Twenty minutes later, they reached the summit of Drum Mountain.
In the howling wind and snow, a massive ice castle came into view—like something straight out of a fairy tale.
Flare looked up in awe.
"Wow... it's incredible. But... does someone really live here?"
"Of course."
Yemu had barely finished speaking when Erik rushed forward and dropped to his knees in front of the castle, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Dr. Kureha! My name is Erik! I came here to beg you to save my sister! I'll agree to any conditions—anything at all, as long as you can cure her!"
His voice echoed through the storm, but even after waiting a long while, there was no sign of the door opening—no footsteps, no response at all.
"Hey, Yemu... You sure this doctor of yours isn't out?" Flare asked hesitantly.
Erik turned to Yemu, eyes burning with desperation.
"She's definitely inside," Yemu said firmly. "Don't forget—the king said Dr. Kureha's a bit eccentric."
Encouraged, Erik turned back toward the castle and shouted again.
"Dr. Kureha! Please, I'm begging you—save my sister!"
"Please... I beg you..."
Still no response. So Erik suddenly slammed his forehead against the hard ice, leaving a streak of blood.
Everyone winced at the sight, but inside the castle, Dr. Kureha remained silent.
Seeing this, Yemu stepped forward and pulled Erik to his feet.
Erik's face was a mess of blood and tears, but no one thought it was pitiful. On the contrary, the scene was deeply moving.
"Leave it to me."
Yemu frowned slightly, then stepped up and called out loudly.
"Dr. Kureha! You've been watching long enough, haven't you? You should be able to feel how sincere he is. If you still won't answer, then as the captain of this ship, I'll have no choice but to enter uninvited!"
The wind howled on—but this time, a voice finally rang out. It was that of an older woman, firm and full of spirit.
"You dragged an infectious patient all the way here without my permission? Are you trying to kill me?"
Hearing a response, everyone's faces lit up.
As for the accusation, Yemu responded calmly.
"I don't believe someone as skilled as you would fall for the World Government's lies."
"If you know that much, then you should also understand— even if I could cure it, I wouldn't. I'm not looking to make enemies with the World Government."
"You just said you could cure it!"
That stunned even Yemu—and left Erik completely speechless.
After countless moments of despair, Erik's whole body trembled with hope. He slammed his head against the ice even harder, shouting:
"Please! If you can save my sister, I don't care if I have to give my life!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sound of his head hitting the ice rang out in the blizzard.
And finally, from within the snowy castle, came the creak of a door slowly opening.
As the door swung wide, an elderly woman stepped out, dressed in a purple fitted jacket and long pants—elegant and sharp. She glared at them all.
"What good is your life to me? I told you—if I say I can cure it, then I can!"
Yemu wasn't convinced.
"You really can cure it?"
Dr. Kureha looked at him with annoyance.
"What's with that attitude, you brat? If you don't believe I can cure it, why'd you come here?"
"No, no! That's not it! I was just... too surprised. But you know what the disease is?"
She scoffed.
"Tch. It's just lead poisoning. In the past century, I've seen more cases than I can count. Of course I know it."
"!!!!"
Yemu lit up, then shouted at Erik.
"What are you still kneeling there for? Pick your sister up and bring her inside! Let Dr. Kureha take a look!"
Yemu didn't wait for a reply—he headed for the door himself.
"Hey! Brat! I never said I agreed to this!"
Dr. Kureha rushed to block him.
But Yemu just gave a sheepish smile.
"Dr. Kureha, I know you've already agreed. If you hadn't, you wouldn't have opened the door, right? Everyone says you're eccentric, but I know deep down you're a kind doctor—you'd never turn away someone in need."
"Hey, brat, don't think you can butter me up and I'll just go along with it!"
"I know, I know. Just... let us inside first. We can talk things over properly, alright?"
"You little brat... You really have no shame, huh? This is what a pirate with a 540 million Belly bounty looks like?"
"All just hype..."
Yemu grinned.
Dr. Kureha let out an annoyed sigh, then turned and walked back inside—though notably, she left the door open.
Erik was still frozen in shock, but Yemu snapped him back to reality.
"Don't just stand there! Get moving and bring your sister in!"
…
Inside the castle, the unconscious Ayala was gently laid onto a bed by the group.
But Dr. Kureha didn't move to examine or treat her. She simply stood to the side, arms crossed, watching coldly.
Erik stood stiffly nearby, unsure of how to approach her. Despite being a swordmaster, in this moment—when his sister's life hung in the balance—he was terrified that even the slightest misstep might offend Dr. Kureha.
Seeing this, Yemu finally spoke up.
"Dr. Kureha, may I ask what it would take for you to save Ayala? Whatever the condition, say the word—we'll do everything in our power to fulfill it."
Dr. Kureha scoffed.
"Tch. You brat. What makes you think I need anything from you? And more importantly, why should I lift a finger at all?"
Yemu paused, then replied.
"Well, first off, because I believe you're a kind doctor—one who wouldn't just watch someone die. And second... if I had to name a reason, maybe 'saving this country' counts?"
"Oh? Saving this country? That I'd like to hear. How exactly did you save it?"
Yemu answered without hesitation.
"You've probably heard—I killed this country's crown prince. If that kind of trash had become king, this place would've been doomed. So by killing him, I've saved the kingdom. And while I'm at it, when I leave, I could do you another favor and take care of someone else too."
Dr. Kureha was stunned for a moment—then burst into hearty laughter.
"You're a cheeky little brat, aren't you? But you're not wrong. You really did save this country. And as you said, I suppose I do have a reason to help you."
Erik's face immediately lit up with hope—but that hope was short-lived.
Dr. Kureha added bluntly, "However, I need to make one thing absolutely clear. This disease can be treated—but whether or not the treatment will succeed is another matter. And depending on how it goes... someone might die in the process."
Erik's expression turned pale in an instant. He stared at Dr. Kureha, fear written all over his face.