"We have come to escort you."
Yuhora concealed her smile behind her fan and gestured toward the fully bloomed ice flower.
Shion, overwhelmed by the sudden appearance of such powerful figures, hesitated to move.
These were individuals whose true limits were unfathomable.
She felt as though they could read even the smallest flickers of her fingers, the blink of her eyes, and the rhythm of her breath.
"Why are these people here...?"
Argen Blizzard, Captain of the White Tiger Palace Guard, and Yuhora, Tigrova’s Chief Administrator.
Even though they didn’t bear the surname Frozenheart, they were renowned as the closest aides of the White Tiger Grand Duke.
That was what left Shion so confused.
Who was she, that the White Tiger Palace itself had been left unattended just so they could welcome her with such ceremony?
"Uh..."
As the young girl stiffened in nervous tension,
Yuhora gracefully approached, her voice rich and flowing as she gently pulled Shion back to reality.
"The Grand Duke is looking forward to meeting you."
The first reason for their presence was that they could not afford to keep their king waiting.
The second was that when the White Tiger Grand Duke extended goodwill and interest toward a guest, all standard protocols were bypassed, elevating them to a state guest by default.
If they failed to ensure Shion’s safety, it would tarnish the Grand Duke’s honor.
Thus, every person here was fully prepared to sacrifice their lives to protect the guest, should the need arise.
Shion, jolted awake by Yuhora’s words, hurriedly recalled her studies and performed the appropriate greeting.
"Th-Thank you. Then, I shall accept your escort."
As soon as she finished her bow, she placed her firearm back into her bag.
Stepping forward, she entered the ice flower, where Yuhora, still smiling warmly, took her place beside her.
"There are quite a few sights to see in Snowfang Valley, but its location isn’t ideal. It takes a considerable amount of time to reach the White Tiger Palace from here."
This was her way of saying that they would shorten that time for her.
Realizing she would get to her destination faster, Shion felt a sense of relief.
Shrrrrrk──
The ice petals closed in slowly.
As she glanced around, she noticed that more ice flowers had bloomed, seamlessly swallowing the Captain of the Guard and his soldiers.
"Are you uncomfortable? Or cold?"
"No, I’m fine."
Was Yuhora controlling this ice flower herself?
It was fascinating. The temperature inside was perfectly pleasant.
"Are we moving?"
Yuhora remained still, but after the petals had shut, Shion felt no sensation of movement.
No vibrations. No sound.
"Fufu..."
Yuhora let out a small chuckle as she observed the unexpected nature of the Testarossa bloodline.
Seeing Shion’s eyes darting around curiously—too wary to turn her head but unable to suppress her wonder—made her seem quite innocent.
"We have arrived."
"...!"
As the ice petals unfurled, Shion’s lips parted slightly in astonishment.
From Snowfang Valley, where the Sky Train had landed, to the capital’s White Tiger Palace—had they truly covered such a great distance already?
Yuhora, clearly pleased with Shion’s transparent reaction, flicked her fox ears playfully before folding her fan shut.
"This isn’t something I can do just anywhere, you know?"
"Even so, it’s impressive... I didn’t even feel us moving."
"Hoho! If the Captain of the Guard reacted like this too, I’d have more motivation to show off."
Argen Blizzard, already having lined up the soldiers in formation, remained as expressionless as ever despite the remark.
And in the blink of an eye, a path leading into the White Tiger Palace had been cleared for Shion.
"Now, shall we?"
"Yes...!"
With Yuhora guiding her, Shion stepped forward with confidence.
This was the true tiger’s den.
Step. Step. Step.
Tigrova’s capital remained unchanged from when Shion’s parents had lived here.
However, since the residence of the royal family had changed, the White Tiger Palace was a place Shion was seeing for the first time.
"It’s... massive."
That was her first impression.
Even now, as a fully grown young woman, she felt its overwhelming scale.
It was undoubtedly larger than the palace where she had played as a child.
At the end of their walk, an enormous gate stood before them.
