Chapter 4: The Silver Galaxy

And so, amidst the chaotic uproar, the first day of the Silver Dragon Festival came to an end.

As the sun set and night fell, the chill grew even sharper, beginning to gnaw at the body.

“Man, did we have a blast or what!”

Celica, brimming with enthusiasm, strode at the head of the group, stretching her arms.

“Ugh, I’m exhausted… I just want a bath…”

Sistine groaned wearily.

After the tournament ended, the group had gone to fetch a lonely-looking Glenn (which led to a bit of a scuffle between Sistine’s group and Francine’s over Glenn). Afterward, they parted ways with Francine’s group and were now on their way back to Mayor John’s mansion.

“…What’s with you guys? Ditching me to go have all the fun… Hmph!”

“Haha, sorry, Sensei…”

Rumia, walking at the rear, gave an apologetic smile as she tried to console a sulking Glenn.

“Zzz…”

Perhaps unusually worn out, Re=L was asleep on Glenn’s back, her soft breaths barely audible.

Eventually, Glenn and the others arrived at Mayor John’s mansion.

As they stepped into the entrance hall, the warm air of the mansion enveloped them… and that’s when it happened.

“…Ha, what a mess.”

“The《Silver Dragon Cult (S.D.K)》… Just how far will they go…?! Shameless…!”

“But what can we do?! We can’t just cancel it now…!”

Mayor John, his secretary Millia, and a few others—likely festival organizers—were gathered, their faces grave as they sighed heavily.

“…Hm? What’s going on, Mayor?”

Feeling it’d be awkward to ignore them, Glenn casually called out.

“Oh, Glenn-san, welcome back. The thing is…”

Mayor John began explaining with a polite but bitter tone.

“…Glenn-san, are you familiar with the Silver Dragon Descent Dance of the Silver Dragon Festival?”

“The Silver Dragon Descent Dance? Oh, right, that’s the dedicatory dance for the Silver Dragon performed on the third day… one of the festival’s sacred rituals, yeah? I think the title of the performance is ‘The Silver Dragon and the Magician’…”

The Silver Dragon Descent Dance… It was a traditional Snowria dance, expressing a local legend through music and movement, offered as a tribute to the Silver Dragon said to slumber somewhere in the Snowria region.

“So, what about it?”

“Well, about that dedicatory dance… we’ve run into a bit of trouble.”

As Mayor John hesitated, Millia took over the explanation.

“The truth is, the dance has three central roles: the Silver Dragon, the Magician, and the Demon King, each performed by renowned dancers we hired to rehearse. But the most critical role, the Silver Dragon, was abandoned when the dancer suddenly broke their contract and left Snowria. On top of that, many other staff members, including backup dancers, have also pulled out unexpectedly…”

“What—?! Why?! How did this happen?!”

Sistine’s eyes widened in shock.

“It’s likely the work of the《Silver Dragon Cult (S.D.K)》. Intimidation, bribery… whatever the method, hiring an outsider for the main role was a mistake. At this rate, we won’t be able to perform the dedicatory dance.”

Millia’s calm explanation drew sighs from Mayor John and the others.

“Oi, oi, is this gonna be okay? Isn’t the dedicatory dance on the third day the festival’s biggest main event? There’s gotta be people coming just for that…”

Glenn muttered, and Millia adjusted her glasses, responding with regret.

“Exactly. This year’s dance was meant to be a grand spectacle worthy of the festival’s centerpiece, with a significant budget allocated. To boost attendance, we even invited the Marie Actress to play the Silver Dragon.”

“Hold up, Marie Actress? You mean the ultra-famous, top-tier ballerina from the capital?! The one who they say can change the world just by dancing on stage…?”

Glenn’s eyes widened at the sudden mention of such a big name.

“Yes. We heavily promoted her appearance for this year’s festival, so many people likely came just to see her… but she broke her contract and left.”

“We invited numerous newspapers to promote Snowria this year. If word gets out that the dance, their main attraction, was canceled, the damage to Snowria’s tourism industry would be incalculable… What a mess.”

Mayor John’s summary prompted the surrounding organizers to voice their laments.

“Oh, what do we do? To think the dedicatory dance, which we’ve prepared so meticulously for so long, would fall apart like this…!”

“Damn that《Silver Dragon Cult (S.D.K)》… Are they trying to ruin Snowria…?!”

“It’s too early to give up. For now, we’ll urgently recruit staff to fill the gaps. Chairman Heine… is there any way to find a replacement for Marie now?”

“…Frankly, it’s impossible.”

