A colossal castle finally came into view—its white marble walls rising tall and gleaming beneath the afternoon light.
Unlike the stern gray fortresses of the North, built to withstand needle-sharp winds and relentless demon raids, the capital's walls shone with an almost theatrical brilliance.
A place built more to impress than to survive.
"Oho… so this is human architectural taste?"
Velra leaned slightly forward, her crimson eyes roaming over every carved pillar and polished surface with genuine fascination.
"I assumed humans had abandoned culture entirely. But this—this has a certain charm."
Alice shot her a sidelong glance, her tone colder than the northern frost.
"…I can clearly see what you think of our family."
Velra gave a light, indifferent shrug.
"Then what kind of resonance did you expect me to feel from those dark, gloomy walls of yours?"
"Both of you," I cut in before Alice's temperature dropped further, "please calm down. We're almost there."
