulbram shot a teasing glance at Torbar, who stood a step behind the group.

"My friend, were you really planning to leave behind such a stunning lady?"

"..."

Torbar remained silent, his expression conflicted.

Hergen, the so-called Immortal Blacksmith, smirked knowingly.

"Well, if we’re being honest, I was on board with this from the start. If the slave trader had asked me, I would’ve jumped in to help. No doubt about it."

Despite the princess’s recent awakening from the ice, the seven dwarves continued to press close, trying to assert their presence.

The room was chaotic, resembling a giant shared bedroom filled with rowdy middle-aged men.

Ordinarily, a woman in her position would have screamed in terror, but Ashies showed no reaction.

"…?"

The ice princess, who didn’t even know how long she’d been asleep, simply blinked slowly and tilted her head slightly.

"The princess isn’t reacting, so all of you, please leave. You’re in the way."

"You skinny brat! What gives you the right to tell us to leave?"

"I’m her master. It’s my duty to protect my slave from shady old men like you. Now scram and go back to smithing or something."

"You insolent little whelp—!"

Hargran lunged forward as if to grab Karami by the collar, but Ulbram held him back.

"Now, now. Let’s not start a fight. Everyone, let’s give the princess some space. There’s no need to crowd her on the first day. We can meet her again later."

"Tch. Fine. Hey, Princess! If this brat tries anything funny, just scream. I’ll come running right away."

Grumbling, the Meisters reluctantly filed out of the room, leaving only Ashies and Karami behind.

"Unbelievable. They sure know beauty when they see it."

Every race had different standards of beauty. For dwarves, sturdiness and well-groomed beards were highly valued. Even for dwarf women, their aesthetics didn’t stray far, with braided hair being considered elegant.

Ashies, with her long, silky hair and delicate, almost breakable frame, was the exact opposite of dwarf ideals.

Yet even they couldn’t deny her beauty, which seemed to transcend racial boundaries.

The fact that she was now his slave brought a smile to Karami’s face.

Of course, the thought of freeing her one day was daunting, but he’d take it one step at a time.

"Can you understand me?"

"..."

"If you can, blink three times."

Ashies blinked.

Once.

…

Twice.

…

Finally, a third time.

It took her a full ten seconds to blink three times—painfully slow by any measure. Yet Karami maintained his smile.

"Good. Let’s start with introductions. I’m Karami, your master and a slave trader."

"…?"

"You are my slave. I’m your master. You understand that, right?"

Ashies tilted her head, her slow nod leaving Karami unsure if she truly understood.

"Now that I’ve introduced myself, it’s your turn. Can you tell me your name?"

Ashies remained silent, blinking slowly as if processing his words. Finally, after nearly a minute, her pale pink lips parted slightly.

"…Ashies…"

Her soft voice carried a chill that matched her appearance.

"Ashies… Friana."

"Wonderful, Miss Ashies. And who am I?"

"…Rami…?"

Karami wiggled his finger.

"No, no. I’m Karami, your master. Who am I?"

"…Rami…"

It seemed the prolonged time in ice had affected her cognition. Karami’s impromptu language lesson began.

"Let’s take it step by step. First, say ‘Ka.’"

"Ka."

"Good. Now, ‘Ra.’"

"Ra."

"Now, ‘Mi.’"

"Mi…?"

"Now put it together. Karami."

"…Rami?"

"?"

"…?"

The two stared at each other, heads tilted in mutual confusion.

"Who am I?"

"Rami."

"…Just call me Master."

"Okay… Rami."

Karami closed his eyes, exhaling deeply.

It was at that moment he realized something had gone terribly wrong.