A portly, mustached middle-aged man—Heine, the dance troupe chairman—shook his head with a sigh.

“Let’s be clear: Marie Actress is a once-in-a-generation genius dancer. She’s on a different level from ordinary performers. Her unmatched beauty, innate charisma, and the aura of a superstar that radiates just by standing there… No one could replace her. Even if we found someone, the hordes of tourists who came for her wouldn’t accept it…”

A heavy, somber atmosphere enveloped the festival organizers.

Noticing the bewildered Glenn and his group, Mayor John bowed apologetically.

“Ah, I’m sorry. You had to see such an embarrassing scene…”

“Nah, uh… sounds like a real mess…”

“Mayor, we still have one more day. We need to find a replacement for Marie somehow…”

Just as Millia began to speak, it happened.

“A replacement for Marie…?”

Mayor John and the others turned their gazes toward Glenn’s group, as if struck by a realization.

More precisely, toward the women blinking in surprise behind Glenn.

“Unmatched beauty that leaves others in the dust…?”

“Innate charisma…?”

“The aura of a superstar radiating just by standing there…?”

For a moment, an odd silence dominated the room.

““““We found her!!!””””

The mayor and his group, staring at the women, shouted in unison.

“E-Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh?!”

Sistine let out a bewildered cry, Rumia blinked rapidly, and Re=L tilted her head.

“M-Me, replace Marie?! W-Wait, hold on, I’m not mentally prepared—!”

“Um, I’m sorry… I could never do something like dancing…”

“I don’t really get it, but… it’s embarrassing.”

As Sistine, Rumia, and Re=L reacted in their own flustered ways…

The mayor and his group briskly walked past them…

“Please, Celica-san!”

“You’re the only one who can replace Marie!”

…and surrounded Celica, who stood behind them.

“Yeah, I figured. Just wanted to say it.”

“Haha, yeah…”

“Muu.”

Sistine, Rumia, and Re=L slumped their shoulders in slight disappointment.

“Oh? Me, in the dedicatory dance? Sounds kinda fun.”

Surrounded by the mayor and his group, Celica grinned mischievously.

“Oi, hold up, Celica. Can you even dance? And there’s only one day left, you know? No way you can learn the choreography in a single day.”

“Hah? You underestimating me? I can memorize an entire dictionary from cover to cover with a single glance. And if push comes to shove, I’ve got [Load Experience]. I can read the memories of past dancers from the costume—no problem.”

This cheater! Glenn couldn’t help but feel jealous of her talent.

“Mayor, it’s a go. If you announce that the legendary Seventh Rank—Septende, Celica Arfonia, is stepping in as the replacement, the buzz will rival or even surpass Marie’s.”

“But… will the tourists accept it?”

“It’s a gamble, no doubt. Her illustrious reputation comes with rumors—true or not—of infamy. But it’s far better than putting some nameless nobody in Marie’s place.”

“Let’s bet on the tourists’ curiosity and thirst for spectacle, Mayor!”

It seemed the mayor and his group had reached a decision.

“I’m sorry, Celica-san. It’s as they say. Could you please… take on Marie’s role? We’re begging you.”

“For the sake of this town… please, we implore you!”

As the mayor and his group bowed deeply…

“Sure thing.”

Clearly intrigued, Celica agreed readily.

“…Seriously?”

Glenn and the others could only stare in stunned silence.

“…But I’ve got one condition.”

Celica added smugly.

“A condition?”

“If you want me to perform in this dedicatory dance…”

The condition Celica proposed, as if it were the most natural thing in the world…

“HAAAAAAAAAAAAA?! WHY?!”

Glenn couldn’t help but let out a bewildered shout.

And so, dawn broke—the second day of the Silver Dragon Festival began.

The grand main event, the Silver Dragon Descent Dance, was to be held on the third and final day of the festival, on the grand stage in the central plaza where the opening ceremony took place.

Now, that grand stage was completely concealed by a large tent, hiding its interior from view.

And on that stage, within the tent…

“Hmph—”

Celica was dancing gracefully, following the choreography instructions.

With intricate yet fluid hand movements, she stepped lightly—spinning on the spot like a fluttering butterfly, then gliding across the stage—before striking a decisive pose.

Celica’s elegant yet sharp dance captivated everyone present, leaving them speechless.

“W-We’ve stumbled upon an extraordinary talent, Chairman Heine…”

“Y-Yeah, who is she…? Marie’s got nothing on her…”

After merely skimming the choreography and receiving brief instructions, Celica had already mastered the dance to perfection. Her presence and expressiveness were almost divine.

