The weapons I forge are absolutely flawless.

“Yes, no problem.” Tissalis nodded in agreement.

Just as Samif came, she left just as quietly.

"Don't think too much about it, just listen to what Tilissa has to say."

Viner patted Felix on the shoulder to bring him back to his senses.

"The academy has received information that there are signs of demons appearing near Snowfall Valley. They are acting mysteriously and may be high-ranking demons or demon apostles."

“They hope the academy can provide support,” Tilisa succinctly explained the situation.

“In the past, these kinds of things were handled by me or Arios, but this time, I want to leave it to you.”

There were, of course, reasons behind Tilissa's arrangement.

Dean Leia has just cast a prayer spell and has not yet recovered from her weakened state. The academy needs a high-level combatant who can keep order and ensure safety.

Moreover, Jessica has already advanced to the eighth-tier emblem master, and dealing with ordinary demon masters is no problem at all. It's time for her to take on more responsibility.

"I'm fine with it. It's a good opportunity to test the effects of other works."

Wiener thought to himself that as long as he brought the materials, he could make other samples on the way, which would definitely make things much easier.

"But I remember Snowdrift Valley is on the border of the Empire..."

Lisette was more concerned about the mission location, and she couldn't help but glance at Vina, her eyes revealing a hint of worry.

“That’s right, it was Earl Feld who requested assistance from the academy this time.” Tissalis confirmed Listy’s statement, then looked at Vena with relief, “I was worried that you would resist this mission, but it seems that I was overthinking it.”

"...Who is this Feld?"

For some reason, Vina felt like she had been tricked.

He seemed to vaguely recognize the name.

"I won't go into the details of his other titles; just know that he is Sigurd's father."

Jessica generously provided the answer for him.

"Farewell."

Wiener turned around and tried to slip away.

"return!"

Jessica swiftly grabbed his collar, completely thwarting his escape attempt.

"You were the first to say you wanted to go, and now you want to desert?"

“I feel my identity is too sensitive and I am not suitable to carry out this mission. I request to recuse myself,” Viner said seriously.

“There are indeed people who should step aside, but it’s not you.” Tilisa turned her gaze to Lisette. “You won’t be participating in this operation.”

“I understand, teacher,” Lisette nodded obediently.

She is not only a member of the Silver Wolf Class, but also the future heir of the Cordelia family.

The territories of the Cordelia family and the Lafner family are separated only by a continuous snow-capped mountain range.

Given this relationship, Lisette should have avoided private contact with another border nobleman.

"I'll go if my master tells me to."

Felix quickly made a statement.

Staying at this point means continuing to undergo hellish training.

He's not stupid!

"Of course I'm going too."

The main purpose of this operation is for Viner to prepare equipment for detecting demons; whether he himself goes along is not important.

But Jessica had to go.

Only she possesses the ability to protect the entire squad.

Even in the worst-case scenario, she is capable of leading others to safety.

“Alas—” Vena sighed deeply.

Looking at the clueless and grumpy duo of Felix and Jessica in front of him, he couldn't help but feel uneasy.

“Then I can go, right?” Wiener compromised. “But I have one condition.”

"Tell me."

Tilisa gestured for Jessica to release Vina.

"If there are disagreements within the team, I should take the lead."

Viner wanted to take advantage of Tilissa's presence to establish command authority.

"Why?"

Jessica was naturally not going to accept such unfounded accusations.

After all, if an emergency were to occur, she would be the one to lead everyone away as quickly as possible.

Even if she believed that Wiener would not go through with it despite the impossibility of the situation, what if the problem arose from the brief delay in the communication?

"It's only because I can find the hidden demons."

Wiener's answer was perfectly natural.

“No problem,” Tilissa readily agreed to Vena’s request. “Vena will be in full charge of this operation, but in return, Jessica will take charge of the next one.”

Do any of you have any more questions?

“...No more.” Jessica answered after a slight hesitation.

She could accept it if they took turns giving orders.

Consider it compensation for what happened before, and let Viner off this time.

“I have another question,” Wiener asked again, “When do we set off?”

"Tomorrow morning."

-----------------

The next morning, Vina, Felix, and Jessica were already ready to go and boarded a caravan to Snowdrift Valley.

