I regressed and became the Sword Ice King

The silence continued, and with it, there was the buildup of uncertainties.

Uncertainty about the present, and its drawn tendrils that would spread into the future.

And stirring that uncertainty was none other than Elsie Darkpelt, daughter of the Chieftain of the Darkpelt Clan.

Though, her true heritage was known to none other than herself.

With her remark, she had set off an entire course of emotion-driven actions which could have ended badly for not just the Jun Household, but the entire Kingdom.

And Thalia Jun could testify to that.

'Is she serious?'

Shattered both outside and in, she rushed to piece together her revenge. A remarkably grand one where the death of her younger brother wouldn't go unpunished.

And who were those whom she wanted to punish?

Who else if not the Merlin household…and the Kingdom, itself.

Everything had been suspicious from the start. Kira's appearance and her ghastly injuries that did nothing to harm her in any way and the King's sudden timing.

It was too precise. Too connected.

Even in her frozen state, she couldn't ignore it.

With that, she had sealed up a conclusion in her head and was unsure about getting them back.

'They both knew. The King pretended not to know, and he asked nothing…but that man…he knows.'

With a shift in her expression, she narrowed her gaze at Elsie and rushed forward in a brutal surge of energy.

Rebecca had acted too late, and Thalia had reached the Werekin before she could have processed her action.

Suddenly, Thalia grabbed the girl by her neck and lifted her into the air. Her strength surged—not from mana, but from raw, seething rage.

"Thalia?"

Rebecca stepped forward to intervene but Thalia responded first, in kind.

"Stop." She said as she placed her hand in front of Rebecca. "I am in control."

Rebecca's worried expression and Phestus' tensed muscles had quickly dissolved on hearing that statement.

Nothing else was needed.

Gaining control and sealing back those emotions that had poured out like a raging torrent, as if it never happened, was one of Thalia's best qualities.

Rebecca sighed as she turned to Elsie as well. Watching as she groaned slightly in pain and grabbed Rebecca's wrists. But surprisingly, there was no form of resistance or retaliation from her.

She simply… stayed and waited.

As if she knew the storm…their reactions were expected.

And perhaps it was.

"I don't know how much you knew my brother, and quite frankly. I don't care." Thalia began as she stared Elsie, straight in the eye.

Glare for glare.

Rage for rage.

Pain… for pain.

Thalia gritted her teeth as her fists whitened from the force.

"But if you're just squabbling emotional outbursts because of a mere beating in your chest, then you better think twice before you stand for that claim."

Her arms froze on her neck, and Elsie slowly grabbed them. Holding it firmly with an undeterred gaze.

Around them, some lingering eyes turned and looked their way. Curiosity and caution riddled their expressions, but no one would dare go their way.

Not with the news. Not with their presence, and especially, their names.

Thalia gasped silently, with her fierce gaze. Sharp enough to cut through paper peered further into Elsie's.

But the latter returned the gaze. Sharp and unfazed. Not a doubt in her words.

Their staring contest prolonged for a moment longer, until–

"Did anyone hear what she said?"

She turned to her sister, Rebecca who shook her head and pointed at Phestus.

"I placed a mana dome when the King spoke with us. It has been there since, and it still is now."

Phestus shrugged as he responded.

Thalia nodded in satisfaction as she dropped the girl.

"Why are you so confident in a beat?"

Now, her gaze was on Elsie, whose gaze held confusion.

"Wha– What do you mean?" She asked in confusion.

"I threatened you at first and you didn't reply with words… You did with actions." Thalia explained while Rebecca walked up to the two.

"She would have seen through you if you had lied or were simply making a farce… but now, we want to make sure you know what you're saying."

She explained as she joined Thalia.

Elsie sighed in understanding.

"It's not something humans are capable of feeling…or knowing."

Thalia's frown deepened.

"So Raph doesn't have any idea about this special… bond?"

Elsie replied with a sigh.

"It's only we, Werewolves who possess it. Normally, it should be impossible for a werewolf to have a human as their Mate…but…"

"You two became a special case."

Elsie nodded at Thalia's words, and for a few seconds after, they had simply stood with their words hanging in the air.

What they couldn't speak through words, they did so in their minds. Their thoughts and emotions connect at such a deep level that they would be blind to it.

Phestus observed from the side for a bit longer before a smile formed on his face and he walked up to them.

"Enough, you three." His voice snapped them from their thoughts. "You girls need to go home… and from what I hear, it seems Elsie will have to go with you."

Elsie's gaze flicked in surprise.

"Wha– What?"

She had been startled too many times in such a short time.

The sisters exchanged looks before turning to her.

"I had it as an idea, but I didn't want to voice it."

"Exactly… we wouldn't want to inconvenience you, but…" Rebecca paused.

"...we would rather have…the only way of finding our brother closest to us." Thalia ended the statement.

'Hah…' Elsie thought. 'So they want to monitor me, in case of changes.

Well, mates can find each other…and I have his scent.

I can confirm that no matter how much he changes… I will find him.'

It was understandable.

Easily so, really.

'I don't even want to go home yet.'

She glanced at the sisters, and her smile grew as her decision landed, first in her thoughts, then on her lips.

"I would be happy to follow you."

It was easier this way.

The Juns would have a method of finding their brother, and Elsie would have people to assist her if Raph were found and in danger.

Thalia smiled lightly and Rebecca beamed in satisfaction.

