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TL Note on the title: This is a pun. The word “Cold” in this expression literally translates to “Salt/Salty”,

The nature of the land was divided into four elements: fire, water, earth, and wind, each with various aspects. Furthermore, the world underwent various changes based on the compatibility with the Regalia, which calmed these elements.

Especially at the boundaries, it often created miraculous landscapes where multiple aspects blended together.

“Salt!? Are you kidding me? Is this real?!”

Like a snowy plain, the entire area was covered in pure white. However, it was all salt.

Staring at the endless expanse of the white world, Monica simply stood still.

Water containing salt flowed in and dried up, repeating this process over a long time, leading to the formation of a salt lake.

Lucella knew as knowledge that such places existed, but witnessing it with her own eyes was overwhelming.

Even magic couldn’t create something like this. It was the manifestation of the power of nature, a grand artistic creation born of chance.

“Occasionally, when it rains, this place turns into a beautiful sight like a mirror.”
“Then let’s make it rain.”

A flash of lightning streaked across the sky, and rain immediately began to fall.

The rain, heavy enough to obscure the opposite shore in mist, fell everywhere except directly on Lucella and her companions.

Like pouring water from a kettle, the raindrops mercilessly flowed into the salt lake. When the entire salt lake was covered with water, it abruptly stopped.

“Wow…!”

The scenery underwent a complete transformation.

The endlessly stretching white land turned into the vivid blue color of the sky, adorned with floating clouds.

The water spread over the salt lake reflected the sky like a mirror, creating a symmetrical landscape on the horizon.

Even puddles and river surfaces mirrored the sky.

Lucella had imagined it would be something similar, but the salt lake, with much more clarity, birthed another sky. It was so beautiful that it seemed like her mind might lose itself.

“Hey, Lucella. Can you grow wings on your back and fly me around a bit?”
“Impossible.”

Monica, seemingly losing her ability to think due to the overwhelming experience, pulled on Lucella’s sleeve while staring in awe at the giant water mirror, saying something incomprehensible.

“Mom might be able to do it, but…”
“I can do it. However, I haven’t done it before. So, it’s dangerous.”

Kafal’s puppet body was woven entirely by magic, so it should be possible to change its form at will. However, mimicking a form and moving freely were different. In fact, Kafal’s puppet was initially dangerously clumsy.

Even with human-sized wings, different from a dragon, it wasn’t guaranteed to fly properly.

“For tourists, flying carpets are available here. You can even admire the salt lake from the sky.”
“Rent one for us.”
“Understood.”

Monica casually ordered, and Efrain obediently agreed.

Becoming a bureaucrat, acquiring a title, and becoming a part of the nobility meant that sometimes Efrain had to work like a servant, fulfilling someone’s whims.

That’s how hospitality worked. Politics moved in that way.

Efrain considered his job to be relatively easy. The “travelers” he guided were well-behaved, and their requests to him were often charming. At least he wasn’t awakened in the middle of the night to demand a high-class courtesan or instructed to clear all passersby from the main street.

Whatever the job, as long as it served the interests of the empire, Efrain was content.

He understood the significance of what he did, even though getting approval from those around him wasn’t always guaranteed.

“I’m not sure what to say… It’s not just our store, flying is reservation-only everywhere. We have customers waiting. Trust is a valuable thing.”

The inn town on the lakeshore served more as a tourist hub for the salt lake than a relay point on the highway. Horses and vehicles were rented out for viewing the salt lake, and, of course, there were flying carpets available. However, the owner of the rental business looked at Efrain with reluctance.

Knowing that the request was unreasonable from the start, Efrain came to negotiate the impossible.

“And the one trying to rent is… that dragon, right?”
“I’m well aware of your feelings.”

Due to the presence of a dragon on Mount Kuguse, this place suffered disadvantages.

…It’s natural for people to think that way. Humans were particularly sensitive to their interests.

The emotions directed toward the concerned party could be harsh.

However, just because someone disliked the dragons didn’t mean they’d take up a sword and confront one.

That would be not just recklessness but outright folly.

So, what would happen? Everyone would blame those involved with the dragons to vent their frustrations.

Because this could be anticipated, Efrain wasn’t eager to proceed.

“But this is also for the Empire’s victory. Part of that strategy. Your honor won’t be tarnished.”
“The Empire…”

However, Efrain’s words didn’t seem to resonate quite as he expected.

