Snow Wolf

The group entered a large tent used for posting and accepting commissions.

A brazier burned inside the tent, and a man wearing a thick fur coat, his face weathered by the elements, sat behind a wooden table. His gaze swept over the group, lingering particularly on Frieren's pointed ears.

After briefly expressing the intention.

"This place," he pointed sharply to a spot on the spread-out map, "Has a large Holy Snow Crystal vein known only to the locals. I'd like to ask you to clear out all the monsters in the vicinity."

Seeing that the others nodded, he continued.

"Also, after the cleanup is complete, I'd like to ask you to set up a barrier that can be used against people. Is that possible?"

Fern tilted his head slightly.

"Use a barrier on people?"

"Yes," the man replied calmly, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table. "I don't want anyone going into that place again."

Lowell crossed his arms.

"Understood. Leave it to us."

The scene shifts, and the group is now on a snowy road leading to the mine.

The cold wind swirled fine snowflakes, stinging slightly as they hit my face. Fern walked a short distance before speaking.

"That's strange. Why is it a barrier for people instead of one for monsters?"

Frieren walked ahead, her silver hair gleaming slightly cold in the snow.

"Before mining the Holy Snow Crystals, it takes time to gather miners and raise funds. Setting up a barrier in advance can prevent others from seizing the veins. After all, these veins are unclaimed and there is no official force here; it's not unusual for them to be first-come, first-served."

Lowell added, exhaling a puff of white breath.

"After all, Holy Snow Crystals are valuable. Unclaimed items belong to whoever claims them first. Setting up a barrier prevents outsiders from entering, effectively sealing off the mine until they are ready to mine it again."

He shrugged.

"A very practical consideration."

Frieren nodded, gazing at the snow-covered mountain ridge outline ahead.

"Anyway, let's put in some extra effort and go defeat the monsters first."

"Squeak."

Fern slipped and fell on the ice.

"..."

It wasn't far. After passing through a coniferous forest covered with icicles, the view suddenly opened up before us.

A vast, glacial depression. In the center of the depression, a monster lies prone.

It was enormous, resembling a wolf, but more slender and agile. Its entire body was covered not with fur, but with some kind of translucent, pale ice crystal, as if it were a creation of ice and snow itself. Its head had cold, hard lines, and two dark blue flames Burning in its eye sockets. Without any superfluous decorations or cumbersome structures, every contour exuded the simplicity and power of a predator of the cold plains.

It lay quietly in the center of the depression, beneath it piled up Holy Snow Crystals, its pale blue flames Burning calmly, as if breathing in sync with the snowfield.

Lowell looked it over and stroked his chin.

"Hmm... Mountain Lord? Andrius?"

Frieren also took a look.

"It's still a bit different. It has a fiercer aura, and its appearance is cleaner and more streamlined, without any frills."

Lowell nodded, turned to Fern, and smiled slightly.

"Fern, this one's pretty handsome. Um, is that okay?"

Fern's gaze fell on the monster's icy form and eerie blue eye flames, her staff silently gripped in her hand. She thought for a moment, then nodded gently.

"Sure."

The moment the words left their mouths, the monster in the center of the depression had already spotted them.

"Boom--!"

With a swipe of its forepaw, the snow beneath Fern's feet exploded, and dozens of sharp ice spikes burst forth without warning, fanning out towards her!

Fern's figure floated backward, his staff drawing an arc in front of him. A transparent, honeycomb-shaped Defensive Magic instantly activated.

"Clang clang--!"

The ice spikes collided with the Defensive Magic one after another, producing a series of explosive sounds, scattering ice shards, flashing light, and steadily receiving the blows.

Methode, on Fern's flank, raised her hands and unleashed several Ordinary Attack Magic at Philon's hind leg joints as it prepared to exert force.

The monster's movements faltered.

Liletta's figure had already cut in from the side. She was extremely fast, leaving almost no trace on the snow, and her sword light went straight for the monster's side neck—where the ice crystals seemed to be slightly thinner.

The monster swung its head sharply, narrowly avoiding the sword's edge, while simultaneously slamming its other front paw into the ground.

"Click--"

Centered on its claw, a crack in the ice instantly spread to Liletta's feet, and a chilling aura soared into the sky, condensing into a small ice prison to trap her inside.

Liletta did not stop her sword strike. Instead, she used the momentum of her forward charge to spin around, slashing upwards with her sword to shatter the closing ice shards. She broke free from the shards and plowed two shallow tracks into the snow as she landed.

Fern's magical beams arrived. Three condensed white beams shot towards the monster's eyes and throat in a triangular formation.

