Once the wind picks up in the Scandinavian Lostbelt, it often brings snow. The wind drives the ice and snow directly into one's face, and it stings.
Ophelia activated the Mystic Code on her person to shield herself from the onslaught of wind and snow.
Not long after Li Mo had passed by her and gone inside, the wind had risen and the snow began to fall.
A coincidence?
Or had that fellow timed it perfectly, just returning to the interior of the castle?
She was supposed to be waiting for another, yet Ophelia's thoughts couldn't help but drift to Li Mo. That mage from the Far East had a layer of obscuring gauze around him. He was even more mysterious than the King of the Lostbelt.
A mage from another parallel world, a mage possessing Mystic Eyes capable of observing scenes from other world lines. That was him.
So far, he had revealed quite a bit of information. Ophelia felt that wasn't all of Li Mo. He still had deeper secrets hidden away.
"My, my, wasn't Ophelia waiting for me? But judging by your expression, you seem to be thinking about someone else."
Suddenly, a female voice pulled Ophelia from her contemplation.
This voice did not belong to this Lostbelt. Its owner came from outside the Lostbelt.
Ophelia saw the owner of the voice: a pink-haired woman dressed in a thick military coat, her smile bright as a flower, speaking to her as if joking with a close friend.
Ophelia opened her mouth and spoke the other's name. "Koyanskaya, are we that familiar?"
Koyanskaya, an associate of the Alien God. Her true form unknown, capable of moving between the various Lostbelts.
"We're so similar, how could we not be friends? If we're not friends, then why else would Ophelia be waiting for me specifically in this blizzard?" Koyanskaya said with deliberate surprise.
Ophelia could see through that exaggerated performance at a glance. She said, "I wasn't waiting for you in the blizzard. The blizzard just happened to come while I was waiting for you."
Having made that clear, the Crypter of the Scandinavian Lostbelt turned without a second glance and headed into the castle.
"Ah, wait for me. Ophelia, do you get angry that easily? Don't be so cold. I went through a lot of trouble to get here from the Russian Lostbelt, you know. Their Princess is super aloof. How come you're so cold too?"
Koyanskaya caught up to Ophelia.
Within the spacious ice castle, a new character had appeared once more. Ophelia walked ahead; what she needed to do next was undoubtedly pay a visit to the King of the Lostbelt.
The moment Koyanskaya set foot in the Scandinavian Lostbelt, that Queen had likely seen her arrival. Under such circumstances, how could she dare not pay her respects to Scáthach-Skadi?
"The King of the Lostbelt, huh." Hearing Ophelia's explanation, Koyanskaya pinched her own chin and said, "The King over in Russia is completely lost in a dream. The situation with the King here in Scandinavia is entirely different."
"Koyanskaya, do not be disrespectful."
"Yes, yes, I know," Koyanskaya replied dismissively to Ophelia.
Clearly, she paid no mind to Ophelia's words.
Arriving outside the great hall, the two were stopped by Valkyries standing guard at the entrance.
As Ophelia grew puzzled, a Valkyrie explained: "Her Majesty the Queen is currently discussing certain matters with Li Mo. During this process, Her Majesty has instructed us not to allow anyone to enter."
"Hm? What matter could require just the two of them to be present?" Hearing the explanation, Ophelia's confusion didn't diminish; instead, it grew even larger.
Koyanskaya poked Ophelia's shoulder. "Ophelia, is your status that low?"
Then, she received a cold glare from Ophelia.
Scáthach-Skadi treated everyone equally. Faced with a request for a private conversation, she would not refuse. If one were willing, one could also create such a situation.
"Let's wait for a while then."
"Can't we just skip the meeting? Find another time?"
"No."
"Then, how about we barge in?"
The moment the words were spoken, Ophelia could see the Valkyries tighten their grip on their weapons. The Valkyries guarding the door were not the three Valkyrie sisters, but mass-produced models. Their combat strength wasn't high; she could handle them herself without even calling Saber.
But...
Ophelia looked at the great door. The same blue as the corridor walls, the door bore no decorations, but she knew that behind it existed the only god of this Lostbelt—Scáthach-Skadi.
She hated killing, especially unnecessary killing.
"No," Ophelia finally gave that answer.
Having her suggestion flatly refused, Koyanskaya shrugged helplessly. "Then I guess the guest must follow the host's arrangements."
Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long.
The great door opened again, revealing Li Mo's figure. He waved his hand. "Sorry about that, wasted a bit of your time."
"Oh," was Ophelia's response.
"Hello there, I'm Koyanskaya. Are you the amazing mage Ophelia mentioned?"
Ophelia and Koyanskaya's attitudes towards him were completely opposite. Li Mo didn't mind, and said, "Yes. And you are Koyanskaya? CEO of NFF?"
"Correct, NFF is indeed my company. Do you require any services?" Koyanskaya said.
Judging by his calm expression, he probably doesn't think he needs my services, does he?
It seems she doesn't know me. The me of the past knows the her of the future, but does the me of the future know the her of the past? Time truly is mysterious.
Li Mo said, "I do. How about we discuss the specific details of the commission a bit later? I think Her Majesty is getting impatient."
"Absolutely no problem at all. The customer's wish is my command." Instantly, Koyanskaya's mood became much more lively.
Yes, a certain pink-haired rabbit is obsessed with business ventures. If you talk to her about personal feelings, it's a waste of breath, but if you mention contracts and transactions, her attitude becomes much more amicable.
So, what should I do with this pink rabbit now? Koyanskaya-san, you haven't told me a single thing.
Watching the two enter the hall, Li Mo shook his head.
He truly hadn't expected to run into Koyanskaya at this time. In his recollection, she should have appeared here only after Chaldea showed up in Russia. Could it be that Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others are already in Russia?
Hands clasped behind his back, Li Mo left the spot.
He didn't need to wait for Koyanskaya. With her abilities, finding him would be a trivial matter. Unless she didn't want to find him.
But Koyanskaya is a successful businesswoman.
As a successful businesswoman, would she miss a business opportunity? If she did, she wouldn't be Koyanskaya anymore.
Li Mo walked to the balcony of the ice castle. Ice and snow raged with the violent wind. After he arrived, the balcony seemed to become a secluded paradise, no longer affected by the wind and snow.
Time passed slowly.
It didn't seem like much time had passed before Koyanskaya's voice sounded behind him: "So, esteemed customer, what is your commission?"