The next morning arrived beneath a gray sky.
As the group continued northward, the scenery gradually began to change.
At first, it was subtle, the air became colder, the wind carried a sharper bite.
Then came the snow.
Small flakes drifted lazily from the heavens, carried by the winds before settling upon the road.
By noon, patches of white had already begun gathering along the roadside.
The further they traveled, the thicker the snowfall became.
Eventually, the dragon carriage came to a halt.
The Albis River stretched before them. Its vast waters flowed between Kararagi and Gusteko like a natural border separating two entirely different worlds.
Everyone descended from the carriage.
The earth dragons snorted as clouds of white breath escaped their nostrils.
Tanaka pulled his coat slightly tighter before glancing toward a familiar figure.
Zarestia was walking several paces ahead of the group.
Since the argument last night, she hadn't spoken to anyone besides Nora. Even now, she kept her eyes forward and continued walking through the falling snow.
Tanaka let out a small sigh.
Then he approached Nora.
The red-haired girl was helping organize some of the luggage when he lowered his voice.
"Have you talked to her?"
Nora immediately knew who he meant, her grey eyes shifted toward Zarestia.
"Yeah."
A small smile appeared on her face, though it carried a trace of helplessness. "I understand why she's angry."
Then she glanced back at him.
"If there's someone I don't understand, it's you."
"Huh?"
Tanaka frowned.
Nora folded her arms.
"Are you seriously considering going to prison with Tristan?"
The question was so direct that it almost made him laugh.
Naturally not.
He had absolutely no intention of spending the rest of his life sitting inside a prison cell.
That entire conversation last night had only existed because of one very inconvenient problem.
His identity.
That exhausting charade.
It would all end the moment the truth came out.
The moment Tristan learned who he really was, the moment he reclaimed his name.
Once that happened, there would be no case against him to begin with.
At least, that was what he hoped.
"I said I'd cooperate so he can get off my back." Tanaka shrugged. "But I think he'll change his mind eventually."
Nora stared at him. "You think he would change his mind? That guy?"
Tanaka shrugged, "I hopes so.."
Despite that, he wasn't certain.
Because he still didn't understand Tristan's motives. The knight had been searching for Kazuki Tanaka long before they met in Kararagi.
Yet every single time Tanaka asked why, Tristan gave the exact same answer.
Classified.
The word had become irritating enough that he stopped asking.
Even before his capture, they weren't exactly friends either.
In fact, their history was terrible.
The first time they met, they were at each other's throats, granted it was Tanaka's fault.
Yet despite that, Tanaka couldn't imagine Tristan dedicating this much effort solely for revenge.
It didn't fit.
The knight was stubborn and always acts righteous, to an annoying degree.
Still.
If things somehow turned ugly...
Tanaka's gaze drifted toward the snow-covered river.
He wasn't particularly worried.
Tristan was strong.
But so was he.
After everything he had endured, after facing Sin Archbishops, after surviving Kararagi and his fight with Abaris.
He knew exactly what he was capable of.
If it came down to a fight, he could hold his own.
And if victory proved unlikely, he was at least confident he could escape.
Then Nora suddenly spoke up.
"By the way..."
"Hm?"
"I don't think you need the mask anymore."
Tanaka blinked.
Only then did he realize his hand had unconsciously drifted toward the mask hanging at his side. It had become a habit by now.
"It's a precaution," he replied. "You never know."
Nora shook her head.
"Trust me, you'll only make yourself miserable wearing that thing in this weather."
She gestured toward the snowy landscape stretching around them.
"The wanted posters barely resemble you anymore. Your hair is shorter, your face looks different than the posters, and most people wouldn't even think to connect you to them."
She paused before adding,
"Honestly, if you'd just cut your hair from the start, you could've saved yourself all that trouble."
Tanaka let out a dry laugh.
If only it were that simple.
No matter how many times he cut it, the cursed blood would slowly restore it again. The rapid growth had lessened recently, but explaining that wouldn't be a viable option.
So instead, he simply shrugged.
"Maybe you're right."
Pulling the mask free, he folded it and tucked it into his coat.
The refreshing sensation immediately brushed against his face. The cold air stung slightly, but it felt far better than suffocating beneath the mask.
A few moments later, he spotted Zarestia near the riverbank helping prepare the boat.
After hesitating briefly, he walked over.
"Hey."
She didn't respond.
"Let me help with that."
The moment he crouched beside her, Zarestia silently stood up.
Then she walked away.
Tanaka remained frozen in place for several seconds before releasing a long sigh.
Maybe she really did hate him now.
