[58] The scale of world power began to break down II

On the other hand, as Zephyr and Roxy passed through the upper ridge of the Red Dragon Mountains, they encountered an unexpected problem that brought their journey to a halt in one of the small villages near the mountains.

Zephyr, with a warm smile, handed a freshly roasted sweet potato to Roxy. The savoury and sweet aroma wafted through the air, spreading a sense of comfort amidst the cold winter season that gripped the continent.

"Here, Roxy. The sweet potato is ready," said Zephyr, his voice warm despite the biting cold outside. He looked at Roxy with attentive eyes as he handed over the food.

"Thank you," Roxy replied, accepting the sweet potato with gratitude. The warmth from the freshly roasted potato offered some relief from the bitter cold.

Winter had come in full force, covering the entire continent in a blanket of ice. Especially in the mountainous regions they were passing through, the cold was particularly biting, even though they were dressed in warm clothing. However, thanks to advanced magical enchantments embedded in their garments, the harsh cold was effectively mitigated. These clothes were equipped with special magical engravings that allowed heat to permeate, efficiently warming their bodies.

This was one of the revolutionary clothing products developed by the Costatine company, although it had not yet been widely marketed. Only a few selected executives owned them, including Roxy, who had initially received the clothing from Aurelia. The quality and innovation of these garments were truly remarkable.

"Even though it hasn't been a century, you've already created something truly amazing like these warming clothes," Roxy praised with sincere admiration as she took a bite of the sweet potato. The sweet and savoury flavour felt like a gentle embrace in the cold air.

"Hehehe~ Of course," Zephyr replied proudly, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Roxy. "We always strive to ensure that each of our products provides the utmost comfort. We believe that life should be as easy as possible, and that's the principle we apply to all our innovations."

"Was that also one of Ash's ideas?" Roxy asked, curious.

"Yes, indeed. The master always emphasised the importance of a comfortable lifestyle for us. That's why we decided to bring that comfort to others. Even though it ended up becoming a business, we believe it's a worthwhile investment," Zephyr answered with conviction.

Free comfort often brings disaster to both the giver and receiver. However, when that comfort evolves into a solid business, it can create a stable economy and provide benefits to many.

"By the way, what exactly is a Snow Basilisk?" Zephyr suddenly changed the subject, curiosity evident on his face.

Roxy looked towards the campfire, her blue hair shimmering green in the warm glow of the flames. "The Snow Basilisk... I once read an article about this creature. According to the article, the Basilisk has a very unique ability. It can freeze the area around it, and its eyes have the power to freeze living beings. Additionally, the Basilisk can exhale a freezing breath that's extremely cold."

Zephyr furrowed his brow, his expression mixed. "Wow, that sounds more like an ice storm than a monster! All its abilities revolve around ice and freezing. How can a close-combat fighter like me face such a creature?"

"That's the problem," Roxy continued with a serious tone. "Its abilities can be activated several times a day and can be used in quick succession. What's more frightening is its nickname."

"Nickname?" Zephyr asked, intrigued.

"Yes, adventurers have given this Basilisk the nickname 'Snow Blake,'" Roxy replied, her tone revealing a mix of wonder and concern.

"Huh? Blake? What's so scary about that name?" Zephyr asked, confused, not understanding the fear the name evoked.

Silence fell for a moment, creating tension in the air until Roxy finally spoke softly. "I don't know, I don't understand it either. Adventurers often give strange nicknames, but oddly enough, those nicknames are effective in instilling fear."

Zephyr showed a disappointed expression, as if to say, "What's the point in worrying about just a name?"

"Okay, let's put the name aside for now," Zephyr continued, "Now, how do we deal with this monster? The villagers were terrified when they found signs of the Basilisk near them. Usually, this monster lives in the mountains. I'm not sure we can defeat this creature with just the two of us."

Roxy nodded in agreement, her face serious as she considered the situation. They began a serious discussion about strategies for defeating the monster. Roxy, who had reached the peak of the 5th Circle in her skills, was able to create attacks that were not only elemental but also illusions that could confuse the enemy.

Meanwhile, Zephyr, as an advanced-ranked swordsman, had expertise in sword techniques that could cover a wide area. His skills with the sword gave him the ability to deliver powerful and varied attacks.

Their discussion focused on how to maximise their strengths. Roxy suggested using illusions as a tool to distract the Snow Basilisk and make it more vulnerable to attack. The illusions she could create would confuse and divide the Basilisk's focus, allowing Zephyr to strike from a safe distance.

---

A half-elf boy with reddish-brown hair, spiked at the ends, stood with sharp eyes like an eagle, scanning every inch of the snowy terrain before him. The winter jacket he wore wrapped his body warmly, while the katana hanging at his hip gleamed softly under the sunlight reflecting off the snow.

Beside him stood an aged demon girl, Ahem, with a mystical aura surrounding her. Her blue hair, braided into two, flowed gracefully, complementing her striking appearance with a pointed witch's hat and a staff she held elegantly. The winter jacket similar to the boy's wrapped her body, yet her presence still exuded elegance and power.

The two of them stood tall at the edge of a cliff, their eyes fixed on the vast expanse of snow below, surrounded by trees covered in a thin layer of ice. The snow piled up around them created an almost magical landscape, where each step in the snow produced a soft sound that added to the quiet atmosphere. The dark grey sky and the cold mist added to the mysterious and tense mood.

Suddenly, movement among the trees caught their attention. Something large seemed to be moving, shaking off the snow that clung to the branches. Each movement left a trail of snow scattering, indicating the presence of a giant creature in the middle of the forest.

"Ah, there it is!" Zephyr exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement, his sharp eyes narrowing as he stared at the source of the movement.

"Alright, let's get ready!" Roxy replied in a calm yet firm tone, her voice sounding like a melody amidst the forest's noise. She waved her hand, signalling Zephyr to take his position.

They moved swiftly, as if their movements were part of a dance they had long rehearsed. Zephyr gripped his katana tightly, checking his balance and preparing to face the attack. His movements were elegant yet full of power, ready to unleash a deadly strike at the right moment.

Meanwhile, Roxy stood tall with her staff in hand. Her eyes, glowing with a blue light, radiated confidence and vigilance. The magical aura surrounding her emanated softly, preparing for a destructive magical attack.