Chapter 18: Way back home

 At the inn, The trio already finished their bags and ready for the ride back home. It's such a snowy season and horse riding is that exciting but it's been a while since they stay in Greengards and it's about time they gone back to the bar.

 The three head out not long after. People of the town waving at them as they were there to safe their town and also help to rebuilding it before winter. Everyone was very grateful to them and perhaps will never forget it. Everyone cheers at them as they made the way for the three horses walk out the town.

 "People in this town really festive huh?" Codex said to Black Blade as they pace slowly to the gate.

 "Yeah. But they really in tight spot anyway. I kinda understand their feeling. This festiveness will end as the season will hits hard." He said as he look at Emerald that waving her hands to all people.

 "Just wish the best. They actually quite lucky to be in the grace of Oakwoods holy crystal. The season will less painful then ours."

 Black Blade nodded in agreement to that statement. Due to the crystal didn't get drawn out by Gin Fang Hunters, it's blessing still there in this state that will make the ride for this winter not that bad even in the condition the town in.

 Then, they leave the town and riding across the forest. The snow already whiten the path they take but they know their way. Everyone was riding in silence even for Emerald. They still remember the warning from Codex and didn't wanting to plunge in trouble after getting in a big trouble before.

 After leaving the border, Codex suddenly speak up.

 "this year winter will be hard."

 "What do you mean, sis?" Emerald look at her with her head slightly tilted in confusion.

 "The mana flow in Melloyern were to unstable and may affecting the season. Didn't you realised that the snow falls early by a week then most Astrologist and Arch Wizard of Risidom predicted. It means..."

 She look at Black Blade as his face shifts into uneasy expression. Emerald were slightly confused to the two reaction to this.

 "You're talking about The Blizzard of Iria... will happened again... right?"

 " It will be. I don't know where it hits this time but... it's been ten years since last it happened." She said and then sigh.

 "Um.. Master, Sis... what is Blizzard of Iria?"

 Codex shake her head before explaining it. She said that Blizzard of Iria was a rare phenomenon that happened when the mana flow in Melloyern unstable due to external cause like what happened in Greengard and some war that break in between Notherneil and neighboring nation, Iceliss. This war leads to disruption in mana flows and increase the chance for the storm to happen.

 Blizzard of Iria was a blizzard that occur randomly in this world. It's also spawns and awaken many magical beast with ice based element such golem, Blizzard Watchers, and Frostspawn. This beast is highly aggrasive and very strong when the storm is happening in the area.

 Fortunately, there is never reported that Hurricane also happened during the storm so the damage to building is not that dire but these monster is hard to deal with. That was the most feared during the Blizzard

 Emerald nodded to the explanation as they keep riding through the plain that used to be grassy. It's now full of snow.

 "Why is it call Iria?" Emerald ask out of her curiosity.

 "It because this Blizzard first appeared in a nation far in the northwest called Iria. That's why it is." Black Blade said.

 "I see..." She nodded a few times before focusing on the path they're on.

 After almost half a day of riding, they stop since it's almost night time and proceeding is... as usual, dangerous. They start to settle down under a big tree and light up torch around to hinder Watchers to get near them.

 They set two tents, one for Black Blade and other is for Codex and Emerald. They sit around a bonfire as they were waiting the soup they made finish. Codex were the one who made the soup and it just another minutes before it's done.

 "So, we may wake up in the snow tomorrow?" Emerald ask as she playing the fire with a stick.

 "Yes, Even during winter, Night Watchers wasn't that active, the snow is one other reason we didn't want to camp outside but during dark, watcher still there and they can be a lot less detectable in the snow." Codex said while stirring the soup.

 "Let just hope it wasn't that bad. And also I hope that the snow will stop in a bit. It will be hard to keep moving in the snow. Even our horses will run slower."

 Codex nods in agreement to that. Emerald just sitting there and barely focus to what the two was talking about. Not long after, they had their meal and they gone to sleep the night.

 Tomorrow morning hits and the sun rise up this time. The snow was indeed getting thicker than last night but it's not that bad since the sun still rise. They all packed everything and continue their journey home.

 "Hey Codex, I realised there is something different with you lately." Black Blade suddenly speak and break the silence between the three.

 "Huh? What are you talking about?"She raised an eyebrow.

 "I mean... since the battle in Greengard... you seems more alive. You know what i mean, you used to talk less and think more. Never give that much reaction and stoic. But I can't help but realized that you talk more and even have reaction like raising an eyebrow and everything." He look at her as he said so.

 Codex fell silent for a moment, there is a hint of embarresment in her face as she turn her head away from him. She feel flustered just to that since she feel that Black Blade actually paying attention to her. Even she herself didn't realized that she was changing after her emotion returns to her. She feels like she's being acting as usual but she now know she didn't.

 Black Blade realised that she was indeed flustered and he smiles to the sight. He feels that when Codex has more reaction than what she used to be. She could be cuter and maybe nicer.

 "A lot happened. Plus, you're the one who make me Stoic and indifferent back in the day you know?" She said still didn't wanted to make eye contact with him.

 "Eh... really? What did I do?"

 "..." She just stay silent and didn't plan to answer that at all.

 Emerald just hear the two talking and didn't really know how to interfere between their conversation. She look around and enjoy the view of the grassy land as usually she do. She couldn't help but enchanted by the grassland even they actually lived there. Maybe all the time in Greengard that almost a month goes by, she just ended up missing the view after all.

 After another 6 hour of riding, they finally arrive and White is the first to welcome them since he was removing the snow that stacks around the bar with his magic as usual.

 "Oh, you all already arrived. Good thing. Go talk to Madam Silence. she have something to say about recent mission." He said as they all nod and meet with Silence after leaving their horse in the stable.

 Silence who were wiping the wine glass at the counter calmly talks to them all.

 "Welcome back you all. It must be a tough journey there. I've heard everything that happened. You all manage to at least safe many before anything happens. that's a great job. You all can have a rest. About the reward from this mission, I'll distributed it tomorrow. you all just get some rest for this evening."

 The three nodded. Codex and Emerald heading towards their room but as Black Blade is about to leave. A gentle voice whisper in his ears and he turn around and see no one there except Madam Silence who was wiping the counter and didn't even looking at him.

 He shrug it off and head into his room.

 to be continue..