Inside the wooden house, everyone sat around the dining table. Ul tightly held Ultear's small hand as they sat together. The fireplace was burning brightly, filling the room with warmth.
"I'm sorry, Ultear… it's all my fault. I trusted the wrong people and let you suffer so much. I'll never leave you again," Ul said, her tears flowing uncontrollably after hearing her daughter's story, pulling Ultear tightly into her embrace.
"Waa… it's okay, Mama. I don't blame you. And Lord Arlen already punished the bad people," Ultear replied, tears streaming down her face as well—but these were tears of relief and joy. She gently patted Ul's back to comfort her.
"Those bastards… they're just as hateful as Deliora," Gray muttered darkly, his face shadowed with anger.
"Gray…" Lyon sighed helplessly. He had long grown used to Gray's demeanor. Ever since Ul had rescued him, Gray had always carried this darkness within him. No matter how they tried to console him, his obsession with Deliora had taken root deep in his heart.
"Ul, I heard from Iharu of the Sixth Enforcement Unit that you're the strongest Ice Mage in the Brago region—only one step away from the Ten Wizard Saints," Arlen said, setting down his cup.
"Of course! Master Ul is the strongest—and I'll surpass her one day!" Lyon declared proudly, arms crossed.
"You're still saying nonsense like that?" Gray scoffed.
"What did you say, you droopy-eyed idiot? Looking down on me?" Lyon shot up, ready to throw hands.
"Like I'm scared of you, narrow-eyed freak," Gray retorted, already shrugging off his clothes.
"…Why is he taking his clothes off?" Ultear blinked in confusion. Fighting was one thing—but why strip?
A vein popped on Ul's forehead.
Bang! Bang!
Two solid punches landed on their heads.
"You two brats! No fighting! And Gray—put your clothes back on!"
"Y-Yes! Sorry!!" ×2
Both boys instantly deflated.
Ul shook her hand, then turned to Arlen with an embarrassed smile. "Sorry about that… As for what you said earlier, I'm not that strong. There are plenty of people stronger than me—especially the Ten Wizard Saints."
"…I see," Arlen replied, though his eye twitched slightly.
Lyon looked ready to argue but was silenced by another knock from Ul. Meanwhile, Gray smirked smugly—
Only for the two to start bickering again moments later.
Ul sighed, clearly used to it.
Arlen, however, watched with interest, finding the scene oddly amusing. Ultear giggled softly, covering her mouth.
"Arlen, thank you again for saving Ultear," Ul said sincerely, though inwardly she was shocked by his strength.
From her perception, Arlen's magic power was immense—comparable to her own. And yet, he was only a few years older than Ultear and the others. His talent was nothing short of monstrous.
"No need. I just happened to be there," Arlen said. "But I do have something I'd like your help with."
He decided it would be safer to have Ul accompany him. After all, compared to her, his strength still fell slightly short.
"Just say the word. If it's within my power, I won't refuse—even if it costs me my life," Ul said boldly.
"…Let's talk outside," Arlen replied, glancing at the children.
Especially Gray.
He could clearly see—the darkness in that boy's heart came from Deliora.
—
Out in the snow, Ul asked, "Whatever it is… they can't hear it?"
"They'd only worry. There's no need," Arlen said calmly.
"…So what is it?"
"I want you to come with me… to find Deliora."
Ul froze.
"W-What?! You want to find Deliora? That immortal demon?!"
"Yes. You've heard what it's done—three cities destroyed. I came to the Northern Continent for this very reason."
Ul shook her head after a moment of shock. "That's impossible. I've seen the destruction—it's not something the two of us can handle."
"You won't know unless you try. And if we don't stop it, more cities will fall. If we can't win, we retreat."
"…Why not report it to the Council instead?"
"The Sixth Unit isn't strong enough—even I could defeat their captain. Sending them would be suicide. And Deliora has already vanished into the depths of the ice plains. Even if a mission is issued, weak mages would just die, and strong ones won't stay here indefinitely."
Ul fell silent.
"…Then we don't even know where it is."
"We search. If we find nothing, we leave," Arlen said simply.
After a long pause, Ul nodded firmly.
"Alright. Then we do it. Even if it costs me my life, I'll protect you."
"…Let's not jump straight to dying," Arlen replied dryly. "We're both still young."
—
The next day, after breakfast, Arlen and Ul set out.
Ul reminded Ultear, Gray, and Lyon to stay put, while Arlen told Ultear to focus on controlling her magic.
Crunch… crunch…
Their footsteps echoed across the snow as they walked deeper into the ice plains, scanning their surroundings with magic.
After an unknown amount of time, just as they were about to rest—
Arlen's blade, Alaya-vijñāna, began to pulse.
"…This feeling…"
He drew the sword.
It was resonating—like a heartbeat.
"What is it?" Ul asked.
"…Looks like we won't be resting," Arlen said, rising to his feet.
"Why?"
"I think… I've found Deliora."
Ul's eyes widened.
"Really?!"
"…Follow me."
Without another word, Arlen set off in the direction guided by his blade.
Though confused, Ul followed.
Their figures soon disappeared into the endless snowstorm.