Third Person’s POV

Yet even that vague outline was enough for him to realize that the woman possessed a perfect combination of a slim waist that he could hug with one arm and a beautiful, curvy ass that was neither too big nor too small, beneath her elegant gown.

His observation was so subtle that the woman didn’t even realize that he had concluded so many things from just having a glimpse of her back.

The first thing she did after sitting down was gently hold Elis’s hand.

Her movements were slow and reassuring while her expression was filled with concern, giving a feeling that she really cared for the wood elf woman.

Looking at the trembling wood elf beside her, she asked softly,

"Are you alright, Elis?"

Elis nodded weakly.

She attempted to sit upright, though her body still shivered slightly as she whispered in cold and uneven breaths.

Ethan’s ice mana was still lingering inside her body and affecting her internal organs.

Even though Ethan’s ice mana was technically only at the third rank, i.e., at the Crystal Formation Realm of mages, it possessed an abnormally powerful freezing effect.

The Frost Soul Orchid’s essence had long since fused with his mana during his year-long slumber, elevating its purity and freezing properties far beyond what should have been possible for someone of his realm.

At the same time, the Arctic Sovereign Body Strengthening Manual continuously refined and compressed that power, making his ice mana far more dangerous than ordinary ice element mana that mages of his rank bore.

"Yes, Your Highness. I am alright, and it’s all thanks to you."

As she spoke, a radiant smile bloomed across her beautiful face.

Only now did Ethan truly notice how attractive the wood elf actually was.

His earlier anger and suspicion had completely overshadowed that fact in his mind.

Now that his emotions had calmed somewhat, he could finally appreciate her appearance properly.

Her emerald eyes, snow-white skin, and delicate elven features carried a unique charm different from human women.

At the same time, hearing the title "Your Highness" caused Ethan’s mind to move rapidly.

Several possibilities instantly formed within his thoughts.

His heartbeat accelerated slightly as he realized something, though his face remained calm and expressionless on the outside.

He quietly watched the interaction between the two women while waiting for the answer he desired most.

Finally, after allowing Elis enough time to calm down, the black-haired woman turned toward him.

To Ethan’s surprise, she did not immediately answer his questions.

Instead, she asked one of her own.

"Can you tell me your name, young master?"

Her voice remained gentle, and as if realizing that it could provoke Ethan, she hurriedly added in the next moment,

"As a sign of my sincerity, I shall tell you my own name first. I am Shixea Iceheart, and this is Elis."

Seeing the genuine sincerity in her expression, Ethan remained silent for several moments before finally nodding.

"I am Eryndor."

He stopped there.

He deliberately omitted his surname and let his surname, Mistborn, remain hidden.

Until he understood these people’s intentions and motives, he had no desire to reveal any unnecessary information that could potentially harm him or his family.

Seeing his caution, Shixea merely smiled, and although she felt slightly disappointed inwardly, she did not show it on her face.

Instead, she continued calmly.

"Before I answer your questions, Young Master Eryndor, can you tell me whether you possess a rough understanding of this continent and where you currently are?"

She paused briefly before adding,

"Do not misunderstand me. I merely wish to know how I should explain certain things to you. If you truly originate from a bygone era..."

She left the rest unsaid, yet Ethan immediately understood what she was implying.

At the same time, he knew that she was not being entirely honest.

From his observations and experience, Ethan could tell that her real motive was much simpler.

She did not wish to place herself at a disadvantage.

If she revealed everything and answered his questions as he desired, then she would lose control over the conversation, while Ethan would then have the option to reveal nothing about himself and keep her in the dark.

And if he truly turned out to be dangerous or hostile, she would have handed valuable information to someone she knew almost nothing about and could potentially turn into a dangerous enemy.

Therefore, she was carefully testing the waters while gathering information.

Ethan did not mind.

In fact, he respected her ways, as only fools negotiated through pride and ego.

Smart people protected their interests, and Ethan preferred dealing with smart people.

This woman was clearly far more shrewd than she appeared.

Fortunately, he was not some naïve young noble who would lose his mind simply because a devastatingly beautiful woman smiled at him.

"Yes, Miss."

Ethan nodded.

"According to what I can remember, this continent is most likely the Dark Star Continent.

And judging from the cold scenery outside, I can safely assume that I am somewhere within the northern regions of this continent."

He deliberately avoided mentioning the Northern Glacial Region directly, nor did he reveal anything about his own ’era’.

Shixea immediately noticed what he was doing.

She smiled gracefully while inwardly feeling a trace of frustration.

’Why is this boy so cautious?’

She could not help thinking.

’Most men would have already tried to gain my favor by revealing something about themselves.’

Yet Ethan remained maddeningly careful.

Outwardly, however, her smile remained unchanged.

"Then your assumptions are correct."

She nodded.

"This is the Northern Glacial Region, and this city is the Ice Emperor City."

A faint pause followed.

"And you are currently inside the Ice Emperor’s Castle."

She spoke those words in a single breath before observing Ethan carefully.

Part of her wanted to determine whether he truly knew nothing about this place and was simply pretending to be in the dark, yet she was disappointed once again.

His expression remained perfectly composed.

Internally, however, Ethan’s suspicions were finally confirmed.