City of Frost Sub Episodes
Dec. 5th, 2021 12:35 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
runarunesIt is recommended to read Snow's Location Sub Episode first before proceeding to White's
City of Frost - Index
- Impressions of the Spot (1)
- Impressions of the Spot (2)
- Impressions of the Spot (3)
- Break Time (1)
- Break Time (2)
- Memories of the Spot (1)
- Memories of the Spot (2)
- Memories of the Spot (3)
- Impressions of White (1)
- Impressions of White (2)
- Impressions of White (3)
- Impressions of White (4)
- Impressions of White (5)
- Impressions of White (6)
- Stories Related to the Spot (1)
- Stories Related to the Spot (2)
- About the North Country
- About <The Great Calamity>
- The Humans in the Spot
- The Wizards in the Spot
- A Dangerous Place
- White's Reputation
- Specialty of the Spot
- Discovery of the Spot
- A Fun Place
゜✭・.・✫・゜
Impressions of the Spot (1)
Owen: What a carefree city.
Akira: I- I wonder about that...? I mean, this place is basically freezing. I think living here is pretty tough, though...
Owen: That only applied to humans. And there’s no not-cold place in the North Country, anyway.
Owen: This city is so used to the protection the twins gave them. They probably think that as long as they don't go against the twins, they will survive.
Owen: Well, it’s not like they can live extravagantly, but it’s unlikely that malice will breed here. How boring.
Owen: Maybe I’ll just go ahead and tell them that the twins are talking about how maybe it’s time for them to move to another place.
Akira: Oh, no... Owen, please don't do that... Even though maybe, someone finally can find some safety because of this city...
Owen: There's no safe place to live in the North, and the twins aren't as strong as they used to be. They just chose to hide this from humans and hope for the best.
Owen: Or perhaps, the people in this city don't even know that White is already dead?
Owen: Or they already suspected it, but they can't ascertain the fact... If they questioned the twins carelessly and offended them, they wouldn't survive after all.
Akira: Owen...
Owen: I wonder what will happen to this city when they realize that the twins don't have the power to protect them?
Owen: Don’t you think the people in this city will be so shaken when they hear that the twins actually killed each other off? Huhu… How delightful.
Owen: I have to tell them the truth. Don't stop me, Master Sage.
Owen: You always want to know the truth, right? And I'm an honest man. I'm a good boy. Make sure to shower me with praise later, okay?
Akira: No, Owen...! He’s gone…
Akira: Murr, you like shiny things, right? Does that mean you like snow too, since it glitters?
Murr: Nope.
Akira: What?! Really?!
Murr: It's too sparkly so it’s hard to look at! And it’s too cold!
Akira: I see... By the way, what do you think of this city?
Murr: It's a city where culture and science won't develop.
Murr: There are a lot of places like that in the North, but that especially applies to the city that Snow and White are protecting.
Akira: What do you mean?
Murr: Because, the twins are all that they need!
Murr: If they ran out of food, beg Lord Snow! If they were freezing to death, beg Lord White! "Please, we're so weak... We beg you, please help us...!"
Murr: If they do that, twins will help them. That's why, the city where Snow and White live at is always full of people that don't put in any effort.
Murr: And when they do put in some effort, they’d only do things to humor the twins' moods, or the things that’d make the twins love them.
Akira: … I wonder if that means that just by always being nice to them, then it won’t do any good for the people of this city...?
Murr: That's probably true, but that's none of Snow and White's business, right?
Murr: Well, I can’t find any appeal in this kind of place. But since it's getting easier and easier for the twins to live here, I guess you can say that it is an easy city to live in?
Akira: Have you ever visited the City of Frost before, Oz?
Oz: Arthur liked this city.
Oz: In the first place, the twins liked to invite people to their place, or to be the invited ones themselves. I visited several times at their request.
Akira: And what do you think of this city, Oz?
Oz: The sense of distance to the humans here is close. It's a city that’d make you feel how the twins do like humans.
Akira: Close...? Even if the people in this city respect Snow and White like they're gods, and the two of them are caring about this city on a whim…?
Akira: Even with that, do you still think that they have a close sense of distance?
Oz: Yeah.
Akira: I see... Oz, could it be that actually you’re the type that doesn't want to be bothered by humans at all...?
Oz: If possible.
Akira: Oh... I didn't know that... I'm sorry, I keep making you accompany me many times...
Oz: ...... No...
Oz: I'm not talking about you.
Akira: Still...
Oz: .........
Oz: ... The twins always planted Mercia trees near their mansion.
Oz: I remember seeing them nearby the first time they brought me to their mansion, back when I first met the twins.
