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---
Chapter 63
Arlam's first snowfall began with an argument.
—Slower —Beatrice ordered.
—I am releasing it slowly —Puck replied.
—You're covering half the courtyard in less than a minute, I suppose.
—That is slow for me.
—Then do it slowly for the world!
The Great Spirit floated above the manor's roof.
His small body was surrounded by enough mana to make the air tremble. The pressure itself was invisible to most people, but its effects were not.
White clouds had gathered over the grounds.
They did not extend to the fields.
Nor did they cover the entire village.
Beatrice's barrier, adjusted during the night with Roswaal's help, contained the phenomenon above the manor, the nearby roads, and a broad area prepared to receive Arlam's inhabitants.
One white flake descended.
Then another.
Then ten.
A hundred.
Thousands.
Snow began to fall.
Emilia stood in the middle of the courtyard with her hands clasped before her chest. Her eyes followed every flake as though she had never seen anything like it, despite living with a spirit capable of freezing forests.
—It's reeeally pretty.
Subaru appeared behind her with a scarf wrapped three times around his neck.
—And you haven't even seen the best part yet.
—There's something better than snow?
—There's the part where we force the entire village to participate in a ridiculous competition and use collective fun to ignore the fact that Puck nearly turned the manor into an ice tomb.
Puck raised one paw from the rooftop.
—Mitigating circumstances.
—You already pleaded guilty!
—Legal acceptance does not remove nuance.
—You don't know what legal acceptance means.
—It sounds important.
Link came out through the side door carrying an enormous pot.
Two kagunes held boxes of cups.
Another carried a sack of firewood.
The fourth dragged Charmander on a small sled because one of its legs still jammed whenever it touched a wet surface.
Luci floated above Link.
Since her evolution, the tiny golden silhouette maintained a head, torso, and arms for increasingly longer periods. Her legs still dissolved into a luminous tail whenever she grew tired.
The other four lesser spirits sheltered near the pot.
The red flame had tried melting every snowflake approaching them.
After twenty minutes of useless effort, it had accepted that it could not fight the sky.
—Where do you want the chocolate? —Link asked.
Subaru pointed toward a table protected beneath an awning.
—Center of the food area. Beside the soups and far away from the sculptures.
—Why far away?
—Because you work with fire.
—Chocolate doesn't explode.
—Neither does mayonnaise, and we still managed to set a cloth on fire.
Charmander raised its thumb from the sled.
Subaru hid behind Emilia.
—And keep that thing away from me!
—He already received his punishment.
—He expressed no remorse.
The thumb remained raised.
—He's proud —Subaru said.
—He's a piece of stone.
Charmander turned its head toward him.
Its eyes lit up.
Subaru stepped backward.
—That is not stone behavior!
Link touched the orange skull.
—Behave.
The eyes went dark.
The thumb slowly lowered.
—See? He learns.
—He learns disappointment —Emilia murmured.
Snow began accumulating in Link's hair.
Luci descended onto his head and spread her arms, trying to cover him.
It did not work.
—I'm fine —he said.
The quasi-spirit touched one of the flakes.
It melted against her light.
—Cold —she pronounced.
The word was imperfect.
It sounded like a tiny bell trying to imitate a voice.
Link looked up.
—Yes. Cold.
Luci pointed toward Puck.
—Puck.
The Great Spirit moved his tail.
—She learns fast.
—She still won't say Subaru —the aforementioned complained.
Luci looked at him.
Then hid behind Link's head.
—That was personal.
—She has excellent instincts —Link replied.
Emilia held out one hand.
A snowflake rested on her glove.
—When will the children arrive?
—Soon —Subaru said—. Petra promised to gather everyone.
—And the adults?
—Once they realize their children left without them.
Ram appeared at the entrance.
Her winter uniform had thicker sleeves, a short cape, and white gloves. Her pink hair moved beneath a small hood.
She was no longer wearing three blankets.
Therefore, she had recovered some of her pride.
Not all of her warmth.
Link noticed how she kept both hands together even after stepping outside.
Her fingers seemed stiff.
The tip of her nose was already red.
Rem appeared behind her with a basket.
She wore a similar winter uniform, although the cold seemed to affect her less. Her horn was not visible, but her body's physical resistance still far exceeded her sister's.
—The first caravan is already coming down the road —Rem reported.
—Everything is ready —Subaru replied.
Ram looked at the tables.
The pots.
The marked paths.
The competition area.
The benches.
The ropes defining the places where Puck was allowed to accumulate snow.
—The sign at the drink stand is crooked.
Subaru looked.
—Artistic style.
—The word "hot" looks like "horse."
Link raised his hand.
—I wrote it.
—Ram had already deduced that.
—Petra will fix it.
—Petra is a child.
—A child with better handwriting.
Ram did not argue.
She couldn't.
Rem walked toward Link.
He set down the pot.
—Good morning.
—Good morning.
She raised both hands and brushed snow out of his hair.
—You are not wearing a hat.
—The horns would tear it.
—The horns are hidden.
—They could appear.
—Why would they appear while you're serving chocolate?
Link looked at Puck.
Then at the snowfall.
Then at Subaru.
—We live here.
Rem accepted the argument.
She adjusted the scarf around his neck.
Link took her hands before she could withdraw them.
They were cold.
Not as cold as Ram's.
—Do you want the collar?
Rem looked toward her sister.
Ram was correcting the position of a table beside Subaru.
—No.
—I haven't given it to her yet.
—Rem knows who it is for.
—You could've thought it was for you.
—Link would have chosen a blue stone if it were for Rem.
—The lagmite works the same without matching your hair.
—Link would have chosen blue.
He smiled.
—Probably.
Rem brought her hands to Link's face.
She warmed them against his cheeks.
—Nee-sama needs it more.
—That's what I thought.
—She'll like it.
—She'll insult me.
—That too.
Rem stood on her toes.
She kissed him beneath the falling snow.
It did not last long.
Long enough for the red flame to produce a small spark behind them.
Subaru threw a snowball.
It struck Link in the back of the head.
The kiss ended.
Link slowly turned.
Subaru was already preparing another.
—No romantic scenes during setup! —he declared—. They reduce the productivity of those who aren't participating.
—You're three meters away from Emilia.
—That distance represents a personal tragedy!
Link manifested a kagune.
It gathered snow.
Compressed it.
The mass began to grow.
Subaru dropped his snowball.
—The festival hasn't officially started yet.
Link's projectile reached the size of Subaru's head.
—We can talk.
Rem placed a hand on the kagune.
—Later.
Link held Subaru's gaze.
The kagune dropped the snow.
—My partner saved you.
—Rem always protects the weak —Ram said.
Subaru placed a hand on his chest.
—The joy of this festival is already destroying me.
The first inhabitants of Arlam arrived when the snow reached their ankles.
Petra led the procession.
She wore a red cape, boots that were too large, and a scarf that looked as though it had been knitted from several leftover colors.
The other children ran behind her.
The adults advanced more carefully, looking at the sky, the barrier, and Puck with a mixture of wonder and caution.
Most of them had never seen snow.
Not like this.
