Novels2Search
The Unfettered Ice Princess
Chapter 21 [ Take a Break ]

Chapter 21 [ Take a Break ]

An unofficial cooperation agreement was made. From now on until the 2nd floor ascension exam is over, Team Ophelia will work together with Team Bere.

The two teams immediately went from their initial meeting location that was too open to a new location that was considered safer. Only after arriving there, they all began to discuss the strategy they would use next. No, perhaps the word "all" wasn't quite right. It would be more accurate to say that only Ophelia, Bere and Hamer were discussing.

The remaining 3?

As usual, Dom was always the one taking care of the Ruby children and playing with them. Ruka chose to sleep all day or connect with the Tower database for information. Naeva, on the other hand, spent her time taking light walks and seeing the sights. Naeva could have joined the discussion with Ophelia, but she didn't want to influence the decision the younger generation would make. Right or wrong, those decisions would definitely help them grow in the future.

Hmm? What? The reasoning was too complicated for Naeva?

That's right.

Perhaps the main reason... is because of her agreement with Ophelia.

"I'll take care of all the things you find troublesome."

Having a free assistant like Ophelia, why bother doing all that?

Back to the topic.

The strategy they discussed was quite simple. In order not to waste time with boring discussions without Naeva in them, the outcome of the meeting would be shortened.

First, Bere told them when and where they could open the hidden exam. The location of the test was a large cave somewhere in this Northern area. Since the location was difficult to reach and steep, it took some preparation to get there. And what those preparations were was what they were discussing.

Second, the timing of the hidden exam. The hidden trial would be held on the night of the full moon. The full moon itself will occur on the fifth day. 5, the same number as the required number of Ruby pairs as well as the pentagram symbol. There is no way this is a mere coincidence.

Third, role, the position in their party. The result of this discussion determined Hamer as agro tanker, Ophelia as main dps (damage dealer), Bere as sub dps, Dom as physical support and Naeva as elemental support. Ruka herself would be at the center where she would not fight and would just have to stay there, letting her partner protect her.

Aside from those three things, they also discussed what they would do while waiting for the exam time, considering it was only the second day. Occasionally, they would get stuck. At that time, they would take a short break and discuss random things, just to familiarize themselves.

Circling the not-so-large campfire, their umpteenth break began.

"Btw Lia, when did you know Naeva?" Bere asked curiously.

The beginning of this discussion was because during the division of Naeva's role, Ophelia herself did not know where to put Naeva. Because Naeva is an all role, she can be anywhere and be anything. But Ophelia realized Naeva didn't really want to show it. Maybe it doesn't matter in front of her, not with the others, for whatever reason.

Or maybe it was just her feelings. Even to herself, Naeva never really showed herself.

"Hmm... We met on the first floor after the tutorial ended," Ophelia replied.

"Oh, it hasn't been long then. You guys are pretty close, so I guess you've known each other for a while. Not yet anyway," said Bere impolitely.

"Yeah."

Hamer always felt infuriated by the girl's sharp tongue and unbrakeable mouth. Although Ophelia herself didn't mind it because what Bere said was a fact.

"N-Naeva, what kind of person is that girl? Unlike you, she's a bit... Em... introverted?"

Hamer changed the subject.

Ophelia was even more shocked by Hamer's question than Bere's.

"Naeva? She's... How should I explain it, huh...?"

The girl tried to find the right simile.

"... Overseer...?"

"Huh?"

"No, it's just that... Rather than a fellow Conqueror, it feels like Naeva is more like a watchdog. A camera that watches over the Conquerors. Not interfering, not meddling, not looking for trouble, just quietly observing. But because it feels like she's watched them, there's always that feeling like you can't do anything wrong in front of her."

It didn't feel right to equate Naeva with a watchdog, but no other analogy came to mind when discussing Naeva.

And it seemed that Hamer and Bere themselves did not deny it.

"Overseer, huh..."

Ophelia nodded, "Yes. Do you usually do something careless when there's an invigilator during exams? No, you don't."

"Not really," Hamer replied seriously.

"Why, whether there's an invigilator or not makes no difference. As long as you don't get caught, it's okay!" grinned Bere, making Ophelia regret asking.

Ophelia gave a small sigh as she rearranged the campfire so that the wood would not burn out.

