"Rui, that looks like a village over there."
"Sure does look like one. Let's go take a closer look."
Rui and Julius were standing before a village built into the snowy mountainside. Julius had already dismissed both Saya and Serena from their summons.
"I'm exhausted. I really need to restore my mana now," Julius said, sounding weary.
"Haha, alright, no need to complain so much," Rui replied with a laugh.
The village was made of dark wood. Most of the people here looked like farmers, using the most basic fire magic spells to tend their crops.
Mostly, they seemed to be growing carrots and potatoes, and not much else.
The villagers looked just like regular humans, bundled up in warm clothes to shield themselves from the cold.
At that moment, Rui grabbed hold of an old man and asked,
"Hello, sir. I'd like to meet with the village chief."
The man turned to look at them, his face brightening with a smile.
"Oh, so you must be the adventurers who came to help us! Why not, of course—come along with me, I'll take you to the head chief."
Rui glanced at Julius in confusion. Julius leaned over and whispered,
"Did Vermillion tell them we were coming?"
Rui shook his head.
"No, I don't think Lord Vermillion IV would have done that. I think they're mistaking us for someone else. But since we needed to meet the village chief anyway, we might as well play along."
Julius let out a tired sigh.
"Haah… sure, sure. Let's go."
It was midday, though in this snowy land, it was hard to tell the time.
The two of them followed behind the villager.
The village sat quietly against the slope of a snow-covered mountain, not too large to feel overwhelming, but far from tiny. It was the kind of place where everyone likely knew each other by name, yet it bustled just enough to feel alive. Every building in sight was constructed from dark wood—thick logs weathered by years of wind and frost, giving the entire village a rustic and unified look. In contrast, the ground was paved with flat gray stones that crunched softly underfoot, some patches dusted with snow, others warmed slightly by residual fire magic used by the villagers.
At its heart, the village was home to hardworking farmers. Most of the residents could be seen tending to carrot and potato crops, using faint, flickering fire spells to melt away snow and warm the earth. Fields were lined in neat rows just beyond the last row of houses, their boundaries marked by low wooden fences.
But it wasn't just a farming village.
Blacksmiths worked in open-front forges, hammering away at glowing metal. Their flames danced behind iron grates, and their rhythmic strikes echoed through the valley. Shops lined the main stone path—general stores selling thick winter clothes, preserved meats, herbal teas, spell parchments, and tools used for both magic and agriculture. The scent of warm bread drifted from a small bakery tucked beside a lantern-lit alley, while a herbalist's stall displayed bundles of dried leaves and bottles filled with glowing liquids.
Despite the cold, the village gave off a warm, lived-in feeling—a place where survival came through community, effort, and magic. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, and the occasional laughter of children echoed through the narrow stone streets. It was a village that had endured, and clearly, it was still thriving.
Julius glanced around the village, taking in the busy streets and the warm glow from shop windows.
"Man, this village is hella prosperous."
The villager walking ahead laughed softly.
"Oh? That's what you think? Well, it wasn't always like this."
Julius nodded, his eyes still wandering.
"Yeah, we figured as much. Nothing big ever started out big."
The villager chuckled again.
"You're right about that. In fact, the one who built this village up—especially out here in such a remote place—was our village chief. Seven years ago, we struggled just to gather enough food for two meals a day. But now, even if two hundred people showed up, there'd still be enough to feed everyone."
Rui spoke up, sounding genuinely impressed.
"Your village chief must be very experienced."
The villager turned his head toward Rui with an amiable smile.
"Yes, you could say that."
Julius narrowed his eyes, scanning the streets again.
"But… there aren't any animals around."
"No, nothing can survive in this cold. And the ones that do are too wild to tame—it wouldn't be worth the effort."
Julius frowned thoughtfully.
"Then where do you get your dairy products?"
The villager answered without missing a beat.
"Every month, the chief arranges for enough dairy products to be brought here from Snowblue Town."
Julius and Rui exchanged a look and both broke into small, knowing smiles.
Just then, the villager pointed ahead.
"Well, here we are. This is the village chief's house."
Julius felt a flicker of disappointment. He'd been expecting something grand, maybe with tall pillars or ornate carvings—but the place looked no different from any other house. A sloped roof, plain wooden walls, simple windows, and a single wooden door.
The villager stepped up onto the three short wooden steps in front of the entrance and knocked firmly.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"Hello, village chief. Those adventurers have finally arrived."
The door swung open, and standing there was a surprisingly young man—long brown hair framing sharp, intelligent eyes set in fair skin. He was almost strikingly handsome. He wore a pale blue inner robe with long, flowing sleeves that brushed his wrists. Over it, he'd draped a thick red coat, warm and heavy, the colors bright against the drifting snow.
He studied them calmly, his tall frame—easily six feet—filling the doorway.
"Is there any problem?" he asked, voice cool and clear.
The villager bowed his head slightly.
"No, village chief. The thing is… they have arrived. The adventurers."
The young chief's expression barely shifted, though a flicker of confusion passed through his eyes.
"What are you talking about? The adventurers are already inside, sitting with me."
Julius and Rui turned to look at each other, their faces tightening with the same unspoken thought: We're so screwed.