A Temporary Stay and a Cup

"Uncle Hill, I'll head back now."

After bidding farewell to Xierhai, Rienta left the lakeside cabin with Frieren and the others.

On my way back.

Rienta and Fern walked behind, discussing what dishes they would cook later.

Stark remarked, "I never imagined a typhoon could hit a lake."

Codoria Lake is situated due to its unique topography.

After the blizzard reached the area, it formed a strong typhoon in the lake that lingered for a long time.

Frieren, the most learned of them all, explained calmly:

"After all, Codoria Lake' Or is the largest lake in the Northern Lands, even larger than some small inland seas."

Stark looked at the lake to the side, which stretched as far as the eye could see.

"Indeed, you can barely see the other side."

In high spirits, Frieren continued before Stark could ask any questions:

"Furthermore, the large mountain ranges on the east and west sides cause turbulent air currents, making the weather at this time of year as terrible as hell."

Even at other times of the year, it is common for large ships to sink in this lake due to strong winds.

Rienta, having grasped the key information, immediately became interested.

Large ship sank?

Does that mean the secret stash can be replenished once again?

Thinking of this, Rienta coughed lightly, intending to express her opinion.

Having already seen through everything, Fern decisively chose to interrupt the spellcasting.

"In such windy conditions, it's impossible to use Flight Magic to cross the lake."

Upon hearing this, Frieren said calmly, "Even in good weather, relying solely on Flight Magic is not an easy task."

"The other side of Codoria Lake' Or is much farther than Fern had imagined."

Rienta consciously kept quiet.

Given his recovery speed, he should have no problem leading a few people across the entire 'Codoria Lake'.

But that can only be done in good weather.

It's unclear how long the blizzard will last; what if it lasts for half a year like it did in the Mount Schvia?

There's no point in him saying it now, is there?

Moreover, he did indeed want to stay here for a while.

Just then, they returned to their rented place.

A house covered by wind and snow, but its luxurious exterior can still be vaguely discerned.

After all, we'll be staying here for quite a while.

Rienta simply made a grand gesture and rented this large house.

Pushing open the door, the first thing you see is the crackling fireplace.

Frieren stamped her foot, shaking off the snow that had settled on her shoes.

He stretched out his hand, breathed warm air on it, and touched his ears, which were already icy cold from the wind and snow.

He then eagerly ran to the edge of the fireplace and sat down.

Rienta went straight to the kitchen and began preparing the food for the meal.

After entering the room, Stark took off his coat and picked up a towel to wipe the melted snow from his head.

Once she had warmed up, Frieren returned to the topic they had been discussing.

"Leaving aside Rienta and me, Fern's current Mana definitely wouldn't be enough to hold out."

Fern sighed, walked behind Frieren, skillfully removed Frieren's hair tie, and picked up a towel to dry Frieren's hair.

Is there no way to get around this lake?

The warm fireplace made Frieren involuntarily squint her eyes.

"Going around it would be very difficult."

"Why?"

After quickly tidying up, Stark turned around and looked at Frieren with surprise.

He rarely heard Frieren say anything about anything being difficult.

Ultimately, the reason for this severe weather is...

Frieren paused, because at that moment, the attentive Fern was wiping the water off her cheeks with a towel.

After Fern removed the towel, Frieren continued, "It's all due to the two mountain ranges, East and West."

"And there are no roads between those two mountains, trying to cross them in this weather..."

Fern interrupted Frieren once again.

He completely covered Frieren's cheeks with the towel, carefully wiped them, and then removed it.

"That's practically suicide."

After Fern finished tidying up Frieren, she stood quietly behind her.

Taking this opportunity, Frieren said with a serious expression and slightly hurried tone:

"Instead of insisting on taking a detour, waiting here for several months is a safer and faster way to reach the other side."

Fortunately, this is a large Trade Port City.

Hearing this, Stark stopped drying his hair and looked at Fern.

At that moment, Fern also looked at Stark.

Their eyes met in unison.

They could already imagine what Frieren would say next.

As expected.

With a hint of anticipation in her voice, Frieren uttered the words that both of them were thinking.

"Perfect for killing time~"

You could tell how happy Frieren just from her tone.

In contrast, consider Frieren uttered those words.

She regretted it the moment she said it.

Broken.

Are you getting a little too cocky?

Frieren turned her head stiffly to look at Fern beside her.

Sure enough, Fern was frowning and looking at her with a resentful expression.

Rienta had just taken all the ingredients out when she came into the living room and saw this scene.

He came out a little late and only heard Frieren's last words.

For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

Seeing Frieren standing there, looking at the resentful Fern, Rienta sighed softly, took a step forward, and pulled Fern toward the kitchen.

"Fern, let's prepare the ingredients first. I can't manage it all by myself."

With a pout, Fern was taken away by Rienta.

Frieren breathed a sigh of relief and continued to sit by the fireplace, warming herself.

Stark shrugged and went to the kitchen doorway:

"Rienta, one [Hot Tea Magic], thank you."

Rienta looked at Stark at the kitchen door, Stark grinned at him.

"..."

Rienta raised her right hand and placed it above the tray, where Magic Array Pattern appeared.

The first piece of Yixing Teapot was successfully constructed and placed on a tray.

Subsequently, four translucent ceramic cups covered with ice crack patterns, adorned with the inscription "After the Rain, the Sky Turns Azure," also appeared.

After handing the tray to Stark, Rienta instructed, "Don't forget Frieren's share."

Of course not.

Stark took the tray without hesitation and turned back to the living room.

Meanwhile, there are wooden houses by the lake.

Xierhai was ready to savor the taste of 'Longjing Tea' one more time.

Raise your hand and take a light sip.

What entered his mouth was not the warm tea that he had just poured, which had a faint fragrance.

Instead, it was a chill mixed with the wind and snow.

Xierhai paused for a moment, then subconsciously took another sip.

It still carried that same chill mixed with wind and snow, and even had a fishy smell unique to the lakeside, due to the excessive force used.

Xierhai's hand, which had been holding the teacup, was now empty.

As the wind and snow swept by, a bone-chilling cold spread from my palms.

Empty?!

Where is my stylish and extremely valuable "After the Rain, the Sky Turns Azure Rain" ceramic mug, covered in crackled patterns?

Oh no, oh no!

My style is gone!

Wrong,

Rienta's cup is missing!!

Xierhai's body trembled. He looked at his empty palms, then at the location of the 'Yixing Teapot' on the table.

It's still empty.

Xierhai suddenly stood up from his chair and hurried towards the house where Rienta and the others were renting.