Chapter 116
Three days had passed.
The sea had changed.
The deep blue waters that had carried the ship for weeks gradually disappeared beneath endless sheets of floating ice.
Large icebergs drifted silently across the frozen ocean, some towering like mountains above the water.
The wind had become sharper.
Colder.
Every breath released a faint cloud of white mist into the air.
The white sails of the ship fluttered beneath the pale gray sky as snowflakes drifted gently around them.
Near the bow...
Princess Flora quietly watched the unfamiliar landscape.
Her emerald eyes reflected the endless white horizon before her.
This was a world unlike anything she had ever seen.
No green forests.
No golden fields.
Only snow...
Ice...
And mountains that stretched toward the heavens.
Soft footsteps approached behind her.
Vendetta stopped beside the Princess.
"...We've arrived."
Flora turned toward her.
Vendetta looked ahead.
"The Continent of Nivorheim."
Marco, Guinevere, Chris, Captain Bochy, Esabell, and several Lumivale soldiers soon gathered near the front of the ship.
Everyone followed Vendetta's gaze.
Far in the distance...
A massive fortress slowly emerged through the falling snow.
Built directly into towering cliffs of ice...
The enormous kingdom seemed less like a city and more like part of the mountain itself.
Gigantic walls of blue-white stone rose hundreds of feet into the air.
Countless watchtowers overlooked the frozen sea.
Frozen waterfalls hung from the cliffs like crystal curtains, glimmering beneath the weak afternoon sunlight.
Smoke drifted gently from chimneys hidden throughout the fortress.
Despite the endless winter...
Life continued behind those walls.
Marco stared quietly.
"So..."
"That's Frostgard."
Vendetta nodded.
"The only kingdom that remains on this continent."
Chris let out a low whistle.
"...That's less of a kingdom..."
"...and more of a mountain wearing a crown."
Captain Bochy folded his arms.
"...Whoever decided to invade this place..."
"...must've hated living."
A few nearby soldiers laughed quietly.
Even Guinevere's lips curved into the faintest smile.
Vendetta calmly continued.
"The mountains protect Frostgard."
"The cold protects the mountains."
"And both have protected the Justice Worshippers for centuries."
Marco studied the distant fortress.
"So this kingdom has always been your home."
"...For generations."
Vendetta answered softly.
"Our Lord chose this land because no one wished to come here."
Chris rubbed his arms.
"...I can understand why."
"The air itself is trying to kill me."
Another gust of icy wind swept across the deck.
Esabell immediately wrapped both hands around her cloak.
"...It's so cold..."
"My fingers are already numb."
Captain Bochy sneezed loudly.
"...ACHOO!"
Silence.
Everyone slowly looked toward him.
Captain Bochy frowned.
"...What?"
Chris couldn't help laughing.
"I thought commanders were supposed to be immune to winter."
Captain Bochy crossed his arms proudly.
"I am."
"...That sneeze was strategic."
Marco blinked.
"...Strategic?"
"Yes."
"It frightened the cold."
Chris burst into laughter.
"I don't think that's how weather works."
Even several sailors failed to suppress their smiles.
For a brief moment...
The bitter cold felt slightly more bearable.
Vendetta looked toward several Justice Worshippers standing near the mast.
"Prepare the signal."
They immediately bowed.
"At once."
Several large metal braziers were carried toward the front of the ship.
Bundles of dried herbs and strange gray powder were poured into them.
Chris watched curiously.
"...We're lighting a fire?"
Vendetta shook her head.
"No."
"We're sending a message."
One of the Justice Worshippers struck flint against steel.
A small flame appeared.
Within seconds...
Thick white smoke began rising into the sky.
Then...
The smoke gradually changed color.
Deep blue.
It twisted high above the ship before slowly drifting toward the frozen kingdom in the distance.
Marco watched in fascination.
"...Smoke signals."
Vendetta nodded.
"The safest way to announce our arrival."
"The kingdom remains hidden from outsiders."
"No one enters without permission."
Several long minutes passed.
Only the sound of the wind and waves echoed around them.
Then...
Far beyond the frozen shoreline...
