After four hours of walking, Jon and the others finally arrived at the entrance to the Localized Dungeon that Wilheim had discovered. The forest around them was pitch-black, and the sound of wind-rustled leaves would have put the five of them on edge if it was not for the presence of Despoina and Jon leading the way.

Avahni had allowed Ortlinde to manifest her two sisters, Thrud and Bryn in order to help scout the areas around them in the darkness.

Other than Jon with his Minerva-Sagacity Eyes, none of them possessed a permanent enhancement to the visual acuity and retina quality. Even though Wilheim possessed a Fragment Of Inspection, its effects were placed behind a Spell, which granted a comprehensive enhancement to his sense of sight.

Although Wilheim wanted to keep [With Eyes That Pierce Through The White Winter Plain] active the moment he could no longer see anything, the spiritual energy expenditure was beyond reasonable after half-an-hour had passed.

It had drained more than half of his tundra natured spiritual energy, forcing the floresiensis to cancel its effects and continue the trek burdened with his lack of permanent sensory enhancement.

Upon their arrival at the Dungeon entrance, Jon summoned the Earthen Treasury Womb to produce a dull golden-green light, illuminating the depths of the alien forest and granting Sariel and the others a small sense of relief knowing that they would not have to camp in pure darkness.

Jon had stored away all of his belongings within the [Red Archives Of Mars Quirinus] and passed around his blanket and sleeping bag to Wilheim and Shamael. Although he had not given them his exact effect description, the pair could not help but go wide-eyed, seeing Jon place his clothing and bags within some imaginary ornate-looking bookshelf created out of spiritual energy.

Although his Fragment Of Library was not without its limitations, the effects of the ability were too good to pass up. Knowing that Jon would no longer be constrained by a lack of carrying capacity or even a maximum carrying weight while travelling urged the others to all look towards integrating a Fragment Of Storage or Fragment Of Vault the next time they completed another task.

Sariel did possess her own type of storage space in the form of her [Gluttonous Bird Of Cobalt Sanctuary]. A Fragment Of Gula integrated into a Space Mana Core was quite the interesting ability, although presented itself in a form closer to Jon's Archetype Avarice in appearance rather than his Red Archives.

The [Gluttonous Bird Of Cobalt Sanctuary] manifested itself in the form of a monstrous-looking bird. Four wings with horrid, dark-blue feathers stretched across their campsite, appearing almost as large as the bodhi tree behind it.

It possessed two heads, each with six eyes, and enormous beaks capable of expanding to a size large enough to swallow a grown human whole. The heads themselves made the creature look somewhat reminiscent of a pelican, but that was the final similarity that Jon could find.

It was a horrifying looking spiritual construct, perhaps even more off-putting than Archetype Avarice.

Shamael certainly did not appreciate its appearance, reeling back in a combination of horror and shock that caused Sariel to laugh, pointing at the blue-skinned satanas while calling him a name that Jon thought meant "baby" or "child".

Needless to say, the mood of the group had improved significantly, despite the earlier interactions between Ru Luan Di and Despoina. The five of them had agreed to delve into the Dungeon come first light, so despite Wilheim continuing to examine the structure and characteristics of the Dungeon entrance, Avahni, Sariel and Shamael all opted to sleep while they could.

The Localized Dungeon might prove to be difficult if the Guardian inside was a Knight, rather than a Mortal. Although it was impossible to tell in regard to natural Dungeons, none of them wanted to take any chances, especially after fighting against an actual Knight, not even a couple of weeks ago.

Jon did not want to take any further chances either, so used on of his remaining task rewards on a fragment that he felt he should have obtained earlier.

Although Jon had wanted to summon Schwarz Eis back into existence earlier, he had decided to wait until he reached the Dungeon entrance. The timing was opportune given that Jon had several hours before they would enter the Dungeon. Jon wanted access to all of his abilities while inside and choosing not to summon the White Lady Of The Winter Castle was him willingly fighting with one hand tied behind his back.

