episode_0103

At this time, when the entire continent of the empire is experiencing a hot summer, only the northern part is filled with cold chill.

The story that there are four seasons in the empire was not as prevalent in the north. Because there was only one season in the North.

However, that did not mean that the northern residents were not happy. They also live their own lives and enjoy a little happiness.

There was no difference in the fact that the most dangerous area in the empire was the Frost Territory, which was considered the safest territory in the north.

Although there was an unfortunate incident that led to a period of stagnation for a long time, my happy daily life returned again.

And Frost Castle, a beautiful castle on a hill overlooking the entire Frost territory, shines even more brilliantly today thanks to the sunlight and the snow piled up around it.

“……..”

And the world became even whiter due to the snow reflecting the sunlight. Ariel Frost sits on the window sill and watches quietly.

No more attempts to kill myself. Because I realized that it would make Venice’s will and its noble sacrifice in vain.

Therefore, Ariel’s daily routine is to hunt down warlocks. Killing the warlock. There were only two things.

After I succeeded in changing the weather that day, I wasn’t tired even if I didn’t sleep, and I wasn’t hungry even if I didn’t eat.

And rather than spending time on such things, finding and killing one more warlock was more meaningful, and since it was what she had to do, that was all Ariel was given.

However… these days, the number of warlocks has been rapidly decreasing.

The number has decreased to the point where it is no longer meaningful for Ariel to find and kill warlocks.

“….What should I do today?”

Just yesterday, we couldn’t find the warlock. Ariel, who had nothing to do, was in agony.

How should I act now to remember and think of him? Black magic has almost disappeared now…

It was a very simple answer, but it didn’t occur to Ariel, who was no longer able to think properly.

And the answer was found in the conversation between the maids outside the door.

-This time, the third branch of the pancake shop has opened in Frost Manor!

-omg…! I wanted to go to that store for a long time, but the line was always long so I gave up…! thank god!

-Yep! Let’s go together next time!

“…….”

pancake. Frost Territory…

As soon as I heard those words, happy memories began to come to mind. Memories that make my heart ache just thinking about them, and at the same time, make me so happy.

….Let’s go to Frost’s territory after a long time.

Ariel jumped out of the open window. A light landing sound is heard.

So Ariel slowly listened to the soft sensation and crunching sound beneath her feet. I headed to the Frost territory.

Towards the territory I hadn’t been to for several months, to the place where my memories of him were.

***

The Frost estate is noisy today as well. Although it was a cold and cold place all year round, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the warmth of people drove away the cold.

Wearing a robe that covers her entire body, Ariel slowly walks through the city of Frost Territory. This is because I did not want to show my face to the citizens.

-Let’s go and drink some hot soup!

-Frost Territory’s special hot springs, come check it out! We show you heaven!

-wow! There are so many amazing things!

Merchants come out of the store and do all kinds of things to solicit customers. Travelers look at them with curious eyes.

The number of citizens in Frost Territory has increased significantly compared to before.

It was also the safest territory in the north, and because so many unpleasant things happened, many villages were incorporated into the Frost territory.

Stores and people are opening and increasing so quickly. Ariel stops in front of a very familiar sign.

-Veil’s Stew.-

The signboard seems a bit old now that many stylish and neat buildings are being built.

Most people who look at the shabby, old wooden building do not move.

It was true that not only the nobles who came to visit, but also felt a bit distant now that the level of hygiene has been raised.

However, Ariel Frost quietly entered the building.

rattle-

The hinges of an old wooden door resonate, and a small bell rings. It was still old and worn, but nothing had changed since then.

The conversation of locals who have been regulars for a long time resonates. Ariel finds an empty seat in the meantime and sits down quietly.

And as soon as she saw Ariel sitting down, the owner, Mrs. Bale, spoke to her.

“What should I give you?”

“…One stew.”

“Please wait a moment.”

Thanks to her voice becoming more subdued than before and the robe covering her entire body, Veil did not notice Ariel, and just as she told her to wait a moment, a bowl of stew was immediately placed in front of her.

“……..”

Ariel looks down at the ordinary stew in front of her. And that moment. Memories of that happy day come to mind.

That time when I sat across from Venice and ate stew. Because of the hostile gaze directed at Venice, he trembled and hurriedly finished his stew.

It was a bit sad to see that, but it was also true that it was a bit cute. Although it was a feeling I didn’t recognize at the time. I only found out now.

Slurp-

Hot stew goes down my throat. The taste… was really ordinary. On the contrary, it made me feel special because of that.

As if I had returned to that moment. Ariel quietly savored the stew.

And after a while. The stew quickly ran out, and Ariel got up from her seat, headed to the counter, put down a small coin, and left.

“…Huh! This is a gold coin…?!”

A moment later, Bale came out of the kitchen and looked at a shiny gold coin lying on the counter with a puzzled expression on his face, but then burst into laughter.

***

After leaving the stew shop, Ariel’s steps automatically walked toward a place of happy memories.

As I walked towards that place, even before I arrived, I was already struck by a soft and sweet smell. I can see many people lining up due to that smell.

“Then, let’s go together!”

“….Yes.”

It was as if the memories of that time were coming back and unfolding before my eyes. It felt like I could hear his excited voice.

Ariel answered so quietly that no one could hear, and then stood behind the line of people.

“Here it is. Enjoy your meal!”

The line quickly shortened, and Ariel held a plate of warm pancakes in her hands.

