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Winter days were always short and nights long, so darkness fell quickly. The bone-chilling wind and blinding snow began to fall once more.
Even so, despite having said she wouldn't get involved in the battle between Princess Mira Roser and the demon Gabariel, Elena couldn't quite put her mind at ease. After taking a bath and having a fairly sumptuous dinner, she went with her somewhat reluctant little teacher Annie—who she'd practically dragged along—to hide in the spire of a relatively intact building beside the ruined city square. They planned to keep watch from the sidelines and step in if things went badly, so they could at least lend a little help.
"Ah..."
"I just couldn't resist coming after all..."
Elena watched the square ahead anxiously through a broken window in the spire, waiting in silence. She let out a soft sigh, then turned to the little girl beside her, who looked thoroughly impatient, and tried to persuade her.
"Teacher..."
"Weren't you the one who said you wanted to see Princess Mira Roser fight the evil dragon? This is a great spot. Look, we're close, and we can see everything clearly. It's much better than watching from inside the royal castle!"
Elena offered a sheepish excuse.
Clearly, even she thought it sounded unconvincing, because it was pretty flimsy. Anyway... she certainly wasn't about to admit she'd insisted on bringing her teacher along just to have some backup.
If Princess Mira Roser couldn't beat Gabariel, Elena probably wouldn't fare much better herself, even with three powerful magical items: the Deathcap of the Vanquisher, the Ring of Frostfire, and the Lost Chapter.
"..."
(′~`●)
"It's filthy here, there's no lit fireplace, no tasty snacks, and no soft chairs. And it's snowing outside, too... Honestly, couldn't we have watched from the