The horse began to run as fast as lightning. In no time, we overtook Seren and the priestesses.

Once we reached a safe place, the Crown Prince gradually slowed down.

“Stay here. Don’t make my heart sink again.”

He put me down on the ground and, without giving me a chance to reply, turned back immediately.

I saw him sweeping away the monsters with a single strike.

‘Trying to look cool.’

I grumbled inwardly and plopped down on the dirt.

As I was catching my breath, Seren and the priestesses arrived one after another.

“I knew I could trust you, lady!”

Feeling guilty about abandoning me, Seren clung to my arm with a sheepish smile.

I coldly shook off her hand. The priestesses also apologized with embarrassed faces.

“We’re sorry, Lady Dronay. We didn’t realize you were left behind in our panic.”

“It’s fine. Everyone’s safe, and that’s what matters.”

If they had tried to help me, we all would have been in danger.

The priestesses, laughing awkwardly, looked worriedly at the snowy field where the battle was still raging.

“There are so many monsters…….”

“Right. Should we go and help?”

“We’d only get in the way. Staying here safely is the best help.”

I cut them off somewhat coldly.

No matter how many monsters there were, as long as Pinion and Gined were holding the line, there was no need to worry too much.

The more pressing issue was time.

If night fell, the real danger would be the cold, not the monsters.

“Hmm.”

I was lost in thought.

Asking for help from Shahar and the vampires could buy us time, but I was reluctant to reveal them in front of many people. Especially in front of the priestesses, summoning demons was even more unthinkable.

But I didn’t have much time to ponder.

The days in Pontos were short, and there were too many monsters.

Just as I made up my mind and was about to open the bag, a group of people on horseback appeared from somewhere.

Everyone tensed at the sudden appearance of strangers.

Without even glancing at us, they began wielding their weapons against the monsters.

Amid the exhausted knights and priestesses, their fierce and wild energy stood out.

Among them, a particularly tall knight was almost like a fish in water, rampaging.

Even as someone ignorant of swordsmanship, I could tell his skills were exceptional.

Every time the knight swung his massive greatsword, monsters fell to the ground like leaves. Even the horse he rode was ferociously crushing the monsters’ heads.

While his appearance was a cause for cheers for us, it was a disaster for the monsters.

The tide of the battle turned in an instant.

As I watched the scene in a daze, I felt a sense of déjà vu.

‘Wait, I think I’ve seen those movements somewhere before?’

It felt very familiar.

While I was retracing my memory, the monsters, realizing the battle was turning against them, began retreating, abandoning the plundered food and supplies.

After confirming that the monsters had completely withdrawn, the man at the forefront dismounted and removed his helmet.

He looked to be in his mid-40s, with a face full of scars.

“We apologize for our late arrival. Please forgive us.”

Despite his rough appearance, his speech was disciplined, and his voice carried a sense of dignity that no mere bandit could possess.

The Crown Prince, who had remained vigilant until then, stepped forward.

“I am Pinion Dias Kebrenia, Crown Prince of the Kebrenia Empire. Who are you?”

“I am Philippos, serving the Grand Duke of Pontos. Please follow me. The Grand Duke is waiting for you.”

‘So they are knights of Pontos.’

With the help of the Pontos knights, we finally headed towards Pontos Castle.

The enormous Pontos Castle, which seemed overwhelming just to look at, was exactly as gloomy and somber as described in the original work.

The interior was no different from the exterior.

Even the torches lit here and there couldn’t completely dispel the dark and heavy atmosphere.

Seren clung tightly to my arm, frightened.

“Why is it so eerie?”

“The North is always like this.”

It would be stranger if the Grand Duke of the North lived in a bright and cheerful castle.

Forgetting my fatigue, I hurried my steps.

I felt like I could collapse at any moment, but the thought of Iscallion waiting for me somewhere in this castle made my steps lighter.

After walking for quite a while, we finally met the Grand Duke of Pontos.

“Thank you for enduring the long journey. I am Iscallion Pontos.”

‘Huh?’

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment upon seeing the Grand Duke of Pontos.