Even though the ritual of summoning would require all the ice natured spiritual energy he had in reserve, Jon would be able to restore the vast majority of it under the influence of Rana's [Naraka Of Protection].

Taking a deep breath, Jon stood about two hundred metres away from the Dungeon entrance, cradling a Fragment Of Summon in his hand.

As he did several weeks ago, he recited the chant to summon the White Lady Of The Winter Castle.

"From the immaculate White Heavens to the foul Realm Of Loathsome Yellow, I beseech your name and title. I call upon the White Lady Of The Winter Castle, the one who dwells amidst the white depths of the Inverted Ice Mountain, the cold descendent of the Angel Of Ice."

"Adorned in the diadem of an eternal frost, clad in the monstrous, unforgiving flesh of three thousand winters. I call upon the White Lady Of The Winter Castle, the one whose touch would freeze all of creation, the one whose sight would pierce through the veil of three million trichiliocosms."

"Her visage wrought from a single cold eternity, her breath carrying the nightmare of an eternal winter, her smile stretching across the horizon, dyeing the sun and stars with the colour of her heraldry! I call upon the White Lady Of The Winter Castle, the one who vowed to retake her place as Duchess Of The Inverted Ice Mountain!"

"The abominable cold whose presence causes life and death to tremble. The horrifying beauty sitting atop her throne of blood and glass. The one who bears the [Right Hand Of Winter], that armour of the flesh, mind, and spirit, that sunders the Realm Of Loathsome Yellow and rends the Realm Of Abyssal Blue!"

"I call you Schwarz Eis! I call you to this mortal world, so that you may serve at thine behest, and begin anew amongst mortals once more!"

An eruption of ice natured spiritual energy exploded outwards from his position.

Xochitl shook from within [Yumka] but remained unperturbed despite the violent emanations of ice natured spiritual energy. It had remembered the presence of the White Lady Of The Winter Castle, reminded by Avahni that she was a "friend" and not to be devoured.

The Three Daughters Of Destruction, Ortlinde, Thrud and Bryn all lifted their heads, peering in the direction where that human had just walked off in. His spiritual energy had become entwinned with the ambient spiritual energy around him, and the familiar presence of a Memento Source Fragment caused all three of them to raise an eyebrow in interest.

Ortlinde in particular could not help but smile, interested in the capabilities of this unfamiliar summoned companion.

'The scent of ice and lust has filled the air. A descendent of the Angel Of Ice?'

Several hundred metres above him, Ler Setanta peered down, feeling the unfamiliar presence of another Memento Source Fragment near where his master was sleeping. The corners of his mouth turned upwards, revealing rows upon rows of serrated teeth.

Eyes grinning in amusement as he observed a certain primate interact with his second summoned companion.

'So that explains the familiar scent. A winter demon spirit bearing the linage of the Angel Of Ice while also being a princess from the Myriad Lunar Palace? One with a Memento Source Fragment as well?'

'Even more interesting than I originally expected. Although I suppose that is to be expected. A primate with an affinity for mutations of all concepts.'

'I wonder how things will turn out.'

Break

The world seemed to slow down as Jon stared at the familiar figure of his summoned companion. With white-silver hair that seemed to glisten under the distant glow of the Earthen Treasury Womb and two bharal-like horns that sprouted from her forehead, the image of the White Lady Of The Winter Castle was exactly as Jon remembered her.

Adorned in the black-obsidian ice armour of [Licht Weiss; Right Hand Of Winter], the winter demon spirit in front of him seemed to emanate cold, regardless of whether she wanted to or not.

Schwarz Eis had once again decided that manifesting while wearing her original attire was the most appropriate decision. The floral form fitting ballgown, woven from strands of ice and snow clung tightly to her physique, causing Jon to unconsciously straighten his back as he met the eyes of his second summoned companion.

Her pale, almost flawless skin seemed to glow despite the lack of light around Jon. No matter where Jon seemed to look, he could not find a single fault in the appearance of the winter demon spirit, causing him to wonder if that was intentional or entirety by accident.

