Yerpi was no different. After all, she had been worried about many things before leaving.

At the gathering where everyone was seated, Erseria was also sipping tea.

It was a warm herbal tea that gently invigorated the body.

After savoring the tea for a moment, Erseria seemed to sense Yerpi’s gaze and spoke up.

“Is the tea to your liking?”

“Yes. Despite being herbal, it has a very smooth taste. The aroma is refreshing, yet it warms me from within.”

At her words, Erseria smiled.

Seeing her smile after only witnessing her cold expression made her appear as gentle as sunlight falling upon a snowy field.

It was somewhat unexpected.

After all, the ruler of the Winter Domain was widely known to be colder and more ruthless than anyone else.

“You’ve perceived it accurately. This tea is made exclusively from young leaves harvested only in the Winter Domain. If you enjoy it, I would like to offer it as a gift.”

“I’d be grateful to receive it.”

Yerpi didn’t wish to decline the lord’s kindness.

Above all, the tea truly was delicious.

Its bittersweet, unsweetened flavor perfectly matched Yerpi’s taste.

Dante, who had taken a sip, grimaced and stuck out his tongue.

Apparently, it didn’t suit his sweet tooth.

Seeing this, Erseria gave a small laugh and ordered a maid to bring honey.

“A little honey will make it agreeable even for the young master’s palate.”

“I’ll mix it for you.”

Yerpi took the small honey jar and poured a spoonful into the tea Dante had left behind, stirring it well.

Dante, initially skeptical, dipped his tongue into the tea and immediately dropped all suspicion.

“This tea pairs quite well with honey. Adding honey or rock sugar makes it palatable even for children. Of course, adults who enjoy sweetness may also enjoy it.”

Erseria chuckled softly and opened the lid of a glass case.

Inside were transparent crystals that looked like candy.

She picked one up with tongs and dropped it into her tea, stirring the cup with a silver spoon.

The icy candy, blending sour and sweet flavors, was a specialty found only in the Winter Domain.

Erseria added that children generally preferred honey over the icy candy, then continued speaking.

“This may be a humble place, but please rest comfortably. It’s pleasant to have visitors after so long. After all, this is a land that manages criminals, so outsiders rarely come.”

“But the domain is well-maintained. Earlier, I noticed lights in most of the village houses. That suggests oil is being properly distributed to every household.”

Earlier, when Yerpi looked out the window, the domain appeared bright despite the sun having set.

This was due to light spilling from each home.

In this land of short days and long, harsh winters, oil for lighting was more valuable than anything.

Moreover, the smoke rising from each chimney meant people were preparing meals.

Though known as a vast prison, this was still a living village.

Given the severity of the frozen domain, the fact that the land functioned smoothly was clear proof of Erseria’s exceptional capability as its ruler.

At Yerpi’s words, Erseria’s eyes widened. A deeper, warmer smile lingered on her lips.

“I’m truly honored by your kind words. Everything that occurs in the Winter Domain follows natural order. I and the people of this domain merely strive to live in harmony with nature’s way.”

“You’re too modest.”

Their shared smiles softened the atmosphere of the parlor even further. Now was the time to speak of the reason for their arrival.

“The reason we’ve come so suddenly… is that I have business with the King of Winter.”

“I’ve heard you’ve been seeking the Seasonal Kings. However, I’ve never met him myself, so I can’t promise you’ll definitely see him.”

The Winter Domain was relatively isolated in terms of information.

While other domains at least had folktales hinting at the kings’ whereabouts, Erseria had never heard any stories about the land of winter.

“I’ve never met him either. But I have a rough idea of where he might be.”

“Has some issue arisen?”

Yerpi asked in surprise, wondering if the same problems affecting other domains had occurred here.

Erseria shook her head, as if understanding exactly what Yerpi was thinking.

After a brief pause, Erseria turned her gaze toward the prince’s companions.

“However, I haven’t been introduced to these two gentlemen.”

“They’re those I’ve hired. Lately, there’s been a growing issue of monsters hunting revenants. I thought they might be of some help, especially since you must already be troubled with prisoner management.”

“I see. You’re monster hunters, then?”

Dreon let out a hearty laugh and bowed his head.

“That’s right. I’m Crimson Roven. This is Zack Camel.”

At the sudden, awkwardly made-up aliases, Ubbus’s eyebrows twitched.

Yet he remained silent, showing no intention of breaking the act.

Raymond, finding the prince’s group’s improvisation amusing, suppressed a laugh and added his endorsement.

“Yes. A capable mage.”

“I’m not, but this one here does use magic quite well.”

Ubbus, now suddenly turned into “Zack,” glared at Dreon with clear displeasure.

Dreon, laughing heartily on both their behalf, patted his subordinate’s back.

“He’s my assistant. I can handle any monster myself. Hahaha.”

“It’s not just ordinary monsters, but hordes endlessly pouring out from monster nests.”

Erseria corrected him coolly, watching Dreon’s laughter without changing her expression.

She seemed somewhat doubtful, but since the duke himself had vouched for them, she refrained from further questioning.

“I appreciate your concern. We have a dedicated knight unit for monster extermination. It would be best to coordinate with them. I’ll arrange a schedule.”

“Well thought out.”

The matter of the prince’s party’s identities was now settled. Erseria, seemingly deciding not to press further, smoothly changed the subject.

“Then let us return to the main matter. The monster hunters…”

“There’s no need to send them out.”

At Raymond’s words, Erseria paused briefly, then rose from her seat and stood by the door.

“In that case, I think it’s better to show you directly. Please follow me.”

It was an unexpected declaration. But as Yerpi silently stood up, Raymond and the others followed Erseria out of the parlor.

A maid waiting outside stepped beside Erseria, holding an oil lamp.

They walked down the corridor and turned a corner, revealing a staircase hidden in darkness.

“This staircase leads to the deepest underground of the castle. It’s dark, so please watch your step.”

True to her words, the stairs were deep and winding. Yerpi nodded and stepped forward.

She managed a few steps without issue, but the darkness was so thick that she soon stumbled.

Raymond steadied her swaying body like a fragile flower stem.

“Thank you.”

“Hold onto my arm as you go down.”

Leaning on him, descending the stairs became much easier.

Curiously, Raymond seemed to have no trouble moving through the darkness.

“Can you see well in the dark?”

“Apparently.”

Darkness could not obscure a dragon’s vision. After descending for some time, flickering torchlight came into view.

There stood a massive stone gate.

The patterns carved on the aged stone resembled those of Oblite.

“This place is…”

“A chamber where the murals of the Winter Domain are recorded. Please, come in.”

Guards stationed below pushed open the stone gate. With a heavy groan, the massive door swung inward.

Inside were countless mana stones, glowing faintly blue, engraved with ancient images.

A great dragon and the dragon’s companion.

The companion scattered five fragments across the world, and the fragments dispersed into spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

The remaining light descended underground. The light heading toward winter fell into a forest thick with unusual trees.

“It seems to point to the Forest of Crystals.”

The Forest of Crystals was a woodland formed by winter trees with uniquely shaped branches.

As Erseria indicated the image, Dreon clapped his hands.

“That’s fortunate. You may find what you’re seeking quickly.”

“Well… the Forest of Crystals is a place dominated by fierce snowstorms for most of the year. That’s why the trees have such strange shapes.”

“Oh…”

Dreon scratched his cheek. Meanwhile, Yerpi kept her eyes fixed on the mural, even as Dreon was being coolly dismissed by Erseria.

The four lights had each gone to their destined places. But one—only one—light that descended underground troubled her.