The Iscallion I knew was a young boy not yet an adult, but the Grand Duke(?) standing before us was an old man with white hair and only a few teeth left.

Even though Pontos was known as a mysterious land shrouded in secrets, the idea that a boy could turn into an old man in just a few months was something I had neither heard nor seen before.

Therefore, the old man before me was likely a fake. It was a wise choice to put a stand-in, knowing that Gined and Pinion were familiar with Iscallion’s face. Still, facing someone else left me feeling deflated.

While secretly hiding my disappointment, I made eye contact with the old man. His faded eyes suddenly sparkled.

The fake Grand Duke approached me and extended his hand.

“It must have been a journey that even most knights would find hard to endure. You are a brave lady.”

“I am Lou Dronay. It is an honor to meet you, Grand Duke…… Your Highness.”

When I grasped his rough and wrinkled hand, the old man playfully winked one eye. It was a signal that only those who shared a secret could understand.

Realizing its meaning, a smile spread across my face without me knowing. Iscallion must have told him about me.

“I hope you find what you seek here.”

The fake Grand Duke’s words sounded to me like I would soon meet Iscallion. The disappointment from a moment ago melted away like a bubble.

“Now, a banquet has been prepared for our esteemed guests, so please do not hesitate to enjoy it.”

Suddenly, I felt hungry.

After washing up and changing clothes in the assigned bedroom, I followed the attendant’s guidance to the banquet hall. Unlike the eerie exterior, the banquet hall was very large and splendid.

“Wow…….”

Seren and the priestesses gasped in admiration. A delicious smell tickled our noses.

After sitting down and waiting for a while, other people entered besides us.

Judging by their unique attire, they seemed to be envoys from other countries.

Even though they appeared to have arrived before us, they looked utterly exhausted. I silently sympathized with the hardships they must have endured.

As I was carefully observing them, I noticed a man standing tall among them and widened my eyes.

As if he had been with them from the beginning, Iscallion blended naturally into the group.

“Oh my, isn’t that Count Philip? It seems the Count has come as an envoy too.”

Seren exclaimed quietly.

Unable to hide my excitement, I was about to approach him when I suddenly stopped, noticing his strangely unfamiliar appearance.

With his arms crossed and leaning against a marble pillar, he looked so cold and sharp that I didn’t dare approach him.

‘What is this?’

But that cold feeling melted away like cotton candy the moment our eyes met.

“Sister!”

In an instant, Iscallion reverted to an innocent boy and strode over to me with his long legs, hugging me tightly.

Being held in his broad chest, I realized how large he had grown. My head didn’t even reach his shoulders.

Despite his large body, his embrace had the tenderness of a child, which made my heart swell with emotion. For once, I didn’t push him away and stood on tiptoe to hug him back.

“I knew you would come, Sister.”

“How have you been? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“How could I be well without you, Sister?”

He grumbled with a mix of complaints. It was a stark contrast to his cold demeanor from earlier.

‘He must have become sensitive after going through a lot.’

He was still young and had only recently suppressed a rebellion within his family.

Even though loyal retainers stood by his side, their loyalty was to the Pontos family, not to him personally. There was no one with whom he could share his anxieties or seek comfort.

“It’s so nice to hug you again after so long. By the way, did you see me earlier?”

“Earlier?”

“Yes. I went out to greet you because I wanted to see you quickly. Didn’t you see me? Philippos insisted I shouldn’t take off my helmet, so I couldn’t say hello.”

His words reminded me of the tall knight who had been mercilessly striking down the monsters.

“That was you?”

No wonder it felt so familiar. I silently offered condolences to the monsters who had to face three male leads.

A brief greeting wasn’t enough to express all the joy we felt. Just as I was about to speak again, I heard a voice.

“You two are still close.”

The Crown Prince appeared from somewhere, looking at us disapprovingly.

“It’s been a while, Count. I didn’t know you had come to Pontos as well. While it’s nice to see you, why not save your reunion with Dronay for later and enjoy the banquet? After all, we’ve been subsisting on carriage food throughout the journey, and a proper meal is much needed.”