Drum Island.
On the ice along the shore.
Mercer waved to Garp, then turned and headed inland.
Before long, he disappeared into the Snow Forest.
On deck.
Kuzan's eyes were deep and distant. Garp glanced at him and sighed. "Come on. He's gone, so there's no point staring anymore."
Kuzan's expression froze for a moment. He turned to look at Garp, feeling there was more to his words than met the eye.
But he couldn't detect anything unusual.
Still, the "old man" was on his side. There was no need to pry.
He decided not to think about it anymore.
In the Snow Forest.
Caw, caw! Caaaw—
Karasu streaked through the sky like the wind, letting out a series of excited, hoarse, ringing cries.
The snow-covered landscape and the cold air made him feel wonderfully comfortable.
It was as though the cold air carried Crow Xiaoniu's scent.
Perona and Robin leaned on the windowsill in the castle room, gazing out at the endless winter scenery in amazement.
Mercer didn't hurry home. Instead, he first went to Keister, a ski resort town with the island's busiest shopping street.
Inside a clothing store.
It was warm and comfortable.
Mercer gave the shopkeeper their measurements and quickly bought several sets of beautiful winter clothes.
Some for the two girls, some for Kureha, and, of course, some for himself.
They left the store carrying bags upon bags.
He also bought plenty of other things around town, including Kureha's favorite, Plum Wine.
In an alley.
Karasu put the purchases into Castle Space and sorted them into their proper places.
On a path through the Snow Forest.
Snowflakes drifted down from the sky.
It was a breathtaking sight.
Their footsteps crunched in the snow.
Mercer walked across the unbroken snow toward home, while Perona, bundled in