The slight raise to the corner of her mouth would have provoked reactions in mortals without mental resistances. The not-so-subtle wink of her right eye drew Jon's attention towards the minute beauty mark beneath it.

'She has changed even in the slightest,' Jon thought to himself.

The entirety of his ice natured spiritual energy had been expended to summon Schwarz Eis, leaving but a scant few drops of spiritual energy within his Ice Mana Core. Although Jon would not be physically affected unless his other Mana Cores experienced the same dramatic loss of spiritual energy, he could not help but take a deep breath, continuing to chant the final lines of the ritual of summoning.

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"Through the autumn wilt and the winter death, nothing shall break this oath. Through the spring haze and summers daze, I vow this to the end of thine days."

"Once what was two, shall-."

Jon found himself being interrupted, as he felt a pair of arms wrap around his chest, the form of the White Lady Of The Winter Castle draped across his back, causing his muscles to tense as the sudden physical contact.

The cold breath of Schwarz Eis seemed to tickle his ear, sending shivers down his spine.

"It is nice to see you again Jonathan," Schwarz Eis whispered, a small grin etched across her face.

Jon half turned his head to the side, noticing that the winter demon spirit had decided to rest her head on his shoulder. The White Lady Of The Winter Castle had dismissed [Licht Weiss], rubbing her face deeper into the fabric of his [Mortal Ranked Rejuvenating Shirt].

"Ah. I hope that you did not miss me too much Jonathan. Fighting against that Knight Ranked creature for you was annoying, even for someone like me," Schwarz Eis admitted, feeling the subtle emanations of spiritual energy coming from Jon's Mana Cores.

Jon just nodded in response.

"I cannot thank you enough for holding the Malum Hobgoblin off and allowing me to escape. I… saw how much damage you had inflicted onto it. If I was also a Knight, I dare say that you would have managed to defeat it all on your-." Jon found himself being forcibly cut off as Schwarz Eis grabbed his cheeks, pulling on them so that his forehead was touching her own.

His cheeks flushed pink at the sudden physical contact but noticed a sudden change in her demeanour. Her softly sweet persona vanished in an instant, replaced with an emotionless, unnerving expression.

The White Lady Of The Winter Castle clasped Jon's head in her hands, eyes narrowed as she gazed at Jon.

"You went and fought the Malum Hobgoblin. Against my best wishes," said Schwarz Eis, more of a statement than an actual question.

Jon blinked, before shaking his head from side to side, immediately understanding why Schwarz Eis was suddenly upset.

"No! Not at all!" lifting his hands to pull Schwarz Eis' fingers away from his cheeks.

"After Rana and I defeated the Malum Goblins we retreated back to the camp. But for whatever reason, the Knight Ranked Malum Hobgoblin followed us back a few hours later, ambushing us while we were eating."

"All of us fought against the Malum Hobgoblin. All the others that you met previously, Wilheim, Avahni, Sariel, Shamael and all the summoned companions as well. Ru Luan Di. Titus Claudius. Xochitl and even Metzli. We fought against it and well… won with the help of another one of Avahni's summons," said Jon, watching as the emotionless expression on Schwarz Eis' face turned into one of narrowed curiosity.

The White Lady Of The Winter Castle held Jon's hands in her own, glancing down at his chest. Although the winter demon spirit was looking straight at his torso, Jon knew that she was examining his Mana Cores, in addition to the fragments that he had integrated into them.

The Weave Mana Core was the one that he had obtained from the Malum Hobgoblin. No doubt Schwarz Eis recognized the emanations of spiritual energy from the Knight that had killed her.

The winter demon spirit poked his chest, raising an eyebrow as she examined the traces of concepts floating within his six Mana Cores. Although she already knew the effects of the abilities manifested from his Knowledge, Wood and Ice Mana Cores, there were several knew abilities that Schwarz Eis did not recognize.

"So the five of you defeated the Knight and then claimed the numerous fragments and Mana Cores it had integrated into itself, is that right?" said Schwarz Eis, more of a question rather than an actual statement this time.

