Chapter 1592: Journey, Ice and Snow, and Space

That evening, Luvia did not leave No. 6 St. Daland Square. As she fell asleep holding the young lady whose breathing was even, Xia De had been wondering whether he could meet Long-haired Luvia and discuss recent matters with her, but Long-haired Luvia, as expected, did not appear since he had been unable to enter 【Past Lives · Sixth Era】.

And early Wednesday morning, urged by Mia, Xia De, yawning and wearing slippers, went downstairs to collect the newspaper and goat milk. Upon opening the door, he actually saw Yi Lu Na walking through the flock of pigeons on the square—pigeons as gluttonous and lazy as Mia—approaching from the other side of the square.

Morning mist concealed the city's appearance, and the air was heavy with humidity. Just past six in the morning, the sun had only just risen, and the young lady with brown long hair, wearing a brown women's coat paired with a black long skirt, waved to Xia De in greeting:

"Oh, Xia De, you haven't set off yet? Regarding that key, I have new information."

Yi Lu Na smiled and walked over quickly. Xia De invited her inside to talk further:

"Coincidentally, I also have something to tell you. Come in quickly. Haven't had breakfast yet? Let's eat together... Luvia is here too."

The seventeen-year-old young lady nodded naturally and, smiling, greeted Mia, who was squatting on the stairs staring at the goat milk in Xia De's hand. The cat politely meowed "Meow~", then stood up, flicked its tail, and ran upstairs.

As Yi Lu Na followed Xia De upstairs, Luvia was washing up in the bathroom. Hearing Yi Lu Na's voice, she specifically poked her head out of the bathroom to greet Yi Lu Na.

Afterwards, Luvia went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, leaving Xia De and Yi Lu Na to wait by the dining table. Seated, Yi Lu Na surveyed the "scenery" of No. 6 St. Daland Square in the morning light, then looked toward Luvia's silhouette in the kitchen:

"I probably know why you like this house. Every morning is so peaceful, and you can see Yoder Palace just by poking your head out. For the past few days, I've often been woken up by the guys handing out flyers on the street, even though there aren't that many people near the apartment I live in."

"I've also encountered people handing out flyers in the university district. This kind of thing might become more common in the future."

Xia De held a teacup in one hand and stroked the cat with the other:

"You just said you have important information to tell me?"

He asked curiously. Yi Lu Na nodded:

"Yes, I just found out this morning. I was even worried I wouldn't make it before your departure time."

She held the teacup with both hands, letting the warmth of her palms warm herself:

"It's information about that Old God—the God of Journeys. I checked in the church and found that this Old God still has believers even now."

Xia De nodded, not surprised at all. The concept of "journey" is very broad, so even if the deity has departed, the order could still exist, just like the 【Winter Hymn Choir】 formed by the believers of that Old God, the "Winter Maiden."

"However, the number of believers of this Old God has become very small. Most of them are now in the New Continent, operating under the name 'Travelers' Association,' providing help to travelers eager for wealth and adventure in human settlements along the coastlines. Since they have become an ordinary group, with no Ring Mages except for a few priests, it's normal that you didn't know. What I want to say is that I discovered something very interesting in the church records: the 'Travelers' Association' and the 'Winter Hymn Choir' still have connections."

Yi Lu Na's words made Xia De raise an eyebrow. He had just thought of that Ring Ringed Ringed Shushi group also located in the far north:

"Is this related to my adventure this time?"

"Yes."

The seventeen-year-old young lady nodded very firmly:

"The Travelers' Association preserves some texts and records from the Fifth Era. These written records were handed over to the Peace Church for safekeeping in the year 589 of the Sixth Era. The materials cannot be taken out, so I will briefly recount the important parts. The general meaning is that the deity bestowed an oracle, instructing the Travelers' Association to establish contact with a Supreme Witch Emperor who governs an ice city among the Winter Maiden's believers, and to assist that Witch Emperor in completing certain tasks."

She looked at Xia De:

"The exact time this event related to the oracle occurred was between the years 900 and 950 in the early Fifth Era."

"The time of my adventure this time is 928."

Xia De said. Yi Lu Na nodded:

"Although it seems to merely coincide with the time of the events you experienced, among the believers of the Old God 【Winter Maiden】, regarding the witch described with the title 'Supreme,' what can you think of?"

Both Yi Lu Na and Luvia were generally aware of each of Xia De's adventures, so Xia De understood her meaning:

"Demigod—Witch of Ice, Chloe?"

"Yes. This might be a coincidence, but it's also possible that you truly encountered that Demigod Witch again during this adventure, thereby causing the two Old God orders to establish a connection."

"Xia De said that the silver-haired witch was not among this time's companions."

