White, white, and more white. The sery was white as one be, snow c the ground and trees, and the cold freezing the waters. It was a winter paradise through and through, not a sich of grass to be seen.

  Yet in such cold weather, the color of green as deep as emeralds could be spotted. Flowers of white, blue, and red bloomed so beautifully, withstanding the snow and thriving around the ice. They were arctic flowers.

  Currently, everyone is ihe snow flarden, a beautiful paradise filled with a myriad of arctic flowers pnted all over the pce. Their colorful blooms, the green of the ifers, and the smiles of the people made the paradise full of life and colors.

  Snap Snap Snap

  A snap here, a snap there, a snap all over the pce. Clicks and snaps echoed in the air. With ead every snap, a beautiful memory was forever engraved into the physical world, leaving a memory for the distant future.

  "Hmm... These look good..." ［Grey］

  A smile was afloat Grey's face as he looked at the photos he took. It wasn't just the gardens and the flowers blooming, he was, of course, also taking photos of Yuna. In fact, most of the photos he took had Yuna in it. It was going to be another part of his Yuna colle.

  It was a shame that he doesn't have a way to duplicate the photos, but there was only so much he could do about it. Even then, he is already happy with what he has.

  "Grey, 100 thousand." ［Julius］

  "No." ［Grey］

  "How about 200?" ［Julius］

  "No." ［Grey］

  Well, everything would have been perfect if it wasn't for a certai brooding over him. It was Julius who was rge amounts of money just to buy the camera Grey was holding onto.

  In the first pce, Julius doesn't even know what the camera does, but since Grey was the one using it, he was greatly ied. His instincts were telling him to get his hands on the camera and tinker with it.

  "Alright, st offer! 2 million!" ［Julius］

  "You bastard, just art of 'No' do you not uand?" ［Grey］

  "Dammit, just why are you so adamant? 't you just give it to me once, even once is enough. Is our friendship really worth this little?" ［Julius］

  "Julius..." ［Grey］

  Uo move Grey with money, Julius resorted to emotional appeals, making himself look pitiful and using their friendship as an excuse. With his exaggerated as and expressions, one might think he was a stage actor.

  Moved by Julius' heartfelt words, Grey stopped on his tracks, rethought his as, looked back at Julius, and then put his hands on one of his shoulders. Gentle words exiting his mouth, he said to Julius...

  "Hell no. You rot in hell for all I care. I won't be giving you the camera." ［Grey］

  "Why, you...! You damn bastard!" ［Julius］

  It was useless. No matter how good of an actor Julius was, his words had no effe Grey's ice-cold heart. If anything, his exaggerated expressions only made Grey want to punch him in the face. If it wasn't for the fact that they were friends, he would have already done so.

  The boys' shenanigans tinued and they started bickering once again. Julius tries ro steal the camera and Grey would then evade and nd a chop on his head. Though they were out in the public, the two didn't really care. They were just boys being boys.

  Meanwhile, in a not so distant location, two beautiful dies walked around side by side. One was a silver-haired beauty, her hair blending in with the snow, while the other had colors of red, fierce like fmes, out of p such a cold paradise.

  "Yuna, look at these flowers! They look so beautiful, don't they?!" ［Amelia］

  "Waah～! They look like swans! I wonder what they're called?" ［Yuna］

  "Umm... Swanflowers... Maybe?" ［Amelia］

  "Fufufu, then swanflowers it is!" ［Yuna］

  Giggles and ughter filled the air as Amelia and Yuna tinued giving the flowers silly here was whiteflower, threeflower, snowy snowflower, and even red whiteflowers. They were like children randomly naming things.

  The silly naming acts tinued as the dies explored the garden, the boys following them not far behind, tinuing to banter with one another. It wasn't long before they reached the garden's ter where the best flowers were pnted.

  Petals blue as gcial ice, leaves transparent as snowfkes, and a stem which looked like fragile blue gss. The air around it was much colder than anywhere else, snow f with the moisture from the air. It was a real frosted flower, a magit!

  "So beautiful... I wonder if we have flowers like these in Alfrione..." ［Amelia］

  "Should we have them pnted in the royal gardens then? I'm sure Father would approve if we ask him nicely." ［Julius］

  "Yhness... That's too much..." ［Amelia］

  Or so she says, but Amelia was actually happy about Julius' suggestion. She was happy that he sidered her feelings. A pink, rosy tint is being painted on her cheeks as she tinues looking at the flowers.