Jon nodded.

"Take a look inside my Sea Of Knowledge. You'll see the memories of the fight within. I have integrated thirty-three different fragments at this point and only require three more before obtaining a completed set." Said Jon.

Schwarz Eis raised an eyebrow.

"Fragment Of Library?" she queried.

"Integrated into my War Mana Core." Jon responded.

"Fragment Of Armour?" Schwarz Eis asked.

"Also integrated into my War Mana Core," Jon once again responded.

"Fragment Of Transcendence?"

Jon paused before biting his lip. The White Lady Of The Winter Castle raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth to speak but refrained as Jon explained his decision.

"I integrated a Fragment Of Superbia, and it manifested an ability that fulfilled the role of a Fragment Of Transcendence. It was better… or at least I think it works even better considering the Title I manifested." Jon stated, watching as the winter demon spirit sent him another look.

Jon tilted his head to the side, wondering why Schwarz Eis appeared so unimpressed. The waters within his Sea Of Knowledge churning for a moment before he paused, raising a hand to scratch the back of his head, cheeks flushed red in a youthful embarrassment.

"Ok. Don't be upset. Just let me explain the effects of the Title before you-."

Jon did not have any time to react, before [Licht Weiss] came into contact with the top of his head. The voice of an extraordinarily displeased winter demon spirit shattering the once silent forest around them.

"I believe the human expression is "I am not angry, just disappointed, Jonathan."

Schwarz Eis glared at Jon while sitting atop a physical barrier manifested in the shape of a glorious ice throne. The White Lady Of The Winter Castle had long since changed out of her corset and ballgown, now wearing a white-oversized hoodie and pair of white shorts that she had once seen within Jon's memories.

Although most of the clothes from Jon's home world, Earth, lacked the sophisticated designs and magnificent craftsmanship of the attire that she was familiar with, Schwarz Eis had to admit, these clothes were excellent in function and excelled in terms of comfortability.

'He took more than two weeks to summon me, despite having access to a Fragment Of Summon! The nerve of this child!' Schwarz Eis crossed her arms over her chest, tapping her bicep with one of her index fingers.

'He even went and formed a Title without me!? When was the last time someone was so openly daring in front of me!?

Even though there was nothing negative to be said about the effects of Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation, the fact that Jon did not summon her before deciding to form his first Title annoyed her to no end.

Schwarz Eis did have a feeling that Jon's Source possessed some sort of inherent concepts related to "mutations" and "transformations," given that he manifested numerous abilities with the Mutation Trait.

Hades-Sagacity Shadow from a Fragment Of Shadow.

Minerva-Sagacity Eyes from a Fragment Of Eyes.

Yaochi-Jade Prana from a Fragment Of Prana.

Seir-Glacial Heart from a Fragment Of Heart.

Murmur-Glacial Marrow from a Fragment Of Marrow.

Longinus-Lancea Spirit from a Fragment Of Spirit.

And now a Helel-Testament Spirit born from a Fragment Of Superbia.

'Excluding the three mutations born from universal fragments. That leaves an additional four mutations influenced by Jon's Source… And the effects of his Fragment Of Superbia… it is better than integrating a base Fragment Of Transcendence,' Schwarz Eis thought to herself.

The effects of [Helel] were extraordinary. Nothing more needed to be stated.

And the compatibility between Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation and his mutations were beyond incredible. The effects of his Title strengthened Jon to a degree that exceeded the vast majority of Mortals, even without having to overload his abilities with spiritual energy.

'It makes sense that he wants to use one of the remaining slots in his Weave Mana Core on a Fragment Of Mutation. Although the mutation it would produce would be random, its effects would be strengthened through Jon's Title.'

Schwarz Eis knew that the moment Jon obtained Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation, he unconsciously desired to urge several of his abilities in the direction most suiting his new Title. That is, upon his ascension to Knighthood, to integrate fragments that might cause his abilities to shift or evolve, hopefully allowing them to gain the Mutation Trait.

