In Edelweiss's home, inside the living room.
At this moment, Rozen had already entered and was sitting at the guest table, quietly sipping a cup of black tea that warmed his body as he looked around.
Because this place was located at an altitude of over 9,000 meters in the Sword Peak, the temperature here was extremely low. Thus, the living room not only had all kinds of heating equipment, but also a fireplace gently burning, raising the room's temperature to a comfortable level.
Rozen sat there, observing everything in silence, while waiting for the owner of the house.
It didn't take long…
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
From the kitchen, the Valkyrie slowly walked out.
At this time, Edelweiss, who was at home, was dressed casually in the attire of a young maiden. She wore no weapons, carried no battle intent, and her appearance was as gentle as that of a virtuous wife and loving mother.
However, if someone well-versed in martial arts had been present, upon seeing Edelweiss in such a state, their first reaction would definitely not be to lower their guard. On the contrary, they would raise their vigilance to the maximum.
Because the woman's silver-gray eyes were fixed steadily on the man before her, carrying a brilliance of wisdom within them, as if they could see through his every move.
Her slender hands and feet bore no tension, her gestures appeared perfectly natural, yet she was always poised to react instantly from any angle to any sudden change.
No one could discern where her weakness lay, nor predict what her next move would be.
She could see straight through an opponent, yet reveal nothing of herself.
With such a flawless stance, even unarmed, she was enough to make any strong warrior hold their breath.
And on top of that, this person was extraordinarily beautiful. Her long, snow-white hair shone like the first snow of winter, her features were so perfectly refined they almost defied reality, and she seemed like a Valkyrie that truly existed only in myth, leaving others breathless from another dimension of awe.
Such beauty, such perfect poise and presence, had already become ingrained into Edelweiss's instincts and subconscious. Even without deliberately maintaining it, she would naturally exude it.
Of course, ordinarily, even unconsciously, Edelweiss would restrain a part of her beauty and release a touch of her sharpness, to remind others that she was a swordswoman — a powerful Blazer.
But today, Edelweiss instead withdrew some of that sharpness and let more of her beauty show.
For no other reason than because the one before her was the man she deeply loved.
"The apple pie should be just right — try it."
So spoke Edelweiss, wearing an apron, oven mitts on her hands, carrying a steaming-hot apple pie, which she placed in front of Rozen.
Seeing Edelweiss like this — so domestic — Rozen couldn't help but smile.
"If outsiders saw the great Twin-Wings wearing an apron, oven mitts on, personally baking a dessert for a man, they'd be utterly shocked, wouldn't they?"
And wouldn't they?
Who would believe that the Valkyrie, hailed as the world's strongest swordswoman, could have such a homely and virtuous side?
Only a few, including Rozen, knew that the truth was the other way around.
"You know I only like eating sweets, and also enjoy making them. But because I was afraid of getting fat, I decided to practice swordsmanship to slim down, and somehow ended up like this." Edelweiss rolled her eyes for once and said, "I'm just doing what I like. What others think of it has nothing to do with me."
That was the truth.
Her swordswoman side was only an addition; this homely, gentle side was her true self.
It's just that…
"The strongest swordswoman in the world practicing swordsmanship just to lose weight, and unknowingly reaching this level — if that got out, people wouldn't just be shocked, they'd be completely dumbfounded."
As Rozen joked, he naturally reached out, took a slice of the apple pie with its honey-soaked filling glistening golden, releasing a rich fruity fragrance with a crisp caramelized edge, and put it into his mouth.
And sure enough, Edelweiss's handmade dessert tasted divine — truly world-class.
To be blunt, her skills in baking even surpassed her swordsmanship.
So, once someone tasted Edelweiss's handmade sweets, they would immediately understand — this Valkyrie truly practiced swordsmanship for the sake of losing weight, not out of any aspiration to become a great swordswoman.
Even if that revelation shattered many people's image of her, the truth was undeniable. Yet, if more people knew of this side of Edelweiss, perhaps what she would gain would not only be fear and reverence, but also admiration and affection.
"How is it? My skills haven't declined, have they?"
Edelweiss, in that moment, looked at Rozen with anticipation, even showing a trace of unease, as if afraid of hearing a bad review.
Rozen inwardly chuckled, before replying aloud: "Of course not. Just as delicious as ever. As expected of the world's strongest pastry chef. I'm impressed."
"I'm not the world's strongest pastry chef!" Edelweiss let out a small sigh of relief and laughed. "But as long as you're satisfied, that's good enough."
She smiled, her expression radiating a trace of true happiness.
Indeed, at that very moment, Edelweiss felt happiness.
"You know, living in a place like this, it's almost impossible to have guests visit. At the foot of the mountain, it's lively all the time, but if I were to live there, I'd be bothered endlessly every day. So living here is much more convenient."
Thus, Edelweiss rarely had a chance to serve anyone her handmade desserts — let alone host friends.
And besides…
"And besides, this time you're hosting your lover, so of course you're in a good mood."
Rozen teased playfully.
"Y-You know it already, so why say it out loud!"
Edelweiss's cheeks instantly flushed red, and she glared at Rozen.
But Rozen only smiled fearlessly, though inwardly he felt a pang of guilt.
After all, truth be told, Rozen and Edelweiss had shared more than ten years of acquaintance.
For those ten years, Rozen and Edelweiss had been almost inseparable.
Yet when he thought carefully about it, Rozen realized — he had never once visited Edelweiss's home like this.
Not only that, but he had let Edelweiss wander for years searching for him, always alone.
Remembering this, Rozen felt a twinge of guilt.
"Tell me then, what's happened recently?"
Suppressing the guilt in his heart, Rozen asked casually.
"Actually, I've already told you everything important through our telepathic link."
Edelweiss nodded slightly, then began to explain.