At the Northern Fort Chapter 2

Holding the fort, comnce.

"I must have you watch our ho by yourself for a while."

In a pleasant, song-like voice, Mother spoke to .

Hearing that I would have to watch the house, my ears and bushy tail drooped. This body is too honest.

"The truth is I have been summoned by the King, you see. …I spoke to you of the King earlier, did I not? He governs this Kingdom of Aridora, and is the most high ranked amongst the humans."

I had been taught before that this country was apparently a monarchy. And that Mother was 『cooperating』 with that King.

Spirits are fundantally fond of the humans that live on the sa land as them, and sotis help them.

For example in wars and stuff, the spirits that live in Aridora will help the Aridoran humans.

They hate when strangers──humans from other countries, noisily intrude on their land, after all.

Of course, that doesn't an that all spirits will actively cooperate with the humans. There are so that think that humans should solve their own problems, but on that point, Mother is cooperative.

"Lately there has been trouble brewing with the neighbouring nation, you see. Until matters settle down, I shall be by their side. That one is quite likeable as far as humans go. I have been watching him since he was a child, after all, and it would be a pity to let him die."

Mother continued.

"It pains to leave you alone when you have not even been born for a year yet, although I am also hesitant to bring you with to the Capital. It is a maelstrom of human ambition and desire after all. There are also those who would seek to make the power of a spirit their own. It is a poisonous place to one pure as you."

That can't be… I'm not pure at all, so take with you.

I'm stained with desire too.

"I shall return in one month, so endure until then."

Hearing Mother's smooth words, I doubted my ears. To think that I would have to stay here by myself for a whole month.

Mother had gone to the King before, but she would always co back after a day at most.

Kyun kyun, I cried as I clung to Mother's leg. Leaving an infant alone for a whole month… That's neglect. Abuse!!

Mother spoke to with a troubled expression.

"I had thought that you had so oddly mature parts to you, but you truly are still a child. But as one who will inherit the na Snowlea, you must live more strongly. Live without relying on your mother for this month, and fix that cowardly nature of yours."

Snowlea is apparently the na that each generation of our clan inherits, and is Mother's current na.

Mother is usually gentle, but when it cos to upbringing, she believes in being Spartan, and rather than having brought up girly and gentle, she apparently prefers for to grow up strong and tough.

There was even one ti when she told "Climb up from the bottom." before dropping off a cliff. If I wasn't a spirit, I would've died.

"Well then, try your best, Milfiria, my beloved child."

Mother gave my fluffy head a kiss, before a small blizzard seed to rise from the ground and wrapped her up. When it was gone, so was her figure.

She left for the castle with the King.

Wahhhh, Mother you jerrkkk!

It's impossible for an infant like to live by myself for a monthhh!

I gave a resentful cry, but thinking about it calmly, it actually doesn't seem that difficult.

As a spirit, I don't feel hungry, and I can survive even without eating anything. That's why I don't particularly have to hunt.

The other problem is outside invaders, but it's never seed to be a problem before. Reason being that it's too cold on the summit where we live, and there are almost no animals here.

When it cos to large carnivores, occasionally a non-hibernating bear called a snow bear will co along, but we're spirits, and they've never attacked us before. Animals are sharp, so they apparently know by instinct that we're a different dinsion of being to them.

In other words, I have no enemy animals on this snowy mountain, and even if I fail at hunting, there's no worry of starving to death.

If it's just a month then even the young can survive without problems.

Geeez, isn't that easy then?

It was only for a few months, but I lived by myself in my past life as well, so it's just the sa thing. Easy peasy.

Or so I was thinking and getting cocky, but I had totally forgotten that when I moved out by myself for university, I fell hosick on the very first day.

❄❄❄

Suddenly waking up in the middle of the night and realising that Mother wasn't by my side, I sohow felt terribly forlorn. The cave that we were using as our den was quiet, and the silence hurt my ears. Snow was falling heavily outside.

I closed my eyes to sleep again, but my restless feelings kept awake. It's lonely living by myself in a mountain like this.

"Kyuuun!"

Getting up and leaving the cave, I cried into the air. It was the cry that I used for calling Mother, and was higher pitched than normal. There was a trick to putting lots of grief into it as well.

Normally when I get lost in the mountains and I cry out with this voice, Mother always cos to pick up.

"Kyuuun! Kyuuun!"

But this ti, no matter how many tis I continued to cry, Mother wouldn't co to greet .

Even the ti when I had been tossed off a cliff for training, when I cried like this, Mother had said "Honestly, what a hopeless child." and picked up.

Being by myself for a whole month really is too muchh!

There aren't any attackers, and I won't starve either, but I'll die from being lonely.

But right now Mother is in the capital, and no matter how loudly I cry, she won't co back.

In that case――

*imouto*

I've decided.

I'll follow Mother to the capital.

If I make it to the King's castle by my own strength, Mother will be surprised and praise for my toughness.

Now that I've made up my mind, it's ti to head down the mountain.

With my tail up high, I left the cave behind, powered by vigour alone.