A second column of blue smoke rose into the sky.
Chris pointed toward it.
"...They answered."
Vendetta gave a small nod.
"They know we've arrived."
The signal had reached them.
Frostgard was preparing to receive its guests.
The blue smoke continued rising above the distant fortress before slowly fading into the snowy sky.
Vendetta lowered her gaze.
"They've acknowledged our arrival."
Marco folded his arms.
"So they'll be sending soldiers?"
"...Not soldiers."
Vendetta answered calmly.
"They'll send an escort."
Captain Bochy looked toward the frozen shoreline.
"...How long?"
"A few hours."
Chris blinked.
"...A few hours?"
Vendetta nodded.
"The roads leading here are difficult to travel."
"The mountains decide how quickly one may pass."
Chris let out a long sigh.
"So..."
"We're waiting."
"...Yes."
---
The anchor was lowered.
With a heavy splash...
The ship came to a gentle stop several hundred meters from the frozen shore.
Large sheets of ice floated lazily across the water, occasionally bumping softly against the hull.
The crew immediately began securing ropes and checking supplies.
No one complained.
The sea journey had finally ended.
Now...
A different journey would begin.
---
As the afternoon wore on...
The cold grew harsher.
Snow continued falling in slow, endless flakes.
Even the Justice Worshippers who had grown up in Nivorheim pulled their cloaks a little tighter.
For the soldiers from Lumivale...
It was another matter entirely.
One young soldier rubbed his hands together desperately.
"I... I can't feel my fingers anymore."
Another looked down at his boots.
"I can't feel my feet."
Captain Bochy walked past them.
"You'll survive."
The soldiers looked relieved.
Then Captain Bochy added,
"...Probably."
Both soldiers stared at him in horror.
Chris burst into laughter.
"Captain!"
"You can't encourage people like that!"
Captain Bochy shrugged.
"I was being honest."
Marco pinched the bridge of his nose.
"...Please don't motivate the troops anymore."
---
Near the bow...
Princess Flora remained quietly watching Frostgard.
The enormous fortress looked even more majestic beneath the falling snow.
It felt...
Untouched by time.
Guinevere approached her.
"...Princess."
Flora turned.
"The cold is becoming stronger."
"We should return inside."
Flora looked once more toward the distant kingdom before nodding.
"...Very well."
As they walked back across the deck...
Esabell hurried after them.
She carried two steaming wooden cups.
"I asked the cooks to prepare something warm."
She smiled shyly.
"...It's only herbal tea."
"But it should help."
Flora accepted one.
"...Thank you."
Guinevere accepted the other with a small nod.
"You've been looking after everyone today."
Esabell smiled awkwardly.
"I... I'm just helping where I can."
Flora looked at her gently.
"And that's exactly why everyone appreciates you."
Esabell's cheeks immediately turned slightly pink.
"...P-Princess..."
Chris appeared beside them almost instantly.
"...Do you have any left?"
Esabell blinked.
"...I made one more."
Chris's eyes sparkled.
"You're amazing."
Captain Bochy suddenly appeared from nowhere.
"...Is there another one?"
Esabell looked inside the basket.
"...No..."
Captain Bochy sighed dramatically.
"...Tragic."
Chris grinned.
"Looks like the strategic sneeze wasn't enough."
Captain Bochy looked at him.
"...Be careful."
"I outrank you."
Chris laughed.
"...Yes, Captain."
Even Guinevere quietly shook her head.
For a few moments...
The deck felt unusually peaceful.
---
As the afternoon slowly faded...
The snow finally began to lighten.
The clouds parted just enough for the setting sun to appear.
Golden light reflected across the endless fields of ice.
The frozen sea glittered like countless scattered diamonds.
Marco quietly admired the view.
"I've traveled to many places..."
"...but I've never seen anything like this."
Vendetta stood beside him.
"It is beautiful."
"...And merciless."
Marco nodded.
"I can believe that."
"The cold alone could kill an army."
Vendetta looked toward Frostgard.
"Which is exactly why this kingdom has survived."
"No empire wishes to wage war against winter."
