Back at the inn, with the barrier up to prevent anyone from listening in and the magic motion orb activated, we discussed the obvious that's the country problem.
"What!? Are you kidding me!?" [Diana]
"Even Princess Ayaka!?" [Kara]
"How? I thought The Southern Island was sealed off and no one could get in or out because of their civil war?" [Mara]
"And yet she's there. Unfortunately, I was unable to save her" [Joseph].
"Even you could not save her, what kind of monster are we up against?" [Nar]
"It wasn't Yuki Ona, it was Mother Holle" [Joseph]
"Just as I thought" [Merlin]
"Did you know about this monster, Master Merlin?" [Diana]
"Obviously. A witch who turns into a monster" [Merlin]
"Really!?" [Diana]
"Does that mean Diana and Siti will turn into monsters too?" [Dana]
"Don't jump to conclusions yet, Dana. Obviously there is a risk that they will go into the even deeper and more forbidden zone that the Goddess has forbidden" [Merlin].
"In other words, Diana, Princess Siti and Tiara will be fine as long as they follow your instructions?" [Ophelia]
"That is correct" [Merlin]
"Master and Sir Wandering Sage, can you tell us more about this Mother Holle?" [Amleth]
"Will do" [Joseph, Merlin]
Sir Wandering Sage has just revealed a very terrible thing. Princess Ayaka of the Southern Island is one of the little girls who was kidnapped to calm the everlasting, powerful snowstorm that hits that land day and night. How Princess Ayaka, a literal princess, could have been kidnapped is beyond me, especially given the status of Southern Island, which is under siege and in the midst of a fierce civil war. The only speculation we can make is that a very powerful member of the Dark Guild was paid handsomely, no... Paid something that even money couldn't buy to kidnap her. I'm sure that Princess Ayaka will definitely fit the bill and meet the criteria of the sacrifice that the monster known as Mother Holle has demanded of the people of this land.
Mother Holle. Once a witch, a disciple of Master Merlin, however brief. An old lady who wanted nothing more than eternal power and beauty. The search for beauty is easy for a witch. A good soul almost always guarantees a good body. Of course, there are people who suffer with their bodies but have a good soul, and that's definitely a good soul too, but that's something the Goddess gives to test her followers. A bit off topic, but eternal beauty isn't that hard to get for a witch. The best example is Master Merlin!
Eternal power, however, no matter who or where or even how, will definitely corrupt someone, be it king or witches. Master Merlin always reminded us that the study of the Soul itself is a grey area and must follow very strict guidelines and protocols, or else the wrath of the Goddess will be upon you. Based on what Master Merlin said, her obsession with power is turning her into a legendary monster capable of covering an entire country with a fierce snowstorm. Not only that, but a black miasma, like tar on the road, is cast upon those who attempt to fight her, so we will have to deal with her perpetual snowstorms and her tarry miasma.
So why does it suddenly become active again? The obvious answer is definitely
"As expected" [Marianne].
"THE THING has resurrected her... For what?" [Diana]
"At this point I don't really understand anything about THE THING. It feels like it does things at random" [Linda].
"I have to agree" [Oreforged].
"Things that make bad things happen in the world just by thinking it... I wonder how my ancestor Aru deal with it after her battle with the Devil King" [Diana].
"Sigh... Just thinking about it gives me a headache, and the more we think and talk about THE THING, the more powerful it becomes... How annoying" [Nar].
"The best way to deal with it is to never think about it... Which is impossible" [Jean].
"For now, let cast aside the fact that THE THING resurrected that foolish disciple of mine. Obviously you will rescue her, but what's next?" [Merlin]
"Some of us need to stay behind after we rescued her and get her back to safety" [Savel]
"How about that someone be me?" [Joseph]
Sir Wandering Sage explained that after we rescued Princess Ayaka, he will be her guardian for a while. He will protect her and send her back to Amleth for shelter. Aunty Amleth seems to agree. Being with Sir Wandering Sage do feel like the safest option. We can't spare anymore man power since we wanted to make sure the convoy of us get back safely to Amleth
"Alright, it's decided. For now, those who will climb Tomorrow morning, please, have a good rest" [Sas]
"Right. Diana, get ready to go sleep" [Khamisah]
"I wanted to play with the snow... But fine. Even I am not foolish enough to challenge the highest mountain without my best condition. Dana, let's sleep together!" [Diana]
"Alright sure. Please excuse us both" [Dana]