At that moment, Ryze spoke up.
“In Winterrealm, there are quite a few secret realms. Within these realms, one can find many opportunities…”
Ryze hesitated, realizing that he might have misspoken.
After all, Nina had been following Daniel, and with a mentor like him, what opportunities could she possibly lack?
Quickly, Ryze added,
“They’re also great for improving one’s combat skills and overall strength.”
Hearing this, Daniel realized that it might indeed be a good option for Nina.
With her restless nature, sending her to explore the secret realms could keep her busy—and spare him a fair bit of trouble.
He then gave Ryze another appraising look.
Only now did Daniel fully recognize Ryze’s potential.
Young and talented, Ryze was not only the current successor of the oracle lineage but also someone the old man had handpicked as a disciple.
The oracle lineage had always passed from one individual to the next, so selecting an unworthy successor could risk ending the tradition altogether.
Ryze’s abilities were beyond question, and this gave Daniel an idea.
“Nina,” Daniel said, “here’s one more task for you. While we’re staying here, you need to be able to defeat Ryze.”
“If you can’t, you might as well stay here rather than returning to Riverside City and embarrassing me.”
At present, Nina was only Tier-Silver, while Ryze was a Tier-Diamond.
Not only that, but Ryze was no ordinary Tier-Diamond—he had also inherited the oracle’s knowledge and legacy.
To anyone else, Daniel’s challenge to Nina would seem impossible.
Even Ryze himself found it excessive.
He knew his own strength. As a genuine Tier-Diamond with the oracle’s teachings, he doubted Nina’s ability to surpass him in just a few years, no matter how talented she was.
To Ryze, the goal Daniel had set for Nina was nothing short of a fantasy.
He assumed Daniel must have been joking.
But after Daniel finished speaking, Ryze immediately felt a wave of hostility directed at him.
There was no need to guess—it was coming from Nina.
Ryze turned to Nina and offered her a gentle smile.
“Do your best, Nina.”
He meant to be encouraging, but to Nina, it was pure provocation.
What was this smile supposed to mean? Was he underestimating her?
“I will defeat you!” Nina declared, her eyes blazing with determination.
“Then good luck,” Ryze replied, unfazed.
Daniel, observing their exchange from the sidelines, said nothing.
He simply hoped for a different outcome by the time he left Winterkeep Citadel.
…
For the next five years, Daniel resided in Winterkeep Citadel.
He spent his time researching the two class systems, savoring the meals Sif prepared, and occasionally wandering around the city.
Compared to the endless, barren voids he had experienced, the bustling life in Winterkeep Citadel made him feel alive again.
During his stay, Daniel made some modifications to the city’s magic array before ultimately transferring control of it to the newly appointed Grand Duke of Winterrealm.
As for the former Grand Duke, the man who had once confronted Daniel, he had been deposed.
Now, he lived a quiet life akin to that of a retired emperor.
The new Grand Duke was the former Grand Duke’s son, someone with a close relationship with Ryze.
The dramatic events surrounding the change in leadership at Winterkeep Citadel had seemingly been forgotten.
The former Grand Duke’s outraged declarations, the fall of the magic array, and his display of cowardice had all faded into obscurity.
Under the new Grand Duke’s leadership, Winterkeep Citadel thrived.
Only in the city’s pubs did rumors still linger.
Some whispered that the former Grand Duke had been deposed after a powerful individual came seeking vengeance, prompting his son to take his place.
Such tales became topics of casual conversation, perhaps to be regarded as fanciful history in years to come.
What was clear, however, was that Winterkeep Citadel had changed.
Soldiers often returned from expeditions carrying the bodies of spellbeasts.
The prices of mana cores had dropped slightly, as had the cost of spellbeast materials.
For bloodline warriors, this was a boon.
For merchants traveling to and from Winterkeep Citadel, especially those associated with Dragonscale Bank, it was a golden opportunity.
Materials purchased cheaply in Winterkeep Citadel could be resold elsewhere for a hefty profit.
Occasionally, someone even claimed to have caught a glimpse of Bear Prime roaming the city.
…
Five years passed.
Two figures appeared in Winterkeep Citadel.
“Father, are you sure about this?” one of them asked.
Cyre, the Lord of Westwind Pass, gazed at Winterkeep Citadel’s most opulent palace and nodded solemnly.
“Yes. There are things I must do.”
With that, Cyre resolutely headed toward the royal court.
It had been five years since the new Grand Duke ascended the throne.
During that time, much had changed.
Most people agreed that the new Grand Duke was far better than his predecessor.
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As the lord of Westwind Pass, Cyre was not permitted to leave his post without a critical reason.
Yet for the past five years, he had wrestled with a question—one that had driven him to make this decision.
He was here to find answers.
Cyre’s son, Nossa, accompanied him.
Partly to support his father, but also because he had his own ambitions.
Over the past five years, Nossa had worked tirelessly to improve his strength.
Back then, he had narrowly missed being chosen by Bear Prime.
Now, returning to Winterkeep Citadel, he hoped for another chance.
Five years later, what had become of those who had surpassed him back then?
…
“Cyre, Lord of Westwind Pass? You know the rules. Without an emergency, you are not permitted to leave your post,” the new Grand Duke said, fixing Cyre with a stern gaze.
“I am aware,” Cyre replied calmly.
“Very well. Considering your service, I’ll overlook this transgression. But let’s address another matter. Two years ago, during the Trial of Gods, you were absent. Is that correct?”
“Yes, Grand Duke. And that is why I’m here today—to ask a question. Why… was Bear Prime a small bear?”
This question had haunted Cyre for years.
Only a few had seen Bear Prime’s true form after Daniel intervened, and Cyre was among them.
How could the being he had revered as a symbol of faith turn out to be… that?
“The rules are the rules. Regardless of what you saw, as a lord, it is your duty to oversee the Trial of Gods,” the Grand Duke replied firmly.
“My apologies, Grand Duke, but I cannot continue as a lord,” Cyre said.
During his journey here, Cyre had made up his mind.
He could no longer lie to himself or carry on this charade.
“Are you certain? I’ll give you one last chance to reconsider.”
“My decision is final.”
The Grand Duke sighed.
As far as Bear Prime and the Winterrealm royal family were concerned, Cyre was too insignificant to warrant an explanation.
“Very well. A new lord will assume command of Westwind Pass in a few days. You may assist with the transition or do as you please.”
“I understand,” Cyre replied, leaving the royal court with heavy steps.
…
“You’re far kinder than he was,” Ryze remarked, stepping into the room.
Allowing such dissent, Ryze noted, could undermine the royal family’s authority.
Yet the Grand Duke had taken no punitive action against Cyre and had even offered him a chance to change his mind.
Hearing Ryze’s words, the Grand Duke gave a bitter smile.
“Kindness? Perhaps a firmer hand would be better.”