---

Jack Frost is a monster.

I’ve heard he is classified as vermin.

Vermin refers to entities that cause significant harm to nature, civilization, and people.

Typically, those that swarm are the ones that come to mind, covering both living and non-living things.

Naturally, some monsters that either swarm or don’t are also included.

In simple terms, it’s just another term for pests or nuisances.

And when it comes to pests, the crucial aspect is addressing them at the initial stage.

In that sense, the hunt for Jack Frost, or rather, the pest control operation, was proceeding so smoothly that even Karem, who stood idly beside Catherine, could see it clearly.

The command center was packed with people lining up.

Still, soldiers and adventurers continually arrived in the village.

The temporary command center was overflowing with evidence of the hunt.

The commotion outside the village seemed to lessen with each passing day.

Catherine, who was stamping documents and reading books, didn’t need to step in.

Literally, her role was the very definition of a figurehead.

With that, Catherine could declare the dissolution of the hunt after her wizards had meticulously investigated the area where Jack Frost appeared for half a day.

The time taken up to this point was three days.

Karem boarded the wagon returning to Coldon with Catherine and Mary, who had joined the following early morning. The sun was just beginning to set.

“Hah, I still can’t believe it.”

Catherine, flipping the dark-colored fish-shaped pastry around absentmindedly, quivered at the corners of her eyes, wearing an indescribably strange expression.

“Have I been too tangled up in the word ‘curse’? I didn’t need to be fixated on solving the problem; there were alternative routes.”

“You seem rather pleased, though.”

“Who says that? Who?”

“Well, you’ve only had fish-shaped pastries as snacks for the past three days, right?”

Catherine, having taken a bite out of the head of her fish-shaped pastry, waved her hand as if to say not to spout nonsense.

She had been munching on the roasted Alraune custard fish-shaped pastries that could be eaten with her hands this whole time and had the audacity to say that.

“Congratulations, Contractor.”

Mary, clutching a basket, spoke with an uncomfortable demeanor as if she had just gulped down Alraune’s Tear from a kettle.

“So, what exactly is bothering you?”

“Bothering? What do you mean, Karem? I am perfectly at peace, much like when I am indulging in custard pudding.”

“Did you leave the matters at the Tower behind? No, that doesn’t seem right.”

If that were the case, she should have shown similar reactions on the way to the Afterglow Fortress. But as far as Karem remembered, Mary did not.

This meant there was some other factor at play.

“Well, isn’t it obvious?”

Catherine chimed in mockingly, as if such curiosity were commonplace.

“It must be that you disliked me picking up this pastry.”

“Huh? Is that the only reason…?”

No, it felt like that was indeed the reason.

Mary, who had consistently maintained a blank and peaceful expression, only radiated discomfort and tension in one circumstance.

That was when her workload was reduced.

She had been that way even after having her kitchen duties taken from her upon their first meeting, when Narque had cleaned the Tower, and any time she nonchalantly sought to tidy up the room or clean the kitchen, Karem could distinctly feel her discomfort radiate.

“It does seem like it might be the case.”

“Tch.”

Karem couldn’t help but half-confirm it.

I mean, she was openly clicking her tongue as if that were the answer.

“But wait, you got upset over just picking up a fish-shaped pastry?”

“Just? How can you say that!”

“I’m just asking if it’s really worth raising such a fuss.”

“Of course, it absolutely is!”

Mary glared at the dark-colored fish-shaped pastry, making a swift sound as she pointed. She wore the same fierce gaze from when Karem had seen her the first day, imbued with hostility.

“You’re a contractor who can’t even eat properly without someone waiting on you hand and foot while also continuously focusing on research.”

“Hey, that language there is a bit off, isn’t it?”

“To see my otherwise satisfying life as a house fairy blemished like this, it’s utterly lamentable.”

“Are you badmouthing me right now? Hey!”

“Why is it that even if you say ‘a mere fraction,’ you ended up with cooking in your hands? It’s as satisfying as feeding a baby bird!”

“You little?!”

Thinking back, all the contractors she had served had either starved to death from neglecting their meals in favor of research, or were said to be one of the more extreme brownies.

As Karem absentmindedly nodded, Catherine’s hand gripped Mary’s head like an eagle clutching its prey.

“I am your master! Your master!”

“My, my head! My head, aaaah!”

Catherine, who had bitten down on her fish-shaped pastry, had veins bulging on her forehead. The same fierce tendons were visible, bulging and twitching in her grip on Mary’s head. Maybe she was being a bit excessive.

“Could you not apply that much pressure?”

