Upon crossing the maritime borders of the Water Ice Kingdom, the trio was greeted by a breathtaking landscape of shimmering glacial architecture and bustling coastal canals. At first glance, the city appeared vibrant, filled with street performers, iced-pastry vendors, and colorful banners fluttering in the crisp sea breeze.
However, as Hegemon walked through the polished cobble avenues, his sharp intuition picked up a deeply unsettling anomaly. The townsfolk standing near the docks looked hollow, their expressions devoid of warmth and their eyes completely drained of emotion. Yet, the moment Hegemon or Lily stepped within a few paces of them, their faces instantly snapped into wide, theatrical smiles. They began bowing and conversing with cheerful, fluid pleasantries—moving with an unnatural, almost programmed synchronization before slipping back into vacant stares the second the travelers passed.
"Something is wrong with these people," Hegemon murmured under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he watched a fishmonger smile unnaturally at an empty alleyway. "Their behavior shifts the instant proximity is established. It resembles a conditioned response... or a localized mind-binding spell."
Kenji stretched his arms behind his head, letting out a lighthearted laugh as he took in the icy sea view. "Ah, don't overthink it, Hegemon. Border towns always have weird customs. Maybe they're just overly polite to foreign travelers. Let's just enjoy the fresh air!"
Before Hegemon could scrutinize the crowd any further, a squadron of elite royal guards clad in frosted silver plate armor approached them. Recognizing the shining hilt of the Holy Sword, the guard captain bowed deeply.
"Honored Hero Kenji, respected guests," the captain announced formally. "Our sovereign, King Karui, has been expecting your arrival. Please, allow us to escort you directly to the Royal Citadel."
The guards led the trio through grand ice-carved archways up to the central palace, a towering fortress constructed entirely of reinforced glacial crystal and white granite. King Karui sat upon a high throne of polished permafrost—a tall, stern monarch with pale hair and sharp blue eyes that seemed to absorb the light around him.
"Welcome to the Water Ice Kingdom," King Karui said, his deep, resonant voice echoing off the crystalline walls as he stood up to greet them. "Word of your heroic deeds in the central capital has reached even our southern shores. It is an immense honor to host the wielder of the Holy Sword in my hall. Consider yourselves our most esteemed royal guests."
King Karui gestured broadly toward the grand exit. "You are granted total freedom of movement throughout the entire realm—from the high arcane archives to the lowest docks. Our palace doors are always open to you."
While Kenji smiled warmly and accepted the monarch's hospitality, Hegemon stood quietly in the shadows of the throne room, his dark eyes studying King Karui's unblinking gaze and the eerie silence of the royal guards standing along the walls.