"Damn it... the snow is getting heavier."
"What's so strange about that? This is the norm in Ursus."
"So we're just going to keep doing this?"
The man who had spoken wiped the sweat from his brow and tossed the shovel aside.
"[Ursus profanity!] It's snowing while we're shoveling snow, just the two of us, when will we ever finish!?"
"Sigh, there's nothing I can do..."
Seeing the man stop working, his companion also put down his equipment and rested.
"This isn't Mobile City with dedicated snow-melting facilities... If we don't do it, the roads will all be blocked."
"So be it!"
The man spat, then kicked the pole hard, sending snow falling on his head and making him even angrier.
"With that meager pay, it's no wonder the road is blocked!"
"Keep your voice down!"
His companion pulled the man back, glancing nervously around.
"It wasn't easy for the mayor to assign us this work. You know those bastards embezzled the snow removal team's wages... This little bit of work is actually paid for by the mayor himself."
"... knew."
Knowing the truth behind it, the man calmed down.
The two got back to work, but soon started talking again.
"What do you think... how about we save up and move into Mobile City?"
The man shoveled the fallen snow aside, not caring whether it blocked other people's doors.
"It's much warmer there than in the snowfields, and the police station is in charge there; the Infection Patrol can't act as imposing as they do outside."
"But that's too expensive. I couldn't afford to buy the real estate there even if I spent my whole life. If I rented a place... I probably wouldn't even be able to afford a drink with the money left over."
His companion sighed, reached to his waist, and found his monthly salary inside his coat... as thin as his clothes.
"I'd rather drink more outside than stay warm inside."
"Look at you, so pathetic... Here you go."
The man took out Flask from inside his clothes and handed it to his companion, whose eyes were glazed over.
"Nothing outside is as good as inside. What if there's Catastrophe..."
Don't overthink it.
After the strong liquor went down, his companion's body warmed up.
"I've lived here for over 10 years and haven't seen Catastrophe. Besides, aren't there Catastrophe Messenger?"
[Catastrophe Messenger: A specialist responsible for monitoring Catastrophe and will notify towns or Mobile City in advance to take Catastrophe against them.]
"But what if we encounter Infected outside?"
As if the word itself possessed some kind of magic, the man trembled for a moment and quickly rubbed his arms.
"If I get infected, my life is over..."
"That's true, it's definitely better inside the city."
Thinking of the terrifying future of becoming Infected, the companion fell silent, pondering the man's earlier suggestion.
"How about we both move to Mobile City together? We can split the rent in half?"
"This... I'll go back and discuss it."
The man was somewhat tempted, and his companion encouraged him:
"We'd better hurry, I heard at the tavern that a city is almost here."
"Really!? Are there shipping lanes connecting us to Mobile City?"
"You don't know this, but there's a Mobile City that doesn't need to follow shipping routes for resupply."
You mean...?
"Little Tal... Little Tal!"
"Oh, what's wrong?"
Not hearing an answer, Talulah turned away with a smile, looking disappointed.
"What's wrong? Little Tal, you've been standing here for ages."
Alina kept a watchful eye on her surroundings.
"Although there aren't many people on the streets now, it's still very dangerous."
"I'm sorry, I heard something that bothered me."
Peeking out from behind the snowdrift, Talulah her hood tighter.
"Don't worry, Alina, I've been here many times before, nothing will happen."
Due to the cold climate, outdoor activities in Ursus towns are very limited compared to other countries.
Thanks to this, the sparse flow of people made movement very convenient.
Unfortunately, Talulah and her companion visited several bookstores, but couldn't find the books they wanted.
"Really not?"
"Nonsense, nobody's interested in those kinds of books. We'd be better off stocking up on more Victoria's detective novels."
"..."
Having met with yet another setback, Talulah glanced worriedly at the sky.
"We've been to so many stores, do they really sell those kinds of books?"
"Does Little Tal know too?"
"Ah... because of some bastard, I know a little about this."
Talulah. Although Koschei's ideas disgusted her, she had to acknowledge his vast knowledge.
But when she talked about Ursus's past...
[The stories of losers are not valuable lessons; you don't need to know them. I've paved the way for you; you just need to...]
A warm palm touched the girl's brow, easing the restlessness between her brows.
"What's wrong, Little Tal? You look so scary."
"Nothing..."
"Are you really okay? Your expression says it all."
Alina mimicked her friend's expression.
"Ugh~ Help me, I have something bothering me~"
"... I can't hide it from you, but don't worry, it just reminded me of some unpleasant memories."
Holding the girl's hand, Talulah quickly recovered from her memories.
"But seeing Alina makes everything feel better!"
"Emm... I'll look at the Little Tal a little longer then."
The girl shook her tightly clasped hands, her smile masking her worry.