Forged from an unknown metal, frost had settled on its surface, forming patterns like a work of art.
"Please wait a moment. I shall request an audience."
As the Captain of the Guard stepped forward to announce their arrival,
A commanding voice cut through from within, preempting him.
─Enter.
As if this was routine, the Captain of the Guard turned his gaze toward the two beastkin gatekeepers.
"Open the gates."
At his command, the two beastkin bowed their heads and moved.
──Kuuuuugggggggggg!!!
As the massive doors parted, Shion’s eyes were drawn to the figure seated upon the throne.
"That man..."
The father of the lively beastkin girl, Noah Frozenheart—
And the current ruler of Tigrova.
One of the strongest beings acknowledged by all.
The White Tiger Grand Duke—Rex Frozenheart.
Was he truly of the same species?
The sheer presence radiating from him shook her to the core.
Even without intent, his aura alone sent shivers down her spine.
If that man so much as moved his finger with killing intent, she was certain she would die.
Yet, despite the oppressive weight, the girl who had awaited this moment mustered her courage.
Seizing the brief silence, she respectfully stepped forward and opened her mouth to speak.
"I am—"
"Enough. Formalities are unnecessary. I despise etiquette, so speak freely."
The White Tiger Grand Duke rested his massive hand—large as a cauldron—against his chin, fixing his gaze upon Shion, who stood beside Yuhora.
His evaluation seemed to conclude within a moment.
A smirk stretched across his face, revealing sharp fangs.
"You truly are of the Testarossa bloodline. Without a doubt, you’re Weber’s child."
At the mention of her father’s name, Shion involuntarily tensed.
Yuhora subtly encouraged her, hinting that she could speak her mind if she wished.
Gathering herself, Shion cautiously asked,
"Is it... because I resemble him?"
"My judgment is not based on appearance. It is because your lineage carries a distinct color unique to your bloodline."
Perhaps that was why no one had questioned her identity along the way.
"If you’re curious about appearances, I can assure you—Shion Testarossa bears a strong resemblance to both of her parents. Isn’t that right, Captain of the Guard?"
Argen Blizzard gave a small nod in confirmation.
After all, both of them had a clear memory of Testarossa.
"Let’s get to the point."
With just those few words from the White Tiger Grand Duke, all attention was drawn to him.
Shion remained silent, waiting for him to speak.
"Where have you been all this time?"
"..."
"The day I sent Weber off, saying he wanted to speak with his kin, we found a large number of elf corpses in the coniferous forest."
Shion felt her mouth go dry. Her shoulders grew heavy.
What she said here would become the official account of what happened to the elves of Tigrova.
That was why she had to be careful with her words—
But she would tell the truth.
She never had any intention of lying.
Besides, she had the distinct feeling that deception wouldn’t work before these people anyway.
"I will speak from the point I can remember."
Under the watchful eyes of Tigrova’s ruler and his closest aides, Shion recounted everything she knew.
She didn’t try to justify herself.
This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.
Because even if she had doubts at the time, she had still followed orders—that, in itself, was guilt.
"And then..."
Her words weren’t particularly eloquent, but Shion explained everything to the best of her ability.
She even shared the confessions of the High Elders, as well as how she had been able to escape her predicament thanks to the friends she made in Academy City.
"That is all."
The White Tiger Grand Duke and his aides listened to the end.
Yet, none of them showed any reaction of surprise.
They had lived through too many extraordinary events to be easily shaken.
Instead of shock, they simply analyzed the situation with cold logic.
"Reverse Praise Society. Those filthy worms... That damnable name again."
The Grand Duke scratched his thick neck with his hand, lost in brief contemplation.
Most of the work ahead would fall on Yuhora, but at least one long-held question had been answered. There was much to be done.
But this was not the time to discuss those matters.
Right now, the focus was on the girl before him.
"Weber Testarossa was my friend."
"You knew my father from the beginning...?"
The Grand Duke stroked his beard at Shion’s words, then let out a short chuckle.
"We only met once."
"..."
