Chapter 384 – Winter Sea and Warmth
It’s been quite some time since the sun changed.
Although the cold of winter still lingers, the feeling of a new year is clear.
According to my original plan, I was planning to hold an event such as a Christmas or New Year’s Eve bell.
Old world customs discontinued.
Recreating it brings comfort to many people through nostalgia for the good times and also helps maintain public order.
The fact that the world is being restored and that there is hope for the future has the effect of making humans good in itself.
“Damn Chinese, damn Exiles.”
But my big dream was pushed back another year.
In a situation where large external threats were occurring one after another, there was no time to set up a tree or put up a bell.
But Artemis thinks differently.
“Even if it was a threat, it was at a level that could be dealt with by our troops in a remote area far away from us, right? Even during World War II, when hundreds of thousands of people were dying on the front lines, parties were held in the rear.”
It’s not a matter of leisure, but it seems like she wants to reprimand me for always wandering around in the field.
This means that you can leave the dirty work to the machines, such as decorating the tree and typing paper in the back, without having to go out in person.
It’s not wrong, but my nature as a soldier doesn’t allow it.
Something that comfortably stands in the rear facing a potential threat.
“Besides, you made yourself feel good even if we didn’t take care of each one of you? “I clumsily set up a pine tree and served rice cakes that looked like a drunk’s vomit.”
“It’s the vomit of a drunk…”
It’s a harsh expression, but it was difficult to refute.
A ladleful of the medieval ‘perennial stew’ that can be seen everywhere is scooped up, kneaded with fake flour, and then fried with an unidentified oil.
This is pre-apocalypse cooking!
The visual is literally like vomit, but the taste is guaranteed as it is fried food.
Dried fish, which is easy to find, is often used, so it feels like fish oatmeal, but it is about a million light years away from pollack pancakes.
“I don’t understand why you care so much about the residents. “We have everything: power, fame, justification, resources, and information. Is there any reason to treat us better than necessary?”
“This is not a matter of need, but a matter of feeling. Wouldn’t it be nice to have more fun than usual on special days that come only a few times a year?”
Artemis ignored my words.
She is a permissive person who rules but does not rule. She has no interest in taking care of anything for the public.
It’s not about exploitation or tyranny.
However, as a central control AI, this indifferent aspect is necessary.
If you show a very active interest in the lives of residents like Chlorona Kids, there are side effects.
A healthy organization is one where middle managers make a fuss and the highest level maintains weight and balance.
Shoot!
The sound of the waves penetrated my ears as if breaking my thoughts.
“Why don’t you take care of your own wife first before worrying about people you don’t even know?”
Artemis, who was walking next to her, said.
We are taking a walk together on the winter beach.
It’s because of her sudden request to walk on the beach, and riding her horse with Rose on the sandy beach seems to have had an influence.
However, Artemis was as weak to cold as to heat. She is still shaking
“Couldn’t you have dressed a little warmer? “The outside temperature will be accurately measured to the nearest 0.1 degrees.”
He adjusted Artemis’s collar.
A white fur coat that looks like it was made entirely from the skin of a nine-tailed fox covers her body.
The problem is that the fur is abundant and not the type that properly covers the body.
It was like an Artemis version of Cruella, with clothes that focused on showing off gorgeous elegance rather than warmth.
The collarbone and cleavage are clearly exposed, and the wind blows through even the loose sleeves.
“But this was my favorite outfit for going out.”
As Artemis hugged me, I felt her cold body.
“This isn’t going to work. “I won’t catch a cold, though.”
We are both immune to colds. But the bridge of her sharp nose is turning red.
“Her snot will probably run.”
“It’s not flowing! There is no way such an impure thing can be in my body!”
She shouted, swatting away my hand that was tapping the bridge of her nose.
He tried to put on the coat I was wearing, but he pushed me away.
“No need. Aren’t you going to be cold too?”
“I’m okay. “I don’t even care about the cold.”
“It’s not a matter of being cold or anything. You look like a refugee with your rough outer clothes on. Elegance dies.”
If she were Chrollo or Rose, she would be so happy that her eyes would be filled with tears, but this girl is definitely not formidable.
“Isn’t there something romantic about the coat a lover takes off?”
“I prioritize beauty over romance.”
She brushed her hair and smiled arrogantly.
Just then, the winter wind passes by, and silver hair that seems to be soaked in moonlight is fluttering in the wind.
