Chapter 302: Escape the Cold
Irene’s research on wyrms for her presentation back when she was an apprentice was a bit lacking, to say the least. This was only because the most comprehensive research on the creatures had been done by the Sünstoian people and was not available in most libraries. After all, these beasts’ natural habitat was in the cold north, where they could hibernate for long periods of time in the snow.
But Arthur knew. It was information he didn’t expect to have to bring with him into adulthood because the last Sunsto who existed in this region were convinced they had slayed each and every beast.
Since they were unlike their dragon counterparts in warmer climates and didn’t have wings, they needed a place to go where hiding was possible, and a place covered in snow was perfect for that.
At that thought, Arthur recalled the children speaking these legends to one another and every single one of them believing that it wasn’t so. If wyrms ever existed, it was ages before—reduced to a scary campfire story that children told one another to elicit a terrified reaction.
The beasts evolved their snake-like bodies to be white enough to remain camouflaged, have mana orbs spread evenly through their bodies to keep themselves warm, and cast spells on those who looked directly into their orbs so that they could be lured back and preyed on. However, those affected by the spells had to be within a certain distance of the creatures, or the effects of the curse wouldn’t show.
Arthur hadn’t recalled this magic aspect he was experiencing, but the girl he once held in his arms, who stared up at him with no recognition and only disgust, he knew there was something magic to explain the unexplainable.
When the serpent had moved close enough to Irene’s father’s home-village, the curse was activated, which was why Irene then left her grandmother’s old residence and did all she could to go after the beast. Once the curse was activated, she had no sense of right or wrong. That was why she was so keen on going after the wyrm and not staying with her father.
Arthur could only guess that a spell was the reason for everything. Mana was present on the girl. It matched the purple spots on the underbelly of the monster that he was only able to experience for a few short moments before he had to slice the creature in half and rip Irene from the snow.
He wasn’t so foolish to think that one slice was enough to defeat a beast so feared by his ancestors, but he did know for certain that distance was what was going to save him and Irene’s lives. It was a shame she was going to make it difficult to keep her safe, which was all he wanted.