The Frozen Frontier's Whisper
The northernmost edge of the North. In the blinding blizzard where one couldn't see an inch ahead, an eerie silence blanketed the surroundings, making everything feel desolate. They said the sea was calm before the storm. The frozen land was quiet. The continent of ice seemed worried it might melt at the slightest touch of sunlight, and foraging for food was impossibly harsh. Even after joining forces with the barbarians, the soldiers shivered against the fiercer winds and heavier snow. The biting cold and an inexplicable chill repeated day after day.
As the deputy leader of the Frost Knight Order, Kael Valenos had duties he had to fulfill. No matter how much time passed, he remembered this command above all. "Investigate the seal of the King of Severe Cold." Rumors had spread that the seal of the King of Severe Cold, bound between the pillars, was breaking. The moment the rumors surfaced, the weather grew colder, and blizzards raged even in summer. It felt too ominous to dismiss as mere gossip.
People nowadays knew little of those beings. They saw them only as figures from ancient tales. They didn't realize demons heralded disaster. That's why they were investigating. The sanctuary of the seal existed. Only the barbarian leaders knew the path there. They'd joined the barbarians, sought permission, and asked for a guide, but the situation wasn't favorable. At first, they were extremely wary. Soldiers and barbarians had drawn swords and faced off. Fortunately, their leader, Kraktor, was reasonable.
Kael turned his gaze to the soldier who had entered the tent to report.
"Any sign of the pillars?"
"Not yet, sir."
"Where did we go wrong on the path..."
How long had it been since they'd headed to the northernmost edge of this icy, frozen land? He'd anticipated some hardship, but not this level of severity. He stared at the soaked, frozen lump that had once been paper. Until recently, it had been his notebook, but now it was useless. They'd managed to survive by negotiating with the barbarians, but they couldn't hold out forever. Their leader was reasonable, so it hadn't come to blows. But Kael's group was essentially trespassing on foreign soil. Those who followed Kraktor said nothing, but to them, the Frost Knights were outsiders consuming their food. They could attack at any moment, anywhere. That's why they had to reach the seal's location even more urgently.
We were supposed to get their help...
Even they found the sudden summer blizzards unfamiliar.
"We can't keep draining their supplies forever."
"Shall we proceed with the investigation?"
"We have to. Tell everyone: rest today, depart at dawn tomorrow."
The soldier gave a brief salute and turned to leave. He paused and spoke over his shoulder.
"Should we tell him too?"
"Him?"
"Kraktor. The barbarian chieftain."
"...No. Don't tell him."
"Pardon?"
"We've already incurred too much debt. If we tell Kraktor we're leaving at dawn, he'll surely..."
"Follow us. He considers you a friend, Deputy Leader."
"That's exactly why we can't tell him. We can't burden him more. Besides, we have to conduct the investigation. We've been away from Snowfall too long."
The soldier nodded in understanding and saluted again. Kael nodded back and sent him out of the tent. As the flap closed, piled snow fell into view.
"It's getting colder."
At this rate, it wouldn't be surprising if someone froze to death. The unexpected weather shifts made the mission to survey the frozen land increasingly grueling. Kael sighed at the reality of pressing forward without even knowing where they were. The path ahead was blocked. They'd wandered for days amid suspicious glares on foreign soil. Hundreds of days? Years? At least a year had passed. When loneliness and hardship weighed heavy, thoughts turned to family. Blood ties connected kin no matter the distance. Words couldn't sever that profound, mysterious bond. Maybe that's why he missed them so.
Cain was pathetic, a fool. Karin was rougher than she seemed, unladylike. "...Father."
Rowen, the child Kadan had brought home. The illegitimate son of the Valenos family. Kael hadn't liked him at first. But as he grew, that feeling faded. Amid discrimination and persecution, the boy endured silently. He'd brush it off as nothing, smiling it away. Kael had been overwhelmed by his maturity and aura beyond his years. But that smile hurt too much. It revealed the wounds inside a child. So he couldn't hate him. He realized discriminating just because of a different mother was foolish, especially when the boy trusted and followed him.
"I miss my siblings."
They weren't all normal kids. But they were his siblings, bonds no one could deny.
Kael glanced at his neatly maintained gear. The pure white shield hadn't lost its shine. The pure white sword hadn't lost its edge. Yes, they hadn't lost their light.
"It's not over yet."
The investigation wasn't finished. A little delay might be too late. If the seal was truly breaking, the world would descend into chaos. Maybe that was better. Hope bloomed in chaos. But without knowledge, humanity couldn't prepare for demons. Preparation made all the difference—in battlefields or anywhere. Only those who knew the truth could prepare. That's why the Frost Knight Order's mission was grave. They had to reach the seal's site as soon as possible. To reassure, to prepare.
