act30side

It was more than twenty years ago.

I remember that winter was so much colder than in previous years. The snow never stopped, and the wind was almost strong enough to blow you away.

The weather was so bad no one would willingly go outdoors.

Everyone stayed inside with their furnaces lit from day to night. There was always tea heating atop the stove for convenient pick-me-ups.

The burdenbeast sheds were specially reinforced before winter came, and the beasts huddled together, hibernating in groups.

Time seemed to slow down in Kjerag that year. Every passing day felt like a slog to go through, and yet the subsequent days would bring the same wind and snow.

I was still young then, and I just couldn't bear to live that way anymore. I snuck out with a few men in tow that day, with a plan to hunt in the mountains.

But the snow overwhelmed us, and there wasn't a single target to be found. I got separated from the others halfway, and could only continue ascending the mountain with all the effort I could barely muster.

And then, it was here...

I met Tatyana on this very spot.

Gah, what lousy weather today!

Don't even have a single strand of meatbeast hair on my hands, Dad's going to call me a...

Huh?

What's that noise...?

Huh! Who's there?!

Enough with your tricks! Come out and face me if you have the guts to—

Yowch!

As if responding to Arctosz's words, a snowball falls from a tree branch up high and hits his head.

A clear female voice rings from above.

Hahaha, right on target.

Hey, I'm over here.

Why didn't you hide, you big dummy?

Y-You..!

Me? What about me?

You're a funny guy. Did you think you'd be able to hunt in weather this bad?

Young man, I'll give you some advice on account of your handsome face.

You should hurry home.

Arctosz raises his head.

The snow and wind gradually subside, and bright rays pierce through the entwined branches of the trees before him, casting fragmented shadows on his face.

A vaguely female figure seems to pop up from a patch of soft snow.

Snowflakes scatter all around as she moves. The young Tatyana smiles as she looks down to meet the young man's gaze below.

Arctosz suddenly feels his eyes go dry.

The snowy white he is so used to is suddenly so dazzling.

The sunlight was so, so bright that day.

Saintess, please have a look!

The main body of Kjeragandr's statue was built by us Browntails. It stands about thirty meters tall, and the adamant materials we used ensure no risk of damage for the next century at the very least.

Hundreds of devotees volunteered to work together with professional craftsmen to carve out the statue's form you see today, so it's surely the most accurate reconstruction of Kjeragandr there is!

Although everyone was arguing about whether Kjeragandr should be humanoid or not... that boorish Arctosz even nearly got into a fight over it...

But I guarantee you, from today onwards, this statue will be the most eye-catching attraction in Kjerag!

Mhm. Thank you for all the hard work.

*cough* This statue... is the best symbol Kjerag can show to the outside world, and it couldn't have happened without everyone's efforts.

Kjeragandr will certainly be pleased as well.

Especially with you and your sister, Madam Sciurus.

I've heard the both of you spent a lot of effort on the construction, and practically stayed on-site until it was completed. It must have been difficult.

Hmm, hm-hmm...

It wasn't much. Just doing our jobs.

Besides, it's much easier than being forced to study...

Study?

No, no, nothing.

*cough* Well then, Great Saintess. Allow me to give you a tour?

Please follow me!

Saintess, preparations for tomorrow are complete. You should return to Mount Karlan.

You're nagging me again, Kjarr.

It's rare I get to leave the mountain, so let me stay for a bit longer.

Or are you trying to advise the Saintess on how she should act, just as the Elders do, Kjarr?

I won't ramble away like they do.

Your gravitas only continues to increase, and there is no one to stop you from descending Karlan anymore.

Yesterday you came down to meet Enciodes personally. If this happened in the past, the Elders would have already raised a swift objection.

They merely fear that I, the Saintess, will have my personal inclinations.

But it is precisely because there is no one controlling me that I cannot hold any bias... and I won't have any personal biases either.

Whether the people here or in the eyes of others, I must represent the whole of Kjerag as Saintess, and not any specific faction or clan.

Saintess...

Even though Enciodes and I don't actually have conflicting opinions on many matters and can agree on many issues regarding Kjerag...

It doesn't mean we can be as close as we were, let alone treat each other as siblings.

I can't do that, and neither can he.

It also... includes my own emotions, but it is not just about that.

So I thank you for preparing our meal yesterday, Kjarr.

But you need not do that again.

Enya...

Is it really alright to continue like this, Enya?

Even though you're representing Kjerag now, there are still many who only know of Karlan Trade. Clan Silverash has already started to dip their fingers in every facet of the country, and will only grow stronger in the future.

I have some thoughts on that.

What's important right now is to develop Kjerag as fast as we can. Some matters are just unavoidable, or things I let slide.

We still need entities like Karlan Trade after all.

Besides, I'm fine with Enciodes keeping himself there for the time being...

But won't it be dangerous to continue like that?

That's why I have my own plans.

Oh, you mean the new school you've been in charge of the past few years? And the reforms over at the Vine-Bead Court?

Hehe.

It's fortunate I realized we have so many wise people here.

Compared to a Kjerag with the voice of a sole Saintess or a single Clan Silverash, wouldn't it be better to have a Kjerag with a myriad of voices of Kjeragandr's people?

It's the same as prayer. Didn't you say that making your wishes out loud instead of keeping them in your heart would let Kjeragandr hear them in earnest?

I hope more people will get the chance to voice their hopes for Kjerag.

This is what I wish for, my prayer to Kjeragandr.

Well... that's a good wish indeed.

It will certainly reach Kjeragandr.

That's great to hear.

Will you help me, Kjarr?

Of course. Didn't we agree as much already?

I'm your maid after all.

Thank you, Kjarr.

If you really want to thank me, why not...

...Huh?

Oh dear, they're headed this way.

Kjarr?

Is someone headed our way?

Yes, with an aggressive aura to boot.

They're fast... they're heading straight here, hm... it feels like a fight is about to erupt.

Will there be any issues if that happens near the statue?

Who knows.