One boy stuck out his tongue.
Another tried catching flakes inside a bowl.
A girl lay down on the ground before anyone could stop her and began moving her arms and legs.
—I'm making a shape!
Subaru pointed excitedly.
—Snow angel!
—What's an angel? —Petra asked.
—A creature from my... from a story.
Link looked at him.
Subaru corrected himself.
—A very good and completely local story from somewhere far away.
—That fixed nothing —Link murmured.
Petra had already thrown herself onto the ground.
The other children imitated her.
The shapes multiplied.
Emilia stood watching.
—Can I?
—Emilia-tan can make as many angels as she wants.
She lay down.
Puck descended onto her forehead.
Emilia moved her arms.
When she stood, the silhouette had an extra round head because of where Puck had been sitting.
—Looks like the angel has a tumor —Link said.
Subaru elbowed him.
—It's a crown.
—A furry crown.
Puck raised both paws.
—I am a blessing.
Their voices attracted another sound from the side of the manor.
Growls.
Footsteps.
Soft chains.
Every adult tensed.
The children stopped moving.
Link turned.
The gate to the enclosure stood open.
Six Wolgarms walked out in a line.
No leash guided them.
Nor any spoken order.
They followed one of Link's kagunes, extended low over the ground like a moving barrier.
Each demon beast wore a broad collar.
Rem had added colored ribbons to distinguish them.
Red.
Blue.
Yellow.
Green.
White.
And one pink ribbon Ram had denied choosing.
The animals stopped.
Snow accumulated over their dark fur.
One shook itself.
Flakes flew everywhere.
Several people stepped backward.
Link moved until he stood between the pack and the village.
—They won't approach anyone without permission.
The Wolgarms sat.
Not simultaneously.
The one with the yellow ribbon required a second gentle tap from the kagune against its back.
Petra looked toward the adults.
Then at the animals.
She approached.
Her mother tried stopping her.
—It's fine —Link said—. Slowly.
Petra walked toward the Wolgarm with the blue ribbon.
The demon beast followed every step with its eyes.
It did not growl.
The girl extended one gloved hand.
The animal sniffed it.
Petra touched its head.
The Wolgarm closed its eyes.
—It's cold.
—It has snow on it —Link explained.
—Can I put something on it?
—What?
Petra pulled a small bow from her pocket.
White.
She tied it over the blue collar.
The Wolgarm remained still.
Subaru covered his face with both hands.
—Now it's adorable.
—It remains a demon beast —Ram reminded him.
The animal opened its mouth.
Displayed its fangs.
Subaru lowered his hands.
—Adorable from a responsible distance.
The other children began approaching.
Link established rules.
No pulling tails.
No approaching from behind.
No food without permission.
No running while carrying meat.
No riding them.
That final rule caused protests.
The Wolgarm with the red ribbon lay down.
A five-year-old boy interpreted the gesture as an invitation.
Link caught him with a kagune before he could climb on.
—I said no.
—But it wants me to.
—It also wants to eat half the things it sees.
—Me?
The Wolgarm sniffed the child.
Link moved him away.
—We aren't finding out.
Rem approached.
The animals recognized her scent.
Two lowered their heads.
The one that had used Link as a bed during his punishment came closer.
Rem stroked the space between its ears.
—They'll behave.
—As long as there's food —Link replied.
—They resemble Link.
—I behave without food.
Rem looked at him.
—Sometimes.
—This is partner slander.
Petra pointed toward the stand.
—Is that the chocolate?
The smell was already spreading across the courtyard.
Link smiled.
—Yes.
The girl abandoned the Wolgarm.
Every child followed her.
The animals did too.
—Don't run! —Rem ordered.
Nobody listened until one of the kagunes blocked the path.
The festival's organization ended at that moment.
Chaos began.
Subaru climbed onto a box.
He held a metal cone Roswaal used to issue orders to workers during construction.
He raised it to his mouth.
—People of Arlam, residents of the manor, spirits, demon beasts, and any creature drawn here by the smell of chocolate!
His voice boomed.
Beatrice opened a second-floor window.
—Shut up, I suppose!
—I hereby declare the First Wild, Crazy, and Absolutely Unforgettable Roswaal Manor Snow Festival officially open!
Emilia raised one hand.
—Do you really need to say "wild and crazy"?
—It's part of the branding.
—We don't have branding.
—We do now.
Roswaal applauded.
The children imitated him.
Eventually, the adults joined in.
Puck raised both paws.
A fresh burst of snow descended.
The courtyard became covered in a white glow.
—There will be games, food, a sculpture contest, and a unique prize! —Subaru continued—. The only rule is not dying!
Ram looked up.
—There are more rules.
—The main rule is not dying!
—Barusu oversimplifies.
—Have fun!
A snowball struck Subaru in the forehead.
Petra lowered her arm.
—It already started.
Subaru wiped his face.
—That was a declaration of war.
The children gathered snow.
The second attack became a barrage.
Subaru jumped off the box.
Ran.
Ten projectiles followed.
Emilia laughed.
Puck hid inside her hair.
Rem covered the food basket.
Ram used a gust of wind to deflect a snowball heading toward Roswaal.
The snowball curved.
Struck Link.
He stood still.
Snow slid down his face.
Ram looked at him.
—Accident.
—The gust curved.
—The wind has a will of its own.
Link gathered snow.
Ram formed a current around one hand.
Rem stepped between them.
—You still have to serve chocolate.
Link looked at Ram.
Then the pot.
—This isn't over.
—Ram eagerly awaits it.
She did not look eager.
She looked cold.
The glove on her left hand trembled.
Very slightly.
Link saw it.
So did Rem.
They looked at each other.
The blue-haired maid nodded.
Link dropped the snow.
—I need five minutes.
—Where are you going? —Ram asked.
—To conduct a commercial operation.
—That sounds illegal.
—Only if it goes badly.
He walked away before she could stop him.
The merchant had arrived from another village with a small wagon.
He carried blankets.
Boots.
Gloves.
Common lagmites.
Utensils.
And the ability to immediately recognize what someone wanted before multiplying the price.
Link held two pitchers of chocolate.
Rem stood beside him with a third.
The merchant protected a small case against his chest.
—The stone maintains a stable flow —he said—. It is difficult to find fire lagmites this small without cracks.
—I don't need power —Link replied.
—That's what people say when they don't want to pay for it.
—Three pitchers.
—Five.
—Four.
—And the recipe.
—No.
—Then five.
Rem stepped forward.
The merchant recognized her.
He had negotiated with her during the date.
His confidence diminished.
—The stone has gone unsold for months —Rem said—. The mount needs a new chain, and it was designed to be worn around the neck, which reduces the number of possible buyers.
—It is an elegant piece.
—The lagmite does not match the metal.
—That is subjective.
—The mount has a dent.
The merchant looked at the case.
—Very small.
—It also has a stain.
—It can be cleaned.
—Then clean it and we can discuss it after the festival.
Rem began to turn.
—Four pitchers —the man said—. No recipe.
Link raised three fingers.
—Three and one cup.
—Four.
—Three, two cups, and a container to take away.
