Chapter 1: Welcome to Snowria

At Celica’s commanding call, Glenn and the others were set to embark on a trip during the autumn break.

The next day, dragged along by an unusually high-spirited Celica, who had been buzzing with energy since her return, Glenn and the three girls hurriedly departed from Fejite.

According to Celica, their destination was Snowria.

Snowria was one of the remote, minor regions within the Alzano Empire, also known as the Northern Mountain Region.

The scholarly city of Fejite was located in the Yorkshire Region. To its north lay the Iteria Region, home to the imperial capital, Orlando. Northwest of Iteria was Lilitania, the Lake District, where Re=L and the others had briefly studied at St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy.

The aforementioned Snowria was situated northeast of Iteria, east of Lilitania. Over eighty percent of its territory was occupied by the Silvasno Mountain Range, often called the Eternal Snow Mountains, and its basins, forming a high-altitude mountainous zone.

To the north of Snowria lay the vast icy sea known as the Northern Sea. Beyond that, at the northernmost edge of the world map, was the uncharted territory called the Great White Icefield. Due to the ley lines, the Silvasno Mountain Range bore the brunt of the extreme cold air masses surging from that region.

Thus, while the areas south of Snowria enjoyed a mild “oceanic temperate climate zone,” Snowria itself was classified as a “mountainous icy tundra climate zone,” blanketed in snow and ice year-round.

In short…

“…It’s cold. Hopelessly so.”

Gazing absently at the scenery outside the train window, Glenn muttered with clear displeasure.

He was currently seated in a private compartment on a railway train heading from the imperial capital to Snowria.

The compartment had two long seats facing each other. From Glenn’s perspective, seated by the window on the right side in the direction of the train’s travel, Rumia sat directly across from him, Sistine to his left, and Re=L diagonally opposite, forming their seating arrangement.

A few days ago, they had hurriedly prepared for the trip and left Fejite by stagecoach.

Just a few hours prior, without a moment to catch their breath, they had switched to a steam-powered railway train in the imperial capital.

The train carrying Glenn and the others chugged along powerfully, puffing clouds of steam. Beyond the carriage windows flowed an endless vista of serene, majestic plains and rolling hills.

Yet, as Glenn observed the distant mountain range, its peaks gradually cloaked in thicker snow, he was already growing weary of this journey.

“It’s definitely gonna be freezing. Why the hell do we have to go to such a cold place?”

“Ugh, you’ve been grumbling nonstop.”

Sistine, exasperated by Glenn’s constant complaints, pouted in protest.

“This was Professor Arfonia’s decision, wasn’t it? Just accept it already!”

“No way! No, no, no, nooo! I hate the cold! I hate the heat too, but still!”

“Ugh, you’re such a child…”

As Glenn clutched his head and threw a tantrum, Sistine let out a weary sigh.

“Haha… but being rocked by the train like this brings back memories. Like that time we all went to St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy for the short-term study abroad.”

Rumia giggled softly, reminiscing.

“You’re right… We met Francine and Colette on a train just like this, didn’t we?”

I wonder how those girls are doing now?

Sistine mused absently, her gaze drifting into the distance.

“By the way, Sistie, isn’t it strange? Why Snowria? Like Sensei said, it’s such a cold place.”

Rumia shifted the topic, her tone curious.

At her words, Sistine’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Huh? Rumia, you don’t know? Snowria’s… well, our destination this time, White Town, has become a famous tourist spot in the empire in recent years.”

“Really?”

“Yup. Sure, a while back, it was just a remote, insular backwater town, hardly a place for tourism.”

Sistine began explaining proudly to a puzzled Rumia.

“But recently, they’ve laid down railway tracks and centered tourism around the local tradition, the ‘Silver Dragon Festival.’ They’ve got snow mountain tours, snow sculpture contests, ski slopes, skating rinks, and all sorts of events and facilities. It’s become a bit of a renowned spot in the empire, even drawing attention from neighboring countries.”

“Wow… I had no idea.”

“Yeah. And right now is the perfect time for the ‘Silver Dragon Festival.’ So, choosing Snowria for our autumn break trip is actually a great idea, I think.”

At the mention of a festival, Re=L’s interest seemed piqued, and she tilted her head curiously.

“Hey, Rumia, Sistine… There’s a festival?”

“Yes, that’s right. They put on quite a grand show for the tourists this time of year.”

“Oh. Will there be… strawberry tart stalls?”

“Uh, um… Maybe… there will be?”

“Good. I’m looking forward to it.”

Re=L’s usual sleepy, expressionless face carried a hint of satisfaction.

“I’m curious about Snowria’s traditional event, the ‘Silver Dragon Festival.’ I did a bit of research before we left, and there are some archaeologically fascinating anecdotes…”

Just as Sistine was about to launch into her usual archaeology enthusiast spiel—

“Noooo! I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna, I wanna go hooome!”

Glenn clutched his head again, throwing another tantrum and cutting Sistine off mid-sentence.

“Ugh! You’re as loud as ever! We’re actually really looking forward to this trip, you know!? Your attitude is totally ruining the mood!”

“But, come on… Snowria sounds insanely cold, doesn’t it? Sure, you guys with your blessed mana capacities can spam climate-control magic all you want, but me…”

While Sistine and the others were brimming with excitement, Glenn’s mood was plummeting by the second.

“Haa… Why don’t you ask Professor Arfonia for some cold-weather countermeasures, then?”

Sistine dropped her shoulders in exasperation, suggesting this with a deadpan stare.

“Oh, that’s a brilliant idea! Time to rely on my lifelong revered mentor, the world-renowned Seventh Rank—Septende herself, for some help! Hahaha! Snowria’s gonna be awesome! This trip’s gonna make some epic memories!”

In an instant, Glenn’s eyes lit up, and he sprang to his feet.

Sistine let out a deep sigh, while Rumia stifled a chuckle.

“By the way, where’s Celica? I haven’t seen her in a while.”

“Oh, the professor said she was going to the lounge car. Something about wanting tea.”

