The north wind roared, and the goose-feather-like snow swept from the other end of the mountain, but it did not fall to the ground. It just continued its journey with the force of the wind, not knowing where it would eventually drift.
The snow-capped mountains and land form this holy land like a fairyland. Even the natural disasters that ravage Terra cannot invade the white soil with an average altitude of more than six thousand meters.
Here, there exists a small religious country that is almost isolated from the world and called the "Snow Land" by the residents under the mountain - "Kjerag".
The residents here take root here tenaciously and devoutly, and have thrived in this one of the few pure lands on Terra for generations.
Over hundreds of years, folk customs unique to the snow realm have been formed here.
Although it is a religious country, the rules set by the Kalan Holy Religion for the Snow Realm are not strict, and are even looser than many secular rules. However, as a
The nominal leader of Kjerag, and the 'Saint of Kalan' who is also the head of the Holy Church of Kalan, Enya Shivaash, who is titled 'First Snow', is obviously not having an easy life.
"Ah...a rare break."
After nominally supervising the believers to finish their lunch class, Enya quietly slipped into a small cave in the back mountain to warm herself by the fire.
The little butt retracted into the innermost part of the cave, and the small bonfire radiated heat. It swayed warmly in front of him. The fire tongue licked the wood and burned slowly. As the flames and thoughts spread, the warmth gradually spread to the whole body.
.
Enya held her face with her little hands and just sat blankly in front of the bonfire, not knowing what she was thinking.
Kjerag's material life is not considered rich, but this has changed a lot since the Kalan Trading Group made its name throughout Terra.
Although it was impossible for the temple to just casually allow Enya to put a heater and a large air conditioner into the house, the floor heating and electric blankets that should be there were actually fully prepared, and the residence of her saint was completely different from others.
It was as simple and simple as imagined, and the residents of Kjerag were very receptive to this, and no one ever said anything.
But Chuxue still ran out of the warm bedroom every three days and retreated into the small cave she found five or six years ago when she was lazy in the back mountain, enjoying this rare peace to herself.
Although the voice of 'god' still pops up in her head from time to time, she has a pretty good relationship with her. If Enya feels bored with talking, the god can occasionally shut up for a while.
Kjerag's life is boring.
At least, the life of a saint is really boring.
In addition, the way the Kalan Holy Cult selects saints is too casual.
Around the age of eleven or twelve, or seven or eight, a bunch of girls will be gathered in a large ice hall called the Chosen Shrine, each with their heads raised, waiting for the first drop of snow to fall on them every day.
On the forehead, and then took the 'Trial Bell' from the God's Attendant, followed the Heavenly Road to the God's Residence on the mountain, and it was not over until the Trial Bell was hung on the shelf.
To take the Heavenly Road, you have to nod every three steps and ring the bell after every five steps. If you break the bell, you are dead. Moreover, taking the Heavenly Road is basically seeking death. There are countless traps on the snow-capped mountains.
The reason why I choose a saint by this method is because the girl who successfully hangs the trial bell is very lucky and has a good physique that can survive on the snow-capped mountains for several days without eating or drinking and only wearing single clothes, and will not be beaten.
The extent to which snow buries it.
That experience is still fresh in Enya’s memory to this day.
If it weren't for the violent death of his parents that year and the family's decline, the political legacy of the Shivaash family, once one of the giants of the Kjerag Tribe Council, would have been divided and swallowed up by other families. The only three remaining siblings in the family were
Various pressures from the outside world forced her to the point where she couldn't live any longer, plus her brother...
Enya doesn't like being a saint.
Although the saint is the supreme head of a religion, she also enjoys a series of privileges and has the right to meet with heads of state. Even her brother, Silver Gray, the nominally highest controller of Kjerag, met her
You must also put your palms together in greeting.
But she doesn't like it.
...If she had not become a saint, she might have stayed in the old house of the Shivaash family, playing with her favorite fabrics, sipping fragrant tea, and reading a book all afternoon. But, his
Her brother made that decision, she compromised, and the two broke up.
Even being a blood relative could not make up for her disappointment in him.
