Land Where Souls Rest

The snowfields of Ende stretch as far as the eye can see.

The wind whipped up fine snow, swirling it across the frozen lake, emitting a low, mournful wail. The leaden sky hung low, blurring into the pale horizon in the distance. The cold here seemed to have a tangible quality, like countless tiny ice needles, trying to seep in even through the thickest clothing.

Lowell stood in the middle of the frozen lake.

Beneath his feet lay thick, bluish-white ice. He looked down and saw clear imprints left by the soles of his boots on the ice, which were then slowly covered by snowflakes blown by the wind.

Frieren and Fern stood half a step behind him. Both were wrapped in thick, warm clothing, with only their eyes showing. Their breath condensed into tiny frost flowers at the edge of their fur collars.

"Speaking of which," Lowell began, "Himmel and the others don't seem to have been to the Land Where Souls Rest?"

He turned around and looked at Frieren.

Frieren lifted her head from under the fur collar, her emerald green eyes blinking.

"They probably left after defeating the Demon King." Her voice was muffled by the fabric. "After all, Ende isn't a pleasant place; it's freezing cold, and they probably didn't bring any warm clothes. Besides, only the Demon King's Castle is somewhat warm inside Ende, and Ruby even Ruby it."

"Besides," she added, "Ruby might not even know about the existence of the Land Where Souls Rest. This is a record left by Flamme in the manuscript, and we should have the only copy of this manuscript."

Lowell nodded, turned around, and glanced at the empty ice surface in front of him.

"Hmm... that's true." He murmured, as if talking to himself, "Although the exact location wasn't written, it shouldn't be too hard to find. After all, if Flamme can find it, there's no reason I shouldn't..."

He closed his eyes.

A few seconds later, she opened her eyes again.

"Yes, found it."

He raised his right hand, facing the empty space in front of him, spread his five fingers, and then gently pressed forward.

What the fingertips touched was not air, but something denser, smoother, a "boundary" that seemed not to exist in this world. A slight resistance came, followed by ripples that spread silently.

The scene before me distorted for a moment. The ice, the snowfield, and the leaden sky all swayed and shattered like reflections in water being tossed with pebbles, before quickly reforming.

The outline of a door silently appeared in the void. There was no door panel, no frame, only a hazy halo with blurred edges, as if leading to another world.

"Look." Lowell withdrew his hand, turned to the side, and gestured to the two of them. "This is something like spatial magic."

The two tightly wrapped rice dumplings nodded at the same time.

Without hesitation, Lowell took the first step and entered the halo of light. His figure disappeared silently into it, as if erased by an eraser.

The two rice dumplings looked at each other and followed closely behind.

The moment you step inside, the biting cold and the sound of the wind outside are completely cut off.

Instead, there was a profound, almost unsettling tranquility. The air was warm and moist, carrying the unique, crisp fragrance of grass and earth, a stark contrast to the dry, biting cold of the snowfield.

The three stood in a strange void.

Beneath my feet lay soft, lush grass that stretched to the horizon, disappearing into the hazy mist. Above me, there was no sky, only a soft, even glow, like the first light of dawn, illuminating everything, yet without a tangible source. All around was utter silence; even my own breath and heartbeat were exceptionally clear.

Directly ahead, about 100 meters away—

A tree.

Words cannot describe the sheer size of this tree. Its trunk is probably over a hundred meters in diameter, its entire body a warm, deep brown, its bark smooth, flowing with an extremely faint, milky-white aura, like the pulse of life. It stretches upwards, disappearing into the depths of the soft light overhead, as if supporting the entire space. Its branches and leaves are more lush than imagined, each leaf crystal clear, shimmering with an emerald luster, layer upon layer, weaving together to form an endless, vibrant canopy.

If it were to be given a name, it would probably be something like "World Tree" or "Tree of Life," names derived from legends.

It simply stands there quietly, exuding an aura of antiquity, tranquility, and all-encompassing nature, involuntarily drawing people to hold their breath and inspiring awe.

Lowell stood there, looking up at the tree for a while.

Then he started walking towards the giant tree. His footsteps rustled very softly on the soft grass.

Frieren and Fern followed behind him. Fern's gaze swept quickly across the quiet space around them, a hint of assessment flashing in his pale purple eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. Frieren, on the other hand, tilted her head slightly, her emerald green eyes fixed on the tree, as if examining a novel yet somewhat familiar treasure.