The dedicatory dance had no dialogue. The story had to be conveyed through movement and choreography alone.

Celica’s dance told the story more eloquently than anything else. It was as if the emotions and drama of the Silver Dragon she portrayed were transmitted directly to the souls of the audience.

A dancer worthy of going down in history had been born.

“It’s possible… It’s possible…! This unexpected setback could be the springboard for an even greater leap forward—!”

Chairman Heine, clenching his fists and tearing up with emotion…

“GYAAAAAAA—!”

Thud!

Glenn tripped over his own feet, screaming as he fell.

“Hey, Glenn-san?! How many times do I have to tell you?! Your footwork is completely wrong! The basic steps are—”

The female dance instructor beside him immediately scolded him.

“DAAAAH?! Who cares?! Why the hell do I have to do this?!”

Glenn roared, scratching his head furiously.

Heine and his subordinate, watching Glenn’s practice, let out deep sighs.

“Indeed… This setback could be the springboard for a greater leap forward…”

“If only his partner wasn’t Glenn-san, that is…”

The Silver Dragon role, due to the story conveyed by the dance, was also the heroine.

Thus, “having Glenn play the protagonist—the Magician, the heroine’s partner”… that was Celica’s condition for performing.

“No choice, then! To secure a world-class gem, we have to tolerate a bit of dead weight!”

“Think of it this way, Chairman! The dead weight makes the world-class gem shine even brighter by contrast!”

“Oi! I can hear you, you jerks! You damned bastards!”

Glenn could only yell, tears in his eyes.

“Ugh, damn it…! If it was the Sylph Waltz I’m used to, maybe, but some backwater traditional dance I’d never seen until yesterday? No way I can pull it off in one day…!”

As Glenn grumbled and reluctantly practiced the choreography…

Celica crept up behind him, wrapping her arms around him playfully.

“C’mon, Glenn. Ready to practice our duet scene? Don’t worry, I’ll lead. You’re a kid who can do it if you try.”

“Too close! Your face is too close…! That’s weird! Was the choreography supposed to be this touchy-feely?!”

They locked hands, glaring at each other intensely.

“Hey, don’t overthink it. It’s just acting, okay? Acting. Our roles are tragic lovers, so you’ve gotta play the part properly!”

Celica spun around to Glenn’s back, hugging him tightly, clearly enjoying herself.

“DAAAH?! Let go, you jerk!”

Glenn tried to shake her off, but Celica, with perfect timing, anticipated his moves and clung to him like a snake.

“C’mon, Glenn. Let’s practice the duet scene, yeah? It’ll be fun, right?”

“Quit messing around! You’ve been dragging me into duet practice every ten minutes! Go practice the other parts!”

“I’ve already mastered them.”

“You’ve mastered the duet too, haven’t you?!”

Glenn barked, tears streaming.

“Unlike you, I’m still screwing up every single part! I don’t have time to play around with a natural-born cheater like you! Got it?!”

“Ugh, boring. Fine, whatever. Just skip the other parts and practice the duet with me. C’mon, it’s more fun, right? I mean, I get to legally cling to you, and you’re secretly thrilled about it, aren’t you? Hm?”

“You’re just screwing with me now, aren’t you?!”

Glenn’s anguished cries echoed through the practice area.

At a slight distance from Glenn and the others…

“Um… like this, maybe? …How’s that?”

Sistine was practicing her dance, twirling gracefully.

“Not bad at all!”

“Alright, shall we try syncing up now?”

Colette and Francine clapped encouragingly.

“Really? Well, I think I’ve got the choreography down, more or less…”

Sistine sighed and turned to Colette and Francine.

“Still, I’m sorry, you two… Getting dragged into this during your vacation…”

“You mean us stepping in as replacements for the staff who bailed?”

“No worries, no worries. This’ll make for a great memory.”

The sudden exodus of most of the dedicatory dance’s staff had left a severe shortage of hands. Not only backstage crew but also backup dancers were lacking.

So, at the request of Mayor John and Chairman Heine, Sistine had reached out to the St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy group.

In response, Colette, Francine, and many other St. Lily students who were in Snowria volunteered to help out.

“Hya!”

Whoosh!

“Eek! Re=L-san, don’t go all out! You’ll kill me!”

Over there was Re=L, cast as a soldier under the Demon King, and Ginny, practicing a sword dance with mock blades. As a member of a shinobi clan, Ginny was accustomed to forms practice, and Re=L could replicate any movement she saw with machine-like precision, making them perfect for the roles.