Silence settled between them.
The wind continued carrying snow across the deck.
Then...
One of the sailors standing atop the mast suddenly called down.
"Movement!"
Everyone immediately looked toward the shore.
Far in the distance...
Several dark figures emerged from the white landscape.
Slowly...
They grew larger.
Not soldiers on foot.
Not wagons.
Horse-drawn sleighs.
Their polished runners glided smoothly across the snow while elegant white horses pulled them toward the coast.
Chris narrowed his eyes.
"...Those don't look like ordinary escorts."
Vendetta smiled faintly.
"No."
"They aren't."
The convoy continued approaching.
Each sleigh carried banners embroidered with silver snowflakes.
The soldiers escorting them wore magnificent white armor trimmed with blue fur.
Long royal cloaks flowed behind them.
Marco blinked.
"...Royal guards?"
Captain Bochy frowned.
"I thought the Justice Worshippers remained hidden."
Vendetta turned toward them.
"They do."
She looked once more toward the approaching convoy.
"The people of Frostgard believe these men serve their royal family."
She paused.
"...Because they do."
Everyone looked at her.
"The royal family..."
"The ministers..."
"The commanders..."
"They are all Justice Worshippers."
"The kingdom has been governed by our people for generations."
Chris stared.
"...Wait..."
"So the entire royal court..."
"...is secretly made up of Justice Worshippers?"
Vendetta nodded.
"Only a handful of people know the truth."
"To the citizens..."
"They are simply the rulers of Frostgard."
"No one suspects anything more."
Marco slowly smiled.
"...That's..."
"...Actually brilliant."
Vendetta's expression remained calm.
"It has allowed us to survive for centuries."
The convoy finally reached the shoreline.
The lead sleigh came to a smooth stop.
A tall man dressed in elegant white robes stepped down first.
He removed one glove.
Placed his hand over his chest.
Then bowed respectfully toward the ship.
"...Welcome home, Lady Vendetta."
Snow drifted gently between the ship and the frozen shore.
Vendetta stepped forward.
Without hesitation, she returned the respectful greeting.
"It is good to be home."
The man straightened.
His silver-white cloak fluttered in the cold wind as his sharp blue eyes briefly swept across the group standing behind Vendetta.
His gaze paused on Princess Flora.
Then he bowed once more.
"Your Highness."
"It is an honor to welcome the Crown Princess of Lumivale to Frostgard."
Flora inclined her head gracefully.
"The honor is mine."
"Thank you for receiving us."
The man smiled faintly.
"Our Lord has been awaiting your arrival."
Those words caused everyone's expressions to become more serious.
Lord Dev.
After everything they had experienced...
After everything they had learned...
They were finally about to meet the man who had watched over the Blood of Peace from the shadows for centuries.
---
Several Justice Worshippers quickly crossed the temporary wooden bridge connecting the ship to the frozen shore.
Instead of weapons...
They carried large wooden chests.
Chris tilted his head.
"...What's all that?"
The man answered calmly.
"Winter clothing."
He glanced toward the members of the Lumivale expedition.
"None of you are dressed for Nivorheim."
"The journey through the mountains would become dangerous before the first hour had passed."
Marco couldn't argue with that.
Even standing still on the ship had become uncomfortable.
---
One by one...
The chests were opened.
Inside were thick winter garments lined with white fur.
Heavy cloaks.
Leather gloves.
Scarves.
Snow boots.
Everything had clearly been prepared in advance.
The Justice Worshippers began distributing them.
Captain Bochy received a thick dark-blue military coat trimmed with gray wolf fur.
He lifted it with both hands.
"...This thing weighs as much as my armor."
One of the escorts answered politely,
"It will also keep you alive."
Captain Bochy immediately put it on.
"...I like it."
Chris couldn't help laughing.
---
Marco received a navy winter officer's coat embroidered with silver thread.
A long white scarf was wrapped around his neck before he even had time to protest.
"...Thank you."
The attendant smiled politely.
"You'll be thanking us even more once the wind reaches the mountain pass."
---
Guinevere accepted her clothing without complaint.