The thought lingered unpleasantly in his chest.
*********************************************************************************************************
Several hours later, the group was traveling along the Albis River.
The scenery was breathtaking.
Snowflakes drifted lazily from the sky, dancing through the wind before disappearing into the flowing waters below.
The current flowed smoothly beneath them, carrying the boat through a world painted almost entirely in white. The only sounds were the gentle splashing of water against the hull.
Despite the beauty surrounding them, the atmosphere aboard the boat remained awkward.
Tanaka had spent the entire journey attempting to break the tension.
Every attempt failed.
Zarestia ignored him with an almost supernatural level of commitment.
At one point he was convinced she hadn't even blinked in his direction.
Now thoroughly defeated, Tanaka lay against the edge of the boat, staring toward the snowy wilderness.
Then something caught his eye.
"...Huh?"
At first, he thought they were rocks.
The figures blended so naturally into the snow-covered landscape that they were nearly impossible to distinguish.
But they were moving.
Several white shapes stood atop a distant ridge overlooking the river.
Their bodies were covered in thick pale fur that blended perfectly into their surroundings.
They possessed vaguely humanoid frames, yet their heads resembled those of giant felines.
Two long horn-like tufts protruded from their heads.
Most unsettling of all were their eyes.
Even at this distance, Tanaka could see them.
Bright crimson eyes.
"Hey."
He pointed toward the ridge.
"Do you see those things?"
Tristan followed his gaze.
A moment later his ears twitched.
"What things?"
"Those guys up there."
Tanaka narrowed his eyes. "Are those your distant cousins?"
Tristan stared at him.
"What an audacious thing to say."
Nora glanced between them.
"What are you two talking abou—"
Her voice stopped.
Instantly.
The moment her eyes landed on the creatures, every trace of color drained from her face.
The change was so abrupt that even Tanaka noticed.
Then...
"Kneel down!"
Her shout exploded across the boat.
Everyone jumped.
Before anyone could react, Nora grabbed a thick blanket and threw it over the group.
"What are you..."
"Get down!"
The urgency in her voice silenced everyone.
Even Zarestia immediately crouched.
The blanket covered them completely.
Darkness swallowed their vision.
Only the muffled sounds of the river remained.
Zarestia frowned.
"What's going on?"
"Quiet."
Nora's voice was barely above a whisper.
Several long minutes passed. The boat continued drifting through the river.
Every so often Nora carefully lifted a corner of the blanket and peeked outside. Each time she did, her body tensed.
Then she lowered it again.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Nora peeked outside one last time.
This time she remained there longer.
When she finally lowered the blanket, she released a shaky breath.
"...Alright."
She looked toward the snowy shoreline one final time.
"I think they're gone."
Only then did everyone release the breaths they had been holding.
The tension that had gripped the boat slowly loosened.
Nora remained staring toward the distant snowfields long after the creatures had vanished from sight.
Tanaka raised an eyebrow.
"You mind explaining what that was?"
"We shouldn't continue down the river. We get off here."
Her answer was immediate.
"If those things decide to attack while we're trapped on the boat, we're finished."
Without wasting any time, the group redirected toward a nearby mountain bank where the river curved around a rocky slope.
Not long afterward, they disembarked.
Snow crunched beneath their boots as supplies were unloaded from the boat. Only once they were safely on land did Tanaka ask again.
"What exactly were they?"
"They are witch beasts called Hoarfrost Stalkers, and they never travel alone."
For some reason, Nora lowered her voice.
"If one sees you, there are usually dozens nearby." She continued, "They hunt in coordinated packs. Once they've marked prey, they stalk it for days if necessary."
For the first time since arriving near Gusteko, Tanaka felt a genuine sense of danger from the land itself.
__
___
____
"Hey, Shorty."
Zarestia stretched her arms above his head.
"I'm going over there for a bit."
Nora was busy helping unload supplies.
"Okay."
She pointed toward the tree line.
"Just don't wander too far."
Tanaka immediately followed after her.
The spirit was walking alone through the snow-covered path, keeping a noticeable distance from everyone else.
"Hey, Zarestia."
"..."
Tanaka sighed. "So we're really doing this?"
The spirit continued walking.
Not even a glance, not even an acknowledgment that he existed.
That irritated him more than he expected.
He quickened his pace.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Soon he stepped directly into her path.
Zarestia finally stopped.
Her expression remained completely blank.
"Hey." Tanaka folded his arms. "If something's bothering you, just say it."
A few seconds passed, then she finally spoke.
"Shouldn't you be telling that to yourself?"