Akira: (Ah, he’s making small talk to shake off the topic…)
White: Dearest Master! Masteeer! Come here, fast! Hurry!
Akira: White! What's the matter? For you to be this flustered...
White: Look, Oz is...
In the direction where White pointed his trembling finger, stood Oz.
Around him were several children of this city. Each of them seemed to be doing their best to say something to Oz.
Akira: Oz seems to be pretty troubled since all the children are talking to him at the same time…
White: Hohoho. To think that’s the first thing you'd say after seeing this scene... Indeed, hearing your opinions will always be a refreshing experience.
White: Oz has, voluntarily, looked after the kids of this city. You could say that somehow, he got dragged into this. Yet, he chose to watch over them without being angry over it.
White: How he has changed... As for me, I was feeling quite antsy myself that he’ll just kill them all at once.
Akira: Was Oz really that frightening? I can see that he's a powerful wizard, but I still can't quite believe it...
White: And it's unbelievable to us that we’d hear something like that from someone that has met Oz.
White: For we do think that no one could ever hope to be as naughty as Oz was in the past. Live long enough, and you’d see a day like this to come...
White: Oh my! But I am not one of the living! Sometimes I just forget about that〜 Hohoho! Hohoho!
Akira: ......
White: Huh? Wasn't that funny?
Akira: Oh... So… That was a joke…
Mithra: Oh, Master Sage.
Akira: Wah, Mithra! You just came out of that house, didn't you? Are they your acquaintances here?
Mithra: No, we’re strangers.
Akira: Huh…? Then what were you doing there?
Mithra: Nothing in particular. I was feeling rather peckish, so I asked them to give me something to eat.
Akira: But it didn't look like a restaurant... Did they give you something to eat in the end?
Mithra: Yes, they did. I asked them, again and again and again. I did not cross the line though, albeit barely.
Akira: W- What do you mean by that...?
Mithra: I mean I pressured them enough, but just not enough that it’d make Snow and White angry and come out there.
Mithra: This city sure is nice. The twins are good at raising them, so when I told them my name, they knew who I was right away.
Mithra: I guess they've been taught that it's better to do what you were told to do. If they don’t want to get killed by me, that is.
Akira: No, no, you can't do that… It’s like doing some extortion… Or maybe even straight up robbery…?
Mithra: Hahaha. What do you mean by that?
Mithra: I'll treat you too, so please don't tell the twins about this. Master Sage, is there something you’d like to eat?
Akira: Do you have any unforgettable memories back when you just moved to this city?
White: Hmm, let’s see... A lot happened, but...
White: You see, whenever we changed our place, we would always set them up in a location where no humans lived nearby. And we did it quietly, without telling any of them about it.
White: Yet not long after, out of nowhere humans would start appearing and live close to our residence.
White: Then it’d become a village, and then a city. This City of Frost took shape much faster than the other places before, but...
White: Until then, it'd be customary for Snow and myself to enjoy some sweet time alone together, so to speak.
Akira: To be able to relax with and spend some time with your precious family member... How wonderful!
White: Mm-hmm.
White: But, this is a story of when I've already become a ghost. That sweet time spent between just the two of us… It would seem that it’d be quite hard for that sweet atmosphere to last for long. At very least, compared to before.
White: "Even if you said we’re together, the truth is that you’re alone here”...
White: … Without realizing it, that kind of sarcasms kept coming out from my mouth.
Akira: Oh… Oh..... Aaaah…….
White: Not being able to withstand that atmosphere, Snow then would insist on inviting Oz and Figaro to our residence.
White: "This reminds me of the olden days!" or so Snow exclaimed. Oz and Figaro's dismayed faces as they sat in front of the dining table that Snow had filled to the brim...
White: Hohoho. Now that is what you’d call an unforgettable memory.
Snow: If I remember correctly, the ancestors of the residents of this house were the first inhabitants of this City of Frost.
Akira: This house is a bit bigger compared to the other houses. I guess that kind of person would become a powerful figure here...
Snow: In the first place, it was said that they were someone with enough courage to embark upon a dangerous journey in search of a better life.
Snow: As it may be, their descendants seem to think that their ancestors were the one who had led their people through the harsh lands, and then kept them together after they had settled down here.
Akira: I see...
Snow: I don't remember when this happened for sure, but there was a time where a baby was born in this house, and we gave a knife we had blessed with protection and blessings into it for them.
Snow: It must have been a long, long time ago for you humans, but it would seem that they still treasured it dearly. How heartrending...
Akira: I guess it has become an heirloom in this family!
Akira: You know… If there's a baby, who then grows to the point that they look older than you are now, becomes an adult, and they keep growing old...
