Chapter 7: -2-

Nujah stood slowly, fully recovered under the warmth of the flames. The burning pain from earlier had faded, and his body, once drained, had finally regenerated.

The girl—Sayu—grabbed his hand without hesitation.

"Come on! It's warmer inside."

They walked upward through a narrow, snow-covered path that disappeared into a hidden tunnel. The inside of the tunnel was ancient, carved from old stone. But strangely, not a single speck of dust was to be seen.

Nujah's eyes scanned the spotless walls. "This place is... weirdly clean for something this old."

Sayu caught his expression. "Ah, yeah. Our Queen is a cleaning maniac. Even a speck of dust freaks her out."

From a corner, a voice hissed sharply:

"Sayu!"

Her mother, with a voice both embarrassed and annoyed, glared at her.

Everyone chuckled.

"Oops," Sayu whispered.

"She's scary when she's in 'royal mode.'"

Nujah raised an eyebrow. "So... you're part of a royal cleaning cult?"

Sayu smirked. "She doesn't clean the house. She declares war on dirt."

They all laughed again.

"I'm Sayu, by the way. You?"

Nujah hesitated, then answered with a nod. "Nujah."

"Cool name. You sound like someone important."

"Once," he muttered.

Sayu didn't press. "Well, important or not, you're here now. That counts."

They finally reached the house hidden beneath the snow, a warm glow pouring from behind its wooden door. The laughter faded into calm as they stepped inside.