“The lounge car? Geez, always so pretentious… Whatever.”

Glenn slid open the compartment door and stepped out into the corridor.

“I’m gonna go find Celica. White Cat, you’re in charge.”

With that, Glenn slowly made his way down the swaying train corridor.

After passing through several cars, Glenn arrived at the lounge car.

The lounge car was essentially a café within the train, a refined social space for gentlemen and ladies. It was exactly the kind of place a tea-loving, worldly Celica would adore.

The interior was elegantly decorated with chic, polished furnishings, and mahogany tables were fixed to the floor in neat rows. Perhaps due to the time of day, there were few passengers.

At the far end was a counter where a middle-aged barista was polishing cups.

“Alright… Where’s Celica…?”

Glenn wove slowly between the tables.

Soon enough, a familiar figure caught his eye.

“There she is…”

At the very back of the lounge car, in the farthest corner, Celica sat at a table with her back to Glenn.

Upon closer inspection, her body and head were leaning against the nearby window.

From the slight rise and fall of her shoulders, it was clear she was asleep.

“Geez, just as I thought. She’s gotta be exhausted from the long trip.”

Seeing Celica like this, Glenn sighed.

It wasn’t surprising. During the “Fejite’s Worst Three Days,” Celica had wielded highly advanced magic. After the battle ended, she spent the next few days tirelessly traveling across the empire to gather evidence of Maxim’s corruption, barely returning to Fejite. She’d been on the road for nearly a month, so it was only natural she’d be worn out. Dozing off was hardly unexpected.

“Man, to think she could suggest a trip right after all that. Don’t overdo it, you old hag…”

Noticing that the stole draped over Celica’s shoulders was slipping, Glenn approached to adjust it for her.

…And then.

“Hm?”

As Glenn drew closer, he realized something was off about Celica.

She was slumped against the window, her face unnaturally pale, her forehead beaded with sweat.

“…Ugh… Nn… Ah…”

She twitched occasionally, as if in pain, seemingly caught in a nightmare.

She looked utterly miserable.

“Hey, Celica!? What’s wrong!?”

Unable to hold back, Glenn raised his voice, grabbed her shoulders, and shook her.

“…!?”

Celica’s body jolted, and her vivid crimson eyes snapped open.

“W-Where am I…?”

She glanced around frantically.

Eventually, she noticed Glenn’s hands on her shoulders and looked up at him, her expression softening with relief as she exhaled.

“…Oh, it’s you. Don’t scare me like that.”

Celica flashed a radiant smile, her usual bewitching beauty reminiscent of a rose hiding its thorns.

The pained expression from moments ago seemed like a lie.

“Hey, you okay? You looked like you were feeling really awful.”

Glenn moved to the seat across from her, plopping down heavily.

On the table between them was a tea set, likely ordered by Celica, and a teacup filled with tea.

The crimson liquid in the half-full cup no longer steamed, clearly gone cold. For Celica, who valued drinking tea at the perfect temperature, this was unusual.

“…It’s not red… Of course…”

Celica, ignoring the cold teacup, kept glancing at her hands for some reason.

“…What’s up? Something on your hands?”

“No… It’s nothing, nothing at all…”

When Glenn cast a suspicious glance, Celica stopped fidgeting with her hands, propped both elbows on the table, and rested her delicate chin on her clasped hands.

Then, with a mischievous upward glance, she fixed her eyes on Glenn.

“Just had a bad dream, that’s all…”

Her expression was as poised and aristocratic as ever, exuding confidence.

“Geez, you’re definitely out of it from all that traveling, aren’t you?”

Glenn muttered in exasperation, turning away.

“If you’re not feeling well… maybe we should cancel the trip and head back…”

“Oh? Worried about me? You’re such a sweet kid.”

Celica, never one to miss a chance to tease, pounced on the opportunity.

“Tch, that’s not it, you idiot! I just don’t wanna go!”

Glenn hurriedly protested, but Celica only chuckled softly.

“Man, you’re throwing me off…”

“Haha, just kidding. Don’t worry.”

Celica smirked, thoroughly enjoying Glenn’s sulky expression.

Then, she spoke again.

“Hey, Glenn.”

“What?”

“This trip… I hope it becomes a lifelong memory for you and me.”

The embarrassingly earnest words made Glenn’s cheeks flush instantly.

“H-Huh!? What’s with you? Spouting corny stuff out of nowhere! Did you eat something bad?”

“Who knows?”

Her mischievous eyes locked onto Glenn’s flustered face, as unreadable as ever, leaving her true intentions a mystery.

Was she joking? Teasing? Or perhaps—

“Anyway, Glenn. For now, I’d love to have a rare one-on-one tea time with you… Is that alright?”

“Yare yare… Fine, do what you want. I’ll humor you.”

“…Heh.”

Despite Glenn’s grumpy tone, Celica beamed with genuine delight.

She ordered a fresh tea set, and their first tea time together in nearly a month began—

The train carrying Glenn and the others continued its steady journey.

Crossing grasslands, climbing hills, and traversing passes.

The scenery outside the windows shifted endlessly as the train chugged northeast, day and night.

Eventually, towering mountains loomed ahead, and the train plunged into a railway tunnel carved into their foothills.

Inside the dark tunnel, the train’s interior became a dim, fragile space lit only by faint lamps struggling against the darkness.

The windows were swallowed by an inky blackness so dense it felt as though the train were plummeting into an abyss, disorienting anyone who peered out.

At regular intervals, tunnel lights flashed past, streaking lines across the dark canvas of the windows, faintly dispelling the unease and disorientation.

Clunk, clunk. The heavy rhythm of the wheels hitting the rail joints pounded in their ears.

Occasionally, the train’s whistle echoed like a mountain echo, distorting their sense of direction.

…

How long did the train travel through that darkness?

Then, without warning…

The windows, once cloaked in solid black, flipped to pure white.

The train had finally emerged from the tunnel.

A torrent of silvery light flooded through the windows, transforming the world in an instant.

Eyes accustomed to the dark were dazzled by the blinding white, forcing them to squint.