Pentagon of the Empire. This massive administrative hub on a floating island oversaw the continents. The pure white, cold architecture gleamed brighter under the warm sun.
The audience chamber. Unlike the outer walls dyed in glorious hues, the interior was bathed in red. Knights lined the long red carpet drew their swords, assuming perfect stances with blades at eye level.
A gray-haired man walked casually up the carpet and sat on the throne. Lucius Dragnik. The young emperor who had ascended young after his father's death. Just eight years ago, a mere boy prince, now fully grown with true authority. But now, he had a headache.
"What's the situation with Arkanthia?"
"Signs of movement, as expected. We haven't investigated fully, but there's a high chance of collaborators inside the imperial palace."
"They've struck the North too, right?"
"According to our reports, yes."
"Shouldn't Sir Kadan head back?"
Kadan stroked his neatly trimmed beard.
"Your Majesty, do you know how long I've been in Pentagon?"
"Since Father's passing—nine years now."
"Nine years serving you. I have children your age."
"I know. Cain and Karin, and..."
"Yes, you know well."
Kadan chuckled lowly. Then he looked at Lucius. No special meaning—just pity, perhaps recalling someone he'd promised. He gazed at Lucius with compassion.
"Your Majesty has no father or mother at your side now. No blood siblings, no close friends."
"...Insulting me?"
"I'm worried. Have you considered what might happen if I return north as you say?"
"What?"
"My children have siblings. Young as they are, they can protect each other."
In contrast.
"Your Majesty has no one."
"..."
"The late emperor loved you. That's why he worried—about you alone."
"Father did?"
"Why do you think he summoned the lords of the four continents?"
"That was..."
"To protect you. In the end, Arkanthia seized the chance and slipped from Pentagon's control."
"All this movement for their invasion is my fault?"
"Hear me out. Lianod and Kalia Rune didn't answer the call."
Lucius knew this well. He could only listen silently to Kadan's heavy voice. Why hadn't the west and east responded to the imperial edict? Because of the North—Winterer. Kadan's pressure. Even neutral nations might exploit a power vacuum. So the emperor entrusted his son to his most trusted Kadan.
"I must protect you."
"Even with your children waiting?"
"Yes. It's my lord's final command."
Lucius laughed hollowly. Loyal, yes. But what father abandons his children for duty?
"I'm not abandoning them."
"Hm?"
"I trust them, so I can be at ease."
"No worries?"
"Of course. Thinking of Karin, Cain, Kael, and Rowen makes me want to return to Snowfall right now."
"I'm fine."
"You're not."
"Even with Father's command, I'm the emperor now. Listen to me."
"If I leave Pentagon, you'll be attacked."
"We can hold. Forgot? This floating island is guarded by protectors. No matter Arkanthia's tech, they can't breach this magic."
"That's far too complacent. There could be an Arkanthia spy right here."
Lucius frowned at Kadan's words. They weren't wrong. Enemies didn't just attack from outside. Spies could already be planted.
"Pentagon has lost its former glory. The continents have all but declared independence."
"War for real, then."
"It's already begun. At least for Arkanthia."
Kadan kept his head forward but glanced back. Wary of possible spies. No—there definitely were. Lucius sighed at his own oversight, then sensed it. Hostile gazes. Why hadn't he noticed on entry? He shot Kadan a look of admiration.
"Experience, huh."
"Live long enough, you see it all."
"So you'll stay by my side, not return?"
"Yes."
Lucius gazed at the red outer walls. Sacred murals of history stretched from ceiling to corridors. Familiar, yet today they felt different.
"That choice might earn your children's hatred. I know—I felt it too."
"...Is that why you wanted to send me back?"
"Yes. I understand children's hearts."
He missed him still. The previous emperor, buried in work and papers, not playing much—the greatest father. That's why he'd objected to Kadan's choice. Yet now he couldn't send him away. Fear gripped him at the late realization. Pathetic, but amusing. Lucius drew the imperial treasure.
Shing— With a light metallic ring, the pure white sword "Rosmerta" emerged.
Kadan quietly placed a hand on his sword hilt.
"You'll protect me?"
"Yes."
"Promise."
"Yes."
"Swear you won't leave me like Father?"
"Kadan Valenos, lord of the North, swears his sword to Lucius Dragnik. This oath links to Ludric Dragnik's vow, an eternal chain and promise that shall never fade."
"Keep it."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Satisfied, Lucius smiled faintly. He glanced at the knights surrounding the red carpet. He sensed they were all spies. Kadan had known, already forming runes. Frost coated his unseen blade. Ice magic enveloped his left hand. The air shivered coldly.