The other students were also working with the remaining staff, preparing stage props, coordinating stage movements, and rushing to get everything ready for tomorrow’s dedicatory dance.

“But this is kinda fun in its own way, right? Only downside is, I wanted a better role!”

“Indeed! There must be a role more befitting someone of my caliber!”

Colette and Francine nodded in agreement. With their striking appearances, they, like Sistine, were set to perform as backup dancers on stage.

“Yeah, you’re right. This could make for a great vacation memory.”

“Since we’re doing it, we’ll give it our all to make it a memorable experience!”

“Oh, and I’m looking forward to seeing Glenn-sensei’s lead role! It’s gonna be a disaster, but that’s what makes it fun!”

The three giggled together.

“By the way, where’s Rumia?”

“Yes, you’re right. We should start practicing our movements together soon.”

“Now that you mention it… yeah. I’ll go look for her.”

With that…

Sistine left the area for the time being.

“Gotta hurry back to everyone.”

Meanwhile, Rumia had been sent by Chairman Heine to buy some missing props.

Having finished her errand, she was now heading back to the central stage’s tent.

As she walked, she glanced around. The town was, as always, bustling with festival-goers and tourists.

Just a day ago, she and her friends had been among those enjoying the festival. The fact that they were now working behind the scenes felt almost surreal.

“Let’s see… the tent’s that way.”

Rumia trudged through the snow, about to turn a corner.

And then…

“Hey, you, the cute young lady. Got a moment?”

Suddenly, a voice called out from the side, causing Rumia to pause.

Looking over, she saw a boy sitting on a spread-out mat at the street corner, next to a box-like platform.

“Wanna watch my performance? …If you’ve got some time to spare.”

He seemed about Rumia’s age, perhaps a bit older… dressed in a loose robe adorned with intricate, ethnic patterns.

His hood was pulled low, and his silver hair obscured much of his face, making it hard to discern his features… but somehow, the air about him suggested he was an exceptionally handsome boy.

The box-like platform beside him was a puppet theater setup.

It seemed the boy was a street performer, earning a living with his puppet shows.

“Um, you are…?”

“My name is Felord. Felord Belif. …Just a humble traveling performer, Rumia.”

Huh? Did I ever mention my name?

Yet, standing before the boy—Felord, who seemed to carry an air of mystery—Rumia’s question somehow dissipated like mist.

“As expected in these times, this old-fashioned puppet show is pretty outdated. So, no one bothers to watch, and I was feeling a bit down about it.”

“Um, well…?”

“But I prepared this performance especially for today. Wouldn’t it be sad if it went unseen? That’s why I’d love for you to watch, Rumia.”

The boy’s demeanor was so gentle and kind that it was almost impossible not to be swept away.

It was an atmosphere that made refusing incredibly difficult.

“Of course, it’s free. …So, would you please do me the favor of watching my show?”

“But… um… I…”

“The performance is called ‘The Silver Dragon and the Magician.’”

“‘The Silver Dragon and the Magician’? Wait, isn’t that…?”

“Exactly. It’s the same as the dedicatory dance performance happening tomorrow. The dedicatory dance expresses the entire story through music and choreography, but my puppet show, naturally, uses my puppetry along with narration and dialogue to tell the story. …Though, because of that, it’s probably seen as childish and doesn’t appeal to adults.”

Felord gave a carefree smile.

Rumia couldn’t help but blink at the sight of the boy’s innocent, unbridled cheerfulness.

“What do you say? Watching the same legend told through a different medium… sounds pretty interesting, don’t you think?”

And then.

“Oh… yes, alright… just for a little bit, then…”

Swept along, or perhaps just slightly intrigued by the boy’s puppet show,

Rumia gave a vague smile and nodded.

“Thank you. Let’s get started, then. Once again, the performance is ‘The Silver Dragon and the Magician’… Here we go…”

With that, the boy who called himself Felord began manipulating the marionettes dangling from his hands, reciting as if he were a minstrel.

The puppet show Felord performed while chanting was neither particularly skillful nor clumsy.

It was entertaining enough in the moment, but by tomorrow, it would likely be completely forgotten—a perfectly ordinary, unremarkable act.

What was truly intriguing was the content of ‘The Silver Dragon and the Magician’ itself. It was a legend from the Snowria region and apparently a traditional performance used in the dedicatory drama of the Silver Dragon Festival.

