The night was already late when everyone began to disperse. After some time watching the small artificial spirits illuminating the sky, Yuji helped lead each one to their rooms.
Now, in the silent hallway of the mansion, Yuji Itadori walked slowly.
In his arms was Remi.
She was still somewhat sluggish from the alcohol, her head resting on his shoulder.
Yuji pushed open the bedroom door with his foot and entered. The room was simple, but comfortable. He carefully placed her on the bed.
Remi turned slightly to the side, still with her eyes closed. Yuji pulled the blanket up and covered her. "You really should have stopped drinking…" he murmured.
Remi shifted her head slightly on the pillow. Then she began to murmur something. "I… didn't want to… participate in this…"
Yuji stopped moving away.
"Hm?"
Remi continued speaking in a slurred way, clearly not fully conscious.
"I'm being... forced..."
Yuji frowned. He moved a little closer to the bed. "Forced? Forced by whom?" He spoke in a low voice. "And forced to do what?"
Remi moved her fingers slightly under the blanket. For a moment it seemed she was going to answer. But then her body relaxed completely.
Her breathing became calm. She had fallen asleep. Yuji stood looking at her for a few seconds.
"...Remi" He scratched the back of his neck. "You weren't referring to the drink, were you?"
The only answer in the room was silence. Yuji blew out the candle in the room. Before leaving, he took one last look. Remi was already fast asleep.
He closed the door slowly. And the mansion's hallway became quiet again. The hallway was silent. But not for long. "Yuji-kun."
He turned his face. Leaning against the wall, as if waiting for him, was Rem. She no longer seemed sleepy. On the contrary… She was calm. Completely lucid.
Yuji blinked a few times.
"Rem?"
She gave a small bow. "Thank you for helping Rem clean the hall."
Yuji scratched the back of his neck. "Ah… it was nothing. Rem-rin." He tilted his head, observing more closely. "Wait… You weren't drunk?"
Rem replied naturally:
"Rem was." She put her hand to her chest. "But it's over now."
Yuji's eyes widened. "Already?!"
Rem nodded. "Demons have a high resistance to alcohol. The effect doesn't last long."
Yuji let out a small sigh. "So that was it… I thought you had simply changed your personality out of nowhere."
Rem tilted her head slightly. "Did Rem do something strange?"
Yuji thought for a second, but he decided not to go into details.
"...Nothing much."
Rem watched him for a moment. A slight smile appeared.
"I'm glad." She then took a small step closer. "Today was a very good day."
Yuji agreed. "It really was."
Rem looked directly at him. "And it was thanks to you."
Yuji looked away slightly. "Don't exaggerate."
Rem shook her head. "Rem isn't exaggerating." The hallway fell silent for a moment. The candlelight flickered softly on the walls.
Rem then spoke more softly:
"Yuji-kun... If it's possible..." She hesitated for a second. "Rem would like days like this to continue."
Yuji remained silent. For a brief moment, he remembered everything again. His world. His friends. The idea that he might not be there for much longer. But he only replied with a slight smile:
"...Yes. That would be good."
Changing perspective...
The cold still covered the surroundings of the mansion.
But now, unlike before, there were signs of life everywhere: footprints in the snow, remnants of sculptures, snowmen beginning to melt slightly.
A little further away, observing the now empty field, was Emilia. Her eyes were fixed on the snowmen that remained from the festival.
Some were still whole. Others were already beginning to lose their shape. Small frozen "bodies"... stopped in time.
"Lia." The soft voice came from beside her. Puck appeared floating, already awake.
"What is it?"
He tilted his head. "You suddenly became quiet."
Emilia blinked a few times, as if returning to reality.
"Ah..."
Puck observed her face more closely.
"Are you worried?" He smiled slightly. "Does it have to do with that encounter with Yuji?"
Emilia shook her head slowly. "No…" She looked back at the snowmen. The wind passed, knocking off a small piece of one of them. "It's not that…"
Her gaze drifted further away.
"I just…" She took a deep breath. "I remembered a place."
Puck remained silent, listening. Emilia lightly squeezed her hands. "The Elior forest, isn't it?"
The name itself seemed to carry weight. Emilia continued, her voice lower.
"Those snowmen…" She looked at one that was partially broken. "They reminded me of there."
…
The wind blew again.
"Of the people…" She hesitated. "Who were frozen."