As their vision adjusted, the world outside came into focus—

A shimmering silver landscape stretched endlessly before them.

Vast grasslands, distant hills, far-off mountain ranges, dense groves, and forests.

Everything was adorned in pristine, pure white snow.

A flawless, unblemished snowscape, untouched by footprints, evoking the purity of a maiden.

Even now, snowflakes drifted down like delicate petals, gently blanketing the world in radiant white.

Thick clouds covered the sky, but a single, vivid ray of sunlight pierced through a gap, a miracle-like beam.

The falling snow crystals scattered the light, glinting coldly as if ablaze.

In a word: breathtaking. A scene that felt otherworldly.

A frozen silver masterpiece filled the canvas of the train’s windows—

“Wow! Amazing, amazing!”

Sistine, eyes sparkling, leapt from her seat and leaned over Glenn’s lap to press herself against the window, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

Her breath fogged the glass, adding another layer of white.

“I didn’t know snow could pile up like this…”

Rumia, wide-eyed, gazed at the scenery outside.

“So white. Like sugar.”

Even Re=L blinked in awe, overwhelmed.

“Damn it, sun, get it together… Heat up already… Melt this snow…”

Only Glenn stared out with clear disdain, brushing Sistine’s silver hair—dangling in his face like the snow outside—with annoyance.

“Looks like we’ve entered the Snowria region.”

Celica, who had been reading a book in the corner of the compartment, closed it and spoke.

“We’re almost at our destination, White Town. Get ready to disembark. The train’s warm thanks to the coal stove, but it’s cold outside.”

“Yes! I had no idea this place was so beautiful! I’m getting so excited!”

“Yeah, this trip’s starting to feel like it’ll be a lot of fun!”

“Mm.”

“Ugh, what a pain! Such a pain! I wanna go home!”

Each with their own thoughts, the group rode on as the train raced across the snowy plains toward their destination.

At last, the train arrived at White Town, the tourist destination, and came to a stop.

White Town was currently the most developed city in Snowria.

Nestled in a basin surrounded by valleys, mountains, and an icy lake, it was the only city in Snowria with a railway station, making it the region’s central hub.

The group disembarked and passed through the station’s ticket gate to the plaza in front.

Instantly, they were greeted by White Town’s cityscape and a biting chill that stung their skin.

“Wow! So this is White Town!? It’s wonderful!”

Bundled in a thick fur coat, snow boots, gloves, and a scarf, Sistine was fully equipped for the cold. Unfazed by the piercing, crisp chill, she spun around with arms outstretched, exhaling white puffs of breath.

The buildings were made of brick, with sharper triangular roofs than those in the imperial capital, large chimneys, and arched lattice windows, all uniformly dusted with snow.

As the town was situated in a mountainous basin, the buildings followed the terrain’s contours, giving the city a three-dimensional, layered appearance.

Coniferous trees, their triangular forms adorned with fluffy white snow, dotted the plaza and streets, creating a starkly different aesthetic from Fejite or the imperial capital.

In the distance, snow-capped mountains encircled the town, their imposing grandeur almost overwhelming, yet their frozen white peaks transcended awe, radiating beauty.

The rumored ‘Silver Dragon Festival’ was likely approaching. The plaza and the main street were lined with colorful stalls, and snowmen dressed in festive garb stood as if dancing.

At eaves, signs, storefronts, and all across the town, candles in orange, red, blue, green, and more burned brightly. Their flickering light pierced the thin veil of dusk enveloping the town, illuminating the gently falling snow in a rainbow of colors, creating a fantastical atmosphere.

And people, people, people… The town buzzed with throngs of tourists, brimming with lively anticipation. The promise of joyful days ahead set hearts racing—an enchanting cityscape.

“Look, look! There’s a street performer over there! That looks fun!”

“Mmm… Where’s the strawberry tart stall…?”

“There’s a lot to see in Snowria this time of year. This trip’s gonna be great.”

Like Sistine, Rumia, Re=L, and Celica were dressed warmly and had enchanted their gear with climate-control magic, rendering the biting cold irrelevant.

The group surrendered to the town’s festive atmosphere, letting it sweep them away—

“S-so cooooold!?”

—Except for Glenn, that is.

“Freezing!? What the heck is this, are you kidding me!? It’s way too cold!?”

Sistine and the others turned to look at Glenn.

There stood Glenn, clad only in his usual dress shirt and slacks, with the instructor’s robe from the magic academy thrown over them—a getup that utterly mocked the frigid climate. He hugged himself, shivering uncontrollably, his lips and face already pale blue.

“Damn it, I underestimated Snowria’s cold! I’m gonna die! I could totally die here! Oi, Celica, it’s not working!? It’s piercing through! The cold’s piercing right through your climate control magic!?”

While drawing the attention of nearby tourists, Glenn wailed pathetically.

“…Sensei. Let me be blunt. Are you an idiot? That outfit?”

Sistine shot Glenn a cold, exasperated look as she spoke.

“You’re well aware, aren’t you, Sensei, that even the [Air Conditioning] spell, which regulates temperature and humidity around you, has its limits? So why on earth are you dressed so lightly…?”

“Shut up! My house got blown to bits, remember!? You think I’ve got the cash to own fancy cold-weather gear or buy any now!?”

Glenn was already on the verge of tears.

“Pfft… Haha, my bad, my bad. Even that spell’s effect is pretty weak with such a flimsy outfit, huh?”

Celica chuckled, trying to soothe Glenn’s distress.

“Oh well, I’ll buy you some proper cold-weather gear later. And I’ll enchant it with something even stronger.”

“Forget that, Master-sama. I just wanna go home already…”

“Come on, let’s go. First, we’ll check into the hotel we booked!”

Ignoring Glenn’s complaints entirely, Celica linked her arm with his, pulling him close and dragging him along.

The sight made them look almost like a married couple or lovers.

“H-hey!? Stop clinging to me!?”

Glenn was helplessly dragged along, unable to resist.

“Wha…”

Sistine and Rumia stared after the two, dumbfounded.