"In that case, let us prepare to leave for the North." Rebecca began. "Our trip would take weeks if we didn't find a Transport Gate."

"Huh?" Phestus' words snapped in the air.

Like a dejected puppy.

Immediately, the three young ladies turned to him in unison, and the young man whipped his gaze away. A slight blush on his face.

Rebecca smiled a bit, but Thalia rolled her eyes and grabbed Elsie by her arm.

"Come with me, let us leave these two and find our way."

At this point, the Capital of Lumbrica was in full swing.

People had begun their days. Shops were being opened and carriages had begun to fill the streets.

The streets of Lumbrica, bright and artistic, were alive!

As the duo walked away, Rebecca turned to Phestus with a subtle smile.

She walked up to him and embraced him tightly.

"This will be goodbye for now, Phestus."

"Hm," Phestus muttered. "I see that."

He said with a sigh as he held her firmly.

Their embrace stretched for a while, and their thoughts ran wild.

The events that unfolded so far had been nothing but a headache, and both could tell… it was merely the beginning of something more.

Something grand.

And because of that, they had used this time. No matter how small, they comforted themselves before the longer days began.

After all, it would be nearly impossible for a moment like this to occur… not until the fire had been placated.

"Alright."

Rebecca muttered as she pulled her arms back and stepped away.

"I will miss you."

Without waiting for a response, she turned away to leave, but he held her wrist once more.

"Will I see you there… at the King's Ball?"

Rebecca flinched at the question and her gaze narrowed slightly as she clenched her grip tighter.

She recalled the words of the king at that moment.

The conversation he had struck up with them. Explaining how he would host a ball for the respect of those who passed away and invite everyone from simple bringers to High Aristocrats.

It was to be the grandest of its kind… the type where everyone would be there.

'EVERYONE.'

Rebecca thought just before Kira came to mind.

A frown formed on her face.

'That woman lied to us… and most likely planned this farce with the King.'

She had the same thoughts as her sister, but hers seemed to have gone beyond just that.

'She lied… and she tried to hide something by bringing the King.'

It was only a thought. One that had developed into a feeling that gnawed in her guts.

'Did she kill Raph?'

But no matter how much she wondered, she could only draw on a few straws.

'I must find out more.'

"I won't." She replied with her head lowered, and her voice low.

Phestus' gaze narrowed, and his lips curled into a frown.

He released his grip on her wrist and she immediately continued on her way to the others.

The former council president watched, with his arms folded and a scowl stretched across his face.

Phestus Greenhorn wasn't pleased.

Not one bit.

***

Thalia had found her way to the sidewalk, in front of a carriage at a stop sign.

Inside, Rebecca and Elsie were already seated. Waiting quietly for arrival.

"Done?" Thalia asked with a raised brow.

Resting at the window of the Coach as Rebecca walked in.

"Yes." She nodded in reply and took an empty seat next to Elsie.

Thalia turned to the small, compact window at the front of the Carriage and tapped it.

"Coachman, we're ready to depart."

"Yes, ma'am."

With his response, he whipped the horses and began their trip to the Transport Port, where they'll find either a Teleportation gate or a ride back to the North.

Preferably the former.

And so, with the direction of their trip set, they sat and retreated to their thoughts.

Waiting patiently for their destination to come, and leaving a solemn silence in the air.

Minutes passed as such, until—

"Huh, what happened in here? It's like a rat died or something."

A voice boomed in the compartment, and slammed the girls into alertness.

Their eyes widened in shock, and their bodies moved before they could even process.

Rebecca's sword formed, Thalia's wand shimmered and Elsie's claws extended.

Locked and loaded for the kill, until it struck something hard and recoiled.

'Shit!' Elsie thought as she shifted in stance. Ready to go again.

A rush of mana surged from within and enveloped her fist, thoughts spiralling within her head in a frenzy.

'She seems to be in the 10th circle…but with the three of us!'

She swung first, but something amiss caught her peripheral vision as she froze in place.

'What… did they stop?'

The question rang in her head as she slowly turned to find Thalia and Rebecca still.

No, more than just still or calm, but… composed?

'But…the intruder?' Her confusion was evident. Very much so, but it disappeared as soon as it came.

'Even still! I need to protect us!'

She struck out with her fist, yet again.

"Oh?"

The woman's voice echoed and Elsie froze to it.

"You still dare attack me?"

The figure blasted a wave of mana that surged through the air in concentric circles and sent a powerful force that shut down every form of resistance within Elsie.

The girl buckled to her knees as a small groan escaped her lips and her body began to tremble.

Her eyes flared open. Her will buckled under the pressure, and her thoughts scattered like leaves in a storm. She struggled to look up…

'This woman…she's…she's on par with Kira Merlin!'

Her eyes widened as the figure's appearance came into view.

Blue hair.

Blue eyes, and a confident poise, too large to be ignored.

'A female mage?'

And a powerful one at that…

'No…we need to run! We need to run now!'

Her arms shook as she tried to stand, while her warning signs flared to life like alarm bells ringing through her skull.

But in that moment, Thalia's voice echoed in the Coach.

"Quit playing around, Sister Fiona."

The woman laughed, and the pressure dropped to nothing.

Like it was never there.

Elsie's eyes flared in surprise as the name slammed the back of her skull.

'Fiona Jun?'

"Awn… And here I thought I wasn't missed."