The monster opened its mouth, but no sound came out. A burst of extremely cold, pale breath erupted out and collided with the magical beam.

"Laugh--!"

A piercing sound of erosion. The white light quickly dimmed and dissipated with the breath. The aftershocks of the breath swept across, freezing the snow-covered ground along the way into a smooth ice surface.

The battle raged on in silence and with efficient offense and defense. Ice spikes, breath attacks, claw strikes, ice cleavage—the monster wielded the power of ice and snow with swift and concise precision. Fern's magical beams and Defensive Magic provided stable support, Methode's control and interference sought openings, and Liletta's sword lurked at the edge, searching for an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow.

The two sides are evenly matched.

I don't know how much time passed.

The tremors and explosions in the depression gradually subsided.

The wind swept by, carrying away the lingering icy dust.

Fern put down his staff, took a soft breath, and noticed fine beads of sweat on his forehead that quickly cooled in the cold wind.

Methode withdrew her hand, straightened her perfectly neat sleeves, and maintained a gentle expression, though her breathing quickened slightly.

Liletta sheathed her sword, stood up straight, and gazed into the center of the depression with her golden eyes.

There, the enormous ice crystal monster lay quietly, the eerie blue icy flames in its eyes extinguished. The fierce and ferocious aura around it had vanished without a trace, and its massive body, set against the snow, exuded an unusual tranquility.

Then, it tentatively took a step toward Fern. Its heavy body left a deep crater in the snow.

It walked up to Fern, lowered its head, and gently touched the back of Fern's hand with its cool, Crystallize- covered nose, as if trying to express affection.

But it seemed it didn't quite control its strength; after nuzzling its huge head against Fern's chest...

"Eh."

Caught off guard, Fern was pushed backward by the considerable force, landing hard on his bottom in the soft snow.

She sat in the snow, blinked, and looked at the huge wolf head that was approaching, gleaming with a soft blue light.

"... She's quite cute," she commented calmly, brushing the snow off her robe. "But she's too big."

The Snow Wolf monster seemed to understand. It let out a low, almost whimpering sound, its huge head drooping down, and a clear sense of grievance showing in its light blue eyes.

Then, a hazy, faint light emanated from its body.

The light was not dazzling, like the reflection of snow under the moon. In that light, its massive form began to shrink, the texture of the ice crystals softened, and its color turned a warm silvery white.

The light faded.

Standing before Fern was no longer a mountain-sized behemoth, but a small, fluffy, silver-white Snow Wolf, no bigger than a puppy. It raised its head, its wet blue eyes gazing at Fern, its tail swaying gently.

Fern stared at it, his pale purple eyes widening slightly.

"Huh?" she uttered a short syllable. "There's such magic?"

Frieren walked over, squatted down, and curiously poked the little Snow Wolf's fluffy ears with her finger. The little Snow Wolf's ears twitched, but it didn't flinch.

"That's the wonder of magic," Frieren, her emerald eyes gleaming with interest. "Even Lowell and I don't know this kind of magic. It seems that not only Human race and Demons, but also demons have their own unique magic."

She thought for a moment and gave an example.

"Just like how Corpse-Luring Birds cast spells on corpses and then hunt down people once they sense their presence, monster magic is quite amazing."

Fern reached out and gently stroked the little Snow Wolf's head. Its fur was soft and warm, a far cry from the hard ice crystals it had been just moments before. The little Snow Wolf squinted comfortably, making a gurgling sound in its throat.

"Hmm," Fern's lips curved slightly, "That's really good."

Then, she suddenly felt a strong gaze.

She turned around.

Methode stood a few steps away, her hands clasped in front of her, gazing at her. Her usually gentle and composed face was now flushed with an unusually soft blush, and her blue-violet eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, filled with undisguised ecstasy and longing.

"Ah..." Methode sighed softly, "When Miss Fern was 'persuading' the monster just now, that pat on the head and that gentle tone, it was really..."

She took half a step forward, leaned slightly forward, and her voice carried a cautious, cloyingly sweet expectation.

"Miss Fern, may I hug you for just one moment...?"

Fern instantly withdrew his hand from the wolf, shrank back, and hid behind Frieren beside him.

"Don't want."

Frieren was squatting down studying the little Snow Wolf when she was suddenly used as a shield by her apprentice. She felt Methode's burning gaze move to her back, her whole body stiffened, and she almost jumped up, turning around and hiding behind Lowell. Her silvery head peeked out from behind his shoulder, watching Methode warily.

