Pillar of Yita

Sophie gently poked the charcoal fire with a stick, a handful of sparks rose from the ashes, the campfire flickered slightly, making the shadows on the ochre-grey rock wall waver. She turned back to look outside the cave where a snowstorm raged. Outside was only a blur of grey in the night, the cold wind carrying snowflakes into the cave, melting instantly in the golden-red firelight.

Far away, the north wind howled like the rising and falling calls of wild beasts, echoing within the quiet cave, only the crackling of the fire accompanying its stillness. Outside the windbreak, the forest seemed to tremble with a shivering rustle; listening carefully, it seemed like footsteps were approaching.

But after a while, it turned into the sound of the wind again, roaring, as trees creaked and sometimes fell over with a crash.

Sophie turned her head back again, a bit of golden light reflected in her dark eyes, the red glow of the fire casting on her side face like a bent jade tooth. The girl was very quiet, her eyes seemed to have a thin mist— the kettle above the campfire let out a whimper, and white steam rose.

She took down the kettle, picked up a cup, poured some, and added a few pieces of brown sugar.

Then she held it with both hands, sipped it to test the temperature, blew gently a few times, and then brought it to Xi’s mouth. ”Come, open your mouth.” Sophie’s voice was extremely gentle.

She felt the girl’s forehead with her cool hand.

The Companion Star Knight’s forehead was burning hot, her amber eyes half-opening and closing, wrapped in a thick quilt, she sleepily glanced at her main knight: ”Sophie, I’m sleepy...”

”Sleepiness is not an excuse, open your mouth.”

Xi looked at her helplessly, could only tilt her head weakly, and obediently opened her mouth slightly.

”There is Disease Removal Technique potion in this. Once the weather gets better, you should be feeling better.” Sophie carefully supported the mountain girl, seeing her frown, she asked, ”Is it too hot?”

Xi weakly shook her head.

Looking at her like this, Sophie couldn’t help but be startled for a moment. She suddenly lowered her head, touched the tip of her nose to the girl’s nose tip, gazing into her eyes, and with breath sweet as orchids, asked, ”Do you want me to take a sip and feed you?”

The mountain girl heard the implication in her words, blushed instantly, and looked at her, not knowing what to do.

Sophie chuckled, only then getting up: ”Just kidding, sleep early—”

Xi buried her face in the blanket, not daring to look at her, only lightly whimpered in response.

The cave returned to quietness, only the girl’s gentle breathing remained.

Sophie picked up the stick again, poked the charcoal fire once more to make the flames brighter. Outside the cave, the wind seemed stronger, so she got up to look outside, and slowly walked to the cave entrance, the cold wind hitting her face, waking her a lot.

For three days, she had barely closed her eyes.

Because Xi suddenly fell ill, she had to single-handedly take on the duty of keeping watch and camping, trekking through the snowstorm, and finally found such a windbreak.

All because of that annoying guy.

If not for him, she wouldn’t have brought Xi to this place. Even though she felt some discontent, at the time she was actually somewhat surprised to learn the other party had not died underground in Fenris—

That’s why when Fang Hong asked her to help bring something to Dulun, she didn’t hesitate or refuse at all.

Thinking of this, she picked up the Communication Crystal, where a communication bar appeared on her system, and then poked an ID, sending a message:

”I’m almost through Great Canyon, where are you guys?”

After waiting a moment, a reply came quickly:

”Miss Sophie?”

”Did you forget my ID?”

”Ah, sorry... I didn’t pay attention just now.”

Fang Hong sent over a cold-sweating emoji.

He also sent a picture, only then did Sophie see he was assembling a Magic Guided Reactor, he must have been concentrating on his work, thus neglecting her message.

”We’re close too, Mr. Greyrock should be at the east of Great Canyon...if not for this sudden blizzard, we might have already reached the northern edge of Ash Woods.”

Sophie estimated the time, after two or three days if the blizzard subsides, they should be able to meet.

She paused, then typed: ”Xi is sick.”

”Ah, sorry...”

Fang Hong asked, ”Do you need us to come and get you?”

”No need, do you have a place to rest and medicine there?”

Sophie knew very well Fang Hong and his group had modified a platform. They considered her a friend, so they had told her early on, besides, they were supposed to meet in Dulun, so keeping it a secret was impossible.

”Yes.”

”That’s good then.”

”But do you really not need our help?” Fang Hong couldn’t help but ask.

”Suddenly so concerned for Xi,” Sophie raised an eyebrow: ”Do you have any improper intentions?”

”...Of course not.”

”Haha,” she couldn’t help laughing heartily: ”Why so nervous?”

”...”

After teasing Fang Hong for a while, Sophie was satisfied and closed the Communication Crystal, stretching lazily like a cat. But suddenly, the girl stopped, suspiciously looking outside the cave.

She heard a strange rustling sound.

The sound came and went, like footsteps, yet also like wind sweeping over snow. Sophie wasn’t sure if she was mistaken, because the wind and snow suddenly intensified, and the sound of the pine forest rustled, drowning out the previous sounds—