“—Long, long ago, in a certain place, there lived a kind-hearted Silver Dragon who protected the entire region. But one day, an evil Demon King appeared, defeated the Silver Dragon, and pierced it with the ‘Key of Evil.’ That was the beginning of all misfortune—”

The ‘Key of Evil,’ stabbed into its heart, caused the Silver Dragon to lose its righteous spirit and become dominated by a wicked heart. It swore loyalty to the Demon King and went on a rampage, committing countless acts of tyranny.

To appease it, young maidens were offered as sacrifices to the Silver Dragon every year.

“—At that time, a boy appeared in the village oppressed by the wicked Silver Dragon. He was a magician traveling the chaotic world to defeat the Demon King, the root of all evil.”

And in that village, the magician fell in love at first sight with a certain maiden.

But fate was cruel—the maiden was chosen as that year’s sacrificial offering to the Silver Dragon.

“—To save the maiden and the village, the magician resolved to climb the sacred northern mountain and confront the Silver Dragon.”

However, the Silver Dragon was a formidable foe. Even the magician’s magic couldn’t defeat it. The Demon King, who controlled the Silver Dragon, also appeared, and before its onslaught, the magician’s life hung by a thread.

At that moment, the sacrificial maiden appeared before the magician.

“The maiden said, ‘O Magician, please make a contract with me.’”

In truth, the sacrificial maiden was the embodiment of the Silver Dragon’s ‘good heart.’

To save the magician she loved, she resolved to abandon her own body, which had gained immense power over thousands of years.

Having made a contract with the Silver Dragon’s ‘good heart,’ the magician gained the dragon’s power and successfully defeated the Silver Dragon.

“Having vanquished the Silver Dragon and driven off the Demon King, the magician continued his journey of righteous battle to defeat the Demon King once more, alongside the embodiment of the Silver Dragon’s ‘good heart.’ And the people of this land will never forget—the magician who saved them, and the kind dragon who sacrificed itself to save them. …And they lived happily ever after.”

With such a conclusion,

Felord’s puppet show came to an end.

“So, how was it? Did it help pass the time a little?”

Having finished his performance, Felord smiled warmly at Rumia.

“Yes, it was a very fascinating story. Thank you for such a wonderful time.”

Rumia returned a gentle smile to Felord.

“No, thank you. This act doesn’t get much love as a festival sideshow, but you watched it. The performance I practiced so hard for, and the puppets I made for this day, can rest easy now. Thank you so much for indulging my amateur passion.”

“Oh, no, not at all! I was really drawn in… And this ‘Silver Dragon and the Magician’ is part of ‘The Magician of Melgalius,’ right?”

“Oh, you’re quite knowledgeable, Rumia.”

The boy smiled brightly and began to explain.

“That’s right. It’s said that the seventh chapter of ‘The Magician of Melgalius’ incorporates the local Snowria folktale ‘The Silver Dragon and the Magician.’ The ‘magician’ in ‘The Silver Dragon and the Magician’ is likely identified with the ‘Mage of Justice,’ the protagonist of ‘The Magician of Melgalius.’ This country has various legends and anecdotes featuring ‘magicians’ and ‘demon kings’ scattered across different regions, forming a cycle of stories. Loran Ertoria didn’t treat them as separate tales but wove them into a single narrative centered on one ‘Mage of Justice’ as the protagonist—that’s what ‘The Magician of Melgalius’ is. And what’s interesting is that Loran Ertoria’s compilation of ‘The Magician of Melgalius’ has a happy ending for nearly every chapter. While ‘The Silver Dragon and the Magician’ is one thing, many of the original tales often end in tragedy. So why did Loran twist the source material to ensure happy endings? There might be some wish or message of Loran’s embedded in that choice—”

As Felord spoke with unusual eloquence,

he eventually noticed Rumia chuckling softly.

“Oh, sorry. I tend to get carried away when it comes to topics like this—it’s a bad habit of mine. …Did I upset you?”

“No, it’s just… I was thinking I should’ve brought Sistie along.”

“Sistie?”

“Yes. There’s a girl I know who’s really passionate and knowledgeable about this kind of thing. Her name is Sistine, and…”

“Sistine, huh? …Your friend?”

“Yes. She’s the young lady of the Fibel family, who has been so kind to me… She loves old legends and archaeology, and I’m sure she’d get along great with you, Felord-san. Sistie would’ve absolutely loved your puppet show, too.”

“Haha, really? Well, that’d make me happy.”

Having warmed up to each other, the two exchanged gentle smiles… when suddenly,

“Rumia~~ !”

From a distance, Sistine’s voice reached Rumia’s ears.

“Come on, already! Let’s get back to practicing!”

