Three months later after his last mission. Nein's currently taking another one at the southern region called Kvas. A land covered in snowy plains and harsh tundra. He sent there as a additional force against the snow mammoth invasion.
The mission's done one week ago and he's got his payment. But due to the snowstorm he decided to stay for a while. Sitting inside the bar with a plate of steak and hot tea hearing the conversation around him with peace.
"Oh, yo Nein!." A voice calling for him.
"Yo, done with Job Noz?." He gesture him to seat.
"Yeah, man it was cold here." Noz said as he order his foods.
Noz is a man Nein befriend with in Kvas, as a fellow mercenary they get along pretty quick. A man who use a longsword and wind based magic with a cheerful personality becoming his sparing partner and close friend.
"Say man, do you think that's something wrong with this snowstorm?. Just curious and maybe you can use that...tracing or whatever to check if there's something lurking in the snow?." He suggests with dramatic tone.
"Ask mother nature about it. Don't drag me into whatever you planning." Nein refuse flatly.
"What a bummer. You're not fun... thank you." He says to the waiter coming with his food.
"Fun as in dying in the snow?. Not interested." Nein said sarcastically.
Their banter continues as they eats. The snow raging beyond the wall, clouding the distant view. And beyond it, something hideous remain calm amidst the storm.
"I'll be going now then. I'll see you tomorrow."
Nein gets up from his chair after finishing his food and place the money under the plate. He give Noz a wave before exiting the bar. His weight sinking into the snowy path, despite the chill, live thriving normally around him.
He simply mind his business until a familiar voice suddenly called from behind him.
"Nein winter. Is that you?." It was Ignis from Bellona knight order.
"Lady Ignis?. Fancy meeting you here." He greets casually.
"Me too. Never thought I'd see you again so soon. What are you doing here?."
"Got a mission regarding the mammoth. Nothing unusual, how about you?."
"Ah, it's an official matter from the Duke. He's here to discussing something with the Duchess of Kvas."
He hums in understanding and looking at her polite smile.
"I see, then please send my regards to the Duke. And I'll be around here for a while if he want to see me. Well then, I'll be going now."
"Ah, right. Sorry for disturbing your walk. And yes, I'll tell the Duke about you. Well then, please enjoy your stroll."
She turn around after inclining slightly. He remember something and call for her.
"Before you go, take this with you."
He hand her two piece of apple candy. She takes it hesitatingly before clutching it in her palm with a smile. Unlike their first encounter, she accepts his warm gift this time.
"Thank you for the gift Nein winter."
"Nein's fine. No need for formalities and gave one to the Duke okay?."
She chuckles and nods curtly.
"then feel free calling me casually, Nein. Well then, I'll take my leave now,see you."
She leave after pocketing the candy. He look at her retreating back before sighing and continue his walk toward different direction.
Meanwhile, in the resident of Duchess Kvas, August were discussing about the weird movement happened beyond the snowy plains together with the Duchess who's around the same age as him.
"We need to stop the investigation for now Duchess Kivia, the storm will make it impossible for anyone to move around." He says concerned.
Kivia, the Duchess is thinking carefully about this matter. The reason why she's eager to explore the snowy plains is because there's a huge movement potentially coming from an unrecognized beast. That's making her wary.
"I suppose you're right. Thank you for your suggestions Duke August." She says politely.
"Don't mention it Duchess. Well then, I shall take my leave now, goodnight to you Duchess."
"Likewise Duke."
August exit her office and leave her alone. She sigh frustratingly. She can't keep defending forever and need to act before a huge wave of beast started to overwhelmed her force.
August went back to his temporary manor accompanied by Ignis. She walks behind and begin to speak.
"I met Nein winter earlier Duke." She says suddenly catching his attention.
"Nein?. He's here too?." He intrigued by the news.
"Yes, and he sent you a gift."
She take the candy and hand it to him. He examine the plastic wrapped around it. A simple gift that makes him smile.
"Do you know where to find him?."
"He says that he'll stay for a while due to the storm. Do you want me to bring him to you sir?."
"No, just let him be. He's here because the mammoth, no?."
"Correct."
"Then I'd like to speak to him, no need to take him to me. I'll meet him myself."
"Very well sir."
The candy stay in his pocket as they continue walking along the snow laden streets. Streetlights filled the darkness, melting the snow underneath.
The next day, the snow begin to calming as sunlight seeping through the cold air. In that tranquility, Nein and Noz immediately went to spar. Using the training ground and warming up.
"Whistle... Damn Nein, nice dodge."
Noz compliment when he see Nein low posture to dodge the swing of his wooden sword. The sounds of their training filled the emptiness of the place.
"Keep your distance buddy, wood still hurts when hit."
Nein use the staff and create distance between them, using his long range to feint and attack. They've been doing this since the first time they met and starting to adjusted with each other tempo.
Thonk.
Nein staff hit Noz head and makes him fall with a grunts.
"Hey! That's cheating!."
"It's called strategy idiot. It's your fault for only focused on offense."
He approach Noz and helping him to stand. They both warmed up until a clapping sounds caught their attention.
"That's a good show." August smile as he enter.
He comes with Ignis and went to greet Nein.
"Who's that?" Noz whisper to Nein.
"That's the Duke of Bellona." He says casually.
Hearing that, Noz immediately went rigid and nervous as he hiding behind Nein like a scaredy bear at how his body almost the same as him.
"Don't worry, he's here for me. You can go first, no need to wait for me."
Noz immediately leave with a nervous nod.
"Don't mind him, he just not used being around nobles. So what brings you here sir?." His voice casual.
"I'm planning to visiting on someone today, mind accompanying me?. I'll treat you breakfast for that."
Nein's interested and nods curtly before putting on his coat and exit the training ground. Ignis puzzled since the one August visiting today is the Duchess. Taking Nein with him mean's he's about to use him again to help with his business. But she say none and just following them like a good bodyguard.
"Not only you're late but you also taking some random man into our conversation. Mind explaining this to me, Duke August?."
In Kivia's office, August sat down on his seat with both Ignis and Nein behind him. One guard and one...man. she sigh as she demand and explanation.
"Ehem, sorry for the suddenness of this Duchess. But I have a good reason why I bring this man today." He says trying to convincing the Duchess.
"Sigh... What I coincidence, I also picked up a stray girl from the snow two days ago. Is this a trend or something?." She says in disbelief.
Hearing that, August raise his brow and curious. That mean the day he arrives, the Duchess were taking care of a stray girl. It's caught his attention and can't help but asking more.
"A lost girl?. In the middle of the storm?. Are you sure she's a human?."
"She is a human, however, there's something odds with her."
"Odd...then may I ask about her name?."
"Her name's... Clara. That's what she said."
Suddenly, after she state the name of the girl she saved, Nein goes rigid and restless. That name's familiar to him. The name he longing to hear again. He calm himself down when he notices the guard around him tensed up and ask.
"Is that girl... having a hideous burn mark on her left eye?."
"How...did you know?. Do you know this girl?."
"She's...my sister..."