Chapter 6

  Crystal Palace

  A breathtaking landscape. Stunning geography. Architecture and nature woven together in perfect harmony across a vast expanse that stretched beyond the horizon.

  The Crystal Palace—or “the Palace of Glass,” as it was commonly called—was the most beautiful royal residence among the Five Kingdoms. Composed of deep black ice crystals, it looked less like a structure and more like something pulled straight from a painting. The symbol of this kingdom was a snowflake crowned by a white eagle. For anyone of rank below the Empress, only the snowflake was used—no eagle.

  Dan stood staring at the crystal spires from a distance. It was the first time in his life he’d seen them with his own eyes.

  “It looks even more beautiful at night, Mr.Fury.”

  Nora leaned in with her hands clasped behind her back, whispering with quiet pride.

  Snowhaven’s military had returned to a state of calm after Raven announced that what he had sensed had been a false alarm.

  With that, the citizens were free to resume their daily lives.

  But Nora had something to take care of first—an audience with the Empress.

  Of course… her daughter had just been the target of an assassination attempt—and now the Shadowkind were involved.

  Dan and Zeedee could only trail behind the princess until they reached the carriage. Just before getting in, Dan noticed an old newspaper posted on a lamppost… with a massive headline:

  DEMON PRINCE APPEARS ON THE SALAWAN PLAINS — CLASHES WITH THE KNIGHT OF LIGHT, CASCA SAINT MAXIMIN! THE RADIANCE OF HOPE BANISHES THE DEMONIC MENACE!

  Riiip.

  Dan tore it down and brought it with him into the carriage.

  Four snow-white horses began to pull the coach forward. It rocked slightly, but was still steady enough to read inside.

  Dan pulled out the newspaper and began reading it in front of the princess.

  Nora saw it.

  DEMON PRINCE APPEARS ON THE SALAWAN PLAINS — CLASHES WITH THE KNIGHT OF LIGHT, CASCA SAINT MAXIMIN! THE RADIANCE OF HOPE BANISHES THE DEMONIC MENACE!

  “Um… Mr.Fury…”

  “Shhh. Be quiet, I’m reading.”

  “But… that…”

  “Shhh—I said quiet. This is the first time I’ve found the full article.”

  It felt like that awkward moment when a friend reads a group chat full of gossip about them, right in front of you.

  Watching him seriously comb through an article she already knew was full of nonsense made Nora visibly uncomfortable.

  She glanced at Zeedee, who also looked uneasy, now fidgeting in her seat, unsure what Fury might say next.

  “Hm… Ah… Oooh? Are we really this evil? Fascinating.”

  “Mr.Fury… maybe don’t read that.”

  “I have to! I need to know how evil we look in their eyes. How else can I rebrand properly?”

  “…”

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  Dan handed the newspaper to Zeedee.

  “Send that back to HQ when you get a chance.”

  “Yes, Your Highness…”

  Both girls looked visibly shaken.

  “Who even writes this stuff?”

  Dan stared out the carriage window, resting his chin on one hand, legs crossed.

  “I’d love to drag them out, gut them, and spike their intestines on a pike.”

  “Is there much truth to it, Mr.Fury?”

  “I mean it's not entirely a lie...” he replied.

  “It’s like I’m a fisherman, and you write about how cruel I am to fish. That sort of thing.”

  “You killed for a living huh?”

  “My job was to fight in a war. It's not personal, never was.”

  The carriage rolled past different districts of the Crystal Palace. Dan saw inns, bounty boards, entertainment halls, and markets selling only hardy root crops like potatoes, carrots, radishes, and spinach. These were the only types of produce that could grow in such brutal climates.

  It wasn’t surprising that only the royals and the rich had access to things like grapes, coconuts, berries—or even plump, meaty cattle. Bringing those into Snowhaven would triple or quadruple their price instantly.

  Diablo had plenty of them, though. If you could brave the stormy seas and find a way around the world, you could reach Snowhaven.

  “Mr.Fury… are you thinking of ways to profit off us?”

  Nora had no trouble reading his mind. Knowing he had 150 million credits in debt helped. The greed was practically shining in his eyes.

  “No, no. I’m just surveying basic consumables in Snowhaven, that’s all.”

  “That’s not subtle at all.”

  “I’m in debt, okay?! If it makes money, I’m doing it—what choice do I have?!”

