"My deepest apologies, Lady Winnie. They were extremely rude—I will reprimand them severely."

  The guards apologized to Hulim, then shot the children a sharp glare.

  The kids deflated like punctured balloons, hunching their shoulders and freezing in place, too terrified to speak.

  "It’s alright," Hulim said. "They didn’t bother me. No need to scold them. Besides, shouldn’t you get back to your patrol~?"

  "Lady Winnie~!"

  Hearing Hulim take their side, the children perked up at once.

  "Well...... Yes, Lady Winnie."

  The guards bowed and resumed their patrol through the town.

  After the guards left, Hulim turned to the children: "Alright, everyone. I need to head to the town hall now. Can I come back later to tell you stories?"

  "Okay~!"

  Once she’d sent the Ancient Elf children off, Hulim walked toward the town’s only relatively grand structure—the town hall. Since the town was small, she arrived in no time.

  "Ah—Winnie! Winnie’s back~!"

  As soon as she reached the town hall gate, a familiar fairy flew over.

  "Semiris...... Long time no see."

  Hulim smiled at the familiar figure before her.

  "Yeah! It’s been almost a whole day since I saw Winnie~! Semiris was so bored!"

  "......"

  Somehow, I think we have very different ideas of what ‘long time’ means......

  "Oh~? Winnie’s the first one back!"

  A figure descended from the sky, landing in front of the town hall.

  "Sylph! Long time no see~!"

  Semiris rushed over joyfully.

  "Haha, what nonsense are you talking about, Semiris? Didn’t we just meet a few days ago?"

  "Lady Water Sage Star, Lady Wind Sage Star—welcome back!"

  A cleric-like man emerged from the town hall, speaking with a broad smile.

  "Merkphis. Is Lady Terra inside?"

  "Yes, Lady Terra is waiting for all of you in the town hall."

  "I see. Then we should hurry in. Winnie, let’s go."

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  "Okay."

  The four of them walked into the town hall.

  "Merkphis, you’ve managed this town wonderfully. I can see happiness on everyone’s faces."

  "You flatter me, Lady Wind Sage Star. As the town hall’s magistrate and Lady Terra’s assistant, I’ve only done my humble duty. I’m far inferior to the Seven Sage Stars."

  "No need to be so modest. We’re mostly running around the world, with no time to manage the town—this is all your credit."

  "You’re too kind, Lady Wind Sage Star. If the Seven Sage Stars hadn’t created a peaceful environment for us, how could I, Merkphis, govern the town with peace of mind?"

  "All of this is thanks to the Seven Sage Stars! And—most importantly—our great Earth Mother Goddess, Lady Terra! It’s only because of Lady Terra’s compassion that we can enjoy such peaceful lives today."

  "Haha...... Merkphis, you’re quite silver-tongued. My face is only a little thinner than Scherfil’s, and even I’m feeling embarrassed by all this praise."

  "Lady Wind Sage Star, I’m merely stating the truth. Oh—we’re here. Lady Terra is in the courtyard......"

  Merkphis led the way, first passing through a stone archway.

  Watching his retreating figure, Hulim fell into silent thought......

  ......

  After passing through the stone archway and a long corridor, Hulim and the others entered a courtyard.

  There, they saw Lady Terra’s back—she seemed to be gazing at something.

  When they approached, she slowly turned around.

  "Lady Terra!"

  The group bowed in greeting.

  "Winnie, Sylph—you’re back."

  "Yes, Lady Terra. We’ve completed our mission."

  "You’ve worked hard."

  "That...... Lady Terra."

  Hulim spoke up. "Did you summon us for something?"

  "I did," Terra nodded, holding out a crystal ball. "Look at this."

  "This is......"

  Through the crystal ball, Hulim could make out vague images: a snow-covered land, yet an eerie black aura hung over it.

  "Goddess Mother, what is this?"

  Semiris asked curiously.

  "This crystal ball is one of my magical artifacts. It can show me places in Himmler where abnormalities occur."

  "Not long ago, it displayed images of the North. It seems to be shrouded in an ominous aura."

  "Ominous aura?"

  Semiris tilted her head. Hulim and Sylph also looked puzzled.

  Terra continued to explain: "I don’t know the full details. All I can see is that it’s related to a Rank 6 creature. This creature is constantly spreading this ominous aura. If it goes on, a disaster will befall the North."

  "Lady Terra, do you want us to stop it?"

  "I hope you can investigate the reason for its behavior. If you can help it return to normal, please do so. If not, we’ll find another way to stop it."

  "Understood, Lady Terra. When should we depart?"

  Terra thought for a moment, then replied: "This matter is quite strange. The two of you might not be able to handle it alone. Wait for the others to return, then go together."

  "Yes."

  "Huh? Goddess Mother, are you going to make Semiris stay here again? Semiris wants to go too!"

  "......"

  Terra looked at Semiris’s eager expression and finally nodded.

  "Yay~!"

  Semiris jumped for joy, waving her hands excitedly.

  "Lady Terra, we’ll take our leave now."

  Hulim and Sylph left the town hall and waited in the town for the others to return......

  A few days later.

  All members of the Seven Sage Stars had returned to the town and learned about the mission.

  With everyone assembled, there was no more waiting. The entire group set off for the North.

  ......

  In the frigid Great Northern Forest.

  "What kind of terrible place is this? This lord hates snow the most!"

  The heavy snow mixed with the bitter wind annoyed Galamand, a fire dragon. Even though he constantly emitted heat to melt the snow on his head, more kept falling from the sky.

  "Ah! Damn it! If that’s the case, this lord will evaporate all the snow here in one go!"

  "Hey, stupid dragon, calm down! We’re not here to cause trouble—we’re here to investigate! Do you understand ‘investigate’?"

  "Investigate?! Isn’t it just finding that thing and beating it into submission?"

  "Hah?! What do you think investigation is? How can you act so recklessly?"

  "I actually agree with the lowly barbarian this time."

  "Huh? Even Scherfil is saying that? Did you catch some kind of barbaric disease from him?"

  "What did you say?! "

  Scherfil was so angry that the small wings on her back fluttered wildly.

  "Sylph, you’ve crossed a red line! How dare you compare me—noble and elegant—to such a lowly, foolish creature! This is an absolute red line—do you understand?!"