Chapter 32 - Arc 2, Crescent Moon (2/2)

Once Ganche lifted him up, Ernst’s field of vision widened all at once. From his high vantage point he could see far into the distance, but all he saw was the vast, uniform expanse of the snowfield, as well as a deciduous tree that hadn’t lost its leaves even in the winter.

“Is that tree from the Grude Continent?”

Ernst murmured, letting out a white breath.

“No, there isn’t any tree like that in the lands of Grude. That land only has things that are full of thorns, after all.”

“Then in that case, is it true that Meissen’s trees have some Grude influence in them?”

“Lord Ernst.”

Without disturbing the marching ranks of the troops, the 1st platoon leader, Brez, shyly joined the conversation Ernst had been having with Ganche.

“I come from the village of Iben. When I was a child, the trees that people carried back from the Ekse Mountain were dead in the winter.”

“Humm. Then around when did they become like this, not losing their leaves even in winter?”

“After the New Year next month, I will be 97 years old. I first noticed this when I was 64, so I believe the trees must have been in this state for at least 33 years.”

Surpassing Ernst’s expectations, Brez was able to clearly list out the number of years.

Noticing Ernst’s expression, Brez continued.

“I was 30 when I volunteered to join the militia and began my service at the estate. After that, there was also a period where I left to become a mercenary for the sake of my village. When I was around 60 I returned to Meissen and once again joined the militia. Then, after three years, I was allowed to return home to visit my parents. At 64, a child I had with a woman in Kata Village was born… it was when I returned with my child to my village that I noticed the trees. I remember it very well.”

It was under those circumstances that the sight had been carved into his memory, Ernst thought, nodding.

Ganche walked through that deep snow without any trouble at all. The militia troops following after him also tried their hardest to keep up, but in the end, there were still some stragglers.

Even the horses that Targes and Brez rode seemed to hate the snow that buried their feet.

Ernst rested his cheek on the Ganche’s mantle. It was made of animal leather, and was part of the militia’s equipment. From the thick nape of his neck drifted the beloved scent of the forest.

When Ernst looked at the foliage spread out above his head and breathed in Ganche’s scent, he couldn’t help but feel like they weren’t really in the midst of winter.

Deciduous trees that didn’t die in the winter.

Someone must have noticed that this wasn’t normal.

By the time they caught sight of Arruca Village, even Targes’ horse was out of breath.

The militia soldiers seemed like they were going to sit down in protest at any moment.

Under these circumstances, only Ganche remained unruffled.

“You’re not tired?”

Leaving behind the straggling militia soldiers, Ganche kept walking forward, briskly passing through the snow.

“Not at all… When I breathe in Lord Ernst’s scent, I become stronger than anyone.”

Ernst immediately stopped himself from speaking more. After taking a quick glance around the perimeter, he pressed a light kiss to the tip of Ganche’s manly chin.

“What a coincidence. When I smell Ganche’s scent, I also become stronger.”

Ernst smiled, and Ganche smiled back.

“And besides, Lord Ernst is like a feather… you’re lighter than my sword.”

Although Ganche said this in jest, Ernst knew it to actually be true. Before, Ernst had tried to hold Ganche’s sword for fun, but he hadn’t been able to budge it a single bit.

“I’d have to eat all of the crops in the whole of Meissen to be heavier than that sword.”

Seeing Ernst knit his thin eyebrows together, Ganche threw his head back and laughed.