Lowell was taken aback by their coordinated movements. He glanced at Frieren, who was hiding behind him, then at Fern, who was hiding in Frieren's original spot with only half her face showing, and finally at Methode smile was growing brighter and warmer.

He paused for two seconds, then muttered to himself.

"... What new game is this, Eagle Catches Chickens?"

Looking at the master and apprentice who were standing ready, the longing on Methode's face slowly turned into regret. She sighed softly, a sigh that was long and melodious.

"What a pity..."

Lowell decided to end the scene. He looked up at the sky. The gray sky was tinged with twilight, and the distant mountain ridges blurred in the deepening indigo.

"Anyway," he clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention back, "It's getting dark. Let's set up camp here."

He looked around. The snowfield was silent in the twilight, with only the howling of the wind. The low-lying area where the battle had just ended was a mess, but a little further away there was a sheltered rocky slope.

"Camping in the snow," he chuckled, a hint of casual interest in his voice, "Might sound really good."

"Clear out a space first."

Upon hearing this, Frieren naturally waved her hand to the side. A gentle whirlwind swept outwards from her, carrying away the thick snow along with the loose stones and withered branches below, revealing a flat, dry rocky area. It wasn't large, but it was enough for a few people to sit down and rest.

The little Snow Wolf was swept away by the wind, rolled twice on the ground, got covered in snow, and stood up dazedly, shaking its head.

Fern looked at it, a smile flickering in her eyes. She walked over, squatted down, and gently brushed the snow off its body. The little Snow Wolf tilted its head back and licked her fingers.

"Good girl," Fern whispered.

Lowell retrieved firewood from the alternate dimension and piled it in the center of the open space. With a flick of his finger, Fern sent a small flame into the pile, quickly igniting a steady campfire. The orange-red light leaped up, dispelling the surrounding chill and casting flickering shadows on everyone's faces.

Frieren sat down by the fire, stretched out her hands to warm them, and squinted her eyes contentedly.

"It's warm now."

"It's not over yet." Lowell pulled out a familiar, large outdoor tent with strange patterns and skillfully set it up. The tent was large, made of thick fabric, and looked very windproof. "It's cold in the snow at night; we can't sleep outside."

Fern also sat down by the fire with the little Snow Wolf. She took out a water jug and some dry rations from her bag and began preparing a simple dinner. Methode naturally took the water jug from her and went to the side to use magic to condense clean snow water and heat it.

Liletta stood on the outer edge, quietly watching the campfire, her face expressionless. After a few seconds, she also walked over and sat down by the fire, her posture still upright.

Night had completely fallen.

The snowfield was shrouded in deep darkness, with only this small campfire as the sole source of light. The flames crackled softly, and steam rose upwards, distorting the small patch of cold air above.

The cry of an unknown night bird drifted from afar, long and ethereal, quickly swallowed by the wind.

Frieren took small bites of her bread, her emerald eyes gazing at the leaping flames. The firelight flickered in her eyes, making her appear somewhat lost in thought.

Lowell leaned against the luggage next to her, holding food in her hand, but her gaze was fixed on the boundless darkness outside the tent.

"Speaking of which," he suddenly said, his voice clear in the silence, "This feeling of being in the middle of nowhere, having just finished a fight, and then resting around a fire... it feels kind of familiar."

Frieren turned to look at him.

"Back when you were with Himmel and the others?"

"Hmm." Lowell took a bite of bread and chewed slowly. "But it was noisier then. Heiter would definitely try to get some alcohol, even the cheapest ale. Himmel would check his equipment, polish his sword, and narcissistically praise his own handsomeness. Ruby would sometimes quietly read a book, and sometimes pester you to learn magic. Eisen didn't talk much, but he would sharpen his axe by the fire... his voice was steady, and it was reassuring to listen to."

"It's fine as it is now."

Frieren listened quietly, then softly hummed in agreement.

She shifted her position, resting her shoulder on Lowell's arm. Her silvery hair gleamed warmly in the firelight.

The little Snow Wolf lay asleep at Fern's feet, its belly rising and falling gently with its breath.

After finishing her meal, Fern carefully wiped her staff with a soft cloth. Her movements were gentle and focused.

Methode held the heated water in her hands, sipping it slowly, her gaze sweeping gently over everyone.

Liletta remained seated upright, her eyes fixed on the fire, her lips moving silently as if reciting something.

A peaceful silence reigned, broken only by the crackling of firewood and the constant whisper of the wind in the distance.

Lowell gazed at the scene for a long while.

"That's good."

He spoke softly, as if talking to himself.

The night was still long, and the snowfield stretched endlessly.