Snow Peak Valley is the only entrance and exit to the Frost Peak Mountains, and the climate is extremely cold.

While St. Freya Academy was just entering winter, Snowdrift Valley was already a world of ice and snow.

Having done her homework beforehand, Wiener immediately changed into heavy clothing to keep warm.

"VinaVina, look!"

Felix, who had never ridden in a carriage before, was very excited as he looked at the caravan stretching for hundreds of meters, and he kept sticking his head out of the window to look around.

"I'm not looking. Also, remember to close the curtains when you've had enough."

Wiener breathed on his palms, trying to drive away the chill from his fingertips.

"Ugh...Vina, you're so boring."

Felix glanced at Vina, who was wrapped in a thick fleece and looked like a brown bear hibernating for the winter, and curled his lip.

Then, in a few quick movements, he climbed from the car window onto the roof.

"The scenery here is still the best!"

Felix nodded in satisfaction.

"It seems that Wiener is always quite afraid of the cold."

Another voice rang out from inside the carriage.

"Ha, I think he just lacks exercise and is too weak."

Jessica, who had just been resting with her eyes closed, also took the opportunity to deliver the finishing blow.

"Being afraid of the cold or the heat is just like having a preference for sweet or salty foods; it's simply a matter of personal feeling. Besides, you shouldn't be wasting your precious spell slots on keeping warm while saying such heartless things, should you?"

Wiener vehemently refuted this.

Despite Jessica wearing only two thin layers, seemingly in stark contrast to someone else.

How could Viner not know that this guy had put a "survival environment" spell on himself as soon as he left home?

"And what happened to you in the first place?"

Viner turned her gaze to Anna, who was wearing a fur coat and sitting opposite her.

"Doesn't Viner know that he's riding in a carriage belonging to the Valentine Merchant Guild?"

Anna lightly covered her lips, feigning surprise.

"...We're not going there for sightseeing."

Wiener tapped the table lightly, hoping the other party wouldn't get involved.

“But I also have a mission to complete.” Anna shook her head and looked directly at Viner. “I don’t know which kind person got the Valentine Merchant Guild a huge order, which forced me to make a special trip to discuss the supply of cold iron with the Lafner family.”

Oh no, it looks like I did it.

Viner was speechless.

"Speaking of which, my daughter hasn't properly thanked that kind person yet."

Anna chuckled and placed a flower ring within Vina's reach.

"What is this?" Viner glanced at Anna hesitantly.

"A magic ring that can regularly cast 'endurance' spells on its host. I hope Venus likes it."

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Chapter 404 Snow Valley

"Then I'll accept it without being polite!"

After hearing the introduction, Viña readily accepted the ring and put it on her little finger.

As the spell on the ring activated, my body warmed up instantly.

Vina finally got rid of her bulky coat.

"Hehe, I'm glad you like it, Vena."

Anna smiled slightly, then took out tea leaves and tea set from her ring and arranged them, seemingly treating this trip as an autumn outing.

Jessica, standing beside Anna, stared at her for a long time, as if she were getting to know her best friend all over again.

She had already planned that once Venus softened and spoke up, she would reluctantly impose a "tolerant environment" on her, but she never expected Anna to beat her to it.

"Endure the environment" is just a basic spell.

How basic should it be?

There's no way anyone would turn this spell into a magic scroll or magic item.

The reason is that the gains do not outweigh the losses.

Why go to such great lengths to acquire a magical item when simply wearing an extra layer of clothing would suffice?

Even upper-class nobles who frequented social balls could simply have their family's hired sorcerer cast this spell on them before they left home.

Jessica was almost certain that Anna had specially commissioned this flower ring, waiting for this opportunity to come.

"Is there something on my face?"

Jessica's undisguised gaze did not escape Anna's notice.

Anna poured the first cup of brewed black tea for Jessica.

"No, it's just that I feel your skin has gotten even thicker in the few days I haven't seen you."

"Oh dear, I'm not as powerful as Senior Jessica. I can only make a living by relying on my connections."

The two women looked at each other and laughed, which made Vina, who was standing to the side, tremble with fear.

Logically, since Vena had already put on the flower ring and activated the accompanying spell, her body should no longer feel cold.