The merchant looked at the steam rising from the pitchers.
Several people were lining up at Link's stand.
The scent was unfamiliar.
The merchant could sell it during the festival.
—Three and a half pitchers.
Link extended his hand.
—Deal.
Rem held his arm.
—And the chain.
—The mount already has one.
—The new chain you're keeping beneath the counter.
The man froze.
Link looked.
A small dark chain protruded from beneath a cloth.
The merchant closed his eyes.
—The chain too.
Rem smiled.
—We appreciate your generosity.
The exchange was completed.
The merchant received the containers.
Link opened the case.
A red lagmite rested inside a circular mount. It was the size of a fingernail. The stone looked as though a tiny flame had been trapped inside.
—Perfect.
Rem looked toward the line.
—We should return.
—Beatrice first.
—She probably already knows we're looking for her.
A door appeared behind the stand.
Beatrice stepped through.
She wore a coat.
Two scarves.
Gloves.
And the expression of someone whose name had been heard through some mechanism of the universe specifically designed to irritate her.
—Betty was busy.
Link raised the collar.
—I got the stone.
Beatrice examined it.
—Small.
—Stable.
—You already said that yesterday.
—Yesterday I didn't have it.
—Which is precisely why Betty shouldn't approve a design without knowing the source.
Link pulled a thin plate from his pocket.
He had carved a circuit during the night.
Half the lines looked correct.
The others had been corrected in red ink.
—Crimson Heart.
Beatrice closed her eyes.
—The name remains awful, I suppose.
Rem tilted her head.
—Rem likes it.
—That doesn't count.
—It counts to me —Link said.
—Neither do you.
The little spirit took the mount.
Placed the plate behind it.
Connected the channels.
The lagmite glowed.
—It doesn't produce unlimited heat —Link explained to Rem while Beatrice worked—. It maintains the natural temperature of whoever is wearing it. If the body becomes too cold, it warms them. If they become too hot, it reduces the output.
—Even in summer?
—In theory.
Beatrice looked up.
—Don't say "in theory" in front of the person who will use it.
—It worked during testing.
—You put it around a jar.
—The jar maintained its temperature.
—Rem's sister is not a jar.
—I wasn't going to say that.
Beatrice finished adjusting the circuit.
—It will first need to recognize the mana and temperature of whoever wears it. Afterward, the lagmite will maintain the balance as long as it retains charge.
—How long?
—Several days before needing more mana.
—I can charge it.
—With a small amount.
—Yes.
Beatrice looked at him.
—Small.
—An amount.
—That answer destroys Betty's confidence.
Rem took the collar.
It was a narrow band of dark leather. The lagmite sat in the center, surrounded by silver-colored metal.
—It will look good on her.
Link looked at her.
—You think?
—Yes.
—That doesn't matter.
—Link asked.
—I meant it matters less than whether it works.
Rem smiled.
—Rem understood.
Beatrice crossed her arms.
—Test it before putting it on someone, I suppose.
Link fastened the collar around his wrist.
The stone emitted red light.
The cold disappeared from his skin.
He felt no excessive warmth.
Only his normal temperature.
—It works.
—You are already an abnormal source of heat —Beatrice said—. That test is useless.
Rem placed two fingers against the lagmite.
—It's stable.
—Your opinion does not replace magical analysis.
—But it helps.
—No.
Link removed the collar.
—Let's go.
Beatrice followed them.
—Betty hasn't finished checking it.
—Then check it while we walk.
—You don't give Betty orders.
—You can go back.
Beatrice accelerated.
—Give it to me.
Rem handed her the collar.
The little spirit walked while examining the channels.
Link looked at his partner.
—I knew that would work.
—Yes.
—Why?
—Beatrice-sama always ends up helping.
The aforementioned lifted her head.
—Betty can hear you, I suppose.
—Rem knows.
They found Ram near the competition area.
She was writing names on a board.
Her handwriting remained perfect despite the fact that her fingers were barely moving.
Roswaal was speaking to Arlam's elder.
Subaru and the children were constructing a mountain of snow whose purpose remained unclear.
Emilia was trying to convince Beatrice to participate.
Beatrice was no longer beside her.
The Emilia who had been arguing with her had only just discovered this.
—Where did she go?
—Door Crossing —Subaru replied.
—But I was looking at her.
—That never stopped Beako.
Ram looked up as Link approached.
—The chocolate stand has too many people.
—They're serving it.
—Who?
—Charmander.
Ram put down the pen.
—Ram expected an answer that reduced her concern.
In the distance, Charmander held a cup in both hands. Luci guided the movement. The red flame kept the pot hot.
The automaton handed the cup to Petra.
Raised its thumb.
Nothing exploded.
—He's supervised —Link said.
—By five spirits who learned from you.
—That's why there are five.
Ram resumed writing.
Her hand trembled again.
Link stood in front of her.
—I need your neck.
The pen stopped.
Rem closed her eye.
Beatrice hugged her book against her chest.
Roswaal turned from several meters away.
Subaru stopped building.
—The gardener may wish to repeat that sentence —Ram said.
Link processed what he had said.
—Not like that.
—Then in what way do you need it?
—To put something on you.
—Worse —Beatrice commented.
Rem took the collar.
—It is a gift.
Ram looked at her sister.
Then Link.
—For Rem?
—For you —he answered.
Surprise appeared.
It lasted very little.
—Ram is not celebrating any anniversary with the gardener.
—It isn't romantic.
Rem looked at the name engraved into the circuit plate.
—It is called Crimson Heart.
Ram turned back toward Link.
—Not romantic in a particularly convincing way.
—The name existed before I decided who would use it.
—That does not improve the situation.
Subaru came closer.
—You gave Ram a collar called Crimson Heart during your first week as Rem's boyfriend?
Link pointed at him.
—Go back to your mountain.
—I am witnessing history.
Rem raised the collar.
—It keeps the body's temperature stable.
Ram looked at the lagmite.
Her attention changed.
—Thermal magic?
—Not exactly a heating spell —Link explained—. It recognizes your natural temperature and maintains it. You shouldn't feel cold from the weather again while it has charge.
—Beatrice-sama inspected it —Rem added.
—Betty prevented it from setting someone's neck on fire, I suppose.
—It was never close to setting anything on fire.
Beatrice did not answer.
Link frowned.
—It was never close, right?
—Just put it on already.
Ram set down the board.
—Rem needs it more.
—No.
Link pointed at his partner.
—Her hands are better than yours. Her body retains heat. You've been shivering since before it started snowing.
Ram hid one hand inside her sleeve.
—Ram is fine.
—Your fingers are almost white.
—Ram can use wind even if she loses several.
—That isn't a solution.
—The gardener has no authority over Ram's body.
The sentence could have ended the conversation.
Link did not argue.
He took the collar from Rem.
Held it in front of Ram.
—You're right.
She watched him.
—I can't force you.
He lowered the object.
—But I made it because you need it. Not because you're weak. Not because you can't endure it. Because you shouldn't have to when there's an alternative.
Ram turned her eye toward the snow.
Rem approached her sister.
—Nee-sama.
The pink-haired maid closed her eyes.
