The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family-Chapter 96

"Yes, Mother."

Clemence Arne answered in a soft voice. It was as gentle as a little mountain bird whispering.

"A letter has arrived from Asterian, Clemence. They are asking for help so that the Asterian princess can travel to 'that land.'"

Iris tapped the letter bearing the Asterian seal with her fingertips as she spoke.

"Your friend, Olivia Wolfgang, will be accompanying them, I presume... They have requested a guide from Arne. Who do you think would be the best to send?"

"I will go, Mother."

Clemence smiled knowingly as she responded, immediately grasping Iris’s intentions.

Clemence was a perceptive girl.

Tiel Asterian.

The legendary child who had awakened the Light Ability, the one traveling this far without proper protection to fulfill that legend...

Of course, whether she truly realized the legend or not didn’t matter. She had already proven her abilities during the festival.

"I will go in person to confirm whether Tiel Asterian really fulfills the legend... and ensure that she develops a favorable impression of our Arne."

Arne was a land of glory and abundance.

Though it was located in the farthest northern reaches, the land blessed by the gods remained temperate all year round, filled with lush greenery.

Perhaps because of this environment, the people living in Arne—especially in Verdant Arne—were known for their peaceful and gentle nature.

Arne was also the only beastman family among all the great clans that had never sought power or rank. They cared only for nature and the harmony of the beastmen who lived within it.

Thus, Arne had always remained neutral, siding with no one under any circumstance.

At least, until Iris Hilde Arne became the head of the family.

Iris intended to make Arne stronger. The problem was that Arne was isolated.

'No matter how blessed by the gods we may be, that blessing is confined to the lands of Arne alone.'

The moment one stepped beyond Arne’s borders, they would be met with the biting, blade-like wind that blew in from the "Land Where Morning Never Comes."

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As a result, no one left Arne, and no one entered. Arne had remained an isolated land for a very long time.

'But that cannot continue.'

The northern wind beyond the border was creeping in, slowly gnawing away at Arne’s territory.

It was no longer possible to simply bask in peace. As the head of the Arne family, Iris Hilde Arne bore the duty of protecting and strengthening their land.

And to do so—

"We need that child, Clemence."

Iker and Nestian would likely take this opportunity—while the Asterian children traveled to the "Land Where Morning Never Comes"—to attack.

They believed that the disappearance of "Tiel Asterian" was necessary for the peace of the beastman world. And perhaps, they would even reach out to Arne for cooperation.

Arne was a neutral house, but if one were to compare alliances, Arne had always been closer to Iker and Nestian than Asterian.

'But they are wrong.'

To make Arne prosperous, they needed that child's legend.

In the land of swirling snow and death, the power to summon the morning and bathe the world in sunlight.

‘Arcadia’ was a land without an owner.

If it could once again become habitable, the territory closest to it—Arne—would naturally claim it.

Asterian was too far. Nestian and Iker had done nothing for it. Wolfgang had no interest.

So if Tiel Asterian truly fulfilled the legend, the greatest beneficiary would be Arne. At least, that was what Iris believed.

"Of course, Mother."

Clemence smiled reassuringly, as if telling her not to worry.

And that smile was identical to Iris Hilde Arne’s.

***

"The north is cold, so you must prepare and leave before it's too late. The emperor has also sent a letter. The knights accompanying you have completed their preparations."

As Alpheus spoke, Ludian, who had been listening quietly, suddenly asked.

"Aren't we going to Arne first?"

"That’s right."

"I heard that Arne has a climate almost identical to Asterian's, warm all year round. Is that true?"

"Ludian, you idiot... What have you even learned at the academy?"

Ferdie scowled, pressing his fingers to his temples as if his brother’s question had given him a headache.

"Yes, Arne is blessed by the gods and has a temperate climate year-round. But the surrounding regions are not like that."

"So, is it like Nestian’s snowy plains surrounding Arne's territory?"

