Soon I realized how Ahin knew about it. I guess itâs obvious⦠Those troublemakers were the only ones in the empire who would leave the room only to find more trouble. They were the only ones Iâd ever have to go looking for. Therefore, I was also out of the room, so I was looking for them. I was a fool.
âLetâs search together, then.â
Huh? Together� Did that mean he knew where they were?
I was a little confused, but before I knew it, I ended up following Ahin.
This was so awkwardâ¦
I had thought about this before, but he seemed really different when I saw him up close. I turned cautiously and looked at Ahin. Was it because his skin was paler than mine? He seemed so pure and clean.
Now that I have come to think of it, heâs older than me.
Well, only if I considered my physical age now. I couldnât believe I was supposed to call this little guy big brother and speak more formally.
âBy the way, you donât have to be so formal with me. Itâs more comfortable for me.â
âV-very well.â
Well, I couldnât really argue with that if heâs so upfront about it. I just bit my lips.
Ugh⦠no matter how nice he was to look at, this was still so awkward⦠This airâs really heavy for me to relax. I couldnât take it anymore⦠How could I escape this awkwardness? Oh, this was driving me crazy.
Since I talked to him so casually when we first met, itâs tricky to be formal suddenly. Well, it might be funny if I started acting more orderly now. Besides, he didnât seem to mindâ¦
âHey, what sort of country is S-Hertogenbosch?â
I asked because the air flowing between us was so awkward, but Ahin seemed so surprised when he heard this. Wasnât he overreacting? Now I felt embarrassed. However, he appeared merely surprised and didnât seem to have any other feelings. He looked like he was agonizing for a moment before he quickly answered my question.
â⦠itâs an empire thatâs all white. â
âHuh? Whyâs that? Is it winter all year round there?â
Since itâs a Northern Empire, I could imagine it being covered in snow. However, Ahin gave an unexpected answer.
âNo. The winters are indeed long, but it isnât wintering all year. Actually, it isnât even cold there.â
âHuh? How is it not cold?â
âThanks to the barrier His Holiness created, the temperature of the empire is always the same.â
Then whyâs it called the white empire?