The celebration of Jin’s birthday was in full swing in the Great Hall of Jin Castle in Kaina Village.
"Jin-kun’s turned twenty-eight already, hasn't he?"
"The twins will be five this year. We certainly are getting older."
The two women conversing were Vivienne and Stearena Gamma.
Vivienne would be forty this year, and Stearena thirty-eight, yet both possessed a youthful vitality that made them look to be in their late twenties.
"Peace is truly a blessing."
Though minor skirmishes still occurred, the present era was free of major conflicts.
"It really is... and 'Avalon' seems to be doing its part as well."
The World Conference and the World Security Guard were beginning to take root across the globe, contributing significantly to the maintenance of order. As Vivienne traveled through various nations in her role as a storyteller, she often saw the effects of these shifting times firsthand.
Compared to ten years ago, the Known World had become remarkably tranquil.
"The World Security Guard has been active everywhere, saving lives during natural disasters and tracking heinous criminals across borders."
Such reports frequently reached Vivienne's ears during her travels.
"Speaking of which, I heard Fritz-san played a major role during that massive blizzard recently," Stearena remarked.
Vivienne nodded. "That's right. I heard Jin-san provided support from the shadows as well."
"Mm, he did."
Elsa Randol joined them then, having apparently caught the mention of her brother.
"Oh, I’d love to hear that story," Stearena said.
"M-Me too."
"I would also like to hear it," Marikka added, approaching alongside Sion.
"I see. Well then, since everyone is interested..."
Vivienne, the storyteller, began her tale.
＊ ＊ ＊
It happened on the morning of January 20, 3464.
"My Lord, I have a report."
On that day, it was rare for Laojun to address Jin-san outside of its scheduled reporting times. In times of peace, such an occurrence was unusual.
"What is it, Laojun? Did something happen?"
Sensing the gravity of the situation, Jin-san questioned Laojun with a sharper tone than usual. "Is there some danger approaching?"
"Yes, My Lord. Not to Hourai Island, but to the Shouro Empire."
"What!?"
Jin-san had many friends and acquaintances in the Shouro Empire. Most importantly, it was the homeland of his beloved wife, Elsa-san.
"Heavy snow is falling near the border with the Celuroa Kingdom. It is a blizzard of a magnitude seen only once every century or two."
"What did you say?"
Laojun projected images from the observation satellite Watcher onto the magi-screen.
The area surrounding the Trockenbahn—the major artery connecting the Celuroa Kingdom and the Shouro Empire—was usually a vast, dry expanse of reddish-brown earth. Now, it was painted a stark, uniform white.
"Is all that... snow?"
"Yes, My Lord. The cause is an extreme cold wave of a level seen only a few times every several hundred years, combined with powerful westerly winds."
The border between the Shouro Empire and the Celuroa Kingdom is marked by a mountain range extending to the north. Laojun theorized that moist southwesterly winds had collided with these mountains, creating massive clouds that, when combined with the intense cold, resulted in the unprecedented snowfall.
"I understand the cause, but what is the situation on the ground?"
"Yes, My Lord. Regulus 21, also known as 'Dakkal' of the Quinta, is currently in the town of Danga. He reports that as much as two meters of snow accumulated in a single night."
"That’s catastrophic..."
"Indeed. Not only is transportation throughout the region paralyzed, but all production and social functions have come to a complete standstill."
"I can imagine. What about snow removal?"
"As this is a region with typically very low precipitation, they have no specialized equipment or preparations. They are effectively at their wits' end."
"Hmm..."
After considering the situation, Jin-san decided to relay this information to the World Security Guard immediately.
"This is a grave matter."
The second Chairman of the World Conference, King Alois III of the Klein Kingdom, convened an emergency assembly. The representatives gathered at Avalon using the Warp Gates installed the previous year. These gates had been discovered in the Celuroa Kingdom, and because they consumed a massive amount of mana, they were reserved strictly for emergencies.
"We must provide immediate relief to the villages and towns along the highway."
The decision was unanimous. It was time for the World Security Guard to act. Although the organization was still in its infancy and its structure was not yet fully established, they could not afford to wait.
"Captain Fritz Randol!"
"Here!"
"Vice-Captain Gloria Allstatt!"
"Here!"
"The two of you will lead a Golem squad and fly to the site immediately. Relief supplies will be dispatched in a second wave as soon as they are secured."
And so, the two officer candidates, Fritz Randol and Gloria Allstatt, set out for the disaster zone leading their squad.
They utilized two airships of the same class as Konron 2. Fritz and Gloria each took command of one vessel, carrying five Golems and a small cache of emergency supplies. Soaring through the skies at eighty kilometers per hour, they reached the affected area in just under seven hours.
"This is..."
Fritz felt a chill of dread as he looked down at a world of pure white. He had no idea where to even begin.
In fact, he couldn't even distinguish houses from roads from the air. Although the intensity had lessened, snow was still falling, and visibility remained poor.
"...This is a disaster on a massive scale..."
Fritz had been a soldier and was well-versed in tactics and strategy. However, he had never faced a situation like this, nor was it covered in any of his manuals. As the captain in charge, Fritz found himself momentarily at a loss.
＊ ＊ ＊
Vivienne paused her narration to moisten her throat with some honeyed ramon juice.
"...Mm, I heard the same. That even Ani-sama was at his wits' end," Elsa said, nodding.
"I don't blame him. A vast snowy wasteland as far as the eye can see... anyone would be overwhelmed," Stearena said softly, imagining herself in that position.
"Mm. That’s why Laojun, having anticipated that very struggle, had already made a move."
"It had?"
"Yes, that’s how I heard it..."
Vivienne resumed her story.
＊ ＊ ＊
Just then, a large twin-hull airship approached their position.
《This is Deus Ex Machina. I have come to assist Fritz-dono.》
Using an application of wind-attribute magic, a voice was projected across the distance between the ships.
《The snowfall covers a vast area, but the most imminent crisis is currently in Rockgo, a short distance to the north.》
Rockgo was a town situated on the eastern side of the Great Divide River. Maquina explained that the snow there had reached a depth of over three meters, and houses were starting to collapse under the weight.
Most of the buildings in that area were made of stone and had managed to endure the burden thus far, but there was no telling how much more they could take.
And so, guided by Maquina, Fritz set a course for Rockgo...