Akira: Then they have a child. And that child grows up until they become old again… And then the cycle keeps repeating… How does it feel, to watch that all over again?
Snow: Hmm. How does it feel, was it? Let's see...
Snow: Flower withers, its seed then sprouts, then it grows until a flower blooms from it, and then it withers again...
Snow: I suppose it would be akin to the feeling you have when you watch over that.
Arthur: How nostalgic. I used to visit this city many times in the past.
Arthur: The people here are friendly, and there's a children's playground here. Moreover, there are a lot of interesting things in Lord Snow and Lord White's mansion...
Arthur: It was a city full of fun and new things for me as a child.
Akira: Ah, it's true that I feel that for a city in the North, the children here seem to live quite carefreely.
Arthur: Lord Snow and Lord White used to say this a lot… That the children's job is to have fun and play around.
Arthur: In the past, there was a time when I kept begging Lord Snow and Lord White that I want to visit their mansion. And so, they took me to this city.
Arthur: We were so absorbed in playing around together, that we all accidentally forgot to notify Lord Oz about this beforehand...
Akira: Wow… Won't Oz feel pretty panicked, then…?
Arthur: It’s just as what you have said, he did. I was just wondering why the weather suddenly became so stormy, and suddenly, Lord Oz appeared with such a frightening expression. I was really surprised then.
Akira: (It might seem like Oz was being a bit too overprotective, but then again, losing a child in this dangerous North Country must be a pretty severe situation…)
Akira: The people in the city must be shocked... What about Snow and White?
Arthur: They said Lord Oz was like a bear.
Akira: A bear?
Arthur: They told me that bears will become very tenacious when their prey is about to be stolen, and that the wizards of the North would have this certain quality in them.
Akira: Now that you mention it, Mithra, Owen and Bradley might be like that, too...
Akira: What about you, Arthur, since you grew up in the North Country?
Arthur: Me? I hadn't put much thought into it, but...
Arthur: Let's see... If my prey is about to be stolen by someone, then… I think, more or less, I might be like that too.
Snow: My impression of White? What a complex question you’ve decided to ask...
Akira: Is it a complex question...?
Snow: If I were to praise White, it would be akin to praising myself. So in turn, I don’t quite know what should I say.
Snow: For us twins resemble each other very closely, that you could say that we are a doppelgänger of each other.
Akira: So that's how it is…
>> What part of White do you like the most?
> Akira: What part of White do you like the most?
> Snow: Let’s see... I think it would be when White gave me an answer that is different from what I was expecting.
> Snow: There was a time when I used to be happy when we had not even an ounce of difference from each other. But now, when his way of thinking is too similar to me, I start to doubt of White.
> Akira: Doubt?
> Snow: Indeed. For I start to suspect... That everything White was saying is but a mere result of hallucination of mine.
> Snow: I'm sure that White, too, is wondering... Whether or not he really exists.
> Snow: For we've been together so long, and until that happened, we always did everything together with each other. To the point that we no longer know why we did it or where the cause of why we did it came fromー ourselves or the other.
> Snow: And so I start to suspectー Am I really binding his soul, or was it that I am only just splitting my soul into halves...?
>> Is there anything about him that you’re rather discontented of?
> Akira: Is there anything about him that you’re rather discontented of?
> Snow: Let’s see... I think I used to have a tad discontent with an Easterner-like restraining part of White.
> Snow: There was an atmosphere that wouldn’t allow for any freedom. Even a slight difference between us was a taboo.
> Snow: Yet, now I'm afraid that if I don't restrain him, White would go to somewhere I couldn’t reach.
> Snow: That if I ever think that it’s alright to let go of White, then he’d never come back again.
> Akira: …….
> Snow: This is such a self-serving story, so much that I can't even laugh about it.
>> What's an activity that you two enjoy doing together?
> Akira: What's an activity that you two enjoy doing together?
> Snow: It might be to come up with a new, interesting game to play together.
> Snow: But since for the longest time we were only together with each other, the games that others wouldn’t know of, and also jokes that don't seem to be understood by other people, just keep increasing.
> Snow: Therefore, it would remain unknown whether they really are amusing or not. That was something I used to think, but…
> Snow: Since it makes me quite uneasy when we share too many of the same interests and values with each other, I guess it'd be good if we were to show them to everyone and let them into it sometimes.
Akira: Mithra, you have known the twins for a long time, haven't you? Is there anything you think has changed since White's death?
Mithra: What’s definite is the decrease of magical power. Maybe it's because it's being used to bind White's soul, but I think it's even weaker than half of what it once was before.
Akira: I see... Mithra, have you ever thought of binding someone else's soul to yours?
