Published: September 10, 2025
Satou here. A friend of mine from university once said that it’s always the genius who solves problems that ordinary people can’t solve even if they bet their lives on it.
But even if it’s the genius who takes that final step, I believe it’s the persistent effort of us ordinary folks that paves the way up to that step.
◇
“Wow, a snow country!”
“The snow is falling dogs and dogs!”
Arisa and Pochi, seeing snow for the first time like puppies, charged into the fresh snow.
We had arrived at Karisuok, a city-state where the central temple of God Karion is located.
Since we realized by the last trial that the "God's backdoor" suspicion was just overthinking, this time, all the members who seemed free came along.
The region where this city-state Karisuok lies feels like winter, and the "tower of the sage," which is also the city’s nickname, is hidden by the steady snowfall and can’t be seen from outside the city.
“Geez, Arisa. You’ll catch a cold.”
Lulu frowned, scolding Arisa and Pochi who were making human-shaped prints in the snow and laughing.
Upon hearing that, Miss Karina, who was about to jump into the fresh snow a little behind them, stopped awkwardly.
Well, if she had jumped in, the princess Sistina and Sera would likely have scolded her.
“Mia, I want a snow rabbit, please.”
“Okay, leave it to me.”
Nana scooped up fresh snow with both hands and asked Mia to make a snow rabbit statue.
“Warm and cozy~?”
Tama, sitting on my shoulders, wrapped her arms around my head, purring softly.
“Tama, get down. You’re bothering your Master.”
“Nooo~?”
“It’s fine.”
Liza scolded her, but when Tama looked sad and pleaded, I gave permission.
“Satou, is the king ancestor—Mito-sama not here?”
“Yes, she said she has something to do this morning, so I think she’ll join us this afternoon.”
I answered Princess Sistina, who was looking around.
When I invited Hikaru before leaving, she hadn’t been around.
“Mr. Satou, as instructed, I refused the welcoming carriage.”
“Thank you, Zena.”
Zena-san, who had gone ahead using fly lure magic to the city’s main gate, returned.
“Well then, let’s go once Sera arrives.”
I said that and admired the children playing in the snow.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“No, not that long.”
After a while, Sera, prepared and dressed, got off the airship.
She apparently hates the cold, so at first she was going out all bundled up, but I used my magic to perfectly control the temperature and had her change to lighter winter clothes.
When we were in the Kiwalk Kingdom of the Eastern Small Kingdoms, known as the Snow Kingdom, we didn’t use this magic to fully enjoy the snow, but since bulky clothes seemed hard to move in, I decided to use it this time.
“Well then, let’s go.”
I called out to everyone and headed toward the main gate visible beyond the snowy field.
◇
“Icicles~?”
“They somehow look delicious.”
“Ahaha, want to try them later with some strawberry syrup?”
“Hmm, blue Hawaii.”
The children reached out laughing at the icicles hanging from windows and roofs of houses.
Mia seems to like blue.
“Still, it’s so pure white.”
“This is called a snow makeup.”
Princess Sistina answered Miss Karina.
“It seems there are no street stalls or markets this season either.”
“But it looks like there are more shops.”
Since the doors and windows are small, it looks like a residential house, but signs with pictures of taverns and dining halls hang at the entrances.
There seem to be more rental bookstores than in other countries—maybe because this is at the foot of the tower of the sage?
“Is that the central temple?”
“The holy seal of God Karion is engraved on the front wall, so it must be.”
Answering Zena-san’s question, Sera spoke.
The Karion Central Temple looks like a building inspired by ice.
In reality, it’s not made of real ice but built with materials made of crystal reinforced by earth magic.
“Sparkly~?”
“It’s transparent!”
“It’s a building made of ice!”