Baekseol
Endless expanse of snowfields.
Unlike other territories, this land was trapped in eternal winter, untouched by the seasons.
Snowflakes poured ceaselessly from the sky, drifting down in a steady pattern as if guided by someone's will.
Even the wind obeyed the master of this place, blowing only along predetermined paths.
Marcus dismounted his horse and pulled his thick cloak tighter.
With every step, snow sank up to his ankles, yet strangely, it didn't feel cold.
If anything, a warm energy emanated from it.
The snow seemed to distinguish between intruders and guests, parting gently to guide his path without hindrance.
Following where the snow led, a pure white castle soon came into view before long.
Its walls, sculpted from ice, gleamed blindingly in the sunlight, while the spires pierced toward the heavens.
The headquarters of the Bai Ling Regiment and the domain of eternal winter: Frostheim.
She was there.
The "Witch of Winter," Baekseol.
The most enigmatic captain among Haven's leaders.
Few had ever seen her true form, and even fewer had witnessed her power in full.
Yet rumors abounded.
Whispers that she could freeze a thousand leagues with a single wave of her hand. That she could heal any ailment.
Marcus felt his heart pounding.
Even after years in her service, standing before her still stole his breath. Whether it was fear, awe, or something else, even he couldn't say.
Inside the castle, a bizarre warmth contrasted the outside chill. Passing through corridors, he reached the deepest chamber—Baekseol's sanctum.
Before he could even knock, a voice flowed from within.
"Come in, Marcus."
Opening the door revealed a room brimming with cool, icy aura.
And there she was.
Snow-white hair cascaded like a waterfall to the floor, her pale skin as pure as the first snowfall.
Fox ears peeking subtly through her hair enhanced her otherworldly beauty.
Behind her, nine tails swayed gracefully.
The sight was so mesmerizing that an ordinary person might lose their soul at a mere glance.
"You returned safely. That's a relief."
Baekseol slowly lifted her head.
Her sky-blue eyes met Marcus's.
"The daughter of Greenwood Territory's lord... Was her condition severe?"
Her voice was serene and clear, soothing the soul just to hear it.
Marcus immediately dropped to one knee and bowed his head.
"Yes. It was a Demon Seed."
"A Demon Seed..."
One of Baekseol's tails twitched slowly.
"A harsh fate for the lord. To lose his daughter."
Even she, captain of the Bai Ling Regiment, couldn't easily handle a Demon Seed—a curse with limited cures, often ending with the victim seized by the demon.
"It's unavoidable. A Demon Seed requires either eliminating the demon that planted its essence or eradicating the essence rooted in the soul."
Baekseol tilted her head slightly.
"Something even you can't manage, Marcus. And yet..."
Her sky-blue eyes sharpened.
"How did you identify it as a Demon Seed? It's a curse not yet widely known."
The Demon Seed was a demonic curse known only to a select few.
Its symptoms mimicked other illnesses, leaving most victims to die without ever knowing the cause.
"Captain Astra of the Jin Gang Regiment recognized it from the symptoms alone."
"...Pardon?"
Baekseol froze completely.
"What did you say?"
Unlike her usual elegant mystery, her fleeting look of surprise was oddly endearing.
"He identified a Demon Seed from symptoms alone?"
She approached Marcus with graceful steps.
Her snow-white hair rippled like waves, frost flowers blooming where her feet touched.
"Fascinating. How could he know without seeing her? Demon Seed symptoms are so similar to other diseases..."
Marcus reported everything that had transpired.
"Ha..."
Baekseol let out a soft sigh, her sky-blue eyes clouding with complex emotions.
"Spotting the Demon Eye makes sense, but..."
She rested her chin in thought.
"Knowing awakening conditions for a Demon Eye that even I don't... How intriguing."
One of her tails swayed slowly.
"The Demon Eye is a Supernatural Ability still shrouded in mystery, appearing only in legends."
She knew of its existence but not the details.
"And wielding black magic without coming from Darkteria..."
