Frostheim
Frostheim
An hour before Astra's arrival, Baekseol reached Uncheon Castle.
"This is Uncheon Castle, where our Captain resides."
"Even compared to the other captains' castles, this one's truly impressive. Carving out an entire mountain to build it~"
"Yes, building a castle by hollowing out a mountain—it really shows the prestige of the Jin Gang Regiment's Captain."
Rynel felt a swell of pride at Baekseol and Marcus's words.
"Ahem, that's right. Uncheon Castle—"
Just as he was about to say more, Baekseol cut him off.
"Yes, that's interesting, but I've come to see the girl with the Demon Eyes. I can't wait to meet her."
Baekseol's smile remained bright, but her eyes were cold.
"Ah, yes! My apologies. I'll guide you right away."
Rynel bowed his head hastily.
Spotting Elbern working in the courtyard, he hurried over to him.
"Elbern!"
"Hm? Ah, Captain Rynel. You're back already? The Captain is—"
"That's not the issue."
Rynel interrupted in a low voice.
"Bai Ling Regiment's Captain Baekseol has come to visit."
"...Pardon?"
Even Elbern, the longest-serving member of Jin Gang Regiment, was taken aback by Baekseol's sudden appearance.
"Then the Captain..."
"Went to the slums alone and left me in charge of escorting Baekseol. She wants to see that girl with the Demon Eyes."
Elbern thought for a moment before replying.
"No need to fetch her. She's playing with Mari by the lake right now."
"Then we'll head to the lake. The scenery there's nice, so Baekseol should be pleased. And the steward said he'd bring tea."
"Shall I escort you?"
"No, this is a mission the Captain gave me. I'll handle it."
Elbern smiled faintly at Rynel's firm tone.
"Understood. Then I'll prepare tea for Baekseol and bring it over."
"Thanks, Elbern. I appreciate it."
Elbern watched Rynel dash off with a smile.
'The Captain's arrival has changed him a lot.'
The old Rynel had been different.
His face was always etched with dissatisfaction, perpetually frowning as if nothing pleased him.
But now? He eagerly dashed off on the Captain's orders and took pride in Jin Gang Regiment's honor.
'Everything changed after Astra arrived.'
From the executives to the regular knights, and even servants like himself—every member of Jin Gang Regiment had regained their vitality. It was as if life had breathed into a dead castle.
"I hope it stays this way..."
Elbern muttered to himself as he hurried to prepare the tea.
Meanwhile, Rynel returned briskly and stood before the waiting Baekseol.
"Baekseol, the girl with the Demon Eyes is playing by the lake. The scenery there is lovely, and the steward is bringing tea... Shall I guide you there?"
Baekseol nodded with a smile.
"Sounds perfect. I'd love to chat slowly over tea. Lead the way."
"Yes, this way."
Rynel took the lead toward the lake, with Marcus silently following Baekseol.
Uncheon Castle's most beautiful lake unfolded before them.
Sunlight sparkled on the clear water, gentle ripples lapping at the surface.
And by the lakeside stood two girls.
One stared blankly at the fish swimming in the water, while the other chattered endlessly beside her.
"Ria, look at that fish! It's rainbow-colored!"
"..."
"Oh, right! Want some of the snacks Uncle Elbern gave me earlier? They're so yummy!"
Baekseol instantly knew which one had the Demon Eyes.
'The mana is concentrated in her eyes.'
An ordinary person might not sense it, but it was clear to Baekseol's eyes.
Around the girl's eyes swirled unnaturally twisted flows of mana, like the eye of a storm, drawing all magical power inward.
'The perfect research subject...'
A meaningful smile curved Baekseol's lips.
"Hello, little ones~"
Baekseol approached slowly with her kindest smile.
Her voice was as soft as the tranquil lake, as warm as spring sunlight.
Mari turned at the sound, then froze.
'T-Tails!'
Nine white tails swayed gracefully.
Growing up in the slums, Mari had rarely seen non-human races. A nine-tailed fox was something out of fairy tales, beyond her wildest imagination.
But what surprised her even more was...
"So... pretty..."
Mari stared at Baekseol in awe.
Her white hair shimmered in the sunlight, her sky-blue eyes gleamed like jewels. Her porcelain skin was flawless, and her smile was picture-perfect.
'Is this what a real angel looks like?'
Mari gaped unwittingly at Baekseol.
"Oh my~ Thank you, little miss. You're adorable too."
Baekseol elegantly bent down to Mari's eye level.
Her tails swayed gently.
"I'm Baekseol. What's your name?"
"Mari!"
Mari answered brightly.
"Mari... A name as pretty as your face. Could you introduce your friend to me?"
Baekseol's gaze shifted to Ria, still watching the fish.
"Ah, Ria! Ria!"
Mari lightly shook Ria's shoulder, and Ria slowly turned her head.
"...?"
