Heavy snow fell outside the window, and icy winds howled. The Northern Frontier had entered the coldest stretch of the year.
Wind-driven snow swirled past the towering windows of Red Tide's tulou buildings, leaving layer upon layer of white frost.
The streets stood empty. Only knights in crimson cloaks patrolled through the storm, Battle Aura surging around them in a red glow that warded off the cold.
In the distance, a Fireback Turtle slept secured in place. The furnace on its shell belched billowing steam, barely carving out a pocket of warmth amid the blizzard.
This was winter in the Northern Frontier-colder than an enemy, crueler than a battlefield.
Yet inside the inner hall of Red Tide Castle, the air felt like spring.
Within the thick stone walls, geothermal pipes installed years ago still ran.
Warmth rose from the castle floor. Layers of insulating fabric hung on the walls, and grayish-red copper plates at the furnace core gave off a faint glow.
The teapot on the conference table steamed, its fragrance carrying the faint bittersweet scent of frostleaf herbs.
In the center of the room, Louis sat at the head of the table in a black military cloak. Both elbows rested on the tabletop as he stared down at a dense stack of reports, his brow deeply furrowed.
Medical casualty figures, frostbite cases among the refugees, hot soup station operating records, remaining frostleaf medicine stocks...
His expression was grave, and he said nothing.
As he studied the medical report, lost in thought, brisk footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door.
Emily hurried in, wrapped in a thick cloak. A rare, irrepressible smile lit her face, and her eyes shone with a brightness seldom seen in winter.
"Louis!" she said excitedly, pulling off her gloves. "Good news! Word just arrived-Lady Elena has