“I’ve come to escort you.”
Yuho, hiding a smile behind his fan, pointed at a fully bloomed ice flower. Sion, startled by the sudden appearance of these big shots, froze in place.
Powerhouses whose limits are unfathomable. Every finger twitch, blink, and even their breaths felt like they were being read.
‘Why are they here…?’
Arhen Blizzard, Captain of the White Tiger Palace Guards, and Yuho, the highest-ranking administrator of Tigroba. Despite not holding the title of Frozen Heart, they are known as Lord Seolho’s closest confidants.
That’s why Sion was confused. Why would they empty the White Tiger Palace and come all the way here to greet her so extravagantly?
“Um…”
As the girl stood stiff with tension, Yuho approached with a smooth, flowing motion and woke her up with his deep voice.
“The Great Lord is looking forward to this meeting.”
The first reason they came was that they couldn’t keep their king waiting. The second reason was that any guest who receives Lord Seolho’s favor and attention is treated as a state guest, bypassing all formalities.
If Sion isn’t properly protected, Lord Seolho’s honor would be tarnished. That’s why everyone here is ready to throw their lives away like scraps of paper to protect their guest.
Sion snapped back to reality at Yuho’s words and hurriedly recalled her etiquette lessons.
“Th-thank you. Then, excuse me.”
As she finished her greeting, she tucked her weapon back into her bag. She stepped into the ice flower, and Yuho stood beside her with a beaming smile.
“Snowfang Valley has quite a few sights, but its location isn’t the best. It’ll take a while to reach the White Tiger Palace.”
He meant to shorten that time. Thinking the return trip could be even faster, Sion felt pleased.
*Whoosh───.*
The ice petals slowly closed. Looking around, ice flowers bloomed everywhere, neatly swallowing up the Captain and his soldiers.
“Are you uncomfortable or cold?”
“No, I’m fine.”
Was Yuho controlling this ice flower? It was fascinating. The temperature inside was just right, not too hot or cold.
‘Are we moving?’
Yuho stood still, but after the petals closed, there was no sense of movement. No vibrations or noise could be felt.
“Hehe…”
Yuho let out a small laugh as he observed the unexpected reaction of the Testarossa bloodline. Sion, unable to move her head, only rolled her eyes cautiously, her curiosity shining through.
“We’ve arrived.”
“…!”
Sion’s mouth slightly opened as the petals revealed the sight of the White Tiger Palace. From Snowfang Valley, where the sky train arrived, to the White Tiger Palace in the capital—they had already covered that vast distance.
Yuho, satisfied with Sion’s transparent reaction, twitched his fox ears and folded his fan.
“I can’t do this just anywhere, you know?”
“Still, it’s amazing… I didn’t even feel us moving.”
“Hoho! If even the Captain reacted like this, I’d feel more motivated to use my powers.”
Arhen Blizzard, expressionless, had already lined up his soldiers, and in the blink of an eye, the path for Sion to enter the White Tiger Palace was ready.
“Shall we go now?”
“Yes…!”
Sion, guided by Yuho, confidently took her steps.
From here on out, it was the real tiger’s den.
*Thud. Thud. Thud.*
The capital of Tigroba remained the same as it was during the time of Sion’s parents. However, the location where the royalty resided had changed, and the White Tiger Palace was a place Sion was seeing for the first time.
‘It’s huge.’
That was Sion’s first impression.
Even at her fully grown age, she could feel it—this place was definitely larger than the palace she had played in as a child.
At the end of the path, she was met with a massive door.
Made of an unknown metal, the door was adorned with frost like a work of art.
“Please wait a moment. I will request an audience.”
Just as the captain of the guards stepped forward to speak in front of the giant door, someone inside, sensing their presence, spoke first with a solemn voice.
*─ Come in.*
As usual, the captain of the guards glanced at the two gatekeepers.
“Open the gate.”
At the captain’s command, the two gatekeepers bowed their heads and moved.
*───Creeeak!!!*
As the door opened, Sion’s eyes fell upon a mountain-like figure seated on the throne.
‘That man…’
The father of the lively beastkin girl Noah Frozenheart and the current ruler of Tigroba.
One of the strongest, as many would agree.
Lord Seolho, Rex Frozenheart.
Could he even be considered the same kind of living being?
An unconscious aura rose, making her entire body tremble.
She was certain that if that man raised a finger with killing intent, she would die.
Yet, the girl who had been waiting for this moment gathered her courage.
In the quiet moment, she composed herself and spoke.
“I am…”
“Enough. I don’t need the tedious formalities. I hate etiquette, so just relax.”
Lord Seolho rested his chin on his massive hand and stared at Sion, who stood beside Yuho.
After a brief glance, he seemed to have made his judgment.
He raised the corner of his mouth, revealing sharp fangs.
“Truly the bloodline of Testarossa. You’re definitely Weber’s child.”
When Lord Seolho mentioned her father’s name, Sion’s body twitched involuntarily.
Yuho encouraged her to speak if she had anything to say.
Sion cautiously spoke up.
“Is it… because I resemble him?”
“My judgment isn’t based on appearance. It’s because of the unique color that comes with the same bloodline.”
Perhaps the people who came to greet her knew that too, which is why they didn’t ask her personal questions.
“If you’re curious about appearances, Lady Sion Testarossa, you resemble your parents quite a bit. Right, Captain of the Guards?”
Arhen Blizzard nodded slightly in agreement.
Both of them had vivid memories of seeing Testarossa.
“To the point.”
Lord Seolho’s low voice stole everyone’s attention.