—Only during the festival.
—It's yours —Link said.
—Ram did not agree to keep it.
—I won't accept it back.
—Then it will remain forgotten inside a drawer.
—I'll enter your room and retrieve it.
Ram opened her eye.
—The gardener will not enter Ram's room.
—Then wear it.
They stared at each other.
Subaru watched as though observing a diplomatic negotiation.
Emilia had approached.
Roswaal too.
Even several children were waiting.
Ram released a breath.
—Rem.
Her sister understood.
She moved behind her.
Lifted the pink hair.
The back of Ram's neck was exposed.
Link stepped closer.
The collar felt cold between his fingers.
He passed the band around her neck.
Ram remained motionless.
Link tried fastening the clasp.
Failed.
His gloves reduced his precision.
—Take them off —Ram said.
—It's cold.
—That is what the object is supposed to fix.
Link removed one glove with his teeth.
Rem hid a smile behind her sister's hair.
The second attempt worked.
The clasp closed.
The lagmite rested at the center of Ram's throat.
Red against pale skin.
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then the stone gave a pulse.
The circuit recognized the body.
The glow dimmed.
Ram inhaled.
The rigidity in her shoulders disappeared.
Not all at once.
First her fingers.
Then her hands.
Warmth moved up her arms and reached her chest without burning.
The tip of her nose stopped feeling numb.
Breathing no longer hurt.
She touched the lagmite.
—It isn't warm.
—You are —Link replied.
Ram raised an eyebrow.
—Your temperature —he added—. I meant your temperature.
Rem lowered her sister's hair.
Arranged the strands around the collar.
—It looks pretty on you, nee-sama.
Ram looked at Link.
He opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Rem waited.
—Yes —he admitted—. It looks good on her.
The blue eye narrowed slightly.
Link pointed toward the lagmite.
—The enchantment. Everything. I wasn't looking strangely.
—Rem said nothing.
—You thought it.
—Perhaps.
Ram touched the stone again.
—Crimson Heart.
—The name can be changed.
—No.
Link blinked.
—No?
—Ram will not allow you to reopen the circuit after Beatrice-sama managed to make it safe.
—It wasn't dangerous.
—Betty is still here —Beatrice reminded him.
—Thank you.
The little spirit looked away.
Roswaal approached.
Examined the collar.
—Interesting work.
Ram turned toward him.
The red lagmite glowed against her neck.
—It was the gardener's insistence.
—A useful insistence.
Ram left her hand over the stone.
—It isn't bad.
Link smiled.
That was as close to a thank-you as he was going to get.
Ram saw him.
—Don't get excited.
—Too late.
—The debt for the chains still stands.
His smile diminished.
—That was unrelated.
—Ram maintains financial balance.
Subaru rested one arm on Link.
—Brother, you gave your first functional artifact to Ram.
—Charmander works.
In the distance, Charmander dropped a cup.
—My first completely functional artifact —Link corrected.
Rem kissed his cheek.
—You did well.
Ram watched the gesture.
—Rem rewards basic behavior too much.
—He took care of nee-sama.
—Ram could take care of herself.
—Rem knows.
The pink-haired maid fell silent.
Rem took her hand.
It was no longer freezing.
Ram allowed the contact for a moment.
Then released it.
—The competition is waiting.
Link stepped back.
—So you're keeping it?
Ram picked up the board.
—Ram will decide when winter ends.
The red stone kept glowing.
Nobody saw her shiver again.
The snow war began because of Beatrice.
That was Subaru's version.
Beatrice would insist until the end that it had been a proportionate act of self-defense.
The truth began with a tiny doll.
Subaru had entered the Forbidden Library through a door in the side hallway.
Thirty seconds later, he came flying out through a second-floor window.
He landed in a pile of snow.
A tiny white doll remained tangled in his hair.
—Beako! —he shouted from the ground—. That means you're participating!
The window closed.
Puck floated nearby.
—She just wants you to come back.
—Which is exactly what I'm going to do.
The children found Subaru lying there.
The temptation was too great.
Petra threw the first snowball.
It struck his chest.
Another hit his shoulder.
A third entered through his collar.
—Childish betrayal!
Subaru stood.
The children ran.
He gathered snow.
Missed his first throw.
The ball passed beside Petra and struck Rem.
The courtyard went silent.
Snow slid from her blue hair onto her shoulder.
Subaru lowered his arm.
—It was an accident.
Rem smiled.
—Rem understands.
She crouched.
Gathered snow.
Subaru backed away.
—Understanding should lead to forgiveness.
—Yes.
Rem compressed the projectile.
—Afterward.
She threw.
Subaru took the snowball directly to the face.
The children screamed.
The war expanded.
Emilia built a wall.
Puck increased the snow around her.
Ram used wind to deflect projectiles without touching any of them.
Roswaal remained out of range behind a transparent barrier.
The village elder was struck by his own grandson.
He retaliated.
The adults abandoned every appearance of dignity.
Link protected the chocolate stand.
One kagune held a cloth in front of the pot.
Another removed cups.
The remaining two blocked snowballs.
—I'm not participating —he declared.
Rem hid behind him.
—Rem isn't either.
A snowball hit the kagune.
Another.
Another.
Link looked over his shoulder.
—You're using my body as a shield.
—Rem is protecting the chocolate.
—The pot is on the other side.
—She is protecting Link.
—That sounds better.
Rem peeked out from beneath one of the kagunes.
Threw a snowball.
It struck Subaru in the back of the head.
She hid again.
The Japanese boy turned.
—Link!
—I didn't do it.
—She was behind you!
—My back has no legal responsibility.
Rem prepared another projectile.
Subaru threw.
Link blocked.
—Stop protecting her!
—She's my partner.
—This is war!
—Especially.
Subaru called the children.
—Everyone against Link!
Petra raised a hand.
The child army changed targets.
Link saw dozens of snowballs.
He fully manifested all four kagunes.
—Mistake.
Each appendage gathered snow.
Compressed several spheres.
Twenty projectiles rose.
Emilia's eyes widened.
—That's cheating.
—That's efficiency.
—Fire! —Subaru ordered.
The barrage descended on Link.
He retaliated.
The courtyard became a horizontal blizzard.
The Wolgarms interpreted the projectiles as toys.
The one with the yellow ribbon leapt up and caught a snowball in midair.
Snow exploded inside its mouth.
It sneezed.
The one with the blue collar chased another.
Three children ran behind it.
The one with the pink collar jumped into a pile and disappeared.
Only its tail remained outside.
A snowball struck Link's forehead.
Then another.
Their numbers overwhelmed his defenses.
Rem laughed behind him.
—You could help.
—Rem is helping.
She threw a projectile over his shoulder.
It struck Ram.
The pink-haired maid went completely still.
Rem lowered her hand.
—Nee-sama.
Ram touched the snow on her cheek.
—Accident.
—Yes.
—Naturally.
A gust lifted all the snow around her.
It formed a wall.
Then a wave.
Link stared.
—That is also cheating.
Ram moved one finger.
The wave fell.
Link grabbed Rem.
One kagune latched onto a pillar.