Spotting Rumia, Sistine came running over with quick steps.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Felord-san. I’ve stayed too long. I’ll be going now…”

Turning to say a final goodbye, Rumia looked back at Felord.

“Huh? …Felord-san?”

But there… was no one.

The puppet show stage, which had undoubtedly been there just moments ago, was gone—everything had vanished.

As if it had all been a dream or an illusion, it had disappeared completely without a trace.

“…Huh? What? No way… But just a moment ago, it was definitely…?”

Blinking in disbelief, Rumia stood frozen.

She couldn’t comprehend what had just happened before her eyes.

The words she’d heard, the puppet show she’d seen with her own eyes—Felord’s presence.

Was it real? Or was it a daydream?

In an instant, Rumia’s sense of reality began to blur—

“Hey, what’s wrong? Staring off into space like that!”

Sistine arrived, bursting with energy.

Unaware of the situation, she didn’t wait for Rumia’s response and grabbed her hand, pulling her along.

“Come on, let’s go! We’ve got this, so let’s make it a success!”

“Oh, yeah… right…”

Still in a dreamlike daze, Rumia let Sistine lead her by the hand.

—And so, the second day in Snowria passed in a whirlwind.

The festival was fun to experience as a guest, but working behind the scenes and helping with preparations was enjoyable in its own way.

All in all, Glenn and the others spent a busy but fulfilling time.

And that night—

“To the success of tomorrow’s Silver Dragon Descent Dance… Cheers!”

““““Cheers~~ !””””

Thanks to Mayor John’s arrangements, a buffet-style banquet was held at the mayor’s residence for those involved in the Silver Dragon Festival, including Glenn and his group, who were assisting with the dedicatory dance, as well as students from St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy.

Long tables were set up in the grand hall, laden with various foods and drinks.

Naturally, since the festival was still ongoing, the banquet was modest in scale, but the bonds formed through the day’s preparations made for lively chatter and a joyful atmosphere.

“Truly, we’re so grateful, Celica-san. Thanks to you…”

“Hey, it’s not over yet. But I’ll give it my all—it sounds like fun.”

“Yes, please, we’re counting on you, Celica-sama.”

Over there, Mayor John, Millia, troupe leader Heine, and Celica were chatting merrily.

Watching them from a distance…

“Man… I’m exhausted…”

Glenn muttered, utterly drained.

“Good work, Sensei.”

Rumia poured wine into Glenn’s glass with a caring smile.

Sistine, who had brought a plate piled with roast beef, fish and chips, and a noticeable amount of Glenn’s favorite foods, asked with concern,

“So? How’d it go? Is the dance… really going to be okay?”

“Yeah, Celica forcibly burned the choreography into my brain with magic.”

“Ugh… talk about drastic measures…”

“This kind of forced memory magic puts a strain on the mind, so I’d love to dispel it ASAP… but it’s just one day, so I’ll manage. Anyway, the movements are fine. The real issue is my acting skills… which are honestly at a school play level. Thanks for nothing!”

As Glenn slumped dejectedly,

“Well, it’ll probably be fine,” Ginny said flatly, her expression blank as she offered comfort.

“Compared to Celica-san, frankly, everyone else is about the same. The audience’s eyes will be glued to her. Unless you spectacularly mess up, you won’t stand out for the wrong reasons.”

“…Glenn, do your best. Eat this and cheer up.”

Re=L pushed a massive plate overflowing with strawberry tarts toward Glenn.

“Uh… thanks…”

Averting his eyes from the heartburn-inducing pile, Glenn patted Re=L’s head.

“Come on, it’ll work out somehow!”

“Exactly! We’ll support you with everything we’ve got, Sensei!”

Trying to lift Glenn’s spirits, who seemed worn down by anxiety about tomorrow’s performance, Sistine and Rumia flashed encouraging smiles and started to rally him.

But at that moment,

“Gleeeeen-senseiiii~~”

“You drinkin’ or whaaaat~~ !?”

“Whoa!?”

Two girls flung themselves at Glenn from both sides, clinging to him.

It was Francine and Colette.

Their faces were flushed, their mouths slack, and their glassy eyes seemed unfocused.

“What the—!? You two reek of alcohol! You’ve been drinking, haven’t you, you delinquents!”

“Wha’s the big deal~~ Sensei, come drink with us~~”

“Let’s get smashed~~”

Draping themselves over Glenn, Francine pressed a glass to his cheek while Colette shoved a bottle of wine against the other, sandwiching his face.