  “I’ll slap sky-high tariffs on you, just you wait.”

  “I thought we were long-term allies!”

  “I don’t know if it’s just me, Your Highness… but the people here seem unusually big,” Zeedee said.

  Dan noticed it too, instantly.

  “You’re right…”

  Looking around, aside from children and the elderly, everyone here was over 170 cm tall. Male or female, didn’t matter—they were all tall.

  And when he thought about it… he turned to look at Nora.

  This girl had to be at least 5'10

  Nora: blink blink

  “…How do you even eat around here when you can’t raise a single cow? What the hell did you grow up on to end up this tall?”

  “Genetics… maybe?”

  Even Nora didn’t seem sure. The answer sounded a little too generic.

  “Maybe the Queen fed you imported premium cow milk when you were a kid? or like... lamp milk?”

  “Not really… I mostly ate vegetables and fruits as a kid… Actually, I was a picky eater, Mr.Fury.”

  Dan looked her up and down.

  “You people are a mystery as hell.”

  “Huh?”

  { We’ve arrived, Your Highness. }

  The carriage door opened. Royal guards stood in two neat rows, forming a secure passageway.

  If the institute had ten guards, here there were a hundred.

  “Greetings, everyone.”

  As they stepped down, a group of maids rushed over to take their luggage and provide hospitality as esteemed guests of the princess.

  Crystal Palace Entrance

  It was saturated with immortal ice crystal—stunning and indestructible.

  Dan and Zeedee were brought to Princess Nora’s private guest room.

  Zeedee stood with her hands on her hips, staring at a massive portrait of the royal Ophilis family—depicting the Empress, her husband, and three young children. It looked like it had been painted long ago. The oldest child in the painting—Nora—barely reached the king’s waist. A smaller boy stood in the middle, and a baby was held in the Empress’s arms—likely the third princess.

  “Three siblings—just like you.”

  Dan nodded and went to explore the bedchamber.

  This was exactly why he understood Nora better than anyone.

  “I feel like this kingdom lacks a certain vitality, Zeedee.”

  “Well, when the leader’s always frowning like that, what do you expect from the people?”

  “Fair point. In this freezing climate, if you’re in the mood to sing and party, you’re probably insane. Still… there’s something else. Something that makes this place feel gloomy.”

  “Gloomy?”

  “Is it the black clothing?” Dan guessed.

  Just then, the head butler of Crystal Palace entered. A man in a pitch-black suit, the only white being his tie and neatly groomed hair and beard.

  “You may call me Glasner. I am the head butler here. My family has served the Ophilis royal line for generations. We’re honored to welcome friends from afar.”

  Dan offered a respectful greeting. Glasner was old enough to be his father.

  Fury had a deep respect for butlers and kitchen staff. Without them, the whole system would collapse. It was one of his mottos—something his father had instilled in him.

  “You must be Dan Burn. And the young lady, Zeedee Lamp.”

  “Mr. Glasner, I meant no offense with my earlier comment about the people here.”

  “I understand,” the old man said warmly.

  “We do have colorful clothes. But in this climate, they’re always hidden beneath thick coats.”

  He explained further:

  “The reason everything appears so dark is because, in a place where sunlight and warmth are rare, black is the best color for absorbing heat. People wear black, paint their homes dark—for warmth.”

  Dan finally got it. Now that it was explained, it all made perfect sense.

  “You’re right, Mr. Glasner. That actually makes a lot of sense now.”

  The butler gestured toward the door.

  “Given recent events, your first impression of Snowhaven may not have been the best. The royal family would like to invite both of you to a formal dinner this evening. In the meantime, please rest. If you need anything, call on me or the maids at any time.”

  As Glasner spoke, a maid brought in a tea set and snacks. Dan, being a sucker for free food, immediately grabbed a cracker the moment it hit the table. Free was free.

  “What about Princess Nora?”

  “She’s meeting with senior officials to handle the situation.”

  “…Understood, Mr. Glasner. My condolences for what happened.”

  “We’d be more heartbroken if anything had happened to you, Mr. Dan.”

  Glasner nodded, then left with the maids, leaving Zeedee and Dan alone.

  “…”

  “Your Highness…”

  “Hm?”

  “This tea is bitter.”

  “Yeah… can’t argue with that…”

  “Do people here… not know how to enjoy life?”