Home/The Ice Age Came? And I Just Got Married?!/ch 85

Chapter 85.

"...Does White Veil use magic?"

"No—from what Father told me, they're ordinary humans. They manage relics from three thousand years ago and study ancient ruins—that's all I know."

I let out a short breath.

"Then it's fine."

"Huh?"

I slowly looked down at my hands.

One hand holding Logan's was fine—but the other trembled slightly.

I looked up at Graham.

"I'll get stronger."

"Huh?"

"Before they find me—I'll find them first."

Graham stared at me as if seeing a child he'd never met before.

"Don't worry—I'm not that fragile."

Beside me, Logan looked at me with proud eyes.

He seemed to have a lot to say, but held back.

---

After the conversation with Graham, we searched everything related to Frank—scouring the park.

The more we searched, the more we saw the destruction—the cracked ground and the hotel on the verge of collapse.

The park people had nowhere to go—around thirty of them.

Could we bring them all to Acorn Village?

...Why not?

We could.

※ Expanding the village by adding new structures is perfectly fine. The area up to where the village wall is built will be considered "this village's land."

The village safety rules clearly allowed expansion.

Besides, I owed them a debt—for the Winterstones. I'd taken all of them.

Yes—just like a certain fruit-named protagonist in a novel, I could grow my base by recruiting survivors.

Haywood and Orange Market had also formed alliances with us. Tony's group declined, saying they were too small.

The Winterstones I held determined Acorn Village's standing—which was why Haywood and Orange Market had quickly bowed to us.

But it's dangerous.

Especially Orange Market—they could break the alliance and attack anytime.

I need to grow stronger.

We gathered all of Frank's documents and belongings to analyze back in Acorn Village.

Crack—

The hotel's inner wall split further.

I led the evacuation with Marcus, and we decided to move everyone to Acorn Village.

I announced it to the Lowell survivors.

Unease was written on every face.

Leaving familiar ground for an unknown village in a time of scarcity was no small decision.

Understanding their anxiety, I spoke as clearly as I could.

"Our village only has eight houses—for now, everyone will have to stay together."

A stir rippled through the crowd.

"But we plan to expand—and that will require everyone's help. However, I can guarantee one thing."

I paused and looked straight at them.

"It will be warm."

Lowell Amusement Park was a massive source of Winterstones—but it wasn't as warm as Acorn Village.

Acorn Village was warm without needing Redstones.

"And if anyone regrets or complains, I won't hesitate to expel them."

I knew that one person's dissatisfaction or selfishness could doom everyone—that was what Logan feared.

But I had my reasons.

I gripped the folded paper in my hand—a note torn from Frank's memo:

"White Veil leaves no traces. This park will soon be reclaimed. Its survivors are also targets for reclamation."

"I'm not asking you to come with me—I'm offering you mercy."

Some faces hardened, but no one dared to object.

"And you have the freedom to choose your own future."

I paused, then added calmly,

"You can accept the rules of Acorn Village and live with us—or you can stay here and go your own way."

The room fell so silent I could hear my own breathing.

"So choose—will you come with us, or stay?"

It wasn't a light question—I was asking if they were worthy of becoming new villagers.

No one spoke—they just looked at each other.

"...I'll go."

A man in gray work clothes at the back raised his hand. A middle-aged mechanic who'd maintained the park.

He looked around the cracking building and smiled bitterly.

"I've worked here my whole life—the carousel, the Ferris wheel... I maintained them all."

He paused and closed his eyes.

"But this place is finished now."

His voice was calm—but resigned.

"I'll go too."

A woman holding a child spoke.

"I want to put this child to sleep somewhere warm."

One by one, people stepped forward—holding family members' hands, supporting the elderly.

Finally, the middle-aged man at the front bowed deeply.

"Ma'am—please take care of us."

One by one, they bowed. I didn't stop them.

Instead—

"Welcome."

I bowed back, giving them a sense of belonging.

They'd lost their home—but found a new place to stay.

Hope—the most needed thing in times like these.

I looked at Frank's note again—the edges were crumpled from my grip.

Reclaim...

What exactly did White Veil want to reclaim? I still didn't know.

But I'd learn from here on.

I said a brief goodbye to Haywood, Orange Market, and Tony's group.

"Well—we're friendly now, but who knows next time?"

The Haywood leader chuckled and shrugged.

Orange Market's leader clicked his tongue.

"Hey—is that how you treat an alliance? People from Westfield really don't understand loyalty."

"If loyalty alone kept us alive, that'd be great. I just hope we're all still alive next time."

The words were harsh, but somehow lacked hostility—a strange bond shared only by those who'd fought the Snow Titan together.

Tony walked up to me without a word and extended his hand. I shook it.

"You saved us."

Tony said briefly.

"If you ever need us—call. We're good at building. And even better at setting traps."

I laughed.

"Then you'll have to visit regularly to set traps against Haywood."

Both leaders burst out laughing.

Haywood's leader apologized awkwardly.

"That was an overreaction—our alliance will hold strong."

I smiled and nodded.

Just then, Tony looked at Graham and asked,

"Mr. Everhart—since you didn't achieve what you wanted, what will you do?"

"Ah—I did achieve one thing, so it's fine."

Graham answered casually and looked at me.

"I found my sister."

Even though I wasn't really his sister.

Honestly, the revelation that I was adopted was still shocking—just like when my family vanished and I had no time to grieve.

I still couldn't believe it.

Tony let go—and one by one, Haywood and Orange Market turned away.

Soon, they all disappeared into the blizzard.

I watched their backs until the end—then slowly turned.

"Let's go."

At my words, the Lowell survivors began gathering their belongings.

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