Mountain ridges snake across the landscape, perpetually covered in snow—a region of extreme harshness, devoid of human presence.

The locals call this mountain range Mount Walters.

Mount Walters is a name mentioned in an ancient text, "The Classic of Mountains and Seas."

The book describes Mount Walters: "Without vegetation; merely a mountain, with snow in both winter and summer."

In short, year-round, Mount Walters is always cloaked in a thick layer of snow that never melts.

Mount Walters lies adjacent to the Blackwood Forest, forming a natural barrier perfectly situated along the border’s defensive line.

According to the route, if Hannah wanted to leave, she had to cross Mount Walters.

It was not an easy path.

Sheffield Benedict had his suspicions.

But he never shared them with Wayne Lane.

Because even if Wayne knew, there was nothing he could do.

Hannah was stubborn.

This was not a derogatory term.

Rather, she always had her convictions and, despite opposition and skepticism from everyone, she always succeeded.

Sheffield thought back to an event from the past.

...

Many years ago, that was his first time negotiating with the enemy alongside a mechanized combat team.

The enemy hailed from Ates Planet.

Ates was merely a small planet, but they had been developing rapidly over those few years and had become a threat to several neighboring planets’ influence.

Thus, these planets collectively lodged a complaint with the Imperial Royal Family.

Each year, they paid a substantial tribute of jewels and resources to the Imperial Royal Family, who in turn had to guarantee their safety.

Therefore, the royals dispatched Hannah.

In less than a month, she had Ates, arrogant and proud, completely on the run.

Victory seemed imminent when the royals changed their minds.

They wanted to negotiate.

For the weapons of Ates.

At that time, Sheffield thought it was an incredibly foolish move.

Once defeated, Ates would naturally offer up the resources of their entire planet.

But in a display of royal magnanimity, the king issued the order.

So he was there. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

To oversee this negotiation.

It dragged on for nearly a week.

It was not going smoothly.

Ates reneged several times during the negotiations, and had Hannah not been there, they might have launched an offensive without saving any face.

They were barbarians.

So barbaric that they outright kidnapped Sheffield, who was responsible for the negotiations.

The days of his captivity were anything but pleasant.

Sheffield, a noble of refined upbringing, had never suffered such indignities; when he was found, his legs, hands, and face were scarred.

As if a piece of polished, warm jade had suddenly developed several cracks.

Sheffield was someone who took great care with his appearance.

Always dignified and elegant, a model of gentlemanly grace, no matter the time or place.

That was the most disheveled day of his life.

And it was Hannah who saw him.

Only Hannah.

Because when the news of his capture reached the royal family, there was no immediate order for his rescue.

They simply issued a so-called "warning letter" to Ates with mild gravity.

Later he heard that the warning letter was trampled underfoot by Ates’s people, who mockingly scoffed, saying the royals were just a bunch of cowards.

So, it was in defiance of orders that Hannah had come to rescue him.

"You look miserable; were you beaten up?"

The girl crouched on the ground, toying lightly with a feather in her hand.

A teal feather.

Probably from the tail of some teal bird.

She was smiling, and even though she was backlit, her eyes seemed to catch the light, her dark pupils shimmering with life.

Sheffield merely glanced at her before lowering his head, his hands supporting him off the ground.