The sound of galloping hooves echoed faintly behind him.
From the seat of his brown carriage, Blade Lunaria glanced over his shoulder. His usual easy smile was replaced by a cold, calculating gaze. In the far distance, beyond the snow-laced air, the banners of the Silverwood Royal Army shimmered clearly.
"So… they really are chasing me," he muttered, gripping the reins as he calmed the horse.
"I knew crossing rivers and barriers with magic would attract too much attention."
The Silverwood flags burned in the distance like watchful eyes.
Blade pulled the reins sharply toward the north.
"If they want me that badly, let's see whether they dare follow me into the North—
a place even demons hesitate to tread."
---
The Chaos of the North
Beyond Silverwood's borders lay fractured lands.
The northeastern region of the Silverwood Kingdom—an empire of glaciers and jagged peaks—was ruled by the Northern Demon Lord, commanded by legions of ice-wielding demon troops.
The northwestern region, however, was worse.
Endless blizzards raged there—storms so brutal that even demons could not survive within them. Legends spoke of a Rank-S ancient power, a mythical Ice Dragon, whose mere existence terrified the world.
Adventurers who entered the northwest never returned.
Scouts sent by kingdoms and demon factions alike came back only with fragments of horror:
snow-white scales shining like frozen sunlight, entire battalions encased in magical ice storms, and tales of eyes so cold they froze the soul itself.
Yet Blade paid no heed to these legends.
He drove his carriage straight into the storm.
Within a snow-choked forest, he found temporary shelter. He summoned a dome of warm fire magic, snow piling against it like a white blanket. His expression softened slightly.
"Good. They won't be able to find me here."
But even as he rested, his consciousness drifted away.
---
Shujin's Command
Inside the barrier, Blade's eyes dimmed.
His soul slipped free—traveling elsewhere.
His clone body awakened in Valerion.
Shujin's true will whispered into the clone:
"Take control of Blade's body. Use it to observe the North.
There is something there—something even demons avoid carelessly.
Find what's hiding behind the snow."
The clone nodded, its face unreadable.
Far to the north, Blade's body moved once more—now fully under Shujin's surveillance.
Meanwhile, Shujin's true consciousness returned to his original body—
Kuro.
---
Return to Valerion
Evening had fallen when Kuro arrived at the small house near Valerion where Rei lived. Snowflakes clung to his black cloak as he approached the door.
Before he could knock, it opened.
"Kuro-sama—!"
Rei lunged forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him, her slender body trembling.
"I missed you so much…"
Kuro stiffened at the sudden warmth, but his cold eyes softened slightly.
"I told you, Rei. I would come back."
Her face flushed red. She refused to let go, burying herself against his chest.
---
Ryuto's Visit
Not long after, a knock echoed at the door.
Rei, still holding onto Kuro's sleeve, opened it reluctantly.
Ryuto stood there, dressed in church robes. His eyes were sharp—but conflicted.
"Kuro…" His voice was low, almost accusatory.
"The Church allowed me to visit you. I have… questions."
Kuro lowered his gaze, calm and polite.
"Questions? About what?"
Ryuto scanned the modest house as he stepped inside, suspicion flickering in his eyes.
"Shujin hasn't done anything these past weeks. No movements. No attacks.
He hasn't given orders to his faction. Nothing at all."
Rei bristled.
"Are you doubting Kuro-sama again, Ryuto-kun?!"
Kuro gently placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head.
"It's fine, Rei. He has the right to be suspicious."
He turned back to Ryuto, his voice smooth and steady.
"I think Shujin's way of thinking is similar to yours.
He can't be everywhere at once—so perhaps he's simply waiting for the right moment.
Or…"
A faint, shadowed smile crossed his lips.
"…have you mistaken silence for weakness, Ryuto?"
Ryuto's brows lifted.
"…You're oversimplifying this. The Demon Empire's politics, Aethelred's rebellion—
even the Church is on edge. If Shujin doesn't move, others will seize the opportunity."
Kuro chuckled softly, as if uninterested, and poured Ryuto a cup of tea.
"Then let them. A patient hunter doesn't chase every rabbit.
Isn't it better to wait for the lion?"
Ryuto stared at him, then sighed.
"…Maybe I'm overthinking it. You're still just Kuro. Quiet. Solitary.
Not someone who plays games like that."
Rei smiled triumphantly and hugged Kuro even closer.
"See? Rei told you there's no reason to doubt Kuro-sama."
Ryuto shook his head with a half-smile, his tension easing.
"…I suppose I'll trust you."
---
Closing Scene
While tea was being calmly sipped in the south, a blizzard raged in the north.
Far away, guided by the clone, Blade stared deep into the storm. Thunder roared across the mountain range, shaking the earth and trembling the air itself. His eyes narrowed.
"…What is that?" the clone whispered.
From within the endless storm, two glowing eyes opened in the darkness.
The Ice Dragon had awakened.
---
✨ End of Chapter 13 ✨