Her gaze fell slightly. The memories returned like that old cold. As if time had stopped just for them. Puck watched Emilia for a few seconds.
His smile disappeared.
"Lia…" He moved a little closer. "That's all in the past."
But Emilia didn't answer immediately. She was still staring at the remains of the snowmen. As if, for a moment…
Seven years ago…
The snow covered everything like an endless white veil. The forest seemed frozen in time, without sound, without movement… only the cold wind passing through the trees.
In the middle of that place, a girl walked alone.
Emilia.
Her steps left soft marks in the snow as she approached an open area.
Before her…
A frozen sea. The surface was smooth as a mirror, reflecting the gray sky above. Emilia stopped at the edge.
For a moment, she just observed. Then… she looked down. Her reflection appeared in the ice. Silver hair. Long and shining, falling over her shoulders. Long ears, revealing her half-elf nature. And eyes… of a deep purple-blue hue.
She remained silent. The wind blew lightly, making her hair sway. Her eyes didn't leave the reflection.
Because she knew. She always knew. That look. It was the same one people feared. The same one they hated. The same one they associated with…
Satella.
The Witch of Envy. Emilia squeezed her arm slightly. As if trying to confirm she was still there.
"…"
She said nothing. But the weight of that gaze… that reflection… was clear.
It wasn't just who she was. It was how the world saw her. The ice continued to reflect her image. But, for a moment…
She looked away. As if she didn't want to face it anymore.
The day began slowly.
Inside a gigantic tree, sculpted by nature itself, Emilia opened her eyes. The cold morning light filtered through small cracks in the wood, illuminating the simple interior where she slept.
She lay there for a few seconds, just breathing.
...
Emilia stood up, slightly adjusted her hair, and walked to the door. As she opened it, the icy forest air entered uninvited.
Outside… everything was white. Snow, ice and stillness. She was already used to it. Without saying anything, Emilia followed a small path she herself had marked over time. Her steps were light, almost silent.
Shortly after, she reached a narrow stream. The water still flowed, even in that extreme cold. She knelt. She plunged her hands into the icy water… then brought them to her face.
She took a deep breath. It was almost like a ritual. After that, Emilia stood up again. And walked further into the forest.
There… the silence was different. Heavier. Among trees covered in ice, they were there.
They seemed like Elves trapped in time.
Bodies frozen in natural positions, as if they had been interrupted in the middle of their lives.
Some standing. Others kneeling.
Emilia approached one of them. Carefully, she ran her hand over the ice, wiping the snow accumulated on its face.
…
She said nothing. She never said anything. But she returned there every day. One by one. Cleaning. Caring. As if… they were still alive.
The ice reflected her own face back. And for a moment, it seemed that she too was part of that scene.
The village was simple.
Wooden houses, smoke rising from the chimneys, people coming and going… an ordinary life. But when Emilia entered, even with her face partially covered, some glances turned to her.
She was already used to it. Without stopping, she went straight to a small food stall. The man behind the counter looked up.
Unlike the others… he didn't show any apparent fear.
"Ah…" He looked slightly. "You're back."
Emilia stopped before him, still holding the crystals she found inside some trees.
"Yes…" She said softly. "The usual, please."
The man nodded and began to gather some basic food items. Meanwhile, his eyes drifted down for a moment…
to her feet. Her shoes were worn. The soles no longer seemed so firm. He was silent for a moment.
Then he spoke casually:
"Your shoes…"
Emilia blinked. "Hm?"
"They're quite worn out." He pointed discreetly. "Would you like a new pair?"
For a second… Emilia stood there, speechless. Her face, which always maintained that neutral and restrained air…
Her eyes softened. She hadn't expected that.
"I…" She gripped the crystals a little tighter. "That's not necessary…"
The man shrugged. "It's no problem. Consider it an extra."
…
Emilia looked away for a moment. Clearly unsure how to react. Then, very quietly…
"Thank you…"
#01
She said, somewhat embarrassed. A slight pink hue appeared on her face. Something rare. Something that almost never appeared. The man simply shrugged and continued organizing things.
The way back was silent.
The village receded little by little, and the human presence disappeared along with it. Only the trees, the wind… and the snow that never seemed to stop falling remained.
Emilia walked with a small bag in her hands. The new shoes still felt strange on her feet, but they were… comfortable.