Luvia, wearing an apron, walked to the table, placed warm goat milk in front of little Mia, and then added:

"But Xia De said that the witch he met this time also belongs to the Zalas Academy, the same organization as that Miss Chloe. Is it possible that Xia De entrusted her with some matters?"

"That is possible, but since the deity personally bestowed the oracle, I am more inclined to think that Xia De truly encountered that Witch... during the journey."

Yi Lu Na emphasized the word "journey," referring to that seven-day adventure story.

"The deity said that each of us can obtain what we desire through the journey... What I desire is to see Chloe?"

Xia De blinked skeptically. The smile on Luvia's face was brilliant:

"That's not certain. The dashing and charming Xia De Hamilton has always been very popular with witches, hasn't he?"

Even Yi Lu Na couldn't help but laugh, and Xia De happened to be unable to refute it.

"If we really can meet Chloe, that would be good. She is closest to the beginning of the Fifth Era, perhaps understanding the secrets of the era transition better than Miss Feriananna and others from the mid-Fifth Era, or Miss Violet and others from the end of the Fifth Era. However, it shouldn't be that easy to contact her, right?"

"What I am considering is whether that God of Journeys has any connection with the Ancient God of Space."

Luvia brought fried eggs, bacon, hot milk, and bread from the kitchen. After untying her apron, she sat beside Yi Lu Na, which was opposite Xia De:

"You once said that every one of your time adventures is connected to the current time. So now, with the Chosen One's Chapter of Space beginning, you have encountered that God of Journeys. Is there some inevitable connection here? Or perhaps the reward you mentioned, Enhanced Spatial Perception, is the connection to the current time?"

Xia De thought for a moment:

"If there is an opportunity, I will ask that deity directly about matters related to this."

"I have finished saying what I needed to say. Xia De, what did you want to tell me?"

Yi Lu Na asked Xia De again. So Xia De repeated the events he encountered at Green Lake yesterday. Hearing that the ancestor of the Edwards family was a defected High Ring Diviner, and hearing Xia De mention his brief clash with that Thirteen-Ring Ringed Ringed Shushi "Hidden Mirror," Yi Lu Na understood what Xia De wanted to do:

"I will inform the church of these matters."

"Not just you. Just now, while brushing my teeth, I considered it. Today, I will go find Sister Sister Daifulin and the Guardian to have them also explain to the church that they foresaw something strange on the central island of Green Lake. The church will certainly link the Edwards family with the Chosen One of Space because of this. That is what I want to do."

Xia De looked at the two young ladies across the table:

"Currently, there is almost no progress in the investigation regarding the Chosen One, but I am almost certain it is absolutely inseparable from the Edwards family. Since there is no progress, why not let the church get involved? Those hidden ancient secrets and those people hiding behind the scenes will eventually be revealed."

Yi Lu Na and Luvia both nodded; they also thought this was a good idea:

"But if you continue to act in the Green Lake region, you will inevitably encounter that Thirteen-Ring Ringed Ringed Shushi again. Next time, you might not be able to escape."

Yi Lu Na was very worried about this:

"The witch accompanying you is not very reliable. You cannot be certain you won't encounter Hidden Mirror."

"I have also thought about this problem. Rest assured, Yi Lu Na, I also cherish my own life... Are you in a hurry to leave? When I return from the past, there are some things I want to understand from you."

After finishing breakfast, Yi Lu Na helped Luvia clean the kitchen. Xia De went to the study to write a letter to Miss Daniste to facilitate reporting the recent investigation progress.

Afterwards, he took out the Time Key and prepared to set off.

The potion "Cat in a Bottle" must of course be carried on one's person—this was the key to this occasion. And when Xia De inserted the key into the study door, preparing to leave, Mia came padding over again, just like last time. She mewed meekly, nuzzling Xia De's trouser leg, looking every bit as though she wanted to go along with him.

Last time, Xia De had tempted the cat away with a sausage before he could leave, but the same trick would not work twice on this cat.

Xia De called for Luvia, hoping she would restrain Mia, but the purple-eyed Miss asked:

"Isn't this adventure of yours just a storytelling session? If you take her along with you, there shouldn't be any danger, should there?"

"But......"

In truth, if he simply turned Mia into a toy and tucked her into his pocket, it wouldn't matter even if there were danger—Xia De simply didn't want Mia to set foot in those hazardous areas. Bringing her to the Temple of the Dark Night God last time had been a measure of last resort.

"Meow~"

The cat mewed even more meekly, the sound almost heartbreaking, and Xia De could only pick her up:

"Not even a moment of running off, later."

He warned, then turned Mia into a toy and tucked her away. He waved to Luvia, and only then turned and turned the key:

"Well then, see you in a bit—I mean, see you in three seconds—may the World Tree, bless me across infinite time."

He pulled open the door and stepped into the white mist before him.