The Crimson Duke of War: Historian In Another World

The path up Frostruin twisted sharply, jagged rocks jutting out at every step. Snow had begun to settle in patches, and the wind carried a bitter chill that made even Justinian pull his fur-lined jacket tighter. Maria, however, seemed entirely unconcerned, humming softly as she balanced carefully on the trail.

"Careful, Princess," Justinian called over his shoulder, his eyes scanning the treeline. "There are better ways to fall than into a pit."

Maria laughed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I've survived balls, palace intrigues, and assassinations. I think I can survive a mountain."

He shot her a pointed look but said nothing. Her confidence was admirable… and completely reckless.

"That doesn't really equate to mountain climbing skills..."

A distant howl echoed from somewhere deeper in the forested slope. Justinian's eyes narrowed.

"Wolf pack," he muttered. "Stay close."

Maria perked up, eyes sparkling with excitement rather than fear. "Are we going to fight them? Can I help?"

"Let me handle it first," Justinian replied calmly, tapping the ground.

In an instant, the warrior that Justinian placed ahead charged right in. The howl of a wolf pierced the air again, and when the lead wolf appeared, they were now in open combat.

Maria's jaw dropped. "Will you join in?"

Justinian smirked, enjoying the mix of awe and delight on her face. "No, I'd rather not get the only thing keeping me warm scratched."

They climbed higher, the air thinner, the trail narrower, completely avoiding the fight entirely, fighting against wolves in their terrain was something he wouldn't risk, because unlike soldiers, animals also had diseases he'd rather not catch.

Occasionally, Justinian sent stone warriors ahead to scout, moving like silent sentinels through the snowy shadows. Maria followed closely, occasionally nudging him with a playful elbow.

"You're not even tired?" she asked, genuinely impressed, her movements starting to slow down.

"Not yet," he said, letting the wind whip past. "It's not like I can actually get tired from walking..."

Maria's eyes widened. "What does that mean...?"

"Exactly like I said." He tapped the ground once, and the stone beneath them hummed faintly as he reinforced the path, turning it into hard stone. "Come on. Keep up."

Hours passed, and the sun began to dip behind the jagged peaks. Justinian stopped at a plateau overlooking a frozen waterfall. Snow glittered like a sea of diamonds.

"This is where the pilgrims usually camp for the night," he said, pointing to a small cavern nestled at the base of the waterfall. "We'll make camp there."

Maria's eyes lit up. "It's beautiful! I've never seen anything like this."

Justinian chuckled, lighting a small fire using a spark from his palm. The warmth spread quickly through the cave, and he began unpacking their rations. Maria leaned back, looking up at the icy cliff face.

"You know, Lord Justinian", she paused, teasing, "or should I say, tour guide? This adventure isn't bad at all. Maybe we should do this more often."

He raised an eyebrow. "You're enjoying yourself too much, and I don't recall a duke going on trips with the princess to be part of royal etiquette."

"Can you blame me?" she said with a grin. "I'm with the most competent, terrifying, and ridiculously powerful man I know. What could go wrong?"

"You don't really hold back with the compliments, do you? No wonder you've got the entire kingdom's supply of men under your command."

"It just sounds creepy if you put it that way."

"It's intentional," Justinian smirked, setting up the bedrolls. "We should be fine as long as the weather doesn't get too bad.

"Your jinxing it..."

"Maybe I am."

Justinian quickly targeted a few rocks inside the cavern, turning them into stone and creating a few archers and warriors, ordering them to guard the perimeter outside the cavern while they rested inside.

"Do you really not feel any strain using those abilities?"

"Nothing I'm aware of, no."

The fire crackled softly, casting warm light across the icy walls of the cavern. Outside, the faint wind whistled through the jagged rocks, but Justinian's stone sentries stood vigilant, their rigid forms stark against the snowy backdrop.

Maria stretched, brushing snow from her jacket. "I can't believe you can do all of this… make warriors out of stone, petrify things just by willing it. I've read about arcanists, but I've never seen anything like this in person."

Justinian smirked, tossing a piece of dried meat onto a plate. "I've heard you've had plenty of god given gifts yourself, maybe try using them?"

"I'm helping in spirit!" she shot back, laughing. "Besides, if I tried, I'd probably be doing too much; I still can't control the intensity of my own gifts."

He chuckled softly, taking a sip of the steaming tea he'd prepared. The warmth spread through him, a pleasant contrast to the icy air seeping through the cavern's entrance. He could see her eyes glimmer in the firelight, a mixture of admiration and that unmistakable playful curiosity he'd grown used to.

"Honestly, Princess, it's a bit unfair," he said, leaning back on his elbows. "You've been training for years in courtly duties, diplomacy, combat, and still, you manage to look like this, completely at ease in a mountain cave."

Maria grinned, tilting her head. "I've had good teachers… and good companions," she said softly, then quickly added with a teasing lilt, "though I doubt any of them are as eccentric as you."

Justinian raised an eyebrow, amused. "I'd hardly call my qualities eccentric, but if you're not careful, then it might rub off on you."

She leaned forward, eyes glinting with mischief. "I think it's too late for that..."

"Yeah, maybe," Justinian replied, remembering how he had somehow managed to completely change her taste in men due to his interference at the ball.

The quiet moment was interrupted by a low growl echoing from the cavern mouth. Justinian's eyes snapped to the shadows. The pack hadn't given up; one lone wolf had sneaked past the stone warriors. Its fur bristled, fangs glinting in the firelight.

"Persistent little furballs."