After that tacitly understood ceremony, Faust and Selena had to face a realistic problem.
How were they to lift the curse? Even putting the curse aside, how were they going to handle the pursuit?
To be honest, with just the two of them pitted against the entire Midwinter Kingdom, it was a bit humorous.
Faust, after his special training under Mystoria, could indeed be called an elite. If he were traveling alone for experience, he would have no trouble even in war-torn countries.
But training and participation in a war were two different matters. Forget him—even the elf martial saint herself wouldn't dare confront an ancient and powerful nation like the Midwinter Kingdom alone; she'd be lucky to escape.
Of course, they weren't exactly completely isolated and helpless.
"Every Snow White, once her fame spreads, charms a vast number of citizens who will stop at nothing to place me on the throne."
Selena hopped carefully across the stones alongside the forest path, her arms outstretched for balance.
"If I just took a tour of the kingdom's other cities, I could immediately raise an army capable of contending with the central government. Just as has happened in history before, under the influence of the curse, the Midwinter Kingdom shall never know peace."
Faust remarked, "So that's why I've heard that the succession in the Midwinter Kingdom is intense and civil wars are frequent."
The black-haired girl jumped down from a stone and patted her hands.
"But doing that is no different from surrendering to the curse. I don't intend to kill my mother—I don't want to do that no matter what. So, until the curse is resolved, I cannot face her."
Faust asked, "Do you have a plan?"
His knowledge of the Midwinter Kingdom was limited to external rumors and the legend of Snow White. Knowing so little, it was difficult for him to say much, so he could only ask the local first.
"Hmm... I didn't have much of a clue at first, but the frost-walker from before gave me an idea."
Selena tilted her beautiful face, which looked like the incarnation of ice and snow, and pressed a hand to her chest, speaking with enchantment:
"My beauty can charm not only flesh and blood but even heartless machines like the frost-walker! If that's the case, by taking the frost-walkers under my command, I can at least withstand the pursuit of the prime minister's faction."
"The 【frost-walker】, huh..."
Faust’s heart stirred at the thought. Having learned from Mephistopheles that the Midwinter Kingdom consisted of descendants from the Tower of Babel in the ancient era, these incredible alchemic weapons were naturally treasures left over from the Golden Age.
Setting everything else aside, based solely on these ridiculous ancient alchemic constructs, the potential power of the Midwinter Kingdom was unfathomable. If he could bring Midwinter into a personal union under the prince of Qingxi, he would truly reach the heavens in a single step.
"I saw it in the castle library. The main base for the frost-walkers in the kingdom is near the border. I can go there and take control of it."
Faust strongly agreed.
"There's no better idea. Let's stabilize the situation first, then think about how to lift the curse."
With just a few words, their future arrangements were decided. All that remained was to hasten toward the frost-walker base.
As the two were about to exit the forest, the chill in the air finally condensed into snowflakes.
Strands and wisps of slanted white tassels were being spun incessantly from the silver-gray sky, like countless gentle brushstrokes patiently blurring the boundaries between heaven and earth.
In the distance, the forests, river valleys, and hills gradually became hazy and soft under these never-ending, rustling white strokes, losing their hard outlines.
"It's snowing."
A snowflake landed on the palm of her glove. Selena gently blew it away and closed her silver eyes.
Faust mused, "It's almost summer outside, yet it's actually snowing in the Midwinter Kingdom."
The princess of Midwinter lowered her eyelids slightly. "This is the dragon's curse. Our homeland will be swallowed by ice and snow. As long as a 【Snow White】 exists, this freezing cold will not cease; it will grow longer and longer each time, relying entirely on the strength of our ancestors and the queen to disperse it. The name of 【Snow White】 is no compliment..."
"Even if we speak of nothing else, this alone is enough for the ministers to see me as a thorn in their side, wishing for nothing more than my death. In their words, it is all so that future generations might still see the spring."
Selena spoke flatly, casting an inconspicuous glance at Faust.
"Do you also believe this is my fault? That Snow White is the culprit who brings the white calamity and frost?"
"That's preposterous! What fault do you have? This is fundamentally an issue with the curse. Any damage caused by the curse cannot be blamed on you, no matter what."
Faust immediately picked up on the testing nature of Selena's words and responded without hesitation.
He hadn't forgotten the script he was following. His morals had to follow her beauty; whatever Selena said was right—and besides, he truly thought that way, so there was no burden at all.
"Hahaha!! Well said! I feel no guilt for this; 【Snow White】 owes this kingdom nothing!"
Selena spread her arms and walked toward the fields, facing the snowflakes. It seemed the prince of Qingxi's validation had made her quite happy.
Faust walked quickly to keep up, taking off his outer coat and draping it over the girl's thin, delicate frame.
"It's cold. Put this on; don't catch a chill."
"You're quite good at this... Have you taken care of others like this before?"
Selena pulled the coat Faust had draped over her tight and asked.
Faust gave an elegant bow. "It is what a knight should do."
The prince had never been a knight, but even if he hadn't been one, hadn't he seen them? Viviana read plenty of knightly novels, so Faust could only put it that way.
The princess of Midwinter brought a corner of Faust's coat to her nose and took a deep breath. The man's pheromones, like a mellow, fine wine, entered her nostrils, refreshing her heart.
Selena tilted her head like that, her smooth, dark hair half-concealing her slightly flushed cheeks, while her pure silver eyes seemed to take on a rosy hue.
"Mmm... Not a bad scent. It smells very nice."
Oh boy, we’re even doing the ‘boyfriend’s jacket’ trope. I see you’re quite a pro at this yourself!
Seeing the girl’s charming and seductive posture, Faust had to admit his heart skipped a beat.
There was no helping it; 【Snow White】 definitely possessed a 【supernatural charisma】 mystery trait. This girl of transcendent beauty could tug at one's heartstrings with a single glance or smile, especially when she was intentionally trying to seduce and tease.
Faust had plenty of practical experience, but for Selena, a secluded princess who had never left the castle, to be so naturally gifted was truly terrifying.
【Take this opportunity to start training the mindset of a 'martial saint.'】
Mephistopheles seemed to be enjoying the interaction between the son of man and the girl, chiming in with a joke.
Faust and Selena traveled together. The Midwinter Kingdom was vast, but the border areas were almost uninhabited, allowing them to traverse the country without much hindrance.
In just a few days, the two arrived at the recorded 【frost-walker】 base.
Rate on N.U.
