Castorice

Not long after Sera left.

A figure wearing a hood to keep warm gently lifted the snow doll with both hands, staring at it intently before carefully setting it down.

Her pale purple hair hung down along with her head. As if that wasn't enough, she scooped up a pile of snow from the side and sculpted a companion for the snow doll, as if worried that the snow doll would be left alone to watch over this place.

After doing everything, she stopped walking and quickly headed in the direction Sera had gone; the tombstones were her destination.

"Um...?"

Hearing footsteps approaching from behind, and sensing someone coming, Sera took a step back and hid in the shadows.

Who could possibly come to this place...? Could it be her?

The image of a pale purple-haired, elf-eared girl appeared in Sera's mind; the Twins of Death, the Holy Maiden of Aidelia — Castorice.

Sera's answer was confirmed with the appearance of a figure. Castorice walked over from not far away, glancing around cautiously as if searching for someone.

Sera thought to herself, "They must have seen the snow doll I left there."

After seeing no one, Castorice withdrew her gaze and walked confidently to a tombstone. She took off her hood and gazed quietly at the tombstone, as if reminiscing about something.

"It must be so lonely to be alone for a thousand years, right?"

Sera revealed herself and stood beside Castorice, her words of lament and sorrow echoing in Castorice's ears.

"...!"

Even though she was startled by the sudden sound and the appearance of Sera beside her, Castorice quickly recovered and took a few steps back. She was still worried about her curse.

"No... don't get so close to me!"

The tense and fearful voice came from Castorice's mouth, and her movements involuntarily stiffened.

In the chaos, Castorice accidentally stepped on a pebble and fell backward. Sera quickly caught Castorice. Feeling the warmth of Sera's hand, Castorice's eyes widened, and self-reproach appeared in them.

"Sir... I'm sorry."

Castorice lowered her head, not daring to look at the way the person in front of her disappeared.

She looked rather pitiful, and it was indeed true. Sera looked quite pitiful, having not only been alone for thousands of years, but also had to endure the pain of those around her dying because of her curse.

"I'm fine. The curse of death has no effect on me, you see—"

Sera held up her hands in front of Castorice, turning her palms and backs of her hands over to reveal herself completely unharmed.

Castorice's gaze swept over Sera's entire body carefully, confirming it more than ten times before she finally dared to believe the truth.

"..."

Castorice's steps suddenly became unsteady, tears welled up in her eyes in the blink of an eye, and she quickly threw herself into Sera's arms and cried.

Sera gently patted Castorice's back to comfort her.

"It's okay, go ahead and cry."

Thank you for everything.

Sera gently comforted her until Castorice calmed down. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes looked at Sera with a slight evasiveness.

"I apologize, sir... I hope you'll forgive my poor appearance."

only..."

"It's okay, I understand. You've done a great job. I wouldn't have been able to persevere like you."

"Sir, may I ask your name?"

Castorice asked in her weak voice.

"Seraphis, Seraphis of the Aedes Elysiae."

Just call me Sera, Castorice.

"Do you... know Phainon?"

"I know him, but Phainon?"

Seeing Castorice Sera was curious about this, Xiaodie began to explain.

"When I was studying at the Grove of Epiphany, Phainon was my classmate. I heard that Phainon was personally brought back by Teacher Anaxa."

"Then it's not surprising."

Sera felt no pity for what Phainon might have gone through; instead, she was secretly pleased that she had inadvertently caused Phainon's trouble.

Hahaha, Khaslana, you'll tremble in fear of Yanbi!

"That..."

Castorice asked hesitantly, her tone filled with humility and expectation.

Can I hold your hand?

"Certainly."

Before Castorice could react, Sera had already taken her hand.

These hands were not affected by the severe cold, nor were they deathly cold; they were just like a normal person's hands—very warm.

Sera seemed to remember something else, but instead of moving immediately, she quietly took Castorice's hand and gazed at the tombstone with her.

After a long while, Castorice began to introduce herself.

"Sera, this is the residence of the last man of Aidelia, and also... my friend."

Recalling her past Remembrance, Castorice felt a pang of heartache. Sera also thought of the person Castorice had mentioned.

The theory of lifespan...

When I first met her, she was a little girl; the older sister is stunningly beautiful.

When we met again, we were both old and frail, but you remained as charming as ever.

She was the only person he knew left, so he made up his mind to give her his first embrace with his own life. Even though death was a constant companion to the Holy Maiden of War, her embrace was still warm.

In the end, he left with a smile. But in the snow, only a lonely figure, who had briefly tasted warmth, silently erected a tombstone for his friend.

Since then, Castorice has returned to Aidelia every year to visit her gravestone, so that at least someone will remember her and she won't be completely gone.

"Let's go, Sera."

Castorice glanced back at the tombstone one last time before leaving.

She took Sera's hand and led him through a maze of left and right until they arrived at a room that was not dusty despite Aidelia being unoccupied for a long time.

Judging from the traces, the Castorice that often returns to Aidelia to visit its friends frequently comes to clean.

"This is my old room. I used to stay here when I returned to Aidelia, so I'll clean it up."

As she spoke, Castorice squatted down, piled up the wood, and lit a fire with the straw she had found.

The shadow cast by the fire, myself, and myself in the mirror made it seem as if there were three people in total.

Would you like to dance with me?

Sera could still recall the happy look on Castorice's face, so he wanted to invite Castorice to dance with him.

"Good."

Castorice took the lead and guided Sera in dancing the dance she had practiced countless times alone in the darkness by the shadow of a campfire.

This time, the hands that were loosely clasped took shape. A relaxed and happy expression and laughter filled Castorice's face and came from her mouth.

It was like a beautiful dream...

Thanatos, if this is just a beautiful dream she hasn't yet awakened from, then please—let it last a little longer... a little longer...

The Castorice prayed thus...