"The point is that being in front of Naeva is like being in front of a watchdog. She'll just quietly watch as long as nothing is wrong and will only act if something bothers her. She will also sometimes tell me what's wrong if I make a fatal mistake, other than that she is always silent. Ah, but this is a bit different from Ruka. While Ruka is lazy and sleepy, Naeva is more like she just wants to watch."

"That answers the question of what kind of person Naeva is."

Ophelia ended her explanation with a warm smile. It seemed that Naeva had managed to make a good judgment without her realizing it.

Bere scowled, "Geh, a boring person."

Hamer replied with annoyed eyes.

"At least she's not troublemaker."

"Yes, she is. Naeva is not you, uncle," Bere mocked.

"It's you, little bitch!"

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****OOO****

Characters Information

Name: Naeva WinterNova: X PlatinumRace: Ice PrincessAge: 30 [https://img.wattpad.com/c5d55d6747433b4b6f8da2778710580508dbab1f/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f323535614536554e6233553171413d3d2d313332393239373830332e313739303639333737306339323137623533343031373431393431302e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Name: Naeva Winter

Nova: X Platinum

Race: Ice Princess

Age: 30.000+

Status: Irregular

Affiliation: None

-------------------------------------------------

Name: Ophelia CalliopeNova: II OrangeRace: UnknownAge: 17Status: Lady of Calliope FamilyAffiliation: Calliope Familiy [https://img.wattpad.com/9b7b42265d19cb89a1fb7b2fa5acace365238d0b/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f2d48366971634566774d684135513d3d2d313332393239373830332e313739303639333539656637393734623533303336333533323431322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Name: Ophelia Calliope

Nova: II Orange

Race: Unknown

Age: 17

Status: Lady of Calliope Family

Affiliation: Calliope Familiy

-------------------------------------------------

Name: BereNova: VII RedRace: UnknownAge: UnknownStatus: UnknownAffiliation: Unknown [https://img.wattpad.com/d21fb14838950dbee2c0f80bb95bdd073d826825/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f64354e4f576139756b2d44576e513d3d2d313332393239373830332e313739303639333262303337633430613934353136363230343136352e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Name: Bere

Nova: VII Red

Race: Unknown

Age: Unknown

Status: Unknown

Affiliation: Unknown

-------------------------------------------------

Name: HamerNova: V RedRace: UnknownAge: 20Status: UnknownAffiliation: Unknown [https://img.wattpad.com/6d090813ebd0cd9047d0567cadbe3f69d317a4e8/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f7768574f3773767a7a77554e46413d3d2d313332393239373830332e313739303639333061663339616463363539373036393936313534332e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Name: Hamer

Nova: V Red

Race: Unknown

Age: 20

Status: Unknown

Affiliation: Unknown

-------------------------------------------------

Name: Dom MinNova: IV RedRace: UnknownAge: 24Status: UnknownAffiliation: Unknown [https://img.wattpad.com/26fc8a2015f4eecde7db41dcd0b1f197a3afc096/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f69647157614234536f7a6c6a4d773d3d2d313332393239373830332e313739303639326630316539636639613837313732323130363739372e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Name: Dom Min

Nova: IV Red

Race: Unknown

Age: 24

Status: Unknown

Affiliation: Unknown

-------------------------------------------------

Name: RukaNova: II RedRace: UnknownAge: UnknownStatus: UnknownAffiliation: Unknown [https://img.wattpad.com/e38bbed3fe7d64e1757a84ef550e2d8b8a930eaf/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f35435948657859613663394134673d3d2d313332393239373830332e313739303639326366633562636531373530303736353839363536342e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Name: Ruka

Nova: II Red

Race: Unknown

Age: Unknown

Status: Unknown

Affiliation: Unknown

****OOO****

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Meanwhile, the figure that Ophelia equated with the god.

"It can't be," Ruka said seriously.

"Then 5,000!" offered Naeva equally seriously.

Ruka scratched his head rather roughly, "Nee-san, this isn't something that's for sale."

"You're unlikely to find anyone willing to pay that much. 10.000."

"Tsk, I told you, this isn't something for sale. I made it especially for myself." Ruka was not to be outdone.

Naeva smiled faintly, barely visible.

"35.000."

Ruka's eyes widened, instead of giving up on bargaining, Naeva just kept raising the price until the amount was very high compared to the item. Ruka really didn't want to sell this to anyone else. But he couldn't refuse Carmela that much.

".... Okay."

