Hui-chieh:
Due to certain circumstances, we had to leave the village and wander the snowfields. Although I can no longer care for that elderly couple personally, I secretly left enough Victoria gold coins in their clothes to last them five years. I hope to bring them to live with us within that time.
The blizzard is massive; we've been stuck here for two days. Jeanne says we need to wait three more days before moving out. It's always best to trust her judgment; otherwise, we'd still be struggling just to survive in that cave.
I seem to be relying on her more and more. I'm not sure if that's a good thing. I remember wanting her to go to Lungmen—she has the right and the ability to chase her own dreams, unlike Alina and me. She deserves a better life, not huddling in an abandoned village on the tundra. I'll have to try and persuade her again later.
By the way, this village feels... wrong. I have a feeling, Hui-chieh, that if I can find out what happened here, it might give me some direction for my future.
P.S. That voice in my head has quieted down lately. It's still there, but it sounds weak, as if the owner is exhausted. Things are looking up here. Take care of yourself.
—Talulah
After finishing the letter, Talulah placed it in an envelope and tossed it into a small wooden box already filled with similar letters. None of them had ever been sent. Grandma used to nag her about it, saying writing letters without sending them was a waste of paper and ink.
The blizzard outside showed no signs of stopping. Fortunately, they weren't lacking in food or fuel. Thanks to the village's remaining resources, they were actually living quite comfortably, though the "mattresses" they found were so stiff they had to layer clothes on blankets just to sleep.
Jeanne and Alina were in the kitchen. Talulah didn't skip out because she was lazy, but because her cooking was, as Jeanne put it, "abstract art." Since Talulah's Originium Arts involved intense heat, she subconsciously used "violent flames" to cook, resulting in a pot of black, unidentifiable matter.
"Talulah, lunch is ready!"
At Alina's call, Talulah perked up. Food was the priority of the day. As they were eating, Jeanne suddenly sensed something approaching at high speed. She immediately activated her privileges as a Ruler.
While there were no Servants on this continent, her class allowed her to detect Originium fluctuations within a five-kilometer radius. She sensed a large, Originium-driven vehicle charging through the storm toward the village.
"What is it, Jeanne?" Alina asked, noticing Jeanne's serious expression.
"Pack everything up. Someone's coming!"
They scrambled to move their belongings to the attic and restored the room to its previous state of disarray before hiding. Shortly after, the wooden door was kicked open. The heavy thud of military boots and rough voices filled the air.
"Watch it with the door! If you break it, we'll be eating wind all night!" "If it breaks, find another one. Why are you so picky?" "Is there a single house in this village you haven't wrecked? Whatever, we're just here to duck the storm..." "Damned weather. This cursed Ursus snow season started right before we moved out." "Lucky for those peasants in Karlo Village, though. The snow gives them a few more days of 'the good life.'" "Exactly. Hey, 152! Get the fire going already! Trying to freeze us to death? If you stay this lazy, I won't just skip your meal—I'll replace you!"
"Coming, coming, my lords. I'm trying, but the wood is damp..."
From the footsteps and voices, Jeanne counted about six men. Judging by their conversation, they weren't just passing through; they were regular visitors to this ghost town. They also referred to a man as "152"—not a name, but a numerical designation.
Jeanne signaled for Talulah and Alina to stay put while she slipped out the window to scout. She leaped lightly to the ground, muffled by the howling wind.
Peering through the frost-covered glass, she saw five men in black—Infected Patrol. In the corner by the stairs stood a gaunt, pathetic man in heavy leg shackles. The black crystals protruding from his arm marked him as an Infected.