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Or so it might have gone. But Magallan welcomes this scene, more than anyone else on the northern frontier.

Because the woman walking amongst the ice and snow is her best friend on the icefield.

Simone!

As her shout travels across the snow, Magallan clearly feels the wind subside.

The waves of snow behind Simone vanish without a trace as she walks up to Magallan.

Hello, Magallan.

Shouldn't you be out on an icefield expedition? What brings you here?

A professor I respect has gone missing out there, but Ursus blocked the route, again. So I have to take the long way around.

I warmed up some tea, want some?

Why, thank you.

*glug*...*glug*...

Phew—

So, you want to enter the icefield from Sami.

Uh-huh.

Ah, right. Simone, you're a Sami, right?

That I am.

Then you—

How could I possibly not help out a good acquaintance?

Ehehe~

Okay, then I'll say goodbye to Mr. Ivan when he gets back, and then we can head into Sami.

Although I've heard it's kinda primitive there, and really scary.

Is that... what the Ursus Messenger told you?

He also said there's a witch around here who attacks people for no reason, so I should be careful.

The Ursus are all like that.

So what kind of person do you imagine this witch to be?

Hmm... a little scary, just like this tree.

*sigh* Mr. Ivan really seems to loathe Sami, though.

He was so upfront about it, too.

Us Sami hate the Ursus just as much.

But why? Couldn't you just talk out this misunderstanding?

Because to them, conquest is far simpler than understanding. They may see just one annoying witch, but countless Sami have already—

—No, it's getting late. Where did you say your friend was headed?

North, towards the snowstorm.

Wait here, I'll go help him out.

I think it's better if we go together—

Stay put, Magallan.

You're safer in here.

O-Okay then...

Be careful out there, Simone.

Mhm.

Um, and be careful of the witch, yeah?

Hah. If she does show up, I'll be sure to stay far away from her.

In the meantime, could you warm up some more tea?

Mmhmm!

And now I'm all alone, again.

I hope Mr. Ivan and Simone can get along out there...

*sigh*...

What do you think, Mr. Tree?

The ancient, dead tree responds with silence.

I still don't get it. How can they fight off a common enemy together one minute, and go for each other's throats the next?

Isn't cooperation obviously the better choice?

The venerable tree ponders for a moment, and decides to answer by smacking its withered branches together.

What about you, Mr. Tree? Did you come here to this snowfield all on your own because other people couldn't understand you?

The towering tree feels the question is difficult to answer, so chooses to remain silent.

You're right... that was a stupid question.

But if possible, I still hope we can—

I'm back.

Simone?

Oh, here's your tea.

Thank you.

So where's Mr. Ivan?

I looked where you told me to, but couldn't find the Messenger you mentioned.

The storm from the north is close.

Perhaps he's already rendezvoused with the border guards he called for help, and taken refuge with them.

Ursus sentry outposts aren't sturdy enough to withstand a snowstorm this strong. This building will be completely crushed.

We might also want to...

Can we... wait just a bit longer? Mr. Ivan is a pretty experienced Messenger, and we've known each other a long time, so I don't think he'd be caught by a snowstorm like this.

If you insist. Just a bit longer.

I'll let the old tree know that we're safe.

The old tree... Simone, are you from around here?

It used to be my duty to protect this unchanging old tree.

It may have transcended death, but failed to be remembered.

And to think all this happened because of a moment of kind-heartedness.

We sow goodwill only to reap evil. This is how the land does things.

So, that's why there's a... witch roaming nearby.

Perhaps.

It's about time. We'll be trapped in here if we don't get moving.

What are you doing?

Finding a spot protected from the wind, to leave a mark for him.

I have to at least let him know I made it out safely.

Hmm... that should do it.

I'm leaving, Mr. Ivan.

Goodbye.

Let's go, Magallan.

Mhm.

The wind and snow seem so docile when I'm with you, Simone.

Just a little Arts I happen to know.

Hmm... That communicator on your shoulder... I feel like I've seen it somewhere before.

This? I bought it from the Ursus. It works quite well.

Do you need one?

I'm good. Columbian communicators are way easier to use than Ursus ones.

Ah... Simone?

Yes?

There's something... I need to apologize to you for. I hope you won't get angry.

I won't know until I hear it.

Erm, so earlier, at the sentry outpost, I got a little excited and took some samples from Mr. Tree.

Did you harm the old tree?

N-No, the thing is, I did intend to make a hole to collect a sample, but as soon as I touched it, it just dropped two pieces of bark.

So really, I didn't—

Bark?