ā Everything is just like back then, huhā¦
We were carefully climbing the stairs to avoid slipping on the snow.
There are melted candles placed in stone lanterns in the middle of the stairs.
āDescendants of Oniāā¦
Oni exist in fantasy tales in my world, but are they really related to the ones here?
ā Are you from here, master?
ā No, I come from much farther away. Somewhere even the Grandmasterās magic canāt reach. But thatās a secret. Can you keep secrets?
ā I can! Itāll be our secret!
The more we climb, the colder it gets. Our breath is almost purely white now.
Mikeās ears twitched. She immediately transformed into wolf form.
ā Whatās wrong? Did you sense somebody?
ā ā¦Whyā¦ This Placeā¦
From their perspective, two strangers wandered into their territory without prior notice, and one of them just turned into a powerful hostile beast.
ā Mike, donāt do anything unless I tell you to.
ā Sorry for the intrusion! Can someone come out so we can talk this out?
No responseā¦ But I know theyāre there.
ā Weāre sorry for barging in. We have no intentions of inciting hostility. We just came here to look for someone.
Again, my only response was the sound of our breathing. I donāt want to force my way through, these people might know Akane.
ā If thatās not possible, could we at least send a letter? Weāre trying to reach Akane-
At those words, two men dressed in black appeared from out of the fog.
Their skin looked almost human, but they had blue and yellow tinges respectively.
ā How would someone like you be acquaintanced with her? (Blue Man)
The blue-skinned man was ready to draw his sword at any moment even while talking.
ā Weāre both disciples of the Sage of the Forest.
ā We are well aware of the Sage, as well as the fact that she was taken under her care. However, we are unbeknownst to your existence. (Yellow Man)
ā Iām sure we can ask her once we see her. Weāve been together for some time already. If only you could allow-
ā By no means. Your position is irrelevant. Without the chiefās permission, you wonāt go any further than this. Turn around and go back.
Iām running out of options.
Grosbeak isnāt here so it would take a whole week before Ever arrives.
ā What if I donāt want to?
The cold tip of a knife was pressed against my throat.