Her steps slowed. Something was different. She stopped. Further ahead, in the middle of the white path, there was someone. A figure standing still.
The wind blew, slightly lifting the fabric of the hood. For a few seconds, no one said anything. Then, the man reached for his own hood… and pulled it back.
His face appeared. Stitch marks crossed his forehead.
Running down his face… to his neck. A calm smile. Almost too friendly for that setting.
He spoke first:
"Cold, isn't it?"
His voice was light. As if he were striking up a conversation with an acquaintance.
Emilia didn't answer immediately. Her gaze remained fixed on him. "Cold…?"
For her, this was nothing new. The forest had always been like this. Forever. She took a small step forward.
…
Then she asked, directly:
"Aren't you afraid?"
The man tilted his head slightly. "Fear? Of what?"
Emilia didn't look away. "Of me."
Silence returned for a moment. The man then smiled a little more. It didn't seem forced. "I see no reason to be afraid of you."
He replied simply. As if it were obvious. Emilia said nothing. But her eyes showed a slight trace of surprise.
The man took a small step forward. The snow crunched beneath his feet.
"Ah, that's right…" He casually raised his hand. "I don't think I've introduced myself yet."
A brief silence.
Then:
"My name is… Kenjaku."
#02
The wind passed between them. And for the first time, something in that forest seemed out of place.
Emilia hesitated for a moment, observing the man more closely. Something was wrong… it wasn't just his unusual appearance, nor the visible stitches on his face, it was the feeling. A strange cold, different from the forest's climate.
"Emilia…" she replied, still cautious. "Just Emilia."
The wind blew through the trees, making her silver hair sway gently.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, keeping a certain Distance.
Kenjaku put his hands inside the sleeves of his cloak, relaxed. "Ah... nothing much. I'm just a wanderer." "I like to observe places… interesting places."
His gaze lingered on her for a second longer than usual. Emilia frowned slightly.
"Then you should leave," he said firmly. "This place isn't safe."
Kenjaku tilted his head slightly, curious.
"Not safe…?" he repeated, almost amused.
Emilia took a deep breath before completing:
"I am dangerous." For a brief moment, silence filled the forest. And then… Kenjaku laughed.
It wasn't a loud laugh, it was low, restrained, almost elegant… but there was something unsettling about it.
"Interesting…" he murmured. "It's been a long time since I've heard someone say that with such conviction."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"But tell me, Emilia…" he continued, taking a step forward, "dangerous… to whom exactly?"
The atmosphere around them seemed heavy. The air became dense. As if something invisible was pressing down on everything around them.
Emilia felt it. That It wasn't normal. He wasn't just a strange man.
"You…" she began, her body tensing. "You're not just a simple wanderer, are you?"
Kenjaku smiled a little more.
"And you…" he replied. "You're not just a girl lost in the forest either."
The two remained silent for a few seconds. An invisible confrontation. Two presences that clearly didn't belong to that ordinary world.
"Let's do this…" Kenjaku said, in an almost friendly tone. "How about we don't pretend?"
A strange energy began to form around him, almost imperceptible, but heavy enough to make the ground beneath his feet feel denser.
"I'm curious about you." He smiled. "And curiosity… usually leads me to interesting things."
Emilia's eyes widened slightly.
Kenjaku observed her for a few more seconds, as if analyzing every detail of her. Then, a slight smile appeared on his face.
"You've grown quite a bit…"
The way he said it didn't seem like a simple comment. There was something more, as if he already knew her from before.
Emilia frowned, confused.
"What do you mean by—"
But before she could finish, Kenjaku had already turned around.
"Well…" he said, in a nonchalant tone. "I think I've stayed here long enough."
He took a few steps, slowly walking away. "We'll see each other later, Emilia."
The wind blew stronger for a moment.
And then…
He simply disappeared.
As if he had never been there.
Silence returned to dominate the forest, but now, much heavier than before.
As she approached her house, a gigantic tree that towered above the others, with wide roots and branches that seemed to embrace the sky, Emilia slowed her pace.
The silence of the forest accompanied her to the entrance. She cast one last glance back. But there was no one there anymore.
The next day, the air was even colder.
Emilia knelt in the snow, running her hands carefully over the bodies of frozen little elves. His touch was gentle, almost like a silent apology.
"…sorry…"
His voice was low, almost a whisper.
