Snow Witch'S Journey
Ice Thrones

“Enough!” My ears are no longer strong to hear, my brain is no longer able to process, and my heart is already too sick to receive all the dizzying information. “I don't know at all about being a witch that much. Can you give me a little lightening?"

Vestia released my hand that held her mouth. “Freely just beg. I am just a tool to bring justice. I can't deny what's wrong in front of my eyes. Whether it's a king or a stranger like you, if you break the law, you have to accept the consequences. You can't escape the law. Do not increasingly reject it that will complicate yourself later.”

He gave me some positive advice, but I don't know why I want to take that kind of advice from him, even if it's positive. I don't want to end up in jail. I just want to go on a free trip. Can't it?

“Sorry to interrupt your conversation. But, I want to ask you one thing.” Aeron suddenly interjected in the midst of the gaze of judges Vestia and my helplessness. “Actually this is what I wanted to talk about earlier. Miss redhead, you said you were an investigator, didn't you?”

“What's the reason?” he replied coldly while looking down at the compass in my left hand.

I don't know what Aeron wants to talk about, but I'm the one who resignedly raised my hand high enough that Aeron was in Vestia's line of sight. This isn't a conversation about me. I can't hope for anything anymore.

“Investigator works if there are reports or requests from people, right? But, this town, the citizens here don't look like they need help from an investigator. If I may conclude, your own coming on the basis of your own personal desire to capture someone you consider evil. I'm sorry, lady, for me you're not an investigator, but you're not that different from a vigilante. Such a person can also be brought to justice. Your assault on Niva can serve as proof that you have attacked innocent people without any formal procedure.”

I saw Vestia's hands clenching tightly, then opening back limply. I'm appalled. Everything Aeron said made sense. I can't believe Aeron, who used to be happy to taunt me, is defending me. My heart was so relieved and I felt so grateful to have decided to take this compass on my journey.

“Then, what do you want to do to me? Arrest me and take me to court?” furious Vestia. The air around him felt strong. Aeron managed to make the girl furious.

“If you let us go and forget what you said before, we won't take you to court. Justice for both sides, right?”

Aeron. He's not kidding. Dealing with him I think would be difficult.

“Hmph! I guess I have no other choice.” Vestia replied with great hesitation.

I think that's the answer yes. Finally the atmosphere came back liquid and I was free for the second time. The compass was really ingenious of my guess. He could find the weakness of Vestia that I did not realize quickly, then use it to counterattack and make Vestia have to accept an offer that can not be rejected. If I don't bring Aeron, maybe I'll have a bad ending.

The defeated Vestia the second time did not say any more words and decided to keep quiet. He turned to look at me as if he had forgotten everything that had just happened. Suddenly, he slipped on the slippery floor as he stepped his foot. I reflexively caught his shoulder.

“You okay?” my many. “Be careful. Floor here slippery.”

“I hate this place!” his gerrick.

I grabbed her shoulders and helped her stand up. “You're not here, are you? You look cold and have a hard time walking on slippery floors. It's just natural, anyway. The end of the Frozen Line is not a normal place to visit an outsider like you.”

“Frozen Line Edge?”

“Ah, that's a name for us who live here. If not mistaken, the name for an outsider was the Land of Eternal Snow Season, right?"

Vestia put on a face with no interest and expression. Or maybe he was not interested because he was busy rubbing his hands in front of his mouth. Such cold air was indeed not suitable for outsiders.

Then, we climbed one of the ice stairs to get to the top floor. Each of the steps was very slippery, so I stepped slowly with my left hand on the handle of the stairs.

Without saying anything, we reached the top floor. Three unusually large doors were in front of us. The middle door is slightly larger because the frame is shaped like two tusks that cross each other. While the two doors on its side are smaller but have a symbol on it.

It seems that Vestia showed interest in the symbol above the door.

“I know this symbol,” murmured. He took off his robe and picked up a book in his bag.

With great difficulty, he opened the pages of his book covered in dull green, then raised them high when he had found the page he was looking for. In the courtyard, there was an arrow symbol whose tip was facing downwards, just like the one engraved on top of the door.

“What does that mean?” my many.

“I've found similar symbols in many places.” He dropped the book, then read the writing on the page. “Dan also means a lot: showing direction, the location of a treasure, the underworld, peace, something opposite of strength, or despair. There was no exact meaning related to this ice castle. Did I miss something?”

Initially, I just wanted to look around the mumpung castle I was already in. But I think I'm now investigating this castle with Vestia. I wouldn't really be serious about doing an investigation like an experienced investigator. I only intend to follow Vestia alone while touring the castle until we finally come out later.