Both shot away before impact.
Rem let out a shout that became laughter.
They landed behind a barricade.
Link fell onto his back.
She ended up on top of him.
The snow softened the impact.
For one second, the war disappeared.
Blue hair fell around their faces.
Rem's cheeks were red.
Not only from the cold.
—Hello —Link said.
—Hello.
—Good defensive position.
—Link chose it.
—My body reacted.
—His back has opinions.
—And my arms.
He held her around the waist.
Rem leaned down.
Their lips barely touched.
A snowball struck Link's side.
Subaru shouted from the other side.
—NO ROMANTIC CEASEFIRES!
Link raised his head.
—You're dead!
Rem slipped out of his arms.
—The competition.
—Subaru first.
—Afterward.
She took his hand.
Link allowed her to pull him up.
The Wolgarms crossed the field dragging an empty sled nobody remembered attaching to them.
Charmander rode on top.
Thumb raised.
Tail burning.
Subaru saw it approaching.
—No.
Charmander opened its mouth.
A snowball shot out.
Not fire.
Snow.
It struck Subaru between the eyes.
The automaton raised both arms.
Link looked toward the lesser spirits.
The blue sphere was hiding inside Charmander's mouth.
—That was excellent.
Luci touched his forehead.
—Did you organize that?
The quasi-spirit shook her head far too quickly.
Rem smiled.
—They learn from Link.
—I'm proud and concerned.
The war ended when the pot of chocolate began to boil.
Link shouted.
Everyone stopped.
Five minutes later, the combatants stood around the tables holding cups, covered in snow and pretending the truce had been voluntary.
The sculpture competition began at noon.
Subaru, Roswaal, and Arlam's elder would serve as judges.
Ram would record the scores.
The red collar glowed faintly against her neck.
Rem distributed tools.
Emilia and Beatrice received separate spaces.
—No magic —Subaru warned.
Beatrice crossed her arms.
—Why would Betty allow her hands to touch filthy snow, I suppose?
—Because this is a snow-sculpture competition.
—Betty can sculpt using Yin.
—That would be cheating.
—Magic is one of Betty's skills.
—Then Link can use four kagunes and Puck can turn the snow into a perfect statue.
Puck raised one paw.
—I can.
—Don't!
Emilia picked up a shovel.
—I'll make mine with my hands.
Beatrice looked at her.
Then at the empty area in front of herself.
She snapped her fingers.
The snow rose.
Within seconds, a figure of Puck appeared.
Large.
Round.
Perfectly symmetrical.
Subaru pointed.
—Disqualified.
—You haven't even evaluated it yet, I suppose!
—You used magic.
Emilia touched the sculpture.
—It's pretty.
Beatrice raised her face.
—Naturally.
—But it is cheating.
The little spirit looked at her with betrayal.
—You too.
—No.
—You could.
—But I didn't.
Beatrice destroyed the figure.
The snow collapsed.
She picked up a shovel.
—Betty will prove she can win without effort.
Subaru smiled.
Puck approached.
—She just wanted to play with you.
Beatrice looked at him.
Her grip on the shovel became firmer.
—Betty already knew that.
She started working.
Petra built a rabbit.
At first, it was simple.
Two balls.
Ears made from long leaves.
Small paws.
Subaru crouched beside her.
—It needs more.
—It's a rabbit.
—It could be the future of rabbits.
—What does that mean?
Subaru added plates of snow across the body.
A line around one eye.
Square pieces on the legs.
A small opening in the chest.
Link approached carrying chocolate.
—What are you doing?
—Next-generation mechanized rabbit.
—Looks like it's about to conquer a city.
—Exactly.
Petra watched the transformation.
—It doesn't look like mine anymore.
Subaru placed his hands on his hips.
—It's a collaboration.
Petra threw a snowball into his face.
—I didn't ask for help.
Link handed the girl a cup.
—You can say the strange parts are armor.
Petra looked at the rabbit.
Then Subaru.
—If it wins, the prize is mine.
—Naturally.
—And you get no credit.
Subaru's shoulders dropped.
—Youth has no respect for its mentors.
—You invaded her work —Link said.
—You shut up. You still haven't made anything.
—I'm working.
—You're serving chocolate.
—Essential work.
—Doesn't count as a sculpture.
Link looked at the available spaces.
He had no intention of participating.
His history with Charmander did not justify another public humiliation.
—I'm going to check on the Wolgarms.
—They're with the children.
—Exactly.
He walked away.
Luci followed.
Charmander too.
The other four spirits remained behind to heat the stand.
Subaru watched his back.
—He's planning something.
Petra drank.
—Always.
Ram and Rem worked together.
They had covered their area with a cloth.
Nobody could see the sculpture.
Every time someone came too close, a gust of wind redirected them.
—That counts as magic —Subaru protested.
—Ram does not use magic to sculpt.
—You use it to hide it.
—That is not forbidden.
Rem shaped one section with her hands.
Ram corrected another with a small tool.
—What are you making? —Emilia asked.
—A work representing our feelings —Rem replied.
—That sounds pretty.
Ram said nothing.
Subaru felt fear.
Roswaal looked intrigued.
When they removed the cloth, the courtyard fell silent.
The figure was two people tall.
The right half had Roswaal's hair, makeup, and clothing.
The left had Link's dark hair, a kakugan made with a red stone, and a smile that was far too wide.
Two horns protruded from the forehead.
Four extensions of snow emerged from the back like kagunes.
The body wore a mixture of noble coat and gardener's clothes.
One hand held a staff.
The other gave a thumbs-up.
Subaru approached.
—No.
Rem clasped her hands.
—The Marvelous Statue of Linkwaal-sama.
Link was returning from the enclosure.
He stopped.
—What the hell is that?
Ram pointed toward Roswaal's half.
—The perfection of Roswaal-sama.
Rem pointed toward the other.
—And Link.
—Why are we fused together?
—It was a collaborative work —Rem replied.
—You could've made two.
—That would reduce the collaboration —Ram said.
Roswaal looked at the hybrid face.
The statue seemed to stare back.
The smile combined his own expression with Link's whenever he was about to do something stupid.
The four snow kagunes gave the figure the silhouette of a religious creature designed by someone who held a grudge against the gods.
—Unsettling —Roswaal admitted.
Ram opened her eye.
—Roswaal-sama.
—Artistically ambitious.
Subaru picked up the scoring tablet.
—Five.
Ram turned.
—Five?
—Out of ten.
—Ram understands the system.
—Then you know that's generous.
Rem looked at the statue.
—Rem thought it was pretty.
Link moved beside her.
—It looks like Roswaal and I had a child who came back to punish us.
Subaru doubled over laughing.
Roswaal raised a score card.
—Four.
Ram went completely still.
—Roswaal-sama.
—The resemblance to both of us is too accurate.
—That should increase the score.
—Accuracy can also be a crime.
Arlam's elder raised a six.
—Good handwork.
Ram looked at the board.
—Fifteen points.
—Out of thirty —Subaru reminded her.
—Ram did not request commentary.
Rem looked at Link.
—You don't like it?
He looked at the stone kakugan.