Mithra: Even if I have, it's not something I could do.
Akira: Really? Even with the magic that’s as strong as yours?
Mithra: That was something possible only because those two are twins, and they have always been together for over two thousand years.
Mithra: A magic that became possible because they were each halves of each other, even down to their souls.
Mithra: And even if I were to live with someone for more than two thousand years from now on, I don't think I'd ever be able to connect my soul with them as well as those two.
Mithra: Just as how no one would be able to bind my soul, for I have been living in solitude, I wouldn’t be able to tie someone else’s soul, either.
Mithra: But that's normal, isn't it? Master Sage, have you ever tried to tie your soul with someone else’s, and then bound them together?
Akira: N- No, I haven't...
Mithra: And that's normal.
Mithra: In the end, you and I are independent creatures. Just as how my death will not be your death…
Mithra: The twins' deaths should have been independent from each other as well. They're doing something so out of the norm that it’s uncanny, wouldn't you agree?
Owen: The twins got me a few times in the past.
Owen: From a long ago, if you ever did something too bad, they’d somehow heard about it and appeared to punish you.
Owen: In my opinion, it's just a whimsical tactical diversion. And it would seem that they have fooled you just fine, Master Sage.
Akira: Snow and White wouldn’t fool me…
Owen: See? This is what I was talking about. Fufu, how laughable.
Owen: It's nice that now White is dead, but it also brings trouble.
Owen: He turned to stone, and I was chosen as the Sage’s Wizard to replace him.
Akira: You mean, Owen was summoned to replace him?
Owen: That's right. I was happy when I heard that one of the twins had finally died, but he was actually still here like nothing happened. How annoying.
Owen: Won’t you think that it’s weird that while the other countries have four wizards, only the North has five? Like it’ll seem that the Northern wizard consisted of a bunch of weaklings.
Akira: You surprisingly care about things like that, huh...
Owen: I just don’t want to be misunderstood, okay?
Owen: Just thinking about it is pissing me off… Everyone thinking that only the North needs five wizards, even though other countries can do just fine with four.
Owen: Since I was even made to replace him, at least White should just stay dead properly.
Bradley: Y'know, I used to run a bandit gang. Which was why our information about strong wizards must be up-to-date.
Bradley: The Northern Twins are famous, and I've heard a lot of rumors about ‘em.
Akira: They've been around for a long time, so I can understand why they're so prominent. What kind of rumors did you hear?
Bradley: They're siding with the humans, but they're also fickle, just like yer usual Northern wizards.
Bradley: Well the other Northern wizards definitely found ’em annoying. They’d just keep appearing to get us if someone crossed the line and did something too bad.
Bradley: People always talk about twins this, twins that, so I never thought to actually differentiate 'em. But when I met ‘em for real, they're actually pretty different from each other.
Akira: So Bradley can tell the difference between them. Was it from the first time you met?
Bradley: Well, it definitely becomes easier since now White's dead. Snow seems more awkward, right? And White just does whatever he wants.
Bradley: Keep seeing White doing whatever the hell he wants and Snow just trying to humour him and shit.
Bradley: Guess that's what'll happen when you mess with someone you shouldn't ever mess with.
Akira: I see... And what do you think about tying your souls together?
Bradley: If I were White, I'd rather die.
Bradley: But if I were Snow… I might just do the same thing.
Akira: Oz. Snow and White are the ones that taught you about magic, right? What do you think about White?
Oz: …….
Oz: Until White's death, it was never about only one of them, but always about both of them.
Oz: But after one of them died, there seemed to be a slight difference between them.
Akira: A difference between them? And what is the difference?
Oz: ... It's hard to put it into words, but…
Oz: When I told both of them that what you've done is really foolish and ridiculous...
Oz: Snow grimaced, while White wryly smiled.
Oz: For the first time in my life, I saw the twins react differently. I still remember the chill I felt back then.
Akira: Chill...?
Oz: Since I realized. That after you killed each other, something in each of you would be altered, never to return. Even for those twins, this still applies.
Even if he talked about how he felt chilled about this, there was no hint of fear in his profile. Oz continued, almost as if he was talking to himself.
Oz: No matter what I do...
Oz: For eternity… Occurrences that don't go my way, things that bother me, and things that make me uncomfortable, will never cease to exist.
Akira: Oz...
Oz: I could understand. Why did Snow want to go somewhere by himself at that time.
Oz: And, if you want to go somewhere by yourself, then I'd rather turn you into stone by my own hands… White's feelings too, now…
Akira: Figaro. Snow and White are the ones who taught you about magic, right? What do you think about White?
Figaro: I'll be honest with you, since you're Master Sage. But honestly? I think he's a fool.