“I agree, Contractor. So please, at least with the strength-enchantment spell—!”

Even though she was in so much pain, Mary still maintained her expressionless demeanor. No, had she even cast the strength-enchantment spell in the first place?

“Oh? It seems you still have some room to talk.”

“Ohhh, ooooooh!”

Despite wincing, Mary never dropped the basket she had clutched. Truly, one must admire her dedication to her profession.

However, it somehow felt reminiscent of a similar incident.

Specifically, something that had occurred at the Wizard’s Tower, where the situations seemed similar.

Karem pondered for a moment, a flickering memory just out of reach.

In the meantime, with what seemed to be more than sufficient punishment, Catherine withdrew her hand.

Once Mary swayed unsteadily after apparently losing her strength, Karem finally recalled a past memory.

“What were your impressions on the second punishment?”

“I thought my head was splintering into five pieces.”

“Are you feeling more alright?”

“No. This pain should be alleviated with some sweet snacks.”

So, having suffered all that, she still craved them. Despite Karem’s incredulous gaze, Mary picked up a lighter-colored fish-shaped pastry than the one Catherine held. It was filled with custard cream.

Just when he thought she wouldn’t eat, she rummaged through the large basket beside her, filled with the fish-shaped pastry mold and various tools.

“Are you looking for something?”

“I’ll show you an amazing method to enjoy this fish-shaped pastry even more.”

“Okay.”

“You’re bound to be impressed.”

Did she really claim that much? A flicker of curiosity sparked in Catherine’s gaze, which hadn’t yet lost its anger.

“Are you thinking of spreading jam or something?”

“I’ve tried that, but it didn’t quite suit it as I thought.”

“No, have you actually tried it? So what are you going to do?”

“Just wait and see.”

Mary paused rummaging through the basket as if she had found what she wanted.

Then she casually withdrew her arm from the basket.

“It’s not jam, is it?”

What Mary pulled out was an item Karem was quite familiar with.

A small jar of jam that he had ordered from the warehouse a few days back.

“Hey, I just put it in a jam jar for convenience. I can’t very well bring a proper dish into the current scenario, can I?”

“No, what on earth did you bring that we’re now discussing dishes?”

The jam jar’s size, shape, and weight were perfect; Karem often asked Mary to clean it thoroughly for pouring out nuts, dried fruits, or spices.

However, considering Mary’s tone just now, it was certain that what was currently in that jar wasn’t nuts, dried fruits, or spices.

“It’s whipped cream. Whipped cream.”

“You mean just whipped cream? A detail like that… Huh? Wait a second.”

Catherine’s mouth snapped shut, as if something had been secretive about it now. She looked as if she had discovered some secret of the universe.

“Oh, ohhh.”

Whipped cream, with an amazing flavor to enjoy even more. With that on the fish-shaped pastry, Karem thought he was beginning to understand.

He had seen it on TV before.

He remembered thoroughly being shocked twice upon witnessing it.

How could something so pig-like exist in this world?

How could someone come up with such a genius idea?

“You enjoy the fish-shaped pastry with whipped cream.”

Indeed, the scene he watched on TV had been completely different.

No one took bites out of its head.

No one squeezed whipped cream into its insides through the gaps.

After all, back then, it had been a red bean fish-shaped pastry.

Not a custard cream fish-shaped pastry.

However, the act of Mary loading whipped cream atop the fish-shaped pastry for a whole bite mirrored the idea of entering it into her mouth and stomach, only amplifying the shocking visual aspect.

Aah—gurgle—gulp—

“And that’s how you enjoy it.”

“Ah, just by adding whipped cream, it resulted in such a destructive appearance.”

Catherine, her anger seemingly soothed by the impudence of the house fairy, praised in an impressed tone as she picked up the fish-shaped pastry.

“Contractor. Would you like me to add plenty of whipped cream?”

“Yes, but less than what you think.”

“What? If I don’t put enough, you won’t be able to taste it.”

“Still, it’s too much.”

Even with those words, Karem could see that her serving was rather generous. He cast a glance at the amount of cream laid upon Catherine’s fish-shaped pastry.

Although it was less than what Mary had, it was still excessive.

“Karem, do you need any?”

“No. No way. Wait a sec.”

“And so, will you eat it?”

Got to love the urgency in her gaze. Karem turned his head away.

“May I have just one for Sir Atanitas?”

“…I shall allow one.”

Karem decided after contemplating for a fleeting moment as Catherine nodded. He picked up the darker fish-shaped pastry from the basket.

Whipped cream and coffee flavor. He couldn’t resist that combination.

