The journey from Frostbound Coast to the heart of the North took two weeks.
Two weeks that would have taken more than a month only a few years ago.
The difference was visible everywhere.
The convoy moved steadily along broad stone roads that cut through forests, valleys, and mountain passes like silver veins connecting the entire North together.
Roads that Kel himself had designed.
Roads that merchants once mocked as unnecessary expenses.
Roads that now carried endless streams of caravans, travelers, explorers, merchants, adventurers, and nobles.
As evening approached, countless mana-powered streetlights illuminated the roads.
Soft blue light flowed from engraved crystal lanterns mounted atop iron pillars.
The lights stretched endlessly into the distance.
Like stars descending from the heavens.
The convoy never needed to stop because darkness had fallen.
The roads remained visible.
Safe.
Protected.
Efficient.
Even the veteran knights escorting the convoy couldn't help but feel pride whenever they saw them.
After all, these roads had become one of the symbols of House Rosenfeld's prosperity.
Inside the luxurious carriage, Kel quietly observed the passing scenery through the window.
His expression remained calm.
His silver eyes reflected the glowing streetlights passing one after another.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The rhythmic sound of horse hooves echoed across the stone road.
For a moment, Kel found himself remembering the frozen streets of Frostbound.
The bustling markets.
The endless reports.
The construction projects.
The guild headquarters.
The manor.
And Lyra.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Only for a moment.
Then disappeared.
"She's probably forcing Marcus to work overtime already."
The thought amused him.
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed within his mind.
A voice carried through their telepathic connection.
"You miss her."
Kel's eyebrow twitched.
"Seiren."
Far away, countless kilometers from the convoy, the Guardian of Scarder Lake laughed.
Her laughter echoed directly within his consciousness.
"Interesting. You didn't deny it."
Kel leaned back.
"I simply don't see the point."
"How honest."
"How troublesome."
"I learned from you."
Kel sighed.
The lake guardian's laughter grew louder.
"The North is welcoming its famous young lord home. How does it feel?"
Kel looked outside again.
The scenery was gradually changing.
The further south they traveled, the denser civilization became.
Towns transformed into cities.
Villages became prosperous trade centers.
The influence of House Rosenfeld became increasingly obvious.
"It feels unfamiliar."
For several moments, Seiren remained silent.
Then she spoke softly.
"You've changed."
Kel's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Everyone changes."
"No."
Her voice became unusually serious.
"You left as the cursed heir."
"You're returning as someone entirely different."
Kel remained silent.
Because she wasn't wrong.
The boy who left years ago no longer existed.
The person returning was Count Kel von Rosenfeld.
Lord of Frostbound Coast.
Founder of the Unwritten Horizon Guild.
Master of Sovereign's Orbit Sword Arts.
And something else.
Something nobody within the North knew.
Dragon Emperor.
The title still felt strange even now.
A title born from events that seemed almost unreal.
His journey into the Dragon Realm.
His alliance with Velor.
The rise of the new Dragon King.
The oath of loyalty.
And the creation of a position that had not existed for thousands of years.
Dragon Emperor.
A ruler standing above Dragon Kings.
A title held by a human.
The irony was amusing.
House Rosenfeld's founder had once tamed a dragon.
Now one of the strongest dragons alive had sworn loyalty to a Rosenfeld descendant.
History truly enjoyed repeating itself.
Though never in predictable ways.
The convoy continued forward.
Eventually—
The first dragon statue appeared.
A colossal stone dragon standing atop a cliff overlooking the road.
Its wings spread wide.
Its head raised proudly toward the heavens.
Its eyes contained ancient dignity.
Even after centuries, the craftsmanship remained extraordinary.
Kel gazed at it quietly.
Then another statue appeared.
And another.
And another.
Some stood beside roads.
Others guarded city gates.
Others watched from mountain peaks.
Dragons were woven into the history of House Rosenfeld.
The people of the North revered them.
Respected them.
Remembered them.
Not as monsters.
But as guardians.
The moment the convoy entered Rosenfeld's direct territory, the atmosphere visibly changed.
Banners appeared everywhere.
Massive crimson flags bearing the silver dragon insignia fluttered proudly in the wind.
Watchtowers became more frequent.
Roads became wider.
Trade increased dramatically.
Every settlement displayed evidence of wealth and stability.
The heart of the North.
The domain personally governed by Duke Aktaris Rosenfeld.