  Meanwhile, another young dy was also staring at the flowers ily, a different glint shining in her eyes. While Amelia was looking at them with a sincere heart, admiring them greatly, there was something about Yuna's gaze which was just pin off.

  "Grey... These flowers... Where you get them?" ［Yuna］

  "Hm? Would you also like a garden made of these too?" ［Grey］

  "A garden... That would also be nice... But I'm more curious about what kind of items I could make with them! I make cool ois?! Maybe ice-resistant remedies! Mmn?! I'm so curious!" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna..." ［Grey］

  And as to be expected, all which was on her mind was alchemy. She was listing oer ahe number of items she could think of which could use such flowers and Grey listeo her attentively, just like a parent listening to their child's stories.

  Amelia leaning on Julius' shoulder and Yuna sharing her ideas with Grey, their tour in the snow flarden was unlike any other. Still, everyone eheir time their together just like any other people.

  After which, the group of four spent their afternoon meaningfully. They went to an ice sculpting session, looked at an arctic beast race, ate some more snacks by the market, and shopped bits and pieces of souvenirs. It was a wonderful time where they didn't have to mind their status and enjoy their day.

  Time passed some more and the sky of blue and white finally darkehe street mps started to shine and the house lights gleamed with life. Snow tio fall and the cold breeze blew relentlessly. The night has once again started.

  A sea of lights glowed above and uhe stars and moon illuminating the dark sky, and the mps and lights giving the city life. The snow white paradise was no more. All that there is is a brilliant night full of warmth and fort.

  "Mister, thirty servings of skewers, please!" ［Yuna］

  "Ohoho, thirty servings, eh? That's quite a lot... Will you even be able to finish it?"

  "Un! We finish it! Easy!" ［Yuna］

  "Ohoho, looks like we have quite the eic er here! Then I'll be giving you ara one for free!"

  "Waah～! Thank you, Mister Vendor!" ［Yuna］

  With the setting of the sun, a new face of the city surfaced atop. With the Labyrinth's opening, the number of adventurers and travelers also increased. The night became longer, various stores and stalls bustling with hungry and curious ers.

  Of course, as it was already night time, food stalls were even more popur. No matter where one looked, you could see fmes and smokes rising to the air as myriads of dishes were being prepared and cooked.

  "Excuse me, you give ten of those and aen of these? Ah! And aen of these here, please!" ［Yuna］

  The most excited one amongst the crowd would probably be Yuna. She has been going around stall after stall after stall buying dozens, if not hundreds, of foods. Grey was following her behind, carrying everything they purchased.

  As for Julius and Amelia, they were asked to buy drinks and desserts at the nearby cafes. It has been more than half an hour already sihey separated so they would have probably found a table already.

  "Ah! Grey, what kinds of foods do you want?" ［Yuna］

  "I'm fih anything you like. Though for Julius... He would probably like more meat so there's that." ［Grey］

  "Meat? Okay, I got it!" ［Yuna］

  Once again, Yu around the stalls and bought a rge number of meat dishes from them. There were beef, pork, mutton, venison, fish, and a lot ming from soups to stews and roasts. It was a meat feast! A feast for ivores!

  It was only after another several mihat Grey and Yuna fiheir shopping spree. And as one would expect, Julius and Amelia already found a table for them to enjoy diogether. It was quite the rge ooo.

  Atop the table, a number of sweets and desserts were already dispyed. From cakes to hot drinks, there were a lot to choose from. Yuna's eyes immediately sparkled at the sweet and immacute sight served before her.

  "Sorry for the wait." ［Grey］

  "Sorry, my ass. You were just pying around with Yuna, weren't you?" ［Julius］

  "My, I don't know what you're talking about?." ［Grey］

  A teasing smile on Grey's face, the table was filled with dishes with a swipe of his hand. Dishes, all beautiful and all delicious, showed up oer another, filling the table with colors and sts one could only call "Heavenly".

  While it was a shame there wasn't any rice around, there was nothing they could do about it. Luckily, there are a number of bakeries selling soft and delicious white bread to pe erfect dinner!

  """"Thank you for the meal!!""""

  A loud chorus echoed clearly in the night as everyone gave their prayers. As soon as they dug their knives oeak before them, their knives smoothly cut through the tender meat. It was as if they were just slig butter.

  Not only was the meat tender, it was also very juicy, spilling out as soon as the steak was cut. And the moment they fed it to their mouths, stro not too overwhelming fvors flooded in. The savoriness of the meat bined with the strength of spices, it was the perfebination!

