Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume13 Chapter6 (section)

===Part 1===

It was already dark by the time Kamito and Rinslet crossed the Kyria Mountain Range and reached the foot of the mountains.

Stars were shining in the night sky while light produced by spirits flickered in the dense forest.

"...Although it's dark, at least we finally arrived."

While shaking off the large amount of snow on his winter clothing, Kamito exhaled white mist.

Thanks to the blizzard subsiding, getting down the mountain was not as tough as when they were climbing it. But due to depleting all excess stamina in the battle against the ice dragon, his body's fatigue was soon reaching a limit.

So those ice dragons were the cause of the blizzard after all, huh?

If that were the case, then why did they suddenly disappear from the mountain range&mdash;?

"We will arrive presently at Winter Gulf. Look, watchfires can be seen outside the forest."

Sitting on Fenrir's back, Rinslet pointed to the other end of the coniferous forest.

Under the night sky, numerous watchfires could be seen illuminating the castle's walls of stone.

Rather than a grand castle symbolizing authority and prestige, the castle was built in a simple and sturdy style that emphasized practicality.

After walking a while in the forest, Kamito and Rinslet arrived at a stone-paved road.

This was the road system that was spread throughout the entire Ordesia Empire's territory. The stone-paved surface was slippery when frozen but after the residents' snow shoveling, it was much better than the snow-covered paths in the forest.

"I'll have the people in the castle make preparations to welcome us."

Rinslet patted Fenrir on the back.

Standing in one spot, the demon ice spirit howled lengthily towards the night sky.

...After a while, the watchfires on the castle walls flickered greatly.

"Looks like they noticed us."

After walking along the road for a while, they were finally able to see Winter Gulf Castle's gates.

Standing respectfully at the castle gates, dozens of guards welcomed the Margrave's daughter.

"As expected of the Laurenfrost family's precious daughter."

"...Can't stand it, that girl always loves to make such a big deal out of things."

Rinslet seemed to be grumbling in embarrassment.

Once the two of them neared the castle gates, a petite girl hurried over, dressed from head to toe in furry winter gear.

"...Onee-sama! It's really Onee-sama!"

Possessing the same eyes of emerald as Rinslet's, a young girl with platinum blonde hair glittering under the light reflected off the snow&mdash;The Laurenfrost family's third daughter, Mireille Laurenfrost jumped into her sister's bosom with running momentum.

"E-Enough! Know some restraint, Mireille."

Despite putting on airs as a strict elder sister, Rinslet still stroked her sister's head gently with her hand.

Withdrawing her head from being buried in Rinslet's bosom, Mireille asked:

"But I was really startled, Onee-sama. You suddenly returned without informing us. There was no letter saying you wanted to come home... By the way, how did you cross that Kyria Mountain Range?"

She blinked her round eyes.

"We forced our way through... It was really tough. Without Kamito-san, perhaps I would have become an ice sculpture by now&mdash;"

"...Kamito-san?"

Tilting her head, Mireille turned to a different direction.

Seeing that, Kamito raised the hood of his winter coat.

"Yo&mdash;"

"...O-Onii-sama!?"

Staring wide eyed, Mireille looked back and forth between Kamito and Rinslet's faces.

"N-No way... Onee-sama, did you come home to report your marriage with Onii-sama...?"

"N-No, of course not!"

Rinslet frantically denied.

"Oh dear, Onee-sama, you're going red in the face."

Mireille peeked at her sister's face hidden under the hood.

Then at this moment, she was grabbed by the neck and dragged away from behind.

"Mireille, stop teasing milady."

Speaking in a monotonous voice was a cute girl dressed as a maid.

She had slightly wavy dark-brown hair and heterochromic eyes. Her complexion was as white as snow while her face was as exquisite as a doll's.

"Milla, how are you?"

Kamito greeted casually but Milla Bassett instantly went red in the face and avoided eye contact.

"...Kamito, why are you here?"

"Oh, that's because I need to do something in Laurenfrost. Rinslet is my guide."

"...I see, your purpose is not accompanying Rinslet-sama back home to get married."

Milla exhaled deeply as though greatly relieved.

"O-Of course! How could even you misunderstand as well, Milla!?"

Rinslet coughed lightly and placed her hand at her waist.

"In any case, Kamito-san is already very tired from the long journey. Prepare some hot food. And a bath too&mdash;"

"Yes, all prepared already."

"Wow, not bad at all, different from Carol..."

Kamito could not help but exclaim, impressed at Milla's instant reply.