“…Something about Professor Arfonia this time…”

“She’s acting, like, weirdly aggressive… or, like, sticking to Sensei even more than usual… What’s up with her, haha…?”

The two couldn’t shake a faint unease at Celica’s inexplicable onslaught.

And so, Glenn and the others walked together down Snowria’s main street.

Soon, beyond a cluster of buildings, a grand hotel came into view.

That hotel—Château Snowria—was a top-tier establishment built on a hill.

As its name suggested, it boasted a majestic, castle-like appearance, catering specifically to the wealthiest tourists visiting Snowria. In short, it was a prestigious facility far too lofty for a low-paid, small-time magic instructor like Glenn to even dream of staying at.

Constructed with heavy brickwork in a palatial style, adorned with countless spires piercing the sky, all beautifully dusted with snow, it was truly fitting to be called a snowbound castle.

“…Huh? For real? We’re actually staying there? No way, right? I-I mean… for a lowly commoner like me to stay in a place meant for such noble folks…?”

Faced with the overwhelmingly grand hotel, the small-minded Glenn shrank back completely.

“Wow… Even I’ve never stayed in such an incredible place before…”

Though far more accustomed to high-class establishments than Glenn, Sistine couldn’t hide her nervousness.

“Um… Professor Arfonia? Are you sure it’s okay for us to join you? The three of us kind of barged in, so we could stay at another place…”

As expected of a former princess, Rumia showed no signs of being fazed…

“Muu, but Rumia, I wanna stay with everyone.”

And Re=L, who could sleep anywhere, was her usual self.

“Hahaha, don’t worry about it! I’m covering all your travel expenses this time.”

Celica laughed heartily at the apologetic Sistine and Rumia.

“Let’s be real, for this trip to be fun for this guy, you three are absolutely essential, right? So, it’s a necessary expense. No need to hold back.”

Wrapping an arm around Glenn’s neck and pulling him close, Celica grinned mischievously.

“Hey, let go! I said stop clinging to me!?”

“Uh, well…”

“Th-thank you, Professor Arfonia…”

Sistine and Rumia thanked her, their feelings a tangled mix of gratitude and complexity.

Somehow, in every sense, they felt utterly outmatched by Celica.

As the group bantered, Château Snowria drew closer.

But as they approached the hotel, Glenn noticed an odd atmosphere.

“…What’s that?”

The closer they got, the more the lively, cheerful air that had filled the area earlier faded, replaced by a tense, taut atmosphere.

The number of Snowria guards patrolling the area with stern expressions visibly increased.

“…What’s going on?”

Sensing the unusual mood, Sistine scanned their surroundings with suspicion.

“…”

Even Re=L, usually sleepy and expressionless, narrowed her eyes slightly, her wariness sharpening.

“Hey, you guys! Hurry up, or I’ll leave you behind~!”

Only Celica, leading the way, remained blissfully carefree.

And then, when the group reached the plaza in front of Château Snowria’s entrance, the source of the strange tension became clear.

“This hotel is now under the control of our《Silver Dragon Cult (S.D.K)》!”

A booming voice echoed across the area, reverberating like a mountain echo.

The plaza was filled with dozens of bizarre figures, all draped in white robes, their faces concealed by triangular white hoods with only eyeholes, forming a large group that had taken over the space.

“This land of Snowria is a sacred sanctuary protected by our revered Silver Dragon!”

“For outsiders like you to set foot here and indulge in debauchery is utterly unforgivable!”

“Outsiders, leave this land at once! Cancel the false ‘Silver Dragon Festival’ immediately!”

“Those who uphold this deceitful Silver Dragon Festival shall face the dragon’s wrath!”

““““S.D.K! S.D.K!””””

““““S.D.K! S.D.K!””””

““““Oooooooohhhhhhhhhhh!””””

Holding up placards and signs reading “Outsiders, begone,” “Long live the Silver Dragon,” and “The hammer of justice upon the faithless,” the hooded fanatics shouted in unison, their fervor rising.

Barricades had been erected around the plaza, with Snowria’s guards encircling the hotel, locked in a tense standoff with the hooded fanatics, the situation teetering on the edge of chaos.

“W-what’s this?”

Sistine froze, her cheeks twitching at the surreal scene, completely out of place in front of the luxurious hotel.

“The《Silver Dragon Cult (S.D.K)》… Who’d have thought they’d show up at a time like this?”

Glenn sighed, exasperated.

“The《Silver Dragon Cult (S.D.K)》… What are they?”

“The Silver Dragon Cult (S.D.K). A religious secret society formed by folks who’ve taken the local Silver Dragon worship of Snowria to an extreme.”

“!”

The Silver Dragon—a term that rang a bell for Sistine.

“Well, they’re not as malicious as the Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom or anything. That’s why I never would’ve guessed they had the guts or power to pull off something this bold.”

“Why would a group like that suddenly do something so extreme…?”

“Who knows? Ask them. …Though I’ve got a rough guess.”

Brushing off the question, Glenn left Sistine to gaze uneasily at the cult members and Snowria guards glaring at each other across the barricades from a distance.

The surrounding tourists watched the unfolding commotion with bated breath.

From what Sistine could piece together, many staff and guests were still trapped inside the hotel, confined to their rooms. The《Silver Dragon Cult (S.D.K)》refused to release them unless the Silver Dragon Festival was canceled and all tourists left the city.

The cult had a sizable number of members involved in the hotel takeover, and it seemed the Snowria guards were struggling to subdue them.

“Tch, what were the central military and public security forces doing? Even if they’re small-time, groups like this—shady, unofficial nonprofits—should’ve been under constant surveillance, right?”

“This… looks like it’s going to drag on…”

“Yeah, exactly! This is a bust! The festival’s canceled! This trip’s over before it even started!”

Glenn threw up his hands, flashing a thumbs-up and a wide grin.

“No helping it now! Let’s just do what they want, get outta this freezing hellhole, and head home! Man, what a shame! I was really looking forward to this trip, too!”