A generous amount of syrup and butter sprinkled on top of fluffy pancakes. The appearance and smell did not change at that time.

Sigh-yum.

Looking down at the pancake, Ariel took a piece off with a fork and shoved it into her mouth.

The combination of the syrup that makes the fluffy pancakes even more delicious and the nutty flavor of the butter resonates in your mouth.

I definitely didn’t like the dessert type… that much. Why do these pancakes taste so good?

“Yum yum… Miss Ariel, eat it too! …..It’s delicious, right?”

“…Yes. Delicious….yes.”

Once again, the image of Venice is drawn before Ariel’s eyes. The smile that looked at you with an infinitely pure and happy expression, as if you had never made a sad expression and then become downcast.

The coldness created by falling snow touching the skin. And the sight of Venice that put it all to rest and made my heart pound.

Looking at that brilliant smile that I couldn’t change even if I gave anything in the world.

“Delicious….uh. Yes.”

Ariel also looks at him and gives a small smile. A pure smile that has never been shown to anyone.

Rather than the syrup covered all over the pancakes, the sweetener is the happy memories of that time. It was sweeter and more delicious.

Ariel, who had eaten all the pancakes, walked slowly and quietly through the Frost territory.

Every time I take a step, the moments I spent with him appear before my eyes. The expression he made, his steps, even the sound of his breathing. Everything appears as memory.

A restaurant that came with Venice. The alley where I walked with him for no reason.

As I slowly walked through all those places, happy memories came to mind.

It’s like I’m back in time. For the first time in a long time, I was able to feel the feeling of happiness again.

“Baby. Let’s go there!”

“Haha. Are you very excited today? We have a lot of time, so let’s go slowly.”

“Yes! I like anything! If only you!”

Ariel, who was happily walking down the street, saw a flirtatious couple walking without even trying to hide their overflowing love.

A woman with hair that was not white but close to gray, and a man with hair that was also gray.

Ariel, who was staring blankly at that scene, unconsciously compared herself and Venice to them.

The image of himself whispering a love story to Venice, and Venice correcting him with a pure smile.

There was nothing more to wish for. As long as I had this person next to me, it didn’t matter where I was or what situation I was in.

Venice and I are in the square in the center of Frost’s territory. We sit on that bench and look at each other’s faces.

We look at each other and talk. Objectively speaking, it wasn’t a very funny story, but the added magic of this moment with him made me laugh out loud.

At that time, I leave Venice sitting on the bench, stand up, and look down at him. Venice must have seen my expression, too, and smiled.

Each other’s faces become closer. They get so close that the sound of their breathing can be heard so clearly, and their lips finally touch each other.

This moment. If only this moment could last, there would be no need for anything else. Just being able to be with him, who was so much more than I deserved, was a blessing.

And then he, who was sitting down, extends his hand towards me. me-

Wajangchang-!

And that moment. Ariel’s delusion was completely shattered. Venice… No, the way that man stretched out his hand was the same as Venice extending its hand towards me.

I lost my everything and my savior. Everything comes to mind, including the days I let him die by my own hands, his last moments in Venice, and even that smile.

The illusion called memory has been shattered. Ariel stares blankly at the back of the couple walking away while holding each other’s hands.

As the happy memories disappear, only the miserable reality remains. His breath, his voice, his pure smile, even his warmth. Everything scatters and disappears.

The image of Venice standing next to me, smiling at me, scatters and disappears.

I tried to reach out and catch the disappearing entity, or rather, the entity that never existed to begin with, but of course I couldn’t catch it.

“……..”

The outstretched hand falls without strength. Ariel’s head turns to the floor.

My heart… my heart hurts so much. The reality without him was so cold, cold, and painful.

Because it felt like it was going to explode… at any moment. Ariel did not meet anyone’s gaze or speak until she crossed the Frost Territory and reached her room in the Frost Fortress.

Squeak…thud.

Finally, Ariel arrives at her room and collapses into her seat.

“Black…Huh…Huh…”

The emotions I had been holding back and holding back began to explode. The tears flowing down are so cold, as if they represent Ariel’s emotions.

“Venice…Venice…”

Even though I desperately cry out his name, he is no longer by my side. No matter how much I tried to deny reality, reality came before me before I knew it.

I… it hurts so much. I feel like my heart will break at any moment…

The reality without you… is so miserable and sad. Since the day you left, I have never been at ease even for a single moment.

My life, without the warmth of you, is so cold and lonely.

“Black…ugh…”

How am I supposed to live from now on?

The memory of you… you are more precious than my life. It doesn’t stay by my side anymore.

I can no longer feel your smile, your voice, or your warmth anywhere.

No matter how hard I tried to escape reality by recalling my memories of Venice, the memories would inevitably collapse at some point and return to reality.

Every time I did that, my chest hurt even more, and the cold I felt was so cold that even my whole body and mind froze.

“Hmm…Ugh…Ugh…”

I miss you so much.

I miss you so much.

I am so resentful and hateful of myself for not being able to recognize your feelings and for leading you to death.

“Venice…I want to see…”

Ariel cried out, holding her chest with one hand in an attempt to stop her heart from bursting.

Those memories are happy moments that are now gone and can only be recalled as memories, things that were life itself.

I was so happy and happy that I felt so sad and heartbroken.

Because no matter how much I cried, hated, or was happy, he never came back. Ariel just cried quietly.