She knew what was bothering Talulah; her friend had already told her about her past experiences.
Koschei...
The duke, who should have been dead, kept haunting Little Tal, attempting to corrupt the Red Dragon with his evil ideas.
Alina was helpless in this situation and could only help her friend strengthen her resolve.
The girl glanced at her friend out of the corner of her eye, her beautiful face radiating enthusiasm and confidence.
Like a flame...
Feeling her friend's gaze, Talulah smiled and tightened her grip.
As she felt the increasing force, Alina's brows unconsciously furrowed with worry.
Even though Infected, the girl's body was much weaker than her friend's.
Draco... he's definitely a superior being.
Their strong physique and long lifespan set them apart from ordinary deer.
40 or 50 years old...
That was the limit of the girl's estimated lifespan.
In the past, Alina would always unconsciously bring up the future, Talulah would always end such topics with "ominous" remarks.
The girl always answered with a smile, but in her heart she was always worried about her friend's future.
She believed in Talulah's strength, but didn't want her friend to face that darkness alone.
Fortunately, the Red Dragon is no longer alone.
The girl's worry quickly faded as she recalled that reassuring figure.
If it were him, perhaps he could solve Little Tal's problems.
Just as Alina was pondering how to tell her friend about her problem, Talulah stopped in her tracks.
"This is the last bookstore..."
In the quiet alley, an old bookstore is hidden away.
Alina observed her surroundings and said incredulously:
"What a remote place... Do people really come here to buy books?"
"Right?"
Talulah nodded in agreement.
"If I hadn't been hiding from the Infection Patrol, I wouldn't have found such a remote place. It seems like the owner doesn't care about business at all."
Filled with doubt, the two knocked on the door.
"Please come in."
A cool, clear voice came from inside, and the two pushed open the door.
The store's environment was much better than I expected.
The bookshelves are neatly arranged on both sides of the store, with a narrow, squeezed aisle in the middle, and the bar counter at the end.
Talulah frowned, not because of any smell, but because it was too dark around her.
The alleyway was already dimly lit, and the shop was completely dark inside.
She instinctively tried to light a flame for illumination, but just as the flame ignited, a voice came from the end of the bar.
"Books are precious yet fragile. If you have come here seeking knowledge, do not take such a dangerous step."
The two were startled, only then noticing the figure behind the bar.
In the dimly lit shop, the person was dressed in all black, and his snow-white long hair and skin were particularly eye-catching, but they were overshadowed by his gloomy aura.
Talulah back, but the flame in her hand not only didn't go out, it burned even more fiercely.
"Kosi..."
I'm so sorry!
With Alina grabbing her arm, Talulah, not wanting to hurt her friend, stopped using Originium Arts.
Alina pressed down on her friend's stiff body and bowed to apologize.
"Little Tal is a little afraid of the dark, please forgive our rudeness."
Talulah, who had been interrupted, also realized what was happening.
Koschei was already dead, killed by her own hand; the person in front of her was merely similar in appearance.
Realizing that she had almost impulsively injured an innocent passerby, she immediately offered a sincere apology.
I'm so sorry!
Watching the two's movements, the figure behind the bar slowly emerged.
"No need to apologize, the mistake hasn't happened yet, I was just reminding you."
The two breathed a sigh of relief, and when they looked up and saw the shop owner in front of them, Talulah's eye twitched involuntarily.
They look so alike...
"Hello, we're here to buy history books."
Noticing her friend's unusual behavior, Alina decided to leave quickly.
Surprisingly...
Which version?
The two exchanged a glance, both somewhat puzzled.
"Hmm... is there anything that's a bit too realistic?"
"Have."
The shop owner turned and searched on the shelf, quickly handing over a book.
"Um... can we take a look first?"
"Please go ahead."
The two carefully flipped through the book; it was indeed the true history of Ursus, and even included corresponding pictures.
"This is it!"
Alina closed the book and handed it back to her.
How much will it cost?
The shop owner casually stated a price, the two paid, and the shop owner wrapped it up for them.
Alina pulled at Talulah, who, however, did not rush to leave.
"Little Tal?"
"Alina, I'd like to speak with the shop owner."
Talulah stared intently at the shop owner, finding him increasingly familiar.
Alina lowered her hand and looked at the shop owner.
"May I look at the books around me?"
"Okay, please return to your seat after you've finished reading."
As she walked to the bookshelf and browsed through the books, the girl would occasionally glance in their direction.
The atmosphere between the two at the bar was rather tense.
"Talulah."
Talulah gave her name, and the shopkeeper remained silent for a moment before calmly saying:
"You seem to harbor a great deal of hostility towards me."
"Uh... sorry."
Realizing it was a problem with her attitude, Talulah reintroduced the shop, and the shop owner responded.
"Kashena, that's my name."