“Have you changed your mind in the meantime?”

“Seeing that shocking sight changed my mind.”

“Shocking, huh.”

At that, Catherine looked down at her hand.

The dark brown outer skin of the roasted Alraune custard fish-shaped pastry, infused with the alluring and gentle aroma of roasted beans, still retained its crispness.

At the end of the delicate scales embossed on the fins she held, what appeared in place of the original head was whipped cream, as if someone had scooped a handful of clouds from the clear sky and placed it upon it.

“Indeed, it is a shocking visual.”

As I mentioned before.

Familiar flavors can be intimidating.

Catherine had thoroughly savored the roasted Alraune custard cream fish-shaped pastries, and she knew well the taste of whipped cream.

Soft, moist, and crispy textures combined with a fluffy lightness like clouds—how could it possibly not taste good?

Besides, at least in terms of appearance, it resembled that cream-filled jam doughnut sandwich from before—

Bam—rattle!

Suddenly, a jolt hit the wagon.

Slick—

In that instant, the custard fish-shaped pastry attempted to escape from Catherine’s grasp.

Would it have been different if it had absorbed moisture?

Or would it have changed if she had grabbed it by the head instead of the tail?

Or should she use magic even now to try and catch it?

In that fleeting moment, Catherine calculated numerous scenarios.

However, pondering was meaningless.

Though she had layered strength-enhancement spells to reach out, the custard fish-shaped pastry twisted in the air as if to mock her, just barely missing her fingers.

And it fell to the floor of the wagon.

“Hmm? A vibration? An ambush?”

“Whoa! Phew, I almost dropped it—”

With a splat—

The sudden sound echoing throughout the wagon caused Karem, holding on to his fish-shaped pastry and jar, to turn his head.

He was electrified.

Have you heard the term “calm before the storm”?

The weather just before a storm truly does reflect its literal meaning: calm.

This calmness isn’t simply quiet.

Even when the wind isn’t blowing, the flow of air exists.

The atmosphere circulates, even if unseen or unheard.

That feeling brushing against the downy fur is precisely that sensation.

Yet this wasn’t the calm before the storm.

Not even a whisper of airflow could be sensed before the wind.

As if swimming in a pool that felt weightless.

Only an emptiness that made time feel like it had stopped could be felt.

“…Huh.”

With a grin—

Catherine quietly wore a bright, fresh smile.

Neither Karem nor Mary had ever seen such a look on her before.

She simply smiled.

Nevertheless, for some unknown reason, the two companions could not help but tremble in fear, sensing their mistress emanating an aura.

“W-well… Sir Atanitas?”

“The caravan has come to a halt! It seems something has gone awry.”

Catherine silently nodded, and from her next words, both Karem and Mary could feel her emotions.

She was definitely furious.

And rightfully so.

She was outraged.

‘What kind of worthless creature dares?’

Though she had never acknowledged it, over the last three days, Catherine had been so excited she could hardly think straight. She had rarely felt anything to this extent.

Perhaps it was reminiscent of when she reached the wisdom of sages.

When she was recognized as a grand wizard.

Or the moment she had cast her first spell.

Could it compare to just recently, when she received a confession from a little one?

And the greater the joy, the more formidable the drop.

No one could even begin to gauge what kind of fervor she had engulfed herself in as the sensation of food, cuisine, and snacks she had enjoyed after centuries faded from her consciousness.

With a bang!

“Hehehehe!”

“After the forced recruitment, what sort of madness is this?!”

“The wagon is fine! I thought my heart was going to drop out!”

Suddenly, the commotion erupted amongst the caravan over the ambush, as a sinister laugh echoed through.

Karem, following closely behind Catherine, caught sight of the assailant.

“…A big Jack Frost?”

The assailant looked just like the Jack Frost he had seen over the past three days.

A cute, plump snowman with a conical hat and that creepily split grin on its head.

However, the size was completely different.

It seemed just a tad smaller than the undead ogre he had seen previously.

That creature even floated through the air like Jack Frost.

“That’s, King Frost.”

“Excuse me?”

“Do you see the crown on its head?”

As Karem shifted his gaze to follow Mary’s pointing finger, he abruptly turned his head upon hearing a vivid voice from beside him.

“-Burning ice, the blizzard of the midnight sun-”

Before they knew it, Catherine had grasped her staff.

Her golden hair floated up, and snowflakes froze like stars.

“The mouth of winter, on the highest throne, may the winter of Fimbl remain untouched by any. Sharp blizzards, frost giants, Allfather, heed my words—”

Oh, are you currently chanting a spell?

 

---