“Hold on, Sensei!? You’re just going to ignore all this!?”

“What else can I do? This is the guards’ job, isn’t it? If outsiders like us butt in, it’ll just make things messier, right?”

“W-well, that’s true, but…”

“Besides, the《Silver Dragon Cult (S.D.K)》isn’t exactly a terrorist group. They’re more like overly zealous, annoying activist types. They’re not some evil force we absolutely have to crush or anything.”

“…Muu.”

Sistine pouted, clearly unconvinced.

Indeed, as Glenn said, the cult members were just chanting slogans and manning barricades—nothing more. They were likely more activists than terrorists, as he’d pointed out.

“Bring out the mayor! Let us present our demands directly to the mayor!”

“Cancel the false Silver Dragon Festival now!”

““““That’s right, that’s right!””””

The atmosphere was volatile, but it didn’t seem immediately dire.

“Ha… So we really have to cancel the trip and go home just because they say so?”

Sistine sighed, disappointed.

The surrounding tourists, too, seemed to be bracing for the festival’s cancellation, looking regretful.

“Alright then, time to get those return tickets sorted. Oi, Celica!”

Glenn turned to Celica, practically beaming.

“…Huh? Celica?”

But Celica, who’d been right there moments ago, was nowhere to be seen.

“What? Where’d she go?”

As Glenn looked around for her, a voice called out.

“Oi, Glenn! What’re you doing? Hurry up already~!”

“Geh!?”

Looking toward the voice, Glenn saw Celica crossing the rope barrier set up to keep onlookers at bay, striding toward the hotel lobby.

“Hey, what are you—!?”

“Hey, you there, woman!”

Before Glenn could stop her, guards swarmed around Celica.

“You can’t do that! Don’t you see that group!?”

“It’s dangerous here! Come on, get back!”

The guards tried to forcibly drag Celica back beyond the rope barrier, but…

Snap.

Boom!

““““Gyaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!””””

Suddenly, a massive explosion erupted around Celica, sending over a dozen guards flying in all directions. Every single one passed out, collapsing onto the snowy ground.

Naturally, it was the work of a spell Celica had triggered with a single snap of her fingers.

“Celicaaaa!? What the hell are you doing!?”

“Ahh, Professor Arfonia!?”

Glenn and Sistine screamed, their eyes practically popping out of their heads.

“Oi, Glenn, let’s check into the hotel already. I’m kinda tired and wanna put my stuff down, y’know?”

Celica turned back with a blatantly innocent look, as if to say, Did I do something?

Then—

“Hey, you! What did you just do!?”

A man who seemed to be the guard captain rushed toward Celica, his face flushed with anger.

“That explosion just now—it was magic, wasn’t it!? You’re a mage, aren’t you!? You used magic!”

“Huh? No way, magic? Come on, did you hear anyone chanting a spell?”

Celica smirked, playing dumb, leaving the captain at a loss for words.

“B-but, still…! You snapped your fingers, and then…!”

“You’re a guard, so you know, right? Performing magic with just a snap of the fingers, without verbal spellcasting… that’s a godly feat only someone like the infamous great witch Celica Arfonia could pull off, right? Right?”

“W-well, when you put it that way…!”

“What are you even saying!?”

Glenn clutched his head, howling at the sky.

“That explosion was probably just some prank landmine someone set up. The guards were unlucky enough to step on it. Poor things. Anyway, I’ll be going now…”

With that, Celica began strolling calmly toward the hotel’s main entrance, beyond the barricades—

“I said no! Stop! You can’t go that way!”

Snapping back to his senses, the captain grabbed Celica’s shoulder to hold her back.

“Don’t you see that group!? The hotel is completely sealed off right now!”

“Oh, I don’t mind.”

“We mind! What if you get hurt!? You’re a young, beautiful woman! If those people capture you, you could face even worse—!”

“Sounds fun.”

“Whaaaat!? You’re okay with that!?”

It was as if the guards and the Silver Dragon Cult didn’t even register in Celica’s mind, caught up as she was in her vacation excitement.

The conversation went nowhere, and the captain, tearing at his hair, shouted at Celica, who remained unfazed and aloof.

“Listen! Right now, negotiations are underway between those people, our higher-ups, and the city council! We’ll likely agree to cancel the Silver Dragon Festival soon! I’m sorry for you tourists, but you need to leave this city as soon as possible! We can’t afford any more trouble right now—!”

That’s when it happened.

“…Huh? Cancel? Leave?”

A chill ran through the air.

The moment Celica repeated those words, the already subzero temperature seemed to plummet further.

“So… what? No matter what, you people are going to ruin my fun, fun trip with Glenn… Is that it? Unforgivable, you know? Hmm?”

Her cold, bloodshot irises gleamed like the eyes of a reaper.

“Eek!? S-someone, stop this woman!”

Overwhelmed by Celica’s oppressive aura, the captain barked orders to his subordinates.

“Uwooooohhh!”

“Seize her!”

A squad of guards, with desperate resolve, formed a tight phalanx and charged at Celica like a tidal wave to apprehend her—

Boom!

““““Fugyaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!?””””

The scene was a repeat of before.

With a single snap of Celica’s fingers, the pitiful captain and all the guards were knocked out, sent flying through the air, and landed headfirst in the thick snow, their rear ends comically exposed.

“Seriously?”

Glenn stared at the scene, mouth agape.

“Alright, check-in time♪”

Completely unbothered, Celica strolled toward the entrance with her luggage in hand.

Naturally, towering barricades blocked her path…

“What’s that? Who’re you?”

“Hey, woman… Can’t you see this barricade?”

“Get lost before you get hurt—”

From atop the barricades, cult members wielding sickles and hoes glared menacingly at her, but…

“《Obstruction》”

Boom!

““““Dogyaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!?””””

In an instant, the barricades were obliterated, scattering debris everywhere. The knocked-out cult members rolled across the snow, turning into snowballs.

“Hmm, that’s a bit of a minus. A three-star, top-tier hotel like this shouldn’t have its entrance littered with trash. It’s a matter of dignity.”

