Story Reader / Adaptation Fitting / Frost Oath / Story
The blizzard gradually obscures the sunlight on the snowy mountain. Rosetta continues onward in the dim, harsh environment.
—Unable to see where she is going.
—Where should she go?
Darkness. Fear. Loneliness.
—Just like countless times before.
But I'm a knight sworn to protect my comrades.
—Guarding them is her mission.
—But how should she protect them?
—Who is there to guide a knight?
What should I do?
—Only by sharpening one's blade and growing stronger can one protect everyone.
Phweeee—
This time, it is not her whistle. Rather, it is a familiar sound she hears in the snowy forest.
There you are.
Hurry, let's go back. It's too dangerous being here on the mountain in this kind of weather.
Rosetta quickly walks toward the CUB. She grabs it by the rein and turns to go back.
However...
Huh? Where did I just come from?
The blizzard has already covered her tracks. Any potential markers are lost in the flurry. Right now, they are surrounded by infinite darkness cast by the violent snowstorm.
Regardless, we have to get off the mountain first.
However, Rosetta stumbles onto the ground after just a few steps.
Even as a Construct, she finds that her mobility in such treacherous weather has become greatly hindered.
Rosetta tries to stand up with the help of her spear, but the snowstorm throws her to the ground once more.
But just as she is about to fall into the snow, a sturdy strength suddenly rises from beneath her.
What are you...
Without receiving any orders, the CUB catches her fall and tosses her on its back.
This sudden move, however, causes Rosetta's spear to collide with the CUB's body.
Despite receiving quite a number of scratches from the spear, the CUB pays no mind. After firmly placing Rosetta on its back, it takes a few steps forward.
Rosetta can sense clearly that the CUB is moving at such a slow pace from having to carry her exhausted frame.
Enough. We'll both be stuck here at this rate.
Now's not the time to be capricious. If you keep this up, you'll...
—Expire.
However, Rosetta cannot say that word out loud.
The CUB ignores Rosetta's order and continues to carry her through the blizzard, unyielding.
Why...
Why do you still carry me when you know what might happen?
Darkness gradually invades Rosetta's vision as she closes her eyes. In the last gleam of light, she sees the CUB by her side in the harsh blizzard.
While the dim light around her just manages to illuminate the road, all light eventually diminishes. Rosetta has to feel her way through the darkness alone.
Rosetta always knows that she does not have the best luck.
She brings trouble and misfortune to her comrades. If her comrades continue onward with her, they will only be met with pain.
That was why she chose to face Alpha by herself back then. Why she has to bring an end to the Corrupted alone.
Perhaps, none of her comrades will be hurt because of her anymore when they no longer stand at her side in harm's way.
That is why she must take the helm. That is why she must fight with every fiber of her being. Anything to protect her comrades.
It does not matter if such lengths are excessive. As far as Rosetta is concerned, this is all she can do.
But...
!
Suddenly waking up, Rosetta finds herself still riding on the CUB, but the snowstorm has subsided significantly.
Gradually, she is able to identify a few familiar landmarks and realizes that the CUB is moving toward the camp.
Despite being covered in snow, the CUB continues to trudge onward while trying to shelter Rosetta from the storm.
You're still here...
Rosetta reaches forward to touch its cold, metallic body. Her fingertips feel a faint sense of warmth.
Suddenly, she notices a faint trembling. However, this is not from the cold but something far more terrifying—the snow mountain is rumbling.
Looking back, she sees a destructive tide of snow tumbling down from the mountaintop.
The trees and stones along the way are submerged in an instant.
An avalanche.
Rosetta pushes herself up, but all she can do is sit on the back of the CUB. As if noticing the approaching danger, the CUB launches into a full-on sprint.
But no matter the speed, the avalanche is gaining on them.
At least it can...
Rosetta is about to leap off the CUB, but right as she prepares to jump, the CUB lowers its center of gravity and interrupts Rosetta.
What are you doing?! We'll both get caught in the avalanche!
Rosetta tries to jump again—only to be stopped by the CUB once more. She has no choice but to stay on its back.
...
Rosetta stares at the impending disaster behind her and suddenly feels as if time begins to slow down.
Quickly scanning her surroundings, she realizes that they are approaching the gorge she struggled to cross when pursuing the CUB.
With the cliff already right before their eyes, she should be able to easily clear such a wide berth with the CUB's help in a single bound.
However, the avalanche is already overhead before they can reach the other side.
You really are... stubborn as a mule.
Right as the avalanche is about to engulf Rosetta and the CUB, they are overcome with momentary silence.
Rosetta and the CUB, the impending disaster, the roaring blizzard—all become quiet.
Suddenly, the deafening silence is broken by a bright beam from her electromagnetic blast.
The beam of light carves a path through the avalanche above them, causing the avalanche to fall at their sides and into the abyss.
The silent, slow progression of time returns to normal amid the thunderous roar of the avalanche.
With that, Rosetta and the CUB breathe a sigh of relief.
The CUB lands safely on the other side of the gorge. Rosetta sits up and looks back to see the avalanche continuing to surge down the cliff. The CUB gently rears up on its hind legs, then continues down the mountain.
We made it out all thanks to you.
Hearing this, the CUB shakes its head.
You mean... it wasn't just you?
You and I... together?
The CUB refrains from answering and continues onward silently. Rosetta places a hand on its crest. This time, she does not sense the same fierce resistance as before.
I see...
—So that is how it is.
—To guard is not just to give. Sometimes you need to take.
—It is not refusing help and carrying the burden alone.
—Rather, it is understanding and accepting each other.
—It is having each other's backs and relying on each other for support, guarding each other against the wind and rain, and protecting what you share.
—A guardian also needs to be protected, too.
Neither of us would've escaped that disaster on our own.
We worked together so that neither of us would perish...
—There is no need to walk alone. The future requires understanding and acceptance. It requires everyone to walk side-by-side.
In the past... Not only did I never think of it, but I also refused the help of others.
Thank you for being so stubborn. You've taught me something new.
Neigh.
As the blizzard subsides, Rosetta pats the CUB's head and walks slowly toward the camp.
