Chapter 14: Village on the Snow Mountain
The vast Bone Dragon Mountain Range stretched as far as the eye could see.
Especially with the snowflakes falling in the afternoon sky and the cover of dark clouds, looking around, only a vast expanse of white could be seen.
If Lonis were alone, she would have been lost in this mountain range long ago. But Elus seemed to always know the direction, her steps forward without any hesitation.
“After so many years, has nothing changed here…”
“S-so many years?”
“Hmph, don’t ask what you shouldn’t ask, little maid Lonis.”
“Wuwu…”
Gazing at Elus’s back, Lonis’s mood was a little complicated.
Was it hatred?
Logically speaking, if a normal person were put on a collar and led around like a pet, their heart would definitely be filled with indignation and anger.
However, Lonis always felt…
Elus carried many stories that she didn’t understand.
She wasn’t a “companion puppet” generated by the system, but more like a person: she must have experienced many things, at least lived in this world.
So, does that mean…
Elus is the system itself?
Lonis had such a suspicion, but she had no chance to confirm it…
But if she considered it this way, everything might make sense:
In the past, she died unexpectedly (or perhaps didn’t die), her body or consciousness somehow, was placed in a cryo-chamber.
Thus, a long time passed, during which she lived in a virtual world, experiencing the dream of becoming a hero.
But reality had undergone earth-shattering changes: not only had many monsters appeared in the world, but human technology had also regressed significantly, causing the underground shelter where she was located to be abandoned.
However, Elus, as the system, was still there because she was the last human, so she saved her.
And traveled with her, hoping to find the lost human civilization.
But if that’s the case, Elus is a robot, doesn’t that contradict her initial deduction?
…
…
Having doubts but not daring to ask, Lonis felt as if insects were crawling in her heart, feeling unusually uncomfortable.
…
As time quietly passed, it was soon 4 PM… The entire sky had become gloomy, appearing to be shrouded by the night.
But at the end of her vision, Lonis spotted something different.
It was a small village, situated on a cliff: although the falling snowflakes were heavy, they couldn’t hide the village’s high eaves. Wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys, indicating that this village was still inhabited.
“Elus, it’s a village!”
“Of course it’s a village, I found it long ago… Are you an idiot?”
“Eh?”
“Making a fuss over such a small matter, and besides… When we get to the village later, you’ll pretend to be mute, and you’re not allowed to ask anything, or you’ll be in trouble!”
“Wuwu…”
Lonis knew Elus was serious, so she could only shut her mouth and followed the black-haired little loli towards the village.
…
…
There was a dirt road near the village, and it could be seen that someone shoveled snow regularly to allow pedestrians to enter and exit.
And
Elus unceremoniously pulled the rope and shouted towards the village:
“Is anyone there? Adventurers have come to do business.”
After a moment, an aged voice came from the village: “Adventurers, what do you want?”
“Ice Crystal, you should have quite a bit of it here, right?”
“So you’re here to trade Ice Crystals, please come in.”
…
…
After identifying themselves, the two girls were welcomed into the village by the village chief.
From behind the wooden house window, Lonis could sense that many villagers were curiously peeking at her. They were old and young, male and female, and seemed to be wondering: why is this beautiful silver-haired young lady being led like a pet by a black-haired little loli?
Realizing this, Lonis’s cheeks turned even redder. She didn’t even dare to openly observe the village, let alone make eye contact with the villagers.
(But the villagers’ attire is so simple, all made of plain linen clothes of dull colors… was my previous guess correct?)
As she walked closer to the village, Lonis did not find any modern gadgets like “electric lights” or “electric cars.” Besides the ubiquitous wood, there was only a thick metal steel pipe extending along the eaves.
And Elus’s conversation with the white-haired village chief was also quite intriguing.
…
“Oh? You say that because of hauntings nearby, so no travelers have come here for a long time?”
“That’s right… So for more than half a year, we haven’t traded with outsiders.”
“Then what about the Magic Drive Furnace, it’s probably having problems?”
“Mhm, mhm… To tell you the truth, some parts are aging.”
“I have replacement parts. In return, give me some Magic Gemstones.”
“Okay, please come inside.”
…
What is a Magic Drive Furnace?
And what’s with the hauntings?
Although she didn’t understand, Lonis still remembered Elus’s order to keep quiet – of course, this wasn’t because she was obedient and had accepted her identity as a Slave Maid.
It was just because Lonis didn’t want to be ridiculed for her ignorance. If she asked inappropriate questions, she would definitely be bullied by Elus later.
…
…
In the center of the village was a seemingly tall building.
It was hexagonal, about 8 meters high, but it was only one story… As soon as she pushed the door open, Lonis felt a wave of warmth.
The cold was blocked outside the door. In the center of the room stood something like a globe: a huge sphere seemed to be floating in mid-air as if gravity had lost its effect.
Next to the sphere were ring-shaped floating objects that looked like small bands.
…
Looking at this thing, Elus frowned slightly:
“Such an old version…”
“Ah, this Magic Drive Furnace seems to be a product of the Snow Kingdom, and it had been put into operation a long time ago,”
The village chief shook his head, his face full of emotion.
“Snow Kingdom… Hmph hmph!”
Elus snorted coldly and took out a nail-like part from her Storage Ring:
“For this old relic, you can’t find many people who can repair it now.”
“Eh?”
“But you are very lucky, you met me.”
Elus smiled, seeming ready to show off her skills.
However… even with high-heeled shoes, the black-haired little loli was only a little over 1 meter 4.
And the sphere floating in the middle of the room was about 2.5 meters off the ground. No matter how Elus tiptoed, she couldn’t reach it… Such an action was undoubtedly very comical, and even Lonis couldn’t help but secretly smile.
However, if Elus couldn’t reach the sphere, Lonis’s good days would be over.
“You idiot, why are you still watching from the side.”
“Eh?”
“Don’t you have any eyes? Hurry up and be my human ladder!”
The black-haired little loli looked at Lonis sternly, with her hands on her hips.