The two reached an agreement. Without wasting any time, Naeva immediately transferred Carmela to Ruka's Tower account. Upon seeing that his money had indeed increased, Ruka immediately took something out of his item box and gave it to Naeva. Naeva accepted it, she hadn't felt happy when buying something in a long time. But this item she bought from Ruka made her happier than when she was shopping for clothes on the first floor.

"Nee-san likes it? It's top quality. No one in the Tower sells that item as well as I do," Ruka boasted somewhat sleepily.

"Well, that's fine."

"Hum."

Yep, the figure who was likened to a God and admired by Ophelia was haggling over a floating sofa cushion made by Ruka for 35,000 Carmela or $35,000. Do you think it's worth it?

While trying out her new sofa cushion, Naeva lay back and relaxed. The warm feeling of something so soft touching her body was soothing. It had been a long time since she felt that. She never really slept during her time as a tutorial boss, because her body didn't need it.

Even after entering the Tower, she tended not to sleep out of habit. But the first time she saw Ruka sleeping on the cushions of his floating sofa, one of Naeva's human feelings rose up. She wanted to feel that. Sleeping on a big cloud-like pillow that could take her anywhere. Maybe she would be able to relax more if she had it. Because of that, Naeva scolded the sleeping Ruka and immediately put forward his intentions. Incidentally, Ruka himself also needed money and he had more than one sleeping pillow of various sizes. So the boy endured his sleepiness and engaged Naeva.

Ruka felt a bit sorry for selling the big sofa cushion he had made for himself when he grew up (even though he wouldn't grow up) but on the other hand he felt his decision wasn't wrong. Carmela had enough to live on for a few months. He didn't have to worry about money for a while.

She glanced at Naeva who was starting to close his eyes.

"That white Nee-san... The first time I saw her, she gave off a dangerous aura that no one seemed to notice."

"But her aura can be controlled well. She's definitely not an arbitrary person. I don't know why she suddenly approached me. Was it just to buy a pillow? But... It's better not to make her an enemy. Hoamm..." Sleepiness.

Ruka began to close his eyes in sleepiness. He wanted to return to dreamland, continuing his colorful adventure earlier before being disturbed by Naeva. But not long after his eyes closed, the same figure disturbed him again.

"Ruka, what is your purpose to climbing the Tower?" asked Naeva without opening her eyes, still lying down.

Ruka was also still lying down, "Is it any of your business, Nee-san?"

"It might become my business."

"?"

Ruka deliberated, should he answer honestly? The reason wasn't anything special, but it wasn't something he wanted to blurt out either. Understanding that, Naeva changed the question.

"Is it for popularity? Do you want to be a famous person?" Naeva asked again.

Ruka was honestly uncomfortable being asked questions like that by someone he had just met today. But it seemed like the questions would keep popping up if he didn't answer them.

"No, I'm not. I'm not interested in that," Ruka answered honestly. He wasn't really interested in popularity, didn't really want to be famous, because it was a hassle. He just wanted to be lazy and accomplish his goals.

Naeva grinned, "Good."

Ruka, "?"

When Ruka opened hid eyes because his curiosity overcame his sleepiness, he saw Naeva already looking at him from the pillow. Although his presence was vague, Ruka strangely felt that Naeva was smiling at him.

"Hey, I'll be your sponsor. You, be my personal informant."

"!"

The one offer Naeva made instantly made Ruka stand still with perfectly rounded eyes. He had not expected to hear that at the beginning of the Tower. As a Rokka, it was no surprise that many people wanted information from him. But people who wanted to make Rokka a personal informant required a huge fee.

If they made a high-level Rokka a personal informant, it would require a large contract fee because the price of high-level Rokka information was very expensive. Meanwhile, low-level Rokkas have little chance of survival so they have to sponsor them and help them become strong. That also costs a lot of money, even more than making a contract with a high-level Rokka, of course with greater risks as well.

So normally, no one would offer to sponsor a low-level Rokka like himself at the beginning of the Tower.

".... Why me?" asked Ruka with a bitter expression.

"There's no particular reason. You're not interested in popularity, you won't cause trouble and you... won't betray me," Naeva replied after seeing something in Ruka.

"Even though we just met today. Why does Nee-san trust me so much that I won't betray you?" suspected the boy.

Naeva closed her eyes again.

"I've lived too long to be able to tell people apart easily."

Ruka, "??"

"I'll give you some time. Think about it carefully," Naeva said before her consciousness disappeared, leaving Ruka filled with question marks.