The combination of pure white skin and a gorgeous nine-tailed fox fur coat created a fantastic appearance.
It would have been nice in its own way if it weren’t for the protruding chicken skin on the exposed chest, neck, and forearms.
Whoa!
The sea breeze carrying the winter cold blew even stronger.
Artemis’ haughty smile broke, and her complexion became earthy.
“Ahhh.”
The charismatic ice queen has disappeared somewhere, leaving only a trembling rich girl with her body drawn to its fullest extent.
“Come here.”
She smiled and held her in my arms.
Just as an angel covers a baby with her wings, she covers his back with her cloak.
“I need another month or two to get into shape. “I understand that it is weak against heat because it is a computer, but shouldn’t it be strong against cold?”
“It’s a joke that isn’t funny at all.”
Artemis frowned in her arms, but despite her tone, she was hugging my back tightly. I don’t know if it’s because of love or the cold.
“How long are you going to stay like this? “I haven’t even gone halfway down the trail yet.”
Artemis said, burying her face in my neck.
Every time she speaks, her soft lips tickle her neck pleasantly.
Because she is tall, like Artemis in the original myth, I cannot fully embrace her in my arms.
Even though there is a slight height difference, it is closer to a face-to-face hug.
“Well, until the wind stops?”
“It’s not a wind that can easily be stopped.”
This would mean that they have complete knowledge of weather information using satellites, drones, and wind vanes.
“Then it’s okay to continue like this.”
I kissed her white forehead and stroked her body.
From the pleasantly deep curve of the waist to the suddenly rising mound.
Every touch that touched my palm felt indescribably pleasant.
“Yeah, this isn’t that bad either.”
Artemis smiled slightly.
“Didn’t you want to take a walk by the sea in winter?”
“That’s true, but I feel like I discovered a joy I didn’t know existed.”
“What kind of pleasure?”
“There are times when you wake up on a winter morning and feel groggy even though you’re fully awake because you don’t want to get out of the blanket.”
“Of course there is.”
I learned from actual experience, and Artemis learned from the process of pulling me out.
“If it’s cold, you can put on clothes and heat it. You’re fully awake, so you get angry and ask why you’re swaddling inefficiently.”
“It was like that.”
The strong winter wind blows again and sweeps past us.
It’s not a problem for me because her thick body doesn’t have a tight coat, but Artemis with a lot of exposed skin would be too cold.
“Shall we stop going in?”
“No. “I want to stay a little longer.”
She shook her head in my arms.
The feeling of soft silver bangs brushing against my neck is enchanting. The scent that comes with it.
“And I won’t do that again.”
“Huh? “What?”
“I’m trying to force you out from under the blanket.”
Her arms holding me get stronger.
“Now I think I know how it feels to not want to get out of bed.”
Rather than return to the shelter, Artemis wanted to enjoy the winter sea.
Even though her body and her coat wrap around her, they don’t completely cover her. The cold will creep in little by little.
But to her now, it felt like salt sprinkled on her watermelon.
* * *
She spent more time at sea than she thought.
When she returned, the wind had gotten stronger, and it was difficult to walk in her outfit.
“Excuse me.”
“Wow!”
He returned holding Artemis in a princess hug.
She did it on her own without asking for permission, but she doesn’t seem to like it either.
Perhaps because they had set off in advance, the faint sound of a helicopter rotor was heard in the distance like ‘doo-doo-doo!’ And then disappeared in an instant.
Perhaps because it was cold, there were many warm dishes for dinner that warmed the body.
Until recently, she always ate alone and Artemis sipped her tea, but she is different now.
The silver utensil held in her fingers cuts meat and dips vegetables and fruits.
Her red lips were puckering cutely, and the movement of her neck as she swallowed was even graceful.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Artemis asked, wiping her lips with a handkerchief.
“I just felt like we had become a real family now.”
“We have been family for a long time.”
“I did. However, I felt like I was lacking by about 2%, but now I feel like I am perfect.”
I ate a spoonful of seafood stew.
The warmth seems to warm not only my stomach but also my heart.
For so long, I had forgotten how happy it was to eat with someone, to eat with someone I love.
Artemis chuckled.
“I’m sorry to break your impression, but I’m not 100% yet.”
“Huh?”
Instead of answering, she put a cube of meat into her mouth. With a smile that seems both knowing and unknown.