The three walked up to the giant tree.

As they drew closer, the tree's sheer size became even more imposing. Their blurry reflections were mirrored on the smooth surface of its trunk. The fragrance of grass and trees in the air grew stronger, mixed with a subtle, indescribable, and calmingly sweet scent.

Lowell stopped, raised his hand, and gently placed his palm on the warm, smooth tree trunk.

It felt slightly cool to the touch, but not cold. Beneath the bark, it seemed as if an extremely slow, yet boundless, warm current was flowing.

He closed his eyes, as if sensing something.

A few seconds later, he opened his eyes, withdrew his hand, and his face showed an expression that mixed surprise, understanding, and a little bit of deliberate exaggeration.

"Hmm... this tree..." He clicked his tongue, as if he had discovered something extraordinary.

Frieren spoke up, her voice filled with the same realization. "As expected... this tree... actually..."

Fern looked at the two of them. "What's wrong? Lady Frieren, Lady Lowell."

Lowell took a deep breath, his expression becoming even more "solemn," and tapped the tree trunk again with his finger, speaking slowly and deliberately, as if announcing a major discovery:

"This tree... its wood is exceptionally good!"

He paused, making sure Fern's attention was on him, before adding in a resolute and confident tone:

"It'll definitely burn for a long time, and the fire will stay burning brightly for a long time!"

Fern: "..."

Her pale purple eyes gazed silently at Lowell, her face expressionless, but her gaze clearly conveyed the helplessness of "talking nonsense at a time like this," and a hint of resignation of "I knew it."

Frieren raised her hand, gently covering the corner of her mouth with her fingers, a subtle smile appearing in her eyes. Then, she nodded very seriously and slowly, a look of "I see" or "I suddenly understand" on her face.

"I see." She repeated softly, her tone carrying just the right amount of admiration. "I also had a special feeling that this wood was quite extraordinary, but I hadn't figured out its use yet. As expected of Lowell, you are very observant and discovered such a practical use so quickly."

As she spoke, she raised her right hand, which was covered by a thick glove, palm up, and naturally offered it to Lowell.

Lowell grinned and raised his hand as well.

"Snap."

"It's a pleasure working with you!" they both said in unison.

A soft clapping sound. Through the thick gloves, the sound of the clapping was somewhat muffled, but it was still clear in the absolute silence.

The two exchanged a smile, a knowing, almost mischievous, faint joy in their expression.

Fern sighed softly, her voice not loud, but loud enough for the two of them to hear.

"Making jokes like this at a time like this... really." Her tone was more helpless than reproachful, as if she was already used to it.

Lowell lowered his hand, his playful expression fading slightly, but a smile still lingered at the corners of his mouth. He turned his head, looking again at the incredible giant tree before him, his gaze seemingly piercing through the trunk and looking into its depths.

"When?" His voice was lower, tinged with a hint of nonchalance, yet also sounding serious, "It's just Land Where Souls Rest. I can bring you in anytime you want."

He paused for a moment, his gaze shifting between the lush foliage of the giant tree and the boundless grassland beneath his feet.

"But... well, a sense of trepidation upon returning home? No, what word can describe it..."

He frowned slightly, as if searching for the right word to describe the indescribable complex emotions in his heart at that moment, a mixture of anticipation, calm, and a faint trace of melancholy.

"It's like knowing you'll see them as soon as you open the door, but you end up standing at the door a little longer?"

Just then--

"Master, Lady Frieren, it's been a long time."

A clear, gentle, and smiling female voice came from not far behind them.

The sound wasn't loud, but in this absolute silence, it was as clear as a whisper.

The three of them turned their heads at the same time.

On the grass on the other side of the giant tree, a figure stood silently, unnoticed.

Clad in white robes and armor, her attire was simple and clean, spotless, gleaming with a warm ivory sheen in the soft light. Her long, pure white hair was tied into a neat ponytail at the back of her head, with a few strands falling smoothly beside her cheeks. A gentle, warm smile graced her face, and her clear, bright golden eyes gazed quietly at them.

Freya.

She stood there, relaxed, with a natural smile, as if she had just bumped into an old friend visiting in her own backyard on an ordinary afternoon, rather than in this legendary place after a long time.

A gentle breeze stirred, causing her golden hair to sway softly. The branches of the World Tree cast dappled light and shadow behind her, enveloping her in a tranquil and gentle halo.

Time seemed to slow down at that moment.