Figaro: I mean, he tried to stop Lord Snow who wanted to become free by telling him that he'd rather kill him by his own hand and then die himself after, you know?
>> That's…
> Akira: That's…
> Figaro: I myself would hate it if I have to be tied down to someone for the rest of my life. And I also won't stop someone who want to leave me, even after I've told them that I want them to stay with me.
> Figaro: You can't help it if you’re just not in someone's heart. And to think that he tried to twist that up by using magic…
> Akira: That's... You might be right..
>> But still…
> Akira: But still…
> Figaro: I mean, I've never done something like that before either.
> Figaro: I never forced my friend, even if I have been accompanying him in taking over the world, when he said he wanted to quit.
> Figaro: I even said 'Take care!' to my adorable pupil, a kid who wished to leap by his own wings and left my side not before long.
Figaro: This is where you shouldn't ever use magic. Especially so, if it's a person important to you. The moment you use magic, everything will become fake.
Akira: Fake...
Figaro: Even when I wish for something from someone, I'd never do that. On this alone, I can say it with pride.
Figaro: So Lord White is a fool. But Lord Snow is also a fool, since he ended up going too far and killed Lord White instead.
Figaro: I don't want to be like that. I want to connect with someone through my heart. Not through my power, nor through my magic.
Akira: Like what the Southern wizards do?
Figaro: That's right.
Figaro: I want to grab it in my own hands… The moment when something I wish for becomes another's wish, and something another wishes for becomes my wish too.
Figaro: At very least, before I turn into stone.
Akira: You two have a house in the City of Frost, right?
Akira: Was there any reason why you chose to move to this city?
White: Hohoho. It’s not that we choose to move into this cityー It’s the place that we chose to move to, that then became this city.
White: If you asked me the reason why we chose to move… Then I suppose it would be because our freedom has become restrained in the place where we lived before.
White: When you live in the same place for a century or two, many things would congregate around you. And if you amassed too many things, then your freedom will become restrained in turn.
White: The reason of why we chose to move here would be because of its proximity to the Frozen Forest. We have taken a liking to this splendid landscape.
Akira: I see...
>> How long do you plan to live here?
> Akira: How long do you plan to live here?
> White: We would stay here until this place, too, has become a place that has restrained our freedom. Because no matter where it is in this world, it seems that the population would just keep increasing with no end.
> White: You could say that soon this city, too, will become one of those that you would say as an overpopulated one.
> White: The world's culture and technology have improved, and there are places where humans can survive even without a helping hand from any wizards or witches.
> White: Then should they choose to live within the North Country, they should just live as they please. Without counting on us to lend them our hands to survive.
> White: Should they be able to do that, with nothing restraining our freedom, we probably would then stay and live at one place in peace.
>> Was there any other place that you have taken a liking to?
> Akira: Was there any other place that you have taken a liking to?
> White: Not me, but there was a place that Snow had taken a liking to.
> White: It was by the mountains on the border to the West Country. He probably even wanted to jump over the mountains and live in the West Country at least once.
> White: The culture of the West Country has always been an ever-changing, intense and stimulating one. I was afraid that Snow would change, should he ever be touched by it.
> White: And without telling him about that, there was a time when I pestered him... That I want to live near the Forest of Frost, deep, deep within the North Country.
White: This street is the marketplace of this city.
Akira: Whoa... So they don’t build a shop, but they set up a cart and set them up like it’s a stall...
White: Hohoho. Compared to this city, the area around the Magical Manor where you live is much more modern, right?
White: And you'll find much more unusual things there. Oh, but mayhaps this is the first time you've ever seen vegetables and fish being sold frozen like this?
Akira: Wow...! Everything is frozen solid! Do they freeze them with magic?
White: If you leave them outside, they’ll freeze all on their own. Fish, for example, would be caught in the lake. After that, even if you just place it nearby and leave it for a few minutes, it’ll be as good as frozen.
White: As long as you can secure some food provision, it can then be stored for a long time during the winter. That's the convenience of living in the North Country.
Akira: So that must mean that the meat from birds and animals here are also sold after they froze right after they were caught...
Akira: But won't the shopkeepers feel cold, being out in the open all the time like this?
White: That's why they wear animal furs. Animal's furs and skins will keep them warm outside and keep their body from freezing. Sheep's wool is also very useful.
Akira: I see... Even their boots are covered in fur, huh...? In my world, they'd be pretty expensive.
Akira: (I'm always protected from the cold by magic, but it hit me again that this place is a really hard place for humans to live in...)
White: Now that I'm back home, it makes me realize once again that the North Country is really the easiest place to live in.
