The Protos Empire's Northern Border.
Dandelun City lay between the empire's Northern Border Province and Snowfield Province, nestled between two towering mountain ranges on a brief stretch of plain covered in snow.
This independent town was shrouded in ice and snow for most of the year. The sunlight hours were short, and like most cities in the Northern Border, its nights were longer than its days.
Because the surrounding area was rich in supplies, all sorts of travelers from Snowfield Province—scholars, hunters, prospectors, adventurers, and others—often stopped here to rest while passing through.
Beside a small square standing in the center of town was a three-story building made of dark wood and gray stone. Its conical roof was covered in thick white snow, as though it had been draped in a silvery-white cloak. The wooden wind chimes hanging from the eaves swayed in the wind, occasionally giving off a dry chime.
On the third floor of the best inn in town was a spacious room.
No matter how fiercely the snowstorm raged outside, the entire room remained silent beneath the soft natural light indoors.
Now and then, the sound of a page turning came from beside the round, high wooden table.
Other than that, the only sound was Sigrid's breathing beneath the heavy quilt on the bed.
Her face appeared utterly defenseless, and her eyelashes trembled slightly.
After who knew how long had passed in this unchanging state, she finally slowly opened her eyes.
Because winters in the Northern Border were extremely cold, most of the interior furnishings found in these towns used either raw wood or solid colors to create a warm atmosphere.
Sigrid soon spotted the elegant figure sitting on a chair not far away, holding a book in one hand like an old headmaster.
In the faint