OPDSP 40

A snow woman?

“Have you heard of snow women before?”

“No. Are they human? Are they different from witches?”

“They are. Snow women are monsters.”

There was a type of monster known as the snow woman. It had been recorded appearing once every hundred years or so, always originating naturally in snowy mountains. Like all monsters, it harbored hatred toward humans and was extremely aggressive. But this one had a rare ability—an ability to dominate the minds of other monsters.

“A snow woman controls monsters by taking over their minds, turning them into her army.”

Given the coordinated behavior the monsters had shown during yesterday’s attack, it was safe to assume that every monster in the region was under her control.

“Once a snow woman forms her army, she always attacks human villages.”

The last time one appeared, a hundred years ago, two villages nearby had been wiped off the map. If left unchecked now, the consequences could be devastating.

“We’ve decided to form several small combat unit composed mostly of knights to subjugate her. Each squad will include a doctor—so there’ll be four teams in total.”

Sending large forces like they usually did might only prompt the Snow Woman to flee. Instead, their plan was to deploy multiple small teams that could move quickly and outflank her.

“Yes.”

So that’s why they called in all the doctors, Aeryl thought, nodding. Jenx and Beryl seemed to understand as well, their expressions set with newfound resolve.

“The only question is which doctor will join my unit,” the Grand Duke continued. “I want you to come with me.”

“Me?”

Aeryl blinked. The Grand Duke had chosen him. As the conversation progressed, the others around them began to stir from their stunned silence.

“I’m actually against that,” said the Knight Commander.

“Your Grace’s unit will have the strongest combat force, and the highest chance of encountering the Snow Woman. It’s too dangerous for a doctor who’s never gone on a subjugation mission before.”

It was a reasonable objection. Someone like Kyla, who had far more field experience than Aeryl, would clearly be the safer choice. The others nodded in agreement.

But they didn’t know one critical detail: the Grand Duke had recently manifested. Aeryl had thought through the request carefully.

The suppressant is working, but it’s risky to rely on that alone.

They’d be tracking the Snow Woman through the forest for several days. There was no guarantee the Grand Duke’s condition would remain stable that whole time. Even if everything went smoothly, the Grand Duke didn’t yet know how to control his pheromones. If he lost his temper like last time, he could send his own allies into panic and fear.

Last time, at least, he managed to calm down quickly… but in the forest? Who knows.

The forest’s negative energy amplified emotions. If the Grand Duke’s pheromones went out of control again—especially during a confrontation with the Snow Woman—it could lead to disaster.

‘No… I have to go with him.’

There was no way Aeryl could send him in alone. He was his patient, after all.

“If Your Grace wishes it, I will go with you—wherever that may be.”

That was his answer: I’ll go.

“You’d better be prepared,” the Grand Duke said sternly.

One moment he was asking him to come along, and the next he was warning him. Yet despite his harsh words, his pheromones betrayed him as Aeryl could feel his satisfaction.

As soon as the meeting ended, preparations began. The Grand Duke and his knights dispersed to arm themselves, and Aeryl followed Kyla.

Kyla helped him gather everything he’d need—chainmail, a fur-lined cloak, and supplies for sleeping outdoors. She also made sure to explain what precautions to take in the forest.

The new combat units were small. Each consisted of four knights and one doctor—five people per team. It was the most modest arrangement among any subjugation force they’d deployed, yet their mission was by far the most dangerous.

The one consolation was that the Grand Duke seemed calmer than ever. He wasn’t the kind to throw himself into reckless battles.

I’ll trust him, Aeryl told himself. The lives of everyone in his team depended on him. He couldn’t afford to falter.

“We move out!”

Right then, the Grand Duke’s voice rang out.

Doom, doom, doom!

The drums of departure echoed across the camp. Everyone who had come to see them off raised a salute toward the Grand Duke. One by one, the four units began marching toward the forest.

They followed the trail left behind by the scout, retracing his path through the woods. As they moved, the sun sank low, and darkness gathered beneath the trees.

The knights lit their magical lamps, and Aeryl activated the one Kyla had given him. It was shaped like a brooch that clipped to his clothes, which left his hands free—but the light it cast was faint. It barely illuminated the person walking in front of him.

The forest at night exuded an even more ominous presence than before.

