Winters in Buono were short, but heavy. The snowfall period only last for a month, but the amount of snow built up during that month would mean no one would be able to leave the village. There’s always a crew of able-bodied men ready to shovel the excess snow from the village, otherwise everyone would be snowed in. Luckily for Artemis, right when the snowfall period ended, she was fully healed and could move by herself.

“Hup!... Hup!...” Artemis was in Granny Ferdinand’s home rehabilitating herself and getting accustomed to her new body. It took some getting used to, stuff that should be there aren’t there anymore and stuff that shouldn’t be there were there. At first she struggled to control the body, it was like trying to ride a horse for the first time. However, she gradually came to understand her body. The only thing Artemis hadn’t had time to test out were the limits of the body and how far she could push herself before she tired. “Once enough snow has melted then I’ll go.” She promised herself.

Janna also decided on a lot of things during the snow-in. After nursing Artemis back to health and getting to know a bit more about the beauty, Janna began making preparations. She had ultimately decided upon this course of action after hearing what she wanted to hear from Artemis.

“I’m going to the capital.” She adamantly said.

“Y-you what?!” Artemis screamed out, alarmed by the abrupt decision.

“I’m going to the capital and enter Lavender Crown Academy.”

“How are you going to do that?” If Artemis remembered correctly, Lavender Crown Academy was a well-known and prestigious academy supported by powerful alumni. The criteria to enter such a place, whether she wanted to believe it or not, was far beyond what a village girl far out in the rural north could achieve.

“Through willpower!” She clenched her fists in a confident manner.

“…”

“Pfft! Fine! I was just kidding!” She giggled softly, “Granny gave me a recommendation.”

“How is that possible? Granny has that much sway in the capital?” Artemis remarked in disbelief. He grew up being cared for by Granny Ferdinand and never would he have thought that a gentle old lady like her would have ties to such a renowned place of learning.

“Un!” Janna cutely nodded, “Granny told me when she was younger she used to travel around the kingdom. It was also during that time that she met one of the Vice Principals of Lavender Crown Academy. One thing happened after another and she obtained a favor from the Vice Principal.”

“Who would have known?” Artemis rubbed her chin in wonder.

Janna silently observed Artemis’ subconscious gesture and was immediately reminded of the ambitious youth that had recently departed from her; she felt heartache and pain, but still smiled at the resemblance. “What have you decided to do, Arty?”

It was a good question. Artemis couldn’t just idly stay in the village. If she wanted to achieve her dream and goal, it would require a lot of effort on her part and she would have to travel far and wide. For a start, she was still freeloading off of Granny Ferdinand, but once the snow melted enough, she could find a way to repay Granny Ferdinand. Another thing Artemis was waiting on was the Goddess to awaken. Artemis had a general idea of what to do, but she wanted to hear input from Artemis the Goddess herself.

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“I… want to come along?” Artemis hesitantly said to test the waters.

“That’s…” Janna’s eyebrows furrowed.

“*Gulp*”

“That’s a great idea! We can travel together! You and me!” Janna excitedly yelled. Artemis inwardly smiled at the girl’s rash decision; she was all too familiar with the airheaded girl’s foolish decisions.

Just when the excitement in the room couldn’t be contained any longer, a shrewd voice called out, “Two young women, ripened to perfection and travelling alone is the perfect setting to be taken advantage of by beasts.” The two girls both turned their heads at the entranceway. Granny Ferdinand walked in holding a basket of drying herbs, “I won’t let you two leave until you both have thought this out well over.” She wiggled her finger like mother lecturing her children.

“But Granny~!” Janna whined.

“No ‘But Granny!’ me! I promised your mother that you would be absolutely safe when traveling to Cemeria and I intend to keep that promise.” Granny Ferdinand put her foot down, ending the down-trodden girl’s complaints. She looked over at Artemis, “Do you also have a problem with that?”

“By no means, Granny! I also want Janna to be safe.” Artemis vehemently shook her head in response. If Janna was going to travel such a far distance, then she wanted her to be away from as much danger as possible.

“Good. In a week, the men will travel to town to buy some necessities. You two will go along with them and from there join a caravan bound for Cemeria.” Granny Ferdiand’s gaze softened when she looked at Artemis, “Arty… I’m not sure I know what’s best for you, so I also think it’s best you go along with Janna. Here is a letter that I want you to deliver to an old acquaintance of mine. If you truly need his help, then he would be able to help you.” Granny Ferdinand had a knowing look in her eyes as they remained locked with Artemis’ and left it at that.

After Granny Ferdinand left the room, Janna and Artemis stared at one another. An upward curve slowly creeped over the corners of the two girl’s mouths. “YES!” they both exclaimed.

The coming weeks went by like a blur as they both packed and got readied for their long journey. Well, in truth Artemis didn’t have anything to pack and only helped Janna pack. One night, when no one was awake, Artemis sneaked out and into his old home to retrieve his stash; it was the money she saved up for Janna’s betrothal. She stared long and hard at the laughable amount of coins and silently returned to Granny Ferdinand’s home with complex emotions.

One warm winter day, a party covered warm animal hides and lugging two cart full of fur departed from Buono. Janna silently cried as she waved back at her parents and Granny Ferdinand. A few village boys also desperately expressed their love for the lovely girl, but were refused. Meanwhile, Artemis was solemnly looking back on the village. Although Buono was where she grew and her home, she ultimately didn’t have much attachment to it, surprisingly she felt a bit of relief upon leaving.

“Arty!” The owner of the excited voice crashed into her side, giving her a tight hug. “Can you believe it?! We’re leaving!”

“Un… yea.” Artemis revealed a graceful smile and looked back at Granny Ferdinand before turning around.

Long after the group left the village and night had fallen, Granny Ferdinand leaned back in her chair in her quiet little cabin. “It’s going to be a little too quiet without that girl here.” She grinned merrily after recalling the bright girl’s smile. “That reminds me—“ Granny Ferdinand took out a letter addressed to her, “Little Arty said to read it after they have left.”

Granny Ferdinand tore open the seal and unraveled the letter.

Granny, thank you for all you’ve done for me.

Sincerely,

Arty

p.s. I am alive.

Upon reading the last line, her hand stiffened and the letter drifted away from her hand unto the table. The letter had removed the heavy feeling of depression that had settled down after the disappearance of Arthur. For the first time in years Granny Ferdinand smiled from the bottom of her heart, “Thank the Gods.”