The genius of the Nebalon Kingdom had just begun to lighten the sky when the grinding noise of the elevator next to the SS Unicorn at Nebalon Port resonated once more. Heidlin, who worked aboard the ship, had been waiting at the elevator’s entrance for a while and greeted the arrivals with the same gentle smile she had worn the first time she met Mr. Fisher.
"Click, clack, click!"
"Welcome back, Miss, and everyone else... huh?"
As the elevator doors opened, the cold of the Northern Realm hit Heidlin without any barrier, lifting a few strands of her black temples’ hair and even her emerald hair crown reflected the cold white light from outside. The atmosphere inside the elevator seemed somewhat heavy in Heidlin’s eyes.
The newly arrived Mr. Fisher and Sister Ilois stood together, with Fisher resting with his eyes closed, and Ilois with her hands together in prayer, only consciously trying to greet Heidlin when she saw her but stopped due to the silence in the elevator.
Balzac held his arms and his face slightly darkened, shaking his head lightly at Heidlin’s gaze; Philis, who was usually heartless and carefree, also quieted down, resting her hands against the other wall, her ears occasionally twitching.
The expressions of everyone present varied, except for one notably conspicuous absence of the mechanical silhouette.
It seemed Heidlin realized what had happened, sighing softly in her heart, but only finally turned her gaze to Miss Valentina, who sat quietly in the center of the elevator. Although her face was expressionless, she looked exceptionally cold.
At the moment, it was unclear whether she was calm or in a daze, as even the usual movement of rubbing her ring was absent, only her pallid hands tightly clutching her skirt hem, still not let down even after returning to the SS Unicorn.
Heidlin covered her chest with one hand, bowed her head seriously, and spoke softly to Valentina,
But before her words were fully spoken, Valentina had already raised her hand and looked up with her pale silver eyes at Heidlin, saying,
"Let’s prepare breakfast first, we haven’t rested all night. After breakfast, everyone can make their own arrangements. We’ve got the Moon Rabbit Species Seal in hand; there’s a lot more to be busy with... Mr. Helldor, I have asked my family to take care of the burial, he will rest at the Turand Family’s fortress, in my teacher’s stead."
Mr. Fisher behind Valentina opened his eyes, hearing her, as the leader of this team, make secure and calm arrangements, as if her tone was not affected in the slightest, only Mr. Fisher behind her keenly noticed her shoulders shaking slightly.
Her black cap was slightly askew on her head, but no one was behind her anymore to steady the handles of her wheelchair or to adjust the cap that had slipped.
"I understand, I’ll prepare it right away."
"Uh... everyone, after breakfast, go and rest. We’ll see each other tomorrow."
After Heidlin respectfully bowed and left, Valentina did not stay long and maneuvered her wheelchair towards the deeper corridors of the ship, quickly disappearing from view. Everyone present took a slight breath of relief; Balzac and Philis left without any further conversation, each going their separate ways.
Everything experienced last night felt like a boulder, bringing a chill that seemed colder than the wind and snow outside, explaining for the first time why seeking the legendary Frost Snow Wutong Tree was a highly risky endeavor... for everyone.
"It’s such a pity. Mr. Helldor might have looked strange, but I could feel the warmth hidden in his words. May he rest under the divine protection of the Mother Goddess... Goddess bless."
Sister Ilois continued the prayer ritual she didn’t finish in the elevator, while Fisher beside her rubbed his shoulders. In his arms, the Book Knight, Sir Emhardt, came to life again after hiding all night, complaining to Ilois beside him,
"Stop praying randomly; everyone in the North Realm except you worships the Frost Phoenix. If the Mother Goddess really takes his soul to Heaven rather than under the wings of the Frost Phoenix, that’d be troublesome... Cough cough, that’s just a joke. However, it is indeed a matter of regret. I have traveled this world for so long, recording so many events, and find that the most unbearable pain in human life is separation."
"Humans, and most demi-humans, after all, like to huddle together for warmth. No matter what they say about not needing others, when certain moments come, the bitterness can only be understood in their own hearts... But luckily, I’m just a great book, not needing to feel that. You need to pull yourselves out of this state as well, quickly go and get some rest."
Ilois pursed her lips, but in the end, she nodded at Sir Emhardt and the silent Mr. Fisher beneath her as a farewell. Why hadn’t Mr. Fisher spoken since last night? It must be because of Mr. Helldor’s matter.
Not wanting to disturb Fisher, she also prepared to leave. Emhardt, watching her back as she walked away, suddenly remembered something and reminded,
"Remember to drink the medicine Mr. Fisher gave you."