Chapter 455: Climbing Mount Olympus part 14

We continue our ascent, but this time without Princess Ayaka and the wandering sage. Of course, we have to decline her request to accompany us to the summit. She's not prepared for the painful task of conquering the summit. It's as if we're sending her to her own death.

The reason she wanted to go to the summit? Because there's a story in her family that there's a legendary Ice Mana Core in the peak that can freeze the world itself. It's similar to what Ice Fairy Shiva told me. Well, I mean, I can give it to her if she really needs it or if she's more compatible with it. I wanted to take it for myself to prepare for the fight against the Devil King, but if Princess Ayaka is better suited for it, then maybe it's better to give it to her. An additional ally in my fight against the Devil King is more valuable than me handling the Core alone, that's for sure.

"Urghh... It's freezing... Fie, can't you make yourself warmer?" [Randy]

"Meow" [Fie]

"Diana... Sharing is caring, you know..." [Nar]

"Fine... Only if Fie allows it" [Diana]

"Oh Fie, our dearest elemental cat, please!" [Nar]

"Meow" [Fie]

"I don't know what that means, but I'll take it as you wish!" [Randy]

"How come you're doing so well in this weather..." [Diana]

"I've been through colder weather. Besides, I have practically lived here for almost 200 years" [Falmer].

As we continue our ascent, the weather becomes more violent. Our last contact with anyone outside our group was about two days ago. Since then we haven't seen a single hiker. According to Miss Falmer, there should be a group or three ahead of us, but they have either lost their way, died from the extreme weather or given up and turned back, all three of which are equally plausible.

We reach the 5km mark steadily. there's a hut nearby and a hut we find. A very sturdy hut and there we find

"A big polar bear! So cute!" [Diana].

"Meow!" [Fie]

"Yes! You're cute too, but so is the polar bear and her cubs!" [Diana]

It looks docile, but according to Miss Falmer, it's waiting for one of the hikers to be dead so it can eat the corpses, or for a kind-hearted hiker to give it food. Well, it doesn't look very nice now! Knowing its intentions, I told it to go away! But the cubs make such a cute face that I can't refuse. I wanted to refuse so much! Please, let me refuse! Don't continue your relentless attack by melting this frozen heart of mine with the cuteness of your faces! It's not fair.

"Guess they won..." [Diana]

"Just don't do it every time" [Nar]

"Right..." [Diana]

"The weather should be much calmer now, but it's getting late, so I advise us to rest until noon tomorrow" [Falmer].

"The locals know best. I'll start the fire" [Randy]

"We're running out of firewood, I'll get some from outside" [Nar].

"I'll hunt for food then. We still have plenty of food, but we should eat some fresh meat and vegetables every now and then to keep us healthy" [Falmer].

"Fie and I will help clean this hut then!" [Diana]

"Meow" [Fie]

"Right! Let us start cleaning and repairing" [Diana]

It didn't take us long to decide what we were going to do. The three of them go out again after a short preparation, while I start cleaning the hut.

This hut is free for everyone. According to Miss Falmer, the basic facilities are provided by the Kingdom, but travellers and workers alike regularly carry out some maintenance, from making sure the firewood supply is there to some travellers volunteering to hunt and preserve some meat for others. Even potions and medicines are stored here. It's not a small supply, but I feel like doing my bit. Just a normal potion should do. I'm sure the Nar and others won't mind.

Sweep the floor. Wipe the floor. Sweep the dust. Sweep the window. Fix the leak. Make sure the cabin is well maintained. I have to thank Master Brookr and others for letting me learn so much while upgrading Housey, so this should be a piece of cake for me.

As time went by, they came back one by one. We begin to prepare our dinner. Nothing fancy, just enough to give us energy and keep us healthy, although even a simple hot meal in this situation is like eating with Auntie Amleth. Better appreciate every spoonful of it before going to bed early.

Chapter end