Chapter 27: I Clearly Wrote Plot and Foreshadowing, But Why Does It Still Feel Like Filler
Wind, snow, frost, ice, gloomy clouds, a sunless day, a hidden and unseen sun, the Great Aias volcanic mountain range faintly visible in the gray mist, and the three-thousand-mile-long Magellan Non-Freezing River originating from it.
These were the elements that made up the daily scenery of Moldavia, one of the northernmost territories of the human empire.
A massive wall built from black granite stood tall on the endless white plain. The nameless main city lay within. A cold wind brushed against the rough stone walls, blowing fine snow dust into the sky. The snow, neither heavy nor light, never ceased falling from the heavens, as if intent on covering everything.
As the white breath of a traveler's sigh dispersed into the air, the bells of the great cathedral rang out. Ding-dong, ding-dong, nine times in succession, signaling that day had arrived and all living beings should begin their work at this hour.
Scattered and sparse, some residents emerged from their small houses. Noticing that the patrolling soldiers from before were gone, they pulled out their tools and began clearing the snow and ice from their doorsteps.
In the city center, across from the square, a Gothic-style cathedral stood amidst the wind and snow. It was the best one since the family's founding, but even so, it was still some distance away from being able to contract two Divine Mechanisms.
After listening, Joshua's expression remained blank. He nodded slightly and said seriously, "So, contracting two at the same time is feasible, but I and the previous heads of the family still lack the qualifications, right?"
"I'm not entirely sure, Master. Perhaps once your strength advances further, it will be possible, but for now, it really isn't."
"I see. I understand."
Nodding, Joshua didn't say much more. He looked at the still-falling snow in the sky, let out a slight sigh, then started walking forward again.
But the warrior immediately stopped.
Joshua turned back. Ying was still standing there, her expression dazed, as if lost in thought. So he called out, "What's wrong?"
"...Nothing."
As if startled awake, the silver-haired Divine Mechanism shook her head, then quickly caught up. The two continued walking toward the western part of the city.
After passing three more streets, Ying seemed unable to hold back any longer. She asked softly, "Master?"
"What is it?"
"Have I been... doing something wrong?"
(So she's worried about that...)
Joshua now understood why Ying had been spacing out earlier. Thinking back carefully, what he had said... was indeed too direct. It was only natural for Ying to misunderstand.
Since it was his fault, he naturally had to explain.
"Don't worry. You've done very well. I'm very satisfied." Joshua said in an encouraging tone, even reaching out to ruffle the head of this little one, who in human form was still smaller than her weapon form. "I wasn't asking this to find someone to replace you. I just wanted to know if it was possible..."
He paused mid-sentence, then shook his head. "Anyway, for now, having you is enough."
"Mm!"
Having received the reply she wanted, Ying naturally didn't mind the unfinished second half of Joshua's words.
As for the warrior, he silently touched his chest, where an ordinary letter was kept.