  "Ooh! This steak's amazing! Grey, do you think you make these?" ［Julius］

  "Hmm... I should be able to after some tries." ［Grey］

  "Oh, great! Then we should have this as breakfast sometimes!" ［Julius］

  "Don't talk nonsense. I'm not a food dispenser, you bastard." ［Grey］

  It wasn't just the steak. The bread was also delicious. It was already good on its own, but when dipped iew they bought at a different stall, it became divihe moment it melts in your mouth, it leaves a ge fvorful feeling.

  Not to mention the soup. With the cold weather, it was the perfect dish. It was just seasoned lightly, not much meat aables in it, but its simplicity is what makes it amazing. It was easy to drink and delicious. That's all that matters.

  "Mmn! Amelia, have some of this grilled fish! It's very delicious!" ［Yuna］

  "Mmn～! You're right! It really is delicious!" ［Amelia］

  "Right～?" ［Yuna］

  Dinner tio unfold and everyone had a merry time together. Not only was the meal delicious, the atmosphere was also pleasant and the sight was breathtaking. All of them were gd they headed to Kosalvier.

  Such happiness tinued when all of a sudden, a sweet and harmonious melody filled the air. It came from the ter of the marketpce where the fountain was located, a couple people standing there with instruments.

  Along with the melodies, three young women could be seen dang he fountain, their movement in sync with the tunes as, dang ever so gracefully yet aggressively like snowfall on a windy day.

  As the women tio dahree meered soon after and dao a simir yet more slick mahey served as parto the women before them, perf one of the oldest dances in the north. All eyes were on them.

  "Waah～! Is this a show, Grey?" ［Yuna］

  "I don't know... Maybe it's a street performance of some sorts...? What do you think, Amelia, Julius?" ［Grey］

  "Don't ask me, I don't have a speck of knowledge about northern culture." ［Julius］

  "I also have no idea. All I say is that it really is wonderful." ［Amelia］

  None of the four knew what they were looking at, but all they knew was that they couldn't take their eyes off it. They may not be very knowledgeable about the practices in the north, but they do know that the performance was beautiful.

  The light of the street mps tio burn brightly, shining the fountain with a beautiful golden hue and the dancers tinuing their dah grace as music filled the whole city. They were like fairies of the night.

  The street mps and house lights filling the city. The sky adorned with billions of stars and the ever so magnifit moon. Colors were scattered like paint on the surface of water as the aurora danced along the sparkling lights.

  ...

  Yellow, violet, green, and all colors which could be seen, shining ever shtly and dang ever so gracefully. It was an orchestra of light and colors, an orchestra which could also be seen in a dark room's lonely windows.

  Behind the window, a single man, hair as white as snow and eyes as bck as ivory. He stared at the city and the sky before him, his eyes drifting towards the horizon, the color of worries and exhaustion painted on his face as he took a deep sigh.

  Clop Clop Clop

  He walked around the room, his light steps resounding ever so clearly. He halted his steps, stopping out of the blue. His hands trembling violently, he the his chest, the sound of his heartbeats eg erratically, one full of worry and resignation.

  "Yhness, your humble servant, Sylvia, has e to report." ［Sylvia］

  "... Haah... e in." ［Lord］

  Cck Creak

  Following the man's words, the doors opened and a slender, simirly white haired beauty ehe room. There was a certain ess in her eyes, one which could make one shiver with chills at a single gnce. A true cold beauty.

  Pure white uniform, heavily decorated shoulder pads, medals hanging all over her uniform, and a sword hanging freely her waist. In just a single g was easy to tell that the woman was a knight, a high-ranking o that.

  "Have a seat. I'll be brewing us some tea." ［Lord］

  "I believe that is not needed, Yhness. I have only e here to report our situation, not to drink some tea." ［Sylvia］

  The lord tried to offer his generosity, but he was quickly shot down. His heart only became heavier with Sylvia's ft and cold reje. He couldn't even muster a fake smile even if he wao.

  "Haah... Sylvia, shouldn't you at least call me 'Father' when we're alone? You feel so distant when you're talking like that." ［Lord］

  "That I ot do, Yhness. I am still on duty, so please refrain from dug as which mix personal and professional retionships." ［Sylvia］

  "Haah... Just where did I g in raising you…?" ［Lord］

  Anh was heaved as the man finally gave up, sitting down on the couch as he massaged his forehead, his heart ag every time he looked at his daughter.