Tanaka blinked.
"What does that mean?"
Zarestia stared straight into his eyes.
Her golden gaze was unusually sharp.
"Why did you stop me yesterday? When Tristan was talking about locking you up."
The frustration she had been bottling up finally surfaced.
"Why did you stop me from defending you?"
His answer came, albeit with a hint of hesitation.
"That's because he isn't completely wrong."
The moment those words left his mouth, Zarestia's expression twisted.
Not with anger but with disappointment.
"You always talk about yourself like you're some terrible person."
Tanaka looked away.
"That's because I am."
"Then why did you save the city!?"
Her voice echoed through the snowy forest.
"Why did you save me!?"
Tanaka froze.
"Why did you make a contract with Hugo and me if you're just going to leave us... To throw yourself into a prison cell afterward!?"
"..."
Silence again.
The same silence that infuriated her. There was always more he wasn't saying, he refused to let anyone in.
Eventually, Zarestia shook her head.
"...You're the one who can't say anything."
This time, Tanaka didn't stop her.
He simply stood there as her figure disappeared between the snow-covered trees.
The cold suddenly felt much harsher.
After several moments, he finally muttered,
"Seriously..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "What exactly am I supposed to do?"
The answer came from inside his mind.
"You did nothing wrong, Master."
Hugo's gentle voice echoed directly within his consciousness.
Tanaka smiled weakly.
"You always take my side, you should tell me I'm wrong if that's what you think."
"Because of our contract, we can sense to an extent what you feel or think. Whenever someone praises or badmouths master, it bothers you. But I understand why Zarestia Nee-Sama is frustrated."
Tanaka grimaced.
That sounded annoyingly accurate.
"But I also understand Nee-Sama's frustration."
"I guess I understand as well but... Wait," Tanaka blinked. "Did you just call her Nee-Sama?"
"Yes."
Hugo sounded completely serious.
"Zarestia-Sama insisted."
Tanaka stared blankly at the snowy sky.
"...Of course she did."
Somehow, despite only knowing each other for a month, Zarestia did a self promotion.
That sounded exactly like something she would do.
Maybe besides Nora, he was the most reasonable one out of everyone in this group.
"Anyway," Tanaka continued, "you don't seem nearly as upset as she is."
Hugo remained silent for a moment.
Then he answered.
"If you go to prison, I'll simply come with you."
"..."
Tanaka immediately regretted calling him the reasonable one.
With a tired sigh, he turned around and headed back toward group.
__
___
____
"What were you talking about with Zarestia-Sama?"
Tanaka nearly stopped walking.
Very slowly, he turned his head.
Tristan was standing there, watching him.
Tanaka stared at him for several seconds, his mood was already sour after losing an argument without any possibility to respond.
He then, answered with complete sincerity.
"Fuck off, Tristan."
The knight looked genuinely offended.
As if he couldn't understand what he had done wrong.
Before he could respond, Nora walked past him carrying supplies.
"Give up."
"Huh?"
"It's your fault."
Tristan frowned.
"I..."
Nora didn't even look at him.
"I said don't argue."
She adjusted the crate in her arms.
"I'm not going to explain what you did." Then she glanced toward the direction Zarestia had disappeared. "But it's definitely your fault."
As she watched Tanaka walk away, a quiet thought crossed her mind.
A thought she had been trying to deny for a while now.
"He really isn't a bad person..."
The words escaped her lips almost unconsciously.
*********************************************************************************************************
The weather changed without warning.
A biting wind swept across the mountains, carrying countless snowflakes that thickened by the minute until the world became a curtain of white and visibility shrank.
Even the trail beneath their feet slowly disappeared beneath fresh layers of snow.
Nora narrowed her eyes against the storm before pointing toward a dark opening carved into the mountainside.
"We should take shelter."
The group hurried toward the cave, shielding their faces from the relentless wind. The moment they stepped inside, the deafening roar of the blizzard became muffled, replaced by the hollow echo of dripping water and whistling air filtering through the stone.
"It should be safe here until the blizzard passes," Tristan said, setting his pack down.
Soon enough, a fire crackled to life.
Orange flames danced against the cave walls, pushing back the darkness just enough to create a small circle of warmth amid the frozen wilderness.
Hours slipped by.
Outside, the storm only grew fiercer.
__
___
____
Tanaka sat quietly beside the fire.
His hands were trembling, but not from the cold.
His gaze remained fixed on the flames, unfocused.
"..."
Zarestia noticed almost immediately, which made her frown.
Even Nora eventually caught on.
"Is something wrong?"
