Snow Witch'S Journey
Ice Castle

I walked down a road in the middle of the forest outside the city walls. Extinguished torch lights were installed along the way. The path led me to a large tall building behind trees in the middle of the forest. An ice castle like the sculptor said. The huge castle was made of ice so completely that it was a brilliant blue color The castle towered above the fir trees, the top of the roof was taper like a spear pointed into the upper sky.

There were two guards standing in front of the ice steps leading to the main door of the castle. One of the guards instantly realized my whereabouts and approached me.

“Please excuse me, miss. This castle is not to be visited. Please return to the city immediately,” said the guard.

“Ah, I just want to see it, really. I'm not going inside. Can, right?”

“As long as the miss does not enter the castle will not violate any rules. Especially inside is very dangerous. However, if the lady is satisfied to see, the lady is required to return to the city immediately. Although there are guards though, the forest is still a dangerous place.”

“I understand.”

Without long, the guard returned to his position guarding the entrance of the castle with his guard companions. The two guards wore full armaments with their amor just like the guards at the city gate. They were really serious about guarding this place and said that the castle was indeed dangerous.

Disappointing, but quite satisfying to see a castle made of ice—the walls, the roof, the doors, the windows, the lights, the carvings even to the details like chunks of ice carved very carefully. This castle is different class again with ice sculptures in the city. It would be amazing if there was a king or queen who made the ice castle the center of their power. Unfortunately this castle was only built as a tourist attraction and is now closed.

I really enjoyed the icy blue sparkle in this city, including the castle that stood pretty in the middle of the forest. My gaze instantly shifted as a red hair was seen emerging from the bushes next to the castle, moving slowly without making a sound to the back of the castle.

“Vestia? What is he doing?” mumamku wonder.

My mind went into sudden deliberation when it came to deciding whether I should report the guards or pretend I didn't see them and let anything happen. Finally I decided to re-enter the forest, then circled the castle silently while trying to hide in the shadows to avoid the supervision of the guards. I came out of the bushes and found Vestia at the back of the castle, trying to get in through the open castle window.

“Vestia!” I ran to prevent him from getting inside and getting hurt. I suddenly lost my balance. My body leaned forward. I stumbled upon a hard object like a rock. I can't change where I fall. Briefly and unintentionally, I hit Vestia who was still on the window sill and pushed her down inside.

I felt pain as well as something soft. As soon as I opened my eyes, I landed on Vestia's body. I could see her face so close below me and I could feel her warm body and her heartbeat. As soon as our eyes met and stared at each other for a few seconds, he quickly immediately pushed me very hard. I fell backwards on the hard floor with my ass first.

Vestia got up while pointing her index finger at me. “You! What are you doing here?” his nag. His face was red. “You have also pushed me at will and.. What, the hell, are you actually doing? Want to attack me, will you?”

I woke up and was immediately taken by him. “I should have asked you that. Why are you sneaking into the castle? In the back. Your behavior is very suspicious. You know this place isn't allowed in, right?”

“I know. That's why I'm sneaking through the back. My investigation should be total. This place cannot be missed.”

“This place? Isn't this just a castle for travel?”

“Entah.” His voice was swallowing, not as loud as before. Vestia rolled her eyes around. “After seeing this, I doubt if this place was built for entertainment alone.”

“So, you mean this castle was created by the same person who made those ice spines?”

“I hope like that.”

The window we went through turned out to be very high about four meters from the floor we were on. Our room was like a back room of a castle that was not used for anything other than just to add grandeur. Two doors are on the left side and the other two are on the right. I didn't see any big doors that were the same shape as the front door. It means we are very far behind or under the feet of the guards.

“Hey, if you're an investigator and you're doing your job, why don't you ask for official entry? You sneak in like a criminal, you know.”

“I don't have time for that,” she replied. He continued to observe the ceiling, then stopped in front of me. “Added, I didn't sneak in. It was you who suddenly pushed me at will. I can report you for acts of violence and attempted murder. There was a bruise on my body from the fall earlier that I can make as proof.”

“You still hate me, yes,” I'm upset.

“Wait a minute!” Suddenly Aeron shouted inside my bag, making Vestia gasp and point her wand.

“Who's there? Are you with someone?” tanyanya alert.

I didn't want him to know that I had a compass that spoke. However, all of that was useless because Aeron foolishly said. After this, the situation would definitely get more complicated since Vestia had already noticed it. It feels so frustrating.

“Ah, actually...” I showed Vestia a compass I put in my palm. “It's Aeron. Dia... a compass that can speak.”

Vestia bent her body. His crimped forehead was reflected by the glass-like silver protector. “Oh, magic artifact?” His face was so close to the compass and my hands were like an expert observing a historical object.

“I found it while in the forest. I thought there was no harm in bringing someone who could be used as a chat companion during my trip. Well, he's a compass. So, she pretty much helped me—pointing directions.”

I'm not going to explain the other uses of Aeron because the problem will be more complicated if more and more people know that this compass can point to anything they want.

“Find him in the forest?” Vestia's eyes turned towards me. I felt cornered by her sharp gaze, though I didn't know why. “Can you show me your magic artifact ownership letter?”

“Eh, any letters too?”

“Of course. We live in a more modern age. Letters are used as an official evidence set out in the rule of law. Possession of magic artifacts must be accompanied by documents containing proof of ownership along with terms and conditions that must be met. Magic artifacts are objects that must be given special care and supervision based on their level. Your magic wand must also have its own official letter. All magic equipment and even your identity as a magician must also be registered with the Kalmagistra Magic Order. If you can't give up all that, I have a reason to arrest you and bring you to justice as an unregistered witch as well as a number of apparent offences as well as—"

Vestia continued to talk at length about the rules about witches. I never thought I'd be that bad witch. Even though I was tired of taking care of my identity letter, there were other documents that I had to take care of. My head could break right now.