"This is Baekseol unnie. Say hi!"
Ria looked at Baekseol briefly before speaking curtly.
"...Lilia."
Then she turned back to the lake, as if the fish interested her more than Baekseol.
"Sorry, Ria doesn't talk much."
Mari explained hurriedly.
That's when Rynel approached.
"This is the Bai Ling Regiment's Captain. Show proper respect—"
"Rynel."
Baekseol's voice turned icy.
"From now on, don't step in without my permission. I'm the Bai Ling Regiment's Captain. I'll decide how to handle things."
The air froze instantly.
The warm atmosphere turned frigid in a heartbeat.
"S-Sorry, Baekseol."
Rynel bowed hastily and stepped back.
At the scene, Ria fully turned her body toward Baekseol for the first time.
'...?'
Ria knew Rynel's high rank in Jin Gang Regiment. Seeing him cower before this woman like that.
Ria's expressionless eyes began observing Baekseol.
"Finally interested in me?"
Baekseol smiled softly again.
Nod, nod.
Ria simply nodded.
"Then shall we have some tea?"
Nod, nod.
Just then, Elbern arrived with a silver tray of teacups.
"Greetings, Baekseol. I'm Elbern, the steward of Uncheon Castle."
"Nice to meet you."
Elbern politely set down the tea and explained.
"Today, we've brewed 'Moonlight Flower.' Its petals, infused with moonlight, calm the mind and smooth mana flow."
Silver petals slowly unfurled in the transparent cups, emitting a soft glow—like tiny moons floating inside.
"Moonlight Flower blooms only in Darkteria, doesn't it? Such a rare tea. Thank you."
Baekseol said, savoring the aroma.
"No flower petal can compare to the Captain's prestige."
Elbern replied courteously, pulling out a chair.
Baekseol sat gracefully, and Mari and Ria took their seats.
Ria stared at the silver petals in her cup with her usual blank expression, like she had at the lake's fish.
"Um... Baekseol, you're a captain like Astra, right?"
Mari asked cautiously.
At that, Ria looked up curiously at Baekseol.
"Yes. I'm the captain leading Bai Ling Regiment."
Baekseol lifted her teacup elegantly with a smile.
"Of course, unlike the other captains, I'm not authoritarian. I'm more... free-spirited."
"Wow... Pretty face and talented too..."
Mari said in admiration.
"Thank you, Mari. But..."
Baekseol's gaze turned to Ria, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"I heard you've awakened your Demon Eyes, Ria. Do you feel any different? Does the world look different... or any special sensations?"
Ria nodded once more.
"Could you tell me what it looks like?"
Shake, shake.
Ria, who usually kept her mouth shut, shook her head and spoke slowly.
"Astra... told me never to tell."
"Hmm..."
Baekseol smiled meaningfully, mischief glinting in her eyes.
"Hiding it makes me more curious. Then, something else. Have you... ever seen snow?"
"Yes! I have."
Mari nodded and answered for her.
"But I don't like it much. When it snows, it's cold... hard to find food... and sleeping spots get even chillier."
Mari's voice carried memories of slum hardships.
"I see..."
Baekseol smiled gently.
"I'm called the 'Witch of Winter.' But snow isn't always bad. Let me show you."
Suddenly, cold mana surged from Baekseol's body.
Beautiful silver-and-blue mana soared into the sky.
Clouds began gathering in the clear sky.
Not gray clouds, but pearly white ones that shimmered. And slowly, very slowly...
Snowflakes fell.
Large, fluffy snowflakes drifted down like feathers.
"Wha...?"
Mari reached out in surprise. The snowflake touched her palm, left a sparkling light, and vanished.
"It's warm...!"
Ria showed her first facial change. A faint surprise crossed her blank face. She tentatively reached out and caught a snowflake.
"This is my special snow. It doesn't chill, doesn't wet when it melts. It's just beautiful."
As Baekseol explained, the lakeside transformed into a fairy-tale scene.
Snowflakes settled on the lake, making the surface sparkle like it was strewn with thousands of diamonds.
The trees by the shore donned elegant silver lace in an instant, and the grass was blanketed in soft white silk.
"Wow... so pretty!"
Mari cupped her hands to catch snowflakes, beaming. They twinkled like tiny stars on her palms before fading.
"Snow can be this beautiful..."
Mari's eyes filled with wonder at the sight.
Snow, once a symbol of cold and hunger in the slums, was now the world's most beautiful gift.
"What about you, Ria?"
Baekseol asked softly.
Ria, mimicking Mari by carefully touching a snowflake, looked at Baekseol.
Ria slowly lowered her head and whispered quietly.
"...Pretty."
A short word, but it held much.
A satisfied smile spread across Baekseol's lips.
"Yes. Sometimes, scary things have another side. The world through your Demon Eyes will be the same. It might be frightening and unfamiliar at first, but someday, you'll find beauty within it."