The guards, the barricades, the cult members—none of them were even on Celica’s radar.

Drawing the stunned gazes of the gathered onlookers, Celica strode confidently across the now-cleared plaza and boldly entered the hotel through the main entrance.

The chaotic clamor of the cult members and guards from moments ago felt like a lie.

Now, only a grim silence, littered with the fallen, blanketed the plaza.

“W-w-w-wait a second!”

Finally snapping out of it, Glenn hurriedly chased after Celica’s retreating figure.

“Ah! Sensei!?”

“I’m going to drag Celica back! You guys stay put, got it!?”

And with that, Glenn, too, disappeared into the hotel.

“Well, well, not bad decor, huh? I like it.”

Celica entered the hotel lobby, carrying her luggage.

The gazes of the cult members occupying the area snapped toward her in unison.

“This fine carpet feels great underfoot, and that chandelier—such exquisite taste.”

As if the cult members were invisible, Celica strolled leisurely toward the front counter at the far end.

Naturally, however…

“Who the hell are you!?”

“How’d you get in!? What are those idiots outside doing!?”

The cult members in their triangular white hoods, spotting her, began to surround Celica.

But.

“Oi, can’t you tell!? This hotel is currently under the control of our《Silver Dragon Cult (S.D.K)》—”

BOOM!

““““GWAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?””””

The ensuing blast was practically a cliché by now. Over a dozen cult members were sent flying in all directions like splinters, slammed into walls, bouncing across the floor, their consciousness snuffed out.

“W-W-What the—!?”

Amid the few cult members who barely escaped the carnage, trembling and retreating in fear…

Celica calmly continued her approach to the front counter, placing her travel bag on it with a thud! and said, “Hurry up and handle the check-in process.”

“Eeeek!?”

Naturally, no ordinary hotel staff stood behind the front counter. The unfortunate soul there was none other than another triangular-hooded cult member.

“Let’s see, my name… I made a reservation the other day via express mail. It’s Celi—”

“P-P-Please, spare meeeeee!”

The terrified cult member leapt over the counter, trying to flee like a startled rabbit, but…

“…Oi, oi, 《abandoning your duties isn’t exactly commendable》, is it?”

“Waaah!? My legs!? My legs won’t mooooove!?”

The cult member, whose legs suddenly froze as if turned to stone, screamed in a half-crazed panic.

“Here we go.”

Celica snapped her fingers with a click!

“Eeeeeek!? Save meeeee!”

Likely, some kind of telekinetic magic had been improvised on the spot.

The cult member’s body floated lightly, involuntarily drifting back behind the front counter.

“Come on, handle the check-in. I’m exhausted from a long trip, so make it quick.”

Celica’s gentle smile was, in its serenity, utterly terrifying.

“Uh, n-no, I mean… I don’t really know how to do that stuff…”

“…Huh?”

The moment Celica’s eyes narrowed, veins bulging as she glared, the cult member quaked in fear.

“Oi, don’t mess with me. What kind of first-class hotel staff are you?”

“N-No, wait! I’m not a hotel staff! Look at me, come on! This getup! I’m more of a, uh, fanatic than a hotel worker…”

“Shut it! A pro hotel staff doesn’t make excuses!”

BAM! Celica slammed the counter, causing the pitiful cult member to shrink back.

“Hurry up and process the check-in! Make me wait any longer, and I’ll turn this entire hotel—and you—into ash!”

“Eek!? Y-Yessir, right away, please wait just a moment!”

In a state of sheer desperation, the cult member, tears streaming, frantically rummaged around the counter, pulling out reservation lists and guest ledgers.

“Tch, they should at least properly train the newbies working the front desk… Some first-class hotel this is. That’s a demerit.”

“…What are you even doing?”

Glenn, finally catching up, stood beside Celica, dumbfounded.

As Glenn glanced around, he saw cult members collapsed unconscious, others cowering in corners trembling, some even lost to panic and wetting themselves… No need to double-check; it was a horrific scene.

“Oh, Glenn, you’re here. Hang on, I’m in the middle of checking in.”

Celica, unfazed, was filling out personal details in the guest ledger handed to her by the trembling cult member. Utterly at her own pace, as always.

“No, that’s not what I mean… Do you even understand the situation?”

“Hm? What?”

Celica tilted her head slightly at Glenn’s exasperated question.

“T-T-The check-in’s done!”

The quivering cult member handed Celica a room key.

“Got it, good work. Though, compared to other hotels, the process here feels oddly sloppy. That’s fine, right?”

“Y-Y-Yes, that’s perfectly fine for our hotel!”

“Alright. By the way, about the payment for the stay—will a check do?”

“No, no, no, no, no! We wouldn’t dream of charging someone like you, ma’am!”

“Oh? Really?”

“Y-Yes, absolutely!”

The cult member straightened up, voice cracking with deference.

“Oh, right, I forgot. I’d like to book rooms for three more people…”

“That’s fine too! No charge! Please, stay as long as you like, as many people as you want! Just, please, spare our lives!”

Celica turned to Glenn with a mischievous nishishi grin.

“Hear that, Glenn? This hotel’s got some crazy good service for some reason. What’s up with that? Maybe we hit some kind of milestone as guests or something?”

“…Yeah, who knows.”

Glenn, his cheek twitching, could only respond halfheartedly.

“Well, we’ve got the rooms, so let’s drop off our stuff and grab some food somewhere. Glenn, go fetch Sistine and the others. Oi, you, hotel guy, get some porters and a guide. You’ve got those, right?”

“Y-Y-Yes, ma’am! Right away, please wait a moment!”

And so—

“P-P-Please, this way, honored guests…”

“Thank you for your long journey. Please rest well at our hotel tonight!”

“Haha! I’m expecting top-notch service from a first-class hotel like this!”

With porters and guides—pitiful triangular-hooded cult members in tow—Celica hummed cheerfully as she strode through the hotel’s corridors. It was a dizzying sight.

“…Yeah, uh, sure, that tracks…”

Watching Celica’s back as she walked off…

“Guess worrying about Celica was less pressing than worrying about these cult guys… Sigh.”