As she cleaned one of them, removing the thin layer of ice that covered her face, a familiar voice echoed behind her: "You've been working too much, Lia."
Emilia slightly turned her head.
"Mister spirit…"
There, floating calmly, was Puck, with his usual calm look.
#03
She stood up slowly, wiping her hands on her dress.
"Why didn't you show up yesterday?" She asked, with a slight tone of concern.
Puck spun around in the air, as if it was nothing important.
"I already told you to just call me Puck... Yesterday was my day off."
Emilia blinked, surprised by the simple answer.
"Day off?"
"Uhm." he replied, unconcerned. "Even spirits need to rest, you know?"
She was silent for a moment, taking this in.
Puck then tilted his head slightly, observing something different.
"Hmm?"
He moved a little closer, his eyes focusing on her feet.
"Look…" She said, with a small smile. "New shoes."
Emilia looked down, as if she had only remembered now.
"Ah…" he murmured. "I got it from the village vendor."
She moved her foot slightly in the snow, still not quite used to it.
"He said… I shouldn't walk barefoot in the cold."
Puck watched her in silence for a moment. His gaze seemed calm… but attentive.
"I see…"
He didn't say anything else, just continued floating around her. And Emilia turned her gaze to the frozen little elves.
But, deep down... Something still wouldn't leave his mind. Beside Puck, Emilia walked slowly through the forest.
The snow crunched beneath her feet as she took in her surroundings carefully. Even though she had lived there for so long, there were still parts of the forest that she didn't fully understand.
"You really like exploring, huh, Lia?" Puck commented, floating next to her.
"I just… want to understand this place better." replied Emilia, calmly. "If I know everything… maybe I can avoid trouble."
Puck didn't respond right away, just watched her for a moment before looking away.
The rest of the day passed like this.
Silent footsteps, cold wind and a curiosity that never seemed to run out.
---
When night came, Emilia was already inside the house.
The large tree protected her from the wind outside, and the interior was lit by a small fire she had lit.
The flames danced softly, reflecting in his eyes.
Puck floated lower than normal.
"I think I stayed in this form too long today…" he said, his voice a little softer than usual. "I'm going to rest."
Emilia looked at him.
"I see…"
She made a small curtsy, still maintaining her habit.
"Good night, mister spirit–I mean, Puck."
Puck sighed lightly, as if he was already used to it.
"Good night, Lia."
Shortly after, his presence began to disappear, as if dissolving into thin air.
And then…
Silence.
Only the soft sound of the fire remained.
Emilia sat there, watching the flames. His eyes reflected the flickering light. But his thoughts were far away.
"…I can't control it…"
His voice was low, almost inaudible. She lightly shook her hands.
"Every time I try…"
Images came to his mind. Ice spreading. People getting hit. The cold taking over everything.
"…I end up hurting someone."
The fire crackled. Small sparks rose into the air and disappeared.
Emilia lightly hugged her own arms, feeling the warmth of the fire… but not enough to ward off the cold inside her.
His eyes remained fixed on the flames. As if they were looking for an answer. But all there was…
It was silent.
In the darkness of the forest, the wind blew low through the trees. The silence was almost absolute.
A small ball of fire appeared in the air. It floated slowly among the branches, illuminating the room with a soft, unsettling light.
Puck opened his eyes. His presence manifested itself immediately.
"…get lost."
His voice was calm. And in the next instant, the fireball simply disappeared, as if it had never existed.
Silence returned. But not for long.vA faint sound of footsteps echoed in the snow.
So…
A figure appeared between the shadows of the trees. It was Kenjaku. Puck appeared outside, floating in front of the entrance, his eyes fixed on the man.
"Who are you?" he asked, bluntly.
Kenjaku maintained his calm expression.
"Ah… there's no need to be so tense." he said, with a slight smile. "I'm just a wanderer."
Puck remained silent for a few seconds.
There was something strange. Very strange.
But… It wasn't threatening. Not directly.
"A wanderer, huh…" muttered Puck.
His eyes never left Kenjaku. "This isn't exactly a place where people hang out."
Kenjaku shrugged, as if it weren't important. "I like unusual places."
The wind blew stronger between them. The snow shifted slightly on the ground. Puck narrowed his eyes.
The presence of that man… It was like a calm abyss.
"...I understand," said Puck, without lowering his guard.
