Strax found Mercedes and Vex in one of the inner gardens of the northern castle.
The area had been rebuilt after the events in the Heart Chamber, although part of the blue ice remained thicker than normal around the walls. Mercedes preferred to keep that additional layer for safety. Frieren had already confirmed several times that the connection to the desert had disappeared, but the Ice Monarch did not intend to rely solely on a mage's word when her daughter had been directly involved in the imprisonment of an ancient entity.
Vex sat on a small formation of ice, watching two white creatures chase a ball made of compacted snow. They resembled foxes, although they had larger ears and three thin tails. Whenever one managed to touch the ball, the other threw itself on top, and the two rolled through the garden, scattering snow over the frozen plants.
Strax stopped beside Mercedes.
"She looks well."
