The railcar came to a steady stop at the station in Fifth Town. Thick snow still covered the tracks, and the glare reflected off the carriage windows was piercing yet cold.
The doors slowly opened, and a gust of frigid wind poured into the carriage, carrying the distinctive scent of mountain cedar.
Everyone wrapped their clothes tighter and stepped out in turn, their feet crunching over the uncleared snow.
"Brother, why is it still winter here?" Aisha shrank back, staring at the slowly falling snowflakes with surprise on her face.
"The terrain is high, and it's far from the sea, so winter lasts a long time here. Blocked by the ocean monsoons to the east, the air currents don't circulate easily. So even though it's summer elsewhere, the temperature here remains cold." As Ang spoke, he tugged at his cloak.
Aisha rubbed her arms and shivered. "But it's even colder than North Wind Territory. What a godforsaken place."
"Stop standing around. Get in the carriage." Ang cut off her lament and motioned for everyone to board the carriages waiting outside the station.
The convoy slowly left the station, the clatter of iron hooves in the snow mingling with the rumble of wheels, quiet yet rhythmic.
Dana was too large to fit inside, so he had no choice but to sit in the driver's seat. Wrapped in a thick cloak, his face was rosy, and he seemed quite pleased with this "special treatment."
Leaning against the window, Aisha admired the scenery outside and sighed. "I never expected you to build a town like this in the depths of such desolate mountains."
Outside, the streets were blanketed in snow. Most buildings were made of stone and timber, long icicles hanging beneath their eaves. Soldiers patrolled in groups of three or five, and