By the afternoon of the fourteenth day, the convoy finally approached Northspire City.
The capital city of House Rosenfeld.
The largest city in the entire North.
The moment its distant walls appeared upon the horizon, countless people gathered outside.
Word had spread days ago.
Count Kel von Rosenfeld was returning.
The young lord who transformed Frostbound Coast.
The young noble who had become famous throughout the Empire.
The miracle worker of the North.
The gates opened.
The convoy entered.
And the city erupted.
"Young Lord Kel!"
"Welcome home!"
"Long live Young Lord Kel!"
"Frostbound's Hero!"
"Welcome back!"
The cheers rolled through the streets like thunder.
Kel looked outside.
Then paused.
There were far more people than expected.
Every street.
Every balcony.
Every rooftop.
Every window.
People were everywhere.
Merchants.
Craftsmen.
Children.
Scholars.
Adventurers.
Nobles.
Workers.
Thousands.
No.
Tens of thousands.
The entire city seemed to have poured into the streets.
Flower petals drifted through the air.
Children ran alongside the convoy.
Women waved handkerchiefs.
Men raised banners.
The atmosphere resembled a grand festival.
Kel rarely felt surprised.
Yet even he found himself slightly stunned.
Outside the carriage, one elderly man shouted loudly.
"THANK YOU FOR FROSTBOUND'S TRADE ROUTES!"
Another followed.
"My son found work there!"
"My daughter opened a business!"
"We visited Frostbound last winter!"
"The streetlights are incredible!"
"The heating systems changed everything!"
Countless voices followed.
None spoke about noble status.
None spoke about power.
Instead—
They spoke about roads.
Jobs.
Trade.
Opportunities.
Prosperity.
Things that directly affected their lives.
For the first time, Kel truly understood how much influence Frostbound had created.
Not merely within his territory.
But throughout the entire North.
A young girl sitting on her father's shoulders suddenly shouted.
"YOUNG LORD KEL!"
Kel turned.
The little girl immediately froze.
Then nervously waved.
"...welcome home."
The crowd laughed.
Kel stared at her for a second.
Then raised a hand and waved back.
The little girl's eyes widened.
Moments later she began screaming in excitement.
The surrounding crowd erupted again.
Even several knights failed to suppress their laughter.
Inside his mind, Seiren was laughing uncontrollably.
"Look at that."
"The terrifying Frontier Lord has become popular."
Kel ignored her.
Unfortunately, she continued.
"Should I inform Lyra?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because she will somehow make it worse."
Seiren immediately agreed.
"Fair point."
The convoy slowly advanced through the city.
Eventually, the city center appeared.
And beyond it—
The mountain.
Kel's gaze sharpened.
The mountain dominated the entire horizon.
Its steep cliffs rose toward the heavens.
Ancient and majestic.
A natural fortress.
At its peak stood the ancestral seat of House Rosenfeld.
Rosenfeld Estate.
A colossal fortress-palace built directly into the mountain itself.
Countless towers pierced the clouds.
Massive walls followed the mountain's contours.
Ancient dragon sculptures decorated every structure.
The entire estate radiated centuries of history.
Power.
Authority.
And prestige.
The setting sun cast crimson light across the mountain.
Making the estate resemble a dragon sleeping atop the world.
For a brief moment, Kel remained silent.
Years ago he had left this place.
A sickly child.
A cursed heir.
Someone people worried would not survive adulthood.
Now he returned.
Not as a patient.
Not as someone protected.
Not as someone pitied.
He returned as a ruler.
A conqueror.
A creator.
A sovereign walking his own path.
The convoy began ascending the mountain road.
As they climbed higher, the city gradually shrank below.
The cheers became distant.
The crowds became smaller.
The world seemed to grow quieter.
Only the wind remained.
Cold mountain wind swept across the cliffs.
Carrying with it the scent of pine forests and ancient stone.
Kel gazed toward the approaching estate.
Its massive gates slowly becoming larger.
Closer.
Closer.
Closer.
Then Seiren's voice echoed one final time.
Soft.
Knowing.
"Welcome home, Kel."
For several moments, Kel said nothing.
His silver eyes reflected the ancestral fortress standing before him.
The home he had not seen for years.
The place where his next journey would begin.
Then, finally—
A faint smile appeared upon his face.
"Yes."
"I'm home."
Ahead, the colossal gates of House Rosenfeld slowly began to open.