In the northern part of the mainland lies the Rossiya Empire, a land of bitter cold where even a single spit on the street freezes into shards of ice.
Today, snow is falling heavily again. Even wearing a cotton coat outside makes people shiver from the chill, yet I don’t feel cold at all.
Because I’m tied to a pile of firewood and about to be burned alive — how could I possibly feel cold?
I raise my head with difficulty.
In my line of sight, a small figure sits atop a hastily assembled high “throne.”
She is the executioner — the one who’s about to set me ablaze.
“You know why you’re being burned? No other reason — it’s just that the Rossiya Empire doesn’t need a toy that doesn’t follow its empress’s orders!”
She jumps off the overly tall throne and flicks her ponytail, picking up a bottle of liquor from the table.
Gulp gulp gulp~
She downs it in one go, then…
Throws it over!
A specialty of the Rossiya Empire: Molotov — a strong liquor with an alcohol content of 89%. One sip and you’re out…
One spark and it burns!
Through the bottle flying at me, I see her silhouette raise a magitek gun.
“Buh-bye, weirdly dressed big bro~”
Bang!
Roaring flames seem to have already ignited.
At this point, any sane person wouldn’t treat it like a sauna.
Move, move! Activate some protective talisman, hidden bloodline, anything!
At the very least, give me a berserk buff so I can snap the ropes and run! I’m really about to die here!
And then — as if my cries were answered — a graceful figure suddenly lands in front of me.
So big, so white — she must be warm!
And despite wearing what could only be described as a revealing and even sexy short skirt and thin top, she seemed entirely unaffected by the harsh climate.
At most, her exposed shoulders were tinged with a rosy blush.
I swear I wasn’t deliberately staring at her chest and bare shoulders! It’s just that she was standing right in front of me, completely blocking out the sunlight — how could I not take a moment to admire her stunning beauty?
In the next moment, without me saying a word, she had already turned to face the danger.
Her silver hair fluttered with the falling snow, making her seem like a spirit from a winter fairytale.
I, still tied up, finally let out a sigh of relief.
This “spirit” wasn’t just for show!
“!”
As she turned, a kick sent the flying liquor bottle soaring away.
A flash of cold light followed — her sword had been drawn and cleaved through the incoming projectile with perfect precision.
The fire that should have consumed me never came.
Everything around us — the watching crowd on the streets, the soldiers guarding me, even the stunned little figure on the throne — fell silent in shock.
The first to react were the soldiers near the firewood pile!
They rushed forward, trying to capture the one who dared interfere with an execution — a high crime indeed!
“Hmph. Overestimating yourselves.”
Still facing away from me, she only cast a glance back.
Instantly, the burly men collapsed like frightened little girls, trembling on the ground.
It wasn’t some mental trick — her sheer aura and pressure had already rendered them immobile!
“Rossiya Empire again…”
She turned her gaze toward the throne in the distance, her already cold voice growing even frostier.
“Hey, you shorty sitting over there — before you touch my people, consider whether you’re even worthy.”
There was no reply. Not surprising, since even I — tied up behind her — felt an instinctual fear in that moment.
What kind of terrifying rage must be on her face right now? Had she become a wrathful demon?
I didn’t know. All I knew was that the next moment, she turned to look at me.
And when I finally tilted my head to get a clear view, what I saw was not scolding or anger — but a tsundere expression of concern and frustration.
“I’ve been looking all over for you. How are you always this careless, idiot…”
“Listen up, next time I absolutely won’t come save you again!”
Anyone looking at that perfect face would easily categorize it as “flawless,” but right now, it was full of dissatisfaction directed at me.
Yet despite that, her brows still carried a trace of concern.
She grabbed my shoulders, glanced around, then swiftly cut my ropes — I was free.
The bitter cold made my weakened legs nearly buckle, but she quickly stepped up and held me tight, helping me stand.
Phew~ Sure enough, big, soft, and warm.
After enjoying the scent of her for about a second, I backed away — one, to avoid a punch, and two… because the danger wasn’t over.
Not far away, the petite figure who’d been stunned by her words and aura finally snapped back to reality.
Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she began stomping and yelling in a fury!
“Y-you-you… who are you!? If I say someone must die, then they must die! I’ll shoot the meddler too! Urahh!”
Bang bang bang!
Colorful magical bullets flew wildly around us, causing the crowd to flee in panic.
Chaos erupted, but the girl in front of me didn’t even spare the attacker a glance.
She just kept staring at me.
After a while, as if satisfied, she finally sighed and sheathed her weapon.
“Forget it. Too many people here. I’ll settle this with you properly once we get back.”
“Uh… how are we getting back?”
“Teleportation. It’s faster this way. If I fly you back with magic, you’ll freeze into a popsicle.”
We stood in silence for a moment.
Then, a blush suddenly bloomed across her fair cheeks.
“What are you waiting for!? Hurry up and hug my thigh!”
Yes, yes! Hugging your lovely white thigh! And today she’s even wearing black stockings — spicy!
She began chanting softly.
Even though we were surrounded by enemies, I wasn’t worried at all — after all, this “thigh” I was clinging to had that kind of power.
“Reload! Where is everyone?! You’re all trash! Absolute trash — suka blyat!”
“What’s that shorty shouting?”
“Native language.”
Actually, she was swearing like a sailor, but if I said that out loud, I’m pretty sure the white and powerful girl beside me would regress the entire region back to the Stone Age.
“Shut up, shorty!”
With a casual flick of her hand, the girl summoned a storm of snow-laced wind, engulfing the distant angry voice along with her throne.
It was only then that I suddenly remembered—
“Kefir, thanks again… for everything.”
Her body trembled slightly.
“It was just on the way. On the way, got it!?”