"They don’t exactly surround it, but... Ah, never mind. I don’t even know why I’m trying to explain this to you."

Ferdie shrugged. Olivia, who had been watching the brothers argue while holding Tiel in her arms, nodded in agreement.

"Exactly, you fool! Arne's territory is warm, but the lands around it are cold enough to freeze even a snow leopard to death! Isn't this common sense? What has this guy been learning all this time?"

"...Even a snow leopard could freeze to death?"

Tiel, who had been nestled in Olivia's arms, looked up at her with wide eyes.

Having already experienced freezing to death once before, Olivia's words were nothing short of shocking.

Olivia, who had unknowingly made a casual remark belittling Nestian, gasped and quickly covered both of Tiel’s ears with her hands.

"My god! Forget what I just said! I’m sorry, Tiel!"

Of course, Olivia had no idea about that incident from Tiel’s past. Tiel thought it was fortunate that she didn’t.

Knowing Olivia’s personality, if she ever found out about that, she would probably try to drown herself in a bowl of water out of guilt.

'Besides, I'm fine now.'

Those memories had faded. Everything she had endured in Nestian had long since blurred like a distant dream.

All thanks to the Asterian family, who had cherished her so much.

"Watch your mouth, Olivia!"

At that moment, Ferdie, unusually irritated, pulled Tiel into his arms. Blinking in surprise, Tiel obediently nestled against his chest.

"Enough. All of you, quiet down."

Alpheus put an end to the commotion. Olivia, Ferdie, Ludian, and Tiel all turned their eyes to him.

"You will be heading to Arne first. While Arne itself is warm, the journey there will be bitterly cold. You must be well-prepared."

Alpheus looked down at the children with a worried gaze.

"You will depart in four days. The schedule is tight, as you will leave as soon as the crown prince arrives. Make sure you don’t forget anything—"

"Does Tiel have winter clothes? She’s only been wearing light outfits since she came to Asterian."

Ludian abruptly interrupted Alpheus's instructions with his own concerns. Alpheus sighed, visibly restraining his patience.

"They were custom-made when we ordered clothes from the boutique last time. Just listen to your grandfather."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes. So, make sure—"

"Right! We also need to load lots of thick blankets in the carriage! Tiel needs to be wrapped up and tucked in properly!"

"I was speaking!"

Alpheus finally lost his composure and shouted, making Ludian and Olivia pout as they turned their eyes toward him.

Clearing his throat with a cough, Alpheus composed himself before continuing.

"Make sure everything is prepared. And remember—you are the heirs of Asterian and Wolfgang. If danger arises, prioritizing your safety is more important than fighting to subdue the enemy."

"Grandfather, aside from the heads of each noble house, there is no one in the empire who can stand against us, is there?"

At Ferdie's question, Alpheus slowly nodded.

"That is correct."

"Then why—"

"That is only true when it’s just the three of you."

Alpheus's gaze shifted to his small granddaughter, nestled in Ferdie's arms.

Tiel, seeing her grandfather's eyes on her, gave him a bright smile and clung more tightly to Ferdie's arms.

Alpheus looked at the sight with warm affection before speaking again.

"When there is something precious to protect, the situation changes."

At his words, the three siblings all turned their attention to their little snow leopard sister.

"Fighting blindly is one thing, but fighting while protecting something is twice as difficult. Ferdie, Ludian, Olivia. Engrave this in your hearts—you must protect your sister."

"Don't worry!"

"Leave it to us."

"Grandfather, really! You worry too much!"

Ludian, Ferdie, and Olivia answered confidently, one after another.

In Tiel’s small hands, a faintly glowing fragment of warm light flickered, rising briefly into the air before dissolving like dust.

Alpheus looked at the children with concern.

But within his golden eyes, there was just as much faith in them as there was worry.

A belief that they would do well.

And that belief would guide them on their path.

***

Time passed quickly.

The morning of the children’s departure for the "Land Where Morning Never Comes" had arrived.