She'd heard he was from Lunaria Empire Prison 3.
Baekseol tapped her chin lightly.
Even that small gesture exuded elegance.
"Hm. I've decided, Marcus."
"Yes, Captain."
"I can't stand unanswered questions. We're leaving immediately."
Baekseol rose.
Her nine tails swished excitedly.
"Pardon? Uh... Where to?"
"Cheongam Castle."
Marcus hesitated briefly.
The captain moving personally was exceedingly rare.
"If you're going yourself... Shall I notify the Jin Gang Regiment in advance?"
He asked cautiously.
"Hm..."
A playful smile curved Baekseol's lips.
"Sneaking in sounds more fun. The legendary Demon Eye intrigues me, and..."
Her sky-blue eyes sparkled.
"Above all, I'm curious what face this Astra will make when he sees me."
Baekseol waved her hand lightly.
A brilliant light enveloped her, and when it faded, she appeared as an ordinary human.
Her snow-white hair turned subtle gray, fox ears and tails vanished, sky-blue eyes shifting to plain brown.
Yet she remained strikingly beautiful.
"Shall we go? It's been ages since I went out—I'm thrilled."
"This will be your home from now on."
I said in a low voice.
"Yes..."
Ria's response was so faint and listless.
How vibrant she'd been when we first met.
I hadn't expected Mari-like surprise or awe, but this lifelessness weighed on me.
Side effect of the Demon Eye?
I examined her pale face.
No. This wasn't the Demon Eye.
The trauma of watching her only family—her brother—die by a demon's hand still haunted her.
She needs time.
"You've arrived, Captain."
Elbern, waiting ahead, bowed politely.
True to form, he'd been prepared.
I gently nudged Ria toward him.
Her back felt so frail and slender.
"This is Lilia. She'll be staying in Cheongam Castle from now on."
Curiosity flickered in Elbern's eyes, but he asked nothing.
"Guide her to the room next to Mari's, and bring her to my office tomorrow morning."
I instructed calmly.
Next to Mari, she wouldn't feel so alone.
Having a girl her age nearby might crack open her guarded heart.
I hope Mari's brightness rubs off on Ria.
"Understood."
Elbern bowed.
Then, in a gentle tone to Ria:
"Lady Lilia, this way. I'll show you to a comfortable room."
Ria nodded faintly and followed.
Watching her retreating figure, I reaffirmed my resolve.
Helping this child smile again—that's my atonement.
Her brother's death was part of my plan.
Someone might call a man like me a monster.
Or, more precisely...
A repulsive hypocrite.
How hypocritical to drive a girl to lose her family, then speak of atonement now.
But...
I faced reality with cold eyes.
Without it, she would have soon lost control of her body to the demon.
It was unavoidable.
I told myself that. No—I had to. Otherwise, the crushing guilt would break me.
Turning from the corridor where Ria vanished, I faced Scarlet and Leina, still waiting.
"Scarlet, Leina. Good work. You're dismissed."
I spoke in my usual steady tone.
"Resume knight training. Scarlet, tell Cervantes to come to my office."
"Understood, Captain."
Scarlet bowed. Leina followed suit.
"We'll take our leave then."
As they departed, I let out a deep sigh.
"Honestly, I was too complacent."
What if Varam had targeted Lilia instead of Lihen?
A chill ran down my spine. Imagining it brought cold sweat.
Or Scarlet or Leina...
I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes.
Varam, a top-tier demon. If he'd wanted, he could have eliminated anyone around me in an instant.
I deluded myself into thinking I could control him.
Overconfident because this world was a game, because I knew everything.
But facing Varam had slammed cold reality home.
Lihen's sacrifice was pure luck.
Had Varam chosen another target?
I could have done nothing.
Without power, you protect nothing.
I clenched my fist. Nails dug into my palm, but I felt no pain.
No more carelessness.
Neras, and every threat to come. To shield my people, I needed to be more thorough. Stronger. Colder.
This isn't a game. This is reality.
And in reality, a single mistake isn't forgiven.