The two horns.
The coat.
The raised thumb.
Roswaal's half.
—I like that you made it.
—That answer avoids the sculpture.
—I'm learning diplomacy.
Rem smiled.
—Then Rem is satisfied.
Ram continued staring at Roswaal's four.
The collar kept her body warm.
It could do nothing for the emotional wound.
The children presented several works.
A snow house.
A bird without wings.
A figure of Subaru whose head fell off when the elder tried touching it.
The body remained upright.
The head rolled to Rem's feet.
Subaru stared.
—That feels personal.
Petra lifted her head.
—Now it looks like you lost against the Bowel Hunter.
Nobody understood the reference.
Subaru did.
The color vanished from his face.
Link placed a hand on his shoulder.
Said nothing.
The joke had come far too close to a memory Petra could not possibly know.
Rem picked up the snow head.
Placed it back on.
—Now it is complete.
Subaru looked at her.
—Thanks.
She nodded.
Nothing more.
Another group built a Wolgarm.
They used tomatoes for eyes.
Branches for claws.
A red ribbon around its neck.
The real pack approached.
The Wolgarm with the blue collar sniffed the sculpture.
Barked.
The vibration knocked off one snow ear.
The children protested.
The animal ate it.
—It has no flavor —Link said.
The Wolgarm chewed.
Spat out the snow.
Petra placed a bow on the figure's head.
—Now it's better.
Subaru raised a high score.
—Nine.
Ram wrote it down.
—Barusu shows favoritism toward animals that attempted to kill him.
—The piece has identity.
—It has tomatoes.
—Exactly.
The elder gave eight.
Roswaal, seven.
The children celebrated.
The Wolgarms howled without understanding.
Emilia completed her sculpture at the end of the first hour.
It was Puck.
Not perfect.
One ear stood higher than the other.
The tail was too large.
The body bore little finger marks.
Emilia had worked carefully, talking to the figure as though it could hear her.
Puck floated around it.
—I'm more handsome.
—Don't move. I'm trying to remember the shape of your face.
—You see it every day.
—But you're talking right now.
—My beauty also exists in motion.
Emilia added snow to the cheeks.
—Done.
The figure smiled.
Puck settled on top of the snow head.
The resemblance improved.
Subaru examined the work.
He wanted to give it ten.
He had to maintain credibility.
He raised a nine.
Emilia's eyes widened.
—Nine?
—The tail is too large.
—Puck has a big tail!
—Mine is proportional —the spirit protested.
Roswaal gave nine.
The elder, ten.
Emilia looked at Subaru.
—He gave ten.
—He doesn't know Puck as well as we do.
—That should make his score less accurate.
—My heart suffered when I removed that point.
—Then give it back.
—Judges do not reverse decisions.
Emilia puffed out her cheeks.
Subaru had to look away to preserve his authority.
Beatrice finished shortly afterward.
Her Puck was smaller.
The face was also more precise.
The legs were too short, and the body leaned slightly.
The little spirit had snow in her hair.
Her gloves were wet.
Her dress had a white stain.
She looked as though she had worked much harder than she would ever admit.
Puck approached.
—It's pretty.
Beatrice lifted her face.
—Naturally.
Subaru gave seven.
The world stopped.
—Seven?
—The lean.
—It's a dynamic pose.
—It looks like it's falling.
—Nii-cha moves!
Roswaal raised seven.
The elder, eight.
Beatrice tightened her grip on the shovel.
—Twenty-two.
Ram recorded the score.
—Less than Emilia-sama.
—Betty knows how to add.
Emilia approached.
—The face is reeeally good.
—I don't need consolation.
—It isn't consolation.
Puck positioned himself between both sculptures.
—I have two.
Beatrice looked at Emilia's work.
Emilia looked at Beatrice's.
—Yours has a better face —Emilia said.
—Yours has a better tail —Beatrice replied.
Both fell silent.
Subaru smiled.
—You could combine them.
—No —they answered together.
Puck raised his paws.
—I'll keep both.
Petra's rabbit was presented last.
Subaru's modifications had transformed it into a mechanical creature.
It had armor.
A rectangular eye.
A small cockpit.
Ears made of grass.
Petra had added flowers around it in an attempt to recover some cuteness.
—Its name is Snow Rabbit —she declared.
Subaru raised one finger.
—S-N0 BUN-E.
—No.
—Project name.
—No.
—Autonomous unit—
Petra threw a snowball at him.
Subaru stopped talking.
The judges evaluated it.
Roswaal gave ten.
The elder gave ten.
Subaru looked at Petra.
Then at the part he had added.
—Nine.
Petra crossed her arms.
—Why?
—Excessive external intervention.
—You intervened.
—Exactly.
—Then give me ten.
—The judge must punish the corruption of the artist.
—You were the corruption!
The total was enough.
Twenty-nine.
Winner.
Subaru climbed onto the box.
—First place goes to Petra!
The children cheered.
Petra jumped.
—What's the prize?
Subaru adopted a solemn expression.
He slipped one hand beneath his coat.
Pulled out a bag.
The packaging bore letters nobody in Lugunica could read.
Link recognized the design.
—No.
Subaru raised the bag.
—A unique serving of crispy salted tuber slices, brought from a region so distant that no merchant can reach it!
—They're potato chips.
—Don't ruin the presentation!
—You kept those since you arrived?
—Emergency reserve.
Link looked at the bag.
—They must be crushed by now.
—The spiritual integrity remains!
Petra accepted it.
Shook it.
It sounded like powder.
Her smile did not diminish.
—Can I share?
Subaru placed a hand over his chest.
—The prize belongs to the champion.
The children surrounded Petra.
She opened the bag.
Air escaped.
The familiar smell reached Subaru and Link.
Both closed their eyes for one moment.
Petra took one chip.
It was broken.
She tasted it.
—Salty.
—That's basically it —Link said.
Subaru elbowed him.
—It is the flavor of civilization!
The children each received small pieces.
Some made faces.
Others asked for more.
The bag vanished in less than a minute.
Subaru stared at the empty wrapper.
—Years of technology reduced to crumbs.
Link rested a hand on his shoulder.
—Worth it.
Subaru looked at Petra.
The girl was showing the package to her friends as if it were treasure.
—Yeah.
The competition had ended.
Sculptures covered the courtyard.
Pucks.
Houses.
Animals.
The mechanical rabbit.
Linkwaal-sama.
The decapitated Subaru.
A Wolgarm with a bow.
The crowd walked among them.
Emilia took Subaru's hand.
—They might disappear tomorrow.
—Snow doesn't last forever.
—I know.
—That's what makes today matter.
She looked at her Puck.
—We could do it again next year.
Subaru smiled.
—Of course.
Puck watched them from above.
He said nothing.
The snowfall was beginning to weaken.
He had released a large portion of the mana.
His body looked lighter.
Beatrice stood nearby, pretending to inspect the barrier.
Roswaal spoke with the elder.
Ram organized preparations for the evening celebration.
Rem distributed the last cups of chocolate.
Link was gone.
Rem noticed first.
She looked toward the stand.
Charmander was gone too.
