Chapter 325 Winter Snow Festival

"Boom!"

"Boom! Boom!"

Some time passed.

The cold, lonely winter suddenly erupted with a loud noise.

It came from inside the small city, shaking the snow on the branches until it crumbled and fell to the ground with a rustle.

It wasn't an attack on the city.

It was the Winter Snow Festival reaching its key moment.

Flame bombs meant for the performance rose high into the sky.

They were accurately shot by elven archers, bursting into brilliant, extreme fireworks, with high heat and temperature, presenting a gorgeous, beautiful instant.

In Xu Xi's perception, the people in the city were bustling and noisy; there were adventurers clinking glasses and merchants selling their wares.

"Let's go, Sevia, I need to enter the city to purchase some items."

"But, Lord Wizard, doesn't the workshop need to be guarded?"

"Don't worry, I have already set up auto-triggering defensive spell formations."

The undead girl was a little surprised.

But she still followed Xu Xi's words.

She cast a spell to block the wind and snow, following that reliable figure as they walked toward the noisy city.

Ever since her body turned into an undead, Sevia hadn't seen such a harmonious scene in a long time.

Playing children.

Conversing adults.

Shouting merchants.

This nameless small city was a sanctuary in a corner of the Wizard World; there were few undead, and their strength was not high. Relying on the resident First-Ring Wizard, people still had room to breathe.

Anyone who saw the celebration in the city would feel warmth and happiness.

Sevia was no exception.

However, while touching that beauty, her body couldn't help but tremble.

Was the cloak useful? Would people discover her abnormality?

Was there a gap in her armor? Would her skeleton body be discovered?

Shrinking back.

Timid.

The walking girl subconsciously wrapped her cloak tighter, feeling that everyone on the bustling street was discussing her abnormality.

Their gazes, their voices, all seemed related to her.

Vaguely.

She could even hear the word "monster."

"Sevia."

Just as she was about to flee in a panic, someone took hold of Sevia's palm. The force was light, very gentle, guiding her to keep moving forward.

"Sevia, just follow me."

"… Yes, Lord Wizard."

Her timid heart returned to calm.

The fleeing monster, because of that gentle connection, stayed in place with the posture of a human.

She must not cause trouble for Lord Wizard.

The girl thought this and obediently followed Xu Xi.

…

[Before the New Year arrived, the city welcomed the lively Winter Snow Festival]

[The warrior who finished training looked at the city holding the festival, lost in a long trance]

[Seemingly recalling something]

[Seemingly lost]

[You have average interest in the Winter Snow Festival, but you feel that the warrior named "Sevia Claufeel" really needs this Winter Snow Festival]

[You hold her hand, comforting her not to be afraid, just needing to follow your pace]

[Yes, just that is enough]

[With your company, Sevia no longer feels fear]

"Sevia, are you feeling better now?" Xu Xi asked.

"… Yes, Lord Wizard."

The warrior was a bit dazed; she seemed unable to believe that she had actually walked into the city without causing any disturbance.

Such a scene was too dreamlike.

So much so that she dared not believe it.

But Xu Xi was right beside her, telling Sevia that all of this was real.

"Thank you," Sevia gripped that palm tightly and whispered her gratitude, "I am much better now, Lord Wizard."

"I'm sorry, I've caused you trouble again…"

The fear still existed.

The shadows of many years could not be eliminated in an instant.

But here and now, with Xu Xi's company, Sevia felt she was fearless.

For the first time in a long while, she could look at people with a normal mindset.

Looking at those faces, some young, some mature, they maintained a warm and peaceful atmosphere even when she was so close.

No one noticed her.

No one was saying "monster."

The only one denying herself was Sevia herself.

When she realized this, coupled with her palm being led by Xu Xi, gradually, Sevia revealed the calmness that a Claufeel emerald should have.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!"

The cold wind whistled, and combat techniques hissed.

In the icy environment, some adventurers drank too much and took out their weapons to swing wildly, drawing laughter and curses from the crowd.

The Blood Moon hung overhead.

The scarlet, eerie moonlight covered the earth.

Amidst the noisy human voices, all fear tended to calm down, diluted by the joyful atmosphere.

Xu Xi looked at the girl beside him who was calming down. The body hidden under the cloak was an emptiness hard for ordinary people to imagine, moving forward only by the control of her will.

Sevia never lacked courage.

Having fought undead for many years, if she lacked courage, she wouldn't have done so.

What Sevia truly lacked was the affirmation of a companion.

Xu Xi tried to let go of her hand, letting Sevia move forward alone.

"Slap—"

Her palm was gripped even faster.

"Lord Wizard, for your safety, please do not go far from me."

"Betting on the honor of the Claufeel Family, I will definitely protect you," Sevia declared seriously, scanning her surroundings with a vigilant gaze, as if some terrifying enemy was hidden there.

Xu Xi looked down at his palm, which had been squeezed slightly red.

"Sevia, can you loosen your grip a little? I want to pick out some items."

"Ah, sorry!"

Under the cloak, the girl said many apologetic words, feeling that she had lost the etiquette of the Claufeel Family.

Looking at Sevia like this, Xu Xi smiled and helped her brush the drifting snow off her cloak hood.

On the street at night.

Bright torches were inserted everywhere.

That cluster of rising flames seemed to ignite the surrounding air as well, so Xu Xi saw that Sevia's eyes were illuminated as well; they were deep emeralds where delicacy and strength coexisted.

…

[You and the undead girl participated in the Winter Snow Festival together]

[This was an ordinary, common festival celebration]

[You bought some food, seasonings, and low-level materials to prepare for the long journey]

[No undead invasion]

[No disaster from the sky]

[The celebration began in peace and ended in peace; from beginning to end, there were no events worth mentioning]

[But with your help, the undead girl with a brand-new appearance stepped into the city of the living for the first time in a long time and successfully integrated into it]

[You feel that this will be helpful for Sevia's mental growth]

…

[Winter passed and spring came; the thick layer of snow disappeared in spring, replaced by a large area of pale gray, strange plants]

[Influenced by the aura of the Netherworld, the entire Wizard World is becoming undead-like]

[Looking at such a landscape, you decide to restart your journey]

[The loyal Nether Raven rushes to your side, carrying you and Sevia, flying to more distant areas]