The benefits of which might potentially outweigh the consequences. Although would limit the potential future developments of his abilities to specific fragments, pushing Jon into the realm of specialization.

'Which is not necessarily a terrible thing. Although does defeat the purpose of his "self-sufficient" lifestyle. His green-haired companion, the pretty one, possesses more abilities with the Summon Trait than any individual I have ever seen at the Mortal Rank.'

'Not to mention four of which possess their own Memento Source Fragments.' Schwarz Eis raised an eyebrow at that little piece of information. Thankfully, Jon had obtained the effect description of three of them, including that monstrous looking indomitus shastasaurus whose shadow she noticed lurking about.

How the System allowed such a thing to exist, Schwarz Eis could never imagine.

The winter demon spirit narrowed her eyes as she stared down at the figure of her summoner, crossing her legs as she contemplated the knowledge that he had just given her. Jon has made several decisions without her recommendation, some of which, benefitted even more than the advice she would have given him.

Sitting atop her spiritual ice construct, Schwarz Eis let out a loud sigh, raising one of her hands and resting her chin on her open palm. The sound caused Jon to smile, although noticed it vanish the moment she rested her eyes on his figure.

"Are you… pleased with all the decisions you have made? The Fragment Of Invidia and Fragment Of Contract might seem a waste in the eyes of many, especially considering your fighting style," she said.

Jon shook his head in response.

"I do not think that they are a waste. I have had ample discussions with Rana and even Ru Luan Di about the development of certain abilities. [Envious Is The Beast That Lurks Within] and [Thy Name Shalt Be Written In Blood And War] possess effects that are unique enough that I can develop them in a myriad number of ways."

"Fragments Of Protection or Fragments Of Lies could increase the plausibility of my contracts or allow even me to add clauses that individuals of lower Ranks or weak mental resistances cannot observe. Fragments Of Decay or Fragments Of Burden could even add effects preventing individuals who sign contracts from certain actions, lest they become inflicted with a debuff or affliction."

"A Fragment Of Combat might allow me to fight someone who breaks a contract, even across vast distances. A Fragment Of Desire could influence someone who signs a contract, lowering their inhibitions or causing them to overflow with specific emotions and feelings."

Jon straightened his back, smiling at Schwarz Eis.

"I would never regret a decision that I made of my own accord. Nor would I ignore your recommendations without a justified cause," said Jon, watching as the White Lady Of The Winter Castle raised her eyebrow.

"Oh really? So if I said to integrate a Fragment Of Weakness into [Lamentations Of A Frozen Affection] you would do it?" Schwarz Eis asked.

Jon shrugged his shoulders, nodding at the question.

"If you gave me a good enough reason, I'd follow your advice."

Schwarz Eis stared at Jon in quiet silence, observing his facial expressions and the external appearance of his Sea Of Knowledge. Jon was not experienced enough to completely obscure his emotions within his imaginary mental construct, nor was he adept enough at concealing his thoughts behind that youthful expression of his.

There was no subtle twitch of his eyebrows or ears. Nor unconscious tapping of his fingers or faint movements of his jaw that Schwarz Eis had seen before. Not a single tell-tale sign of lying could be seen, even after staring straight into Jon's eyes.

'He's not lying. Not to himself at least.' Schwarz Eis thought.

The White Lady Of The Winter Castle lowered her hand, allowing her nails to softly tap against the cold white surface of the ice throne beneath her. Although the winter demon spirit did not make it a habit, Schwarz Eis could not help but show a real smile, nodding as she stood up.

Jon watched as his second summoned companion grinned, before patting his head, stepping up on her tippy toes in order to do so.

"If you are willing to listen. Then let me teach you Jonathan." Schwarz Eis said.

"Whereas Mortals can only rely on universal fragments to produce guaranteed abilities, Knights, Lords, Barons, and subsequent Ranks can rely on clear and defined "patterns" of fragments. Or the concepts contained within them rather, in order to manifest abilities with amalgamated concepts that have predetermined and specific effects."

"Let me teach you Jon, about fragment pathways."

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