“For the Empire, huh…”

The owner of the rental business scratched his head with a reluctant expression, poking his finger through the gap in his turban.

Even when told by Efrain, a bureaucrat, that it was “for the Empire,” he still reacted this way.

If he were to decline now, he might be seen as someone opposing the interests of the Empire. It was an intimidating yet gratifying line filled with awe and joy.

Efrain, as an Imperial bureaucrat, should say this, and the citizens of the Empire should obediently follow… in theory.

This is it. This is what exists in the former kingdom’s territory.

They follow the Empire because it was a country built by ‘King’ Richard, not because they care about the Empire itself.

The ‘Former Kingdom Territory,’ once the Maltgartz Kingdom, and the ‘New Territory’ conquered by King Richard had fundamental differences.

The nobles in the former kingdom were assertive. Since the top was like that, so were the people. They showed strength without blindly obeying the Empire.

“We promise to reward your cooperation and provide the utmost convenience.”
“Tsk.”

With a click of his tongue, a tilt of his head, and while exhaling smoke from his cigarette, the man stroked his beard.

“Payment for the reserved customers included, it’s two hundred. I won’t lower it any further.”
“…Certainly. Thank you for your cooperation.”

At times like these, money was a powerful weapon.

If necessary, Efrain could use his discretion to offer some funds.

If the power of money could make the impossible possible, then it could be considered a smooth and amicable resolution.

The carpet was flying through the sky.

“It’s amazing… so amazing.”

Monica looked all around, manipulating the Chrome Shooter enthusiastically.

The carpet flew through the expanse of blue sky and white clouds both above and below it. The reflection of the sky in the salt lake distorted the sense of height.

Flying so high that the ground was no longer visible, it was a breathtaking view, as if dancing at the height of the gods.

“××××, ×××××××××××××××, ×××××××××××××××”
“Haha, maybe. You mean the moderate altitude, I guess.”

Kafal said something to Lucella in Dragonian, and Lucella translated it to the rental business owner.

“Mom says that it looks more beautiful when flying at this height.”
“Well, that’s good to know.”

The rental business owner was on the carpet, piloting it. Even when carrying tourists on the carpet, he took charge of flying and shared the history of the salt lake. His attitude towards Lucella was entirely ordinary, just as one would expect when dealing with tourists.

“Is there anywhere specific we should look?”
“When there’s reflective water on it, the sunset and moonlit nights are all beautiful. And there’s the salt mine.”
“Was it on the opposite side of the lake? …Ah, I can see it.”

Pulling out a travel guide, Lucella securely held the pages to avoid them being blown away. She looked across the salt lake.

“In the past, the industry around here was digging and selling salt. But now, showing the salt lake is more profitable. We still dig salt, but it’s more for display, and we do it gradually to avoid depleting the lake. I sell the dug salt too. It’s popular as a souvenir.”
“Oh, really?”

Efrain was worried that the rental business owner might take an unpleasant attitude, but those concerns proved unnecessary. Unaware of Efrain’s worries, Lucella chatted away with innocence, and the man, contrary to his previous demeanor towards Efrain, responded amiably to Lucella.

Innocence? Is it truly innocence?

Efrain couldn’t help but feel something was off. Lucella seemed unusually bright and cheerful.

No, she’s acting. She understands that adults wouldn’t feel resistance in dealing with someone acting so childishly. It’s her consideration.

Kafal was not proficient in human speech, and Monica, even though she could be attentive to her surroundings, often chose not to. Lucella likely assessed that if someone should be attentive, it should be her.

Lucella was aware that there was antipathy towards dragons in the common folk, unrelated to the government and its movements. Therefore, she was especially careful to ensure that those involved, including her group, didn’t create unpleasant memories for each other. From a distance, their actions may seem arrogant, but up close, they were thoughtful.

Officials and bureaucrats wielded authority as a weapon, using it to protect the interests of the state, even extending it to the citizens. However, Lucella’s attitude was different; it was an interpersonal skill used between citizens.

“Is something the matter?”
“…I realized… I could learn some things.”
“Uh, I see.”

One must not underestimate this charming young girl. Efrain realized that this lesson extended beyond the power of the dragon.

Author’s Note:

Kafal’s words:

“I’ve seen this place while flying in the sky, but the view from the altitude humans fly at is much more beautiful.”