Snow Witch'S Journey
The real work

Through Charley, I know a lot about painting and the city. Like the history lesson, the residents of this city are required to respect and recall the history of this city. There's a lot of long history that Charley told me while painting. Like the history of the long dispute between painting styles, the influx of revolutionary-era art, then the case of the greatest art plagiarism that affects all art in the world, and much more is told. However, what makes me interested is still the history of the establishment of this city.

The lands along the End of the Frozen Line had very loud and monotonous lives. The environment that only contains ice and snow makes their lifestyle feel empty, especially for newcomers. If their job was not to focus on ice and snow, they would have to take shelter inside the house until the storm left. Totally different from the designation as the continent where the first civilization.

That's when a guy named Mervan changed everything. It was at the beginning when he first discovered the White Maple Tree. Amazed by his beauty, the man immediately painted it on an animal skin and used the ashes from his campfire and snow as his ink. He painted it intending to return to his residence and be able to show his friends a beauty to be found in a place that can even freeze bones. Because of this, people are then interested in seeing it directly and participate in painting the scene as well as done by Mervan. As time went on, the tree was now surrounded by buildings belonging to painters who admired the beauty of the tree.

Real great. A simple painting alone is able to give new hope and build a life for them. Unfortunately, I was 70 years late to see the historic painting.

Well, what happened, happened. Now I just have to focus on what I'm doing right now. Being a model for a painter was not as easy as I thought. If Charley was not satisfied with the result, then it started again from the beginning. I had to pose in such a way and hold it for a long time. Changing poses is exhausting. Moreover, sometimes I run out of poses and die in style. Makes me look so stiff.

I had repeatedly told the painter to use my face painting to hand over to the race committee, but he also repeatedly rejected it and said that the painting was lacking. God, what else should be perfect? my mind is exhausted.

Nothing less than this painting. It was just that the man wanted to paint something even wider than a portrait of a magical girl's face. I think he wants a painting where I am and the world is in his canvas. He thought such a painting was a masterpiece.

After a few days of producing a failed masterpiece, we finally stopped at the edge of the cliff. This view of the Frozen Sea is our last bet because tomorrow is the day of determination.

I stood on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea. The end of my boots was almost past the edge of the cliff. Just below is ice and sea mixed. If I slip a little, it might be the end of my journey. But, this sight made me not worry so much about him. He was still busy painting me, while I was just standing in a very dangerous place.

“No problem.” As soon as I said every painter stopped moving his brush, then peeked out from behind his canvas and worried about me.

“Nona is a really brave person. Full of determination,” he said while continuing his painting.

“Do you think? I don't think it's bad.”

Although the cold and snow continued to rain gently, none of us were disturbed by it. We are solid as stone.

I can see the man bowing his body to the bonfire. There, there was water in the cooking pot. But not for drinking or bathing. Charley used the warm water to melt the frozen paint and the brush. He soaked his palette for a while then lifted it again as soon as the paint became liquid. That way, he can use the paint even in a frozen place and continue painting. Once applied to the canvas, the wet paint will dry immediately. Very practical.

“Painters like me and wanderers like misses are actually not much different. The traveler dares to take risks and risk his life for the place he wants to reach. Painters are like that too. It's just that we can use the same scene over and over again and paint it different every time. We are satisfied with just one place like this city.” He looked to the left where his warm city was visible.

“Nona correct.” Charley put his brush on the pot and took out a new brush with the brush-like tip. I think he's already started to spread out the colors for the vast landscape. “If you may know, what makes miss want to travel?”

“Simple only. I just want to see and feel the world directly.” I smiled broadly as I answered.

A simple but sincere reason is actually a strong one. The reason comes from the heart. A heart that contains a dream that I have held since childhood and will never change until now. Sometimes those simple reasons and dreams are more beautiful and purer. I like dreams like that.

“So, yes. Miss is great. Not only beautiful from the outside, but also beautiful inside. It's a pity that Miss can't stay here for a long time. I want to keep painting the lady for the rest of my life, but she still has to keep going."

I'm nodding. But, it also meant an indirect apology. I know, in this city, painting for a lifetime doesn't just mean painting, but a heartfelt expression at a very special moment. That's why I just nodded my head, and he already knew the answer.

“So, where are you going next?”

“I'll continue east. After I circumnavigate this cold continent, I will proceed to the other continent.”

“East, yes. I heard there's been an earthquake lately. Be careful, miss,” he said warning me.

“I'll be careful.”

It's been a few minutes since we last spoke. I don't count the time anymore. My legs are now tingling and my hat is too heavy because of the snow. Just then, Charley stood up from his chair and smiled at me. From the look on his face, I can see that this time he was very satisfied with the results. I hurried to look at her and her smile was not wrong.

“I named this painting “Softness in a World Full of Danger”. Fits you, miss.”

Two days later, I was packing in my room. It's time for me to leave this unique city and move on to another unique place. I wanted to buy this town's signature souvenir, but it didn't seem possible to carry it in my sling bag. The only thing I can carry in this city is a bag of 25 gold bars. Just feeling the weight and hearing the clanking made me smile all by myself.

“Are you satisfied with this city?” asked the compass I held tightly after passing through the gates of Painter City.

I keep walking down the snowy streets. Leaving behind my deep footprints since leaving the city. The warm light that had previously welcomed me every visit to the city, gradually disappeared in this snow. While looking forward without even looking back, I answered the compass question with a wide smile, “I've never been disappointed with all the places I've been through.”