  The lord's name is Reisner yl Farmalte, lord of the northern regions and the head of the Farmalte Archducal Household, one of the top three most powerful houses in the Valliarta Empire, and also an A-ranker in his ht.

  As for the woman who just ehe room, she was Sylvia yl Farmalte, Reisner's only daughter and the one who ied his talent in swordsmanship, being a B-ra the age of 20. bihat with her outstandiy, she is ofen called the "Ice Queen", the pride of the north.

  They may only be an Archduchy, but their military power doesn't lose out to the other kingdoms neighb them. It was also the very reason why their house is called the shield of the Empire. The Kingdom's pride and glory.

  "Haah... Anyway, how was it?" ［Reisner］

  Asked Reisner, but Sylvia only shook her head in silence, looking down to the cold, stone floor. Reisner already expected it, but it was still disappointing to hear it first hand. He only felt his heart sink even heavier.

  "Those damned rats... They really are hard to catch... Sylvia, make sure to tightey's security and have a messeell our other cities and towns to do the same. After that, make sure to assemble aeam of scouts." ［Reisner］

  "As you wish, Yhness." ［Sylvia］

  "Oh, and one more thing. Tell the knights to gather first thing in the m. We'll be having drills as soon as the sun rises." ［Reisner］

  "By your will." ［Sylvia］

  Polite as one be, Sylvia bowed her head before exiting the room, a clid creak resounding once again after she had left. Now, Reisner is once again alone in the room, his lonely and worried eyes once again looking outside the windowー or so it should have been.

  But not even a mier Sylvia left, she once agaiered the room, traces of fusion on her face. Well, Reisner was even more fused than she was, one of his eyebrows arg as he looked at her.

  "Did you miss Papa already?" ［Reisner］

  "Please refrain from such remarks, Yhness. I only came back sinother report came in." ［Sylvia］

  "I really 't joke around with you, huh... So, what's the report?" ［Reisner］

  "I don't really uand it… but it says 'the guests have ehe city'." ［Sylvia］

  Reisner's eyes opened wide in shock as soon as he heard Sylvia's words, his worries suddenly lessened, a nervous smile appearing on his face. Somehow, he felt his chest had beuch lighter all of a sudden.

  Relief flooded his heart at that moment as he sat down on the couch. He wao ugh at himself previously for being too worried. He couldn't believe such luck had graced down upon their city. It was fortunate. Very fortunate.

  Meanwhile, Sylvia could only look at her father with a puzzled expression. He has been dying from worry over the past few days, but now he was smiling like crazy. Who wouldn't be worried about such a thing?

  "Yhness, is something the matter?" ［Sylvia］

  "Hahaha! You don't know how relieved I am right now, Sylvia. If only I could tell you, I already would have! Hahaha!" ［Reisner］

  The smile turo ughter, and Sylvia's fusion only grew. Reisner, with his newfound hope, stood up from his seat once again and looked at the same window he was looking at before.

  The lively city which he once looked at with a worried faow, he was looking at it with a smile. The aurora and stars above also now looked more beautiful as if a dark veil c his eyes had just been lifted.

  'If it's them, it should be alright...' ［Reisner］

  Such a thought entered his mind as he thought of two figures. He hasn't personally met them, but from the stories and tales he heard many times over, he deemed them to be trustworthy. People deserving of their titles.

  "Sylvia, how about you join this father of yours in a drink?" ［Reisner］

  "I apologize but I'll have to dee, Yhness. How could I drink alcohol when I'm on duty? It is improper of a knight." ［Sylvia］

  "Don't be like that. Just a gss is finー" ［Reisner］

  "If that's all you'll be saying then I'll be taking my leave. Have a wonderful night, Yhness." ［Sylvia］

  It was a ft out reje, the sound of a bang eg soon after as the doors were closed. The happiness which Reisner once felt was now repced with gloom as he watched the door in silence before heading to his wine rad getting a wine gss for himself.

  "Really... Where did I g in raising that girl...? Oh well, looks like I'll be having wine all to myself again." ［Reisner］

  Cck Pop Fwish

  Three distinct sounds echoed in the air as a witle ened. A lonely man then sat on his seat, feet atop his desk, and his hands swirling his gss of wine. A smile was blooming on his face as he dowhe gss in a single gulp.

  "Haah... I k... Beer really tastes better..." ［Reisner］

  CHAPTER 178 END