Kenjaku just smiled. As if that encounter… was only the beginning. Puck continued to stare at Kenjaku in silence.
But then, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"...you're not alone." The air around them seemed to grow colder. "There's someone else with you."
For a brief moment, there was silence. Then, Kenjaku smiled slightly, as if he had expected it.
"Ah…" he said calmly. "You noticed."
He reached for his sleeve, as if simply relaxing.
"That person is a little shy." His eyes turned to the darkness between the trees. "But don't worry… she's not a threat, not while I'm here."
Puck didn't relax. On the contrary. His gaze became even more attentive.
"Hm…"
Kenjaku then turned his attention to him.
"Anyway, I don't think I introduced myself properly." He made a slight gesture with his head. "You can call me Kenjaku."
Puck remained silent for a moment, as if evaluating that name.
Then he replied:
"Mine is Puck."
The wind blew between them again. For a few seconds, neither of them said anything. Until Kenjaku broke the silence.
"Ah, yes…" he said, as if he had remembered something important. "I should warn you."
Puck didn't react, but remained attentive.
"There are some hunters prowling this area," Kenjaku continued. "And they don't seem very friendly."
His tone was still light. Almost too casual for the subject. "Perhaps you and Emilia should be careful."
The mention of her name made the air a little heavier. Puck narrowed his eyes. "...How do you know about Lia?"
Kenjaku smiled.
"I met her earlier today."
The tension slowly rose again. But Kenjaku only took a half step back.
"Well... I've said what I needed to."
He raised his hand slightly, in a simple gesture of farewell.
"See you around, Puck."
And then...
Without any sound, without any sign...
He disappeared again into the darkness of the forest. Leaving only the cold wind... And the feeling that something was moving in the shadows.
The next morning, Emilia slowly opened her eyes. Her breathing was a little irregular, as if she had woken up in a hurry. For a few seconds, she stood still, looking at the wooden canopy of the large tree.
There was something strange.
A bad feeling. It was as if she'd had a dream… or rather, a nightmare.
But when she tried to remember, she couldn't find anything. She frowned slightly, but soon shook her head. It didn't matter. She got up and went about her routine, as she always did. The morning chill already filled the air, and her steps were calm as she organized the small things inside the house.
Puck appeared shortly after.
But, unlike usual…
He was serious.
"Lia," he called.
Emilia turned her face. "Puck?"
Puck didn't hesitate.
"If anything happens to you…" he began, in a firm tone, "run away."
Her body remained still for a moment.
"…run away?"
"Yes," he replied. "Don't hesitate. Don't try to solve it. Just go away."
That wasn't something he usually said.
Not like that.
Emilia squeezed her hands slightly. "What's happening...?"
Puck looked away for a brief second. "I'll be gone for a while."
...
Those words weighed more than they should have.
"So..." Emilia began hesitantly. "I—"
But before she could finish...
Puck was already beginning to disappear.
"Remember what I said."
His voice was the last thing that remained. And then, he was gone. The atmosphere seemed emptier immediately.
Emilia stood there, staring at the space where he had been.
...
She didn't like it. Not at all. But, without answers, she simply left the house, trying to push away that strange feeling.
The snow covered the forest as always. The silence too. Until—
"Good morning."
The voice came suddenly. Emilia stopped instantly. Her body stiffened slightly before turning her face. There, as if it were the most natural thing in the world...
Was Kenjaku. With the same calm smile as always.
"It doesn't seem like you slept very well today," he commented.
Emilia's gaze became more attentive.
"...you... You're Kenjaku, right?"
The wind passed between them. But, unlike before... There was something different in the air. Something heavier. Something she still couldn't fully understand.
Emilia remained silent for a moment, staring at the man in front of her. She furrowed her brow slightly, as if trying to recall something from memory.
The name came out with a little hesitation, but it was correct.
His smile widened subtly.
"I'm glad you remembered."
The wind rustled through the trees, gently lifting the snow around them. Kenjaku tilted his head, watching her. "And what are you doing so early?"
Emilia looked down for a moment, at her hands.
"I'm… cleaning," she replied simply.
She made a small gesture around, indicating the area.
The snow, the small frozen remnants… it was all part of her routine.
Kenjaku followed her gaze.
"I understand…"
For a brief moment, he simply observed. Then, without showing any effort, he took a few steps forward.
"In that case…" he said calmly, "I can help."
