The Ice Age Came And I Just Got Married - Chapter 95
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 95
Graham stood in a small plaza just outside the Norton Checkpoint.
It was said that long ago, before the Ice Age, this had been a modest square on a hillside where merchants and travelers would gather as they passed through the city.
But everything changed after the Ice Age.
The downtown area sprawling down the slope lay buried beneath an endless expanse of snow.
The first floors of buildings had vanished without a trace, and people now moved in and out through second-story windows as if they were doors.
Wooden bridges and ropes wove between the buildings like a spider’s web, and merchants hung their wares from windows to conduct trade.
The hilltop, by contrast, bore far less snow. The survivors had naturally erected notice boards here and pinned up request forms.
They formed parties, exchanged supplies, and conducted all the transactions necessary for survival.
The city itself had transformed to endure.
But that wasn’t what mattered.
“My eldest brother, Graham Oswal Everhardt.”
I quickly relayed information about Graham to Logan’s ear.
About how we’d fought the Snow Calamity together at Lowell Amusement Park, and spent time together in Dotori Village as well.
Logan’s expression shifted as he took in the abbreviated story.
His eyebrows twitched with interest.
Something felt off, though.
That’s when Graham approached us, pulled me into an embrace, and expressed his joy with unbridled enthusiasm.
Then Graham looked at Logan. Logan met his gaze with a reluctant expression.
When Graham tilted his head with a puzzled look, Logan mimicked the gesture.
Then he suddenly spread both arms wide toward Graham.
‘……?’
Everyone stared at Logan in shock.
“Is it this?”
“I’m sorry, brother. My husband’s been a bit out of sorts lately.”
I apologized quickly. Catching on to the situation, Logan awkwardly splashed water on his face with his hands.
“Being a husband isn’t easy.”
Graham seemed flustered by Logan’s reaction.
But no—we’d gotten along fine with Graham. We’d wrapped things up warmly back in Dotori Village.
I pressed my fingers to my forehead.
“Your Grace has changed quite a bit in such a short time. One can hardly predict what he’ll do next.”
Graham studied Logan intently for a moment, then tilted his head, before muttering under his breath.
“……Must be a misunderstanding.”
“Right, yes. It’s definitely a misunderstanding.”
I waved my hands frantically. Cold sweat beaded on my skin.
“Anyway, what are you doing here, brother? I thought you’d come to Norton, receive the Crown Prince’s help, and then leave right away to find Julian.”
“Ah. Well…….”
Graham trailed off, searching for words to explain.
“But Eve, what brings you here?”
“I’m on a reconnaissance mission. While I’m out, I thought I’d look for the rest of the family too.”
That’s when Aiden, who had been watching us quietly, spoke on Graham’s behalf.
“It might be good to hear the details while looking over the request forms.”
Aiden flashed a subtle smile.
Request forms?
Only then did I look around. We were near the entrance of the small plaza in front of the checkpoint.
And clustered in the center of the plaza, a crowd of people swarmed around a large wooden notice board.
The scene reminded me of a labor market at dawn.
‘Could he be referring to that?’
We squeezed through the throng of people and moved forward slowly.
“Pardon us, coming through.”
Brian led the way, clearing a path. The crowd grumbled but shifted their bodies aside.
We soon reached the board and spotted a sizable sheet of paper affixed prominently to its center.
We are seeking individuals to help locate an ancient artifact believed to rest somewhere within Norton City, dating back three thousand years.
We have secured relevant historical records and clues. The search will proceed with the requestor accompanying the party.
Reward: 1 Winterstone
※Those with exploration experience are preferred.
Requestor: G.O.E
As I finished reading the request details, I caught snatches of conversation from the explorers around us.
“That request again.”
“I’d rather we just went after the Snow Calamity instead.”
“Right? We don’t even know if that artifact actually exists, so what are we trusting here?”
“It’s been posted for four days now, and not a single volunteer has stepped forward.”
“Winterstone is tempting enough, but we can’t wade through the snow looking for something that might not be there.”
“Honestly, the person who posted this seems half-mad. To post a request like that when everyone’s fighting just to survive day to day.”
