“Put this over you. Heat generally escapes through your neck and head. It’s wet, so don’t let it touch your skin directly—wear it loosely, like a hood.”
I planned to carry Mizuho if she eventually became incapacitated, but I wanted her to walk on her own for now. The exercise would generate body heat, so it was better she moved while she still could.
After waiting for Mizuho to don the makeshift cloak, I said, “Walk a little closer to me. I can shield you from the wind.” I hesitated for a moment, then said, “If you want, I can hold your hand, but—”
“Yes, please…”
Mizuho’s fingers were cold as ice.
“All right. Let’s slow down a bit. Focus on where you’re stepping. That way, you won’t trip and break your glasses.”
Leading Mizuho by the hand, I resumed our journey down the tunnel. Compared with my thick, rugged fingers, Mizuho’s were slight. I didn’t know how old she was, but from her appearance, she could have been young enough to be my daughter.
I sighed to myself. Leading a girl by the hand as we walked—if I’d been twenty years younger, I’d have been so excited that keeping a straight gait would’ve been difficult. Age certainly took its toll. As a teenager, the only thing on my mind would’ve been how to hit on her, but now all I could think about was how to keep her safe.
“Mizuho, tell me about yourself.”
I spoke to her as we walked to try and keep her awareness sharp.
“Your country… What did you call it?”
“Support Roman Empire Post Five…”
“That empire—what kind of place is it?”
“What kind of…? Well, it was made about four years ago, but I suppose it’s peaceful enough.”
“Four years ago? That’s a pretty bombastic name for a new nation.”
“History says that there was once a large country called The United States of Rome, but a military force of elves, angry over public bathwater being dumped on their lands, attacked and broke the nation apart. It’s said to be why there are so many countries with Rome in their name in Million Dungeon. I doubt our land has any relation to the big Rome, but the name is frequently used when founding a country because it’s considered auspicious.”
Mizuho had suddenly gotten more talkative. As I’d guessed, she was the type who liked to explain things. The best thing to do to cheer this kind of person up was to let them speak.
“Seems like a different place than the Rome I know of.”
“You also know of a Rome, Taiga?”
“Well, a little. Certainly never heard of any elves attacking it, at least.”
The only things I knew about Rome came from watching the History Channel in my spare time. If I recalled right, it had been beset upon by Germanic peoples, or the Ottoman Empire, or something.
“You mean there’s a Rome on Earth as well?!”
“There was, yeah.”
“Wow…,” muttered Mizuho. Her mind still seemed quite aware. That was good.
“If it’s called an empire, does it have an emperor?”
“Yes. His Majesty the King is named Flagstand I the Deathless. The nation is presided over by his house, as well as those of the other Landmakers: a Minister, a Knight, a Priest, and an Attendant.”
“What are Landmakers?”
“That’s what we call those who create countries.”
I see—the nation’s founders are automatically the highest authorities? I thought. I can’t imagine that going well.
“What do you do in your homeland, Mizuho?”
“I’m a storyteller. Ever since my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmother’s generation, we’ve been telling tales and singing songs.”
“Then your ancestors have all lived in Rome… Wait. Didn’t you say your nation was built four years ago?”
“Storytellers are the traveling sort. I’ve been able to settle in for now, but I’ve actually tagged along with caravans and adventurers all over to see more of the world. I even went to Perpetium once!”
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
I had no idea what that Perp-thing was; I was just trying to keep the conversation going.
“I know several stories about old Visitors from bygone days. Some are ones that my ancestors heard directly from Visitors from other worlds, and others are stories and songs about how liked the Visitors were in their former worlds. I’m really fond of them…” Mizuho sighed, sounding spellbound. “We’ve been shut inside Million Dungeon all our lives. It seemed like a miracle when I heard there were worlds other than this one. If there was anywhere outside this labyrinth, somewhere that wasn’t a giant maze, then someday… If I can’t get there in life, maybe I’ll reach it in death. It’s fun to think about it that way, imagining that I might be able to go to where the stories I’m telling are set.”
“…Which is why you were so excited when you met me.”
“That’s right. I never thought I’d meet a real Visitor in the flesh. Even though you were a little different than I’d anticipated…”
“I understand you’re dissatisfied, but I don’t think I’m the one you should be complaining to.”
“……”
“What’s wrong?”
Mizuho stopped walking, so I turned around.
“I don’t know. I can’t feel my feet… I can’t move!” Mizuho admitted, upset.
Heat left the body from the extremities. That’s why one lost feeling in their fingers and toes when it got cold. As hypothermia set in, your core temperature continued to drop. Your arms and legs would stop moving, your organs chilled, and your circulatory system, reduced to its minimum function, tried to keep the brain warm. If even that became impossible, you’d pass out and ultimately die. Mizuho’s body was quickly falling prey to that process.
“All right. I’ll carry you.”
I squatted down, facing away from her, and put her on my back. Even her legs felt chilled to the bone as I wrapped my arms around them.
“Can you carry the light and keep it in front of us?”
“My hands are numb. I’m not sure I can…”
“I should have given it to you right at the start. It’s such a strong light; it probably produces a little bit of heat.”
As I placed the flashlight in her trembling hands, she widened her eyes.
“It’s warm! What…what star is this?”
“Star?”
“I thought this whole time that it was a tube-shaped lantern using a searchlight star. The light from it is just so strong, so… Oh, I see—this is an item from your world, too, isn’t it, Taiga?”