The Lake That Never Froze

Thirty years Shinshi Era.

Northern Plateau.

Codoria Lake.

Under the eaves of Lakeside Cottage.

A middle-aged man with slicked-back hair, shaved sides, and a red scarf around his neck sat with Rienta, admiring the snow scene.

Actually, none of these things matter.

Most importantly, this middle-aged man had a small mustache.

Moreover, his face bears a striking resemblance to the leader of the state.

So much so that when Rienta first saw him, she instinctively asked how much the bread cost.

They breathed a sigh of relief after learning that white bread made from the finest wheat cost only a few dozen copper coins.

"Speaking of which, Rienta, you've been here for a week now, haven't you?"

As he spoke, Xierhai picked up the teapot on the table, which Rienta called a 'Yixing Teapot,' and slowly tilted it towards the translucent ceramic cup covered with ice crack patterns placed on the saucer.

The howling wind and snow outside couldn't suppress the 'tinkling' sound of the slightly hot tea dripping down.

A stream of pale green water fell into the cup, filling it to about seven-tenths full.

Outside, snow was falling heavily.

Two cups of steaming tea were placed on the table.

Xierhai picked up the saucer with one hand and the teacup with the other, taking a sip.

The tea is clear and bright in color, with a rich and delicate aroma. It has a slightly bitter taste upon first sip, followed by a sweet aftertaste.

Actually, he didn't know anything about tea; Rienta taught him all of that.

He'd tried quite a few kinds of tea, including black tea and green tea, and he felt they were just so-so.

But Rienta's entire set of tableware, which looked very stylish, still impressed him.

According to Rienta, this is his unique recipe.

He is the only person in the world who can make 'Longjing Tea'.

Moreover, it was said that the 'Yixing Teapot' and the two translucent 'Ru Celadon' teacups covered with ice crack patterns were worth hundreds of gold coins.

During this time, Xierhai was constantly being questioned by Rienta about various information and legends concerning 'Codoria Lake'.

So much so that, having grown accustomed to drinking beer, he gradually also grew accustomed to the feeling of drinking tea.

Of course, it wasn't because they were intimidated by Rienta's words.

In Rienta's words

That's called having class.

Rienta and her group have been here for a week, and the blizzard has lasted for a week as well.

But the lake in front of him, named 'Codoria', showed no signs of freezing over.

This is illogical.

He asked Uncle Hill, the boatman, but received no answer.

However, Frieren did offer a very distinctive opinion in her own style.

'Perhaps a powerful Grimoire or something is buried beneath the lake.'

This is because every time Frieren had previously made such a conjecture, it had ultimately proven to be wrong.

Rienta decided to observe more carefully and consider searching in the water after the blizzard stopped.

Simply put, he also felt that this scene had the feel of a treasure.

Rienta didn't know exactly how big the lake was.

But in the end, it's just a slightly larger lake.

A blizzard of this magnitude lasted for seven days without freezing.

There's definitely something wrong!

Upon hearing Xierhai's words, Rienta turned her gaze away from the churning lake.

He reached out and picked up a cup of hot tea, which was about seven-tenths full, from the table. He took a small sip and exhaled a puff of white steam.

Gently swirling the valuable Ru kiln teacup in his hand, he gazed at the snowflakes dancing in the sky.

"Yes, Uncle Hill."

"It's been a week, and the blizzard shows absolutely no sign of stopping."

Xierhai stopped talking and quietly sipped his hot tea.

Looking at the swirling snowflakes, Rienta fell into deep thought.

Now that his mental strength has greatly increased, he began to try to find a poem from his memory that fits the current situation.

How do you pronounce that poem again?

Just as Rienta was lost in thought, Frieren two companions, who had gone out to buy groceries, also arrived under the eaves.

As usual, Frieren asked, "Is the ferry going out today?"

"... What do you think?" Xierhai gently placed the teacup on the table and replied with a hint of helplessness.

The wind and waves tossed a small fish to the feet of the crowd.

Xierhai bent down, picked up the small fish that was thrashing about out of the water, and threw it back into the lake.

"My ship isn't a coffin."

Xierhai didn't directly answer Frieren's question, but it was as if he had already said everything.

"That's true."

Frieren smiled slightly; for her, being able to stay in one place for a little longer was a rare privilege.

Asking Xierhai was merely a way to justify staying a little longer.

Also, while you're at it, tell Rienta to go back and cook.

Frieren turned her head to look at the hot tea on the table, then looked at Rienta, her tone tinged with anticipation:

"Rienta, we bought a lot of ingredients!"

As a disciple who had been with Frieren for so long, Rienta instantly understood the subtext of Frieren's words.

'Rienta, it's time to eat. You can cook.'

Rienta looked at Fern and Stark behind Frieren, who were carrying large and small bags.

After a brief silence, he placed his teacup back on the table, walked to the two of them, and put the ingredients from Fern and Stark's hands into his [Personal Space].

Perfect timing, we've almost finished our tea.

At this moment, he also remembered that poem.

Rienta coughed lightly, and waited until everyone's eyes were on him.

He took two steps forward, looked at the lake, and softly recited:

"At dawn, someone came to report that snowflakes were falling."

"Through the high rolled-up curtains, one can see the auspicious clouds; their white hues obscure the courtyard steps in the distance."

"The radiant light draws smoke from the furnace, and the serene grass seems to evoke the image of jade pendants."

"It must be a celestial being, drunk and carelessly crumpling the white clouds."

After reciting the poem, Rienta turned around and looked at the people under the eaves.

At this moment, Xierhai, who was sitting down, looked at Rienta with a blank expression.

Stark, who also didn't understand, looked at Rienta was completely absorbed in the story, with a puzzled expression.

Fern frowned slightly, having understood a little bit of what he was saying.

Although she knew that Rienta was most likely having another bout of chuunibyou (middle school syndrome).

However, having grown up with Rienta, she subconsciously tried to translate what Rienta was saying in her mind after hearing those words.

After all, Rienta sometimes says things that are very poetic and make a lot of sense.

Frieren shared the same idea.

Is it an auspicious omen?

Although Frieren still didn't understand what Rienta meant by those words.

But by combining the context, she still understood the general idea.

Rienta was praising the snow and labeling the blizzard as an 'auspicious omen'.

Frieren was very pleased with Rienta's statement.

In addition, Rienta will need to cook later.

So, Frieren also adopted an expression of admiration.

"Rienta, well said!"

Fern, who was a beat slow to grasp the poem's meaning, sighed helplessly upon hearing Frieren's words.

To describe the blizzard that hinders the journey as an 'auspicious omen' is certainly something that would make Frieren happy.

Stark and Xierhai exchanged a glance, both seeing the confusion in each other's eyes.

But seeing that Frieren and Fern already understood, and that Rienta was looking at him expectantly.

As a soldier, Stark reacted instinctively.

"Um, so, what is the meaning Rienta's spell...?"

Rienta looked at Stark with a mixture of disappointment and frustration:

"Stark, you're truly a scholar... a pure warrior!"

"Never mind, never mind."

Rienta was quite satisfied with Stark's willingness to ask questions.

After all, this would also give him an opportunity to explain to everyone.

But shouldn't such a situation be addressed by first offering praise, and then asking questions?

Who just comes up and asks that question?

That's against the rules!

P. S.: There should be another chapter tonight.

Book club group: 1105098249.