Something’s going to go wrong, Aeryl thought, his chest tightening with unease.

It was that familiar sense—the creeping anxiety, the quiet dread. Just a feeling, he told himself. Just the forest’s oppressive energy playing tricks on his mind.

To keep himself grounded, Aeryl focused on walking steadily. He was near the center of the formation and in no danger of falling behind, but surrounded as he was by seasoned warriors, he didn’t want to slow them down.

They walked and walked, but at some point, an unsettling feeling began to creep in.

‘Why am I so cold, even though I’ve been moving this whole time?’

Instead of sweat, Aeryl felt goosebumps rise on his skin. A slight breeze sent a chill through him. It wasn’t just an illusion—he could feel the cold now. He even noticed frost on the leaves brushing against his body.

“We’re getting closer to the Snow Woman. That’s why it’s colder.”

Mason whispered quietly. Aeryl nodded in understanding. The area around the Snow Woman was cold. He felt even less inclined to approach, but they had no choice. They had to move forward.

“From here on, we need to mask our presence. Mason, you take charge of the stealth.”

“Understood.”

Mason lowered his body and positioned himself in front of Aeryl.

“Should I… carry you?”

“You’re the only one who doesn’t know how to hide your presence.”

“…”

At his age, being carried like this was a bit embarrassing. Aeryl felt some resistance, but he knew it wasn’t the time to argue. Without hesitation, he climbed onto Mason’s back.

“Don’t make any noise and breathe slowly.”

Mason effortlessly lifted Aeryl onto his back and started walking again. Though Aeryl was grateful, since his legs were sore, it was still an uncomfortable feeling. They walked like this for about twenty more minutes, when suddenly, strange, eerie sounds began to drift through the air.

The Grand Duke raised his clenched fist, signaling everyone to stop and lower their bodies. The group crouched silently, taking a few more cautious steps forward. Aeryl held his breath as he too sensed the presence of countless monsters ahead.

This is nerve-wracking.

They hid behind a large tree, blending in with the roots that protruded from the ground. After confirming they hadn’t been detected, they carefully peered beyond the tree roots.

The first thing Aeryl saw was a woman dancing in the snowy field. Her black dress swirled through the snow as she spun gracefully. Her long, white hair fluttered, casting a silver-like veil in the moonlight, and she glowed with a soft, ethereal light.

It was so beautiful and enchanting that it could easily steal anyone’s gaze. But that illusion lasted only for a moment. When Aeryl squinted, trying to get a clearer view, the part of her face that should have been there instead had a palm-sized, glowing red eye.

Huh?

Aeryl blinked, doubting his own eyes, but the glaring red eye remained, piercing and intense. Only then did he realize: the figure he had mistaken for a woman in a black dress was not what he thought it was.

The dress-like shape was actually the monster’s body. It was black and vague, almost like a rolling, blurry form. The hair wasn’t hair either—it was a swirling blizzard surrounding the monster’s form.

‘What is that…?’

At first glance, it looked like a beautiful woman, but upon closer inspection, it was grotesque beyond belief. It looked like a black doll being buried in the snowstorm, but now, with its glaring red eye, it was disturbing.

‘Is this… the Snow Woman?’

Could such a name even be appropriate for something like this? Wasn’t it an insult to every woman in the world? Of course, Aeryl had mistaken it for a woman just a moment ago, so he couldn’t exactly judge—but still…

‘You’re not even nervous, Doctor.’

Mason could sense Aeryl’s calmness and found it curious. Whether it was due to his bold personality or simply being an inexperienced outsider, Mason himself was more tense than ever.

No openings at all.

Mason was trying to figure out how to attack the Snow Woman, but no opportunities presented themselves. Even though the creature appeared to be standing still, its senses were spread out in all directions. If the Snow Woman had been alone, they would have definitely been detected by now.

But the snow woman wasn’t alone. Countless monsters surrounded her. Ghost wolves, goblins, trolls… every type of monster was silently positioned, guarding the snow woman.

‘I’ve never seen monsters gather like this before.’

Monsters were naturally aggressive and rejected others of different species. If they happened to cross paths, they would fight until there was no one left standing. But these creatures were suppressing their instincts and remaining in place, gathered around the Snow Woman. This meant that all of them were under her control, following her commands.