The girl also suddenly thought of me as if I was her partner. He forgot that he had attacked me before because he thought I was a criminal and was still trying to bring me to justice. I'm even sure he still harbors hatred for me until now.

“Do not know,” answered me and Aeron in unison.

“I'm sure this symbol means something.” Vestia continued muttering even though her book had been returned to her bag, and we were now standing in front of the ice-tailed door.

That door is huge. Too big for adults. I'd rather believe that a giant made this castle. Elephant tusks that become the frame give a primitive impression. Using elephant ivory as a decoration is also too strange for cold climates. Elephants can also symbolize greatness and strength. However, in temperate regions consider elephant ivory as a form of luxury because ivory is a difficult item to find other than only in certain animals.

While I was thinking, Vestia placed her hand on the doorknob and then lightly turned it around without any manners. There was a sound from inside. I can't believe that door wasn't locked. I didn't tell him to stop yet, he pushed the door in. The door opened not full. Vestia placed her hat on her chest and passed through the door tilting her body. I followed him inside the same way.

We entered in a large room with a high chair made of ice. Needless to say, this is a throne room. The main and most important room in a castle.

“Can we enter?” whispered to Vestia. And I know there's no one in there.

“We are not here,” timpal the compass that I have put in my bag since below.

“This place is suspicious. I have to investigate.” Vestia was still firm with her stance.

The room is circular with the throne at the middle end. On both sides of the throne were the larger ice knight statues guarding the throne owner, three statues on the left and right sides, and two others guarding the door we just entered. It makes perfect sense that many knight statues were built in the throne room. Light came in from a pair of tall windows on the left and right of the room but not so much. Light makes windows, ceilings and floors reflect a flickering blue that further beautifies the room.

My busy gaze observing the entire room again stopped at the girl next to me. 

From the side, he still gave a warm impression to me despite his opposite nature. The more I pay attention, the hair with half pigtail style looks very neat and not tangled. Her medium hair was like a red flower in a bouquet tied (braided) with a red ribbon. A bouquet will not be complete with the ribbon.

Meeting him again for the third time made me think this was no coincidence anymore. We met at the pool, then at the beach, and now at the ice castle. Is it possible that fate is planning to bring us together? Or is it actually the sculptor who actually has plans to bring me to Vestia? Because he had twice recommended a place for me to visit and twice I met Vestia for that. I have to be thankful or sorry.

We both focus on what is in front of us. The serious look of Vestia's eyes was aligned straight with the throne as if she was staring at a king sitting there.

“The throne looks suspicious.” While approaching the throne, Vestia squinted her eyes. The same symbol is engraved on the throne's backrest. “What symbol is this? Comeing! Think on! Get something, brain! There must be something. There must!” Vestia continued muttering to herself while making her forehead wrinkle.

“Do not force yourself. Maybe this is just a tourist spot. Go, out! Before the guards found us," I tried to persuade Vestia to accept what was different from her expectations.

I immediately grabbed Vestia's hand, then pulled it. As if not hearing me, Vestia gradually advanced and continued to bend her body until her face was very close to the symbol. My hands were being dragged along by his power, I tried to let go of my grasp but he who was busy approaching the throne had no intention of letting go. I held myself in the back with my feet. Suddenly, we pulled each other over without any real intention to pull off a tug-of-war. I'm breathless. My feet slipped forward. Our hands were out, I fell backwards. While Vestia hit the throne due to a sudden detached pull.

“Hei! You accidentally, yeah, took it off!?” Vestia immediately stood up and yelled at me who was still lying on the floor, without showing any pain. His forehead was bloody red as a result of hitting the hard ice chair. The seat part of the throne looks a little crushed and cracked.

“You are too insistent!” I don't want to give up.

“But, I'm the one who got hurt here!”

As if responding to our quarrel, the sculptor-given bracelet I was wearing suddenly shook. The vibrations got stronger when I did nothing, and the necklace broke. The ice sheets are everywhere.

I stared silently at my own slightly scratched arm. Blood dripped out of my wrist. We all wondered, “What really happened?”

“Hey, did you do something?” accuse Vestia of me.

I got up and faced him as if I wanted to challenge him. “Of course not! Why would I break my own bracelet?”

Suddenly Vestia pushed me strong. A sword swung between us. The ice statue that previously stood still next to the throne suddenly moved freely like a living creature.

The statue moved stiffly swinging its sword. He looked at us as if we were intruders to be exterminated.