Chapter 56

When my body's senses returned, I was greeted by a strong wind and a heavy snowfall. Since it was not a season for blizzards in the Kingdom of Aridora, I thought I must have ended up in a distant place, like the Arctic or Antarctic on Earth.

The snow covered everything around, and even though it was night, it was bright.

I clung to Father's arm to avoid being blown away by the wind, but if I stayed still, the snow quickly stuck to my body and piled up.

"Why is Hyliris here!?"

Hilg Papa and Kugaru were nearby, but it was hard to hear their voices over the storm, and they were barely visible in the blizzard.

Father stood as still as a stone statue, so Hilg Papa pushed through the snow to come closer.

Perhaps due to the heat he emitted, the snow falling and the snow on the ground were gradually melting around Hilg Papa.

Kugaru, who was bravely perched on Hilg Papa's shoulder, was almost blown away by the strong headwind and had to be supported by the back of his neck.

"Milfee, are you okay!?"

"I'm fine!"

I shouted to Kugaru to be heard over the wind.

Since I am a snow spirit, I am not bothered by the cold, and besides, this snow is probably not natural.

"I think this is Snowreah Mountain!"

And the blizzard is caused by Mother.

However, there is an unfamiliar "aura" mixed in with the blizzard's wind.

"Indeed, it seems so! But what are Hyliris and Snowreah doing?"

Hilg Papa paused, but when the wind changed direction and the view cleared for a moment, he spotted two figures in the darkness ahead and spoke again.

"Look, there!"

There were Mother and, presumably, Hyliris.

They were standing a considerable distance apart, glaring at each other.

I immediately realized they were fighting.

However, Mother still had some composure and remained calm.

On the other hand, Hyliris, like her bird familiar, seemed to be overwhelmed by intense emotions—anger, sadness, or hatred.

She was very petite and had a cute face, much younger than I had imagined. I don't know her actual age, but she looked about fifteen.

Now, her eyes, which seemed to have yellow eyeshadow, were narrowed in frustration, and she was gritting her teeth, but I think she usually has a bright and lively demeanor.

She wore a revealing yellow-green dress, and her thin arms and thighs were exposed without any hesitation.

Her hair was short, curly, and blonde, but it was standing up due to the wind she was creating.

While Mother stood firmly, Hyliris was kneeling in the snow, about to fall over.

Wind spirits are generally stronger than snow spirits. According to Mother, there is a difference in innate power among spirits, and snow spirits are weaker compared to water, fire, wind, earth, wood, light, and dark spirits.

Additionally, flower spirits and lightning spirits are also weaker compared to wood and fire spirits.

However, right now, the wind spirit Hyliris is clearly at a disadvantage.

This might be because she has given more of her power to her familiar, or perhaps her age and experience are factors.

Hyliris is probably younger than Mother, as she appears to be.

"Snow, Reah...!"

Despite her battered state, Hyliris continued to use her remaining power to create attacking winds.

"Stop it. The battle is over."

Mother, with a stern face, tried to reason with her.

"Ugh...!"

Hyliris clutched her head and growled like a beast.

"I hate you...! If you die, I will surely be the best! I will kill you!"

"Mother!"

Seeing Hyliris's fierce determination, I was terrified that she really intended to kill Mother.

I tried to rush out of Father's arms to reach Mother, but the newly fallen snow was soft, and my short legs could not move forward easily.

It felt like I was swimming or drowning in a sea of snow, flailing my four limbs awkwardly.

"Milfeeria!?"

Mother, noticing my presence, let out a scream-like cry and was immediately hit by Hyliris's wind.

"Mother!"

Fortunately, the wind was just a strong gust, not a blade or a tornado, and Mother managed to avoid it.

Hyliris did not have enough power left to launch a strong attack.

"Milfeeria, why are you here! Do not come any closer!"

The moment Mother saw me, she lost the calmness she had maintained. Her beautiful and cold expression, like that of a snow queen, was now tinged with anxiety.

Hyliris, following Mother's gaze, turned her tired and hate-filled face towards me.

"Snowreah's... child... with Hilg..."

After muttering quietly, she then sent a gust of wind directly at me.

The wind was invisible, but since it was carrying snow, its shape was clear, and I could see it approaching.

However, with the poor footing, I braced myself, expecting to be blown away.

"..."

But before the gust reached me, I was enveloped by a mass of water.

I didn't know he could do this, but Father had transformed his entire body into water to save me.

The mass of water, with me on top, glided across the snow towards Mother.

I was surprised to be able to ride on water, but only the tips of my feet were submerged, and I did not sink further.

"Mother!"

When I reached Mother, I jumped and hugged her. She caught me firmly, and Father had already returned to his human form beside us.

"Watlast! Did you bring Milfeeria here?"

"She was being attacked by the wind spirit... "

"Attacked!? So you were using your familiar..."

Mother bit her lip tightly.

"Mother, what happened? Why are you fighting Hyliris?"

As soon as I asked, the wind around us grew even stronger. It seemed to be centered on Hyliris, who was sitting in the snow, about to collapse.

She was using all her remaining strength to launch a final attack.

However, her hate-filled eyes seemed to be looking at us but not really seeing anyone.

"Watlast, do not kill her."

Mother stopped Father, who was about to move quietly towards Hyliris.

"She is still immature. Besides, it's not just Hyliris's fault—oh?"

She blinked once, still looking ahead, and continued.

"Is he here too? Perfect."

Following Mother's gaze, I saw Hilg Papa.

He was still carrying Kugaru on his shoulder and was moving through the wind towards Hyliris.

The snow had stopped, so I could see him clearly.