The gates of Frostbound Coast slowly opened.
Massive walls of stone and enchanted steel stood beneath the evening sky.
Golden magical streetlights illuminated the roads leading toward the city center.
Warm light reflected upon the snow-covered streets.
The entire city glowed like a jewel amidst the frozen north.
Kel Rosenfeld's convoy entered through the main gate.
Immediately.
The city exploded into activity.
News had already spread.
The Count had personally led an expedition.
The Count had reclaimed the Mana Crystal Mine.
The Count had returned victorious.
And now...
The people wanted to see it with their own eyes.
Civilians gathered near the roads.
Merchants stepped out of their shops.
Children climbed onto barrels.
Workers stopped what they were doing.
Even guards standing watch found excuses to glance toward the approaching procession.
Then they saw it.
Rows upon rows of storage wagons.
Mana crystals.
Hundreds.
No.
Thousands.
Blue crystal light shimmered beneath protective coverings.
Even through the enchanted containers, the magical glow remained visible.
Gasps immediately spread throughout the crowd.
"Mana crystals!"
"That many?!"
"The rumors were true!"
"The Count really reclaimed the mine!"
An elderly merchant stared with wide eyes.
"By the heavens..."
His hands trembled slightly.
"That amount alone could support territory development for years."
Nearby merchants nodded rapidly.
They understood the value better than most.
Mana crystals meant wealth.
Mana crystals meant magic.
Mana crystals meant industry.
Mana crystals meant opportunity.
And opportunity attracted people.
The crowd became increasingly excited.
Then suddenly...
A young woman pointed toward the front of the procession.
"Wait."
Everyone followed her gaze.
And instantly forgot about the crystals.
"..."
"..."
"..."
The silence lasted several seconds.
Because sitting behind their young lord...
Was a woman.
A very beautiful woman.
Long dark hair flowed down her back.
Golden eyes reflected the city's lights.
Her elegant features carried an almost unreal beauty.
The cold northern wind gently moved her hair.
Making her appear almost dreamlike.
A young man immediately whispered.
"Who is she?"
His friend whispered back.
"I have no idea."
An older woman narrowed her eyes.
"Perhaps a noble lady?"
Another shook his head.
"I've never seen her before."
A merchant scratched his chin.
"Maybe the Count rescued her."
A nearby child nodded enthusiastically.
"Like in stories!"
The adults immediately found that explanation surprisingly convincing.
Because honestly...
It sounded exactly like something Kel would do.
The gossip spread rapidly.
"She's beautiful."
"Do you think she's engaged to the Count?"
"Impossible."
"Why impossible?"
"Because nobody can schedule meetings with him."
"...Fair point."
Several people nodded seriously.
The conversation somehow became more ridiculous with every passing minute.
Meanwhile.
Lyra sat behind Kel.
The serpent woman heard everything.
Every.
Single.
Word.
Her hearing was considerably better than human hearing.
Unfortunately.
That meant she couldn't ignore any of it.
The ancient serpent slowly lowered her head.
Perhaps living in a cave wasn't so bad after all.
Far beneath Scarder Lake.
Seiren laughed.
"Welcome to civilization."
Lyra silently wished she could return to the mine.
At least the snakes only teased her in private.
The procession continued moving.
The crowd respectfully parted.
Allowing their lord to pass.
Yet people's eyes never left them.
Especially Lyra.
The serpent woman had faced monsters.
Faced death.
Faced centuries of solitude.
Yet somehow...
Being observed by curious civilians felt significantly more difficult.
Eventually.
The convoy arrived at the Count's Mansion.
The enormous estate stood proudly upon elevated ground overlooking the city.
Golden lights illuminated its windows.
Elegant architecture reflected both northern practicality and noble grandeur.
And unlike previous nights...
Tonight the mansion was alive.
Carriages filled the outer courtyard.
Servants moved continuously.
Guests arrived one after another.
The celebration had already begun.
Many nobles had arrived early.
Merchant representatives had arrived.
Researchers had arrived.
Mage Tower representatives had arrived.
The entire mansion bustled with activity.
Kel dismounted first.
The young Count handed the reins to nearby attendants.
Then finally stretched slightly.
A long day.
A very productive day.
A mine reclaimed.
An alliance formed.
Thousands of serpents relocated.
A Mountain Tyrant killed.
Not bad.
Not bad at all.
The mansion doors opened.
And immediately—
A familiar figure appeared.
Head Maid Eleanor.
Her elegant black-and-white uniform remained immaculate despite the obvious exhaustion hidden beneath her composed expression.
The moment she saw Kel.
She bowed.
"My Lord."
Kel nodded.
"Eleanor."
The head maid's gaze briefly moved toward the mana crystal wagons.
Then toward Lyra.
Then back toward Kel.
Years of professional experience prevented her from showing surprise.
Barely.
Kel immediately began issuing instructions.
"Select the largest mana crystal."
Eleanor nodded.
"The largest one?"
"Yes."
Kel pointed toward the wagons.
"Place it at the center of the ballroom."
The head maid blinked.
Then slowly looked toward the enormous crystal shipment.
"...The center?"
"Yes."
Silence.
Eleanor mentally calculated the reactions of the attending nobles.
Then immediately approved.
It would be magnificent.
The perfect centerpiece.
The perfect declaration of success.
The perfect way to make every guest understand exactly what Frostbound Coast had accomplished.
"I understand."
The head maid bowed.
Then Kel pointed toward Lyra.
The ancient serpent immediately became suspicious.
Very suspicious.
Kel looked toward Eleanor.
"Prepare her."
The head maid blinked.
Lyra blinked.
Several nearby servants blinked.
Kel continued calmly.
"Help her bathe."
The suspicion intensified.
"Provide appropriate clothing."
Even more suspicion.
"For the party."
Lyra stared.
"What?"
Kel looked genuinely confused.
"You can't attend a noble gathering dressed like that."
The serpent woman looked down.
The cloak.
The travel clothes.
The dust.
The snow.
"...Fair."
Eleanor immediately approached.
Professional smile perfectly intact.
"My Lady."
Lyra froze.
"...My Lady?"
Eleanor nodded naturally.
"Please follow me."
The serpent looked toward Kel.
Seeking assistance.
The young Count had already started walking away.
Betrayal.
Absolute betrayal.
Far beneath Scarder Lake.
Seiren laughed so hard ancient ruins shook.
Eventually.
Lyra surrendered.
And followed Eleanor into the mansion.
Meanwhile.
Kel turned toward the gathered knights.
The men who had spent the day fighting.
Mining.
Traveling.
Working.
The young Count's expression softened slightly.
"You've done enough."
The knights straightened.
"Rest."
Several looked surprised.
Kel continued.
"Eat."
Another pause.
"Sleep."
Another.
"The party is optional."
Laughter spread among the soldiers.
One knight immediately raised his hand.
"The food isn't optional though, right?"
Kel nodded.
"The food isn't optional."
Cheers erupted.
The exhausted soldiers finally dispersed.
Smiling.
Laughing.
Celebrating.
Watching them leave...
Kel allowed himself a small smile.
Then finally turned toward the mansion.
The celebration awaited.
The guests awaited.
The future awaited.
And somewhere inside the mansion...
An ancient serpent was about to discover that noble ladies could be far more terrifying than monsters.