Luci had disappeared.
The other four spirits remained there.
—Nee-sama.
Ram lifted her head.
—What is it?
—Have you seen Link?
—Ram attempts to avoid him whenever possible.
—He is not at the stand.
—Perhaps he went to the forest.
—The Wolgarms are here.
The pack rested beside the children.
One wore two bows.
Another carried snow across its back.
Petra was trying to place a crown on the one with the yellow ribbon.
Subaru approached.
—Looking for Link?
—Yes.
—He said he was going to check something.
—What?
Subaru pointed toward the back of the storage building.
—He went that way about an hour ago.
Rem looked.
A wall of snow concealed part of the side garden.
It had not existed before.
—Why is there a wall?
Ram closed her eye.
—Because the gardener is hiding something.
Link sat behind the wall.
He had lost control of the situation.
Not his magic.
That would have been easier.
The work stood in front of him.
Luci floated beside his face.
Charmander sat on top of a box.
Both stared at the sculpture.
—Nobody can see it.
Luci pointed.
—Rem.
—I know it's Rem.
—Pretty.
—That's the problem.
Charmander raised its thumb.
Link pushed it down.
—I don't need approval.
The sculpture had begun as an experiment.
He merely wanted to see whether he could use heat to shape snow without melting it completely.
He had made a face.
Not anyone specific.
That was what he told himself.
Then he added hair.
The bangs fell to one side.
The face began resembling Rem.
Not deliberately.
At least not at first.
Link corrected one cheek.
The shape of the nose.
The lips.
The eye.
He used a kagune to compress the snow from the inside and his warm fingers to smooth the surface.
Luci provided light.
Charmander held tools.
Once the face was finished, leaving it without a body would have been ridiculous.
The sculpture grew.
Winter dress.
Hands together.
Boots.
Shoulder-length hair.
The blue ribbon from their first date, reproduced in ice colored with mana.
Then the ears appeared.
Link could not explain the ears.
He had tried making a hood.
Two points formed.
They looked like cat ears.
He liked them.
He kept them.
The tail came afterward.
He had no defense for that.
A snow tail curved behind the dress.
The result was a life-sized Rem.
Smiling.
Slightly.
The ears protruded from her hair.
The tail formed an elegant curve.
The resemblance was far too precise.
It wasn't a generic figure.
It was her.
The tilt of the head.
The way she clasped her hands whenever she hid an intention.
The tiny difference between her professional smile and the one she used with Link.
He had reproduced the second.
—I don't know how to sculpt —he murmured.
Charmander raised its thumb.
—That makes this worse.
Luci touched one of the snow ears.
—Rem.
—Don't say her name.
—Rem.
—Luci.
The quasi-spirit approached the statue's lips.
—Pretty.
Link covered his face.
—I'm going to melt it.
Charmander stepped between him and the sculpture.
—Move.
The automaton shook its head.
—You do not have the right to develop artistic ethics.
Luci spread both arms in front of the figure.
—No.
—Neither do you.
Link raised one finger.
A flame appeared.
He extinguished it.
He couldn't do it.
The work was good.
Too good.
He could hide it.
Wait until everyone went home.
Destroy it at night.
—Nobody comes in here.
Charmander raised its thumb.
—You stand guard.
Luci sat on one ear.
—Don't call Rem.
—Rem.
—That is exactly the opposite of what I said.
A thump sounded behind the wall.
Link froze.
Something sniffed.
—No.
A paw pushed through the snow.
The Wolgarm with the blue ribbon stuck its head through.
It still wore Petra's white bow.
—How did you escape?
The animal pushed.
The wall creaked.
—Stay still.
Charmander walked toward it.
Opened both arms.
The Wolgarm sniffed him.
Sneezed.
Charmander stepped backward.
Its burning tail brushed the base of the wall.
Snow melted.
A crack appeared.
Link's eyes widened.
—Turn that off.
Charmander turned.
The tail struck another section.
The structure gave way.
—NO!
The Wolgarm leapt through.
The wall collapsed outward.
Not toward the hidden garden.
Toward the festival.
The white curtain fell.
The sound attracted everyone.
The sculpture stood exposed.
Link remained beside it.
One hand raised.
His finger still smoking.
Luci sat on the cat ear.
Charmander stood at his feet.
The Wolgarm wagged its tail.
Silence.
All of Arlam stared at Snow Rem.
Petra opened her mouth.
So did Emilia.
Subaru looked at the statue.
Then Link.
Then the statue again.
Ram was the first to speak.
—Oh.
One syllable.
Enough to announce social death.
Link slowly lowered his hand.
—I can explain.
Subaru started trembling.
Not from cold.
Laughter was trying to escape.
—No.
—It was a magic experiment.
—No.
—The ears were an accident.
Subaru fell to his knees.
—AND THE TAIL?!
—The tail balances the composition.
The Japanese boy struck the snow.
The laughter escaped.
Petra ran toward the figure.
—It's Rem!
—Yes —Emilia said—. It reeeally looks like her.
Beatrice approached.
Studied the face.
—Too much.
Roswaal tilted his head.
—Surprising work.
Arlam's elder raised his scoring board.
Ten.
Link pointed at him.
—The competition is over.
Roswaal raised another ten.
—Out of competition, naturally.
Subaru raised both hands.
—One hundred!
—Shut up.
Ram walked around it.
Examined the tail.
—The gardener devoted a remarkable amount of attention to reproducing Rem.
—I see her every day.
—So does Ram.
—This wasn't a competition.
Ram touched one ear.
—These do not belong to Rem.
—Creative error.
—And this tail...
—Structural compensation.
—The skirt stands by itself.
—That doesn't matter.
—Then it was a preference.
Link stepped backward.
Rem had said nothing.
She stood in front of the sculpture.
Her face was red.
Redder than Ram's lagmite.
Her blue eye moved across every detail.
The hands.
The hair.
The dress.
The ribbon.
The ears.
The tail.
The smile.
Link tried to locate an escape route.
The Wolgarms blocked the forest.
The manor stood behind Ram.
Subaru was on the left.
Beatrice could open doors.
Emilia could freeze the ground.
Roswaal could fly.
Rem raised one hand.
Touched the snow face.
—Link.
He closed his eyes.
—Yes.
—Is this how you see Rem?
—No.
Luci lifted both arms.
—Rem. Pretty.
Link looked at the quasi-spirit.
—Betrayal.
Charmander raised its thumb.
—You too.
Petra circled the sculpture.
—The ears look pretty on her.
Emilia nodded.
—Very pretty.
Beatrice crossed her arms.
—Childish.
—Betty is jealous —Subaru said.
A snow book, improvised with magic, struck him in the head.
Ram continued studying the tail.
—Ram fears imagining what else the gardener planned to add.
—Nothing.
—Quick answer.
—Because it's true.
Rem touched one of the ears.
—They're soft.
—It's snow.
—Rem could make a ribbon with that shape.
Link stopped breathing.
—You like it?
She turned.
The blush remained.
So did a smile.
Small.
Dangerous.
—Rem did not say she didn't.
Subaru stood.
—The sculpture has been approved by the model!