Glenn’s shoulders slumped as he let out a weary sigh.

The grand, prestigious luxury hotel—Château Snowria.

Its interior had now transformed into a living hell.

“You shall not pass!”

“Hold the line! Hold—!”

“For the pride of our cult—!”

KABOOOOOM!

““““GYAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?””””

A dozen or so cult members, packed tightly in a phalanx formation to block the hallway, were scattered by the blast.

“Sorry! It’s just a bit hard to see with you all bunched up like that!”

Ignoring the soot-covered, unconscious cult members, Celica casually passed by.

“Oi, check this out, Glenn! It’s an Ainor!”

Pointing at a painting adorning the hallway wall, she turned to Glenn with a gleeful grin.

Her foot, quite naturally, stepped on a twitching cult member.

“The one next to it’s a Pekaso, and over there’s a Vincent Gukha! As expected of a top-tier hotel—everything’s top-tier! Man, what a feast for the eyes!”

“Yeah, sure…”

Whatever, I’m done. Glenn had already given up on thinking.

“W-What is this woman…!? A monster…!”

“Every squad stationed on each floor… wiped out… annihilated…”

Trailing behind Celica, the trembling cult members assigned as porters and guides quaked in fear.

The hotel was heavily guarded, with cult members stationed on every floor, monitoring the confined guests and staff. Liberating them through conventional means should’ve been near impossible.

Yet Celica, in her carefree way, was single-handedly mowing down the cult members floor by floor, liberating each level. She had no intention of doing so, but that was the result.

Glancing out a window, Glenn saw guests and staff, previously confined on each floor, now fleeing through the main entrance.

“Still, don’t you think it’s a hassle, Glenn? We booked the top-floor suite, but getting there’s such a pain. Maybe a cheaper room on a lower floor would’ve been better.”

“Yeah, sure…”

Glenn had long since abandoned coherent thought.

“Oi, guide, how much farther to the room?”

“Eek!? Almost there! Just up these stairs! Please don’t kill me!”

(These guys probably worked hard to prep for this hotel takeover…)

Glenn couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity for the cult members.

Eventually, climbing the spiral staircase, Celica and company reached the top floor.

“Th-Th-The room’s just ahead…”

At the end of an exceptionally lavish hallway, a door to what was clearly a high-end room came into view.

“Got it. Good work. Here’s a tip—take it, no need to be shy.”

“A tip!? You mean, like, a fare to cross into hell!? N-No thanks!”

“Eeeeeek! Thank you for your stay!”

The cult members dropped Celica’s luggage and scrambled downstairs in a panic.

“Hmph… Refusing a tip? How refined these hotel staff are.”

“I really wanna snark, but I won’t. Too much hassle.”

Please, let nothing else happen… Glenn followed Celica, half-praying, when…

Suddenly, the door at the far end—the suite Celica was set to stay in—swung open.

“That’s far enough!”

Emerging from the room were several cult members.

Leading them was a figure who seemed to be in charge, flanked by a few lackeys—an unmistakable vibe.

“Heh… You monster! Don’t you see this? Behave yourself!”

The leader, brimming with unusual bravado.

In his hand, he held a single stone.

A black cubic stone. Its surface, etched with runes, pulsed with magical energy, clearly activated.

“Didn’t expect this baby to come in handy, did ya…?”

“Wh—That’s!?”

The moment Glenn laid eyes on the black stone, the carefree, lax atmosphere within him vanished in an instant.

A chilling dread raced up his spine as he fixated on the stone.

“Heh… Hehehe! Looks like the guy over there gets it, huh? That’s right—this is a magic bomb… Ever heard of a [Blaze Black Stone]?”

[Blaze Black Stone]—Glenn had handled one during his military days.

Far more powerful than an [Explosive Crystal], its destructive force and directionality could be freely adjusted based on the infused mana and spell formula—a magic bomb designed for sabotage.

Disarming a [Blaze Black Stone] was notoriously difficult, requiring multiple top-tier dispellers and considerable time.

A boon when used by allies, but an utter nightmare in enemy hands—a quintessential magic tool.

“Detonate this, and this hotel and everything around it goes boom. Can’t even imagine how many’d die, huh? Heh heh heh… Don’t move, you two…!”

The cult members, cornered and desperate, had clearly lost all rational judgment.

“You bastard…!? You’ve crossed a line you shouldn’t have…!”

Glenn roared, unable to contain the fury boiling within him.

“Oi! Stop this idiocy!”

“Sh-Shut up! Don’t move! You’re just gonna slaughter us like you did the guys downstairs, aren’t you!? If that’s the case—!”

“We didn’t kill anyone! Just calm down—!”

“Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP! Don’t come any closer!”

It was no use. They were completely unhinged, in full-blown panic.

And who could blame them? After being caught in such dramatic explosions and blasts, who’d believe anyone survived?

All the explosions Celica had caused so far were Black Magic [Petit Explosion].

Despite their flashy appearance, they had minimal lethality—a gag spell Celica often used to “punish” Glenn (her creation, patent pending).

But it seemed they’d overstimulated and cornered the cult members far more than necessary.

(Damn it! What now!? I didn’t expect them to pull out something this dangerous… This is spiraling into a disaster!)

With the stone already activated, [Fool’s World] was useless. Trying to subdue them risked a desperate detonation. In other words, acting recklessly was out of the question.

Sistine and the others were outside, unaware of the situation inside.

If that cult member snapped and triggered the bomb right now—

The thought alone made Glenn tremble uncontrollably.

“Oi, Celica… Don’t provoke them, alright? This is a job for the Imperial Court Mage Corps now.”

Glenn whispered urgently to Celica beside him.

“…We need to contact the military somehow, get the people outside evacuated…”

But.

His desperate plea met with no response.

“Celica, oi… Celica? You listening?”

Suspicious, Glenn glanced sideways.

…Celica was gone.

The moment Glenn registered that fact…

“Oi, Glenn~!”

