Chapter 29: Bringing winter to summer
Riku reached the construction site just as the sun reached its peak, casting golden light over the half-built frame of the church. Sweat-slicked villagers paused from their work, some resting on overturned barrels, others fanning themselves with straw hats.
They turned when they heard the clink of bottles in a crate.
Barou raised an eyebrow as Riku approached. "That doesn't look like bricks."
"It's not," Riku replied, lips curled in a half-smile. "But it might be just as important."
He set the crate down onto a low bench.
Villagers gathered around, curious.
"What's in the box?" asked young Fenric, wiping dust from his cheeks.
Without answering, Riku unlatched the lid of the coolbox.
Hisssss—
A soft, silvery mist rolled out, swirling around the villagers' ankles like low fog. A small burst of cool air followed, brushing over their sunburned skin like a breeze from deep inside a forest cave.
Gasps echoed around the gathering.