White: And for humans, by living in this country you could say that they are returning back to their origin, so it’s not a bad thing either
Akira: Do you mean that the way humans live in the North Country is actually the original way for humans to live before…?
White: Yes. I guess you could call it a northern-style way of living. In the far past, the whole world lived in the northern-style way.
White: In a case that humans asked a wizard for shelter since it’s hard for them to survive in that land, then we might oblige their request.
White: But of course, we won't do it for free. In return for our protection, humans would then pay us with toiling themselves to enrich our lives further.
Akira: So it's a two-way street?
White: Indeed, that it is.
White: Because we hold more power, we might have more leeway than them. But at the very least, we won’t force parents to kill their child for us.
White: Yet in the case that you meet such a wizard, you should run away and seek shelter from another wizard. Good wizards like us, that is.
Akira: Then, why did the way of living change outside of the North Country?
White: Most of the strong wizards in the world were turned to stone by Oz. And Oz himself then retreated deep into the North Country for a long time after that.
White: Perhaps for humans, it's an inevitable course of fate. Since for them, wizards' power would always be a threatening force to be feared of.
White: And yet, it’s the population of humans that has been increasing rapidly within these past centuries.
White: At the rate it seems to be going, perhaps the day when the wizard will cease to exist shall come upon us.
White: Our relationship with <The Great Calamity> has gone for a long, long way back.
White: Incidentally, have we ever told you the story of how, once upon a time, us twins have driven back <The Great Calamity> all by our lonesome?
Akira: What!? You mean that Snow and White fought <The Great Calamity> by yourselves and succeeded?!
White: Indeed, that we did. Hohoho, how pleasing your reaction is, it brings joy to my heart to see it.
Akira: So, does that mean that <The Great Calamity> before this are actually weak, and it was actually pretty easy to drive them away?
White: No, that's not it! It's true that we used to be suuuper strong wizards, but even then, we always have to actually put in some effort every year!
White: ‘Tis a story back when we were still thriving in our youths... Back when we were at the height of our primes.
White: The disciples we have raised were starting to get ahead of themselves, so we took it upon ourselves to show them the greatness of their masters.
Akira: By disciples, you mean Oz and Figaro, right? Did they get shocked about this too, then?
White: But of course! To the point that they were a bit turned off at the majesty of our strength, even.
White: When we realize it, driving away <The Great Calamity> every year has become a matter of course for us. Still, this time it has become a real threat.
White: For even though until now we have been able to maintain some balance… If the balance was to be tipped off and become broken, everything would spiral out of control.
White: Whether it was between Snow and myself… And even whether it was between the Sage and their wizards.
Akira: The balance between me and all of you...?
White: Indeed. Hohoho. No need to fret, for you are a good kid. We are looking forward to your flourish in the next battle, Master.
Akira: Ah Bradley. Are you in the middle of talking with this person?
Bradley: Hah! Whaddaya think I’d even talk about with some human?
Bradley: Especially humans here. All have been domesticated that they can’t do nothing. Isn't that right, huh!?
City of Frost Resident: Eeek...!!
Akira: Br- Bradley! You shouldn't threaten people...!
Bradley: Even if you face some other wizards or twins, there should at least be SOMETHING you humans can' do.
Bradley: Deal with them as equals, and make sure you at least get something outta that deal!
Bradley: At least, that was what the guys I used to take care of were all like.
City of Frost Resident: Oh no, there’s no way we can... If we go against Lord Snow and Lord White, there’s no way we can survive...
Bradley: ‘Course we could kill you all in a flash. But even wizards are not perfect.
Bradley: Like, no way I can bother ‘bout distributing goods or governing humans, way too troublesome. The twins are the same, ain’t ‘em? Bet they just left ‘em up to you guys.
Bradley: If somethin’ troublesome can be solved by not killing you, it's enough for us to make a deal.
Akira & City of Frost Resident: .......
Bradley: Some grownass man like you, actin’ like a baby of some big happy family… ‘Lord Snow, please! Lord White, please...!’ Those twins aren’t yer parents!
Bradley: In the first place, ain’t no way the twins even have a speck of compassion like that. Don't let them play you for a fool and squeeze you dry fer nothin’.
City of Frost Resident: There’s no way Lord Snow and Lord White will fool us… They are very compassionate, and they’ve looked after us for a very long time...
Bradley: Grrgh...! This is exactly what I mean...! Well, those twins must have some reason since they chose to live in this city, but...
Bradley: One last thing. Just know fer sure that y’all will be in big trouble when they’re gone. And 'm sure, it's already a wait-and-see matter for you.
Chloe: Master Sage! I just met a wizard who lives in the City of Frost!
