Dora is gone.

I noticed this just a few minutes ago. I thought she was taking a nap in the garden as usual, but she was nowhere to be seen, and I looked around the house, but she was nowhere to be found.

You say Dora-chan, you mean the mandragora, right?　I have always thought that you have succeeded in growing mandragoras as well. You are indeed a wonderful person.

"Yeah, well,

I'm still looking for Dora-chan, even though she replied to Phytis, who looked at me respectfully as usual, with a raw answer.
Hmmm, still no sign of her at home or in the garden. Does that mean she's gone outside?
The sky is cloudy and the rain is starting to fall.

...... I'm going to go outside to look for Dora-chan.

Yes, but it's dangerous, Master Keough. It's starting to rain, and that mandragora will come back if we wait for it.

Although Fitis said that and held back

She's my family. I have every right to go look for her.

It was clear. Then I opened the door of the house and saw a familiar face.

"Every time you come in here, something awkward happens, as usual.

"Lily

"I'll come with you. I'll be worried about you, Dora.

As usual, you're a guy who helps me out at the right time.
I can't help but wonder if he's not in the tsundere frame lately, but that's beside the point.

If you want to go to ......, then I'm going to go too.

and Fitis approached from behind and offered to accompany me.

Thank you. Both of you.

I nodded to them and ran around in the rain-drenched forest looking for Dora-chan.
After a while, we found a pumpkin lying under a large tree.

Jack!　What are you doing in there?

"To, brother ......

He was obviously tired and exhausted, but he was trying to summon up his last ounce of strength to tell you something.

It's a good thing that the white robe wizard kidnapped my brother ...... and then disappeared in the north direction from here ...... I'm sorry! ...... unhelpful, we are ......

Gulp

"Ja--k!

No, I'm just passed out.

I know, but I'm just going with the flow.

What's north of here, anyway?

My question was answered by Lily with a serious tone to it.

"The Snow Witch Mountains.

What is that snow witch.
I saw Phytis standing next to me and she twitched.

"One of the legends of this region. A witch who lives in the mountains to the north, through the woods. She can even control the weather and seal the mountain with a wedge of snow. She would not allow anyone to enter and would freeze anyone who did.

"How can such a legendary and dangerous guy be left alone until now?

That's because if we don't touch them, they won't touch us.

I see . That makes sense.
But now that Dora-chan is kidnapped by that guy, there's no other option but to get her back.
Fortunately, I don't have any fighting skills myself, but with these two's help, I might be able to make it.
With that in mind, I looked at Phytis and she nodded her head quietly, as if she understood.
Lily, too, looks like she's done with it.
I'm grateful. At times like this it's really helpful to have an adventurer's companion.

Well then, shall we go to that snow witch's house?