Her white military coat was simple but elegant, fastened with polished silver clasps.
Dark gloves reached almost to her elbows, while a thick fur-lined cape rested neatly over her shoulders.
Chris glanced toward her.
Then glanced again.
...
She somehow looked even more commanding than before.
His thoughts immediately betrayed him.
How does she look cool in literally everything...?
He quickly looked away before anyone noticed.
Unfortunately...
Marco noticed.
A grin slowly appeared on his face.
Chris pretended to be deeply interested in putting on his boots.
---
Esabell disappeared beneath layers of warm clothing.
Her oversized white cloak nearly reached the ground.
Only her face remained visible beneath the large fur-lined hood.
She blinked.
"...I can't move."
Several nearby soldiers laughed.
Chris smiled.
"...You look like a walking blanket."
Esabell puffed out her cheeks.
"I do not."
"You do."
"...Commander."
She looked hopefully toward Guinevere.
Guinevere examined her for a moment.
Then gave a tiny nod.
"...A little."
Even Esabell couldn't help laughing.
---
Princess Flora stepped forward last.
One of the attendants carefully unfolded an elegant winter cloak.
Pure white.
Trimmed with soft silver fox fur.
Delicate blue embroidery flowed along the edges like falling snowflakes.
It was regal...
Yet refined.
Without excessive decoration.
It suited her perfectly.
The attendant gently placed it over her shoulders before fastening it with a silver clasp shaped like a snow lily.
Flora looked down at the unfamiliar clothing.
"...It's beautiful."
"It belonged to a former queen of Frostgard."
The attendant answered respectfully.
"It was prepared especially for your arrival."
Flora looked slightly surprised.
"...Thank you."
---
Meanwhile...
The remaining Lumivale soldiers were each given thick cloaks, gloves, scarves, and heavy boots.
Several of them sighed in relief almost immediately.
One soldier flexed his fingers.
"I can finally feel my hands again."
Another laughed.
"I was beginning to think I'd have to leave them behind."
Even the Justice Worshippers smiled.
---
By now...
The sun had completely disappeared.
Night had fallen over Nivorheim.
The snowy landscape glowed beneath countless stars.
Above them...
Green and blue ribbons of light slowly danced across the heavens.
Chris looked up.
"...What..."
"...is that?"
Esabell gasped softly.
"...It's beautiful..."
Marco stood speechless.
He had never seen the night sky look like this.
Vendetta quietly followed their gaze.
"The Northern Lights."
"They appear often during winter."
Princess Flora watched the shimmering lights in silence.
For just a moment...
Even the worries she carried seemed very far away.
The frozen continent welcomed them beneath a sky unlike any they had ever seen.
---
The lead escort stepped forward once more.
"The road to Frostgard is ready."
He looked toward Vendetta.
"Shall we depart?"
Before Vendetta could answer—
Guinevere spoke.
"...Princess."
"It is already night."
"The mountain roads will be dangerous."
Marco nodded in agreement.
"I recommend waiting until sunrise."
"Traveling through unfamiliar mountains in this weather carries unnecessary risks."
Captain Bochy folded his arms.
"I agree."
"The men are exhausted after weeks at sea."
For a moment...
Everyone looked toward Princess Flora.
She quietly gazed toward the distant mountains.
Then...
She spoke.
"I understand your concerns."
Her voice remained calm.
"But we've already delayed long enough."
She slowly looked at each of them.
"Lord Dev has waited years."
"I don't believe he should have to wait another night because of me."
Silence.
Guinevere studied Flora's expression carefully.
She wasn't being reckless.
She had already weighed the risks.
And reached her decision.
At last...
Guinevere lowered her head.
"...As you wish, Your Highness."
Marco smiled faintly.
"...I expected that answer."
Captain Bochy sighed.
"...Then let's not keep our host waiting."
Within minutes...
Everyone climbed aboard the waiting sleighs.
The white horses stamped impatiently against the snow.
The escort commander raised one hand.
"Forward."
The convoy began moving.
Leaving the ship behind...
They disappeared into the endless white wilderness.
...CHAPTER 116ENDS....