The next morning, the sky visible through the window was a pure white.
That was the usual color of the sky in this land of snow.
It was unlike the cloudless blue skies of the Asla Kingdom, which stretched endlessly outward.
It was also unlike the oppressive, dull gray-yellow sky of the Demon Continent.
The clouds here were always thick, filtering the sunlight until it became incredibly soft.
They cast a cool, pale glow over the entire land.
Cui Ciyou opened the window, and a rush of crisp, cold air carrying the scent of pine needles, frost, and snow swept inside.
His mind, left a little sluggish by the constant warmth of the room's Magic Circle, instantly cleared.
This was an instinct etched into his bones-airing out the room.
He rested his elbows on the windowsill and gazed outside.
What greeted his eyes, however, was a vibrant expanse of green.
Perhaps because he was on the third floor, a relatively high vantage point, he could take in the entire town from this inn.
They were in the Basherant Principality.
The town's layout was quite interesting, with many trees planted along its streets.
Apparently, this was a custom in northern towns.
In an emergency, such as a siege by monsters, the trees could be felled at any time and used as firewood.
It was an intensely practical approach to town planning, rooted in an awareness of the threats to survival.
Still, these hardy conifers had been planted at regular intervals.
Instead, they added a touch of vibrant greenery to this little town of ice and snow.
Even something kept as "emergency rations" sometimes had to look good.
After all, plenty of things were there simply to be looked at.
Forests were nice. Nature was wonderful.
Wonderful as nature was, Cui Ciyou