blkkgt

Angling.

Madam Degenbrecher, you've been here for almost a whole day now.

It's fine to go back empty handed. This is your second try at fincatching after all.

No, I haven't...

Come on now, I'll give you some lures next time, you'll surely—

Quiet!

The pole moved.

Degenbrecher wields the rod as coolly as if it were a blade in her hands. She holds her breath, then swiftly flicks upward—

Only the hook remains on the line, with the bait nowhere to be seen.

Ah, don't worry about it. There's always next time.

Madam?!

...When she emerged from the lake holding a huge finbeast, she won all of our respect.

After all, someone who never fails to catch is someone we can ask for the occasional spare meat.

Of course, she eventually improved her angling skills, but that's a story for another time.

Nuh-uh!

When did you get in here, girl? Out with you!

Let me finish! I've seen Degenbrecher releasing the fins she caught back into the lake.

She loves all the little animals here.

Surely she likes hunting more?

No, no!

Degenbrecher!

Are your parents out?

Uh, are you looking for them?

...I was passing by and remembered delivering some medicine here three months ago. For your sickly baby cystybeast.

Is it better now?

Yeah... oh, careful—

A cystybeast charges straight for Degenbrecher—then shakes its head in pain as she remains completely still.

The shocked girl watches as Degenbrecher crouches down to stroke the cystybeast's neck, and gradually calms it down.

...It's grown so big in such a short time.

I'm glad.

Ever seen somebody get rammed by a cystybeast and shrug it off like nothing happened?

She comforted it for a good while, and even reminded me to feed it when she left.

Heh, you're belittling her with the animal lover talk.

You think the same? Exactly, how could the Black Knight possibly be into such things!

Degenbrecher has a secret only a select few know.

Madam Degenbrecher?

What are you doing sitting in the snow?

I have a rare pocket of spare time today, so I wanted to find a quiet place to relax.

If there's nothing you need my help with—

Ah, of course.

I know! She was practicing her swordplay in the snow, yearning to return to her competition days, but she didn't want to show off to the locals.

Of course not.

Then, what...?

I'm sure of it—

She was ready to become a follower of Kjeragandr!

Huh?

Thank Kjeragandr, for Degenbrecher is definitely one of us.

Wait, what does that have to do with your Kjeragandr?

Kjeragandr taught us that meditating in the snowy mountains is a way to attain wisdom.

Even a woman as remarkable as Degenbrecher is sure to find new insights this way.

So, young man. If you wish to understand Degenbrecher, you ought to study Kjerag's culture.

In the dark of night, the crowd has long gone home, leaving only the barkeep wiping down glasses as Chilly Knight remains seated by the window, in silence.

Didn't get your answer?

...I prepared for over a decade, just to defeat the Black Knight.

News spread about how she showed her might to the Victorians, so I decided to rush over to Kjerag immediately after my arena fights.

I didn't expect the invincible Black Knight to be reduced to a country bumpkin, displaying only the most trivial of interests.

I suppose the talk of her facing the Victorians was just baseless gossip spread by troublemakers.

What makes you say that? I wasn't there myself, but there were plenty of witnesses. Why not go ask around again—

Save it!

...Sorry, but I haven't heard a shred of truth from anyone here the past few days.

A warrior's obsession may seem strange to outsiders, but I won't force you to understand either.

Since the Black Knight has willingly shed her glory, I'll take my leave. Thank you for your hospitality.

Alright, alright.

But come on, friend. Look at the weather outside. That's Kjerag for 'incoming blizzard'.

Why not stay one more night? I'll give you a discount with a bottle on the house, so you can leave Kjerag with a good impression.

A plain old blizzard isn't much to me. I'm used to navigating harsh weather.

Well, you don't know the blizzards here often come with avalanches.

So how do you deal with them? I'll learn.

Deal? Haha. We just accept our fates, save for Degenbrecher.

It's been a few years since Karlan Trade installed a warning system. Now they ban people from going up the mountain when they detect a potential avalanche.

But she doesn't care. The worse the weather, the deeper into the mountains she goes, to see which one's making trouble.

She'll find the right spot, and with a few huffs at the falling snow, everything's settled in a blink.

I was lucky enough to witness it twice. Heheheh. Much more exciting than watching recordings of her fights in Kazimierz.

So you mean, she drew her greatsword and countered the avalanche with her martial prowess?

Sword? I don't know what method exactly, but she did look all ready to fight.

...Are you pulling my leg?

Hmph! I swear by Kjeragandr, it's all true!

May She bury me in the snow if I utter a single lie! So deep that Degenbrecher can't find me!

Then—

Do you have any mountaineering gear here, sir?

What, you don't wanna leave anymore?

Chilly Knight turns around to look out the window, towards the distant snow-capped peaks merging with the dark clouds into a vast haze.

I changed my mind.

Kjerag is indeed a wonderful place.

The blizzard descends. Every household in Kjerag bolts their doors and windows shut, ready to weather Kjeragandr's ordeal.

Among the snow-covered mounts is but a single soul still wandering the peaks.

This is a rare 'break' for Degenbrecher, all along on a winding mountain path with no one else in sight. The cold and wind only help to clear her mind.

She lifts her head, waiting for an opportunity.

Here it comes.

She quickens her steps, leaving a trail of footprints going forward. Her heels halt beneath blocks of snow shaking atop a single solitary peak.

Heh—

A snow block falls, and she steps forward, drawing the dual degenbrechers at her waist, she aggressively swings at a waterfall of snow, turning it into tiny snowflakes behind her.

Until she sees within the falling snow... a dark figure, dropping down from on high.

What?!

Shortly after, a muffled, yet <i>familiar</i> voice comes from the snow.

<i>Kurwa!</i>

Pfft, bleh, argh!

My helmet's full of snow now *cough* <i>Skurwysyny</i> Kjerag!

You again.

I didn't think I'd hear Kazimierzian profanity here...