Day passed and Clara looks much better now since Nein taking care of her. She eats with spirit when Nein feeding her and do whatever he said obediently. Nein had talked with the Duke to stay in his manor along with Clara. August agreed and they went to ask for the Duchess permission since she's the one who's saving Clara.
"I'm fine with that. Just make sure to pay me back for yesterday." Her tone stern at them.
They smiles gratefully.
"Thank you for everything you do for me, granny." Clara says politely.
Her words makes Kivia's hearts clenched and clearing his throat before speaking.
"Don't mention it..." She says while trying to act nonchalant.
Clara's innocent play a huge role in this situation. Her lack of awareness of her surrounding makes her looks so adorable especially to an elder.
"Thank you for your understanding Duchess. As a thanks, if there's anything you want me to do, just give me the call and I'll do it for free." Nein said gratefully as he pat Clara's hair.
Hearing that, August immediately cue her to told Nein about it. She sigh and straighten her posture.
"Then I want you to help with my investigation regarding the snowstorm. I've heard about your intelligence capability and convinced to take you in this matter. Will you accept it?." Her voice filled with authority.
He nods immediately with a smile.
"But if I may, Clara's more fitting for a cold job. She also want to help with this as a thanks. Can she join Duchess?."
Kivia shift her gaze toward Clara and immediately averting when she saw that eager eyes of hers. She clear her throat and agreed.
And with that agreement being made. Nein immediately taking his sister around the city along with August and Ignis who insist to joining.
Nein and August talking at each other while Ignis taking Sara around. Clara's is the quiet and curious type as she simply stare at something she interested in and looking at Ignis with the same looks to take her closer to it. She just like a cat, something Ignis weak against.
"Your sister...I suppose she's also peculiar just like her brother." August said with a smile.
"She is. So don't let her innocent looks deceive you. Her body count just as much as mine you know?." Nein said with proud.
August went rigid at his statement and looking at Ignis who keep rubbing Clara's head without knowing she's actually a killing machine. He decided to keep it to himself for now.
"So, regarding of what the Duchess said. What kind of business that requires an expedition to the snowfields?."
August silence for a moment before turning serious.
"The duchess said that there's a weird movement out there. Possibly from an unknown beast. Duchess Kivia's well known for her prediction. And she's not feeling good regarding this matter. It's better safe than sorry, right?."
August explain briefly. While keeping his eyes to the two in the distance.
"Is it because of them?."
"Not sure. But let us pray it doesn't. I've heard about the news. Looks like those people called Path Finder is planning something big behind the scenes."
He's a bit distracted before continuing his words.
"But rest assured. They're sure that it just about a beast losing control."
"... I wish you're right."
They decided to stop while the two returned to them and walking back to August manor since it's already evening.
The day of expedition arrived. Nein along with Clara accompanied by the knights from various region affiliated with Kvas joining this expedition lead by the two siblings after further discussion with each leader begin their march across the snowy plains.
The knights in armour following the two figures dressing casually, unfazed by the freezing air as they guide everyone deeper into the snow.
"Hey...are you sure about this?." Ask one knight to the one next to him.
"About what?." He replied.
"Just look at them. Do you think a human able to bare this weather without preparation?." He says suspiciously.
"So what?. It has nothing to do with us. Just focus on this expedition so we can return quickly." He said dismissively before focusing on his job.
There's five knights in the group, Bellona, Kvas, Trawa, Pluvia and Aligot. Each one sending one knight to accompany the siblings. And being told one thing. That is to follow.
They arrived toward the snowstorm after an hour walking. Nein stop to examine the path before looking at the knights behind him.
"Our destination will be there inside the storm. Make sure to stay close to us." He says casually.
"What?. How can we walk through that?. Is this a joke?." Said one knight complaining.
"Sigh, just wait and see. My job here is to open the path."
He turn around and crouch before whispering.
"{Tracer}"
The sight of his smoke makes them alerts and reaching for their swords. Clara raise her hand to tell them it's okay. It takes him a full minutes before opening his eyes.
"Clara, can you see the smoke?."
"Yes."
"That'll be the way. You know what to do, right?."
She nods and take a step forward before raise her arm toward the storm before whispering.
"{Freezing point}"
With that, as if there's a invisible veil that clear the storm. A clear path opened before their eyes. A sight that defy logic, they stare with awe toward the siblings before following them.
They walking through the pathway while looking at the raging storm around them. The ground beneath them turns out to be a frozen sea. Can be seen from the hard blue ice. Nein take a note at this as they went deeper for their search.
They returned to the city after eight hours. Nein immediately make his reports to the duchess along with another leader around her.
"We've found that the place is in fact a frozen seas. There's no life found beyond that as we spend our time wandering around aimlessly. That's all for the report today."
It was a simple news that even the duchess doesn't know. The fact that in her region lies a vast frozen sea making her even worried.
"As expected from Nein winter. To be able to find such great discovery with ease." Said the Duke of Aligot.
"Is there really not a single beast or monster nearby?." Ask the duchess from Trawa.
"Correct. I've searched for eighty kilometer radius and found no sign of life beyond the frozen seas." Nein clarify.
Everyone begin to discuss between themselves while Nein and Clara's watching on their spot. The duchess of Kvas then begin to speak.
"That's a great news winters. Please continue the expedition until you found anything that might be suspicious. You can leave now."
With that, they both exit the room and leave the leader inside the room.
"Brother, why don't we tell them that the knights were the reason why we can't searching further?."
"Chuckles, it's not really their fault Clara. But don't worry, I'll speak to the duchess that only two of us needed for this."
He pat her head as they make their way outside. They spend the evening strolling around the city.
"Yo Nein!" Noz called from the distance.
"What's up?."
"Nothing, just the usual. So... who's this girl?."
Noz ask at the girl half his size holding Nein's hand and looking at him with that indifferent gaze.
"She's my sister."
"A sister?. You never told me you had a sister."
"You never ask."
Noz laugh and went to greet Clara with a friendly smile.
"Hello little buddy, I'm Noz."
Clara simply nods at him making Noz a bit sad. He straighten up and talk to Nein instead.
"Alright then Nein, I'll be going now, see you."
"See you."
They watch Noz walking away with his usual smile toward his other friends.
"He's a good guy." Clara says suddenly after he left.
"Then you should say that to him earlier."
They continue walking and enjoying the fading light together. They're not talking at each other, no need since staying like this is enough for them.