For a brief second, surprise crossed his face before he forced a smile.
"It's nothing. Just... a little cold."
"Then move closer to the fire."
"...Yeah."
It was a lie.
The cold itself never bothered him.
It's was just that... He had bad memories with blizzards.
A particular memory when he was a child, so young that Mio hadn't even been born yet.
A violent snowstorm had trapped him inside a lonely cabin together with his mother, they weren't able to contact their father at the time.
He remembered sitting in the corner, terrified every time the cabin groaned beneath the storm.
But his mother was there.
She had wrapped him inside a blanket and gently stroked his hair while telling him everything would be alright.
Back then...
He hadn't been alone.
...
Now...
That warmth existed only as a memory.
The fire suddenly disappeared.
Darkness swallowed the cave.
Everyone immediately turned toward Nora.
"What are you doing?" Zarestia whispered.
Nora didn't answer.
Instead, her entire body had gone rigid.
Her hand rested on the hilt of her dagger.
"...Shh."
Her voice was barely audible.
"Something's here."
There was absolute silence, even the wind outside suddenly felt distant.
Everyone instinctively held their breath.
"Goa!"
Tanaka lit up the fire again.
They were inside the cave.
One became three.
Three became ten.
Ten became dozens.
Nora's eyes slowly widened.
"...No." Her face paled.
"...This isn't just a cave. This is their damn nest!"
Red eyes opened within the darkness.
Countless crimson lights stared back from every direction and the cave exploded into chaos.
The Humanoid cat like creatures lunged all at once.
Tristan roared, swinging his greatsword in a massive arc.
Steel tore through flesh and bodies crashed into the cavern walls.
At the same time, Nora swiftly dodged their attack, nearly invisible iron threads reflected the light from the fire.
A beast leaped toward her, Its head separated cleanly from its shoulders before the rest of its body even realized it had died as blood scattered across the snow.
In the back both, Tanaka and Zarestia stood.
hurricane erupted.
Zarestia's wind tore through the charging pack like blades, crushing and shredding everything caught within its path.
Tanaka slammed both palms against the frozen ground.
"Huma!"
Dozens of massive ice spikes erupted upward, the cave floor became a forest of crystal spears. Several beasts were skewered instantly.
For a moment, despite the fact this was the first time they fought together, It looked manageable.
Until more arrived.
Then more.
Then even more.
The cave seemed endless.
Every beast they killed was immediately replaced by two more climbing over the corpses.
"They're not stopping!"
Tanaka gritted his teeth.
"Damn it!"
Then, everything became silent.
The charging beasts suddenly stopped moving.
They all turned toward the same direction, heavy footsteps echoed through the cavern.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
A creature nearly twice the size of the others emerged from the darkness.
Its white fur was stained crimson.
Its glowing red eyes slowly scanned the intruders.
Then...
It inhaled.
Nora's face twisted in horror.
"Cover your—"
Too late.
AAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
The howl detonated through the cave.
Tanaka instinctively covered his ears, agony exploded inside his skull.
Warm liquid trickled between his fingers.
It was blood.
His eardrums had burst.
His knees buckled and the entire world tilted.
Everything slowed, his vision blurred.
Through the haze, he saw Zarestia.
Her eyes were wide open, for the first time since he'd met her...
She looked desperate and terrified.
Her mouth was moving, yelling something... But he couldn't hear her.
A gigantic claw descended toward him, it was moving slowly but the unbearable pain in his ears prevented him from intercepting it.
Just before it reached him, a golden beam erupted from the bracelet around his wrist.
The barrier intercepted the attack.
For a single heartbeat...
The shield shattered into countless golden fragments that scattered through the cave like broken glass.
There wasn't even time to process what he had lost.
Another claw followed immediately, fast and sharp.
It tore cleanly across Tanaka's neck.
His vision spun as he hit the ground.
The last thing he saw was Zarestia screaming...
Then...
Darkness.
*********************************************************************************************************
"...We should stay here until the blizzard passes."
Tanaka froze.
The cave stood before him once again.
The wind howled exactly as before. Everyone continued walking toward the entrance.
Everyone except Zarestia.
"Master?"
Hugo's voice called out to him, clearly sensing something is wrong.
Tanaka remained rooted to the spot. His breathing became uneven.
Slowly...
He lifted both hands and clamped them over his ears.
The phantom howl still echoed inside his skull and his legs gave way beneath him.
He collapsed into the snow.
"..."
His eyes wavered as his entire body shook uncontrollably.
Even though none of it had happened yet, he could still feel the warm blood running down his neck.