“Nya~~ Purr purr~~”

“Sensei… so glad to see you again~~ I’m never lettin’ go…”

Clinging to Glenn and fawning over him in their drunken haze,

the two girls prompted an outburst.

“Hey, you two! What are you doing!? That’s going too far!”

“Hehe, clinging to Sensei like that is a bit much, don’t you think? …So, how about letting go? Okay?”

Sistine snapped indignantly, while Rumia, with a cheerful smile, tried to peel Francine and Colette off Glenn.

“Owowowowow!? Hey, stop pulling—mgh!?”

“Eat.”

Amid Glenn’s pained cries, Re=L stuffed a strawberry tart into his mouth.

“…Is it good?”

“Mgh-mgh-mghhh!? (I’m choking!? Are you trying to kill me!?)”

“Good. Have more.”

“MGHHHHH!? (Stop stuffing it in! No more!)”

Swarmed by the girls and flailing in chaos, Glenn was a mess.

What is this chaos… Ginny sighed, looking utterly uninterested.

Amid the noisy, lively, and joyful scene surrounding Glenn…

“Heh…”

Celica wore a gentle smile, gazing at Glenn from afar with the tender eyes of a mother watching her beloved son.

—Eventually, the banquet and revelry began to wind down.

“Geez, getting this worked up when nothing’s even finished yet… idiots.”

Glenn had stepped away from the banquet hall and made his way to the terrace of the mayor’s residence.

The terrace, facing the outside, had snow-covered roofs and a table. Illuminated faintly by the lanterns, it offered a view of the snow-draped garden floating in the darkness.

The snow had stopped. The air was crisp and clear, and perhaps due to stronger winds higher up, the clouds had parted, revealing a starry sky that looked like silver dust scattered across the heavens.

Naturally, the biting cold sapped Glenn’s body heat, but after the overheated atmosphere of the banquet hall, it was just what he needed to cool off.

“Alright… time to head back.”

After a few deep breaths, Glenn turned to return from the terrace to the residence.

“Yo, Glenn.”

Unnoticed until now, Celica stood at the terrace’s entrance.

“Hm? What’s up? Why’re you out here?”

“Same as you. Just cooling off.”

“Got it. Don’t catch a cold—head back soon.”

With a casual remark, Glenn moved to pass by Celica and return inside.

But Celica gently caught his hand.

“…Celica?”

Glenn cast a puzzled glance, but Celica remained silent. Without turning to face him, she held his hand, her profile serene.

“…Hey, what’s up? It’s freezing out here.”

Then, Celica spoke softly.

“Wanna step outside for a bit?”

“Huh?”

Before the blinking Glenn, Celica muttered a spell.

The incantation conjured a small portal in the void, summoning something.

It was a broom. A single broom floated horizontally above the ground.

A magical device for flight. Nowadays, flight devices are typically rings or boots, but long ago, witches favored brooms as a trend… or so Glenn had heard.

Celica gracefully sat sideways on the broom, legs together, and patted the space beside her.

Apparently, she was inviting him to join her.

“What? You wanna go somewhere on this outdated flight device? Give me a break…”

Glenn grumbled, clearly reluctant, but Celica only gazed at him with an unusually gentle expression.

“…Geez, where are we even going?”

Unable to resist Celica’s uncharacteristic demeanor, Glenn reluctantly climbed onto the broom.

The moment he did,

“Hold on tight.”

The broom, carrying both of them, lifted gently—

and shot toward the night sky at breakneck speed.

“W-W-W-W-WAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!?”

The sensation of weightlessness, the biting cold, and the starry sky pulling him in—Glenn’s scream was swallowed into the night.

The broom carrying Glenn and Celica soared through the vast sky.

It passed over White Town, crossed a snowy mountain, and traversed a great snowfield.

Eventually, they arrived and set foot at the edge of a vast lake, formed in a basin surrounded by snow-covered mountains.

At this time of year, the lake—Crystal Lake—was completely frozen over.

Naturally grown, nearly pure icicles jutted out here and there, forming mystical shapes as if ice spirits were dancing, overwhelming onlookers.

The mirror-like ice surface, polished by the howling cold winds, reflected the starry sky above, shimmering brilliantly. This rare phenomenon of the ice mirroring the heavens required precise conditions and could only be seen here at this time of year.

Known as the ‘Ice Galaxy,’ the sight was breathtaking, needing no further description—a true marvel among marvels.

A world-class scenic masterpiece of water and ice, crafted by a miracle in this frigid realm.

“What do you think? Pretty amazing, right? I wanted you to see this.”

Sitting on an icicle just right for resting, Celica grinned proudly at Glenn beside her.

