Chapter 87: Heir Shion Testarossa (2)

“We’ve come to escort you.”

Hiding his smile behind his fan,Yoho pointed to a blooming ice flower.

Bewildered by the sudden appearance of such important figures, Shion couldn’t move easily.

Strong individuals whose limits were unfathomable.

She felt as if every movement of her fingers, every blink of her eyes, even her breath were being read.

Why are these people here…?

White Tiger Palace Guard Captain Archen Blizzard and Tigrova Chief Administrator Yoho.

Famous figures known as Grand Emperor of Snow’s closest aides, despite not bearing the Frozenheart name.

That was why Shion was confused. Who was she to have them empty the White Tiger Palace and give her such a grand welcome?

“Um…”

As the girl turned stiff with tension, Yoho approached her with a swaying movement and roused her with a rich voice.

“The Grand Emperor is anticipating this meeting.”

They couldn’t make their king wait, that was the first reason for their arrival.

The second reason was that any guest receiving the Grand Emperor of Snow’s favor and attention was treated as a state guest, bypassing all formalities.

If they failed to protect Shion properly, it would tarnish the Grand Emperor of Snow’s honor.

Therefore, those present were prepared to throw their lives away, if necessary, to protect the guest.

Shion came to her senses at Yoho’s words.

Recalling what she had studied, she hurriedly offered a greeting.

“Tha… Thank you. Then, excuse me.”

As soon as she finished her greeting, she returned the firearm to her bag.

Stepping into the ice flower, Yoho stood beside her with a bright smile.

“This Snow Fang Valley has quite a few sights to see, but its location isn’t ideal. It takes quite a bit of time to reach the White Tiger Palace.”

He meant to shorten that time.

Thinking she could save more travel time, Shion felt pleased.

Sharrr—

The ice petals gathered and slowly closed.

Looking around, she saw numerous ice flowers blooming, neatly swallowing the Palace Guard Captain and his soldiers.

“Are you uncomfortable or cold?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Did Yoho control these ice flowers himself?

It was fascinating. The inside was the perfect temperature.

Are we moving?

Yoho was just standing there, but after the petals closed, she couldn’t feel any sense of movement.

There were no vibrations or noise.

“Chuckle…”

Yoho chuckled softly, observing the unexpected Testarossa bloodline.

Shion’s appearance, cautiously rolling her eyes to express her curiosity but unable to move her head, seemed quite innocent.

“We’ve arrived.”

“…!”

Shion’s jaw dropped a little at the sight of the White Tiger Palace revealed as the ice petals opened.

From Snow Fang Valley, where the sky train arrived, to the White Tiger Palace in the capital. Had they really already arrived, covering that vast distance?

Yoho, seemingly satisfied with Shion’s transparent reaction, twitched his fox ears and folded his fan.

“Even I can’t do this just anywhere.”

“Still, it’s amazing… I didn’t even feel us moving.”

“Ho ho! If the Palace Guard Captain reacted like this, I’d feel more motivated.”

Archen Blizzard, the subject of the remark, had already lined up his soldiers with an impassive face.

In the blink of an eye, a path for Shion to enter the White Tiger Palace was created.

“Now then, shall we go?”

“Yes…!”

Shion stepped forward confidently, guided by Yoho.

From here on was the real tiger’s den.

Step. Step. Step.

Tigrova’s capital remained the same as it was when Shion’s parents were alive.

But the royal residence had changed, and the White Tiger Palace was a place Shion had never seen before.

It’s huge.

That was Shion’s first impression.

If she felt this way now, fully grown, it was definitely larger than the palace where she had played as a child.

At the end of the path, she faced a massive door.

Made of an unknown metal, the door was adorned with frost like a work of art.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll request an audience.”

Just as the Palace Guard Captain stepped forward to speak before the massive door,

Someone inside, sensing their presence, preempted him with a stern voice.

─ Enter.

