Warm.
With her hand on the trunk of the Snow Tree, Irene looked up at the branches.
It’s the same as the last time I saw it.
It was a scene in which the pure white flowers bloomed on the dry branches.
Then that voice...
“...Snow.”
‘Swish.’
The moment Irene uttered the name, a gentle breeze rushed in. As if answering, the branches swept to one side, creating waves of rustling. Irene’s eyes widened. After a while, Irene let go of her hand and returned to Noel’s side.
“Noel, we are going back now.”
“Did you find the answer to what you were curious about?”
“Well, half of it.”
“...?”
Noel looked puzzled at Irene’s ambiguous answer, but she was already hanging onto the horse waiting for him to help her get on it. It was a little challenging for her small stature to climb onto a big horse on her own without a proper saddle.
“...I will help you.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Noel grabbed her waist with both hands and lifted her at once, seating her on the horse. Then, upon climbing lightly on the horse and embracing her, Noel grabbed the reins and headed back to the castle.
♔♔♔
“I read the memories of Snow.”
As soon as they returned to their room, Irene said. Noel’s eyes widened at her words.
“You mean memories of the Snow Tree?”
“Yes. The moment I touched it, it rushed into my head.”
“The entire recollection of a millennium?”
“Hm, no. I only read one memory.”
“What is it?”
“The catalyst of the monsters’ emergence.”
“...”
Noel, who was drying his wet hair with a towel, halted. Irene recalled the memory of the Snow Tree she had seen.
“First of all, the Snow Tree kept the Kreisen land warm through its roots, but as this continued for a thousand years, its body weakened.”
“…It seems that the Snow Tree protecting Kreisen is not just a myth.”
“Yes. The Snow Tree is drying, and cracks formed throughout its body, but as power leaked through those cracks, the Snow Tree became weaker over time. In addition, the leaked power had nowhere to go but to pile up around there, forming damp shady fog and other foreign residues.”
“Are you saying that a monster appeared in the form of its dregs?”
“It’s usually impossible, but the power of the Snow Tree is far greater than we can imagine.”
“Then, Irene, I have a question for you. How was the snow tree able to recover?”
At Noel’s question, Irene momentarily pressed her lips closed. After a while, she spoke quietly.
“Perhaps the moment I put my hand on it, Sir Mulliman’s power in the ring helped restore the Snow Tree’s original state. As long as the cracks are closed, the power will not leak out.”
“Sure, Mulliman is a wizard so powerful that he was once honoured as the head of the Tower. Even so, I have my doubts, do you really think that is the true cause?”
“Now that the wounds on the sacred tree have been healed, I don’t think there will be any more monsters. When you return to the dukedom, you can report that.”
At Irene’s words, Noel nodded. Then he promptly asked again.
“Irene, can I ask you one more thing?”
“What is it?”
“If what you just said is half of what you wanted to find out, what is the other half”
At his question, Irene paused for a moment. But she quickly replied with a smile.
“The real identity of the voice that spoke to me.”
“Is its real identity...not the Snow Tree?”
“Well, I don’t really know. I just thought that there must be something more to it. I want to look into it more when I return to the Grand Duchy.”
“I will help you.”
Seeing Noel who seemed to be eager to help, Irene smiled in appreciation.
“Thank you. For now, let’s go to bed, we have to leave early tomorrow morning.”
Upon saying that, Irene got on the bed and laid down. Noel too, positioned himself next to her. At first, she was embarrassed to be sleeping next to him, but now that she was used to it, she felt rather calm at the weight of him sitting next to her.
Irene closed her eyes tightly.
Much time had passed, amid the silence, Irene slowly opened her eyes. She then turned her head to face Noel’s sleeping face. In the tranquillity, he was still as handsome as ever.
“...”
Her expression when looking at him was complicated.
I’m sorry.
She then expressed her apology to him secretly. Truth be told, she lied to Noel.
It wasn’t Mulliman’s power.
Sir Mulliman’s power planted into the ring had been used up by Irene when she built the shield. On that account, the power that was drawn into the withered tree the moment she touched it was undoubtedly her power.
My power was absorbed by the Snow Tree. That’s why I lost consciousness.
But she was neither a wizard nor anything similar. Ever since she was born until now, she had never manifested any special powers. Therefore, neither she could understand the phenomenon, nor was she able to explain it to Noel.
When I get back, I will make sure to figure it out.
With that in mind, Irene closed her eyes, hoping it would be morning soon.
♔♔♔