“C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-COLD!?”

But Glenn had no appreciation for the grandeur.

“It’s freezing! The cold’s cutting right through my warming magic! I’m gonna die!?”

Hugging himself and shivering violently, Glenn wailed.

His pathetic cries echoed across the frozen lake in the night.

“Tch, what a noisy guy. And here I went through the trouble of bringing you along.”

Celica let out a wry smile and a sigh, pulling a large blanket out of nowhere.

“…This should keep you a bit warmer, right?”

Then, Celica leaned closer to Glenn, wrapping both their bodies in the single blanket.

The blanket must have been pre-enchanted with some pretty robust climate-control magic. Combined with the warmth of Celica’s body against his, the cold felt much more bearable.

…And then, at that moment.

“Well, would you look at that? Talk about luck.”

“!?”

Feeling a faint glow in the sky, the two looked up.

The silver canopy of the heavens—enveloped gently, as if draped by an enormous curtain of light.

The aurora, layered like gossamer wings folded upon themselves, swayed and flickered as if blown by the wind, its colors and shadows shifting ceaselessly.

Red, blue, green, peach—a grand curtain of light, gradating like a rainbow. If the Ice Galaxy could be called an art of water and ice, this was truly the art of light.

Due to the ley lines, this aurora—visible only in this region of the empire—stretched across the vast panorama of the sky.

A miraculous symphony of the Ice Galaxy and the aurora.

Reflected on the mirror-like ice, the scene stretched infinitely, surpassing the limits of verbal expression.

Cliché as it might be, “boundlessly fantastical, mystical, and beautiful”—no other words could describe the sight.

“That’s… incredible…”

Even Glenn, with his zero sense of delicacy, was awestruck, unable to do anything but stare in a daze.

“Hah! This is hands-down a once-in-a-lifetime view.”

“Yeah. I’ll never forget this moment, standing here with you, seeing this…”

Celica nodded at Glenn’s words, her expression one of quiet satisfaction.

“…No matter what happens from here on out.”

“……”

At Celica’s faint murmur, Glenn fell silent.

For a while, the two stood there, wordlessly soaking in the breathtaking scene.

…………

…How much time had passed, one might wonder.

“Hey, Celica… what’s going on?”

Glenn quietly asked the woman beside him.

“Hm? Not sure what you mean by that.”

“Don’t play dumb. It’s obvious.”

Glenn huffed, his breath white in the cold air, his tone sulky.

“…The you on this trip is way too different from the usual you.”

At that, Celica fell silent.

“Now that I think about it, you’ve been away from home a lot lately… even during that mess with the secret academy. You said you were gathering evidence for Maxim’s corruption, but even so, you’ve been gone too much. It’s almost like you’ve been avoiding me.”

“……”

“And then, out of nowhere, you act like you’ve thrown caution to the wind, going all out on this trip… You’d have to be an idiot not to suspect something’s up.”

“……”

“…Just talk to me. What’s eating at you? I mean… I said it before, didn’t I?”

A memory flashed in his mind. The time they’d passed through the [Corridor of Stars] from the [Taum Celestial Temple], descending into the depths of the [Underground Labyrinth]—carrying an injured Celica on his back, fleeing from a demon.

“We’re… family, aren’t we?”

Celica’s eyes widened slightly in surprise… before she lowered her gaze.

“Heh, listen to the little brat all grown up and talking big…”

“…Don’t brush it off.”

Glenn shot back, clearly dissatisfied.

“It’s fine. Don’t worry. It’s nothing. Really, it’s nothing…”

But Celica spoke gently, softly shutting Glenn out.

There was no way that was true. It couldn’t possibly be nothing.

Their bond wasn’t so shallow that he’d miss something like that.

“It’s nothing. I just… as family, being here with you right now, like this… that’s enough for me.”

Celica’s smile was so clear, so transparent, it filled her profile with a serene glow.

“…That’s enough.”

With her words so resolute, Glenn couldn’t press her any further.

“……”

As Glenn fell silent, grappling with complex emotions, Celica gazed dreamily at the stunning scene before them.

“It’s beautiful… truly beautiful. Like I’m in a dream.”

“…Yeah.”

“Coming to Snowria with you… I’m really glad I did. That’s what I think.”

“…Maybe.”

“Hey, Glenn… can we stay here just a little longer? Like this?”

“…Do whatever you want.”

And so, beneath a distant night sky known to no one else, in the heart of a frozen world, chilled to the bone, the two stood close, gazing endlessly at the starry heavens and the icy plains—