"Ughhh—so cold…"
The forest was empty and silent, buried under layers of snow. Cold wind blew across the desolate white landscape—just an endless blur of white in every direction.
Crunch—crack—
Each step Shichen took sunk deep into the snow, leaving big holes behind. His calves were practically buried, and to make matters worse, he was wearing a freaking short-sleeved shirt.
All he could do was hug Frieren tighter, hoping to steal some warmth from her.
"L–let me inside your body already… I'm freezing here…" Frieren clung to him, shivering in her usual short-sleeved white robe. Her teeth were chattering like crazy.
"No way. You want me to freeze alone?" Shichen shot her down without hesitation.
"I–I'm seriously gonna freeze to death…" Her voice was barely above a whisper now.
"You'll be fine. We just need to share some body heat. We'll get through this snowfield."
"Don't you have spatial magic? Can't we just teleport out of here?"
"This is my first time in this world. Spatial magic only works in places I've already been."
"Knew I shouldn't have followed you…"
"Come on, don't say that~ When else are you gonna experience a short-sleeved blizzard hike? That's a rare memory!"
"I'd rather be curled up in a warm bed, thanks… Wait—what about your golden flames? Can't those heat us up?"
"Oh! Totally forgot about those."
"…You forgot? You sure that wasn't on purpose?"
"Haha, of course not."
With a flick of his hand, Shichen summoned a sacred golden flame that wrapped around both of them. Instantly, the chill vanished, replaced by a cozy blanket of warmth.
"Ahhh… that's so much better…" Frieren relaxed in his arms, letting out a long, contented sigh.
"Right?" Shichen lifted her slightly and rubbed his cheek against her soft face.
"Mm… stop that…" Frieren pushed his face away with one hand.
"Oof, cold rejection. That hurts." He sighed but let it go.
"You cling like this every day—when is it ever enough…? Anyway, where are we even going?" She looked around at the snowy wasteland, clearly unimpressed.
"We're looking for a castle."
"Huh?" Frieren blinked at him, confused.
Shichen looked down at her face, smiled, and kissed her on the cheek. "We need somewhere to crash first, right?"
"You kissed me again…"
Frieren pouted but went along with it. "How do you even know there's a castle nearby?"
"Because I'm brilliant and amazing."
"Ugh. Narcissist. Didn't you just say this is your first time here?"
"Sure, but that doesn't mean I don't recognize the place. Don't you remember when we first met?"
"You called me by name right away…"
"Wow, you really remembered that? Then why didn't you ever ask why?"
"I didn't think it mattered."
"Not even a little curious? Tch, guess I'll have to teach you a lesson tonight."
"A lesson?! You're not gonna treat me like you did to Serie, are you?" Frieren grabbed onto his collar, looking genuinely alarmed.
The memory was still burned into her brain—how Shichen had played with Serie like a doll, hugging her front-facing, back-facing, even making her lie down like some kind of pet...
It had been over a month, and she still hadn't recovered from the mental image.
"Oh? You want that kind of punishment too?"
"No way! I'd rather get spanked!"
"Alright then. It's settled."
"W–wait…!"
"We're here," Shichen said suddenly.
"Huh?"
Frieren turned and followed his gaze—through the snowy trees, a grand white castle stood tall.
Even just a glimpse of it radiated a majestic, powerful presence. It almost felt... magical.
"There's really a castle here."
"Did you think I was lying?" Shichen picked up the pace.
There wasn't a single other building in sight—just this massive castle. Which meant this whole area was probably its territory.
Shichen knew exactly who lived here—though technically, "who" might be the wrong word. They weren't ordinary people.
They were artificial beings.
After all, this world was part of Fate. And in a snow-covered forest like this, the castle could only belong to the Einzbern family.
"She" hadn't told him all the details, so he still didn't know whether this was before or after that decade.
He hoped it was before—then maybe he could still save that poor girl.
Whenever he entered a new world, the Divine Fragments always drew close. That's why he came here first.
Besides, he had no reason to fear the Einzberns. Magi in this world couldn't hurt him.
Not to mention one of the perks of arriving here was total magic immunity.
Right now, he needed info—politeness could wait.
When they reached the outer wall, Shichen didn't even bother with the front gate. He just jumped over it while still holding Frieren.
The sight inside was like stepping into a dream.
Compared to the frozen wasteland outside, the castle grounds were alive—lush gardens, a glistening pool—it was like a totally different world.
"Not using the front door?" Frieren asked.
"If we did, we wouldn't get in at all." He jumped down into the inner courtyard.
"Who are you?!"
The moment they landed, two women holding brooms rushed up to them.
But these weren't your typical maids—they looked like living dolls, with perfect porcelain skin, model-like figures, and luxurious uniforms. Way too elegant for cleaning staff.
Their faces, though... were unnaturally stiff.
"Oops, we've been spotted," Frieren said flatly.
"It's fine. Nothing to worry about." Shichen gave her a calm smile.
"They're really pretty, though."
"Yeah, they are."
Seeing them up close, the craftsmanship was unreal. Artificial lifeforms, but so lifelike—almost too perfect.
"You're not into them, are you?" Frieren side-eyed him.
"Of course not. I don't fall for every pretty girl I meet," Shichen rolled his eyes.
"Oh? Is it because they're not lolis?"
"...Looks like I'll have to go extra hard on you tonight. Make sure you can't walk tomorrow."
"Nooo!" Frieren quickly covered her butt in panic.
"Hehehe~"
"Who are you people?" one of the women asked coldly.
"Sella, that little girl has pointy ears... she looks like an elf," the other said lazily.
"Leysritt! Shut up and be serious!" Sella snapped.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Answer the question. Who are you, and why did you trespass on the Einzbern estate?"
"Sorry, this'll sound weird—but we ended up here by accident and just happened to find the place," Shichen explained.
"Mhm." Frieren nodded from his arms.
"You expect us to believe that?" Sella asked, unamused.
"Fair enough…"
"Shichen, what do we do? Should we run?" Frieren whispered.
"Run? Why? Weren't bad people."
"Oh… right."
"That handsome guy says they're not bad people," Leysritt chimed in.
"Shut up! You can't just believe him because he's cute! What if they're here to harm Illya? What if he's a shady magus?!"
"Oh…"
"Wait Sella—did you say Illya?" Shichen perked up.
"What do you want with her?" Sella's expression darkened. "And stop calling me by name."
"Not important. I just need to know—how old is Illya right now?"
"Like hell I'd tell you that!"
"Then Leysritt, would you tell me?" he turned to the nicer one.
"Me?" Leysritt pointed at herself, surprised.
"Yeah, pretty please?" Shichen clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture.
"Sella, what do I do?"
"What do you think?" Sella glared at her.
"…Well, he does give off the same vibe as Illya. Maybe he's the 'Dad' she always talks about?"
That was probably why they hadn't attacked him yet.
"No way! Forget it! Just no!" Sella barked.
"Oh… sorry, I can't tell you," Leysritt said sheepishly.
"That's fine." Shichen nodded calmly.
"Then why are you here?" Sella pressed.
"Could you just go tell your master we're here? We'll wait right here," Shichen asked.
"No chance. You could be dangerous. Leave now!"
Sigh "Guess I've got no choice but to—"
"Sella, Leysritt! What are you two doing?"
Just as Shichen was about to act, a bright, playful voice called out.
He looked up, and saw a little girl running toward them—a small figure in a thick violet-and-white coat, with a fluffy hat and long snow-white hair flowing behind her. She looked like a fairy born from the snow.
"Huh?"
She locked eyes with Shichen—and froze. Then her face lit up in joy.
"Daddy!"
~~~
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