"A single encounter. But that was enough to settle things. And he is my friend."
Did it matter how many times or for how long they met?
If two people liked each other, that was enough to call it friendship.
"I’m not just saying this to flatter you because you’re his daughter—Weber Testarossa was a remarkable man."
The Grand Duke unfastened the fur draped over his wrist, revealing an old scar.
A round mark, the clear sign of a bullet wound.
"In my life, I never once feared firearms. Not until I met Weber."
"..."
"This scar is one of the few enjoyable experiences I have."
The Captain of the Guard, still standing silently, seemed to empathize with that sentiment.
The Grand Duke continued, reminiscing as he touched the scar.
Then, finally, he fulfilled a promise long overdue.
"The appointment of elves from the Tigrova coniferous forest into key positions—that was a promise I made with Weber Testarossa."
His gaze shifted to his Chief Administrator.
Yuhora bowed, accepting the order.
"Yuhora. If necessary, create a new position. Preserve the honor of the Testarossa name."
"Understood. I will see to it immediately."
A decision of tremendous significance was passed in just two short sentences.
Shion, flustered, quickly spoke up.
"W-Wait, please!"
"Oh my, did you have a particular position in mind?"
Yuhora asked with a playful smile, but Shion shook her head. She had a different concern.
"Was my identity still officially recognized all this time?"
The Grand Duke glanced at Yuhora, prompting her to answer.
"Once a missing person exceeds a certain period, they are automatically declared deceased. However, their status can be restored, and we intend to update your records immediately after this audience."
"There you have it."
His expression asked if that was enough of an answer.
Shion lowered her head respectfully.
"Thank you...!"
One of her greatest obstacles had just been resolved.
Tigrova was one of the three great powers that governed Academy City’s Elysium.
With her identity intact, she wouldn’t need to go through any special procedures or requests to remain in Academy City.
"Do you have anything else you’d like to say? Weber was quite talkative, you know. Speak your mind."
The Grand Duke’s words made Shion swallow nervously.
Then, she spoke the most important thing on her mind.
"I am truly grateful for the position you are offering me. However, for now... I wish to live in Academy City."
What she truly wanted was freedom.
Her words seemed to amuse those present, as faint smiles crossed their faces.
"Child of Testarossa."
"Yes...!"
"We do not bind our people with rank. Everyone remains in Tigrova of their own volition. Assigning you a position does not mean we will burden you with duties."
So long as she carried out her responsibilities when she was able, that was enough.
With that, the Grand Duke issued another command to Yuhora.
"A nominal title would be better than an actual post."
"I will arrange it as such."
At last, the promise was fulfilled.
The Grand Duke exhaled, then looked at the elf girl before him.
"Shion Testarossa."
"Yes...!"
"I assume you want to take your own revenge for your parents?"
"I do!"
Her firm, unwavering answer satisfied the Grand Duke.
Then, he declared his stance.
"From this moment on, Shion Testarossa is under the protection of Tigrova. Wherever you go, remember that, and live with confidence."
"Thank you!"
"And get along well with my daughter. She may have learned a lot, but she still has much more to learn."
Seeing Shion nod with sincerity, the Grand Duke gestured toward Yuhora.
From her sleeve, Yuhora pulled out a book and handed it to Shion.
Without understanding its purpose, Shion accepted it.
Then, the explanation followed.
"This is a record of the personal assets left behind by the Testarossa family. Go through it and decide what you wish to claim and what you do not. Let Yuhora know your choices."
"This is actually my true area of expertise, so you can trust me. I’ll make sure everything is handled at its full value, with no losses~."
Yuhora grinned teasingly and encouraged Shion to take a look inside.
Expressing her gratitude, Shion opened the book—
"?"
And immediately froze.
The numbers were completely unrealistic for something called "money."
"Just how many... zeros is this...?"
Obviously, she couldn’t sit here and count them one by one with her finger in front of the Grand Duke.
Before she could embarrass herself, she quickly closed the ledger and composed herself.
And in her mind, she pictured Rohan and Clara.