The cold was biting.

Walking through the forest filled with small, silvery trees, Aurelia dreaded the journey ahead.

These mountains were a very unforgiving place. Made of four distinct layers, any being not native to them would surely perish merely traversing the land—not saying that native creatures were completely free of its crueller nature.

The first and lowest of the layers was the Sylvestris Forest. It was made of countless green pine trees resting on sloped ground. Out of all the layers, this one was the most bearable. Spotting the warmest climate, it allowed for a lot of different plants and even people to survive. It was the layer that kindly harboured most living on this mountain.

The second lowest layer was not so tender. As if to spite the first, it was the layer made up of a complete wasteland. Not a single creature dared to make it their home. Devoid of even a shrub, the wasteland served as a barrier to the colder and more treacherous parts of the mountain.

If one managed to bypass the second layer, they would set upon the third lowest layer. Countless lustrous small silver trees dotted the layer. It was twice as cold as the second layer and four times as cold as the first. In this layer, numerous medium- to small-sized beasts hid well within the silvery forest. They all carried a certain magical nature that made them incredibly dangerous.

Finally, past the third layer was the fourth. It was similar to the first and third layers—being another forest, but that was where all the similarities ended. Unlike the previous two forests, the last forest one would meet before making it to the top was gargantuan. Behemoth, sparking, white trees would reveal themselves the closer one got to the fourth layer. Contained within them were monsters of a similar terrifying stature, deep in sleep. The cold at this level was even more burdensome. Being twice as cold as the third layer, four times as cold as the second, and eight times as cold as the first layer.

After a person passed all these, they would be nearing the top of the mountain. The last obstacle that would stand in their way would be the Fog of Madness. A direct phenomenon generated by the fairies of the mountain. As the name suggested, a being would be driven mad if they were so arrogant as to step on the land of the fairies.

Aurelia stopped and clutched the silver cross laying on her chest.

The journey ahead was a difficult one that bordered on the line of impossibility. Even equipped with the best gear available, Aurelia was struggling on layer three. No number of charms or blessings could take the cold eating at her. There was a good reason no one in their right mind would make this journey.

But.

Aurelia had to. Not only to visit her dear who refused to answer her calls, but to deliver an important message.

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‘Oh Gods, please watch over me so that I may deliver your message’

Grimacing, Aurelia gave a short prayer before reaching into her pockets and pulling out a small blue ball. She threw the ball in her mouth and swallowed shortly after. Instantly, the cold that was eating away at her disappeared.

A small, sad smile crept on her face.

Using the one gift she received from her dear friend was not to her liking. Unfortunately, though, it seemed the regular methods to combat such cold were just not enough. It was too harsh, too domineering. The cold was only going to get worse from here, and she was already struggling to cope with this much.

‘This is so… ridiculous.’

It was utterly cold already.

Aurelia couldn’t imagine how much colder the top was.

‘Is it possible for living things to exist up there?’

It must be. It was a well-known fact that the impish fairies lived high above in conjunction with the ominous white tiger.

‘What am I thinking?’

Casting her useless thoughts aside, Aurelia continued walking.

----------------------------------------

It was so awkward.

Mindlessly sweeping the ground, Leion couldn’t help but sneak glances at the new guest.

She was sitting at the table with a gleeful smile.

‘Ugh… Why did she have to leave me here with her?’

After the brief introduction, his “Master”—lacking any social tact—just left like it was a normal day. Leion had been abandoned on a stranger’s lap with the vague instructions to “do the necessary”. Usually, when dumped with such a situation by his “Master”, he had some clues on what to do.

But.

Today was different. He didn’t have the faintest idea what to do. Did the instruction to “do the necessary” include taking of the guest as well as the cabin? Or, did it mean he was meant to focus on either while ignoring the other? He couldn’t possibly do both by the time she got back. Left with such a conundrum, Leion politely excused himself off the guest with great difficulty in order to do the cleaning.

If given two options, Leion would rather focus on the cleaning than talking to the guest. It was easier to do, plus it was something he could show off to his “Master” once she got back.

“Leeei-Leeeei….” (A)

A sing-song voice called out to Leion.

‘Ha…’

He paused and looked up.

“Yes?” (L)

The butchering of his name was annoying but tolerable. She was just a guest that would leave soon. Wasting breath correcting an airhead like her wasn’t worth it.

“I want to play! I want to play with you!!” (A)

‘Are you a child?’

Suppressing his mild irritation, Leion thought sharply before answering with the same mesmerising smile he used on the village,

“I’m sorry I can’t play; I have to do the necessary!” (L)

With any luck, she would be too dumbstruck to continue bothering him. It really shouldn’t be hard given how taken by him she seems.

Adults shouldn’t be behaving like that. A nun definitely shouldn’t be behaving like that.

It was plain unsightly.

“But… Lei-Lei. Are you really doing the necessary?” (A)

Leion, who had resumed sweeping, abruptly stopped.

A low hum escaped from the guest.

“Doesn’t doing the necessary mean taking care of me?” (A)

‘W-What the hell?’

Leion nearly bit his tongue.

Wasn’t such a thought process too much for an airhead?!

“Sorry, no. My Master meant—” (L)

“Wait!” (A)

The guest rose from her chair, moved towards Leion, and bent down to his level.

“You call your mom, Master?! That’s so adorable!!” (A)

She started furiously petting his head.

“Now, don’t worry about this small mess! I’ll talk to your mommy and have her let you off the hook today!!”

“Uh, but—!” (L)

“Let’s go! We have very important things to do!!” (A)

A pair of hands grabbed Leion, and before he knew it, they were heading towards the door.

The door was ripped open.

They were outside.