The vast Bone Dragon Mountains stretched beyond sight.
Snowflakes were falling from the afternoon sky, and with the clouds blocking the light, all Lonis could see in every direction was a sea of white.
If Lonis had been alone, she would probably have gotten lost in these mountains long ago. But Elucia seemed to always know which way to go, and never hesitated as she pressed on.
“After all these years, nothing here has changed…”
“A-all these years?”
“Hehe. Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t, little maid Lonis.”
“Ugh…”
Gazing at Elucia’s back, Lonis felt conflicted.
Was it resentment?
A normal person would surely be filled with anger and indignation if someone put a collar around their neck and led them around like a pet.
But Lonis couldn’t help feeling that…
Elucia had so many stories in her past that Lonis knew nothing about.
She didn’t seem like a “companion doll” generated for her by the system. She seemed more like a real person—someone who had been through a lot, someone who had lived in this world for at least some time.
In that case…
Was Elucia the system itself?
Lonis had her suspicions, but no chance to prove them…
Still, if she looked at it that way, everything might make sense:
At some point in the past, she’d died in an accident—or maybe she hadn’t quite died. Somehow, her body or her consciousness had ended up in a cryogenic pod.
A long time passed just like that. During all those years, she’d lived in a virtual world, savoring her dream of becoming a Hero.
But the real world had changed beyond recognition. Not only had all kinds of monsters appeared, but human technology had also regressed dramatically, leaving the underground shelter where she’d been living abandoned.
Elucia, as the system, had somehow remained. And since Lonis was the last human, she’d saved her.
Then she’d traveled with Lonis, hoping they could bring back the human civilization of the past.
But if that was true, then Elucia was a robot—and that contradicted Lonis’s original theory, didn’t it?
…
…
Lonis had questions, but she didn’t dare step forward and ask. The feeling gnawed at her like bugs crawling under her skin, leaving her deeply uncomfortable.
…
Time passed quietly. Before long, it was already four in the afternoon… The whole sky had grown gloomy, as if night were about to fall.
But at the edge of her vision, Lonis spotted something different.
It was a small village, perched on a mountainside cliff. Snow was falling thick and fast, but it still couldn’t hide the village’s tall rooftops. Wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys, a sign that people still lived there.
“Elucia, there’s a village!”
“Of course it’s a village. I spotted it ages ago… Are you stupid?”
“Huh?”
“You make a big deal out of every little thing. And when we get to the village, pretend you’re mute. Don’t ask a single question, or you’ll be sorry!”
“Ugh…”
Lonis could tell Elucia was serious, so she had no choice but to keep quiet and follow the black-haired little girl toward the village.
…
…
A dirt road ran near the village. It looked like someone shoveled the snow off it regularly so travelers could come and go.
Elucia tugged on the leash without a hint of hesitation and called out to the village:
“Anyone there? Adventurers are here to trade!”
A moment later, an elderly voice came from inside the village. “Adventurers, what are you looking for?”
“Ice crystals. You should have plenty here, right?”
“So you’ve come to trade for ice crystals. Come on in.”
…
…
After they introduced themselves, the two girls were welcomed into the village by its chief.
From behind the windows of the wooden houses, Lonis could sense the villagers peeking at her curiously. There were young and old, men and women. They seemed to be wondering why such a pretty silver-haired young lady was being led around like a pet by a black-haired little girl.
Realizing this, Lonis’s cheeks grew even redder. She didn’t even dare openly look around the village, let alone meet the villagers’ eyes.
(But these villagers dress so plainly. They’re all wearing simple, drab hemp clothes… So my guess was right after all?)
As they walked through the village, Lonis didn’t see anything modern, like “electric lights” or “electric cars.” Apart from the wooden things scattered everywhere, there was only a thick metal pipe running along the eaves.
Elucia’s conversation with the white-haired village chief also caught Lonis’s attention.
…
“Oh? You’re saying there’ve been ghosts around here, so no travelers have come by in a long time?”
“That’s right… It’s been more than half a year since we last traded with anyone from outside.”
“Then how’s your magitech furnace? I imagine it’s having some problems.”
“Y-yes… To be honest, some of the parts are getting worn out.”
“I’ve got replacement parts. In exchange, give me some magic crystals.”
“All right. Please, come inside.”
…
What was a magitech furnace?
And what did they mean by ghosts?
Lonis didn’t understand any of it, but she still kept her mouth shut as Elucia had ordered. Of course, that wasn’t because she was obedient or had accepted her identity as a slave maid.
She just didn’t want to be mocked for her ignorance. If she asked the wrong question at the wrong time, Elucia would definitely bully her later.
…
…
In the center of the village stood a building that looked quite tall.
It was hexagonal and about eight meters high, but had only one floor… The moment Lonis stepped inside, a wave of warmth washed over her.
The cold was shut out by the door. In the center of the room stood something like a globe: a huge sphere floating in midair as if gravity had stopped working.
Beside the sphere floated a ring-shaped object, like a small belt.
…
Elucia looked at the device and furrowed her brow slightly.
“This version is ancient…”
“Ah, this magitech furnace seems to be a product of the Snowrealm Kingdom. It was put into operation a long time ago.”
The village chief shook his head, his face full of rueful nostalgia.
“The Snowrealm Kingdom… Heh.”
Elucia gave a cold snort and pulled a nail-like part from her storage ring.
“This thing’s such an antique that you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who could repair it.”
“Huh?”
“But you’re in luck. You ran into me.”
Elucia smiled, looking ready to show off her skills.
However… even in high heels, the black-haired little girl stood only a little over 1.4 meters tall.
The sphere floating in the middle of the room was about 2.5 meters off the ground. No matter how high Elucia stood on her tiptoes, she couldn’t reach it… The sight was so comical that even Lonis couldn’t help sneaking a laugh.
But if Elucia couldn’t reach the sphere, then Lonis’s good days were over.
“You idiot. Why are you still standing there watching?”
“Huh?”
“Can’t you take a hint? Get over here and be my human stepladder!”
The black-haired little girl looked sternly at Lonis, her hands on her hips.