Akira: A wizard? So there are more wizards living in this city other than Snow and White...?
Chloe: Yeah, it seems like the twins left them in the charge of this city. He thought I was just some outsider who just walked in as I pleased here...
Chloe: He came at me with a very scary face... But it seems like Snow and White left some of their presence on me at some point.
Chloe: I think it was when they hugged me before I left? Anyway, he left me alone because there’s some presence of the twins in me.
Akira: So that happened... It sounds like a marking, doesn't it? I wonder if I also got one on me...
Chloe: I think so! And it seems that there are some other wizards that live in this city.
Chloe: He told me that Snow and White left this town in their care, so they’ve been patrolling and managing things if there are some trouble happening with the humans here.
Akira: I see... So they take care of things here and there for the twins?
Chloe: Probably? He said it was so they wouldn't have to trouble Snow and White over that, but...
Chloe: I think Snow and White are not just looking after the humans, but also wizards that don't have enough strength to survive alone in the North Country.
Chloe: I feel like they have this similar atmosphere with the underlings of the Boss back in my hometown.
Mithra: I'm going to go to the most dangerous place in this city. Would you like to come along with me?
Akira: Okaー ..… What?! Just what kind of place are you going to…?
Mithra: The twins' residence.
Mithra: If you're here with me, in case that they found us out in the end, it's likely that they'll go easy on their punishment on me.
Akira: The twins' residence… You mean Snow and White's house, right? Do you want to visit their house?
Mithra: Yes. Since it's filled with so many items that I want.
Mithra: I was invited to their house once in the past. At first glance, it looked like an ordinary house. But I could feel that it was actually pretty twisted in some ways.
Akira: Twisted in what way...?
Mithra: Like there was a doorway that seemed to lead to somewhere unknown, or a box that was filled with the presence of ominous magic. And I think they were raising something too somewhere there.
Mithra: I mean, the twins have lived for a long time, right? It was said that they have hidden away a lot of things that might affect the balance of power in this world.
Mithra: It would seem that the twins have taken it upon themselves to manage the things that they think would be dangerous, should they fall into the hands of humans or wizards alike.
Akira: I see… I think I'd feel safer, too, knowing that they're the ones holding something that sounds that dangerous and not anyone else...
Mithra: Safe? Even though it's possible that they have some magic tool that could easily seal Oz away?
Mithra: Something that is a threat, no matter who has the item. We have to take it away as soon as possible.
Akira: But in the end, you're talking about possibilities, aren't you...? And I think visiting their house just to rob them away is a little...
Mithra: There definitely is. I mean, that Oz and Figaro are obeying what the twins are saying, after all.
Mithra: So, let's go, Master Sage. Together, let's go and try our best to upset the balance of this world.
City of Frost Resident: Lord Snow and Lord White are very kind and benevolent souls. All the residents here are very grateful to them.
City of Frost Resident: As a child they would be our playmates, as an adult they would be our confidants, and as an elderly, they would be someone like grandchildren for us.
City of Frost Resident: They’re someone akin to awe-inspiring, yet charming gods who’d protect us. Someone who would be talked down from generation to generation… A fabled existence.
Rustica: How wonderful that relationship sounds. It would seem like Lord Snow and Lord White love everyone in this city, and are loved by everyone here, too.
Akira: I agree. Snow and White are friendly by nature, but I think they really like this city.
Rustica: It seems like whenever people here have difficulties, they would reach out to help you.
Rustica: I’m sure this was because when you see someone’s delighted face, curiously, it would bring out joy within ourselves too.
City of Frost Resident: You're right. If the road is blocked by rocks, they would remove them. And in the year when the climate was especially cold, they would light up a constant fire for us.
City of Frost Resident: Without Lord Snow and Lord White, we would not be able to live a good life in a place like this. We really are grateful to both of them from the bottom of our hearts.
City of Frost Resident: We have recently heard rumors that they are planning to leave this city. In fear of being abandoned, regularly, that blasphemous rumors would circulate in the city.
Rustica: Poor thing... That must be very unsettling for you. I could see that this place would be a very inconvenient place to live without help from magic, that's for sure.
City of Frost Resident: ... I don't believe in those rumors. We have all been cleaning up around their house, so that Lord Snow and Lord White would always feel at ease around their home, no matter when they choose to return home.
City of Frost Resident: And I always make sure to tell the children to always mind their manners whenever they encounter them.
Akira: Which reminds me, everyone here greeted us. And when they found out that we are acquaintances of Snow and White, they were very amiable to us.
City of Frost Resident: I've heard that there are villages and cities that claimed to be protected by a wizard, yet never actually seen the appearance of the wizard that sheltered them.