There, beyond the cult members.

On an ostentatiously luxurious bed inside the open suite room.

Somehow, Celica had moved there without anyone noticing. She was sprawled out, bouncing on the bed like a trampoline with childlike glee, visible from a distance.

“As expected of a fancy hotel! This bed’s crazy soft! I love it!”

“I TOLD YOU NOT TO PROVOKE THEEEEM!”

Glenn was practically in tears.

“How the hell did you even get there!?”

“[Short Teleport] for a dynamic entrance.”

“Don’t waste advanced magic on something as trivial as entering a room!”

The absurdity of their exchange left the cult members stunned into silence.

Then, ignoring them entirely…

“Still, what’s with this room? They haven’t finished cleaning and tidying up yet?”

Celica surveyed the suite with a hint of dissatisfaction.

Turning to the cult members, she said, “Oi, you cleaning crew. Hurry up and tidy this room.”

“Who’re you calling a cleaning crew!?”

Finally snapping, the leader reflexively began chanting a spell.

“《O crimson lion・in your righteous fury・roar and rampage》—!”

WHOOSH!

A ferocious blaze erupted, a destructive vortex tearing through the suite where Celica stood.

The room’s lavish furnishings and dazzling decor were pulverized in an instant.

“Hah! You underestimated me, fool!”

The leader sneered, mocking Celica’s form swallowed by the flames.

“Didn’t see this coming when I pulled out the [Blaze Black Stone], did ya? That’s right—I’m a former magician! I was a big deal, a high-ranking member of a certain guild!”

“Wow, Leader! You did it!”

“Heh! Did they really think they could take on our Leader!?”

“Hmph! I felt the hit! No time to cast a counterspell—direct hit! With this kind of firepower, no way they’re unscathed!”

“Hyahaha! Not such a tough opponent after all, huh!?”

“Why are you guys setting up flags like crazy!? Are you idiots!?”

As the cult members rejoiced, Glenn clutched his head and shouted.

Thanks to their long acquaintance, he could already see where this was headed.

“Oi, you lot! If you value your lives, run! Hurry, you wanna die!? Please, just get out of here!”

To Glenn’s frantic cries…

The cult members shot him looks as if to say, What’s this guy babbling about? Is he stupid?

Then, from behind them, a massive explosion roared to life, surging toward them.

In that split second, Glenn instinctively kicked open a nearby room’s door and dove inside.

““““FUNGYAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?””””

The pitiful cult members were swept away like debris, tumbling chaotically down the hallway where Glenn had stood moments before.

“Wh—!?”

The leader, quick to deploy a mana barrier, managed to deflect the blast…

“You lot…!? Enough already…!”

Emerging from the smoke-filled suite, like a wraith, was Celica—leaving the leader trembling in abject terror.

Needless to say, Celica was, of course, completely unscathed, not a single speck of soot on her body.

And with those blazing, blood-red eyes gleaming fiercely, exuding an overwhelming aura of rage that seemed to crush everything in its path—Celica’s visage was nothing short of terrifying, describable only as that of a demon king.

“H-Hiii!? How are you unharmed!?”

“I won’t forgive you! I won’t forgive you, you bastard…!”

To the leader trembling in sheer terror, Celica declared, as if pronouncing a death sentence.

“You’ve got some nerve, turning my room into an absolute wreck!”

“That’s the issue here!?”

To Celica’s somewhat misdirected anger, Glenn couldn’t help but retort out of habit.

“And you call yourself a cleaner at a top-class hotel!? To leave a guest’s room in such a filthy, chaotic mess… don’t you have any pride or awareness as a cleaner!?”

“S-Shut up! I’m not a cleaner!”

In a fit of desperation, the leader raised the blaze black stone once more.

“Can’t you see this!? If I feel like it, this whole area goes boom! Heh heh, if you don’t want that, then behave and—”

At that moment, Celica pointed at the stone with a cold, fixed glare and muttered softly.

“《Dispel》”

In an instant.

The black stone in the leader’s hand lost its power completely, crumbling into dust.

“Wh-Whaaaaaaat!? The [Blaze Black Stone], which should’ve required multiple top-tier dispellers to neutralize, is—!?”

“Honestly! Playing around with such pathetic toys is exactly why you’re slacking on your duties! Do your job properly for once! You’re a cleaner, yet you’ve gone way too far with this nonsense!”

“…Everything about this is absurd.”

Glenn, squinting, groaned. He was painfully reminded of just how extraordinary a mage Celica truly was.

“…Ugh… ahh…”

By now, the leader had completely lost all will to fight, collapsing to his knees on the spot.

Approaching him, Celica placed a hand on his shoulder with a gentle pat.

“Now then… since you’ve gone and ruined the room I was so looking forward to, utterly wrecking it, I think you deserve a little punishment, don’t you? …Hmm?”

She must have been truly furious. With veins visibly throbbing at her temples, she spoke.

Celica raised her left hand, gathering destructive energy so intense it seemed to shake the very air. It glowed like the sun, illuminating the hotel’s interior in a blinding white heat—

“H-Hii—!”

The leader, overwhelmed by fear, felt his hair turn white, aging rapidly before their eyes—

“Are you insane!? Hey, Celica! If you fire that, this hotel will—! And you’ll take me down with it!”

Despite Glenn’s frantic cries to stop her, it was in vain—

“《Die》!”

Celica shouted the incantation, activating her magic.

In the next moment, the entire field of vision was engulfed in pure white.

The ultra-luxurious Hotel Château Snowria, the pride of White Town, quite literally vanished from the map.

Incident Report: Occupation of Hotel Château Snowria by the《Silver Dragon Cult (S.D.K)》

Progress: Resolved in a swift two hours and fourteen minutes from the incident’s onset.

Injuries: Numerous from both the《Silver Dragon Cult (S.D.K)》and White Town security forces. Total: 124 individuals.

Fatalities: Miraculously, zero (though the leader of the cult members involved in the hotel occupation is in a state of mental breakdown).

Actual Damage: Complete destruction of Hotel Château Snowria.