“D-Died…?” Koul uttered aghast, his entire face dropping.

A wide eyed Gus perked up from his drowsy state, almost falling over while doing so. “O-Oni!?”

Dama only tilted his head in confusion. “Oni?”

Liam patted Dama's head in response. “I'll explain later, buddy. Please, Ryuu, continue. You said this Oni was the cause of all of this snow, right?”

“Gladly, but before that,” Ryuu replied, waving his head as he walked into the village, “follow me. We should continue where it is warm. I also have a place where your horse and carriage can be stationed.”

Now granted access within, the Enohayen men, with Dorsey in tow, followed Ryuu. Koul was serious, Gus anxious, Dama curious, and Liam cautious.

Inside, Dama could see the village itself appeared somber and tense. Snowdrifts pile against homes and on top roofs. The landscape was an expanse of white, creating a rather eerie beauty.

Smoke rose thinly from chimneys, answering why he didn't see many villagers—they were all huddled indoors, conserving their remaining resources.

Some houses came with windows, some of which gave insight into the illuminating glow within, while others were covered by the curious faces of villagers of all ages, watching the group pass by.

The stone wall enclosed fields, where crops should be growing, were covered in a thick layer of snow and ice. Many of the plants were visibly wilted or dead, a stark reminder of the non-native cold's devastating impact.

“Oh jeez, I can almost feel the tension in the air…” Dama thought as he walked closer to Mumu, only now realizing the gravity of the situation—something he would unknowingly share with the other three men.

Mumu, in response, noticed his master’s growing unease and put his arm over Dama's shoulder. Feeling both comforted and warm, Dama gratefully smiled.

“Say, I gotta know,” Ryuu suddenly said as he continued to walk, “what exactly is that bear thing?”

“Oh, Mumu?” Koul responded as he stretched. “Yeah, bet he's an odd sight for even wise eyes. It's a bit complicated, just know it's really helpful!”

“If you say so.”

Later, after taking a left at what seemed to be the village center, Ryuu stopped in front of a huge house, its length putting Dama in awe. A sign stood just in front of the estate, reading: “Talgat Residence”.

Beside the house, some big stables loomed, their roofs burdened with snow, icicles hanging from their eaves. The wooden structures creaked in the wind with some of their doors swinging ajar.

“Alright,” Ryuu announced as he turned to the men, “this is it, Briarstone’s stable lot, owned by the Talgat Family. If you would please, pick any of the stables to park your carriage, free of charge. I'll notify the Talgat Family so they know.”

Before anyone could respond, a low and heavy voice would sound from behind the group. “I see, so they really did come!”

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As everyone turned to look at the voice's owner, they would see a burly man with wild brown hair and a scar across his cheek. "Ah, even Junior is there. This ought to make things much easier!" the man bellowed out.

Ryuu saluted while bringing his heels together. “Hello, Sir Domitius.” He announced before adopting a confused look after taking a look around.

Domitius noticed Ryuu's confused expression, raising an eyebrow. “Something wrong, Junior?”

“No sir, I just thought Clemens would have accompanied you.” Ryuu responded.

“Uh, I'm here actually!” Clemens’ voice sounded from Domitius, further confusing Ryuu. That was until Clemens stepped from behind Domitius’ bulky frame, taking off his fur helmet while doing so. His blonde hair and acne covered face finally coming into view.

Ryuu smiled at the sight. “Ah, there you are, Clemens. You really have to make yourself known a little more.”

A statement Domitius agreed with as he palmed Clemens back, almost causing him to face plant into the snow. “He-har! Junior’s right ya know! You always blend in with the crowd.”

“I-I see…” Clemens murmured while still recovering from Domitius’ unknowing assault on his back.

Opening his eyes back up from laughing, Domitius’ gaze would first meet Mumu's. “The hell is that thing? It's not a real bear and it has stitches like a stuffed animal, yet it's standing like it's alive. I can even feel its stare…” he thought before locking eyes with Koul's. “I take it you're the leader of this bunch?”

“That I am.” Koul replied with a smirk.

Copying the smirk, Domitius walked off to the side with a wave of his hand. “Then I guess we should get down to business, ey? Come with me, let's discuss some things. You too, Junior.”

“Fine by me,” Koul said as he and Ryuu followed Domitius, “lads, I'm counting on you to unload the food for me. I'll make up for it later, k?”

“You can count on us!” Liam and Dama said in unison, both of them posing with a thumbs up to their chest. Gus halfheartedly copied them, while Mumu awkwardly tried his best, which amused Koul.

Domitius concurred. “Clemens, why don’t you help them out, eh? Show our neighbors the start of our hospitality?”

Clemens perked up from rubbing his back. “Me? Gotcha, yessir!”

Going in front of and rubbing Dorsey, Liam encouraged her to move forward, guiding her into one of the stables. “That’s it, good girl! Nice and steady, we'll have you unhooked and ready to rest in no time!”

After Dorsey and the carriage were securely parked, Liam went to work taking off the reins that bound her to it. Clemens, meanwhile, opened the back door of the carriage.

Before he could react, a blur of green leaped out from the shadows within the carriage. It was Nina, still shrunk, pouncing on Clemens and knocking him backward with surprising force.

Clemens landed in the snow, dazed as he looked up at Nina, who stood triumphantly on his chest, tail wagging and nose sniffing every square inch of him.

“N-Nina!” Dama called out, a slight blush of embarrassment started to form.

Reacting to her name, Nina jumped from Clemens chest to Dama's feet, bowing her head as her tail continued to wag.

“Oh yeah, I had almost forgotten about Nina, where did she g—!” Liam said as he finished unhooking Dorsey, only to be caught off guard by Nina's new size. “Huh!? Dama, what happened?”

“Oh yeah, uh, I don’t have a clue myself, Mr. Liam. It happened when we saved the boy.” Dama said as he scratched his head, still confused himself.

“Is that so?” Liam murmured as he rubbed his chin. “Did you do anything in particular?”

“No, not really. All I did was pat Nina’s head like this,” Dama replied as he copied his previous actions of patting Nina on the head, “wished she could fit in the back, then boom! She became small. That has never happened before…”

Liam adopted a proud smirk as he pointed a finger in the air. “Hmmmm, sounds like it to me the works of a Soulful Technique, your’s Dama!”

Dama perked up before looking down at Nina. “Wait, my Soulful Technique…? You think my Soulful Technique caused Nina to shrink?”

“Well, it sounds a little far-fetched, but do you got any other ideas?” Liam chuckled.

“Hold on…” Clemens uttered, something snapping him out of his dazed state. “Did you guys say Soulful Technique?”

Liam offered a hand to Clemens. “You know of them?”

Grabbing Liam's hand, who pulled him up, Clemens explained further. “Yes, indeed I do! In fact, our chief has one!”

-

Next: (Chapter 36) Briarstone’s Chief