Yes, thank you to the Pegasus crew for demonstrating their safe flight technology.
While the others were resting and calming down, I went ahead to explore further into the distance.
The flat ground looked as if it had been cleaved horizontally. The ground underfoot had been frozen solid due to the cold, like a large, solid rock. Behind it were tall, verdant cedar trees, with a few snowflakes accumulating at their tops, perfectly concealing a large wooden building.
It was a two-story residential building, more like a hotel for entertaining guests than a typical residence.
I first carefully observed the roof and the nearby ground. There was no snow, nor any signs of wild animal attacks, so there was no doubt that there was a corresponding formation for protection.
However, I doubt that anyone would travel a long distance to this place at this time of year, so this house is just right for us to stay and rest.
With this thought in mind, I stepped forward to open the door and tidy up the environment when the door suddenly opened inward before my hand even touched it, revealing a figure that suddenly jumped back half a step, followed by a white light that appeared and then stopped halfway.
"...Why are you scaring me? You almost chopped me off."
A familiar voice.
Looking up, the young woman, who usually gave off an icy aura, now stood in the doorway with her eyebrows furrowed and radiating heat, dressed only in a thin garment, slowly sheathing her long sword. Although she looked much the same as when they met a few months ago, one could still clearly sense that something inside her had changed.
It took me a while to realize that perhaps I had relaxed too much after landing and had forgotten to be vigilant. I only belatedly noticed that my senses had detected the presence of other people nearby.
"I never expected to see you in a place like this." Miyuki stood with her arms crossed. "Should I say it's been a long time?"
"Long time no see, I didn't expect to see you here." Avoiding eye contact, I replied, "I was just out having fun with some friends, and I thought this area would be a good place to stay, so I came here."
Miyuki nodded, clearly having seen Hikari and the other two surrounded by the Pegasus herd behind me, before turning her gaze back to me: "I remember mentioning to you before that I would go to the mountains to continue training and honing my swordsmanship after the competition."
"I didn't expect you to venture deep into the mountains alone... You seem to have gained a lot."
“Yes, perhaps even more.” Shen Xue rarely smiled, her lips curving into a smile, like ice and snow melting to reveal a bouquet of flowers that had been frozen inside. “I have some confidence now. If I were to encounter [Dawn]’s [Darkness] again, I might be able to put up a fight.”
I dare not comment on this at all; I only hope that if these two start fighting, I won't be involved.
But clearly, this icy female swordsman had no intention of letting me off the hook: "Maybe you've become stronger too, wanna have a fight?"
"...I'll say it again, I don't want to fight you in close combat."
“If you feel it’s appropriate, I can have the duel from where you choose.”
She seems to have the ability to back up that confidence, which is frightening.
"...At least for the time being." I avoided the topic again, and had to resort to another excuse to start over. "Instead of all that, could my friends come in? There should be enough empty rooms, right?"
The answer is yes.
It took some time to arrange the three people in suitable positions, but fortunately there were plenty of rooms available, enough to accommodate two rooms for each person—but it was unnecessary to waste time like this.
Annie, who had regained her energy, insisted on going to the hot springs first. Aian, who had returned to her usual calm, said she needed to be alone for a while. Only Hikari happily greeted Miyuki and had a long-awaited chat.
I didn't care at all what they were talking about. Although I occasionally got glances at them, it wasn't a sense of urgency or unease, and the atmosphere was rather warm and friendly. Perhaps they were just talking about things that only girls need to know.
The Pegasus didn't immediately leave. The long flight was a considerable burden for these mythical creatures, and after replenishing their food, they scurried around the hut, playing and frolicking, or perhaps finding a spot to lie down and rest. Perhaps the trust they had built up along the way made them less wary of our group; even when Hikari, having finished her dinner, came out to help familiarize herself with their fur, the Pegasus didn't show any obvious objection.
All in all, this is a good thing. Although we don't know how long the Pegasus herd will stay in the vicinity, at least during the time these spirit beasts linger, we have a quick way to get wherever we want.
The hut built around the hot spring is clearly man-made. Although the owner is unknown, the brightly lit corridor lamps, usually replaced with magic stone shards, suggest that someone has been maintaining it regularly in recent years. Furthermore, the well-functioning defensive barrier and insulation surrounding the hut make it both safe and comfortable, like a properly operating inn, allowing passing travelers to stay with peace of mind.
"This is indeed a hotel."
As if seeing through my confusion, Shen Xue, who had just emerged from her house, walked closer and said, "However, it may be different from what you think. This place was not built by a mage, but by a swordsman who came from our Frozen Snow City."
"Leaving aside why swordsmen would use spells and formations, how could swordsmen from the Frozen Snow City traverse the entire continent and travel to such a faraway place with hardly any human habitation?" I wondered.
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