A usual occurrence. The Palace Guard Captain glanced at the two gatekeepers.

“Open the door.”

At the Palace Guard Captain’s command, the two Beastkin guarding the door bowed their heads and moved.

───Kugugugu!!! As the doors opened, Shion’s eyes fell upon a mountain-like figure seated on the throne.

That man is…

The father of the lively Beastkin girl, Noa Frozenheart, and the current ruler of Tigrova.

One of the strongest, as many claimed.

Grand Emperor of Snow, Rex Frozenheart.

Could they even be considered the same species?

The aura he was emanating unconsciously made her whole body tremble.

She was certain that if that man flicked a finger with murderous intent, she would die.

Nevertheless, the girl, who had been waiting for this moment, gathered her courage.

Taking advantage of a lull, she offered a greeting and opened her mouth.

“I am…”

“Stop. Skip the bothersome formalities. I detest etiquette, so be at ease.”

The Grand Emperor of Snow rested his chin on his massive hand, gazing at Shion beside Yoho.

And seemingly having reached a judgment after a brief observation,

He raised the corners of his mouth, revealing his sharp fangs.

“You truly are of Testarossa blood. Undoubtedly Weber’s child.”

Shion’s body twitched involuntarily as she heard her father’s name from the Grand Emperor of Snow’s lips.

Yoho encouraged Shion to speak if she had anything to say.

Shion cautiously voiced her question.

“Is it… because I resemble him?”

“The basis of my judgment isn’t appearance. It’s because of the unique color that those of the same bloodline possess.”

Was that why the people who came to meet her didn’t ask about her identity?

“If you’re curious about your appearance, Shion Testarossa, you resemble your parents quite a bit. Isn’t that right, Palace Guard Captain?”

Archen Blizzard gave a small nod in affirmation.

Both of them had vivid memories of seeing Testarossa.

“Now to the main point.”

Shion’s attention was captivated simply by the Grand Emperor of Snow uttering those words in a low voice.

Shion waited quietly for the man seated on the throne to speak.

“Where have you been all this time?”

“…”

“The day we sent Weber, who said he was going to talk with his kin, we discovered a large number of Elf corpses in the Coniferous Forest.”

Shion felt her mouth dry. Her shoulders felt heavy.

It was clear that what she revealed here would become the truth about the Tigrova Elves.

Therefore, she had to be as careful with her words as possible.

Convey the facts.

She had no intention of lying from the beginning.

Besides, she had a hunch that lies wouldn’t work in front of these people.

“I will tell you everything from the point I remember.”

Under the watchful eyes of Tigrova’s ruler and his aides, Shion recounted the events that came to mind.

She didn’t think she was innocent.

Because her past, where she acted as instructed despite her suspicions, was a sin.

“And…”

Although not eloquent, Shion continued her explanation, doing her best without rationalizing herself.

She poured out everything, including the information the Chief Elders had confessed.

Even the fact that she was able to escape the crisis thanks to the friends she made in Academy City.

“…That’s all.”

Grand Emperor of Snow and his aides, who listened to Shion’s story until the end, showed no agitation.

Having experienced so many diverse things in their lives, they accepted the situation calmly rather than being shocked.

“Reverse Praise Society. Those insect-like things… What a sickening name.”

The Grand Emperor of Snow scratched his thick neck with his hand and briefly continued his thoughts.

Most of it would be Yoho’s problem, but since he had also resolved a long-held question, there was much to be done.

However, it wasn’t a matter to discuss in the presence of a guest.

The Grand Emperor of Snow decided to focus on communicating with the girl in front of him.

“Weber Testarossa was my friend.”

“Were you acquainted with my father from before…?”

At Shion’s words, the Grand Emperor of Snow fiddled with his beard and chuckled.

“We met only once.”

“…”

“Just one encounter, and that day was the day we settled things. Still, he was a friend.”

Did the number of meetings or the duration matter?

If they simply liked each other, they were friends.