Emilia blinked, surprised. "Help…?"
Before she could ask more questions, Kenjaku had already bent down, removing some of the ice with simple movements, as if it were nothing special.
His gestures were calm. Without any sign of threat. Emilia watched for a few seconds.
Nothing strange happened. No hostile intentions. She looked away, returning to what she was doing.
"...thank you," she said softly.
Kenjaku didn't respond immediately. He just continued. And, for the first time since she met him...
Emilia didn't feel that strong discomfort. He was still strange.
But...
He didn't seem like a bad person. The day passed faster than Emilia expected.
Between tasks, Kenjaku stayed by her side, helping without complaining, without showing tiredness. At times, he seemed distant, almost thoughtful... but at others, he made unexpected comments, with a subtle humor that caught Emilia off guard.
It was strange.
He had a serious presence... but at the same time, he said things that made her blink, unsure how to react.
Still... It wasn't uncomfortable, on the contrary. In a way, it was... peaceful.
---
As night fell, the cold intensified again. Inside the tree, Emilia lit the fire once more. The flames illuminated the space with a soft, welcoming light.
"I'll make some soup," she said, going to the small area where she prepared her meals.
Kenjaku simply nodded slightly. Time passed with the low sound of the fire and the simple movements of Emilia preparing the food.
When it was ready, she served two portions. They sat near the fire. The warmth contrasted with the cold outside. For a few minutes, they ate in silence.
Emilia glanced at Kenjaku. She observed the way he held the bowl. The calm way he ate. Without haste. Without tension.
And then she noticed something. Something in the way he treated her during the day. The way he helped. How he observed. How he spoke. Her gaze softened slightly.
"...you act like a father."
The words came out without much thought. Kenjaku paused for a moment. The spoon hung suspended in the air.
...
A small smile appeared on his lips. "I was a great mother in the past, so I know how to handle younger children."
Emilia blinked.
"...mother?"
She frowned, confused.
"No... you meant father, right?" she quickly corrected. "You look like a father."
But Kenjaku didn't correct her. He just kept that slight smile. As if there was something in that situation that only he understood.
Emilia remained silent for a few seconds, looking at him.
But, for some reason, she didn't insist. She just went back to looking at the soup.
Meanwhile, on the other side...
Kenjaku continued with that same discreet smile.
The night progressed silently, and the warmth of the campfire no longer seemed as strong as before.
Emilia blinked a few times, feeling the weight of sleep slowly creeping in. Her movements slowed, and her eyes grew heavier.
Kenjaku noticed.
He observed her for a brief moment, in silence.
"You should rest," he said, with his usual calm.
Emilia tried to answer, but only nodded slightly.
"...yes."
She was already almost asleep right there.
Kenjaku stood up.
"Good night, Emilia."
She looked up, still a little sleepy.
"Good night, Kenjaku..."
Her voice came out low, drawn out.
Without saying anything more, Kenjaku turned and walked towards the exit. His steps were silent.
And then...
He disappeared into the darkness of the forest once more. The campfire continued to crackle softly. And, a short time later, Emilia fell asleep.
---
The next morning, the cold woke her.
Without Puck nearby, the silence seemed even greater. But even so, she continued her routine.
After some time, she decided to go out again.
Alone.
The forest greeted her as always: quiet, covered in snow, almost motionless.
Her steps were light as she explored, observing her surroundings attentively.
Everything seemed normal.
Until she stopped. In the middle of the trail, something blocked the way.
A huge fallen tree.
The trunk was thick, heavy, and clearly hadn't fallen naturally. The roots were exposed, as if they had been forcibly torn out.
Emilia approached slowly. Her eyes analyzed every detail.
"...this wasn't here." The wind blew through the broken branches. And, at that moment...
The feeling that something was wrong returned. Stronger than before. The sound came suddenly.
Breaking the silence of the forest. Emilia's body stiffened instantly.
Without thinking twice, she pulled up her hood, partially covering her face and hiding her ears.
Her eyes turned towards the sound.
And then they appeared. Some men, roughly dressed, advancing along the path. Their gazes were hard, attentive, the kind of people who weren't there by chance.
Emilia remained motionless. One of them took a step forward, analyzing her from head to toe. His gaze lingered for a moment on the little he could see.
"...This is the elven forest, isn't it? I presume you are one." Emilia didn't answer. The man let out a soft laugh. "How lucky we are."