Sion quietly waited for the man on the throne to speak.
“Where have you been all this time?”
“…”
“On the day I sent Weber to talk with his kin, a large number of elf corpses were found in the coniferous forest.”
Sion’s mouth felt dry. Her shoulders felt heavy.
It was clear that whatever she revealed here would become the truth about the Tigroba elves.
So, she had to choose her words carefully…
Be careful with the chapter.
‘I will reveal the truth.’
I never intended to lie in the first place.
Plus, I have a gut feeling that lies won’t work in front of them.
“I’ll start from the point I remember.”
Sion spilled out the events that came to mind while being watched by the ruler of Tigroba and their close aides.
She doesn’t think she’s innocent.
The fact that she moved as told despite her doubts is her sin.
“And…”
Though not eloquent, Sion did her best to explain without rationalizing herself.
She poured out everything, including the information the Grand Elders had confessed.
Even the fact that she managed to escape danger thanks to the friends she made in the academy city.
“…That’s all.”
Lord Seolho and his aides showed no signs of agitation after hearing Sion’s story.
Having experienced too many colorful events in life, they calmly accepted the situation rather than being shocked.
“The Counterflow Praise Society. Those bug-like things… what a tiresome name.”
Lord Seolho scratched his thick neck and continued his thoughts briefly.
Most of it would be Yuho’s burden, but with long-held curiosities resolved, there’s still much to do.
But it’s not a matter to discuss in front of guests.
Lord Seolho decided to focus on communicating with the girl before him.
“Weber Testarossa is my friend.”
“Were you acquainted with my father from the start…?”
Lord Seolho stroked his beard and chuckled at Sion’s words.
“We only met once.”
“…”
“We had just one encounter. That day settled everything. Still, he’s my friend.”
Does the number of meetings or the duration matter?
If they liked each other, they’re just friends.
“I’m not exaggerating just because his daughter is here, but Weber Testarossa was a great man.”
Lord Seolho untied the animal hide on his wrist and showed a scar.
A round, healed wound. Clearly a bullet scar.
“I’ve never been wary of guns in my life. Not until I met Weber.”
“…”
“This deep scar is one of the few enjoyable experiences in my life.”
The guard captain, standing still, seemed to empathize.
After fiddling with the scar and recalling the time, Lord Seolho announced to keep a promise with his old friend.
“It was a promise with Weber Testarossa to place an elf from the Tigroba coniferous forest in a high position.”
The king’s gaze turned to the highest administrator.
Yuho bowed to receive the order.
“Yuho. You may create a new position. Protect the honor of Testarossa.”
“I will handle it.”
A massive procedure condensed into two sentences.
Sion spoke up urgently.
“W-wait, please hold on!”
“Oh, do you have a position in mind?”
At Yuho’s question, Sion said it wasn’t that and showed her curiosity first.
“…Has my identity been kept alive all this time?”
As Lord Seolho’s gaze turned, Yuho answered.
“After a certain period of being missing, one is naturally declared dead. However, we can preserve your status, so we’ll update it immediately after the audience.”
“I see.”
At the look asking if that was a sufficient answer, Sion politely bowed.
It appeared.
“Thank you…!”
This was solving one of the great hardships.
Tigroba is one of the three powerful nations that govern the academy city of Elysium.
If one’s status is restored, there’s no need to go through separate procedures or make requests to live in the academy city.
“Do you have anything else you want to say? Weber was quite talkative too. Let it all out.”
At Lord Seolho’s words, Sion gulped.
She brought up the most important point.
“I am truly grateful for the offer of a position. However, I… wish to live in the academy city for now.”
In short, what this girl wants is freedom.
Seeing the girl, who seemed to be greatly misunderstanding something, everyone present showed a subtle smile.
“Child of Testarossa.”
“Yes…!”
“We are not bound by status. Everyone sits in Tigroba of their own will. We have no intention of burdening you with troublesome tasks just because you’ve been placed in an important position.”
With that, he concluded by saying that one should act responsibly when they can.
He then gave another order to Yuho.
“Rather than giving a minor position, an honorary position would be better.”
“I will arrange it accordingly.”
Finally, the relief of keeping a promise.
Lord Seolho exhaled and looked at the elf girl.
“Sion Testarossa.”
“Yes…!”
“You would want to avenge your parents yourself, right?”
“That’s correct!”
Satisfied with the unwavering answer, Lord Seolho nodded and said he would watch over her.
He provided Sion with a background.
“From this moment on, Sion Testarossa is under the protection of Tigroba. Wherever you go, remember that fact and live proudly.”
“Thank you!”
“And get along well with our daughter too. She has more to learn than she has learned.”
As Sion showed her determination to do her best,
Lord Seolho continued to gesture, and Yuho pulled out a book from his sleeve.
Sion, unaware of what it was, took the handed book.
The explanation followed.
“This is a ledger converting the remaining personal assets of Testarossa. Sort out what you want to keep and what you don’t, and tell Yuho.”
“This is Yuho’s real expertise, so you can trust him. He’ll handle it without loss, at the right price, right?”
As Yuho playfully smiled and told her to take a look,
Sion opened the ledger with gratitude.
“?”
She froze at the sight of the numbers she had never seen before.
The figures were unrealistically large to be called money.
‘How many zeros are there…?’
She couldn’t count them by poking her finger in front of Lord Seolho.
Before making a fool of herself, the girl said she would check the ledger carefully and closed it.
She then thought of Rohan and Clara in her mind.
![[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come](https://i3.wp.com/darkmtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737407792-8993-TS-The-end-of-magical-girls-has-come.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come")