“I’m not exaggerating just because you’re his daughter; Weber Testarossa was a remarkable man.”

The Grand Emperor of Snow untied the animal hide from his wrist and showed a scar.

A piece of flesh that had been pierced and then closed in a round shape. Anyone could see it was a bullet wound.

“I’d never been wary of firearms in my life. Not until I met Weber.”

“…”

“This deep scar is one of the few enjoyable experiences in my life.”

The Palace Guard Captain, standing silently, seemed to agree somehow.

After reminiscing about the time while touching the scar, the Grand Emperor of Snow announced, in order to keep the promise he made with his friend at the right moment.

“Appointing an Elf from the Tigrova Coniferous Forest to an important position was a promise I made with Weber Testarossa.”

The king’s gaze turned to the Chief Administrator.

Yoho bowed to receive the order.

“Yoho. You may create a new position. Uphold Testarossa’s honor.”

“I will take care of it.”

A massive procedure passed swiftly in two sentences.

Shion spoke in a hurried voice.

“W-wait a moment, please!”

“Oh my, do you perhaps have a position in mind?”

At Yoho’s question, Shion replied that it wasn’t that and expressed her curiosity first.

“…Has my identity been kept alive all this time?”

As the Grand Emperor of Snow’s gaze fell upon him, Yoho answered.

“If the period of missing status exceeds a certain time, it automatically results in a death declaration. However, the identity can be reinstated, so I will update it immediately after the audience.”

“That’s how it is.”

At the look that asked if that was a sufficient answer, Shion politely bowed.

“Thank you…!”

This was the resolution of one major hardship.

Tigrova was one of the three powerful nations that ruled Academy City Elysium.

If her identity was revived, she wouldn’t need to take separate steps or make requests to live in Academy City.

“Do you have anything else you want to say? Weber was quite the talkative fellow. Speak your mind.”

At the Grand Emperor of Snow’s words, Shion gulped and spoke her most important words.

“I’m truly grateful for your offer of a position. But I… I wish to live in Academy City for now.”

In short, what this girl desired was freedom.

At the girl’s seemingly greatly misunderstanding appearance, everyone present showed a subtle smile.

“Child of Testarossa.”

“Yes…!”

“We are not bound by status. Everyone sits in Tigrova of their own volition. I have no intention of burdening you with troublesome tasks just because you’ve been appointed to an important position.”

With the final words that she could act when she was able and willing, with a sense of responsibility.

He gave another order to Yoho.

“Rather than giving her a low-ranking position, an honorary position would be better.”

“I will arrange it accordingly.”

Finally, the relief of keeping a promise.

The Grand Emperor of Snow exhaled and looked at the Elf girl.

“Shion Testarossa.”

“Yes…!”

“You would want to avenge your parents yourself, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes!”

Nodding in satisfaction at the unwavering answer, the Grand Emperor of Snow said he would watch over her, giving Shion backing.

“From this moment on, Shion Testarossa is under the protection of Tigrova. Remember that fact wherever you go and live proudly.”

“Thank you!”

“And please get along with our daughter. She has much to learn.”

As Shion showed an attitude of doing her best, the Grand Emperor of Snow gestured with his chin, and Yoho took out a book from his sleeve.

And without knowing why, Shion accepted the book handed to her.

The explanation followed.

“This is a ledger that converts the remaining personal inheritance of Testarossa. Tell Yoho what you want to take and what you don’t intend to take from here.”

“This is Yoho’s real specialty, so you can trust him. He’ll handle it at its proper value without any loss, you see?”

As Yoho playfully smiled and told her to open it.

Shion opened the ledger with gratitude.

“?”

She froze at the amount she had never seen before.

The number was unrealistic to be called money.

How many… zeros are these?

She couldn’t count them with her fingers in front of the Grand Emperor of Snow.

Before showing such an unsightly scene, the girl said she would carefully review the ledger and shut it, thinking of Rohan and Clara.