The others behind him seemed to perk up.
"We were indeed looking for you," he continued. "Those little… elves."
The way he spoke made it clear there was nothing good about it. Emilia lightly clenched her hands under her cloak.
"...what do you want with them?"
The man took another step forward.
"We want money, of course."
Simple as that.
Cold.
"And you…" he inclined his head slightly, "can make things easier."
The silence weighed heavily. The wind blew between them.
"If you come with us…" he continued, in an almost casual tone, "maybe we'll be more… kind."
The others chuckled softly. An unpleasant sound.
"But if you don't come…"
His smile widened. "We might end up doing some pretty bad things to the villagers."
The air seemed to freeze even more. Emilia's eyes trembled for a second. The threat was clear. The snow fell softly around them. And, at that moment…
The entire forest seemed to hold its breath. The silence lasted only a few seconds. Then, slowly, Emilia reached for her hood.
And lowered it. Her face became completely visible.
For an instant…
No one moved. The men's eyes widened.
"...it can't be... That face... She is..."
Fear gripped them.
"The Witch... of Envy!..."
Their voices trembled, heavy with panic. Some took steps back, visibly shaken.
But not all. The bearded man in front remained firm. His eyes narrowed, analyzing Emilia more closely.
"...don't retreat," he said coldly.
The others hesitated.
"I told you to go!" he reinforced, more harshly.
Even with fear, the hunters advanced. Emilia didn't move at first. But as they approached—
The air changed. An intense cold spread instantly.
Ice began exploding from the ground. The legs of the first men were trapped instantly.
Before they could react, more ice formed, rising up their bodies, immobilizing arms, legs… completely taking away their ability to move.
Some tried to resist.
Others screamed. But it was no use. In a few seconds…
They were all on the ground. Incapacitated.
Emilia's breathing was a little heavier. Her eyes still carried that tension. But none of them were dead.
The man in front observed everything. Expressionless.
"...I understand."
He reached for something attached to his side.
"So you're not just any elf. Half-elf, silver hair, bluish-purple eyes." The air seemed heavy. "Let's see how you handle this."
He made a quick movement.
And then—
A guttural roar erupted, almost distorted. From the shadows, a creature emerged.
A huge Maju with the appearance of a two-headed dog. Its body was shrouded in a menacing aura.
Beast Orthrus.
The ground seemed to tremble slightly at its presence. The creature's eyes fixed on Emilia. Her eyes widened slightly.
"...how..." Her gaze moved quickly between the man and the creature. "How did he tame something like that...?"
The air grew even colder. But this time, it wasn't just because of her. The ice continued to spread.
Climbing up the hunters' bodies, covering their legs, their torsos... advancing further and further.
The screams began. Desperate.
"S-stop...!"
"It hurts...!"
"Aaaah—! Forgive us...!"
Emilia's eyes widened. Her breathing became irregular. "…no…" Her fingers trembled. "I… didn't mean to…"
The ice wouldn't stop. Even against her will. "Again…" she murmured, almost voiceless.
It was always like this. Always the same. She took a step back, in shock. "I'm doing this again…"
Orthrus growled.
The two heads lunged forward, ready to attack.
But—
A voice echoed, cold and imposing. Like a sentence.
"Perish, scum."
In the next instant, a wave of ice surged forth. Ice far denser and far more violent than Emilia.
It crossed the entire field in a single movement. The impact was brutal. Orthrus had no time to react.
Its body was completely swallowed and frozen. In the same instant. Without resistance. Without a fight.
A roar echoed through the forest. The snow rose.
A white cloud enveloped the area, completely blocking her view. Silence followed.
Emilia's heart raced. She couldn't move.
Her eyes trembled as she stared at the slowly dissipating white smoke.
That…
The fog began to lift.
Little by little, and then a silhouette emerged.
When her vision finally cleared…
Emilia saw a girl with short white hair. Traditional attire. And a completely empty gaze, yet filled with something overwhelming. The presence of that person pressed down on the air around her. As if the very environment was being dominated.
Emilia held her breath. Her eyes couldn't look away. She didn't know who she was, but she knew how to master her ice magic very well. Emilia recognized that.
The girl approached her and stood in front of her.
"Lift your head, we still have a lot to settle."
She didn't have much patience; her name was Uraume.
End of Chapter 12