Unconsciously, Enya fell into deep memories again.
There is no smile on his face.
Click.
Enya suddenly came to her senses from her deep thoughts.
Taking a closer look, I saw an ice chisel embedded in the edge of the cave at some point, with a rope tied to the back end.
Enya, who has a lot of experience in fighting wits and courage with the elders of Manshu dean, did not panic at all. She stood up from the ground first, raised her head at a slightly higher angle, and looked straight ahead along her head, as if she was looking at the wind and snow in the distance.
, the thick fur fabric on his body swayed in the firelight and cold wind, and a pair of white plush ears unique to the Felin tribe stood up high.
The divine light shines brightly in the depths of his pupils.
This is one of the skills that Enya has honed over many years of experience as a magic stick.
play.
Let’s not care who is right now. Since my painting style is higher than yours, you will definitely not be able to defeat me in a while.
The word "painting style" in this sentence is also applicable if replaced by "appearance".
Stab, sting, sting.
Enya, who was playing the role of "Saint in the Bitter Winter" in "North Wind", glanced over with her peripheral vision. As the sound of constant metal friction intensified, a film girl wearing the same Kalan holy ornament suddenly appeared from underneath.
, are exploring in the direction of the cave.
Seeing this girl, Enya's peripheral vision suddenly froze in place. The melancholy temperament she had been brewing for a long time collapsed, and she collapsed again, shrinking back into the depths of the cave.
"Huh, it turned out to be Lulu! I thought it was those old immortals from Manshu Monastery again. I was scared to death. I thought I had to be taken back to continue studying the classics... I have been really excited these past two days.
I can't hold it in anymore!" When she saw Lulu, Enya immediately relaxed. While huddled in the depths of the cave to warm herself up to the fire, she waved to Enxia and motioned for her to sit over with her.
"As expected, you are here, Lady Saint."
The girl in front of her, who is wearing a white blanket and wearing the same Kalan sacred ornament as Enya, is called Lulu. She is Enya's close servant and a person who specializes in serving the saint in the Kalan temple.
"You're really not afraid of the cold, that's great~"
Enya huddled beside the fire, playing a long note like a coquettish girl.
When she's not pretending to be a saint, she's no different from most girls in their early twenties. Privately, she's even lazier because of the characteristics of the Snow Land Philin clan.
As she spoke, Enya opened her hands in the direction of Lulu, looking like she was unhappy and wanted to hug her.
Lulu, on the other hand, was serious and had no intention of approaching for warmth. She stood at the entrance of the cave solemnly, blocking the north wind blowing into the cave, and spoke in a low voice.
"Lord Saint, there is news from 'over there'."
Enya's expression also stiffened.
‘Over there’ naturally refers to the Kalan trade.
Shivaash now controls almost every aspect of Kjerag. Whether it is economy, politics, technology, or religion, they are all controlled by the Shivaash family. The other two families in the three-community council have also been suppressed in just a few years.
.
It is precisely because of this that Yin Hui became the nominal highest officer of Kjerag at the age of more than 20 years old.
However, due to the decision made many years ago, although the Shivaash family has both political and religious sides, Yinhui and Chuxue have not been able to restore their normal relationship.
"The infected person crisis in Victoria is really serious, but Lord Silver Gray is fine, and..."
"Well, I understand."
Enya's expression turned slightly gloomy, and she reached out to interrupt Lulu's speech.
Knowing that he is still alive is enough.
"In addition, two disaster-level experts appeared in this incident." Lulu placed her hands in front of her waist and lowered her head and whispered softly.
"Disaster?"
Enya sat deep in the cave, thinking silently in her heart.
In the world of Terra, this word is not only somewhat ominous, but also a synonym for a strong person who has exceeded the limits of ordinary people's imagination.
Second only to gods.
Unconsciously, Enya slowly straightened her back.
Although she didn't realize it herself, years of habits had already been engraved deep into her bones without even realizing it.
"Where's the name?"
Lulu still stood at the entrance of the cave, lowering her head slightly, her clothes fluttering in the north wind.