Chapter 167: Inroad (4)

The world was swept by a pure white curtain that covered the sky and crushed the ground under the weight of snow. A blizzard raged over the muddy ground, the wind frozen and biting.

“…I’m cold.”

“It’s okay, Leo… just a bit more….”

In the northern mountains. Ganesha heard the children’s voices muffled behind her back. The adventure team, including Lohan and Dozmura, had already left for other missions, so the current climb was too dangerous. A blizzard-like this could kill someone.

“Guys. Let’s stop for now.”

“…Eh?”

“Gather around me. Hurry!”

“…”

Ganesha summoned the staggering children to her side. She held them in her arms and checked the temperature. It was minus 33 degrees. The mana of the blizzard itself, added to this maddening chill, was enough to be called the Lonely Ghost. It was a magical cold that nullified even artifacts.

“Guys. Guys.”

Ganesha patted the three children’s faces, but they had already turned purple. Their breathing became faint, and their frozen eyelids were tightly closed.

“Guys! You can’t sleep! If you sleep, you will be scolded! Wake up!”

She tried to shake their small bodies, but they quickly collapsed.

“…”

Seeing their weak movements, Ganesha suddenly grew scared. The road they walked together was too long to send them off in vain. Too much time had accumulated. The memories they had together were too deep.

“G-Guys. Wait…”

It was then.

Whoooong–!

With a certain metallic sound, the blizzard around them cleared for a moment, and a strange hut appeared.

“!”

Warmth radiated from it. Ganesha hurried closer with the children by her side. She tried to open the door, but a sign was blocking her.

“…Posthouse?”

──「Posthouse」──

The posthouse is a shelter for lost travelers, adventurers, residents, and soldiers. In this place, built to overcome the harsh northern conditions, everyone can rest, but to enter, you must engrave your name on a list and swear by three vows.