The children applauded.
Link covered his face.
—Kill me.
The Wolgarm with the yellow ribbon barked.
—Not you.
Ram tilted her head.
—The gardener spent an hour constructing a life-sized feline Rem while pretending to work.
—I was testing magic.
—The skirt has pleats.
—The snow needed channels.
—You even reproduced the ribbon from your first date.
—It was a visual reference.
—And you chose a smile Rem does not use while working.
Link fell silent.
Ram had noticed.
So had Rem.
She looked back at the figure.
Some of the embarrassment faded.
Her fingers traced the snow cheek.
—This smile...
—It doesn't matter.
—It is the one Rem uses with Link.
The silence changed.
Subaru stopped laughing for a moment.
Emilia smiled.
Petra looked back and forth between them.
Ram watched Link.
He looked away.
—It was the one I remembered.
Rem approached.
—Then do not melt it.
Link looked at her.
—You want to keep it?
—Until the snow disappears.
—It has ears.
—Rem noticed.
—And a tail.
—That too.
—Everyone saw it.
—Yes.
—I'm not going to survive this.
Rem raised a hand.
Brushed snow from his hair.
—Rem can warm him.
Ram spoke from behind them.
—It seems the gardener already warmed himself enough while building it.
Link froze.
Subaru made a sound like a dying animal.
Petra asked:
—What does that mean?
—Nothing —Emilia and Rem answered simultaneously.
Roswaal hid his smile.
Beatrice closed her eyes.
Link looked toward the forest.
The darkness between the trees seemed kind.
Safe.
Merciful.
—I'm leaving.
Rem grabbed his sleeve.
—Where?
—The forest.
—Why?
—The Wolgarms judge less.
The blue-ribbon Wolgarm barked.
—Even if they eat me, it'll be quick.
—Link controls the Wolgarms —Emilia reminded him.
—I'll surrender control.
Subaru regained the ability to speak.
—Brother, come back! We still haven't evaluated anatomical accuracy!
Link manifested all four kagunes.
—I'm going to kill you.
—That confirms it's accurate!
Link shot away.
One kagune caught a tree.
Another grabbed the enclosure roof.
The remaining two pushed against the ground.
He flew across the snow.
—LINK! —Rem called.
He accelerated.
All six Wolgarms interpreted the escape as a game.
They chased him.
The pack vanished into the forest.
Charmander raised its thumb.
Then began following with awkward steps.
Luci left the snow ear.
Flew after Link.
The four fire spirits abandoned the chocolate and followed her.
Subaru ran.
Petra and the children followed him.
—Catch the perverted sculptor!
—I'M NOT A PERVERT!
The answer came from among the trees.
Ram raised one hand.
Wind began to move.
Rem stopped her.
—Nee-sama.
—Ram can bring him back.
Rem looked toward the forest.
Her smile widened.
—Rem will do it.
She removed her cape.
Folded it.
Handed it to her sister.
—Don't kill him —Emilia said.
Rem took the chain of her mace.
—No.
—That wasn't reassuring —Subaru murmured.
The blue-haired maid ran.
Entered the forest.
—LINK!
—I DON'T WANT TO TALK!
—REM ONLY WANTS TO ASK FOR SOMETHING!
—I'M NOT MAKING ANOTHER ONE!
—REM WANTED ONE FOR THE BEDROOM!
The trees became silent.
Link briefly appeared between two trunks.
His face displayed absolute horror.
—WHAT?!
One of the Wolgarms jumped on him.
Link disappeared into the snow.
The pack piled on.
Kagunes emerged between bodies and tails.
—HELP!
Rem arrived.
She did not help.
She stopped.
Covered her mouth.
Laughter escaped.
Link managed to pull his head out.
One Wolgarm sat on his back.
Another gently bit one of his kagunes.
Luci floated above.
Charmander arrived several seconds later.
It stood in front of him.
Raised its thumb.
—I'm burying you again.
Rem crouched.
—Will you also make the sculpture's ears for Rem?
Link looked at his partner.
The blush remained.
Her expression was happy.
Genuinely happy.
—You liked them?
—Very much.
—Even though everyone saw it?
—Rem would have preferred to see it first.
Link let his head fall against the snow.
—That's fair.
She extended a hand.
—Come back.
—Ram will never let this die.
—No.
—Neither will Subaru.
—No.
—Petra will ask questions.
—Many.
—Beatrice will insult me.
—Probably.
—Roswaal will try buying the sculpture.
Rem thought.
—We will not sell it to him.
Link lifted his face.
—We won't?
—It belongs to Rem.
That answer destroyed whatever defenses remained.
He took her hand.
Rem pulled.
The Wolgarm moved aside.
Link stood.
Snow covered his clothes.
Rem brushed some from his cheek.
—Besides, the food still remains.
—No alcohol.
—Subaru said there would be drinks.
—I'm not touching anything I didn't prepare myself.
—A prudent decision.
They walked toward the festival.
The Wolgarms surrounded them.
Luci sat over one of the still-hidden horns, as though she could feel its position even without seeing it.
Charmander walked behind.
Its right leg jammed.
It fell.
Raised its thumb from the ground.
Link picked it up with a kagune.
When they emerged from the forest, everyone looked.
Subaru was smiling.
Ram held Rem's cape, and the red collar still shone around her neck.
Emilia waited beside the sculpture.
Beatrice pretended she wasn't.
Roswaal had placed a score card with a ten in front of the feline figure.
Petra had added a snow bow to the tail.
Link stopped.
—This is worse than I imagined.
Rem took his arm.
Pulled him closer.
Rested her head against his shoulder.
—Rem is happy.
The laughter mattered a little less.
Not all of it.
Subaru started imitating a meow.
Link raised a kagune.
—He still matters.
Subaru fled.
The children followed.
The war began again.
Behind them, the sculptures remained beneath the snowfall.
Puck.
Another Puck.
The mechanical rabbit.
Linkwaal-sama.
The Wolgarm with the bow.
Subaru with his head repaired.
And Rem, smiling with cat ears and a tail.
Nothing would survive the change in temperature.
The snow would melt.
The shapes would disappear.
The handprints, laughter, and footprints would be absorbed by the earth.
But for that day, they existed.
Ram stopped feeling cold.
Luci learned a new word.
The Wolgarms played with the children they had once hunted.
Emilia watched an entire village enjoy the magic she had tried to hide.
Beatrice built something without using hers.
Subaru turned a problem into a memory.
And Link discovered that social death was not so terrible when Rem held his arm and proudly admired the proof that he remembered every detail of her smile.
Even if the cat ears would haunt him for the rest of his life.
—Link —Rem said.
—Yes?
—Tonight, you can explain why you chose a tail.
He looked toward the forest again.
Rem tightened her grip on his arm.
—No.
Link released a sigh.
—It was structural balance.
—Of course.
Ram walked past them.
—Ram expects the explanation to include drawings.
—No.
—Perhaps a demonstration.
—NO!
Subaru shouted from the distance:
—I WANT TO SEE THE DESIGNS!
A kagune launched a snowball.
It struck him.
The celebration continued.