I glanced sideways at Graham.
He pushed his glasses up and listened to the crowd’s chatter in silence.
That was when Brian made a gesture that said we were done here.
We confirmed the request form and then pushed our way back through the crowd and left.
Once we reached a quiet alley with fewer people, Graham opened his mouth.
“You understand the situation now, don’t you?”
“No. I’m still lost. What was that request form about?”
Could it be related to the Frost Heart that Brian mentioned?
Brian had said clearly that he was searching for the Frost Heart with Graham, and that he’d found evidence it was somewhere in this city.
“While I was looking for Julian, I happened to get my hands on this document.”
Following Aiden and Brian’s advice, Graham had come to the request market and found an old report on a vendor’s table.
The top of the paper he unfolded bore a White Moth Emblem.
Wait. That emblem—where have I seen it before?
[Unconfirmed Artifact Investigation Record]
Record Number: 135227-B171
Author: Rosebrook Fleet Command, Third Reconnaissance Unit, Major Eldier.
Details: July 13, 1917. Confirmed the existence of a 3,000-year-old artifact in Norton Downtown. Obtained historical records indicating that an unconfirmed Black Mineral was stored within the artifact.
Action: Tracking and recovery planned.
It was the same report I’d seen at Rosebrook Naval Base. And the name—Major Eldier. The same name.
‘But simply calling it a Black Mineral is a bit vague.’
I wouldn’t know for certain if it was the real Frost Heart or a Black Mineral derived from the Snow Calamity’s heart until I saw it directly.
‘It seems more likely to be the latter, though.’
Then Graham spoke up.
“And it seems another person discovered this as well. There’s a memo written on the back of the report.”
Graham showed me the back of the report paper.
[Transfer to 7th Storage Complete]
Now I understood why Graham had used the request board.
Graham continued his explanation.
“Norton Downtown is buried under snow right now, so it’s dangerous to go down there. We’ll increase our survival odds if we explore with multiple people working together.”
Hmm. If that’s the case, wouldn’t things get simpler if Logan and I join in?
“Let’s find it ourselves. Logan and I will help you.”
Graham didn’t say anything.
He’d seen the power I wielded at Lowell Amusement Park, so he wouldn’t dare call it too dangerous.
More than that, Logan’s help would be too tempting an offer to refuse, even setting me aside.
When I glanced over at Logan, he looked back at me with a puzzled expression.
Reassuring, somehow.
After a moment, Graham let out a sigh.
“I trust you, Eve.”
I laughed at his words.
“I knew you’d say that.”
In the end, the five of us decided to form a party.
.
.
.
And so we came to the present.
We were looking down at Norton Downtown.
The city sprawling endlessly below the hillside was already more than half buried in snow.
Just then, Brian shrugged his shoulders.
“I think we should start by looking at buildings that might have served as storage.”
I pondered for a moment before answering.
“City halls, banks, military arsenals, museums—those kinds of places would likely have storage facilities.”
Logan nodded in agreement.
“If they’re storing valuables, those would be the most likely candidates.”
We began moving toward Norton Downtown.
No matter how I looked at it, the sight of the entire first floor buried in snow while people used only the second floor was nothing short of extraordinary.
‘There’s something about this that keeps nagging at me. That strange sense of déjà vu.’
I tilted my head, puzzled.
Was this an episode from the novel?
It was possible—Aiden was here, after all.
I glanced at him sideways, and our eyes met.
He smiled softly.
Honestly, his face was beautiful enough that it was easy to mistake a smile for genuine affection—though of course, I was a faithful married woman.
I’d been lost in thought as we made our way across the rooftop when—
the moment I felt a vibration beneath my feet—
the ground gave way.
“Eve—!”
Logan’s voice faded into the distance.
What on earth had just happened?
It all occurred in an instant, and as the roof collapsed, the ceiling sealed us off completely—separating me from the rest of the group.
“Hell. What in the—”
I turned toward a voice beside me and saw a man with disheveled azure hair, groaning softly.
It was Aiden.
I saw no one else.
Were we two trapped alone?
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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