Five days later, Growen’s lords, his son, and the prince’s party had finished preparing to depart for the land of winter.

On the open field behind Growen Castle, the knight regiment stood in formation.

These were the ones who had accompanied them throughout the journeys to the realms of spring, summer, and autumn.

Unlike their previous departures toward other seasonal territories, their mindset before setting out for the domain of winter was markedly different.

The land of winter was, after all, far more treacherous to set foot in compared to any other region.

The harsh climate and the ruthless natures of its inhabitants—creatures perfectly adapted to winter’s conditions—were more akin to savage beasts than humans.

Watching the knights, whose demeanor seemed sharper than usual, Yerpi briefly fell into thought.

‘I remember hearing that the people living in the winter domain have cold dispositions too.’

Above all, this place also served as Growen’s prison, where those who had committed the gravest crimes were imprisoned and forced into labor as penance.

Since the incident involving Charlotte, one noticeable change was the number of maids following Yerpi.

Despite having been threatened, Snoel had been proven to have aided Charlotte, and thus had to be stripped of her position as a lady-in-waiting.

Instead of receiving a harsher punishment, she was ordered to return to her hometown—a lenient decision made by Yerpi. Yet even she could not prevent the inevitable reality.

In Growen, where honor was paramount, suddenly stepping down from one’s post and returning home would inevitably invite rumors.

Snoel would immediately be tormented by gossip upon arriving home. If that was the price she had to pay, then so be it.

As Yerpi lingered in thought, Dante stirred within her arms.

While Yerpi observed the knights, Dante was brimming with excitement about the journey ahead.

Seeing the child’s sparkling eyes, Yerpi smiled gently and stroked his rounded head.

“Excited?”

[Yeah. My heart’s pounding. Travel always makes me feel this way, but this time it’s even stronger. Winter’s land won’t be hot at all, right? It’ll be just perfect for me to run around!]

The palpable thrill on the child’s flushed face had a soothing effect on Yerpi’s restless heart.

Dante was always excited before a trip, but today he was especially so.

It made her wonder—was there truly something special about the land of winter?

That, she would find out once they arrived.

Raymond was inspecting the ranks of the knights. After watching his back for a moment, Yerpi turned her gaze back to Dante.

“Still, don’t catch a cold. Be careful.”

[Of course. I can’t worry Yerpi! I also promised to bring a gift for Lilia. What should I get?]

His voice, dismissing concern, sounded confident.

Yerpi wasn’t the only one observing Dante.

Dreohn, riding his horse over to Yerpi’s side, casually joined their conversation.

“I’ve heard the winter domain is famous for its ice crystals.”

[Oh, really? There’s such a thing?]

Dante, already lost in thoughts about souvenirs for Lilia, instantly showed curiosity.

Ever since the decision to head to the winter domain, Dreohn had dedicated himself to gathering information about it.

He had read about the land of winter in books, but being personable, he had also casually approached servants and maids from winter-born families to collect firsthand knowledge.

“They say those crystals never melt, no matter how hot it gets. Apparently, they have properties similar to magic stones. I’ve heard they’re extremely rare and valuable gems.”

[Ah, now I remember! I think I’ve seen something like that in the summer domain. No wonder the ice didn’t melt—it wasn’t just ice, it was a gem!]

Dante exclaimed in belated realization.

Yerpi had also heard of the ice crystals known as “sephire.”

Prisoners transferred to the winter land were all assigned the same labor: mining sephire buried deep within ice walls or frozen caves.

Sephire lay buried deep in the ice.

The excavation process was extremely difficult and dangerous, which was precisely why prisoners were used for the task.

The painstakingly mined sephire was then distributed across all of Growen.

It served as a temperature-regulating gem, used in summer domain mansions, food storage warehouses, and as luxury items among nobles.

Despite its high utility, sephire was exceedingly rare, making it extremely expensive.

Though the winter land could not produce food, it sustained its icy fortress in prosperity by selling sephire.

[Do you think it’s really expensive? I want to buy some too.]

Dante’s eyes sparkled brightly.

Judging by his expression, it seemed he had already decided in his mind to give sephire as a gift to Lilia.

However, Dante had never once possessed money of his own.

In other words, he had never bought anything with his own funds.

Now, a faint hint of anxiety showed on his face as he blinked slowly.

‘Since it’s for a gift, he probably wants to buy it himself.’

Just as Yerpi pondered whether she should give him pocket money for the first time, Raymond approached and spoke.

“Dante, take this.”

[Huh? What is this?]

Raymond handed him a paper and a certificate bearing the family emblem.

The white paper was densely filled with numbers and zeros.

Below them was written Dante’s name.

“This is gold returned in your name. Take out as much as you need during this trip. Any bank will give you the amount you request when you present this check and the family certificate. I believe you’ve reached an age where you can be trusted to use it wisely.”

[…! Yes, Uncle!]

For the first time ever, respectful address slipped out along with an unusually radiant expression.

The child’s attitude, as if ready to pledge loyalty, was so adorable that Yerpi nearly burst into laughter.

She barely managed to maintain her composure and exchanged a glance with Raymond.

She liked that he trusted the child. She also cherished the sight of Dante glowing with gratitude.

From behind, Dreohn sneakily checked the amount written on the check and gave a look of amused interest.

“At that amount, you could buy up all the sephire mined in the winter domain this entire year.”

[Incredible…! But I’ll save it! I’ll only take out what I need and spend it wisely.]

After a brief moment of awe, Dante carefully placed the check and certificate into his satchel and gave Dreohn a smug sniff.

It was as if he suspected Dreohn might try to steal it.

Dreohn, who had no such intention, filled his eyes with playful mischief.

Noticing this, Ubbus quickly pulled Dreohn away.

As Dreohn licked his lips in disappointment at not being able to tease the child further, Ubbus shook his head at his immature superior.

Meanwhile, Johan approached Raymond and finished his report.

The knights, having completed all departure preparations, stood in formation.

“Then let us depart.”

Under Raymond’s command, the knight regiment began to move out.

The prince’s party rode their horses just behind Growen’s lords.

The horse Yerpi rode was connected by reins to Raymond’s horse.

Riding for half a day, they arrived at a rocky mountain marking the transition from the central region of Growen into the autumn domain.

The sudden halt puzzled the prince’s party, but Yerpi saw it clearly—

A narrow gap, connected to a hidden path beneath the mountain.

“This is the place.”

Raymond had led them to a spatial fissure closest to the winter domain.

He nodded in response to her words.

Raymond dismounted first and helped Yerpi down from her horse.

He then wrapped a warm cloak imbued with cold-resistant magic around her shoulders.

“It’s warm.”

She smiled slightly, and he returned the smile.

The knights were also arming themselves with winter gear.

After the bewildered prince’s entourage finally finished their preparations, mimicking the others, Raymond asked,

“Are you ready?”

“O-of course.”

Dreohn answered with mild discomfort.

They were sweating profusely under their winter gear in a place that wasn’t even particularly cold.

Raymond, understanding exactly what the prince was thinking, gave a faint scoff and turned away.

“You’ll soon be grateful for these warm cloaks. Now, the first formation will enter first.”

Raymond and Yerpi led the way, opening the path through the fissure.

The fissure could not be seen unless one knew exactly where it was.

Because only someone who could pinpoint the exact location could enter, the guide had to go in first.

Soon, the prince and Growen’s knights followed along the invisible path forged by their lords.

Then, in the blink of an eye—

Whooshhh—!

A freezing wind lashed like a blade.

Struggling to open their eyes, they found the entire world blanketed in white.

They had arrived at the snowy frontier of the land of winter.