City of Frost Resident: Not so with the City of Frost. It is a city that has been with Lord Snow and Lord White for a long time, and has built up a real relationship of trust with them.
Rustica: Oh my, how wonderful that is to have a relationship of mutual trust with each other. It's like the relationship between myself and Master Sage. It makes me feel a sense of affinity to this city, and made me like this place even more.
Akira: Oh, that's Owen and… someone from this city?!
Owen: Whatever is wrong, Master Sage? Looking that flustered...
Akira: No- nothing! But it's rare for you to be talking to the people here, soo I was just wondering what you were talking about!
Owen: It's not like I was talking to him. But, see, all of the sudden he just started waving this weird thing at me.
City of Frost Resident: Eeek.........!
[Ring Ring]
Akira: That's… An ornament made from stained glass...?
Owen: That's probably something Snow and White made.
Owen: The twins live for too long, that’s why they have too much time on their hands. They started making stained glass to kill time and then pushed them on some humans hands.
City of Frost Resident: Lord Snow, Lord White…! Please, please grant this one your protection… Please, with your divine help, please drive the evil wizard away…!
[Ring Ring]
Akira: (Ah, he's probably using it like a bear bell...? But it was to repel bad wizards instead…?)
Akira: (I’ve heard that if you mess up with someone who has something made by Snow and White, there will be hell for you to pay later…)
Owen: Hey, stop it. How annoying... Something like this, I'm just going to get rid of it.
[Sounds of something crashing to ground]
City of Frost Resident: Aaaaah.....!
Akira: Ah...?! He got so scared that he fainted...!
Owen: I didn't do anything. You saw what happened, right, Master Sage? Don't you say anything unnecessary to Snow and White.
Akira: Ah, he's gone...
Akira: The wizard repellant, it's working...
Bradley: Oh. Look, Master. Stained glass Snow and White made.
Akira: Stained glass...? Ah, the one that's placed in the window of that house over there?
Bradley: Yeah. Y'know how twins called themselves stained glass artisans right? They made 'em as a pastime.
Bradley: And humans that received 'em 'll put it on their windows gratefully. Since anyone can tell that it means that place is the twins' turf.
Bradley: Well, the one here's probably real, but seems like even on lands that the twins have long abandoned they'd still hand 'em down from generation to generation.
Akira: I see...
Akira: So, Bradley. If you happened to see that the house you’re about to target actually has this stained glass on its window, would you actually stop thinking about targeting it?
Bradley: Well… Probably...
Bradley: When I think that those twins will come out after doin' mischief there, doin' it just feel kinda lame y'know?
Akira: Wow! So it's actually working...!
Bradley: Hey. 'S not like I'm scared of 'em, y'hear? Just that fighting those guys is a friggin' pain in the ass.
Bradley: They'll just keep hittin' and hittin' right where you're weak at. It's the same with Figaro. So pushy and annoyin' as hell.
Bradley: And if someone actually wants to have a go at the twins, they'd go straight to them. Most people won't even approach that window.
Snow & White: Master! Come here, come here!
Akira: Is this a park...? It's amazing that there's a park in such a freezing city like this...
White: We built it for the children to play in. And we've enchanted it so that it won't freeze.
Snow: We have also made the snow slide that the previous Sage has mentioned to us. Come and let's slide together with us!
White: And there are snow sculptures over there, made by the people of this city. Come and let's look at them together with us!
>> Play on the slide.
> Akira: Wow! It's so tall and super long! Rather than a slide, it's more like a huge water slide…
> Snow: You slide down on a sled from over there. It's fast enough to beat Rutile's speed on broom!
> Akira: ….. Uhm, you know, it seems like there's quite a huge gap between the slopes over there…?
> White: Indeed! The momentum of the sled shall make you jump over the slope and land you on the other side!
> Akira: That's way too scary...!
> Snow: If you want to taste some thrill, there's no need to use magic, just slide! Come on, let's go, Master!
>> Look at the snow sculpture.
> Akira: So big...! When you said sculpture, I thought of something more subtle than this...
> White: Once a year, the people of this city would make these huge snow sculptures and hold open something akin to a festival then.
> Snow: That's our sculpture. We have requested for enchanting looks this year.
> Akira: Well, these are definitely enchanting...
> Akira: Oh, is that a dragon? And I think that's a castle. They're really well done…
> Snow: It always moves me when I think about how humans built all of these without using any magic.
> White: And since humans could do this much without us, it means we can always let go of them anytime.
> Snow: It is customary for us to destroy them by using our magic at the end of a festival. Perhaps we shall extend you an invitation to come here again when that time comes.
