Kiana and Sigurd arrived at Jörmungandr City, the place where Sigurd first established his roots, and the first city they had called home for a significant period.
They visited the site of the old manor to pay their respects to Vera's father. Afterward, at Kiana's request, Sigurd took her to the amusement park.
However, memories of past sacrifices weighed heavily on Kiana, especially as they approached Mond, the place where they first met. This mixture of emotions left her with little enthusiasm for food or entertainment. They strolled briefly through the Jörmungandr City amusement park, rode the Ferris wheel, and shared a kiss at the top, sealing it like a promise. When they visited Uluru Town for its signature cakes, Kiana barely tasted a piece before eagerly pulling Sigurd toward the snowy mountains, heading for the old Mond Town.
<+>
While the far eastern lands basked in the warmth of early summer, on the opposite side of the planet, Mond lay under a thin blanket of snow. This wasn't just due to geographical differences—it was also a result of the widespread chaos caused by the Honkai, which had indirectly disrupted the global climate. These anomalies were becoming increasingly severe.
The crisis facing civilization was reflected in many ways, and climate imbalance was just one of them.
"Huh? Jörmungandr City and Uluru Town are doing really well—clean streets, people looking healthy and happy… Why is Mond so desolate?"
Kiana shielded her eyes with her hand as she surveyed the area. All she saw was a silent, snow-covered ruin, devoid of any signs of human activity.
Sigurd explained:
"Jörmungandr City and Uluru Town are under direct control of Anti-Entropy, so the people's livelihoods are naturally much better. Mond's location, however, isn't suitable for modern development. After the Honkai disaster, the few remaining villagers finally abandoned their isolated mountain lives and relocated. Later on, I didn't put any effort into rebuilding this place. While I could have, I didn't want to let personal feelings interfere with the region's overall planning… Sorry."
Sigurd's reasoning was logical, but from an emotional standpoint, it seemed he didn't value this place where they first met.
Kiana turned to him, smiling as she blinked playfully.
"What are you apologizing for? Isn't that the right thing to do? Our memories belong to us, but development and progress are about everyone's lives. Of course, their needs should come first!"
"Yeah, I knew you'd understand."
"Hehe! Actually, this might be better. With no one here, at least it still kind of looks like how we remember it. If it were like Jörmungandr City, it would probably look completely different by now."
Kiana skipped and danced through the snow around Sigurd, her graceful figure full of life as she laughed happily. Her black dress fluttered lightly in the air as if it were part of her joyous performance.
Finally, her playful movements stopped in front of Sigurd. Kiana rubbed her arms with exaggerated expressions.
"Brr~ It's snowing! I'm so cold. I need to find something to burn~!"
Sigurd's gaze remained fixed on her, carrying an unspoken tenderness he hadn't noticed himself, until she distractedly said those words.
He rolled his eyes.
"Who are you fooling? With your current physique, plus the heat regulation from the Black Armor even in bracelet mode, you'd be fine even at the North Pole without needing to rub your arms."
Then, with a wave of his hand, an iron shovel dropped from the sky—it was something he had prepared in advance.
"I know what you want to do. Go dig it up yourself."
The charcoal stash they buried years ago had never been excavated. Knowing Kiana, there was no way she would forget and not want to dig it up after returning.
Kiana took the shovel and blinked.
"You're not coming?"
"...Boring. Too lazy."
"Eh? Don't say that! It's a memory—a precious one! Come on, let's go, let's go~!"
Kiana laughed, grabbing Sigurd's hand and pulling him along.
"You… forgot where we buried it, didn't you?"
Sigurd didn't resist. He followed her, matching her steps, while making his guess in a matter-of-fact tone.
Kiana's cheerful smile froze—she had indeed forgotten the exact location after all these years. Without Sigurd, finding it would be difficult.
She wanted to argue, but Sigurd's deadpan look made her lose her confidence.
"Alright, fine, I forgot. Can't you just cut me some slack? Why call me out like that!?"
Sigurd stared at her intently.
Kiana blushed, holding the shovel awkwardly as she fidgeted.
"Hey… Sig, just cooperate a little, okay? I'll… I'll give you a reward!"
Kiana tugged at Sigurd's sleeve, her voice sweetly coquettish. Her expression was playful, her ahoge swaying in an adorably carefree manner—a sign of the innocence and willfulness that Sigurd wanted to protect at all costs.
"Let's go."
Sigurd stepped forward, leading the way for Kiana.
"Yay!"
Kiana jumped on the spot, then grabbed the shovel and jogged to catch up.
<+>
"Heave-ho! Heave-ho! Heave-ho!"
Amid the still, snow-white forest, Kiana stood inside a small cave, rhythmically digging into the earth with her shovel.
In truth, she could have exerted just a little more force to drive the shovel all the way in and fling large chunks of dirt effortlessly. She didn't need to appear so hard at work.
"Childlike innocence… still intact?"
"What are you talking about? This is called ambiance! Ambiance, you big dummy!"
Kiana stomped on the shovel and looked up, rolling her eyes at Sigurd, who was watching her with a contemplative expression.
Sigurd chuckled softly.
"Well, keep at it."
"You're just going to stand there and watch, Sig?"
"What else? Should I use the Judgement of Shamash to help you dig?"
"...True. Just wait a bit longer, and soon you'll have charcoal to keep warm!"
Kiana gave him a thumbs-up, flashing her bright, pearly-white teeth—she felt a sense of pride, as though she were a dutiful husband working hard to care for a delicate wife.
Though it felt more like playing house, it was all about the ambiance, after all!
Kiana continued her "hard work," swinging the shovel with gusto. Before long, she dug deep enough to uncover the long-buried charcoal.
"Wow! I found it! I found it! The charcoal is perfectly intact—of course, it's because I'm the one who buried it!"
"It's absorbed moisture from the soil. It won't light."
"Sigurd, can't you just use the Judgement of Shamash to dry it?"
"...Then why not just use the flames from the sword directly?" Sigurd replied, exasperated.
Sure enough, Kiana puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
With a resigned sigh, Sigurd shook his head.
"You win."
With that, he summoned the blazing greatsword. Plunging it into the ground, the heat radiating from the sword dried the moisture in the soil, releasing a cloud of white steam.
Before long, Sigurd withdrew the greatsword.
Kiana squatted down and touched the exposed chunks of charcoal. Sure enough, they were no longer damp.
"Nicely done, Sigurd!" Kiana gave him another thumbs-up, grinning brightly.
Sigurd shook his head and sighed. He could feel his usual composure slipping away.
Why had he agreed so easily without even thinking it through?
The Judgement of Shamash wasn't meant for fooling around or indulging Kiana's whims. Yet here he was, using it for exactly that.
<+>
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