The dust from Hana’s encounter with Onikazan and Kurohazan had barely settled when the next problem arose.

  Diplomatic matters were never-ending, and this time, the kingdom had been summoned north for a high-profile peace summit between Aikyo and its closest allies. Normally, Hana would be content to send a well-drafted letter and let her advisors handle the finer details, but the request had been specifically for the three ruling sisters to attend in person.

  Hana had groaned loudly upon receiving the news. “You mean we actually have to go there?”

  Hime, already organizing the travel arrangements, didn’t even look up. “Yes.”

  Haruka, stretching lazily, grinned. “I bet they just wanna see if you’re as wise as your sacred teachings claim.”

  Hana threw a pillow at her. And so, despite her protests, preparations were made for the royal pilgrimage.

  The sisters departed with an entourage of diplomats, advisors, and guards, the journey taking them through vast fields, rolling hills, and finally, the frigid highlands of the Northern Kingdom. Unlike Aikyo, which thrived in balanced seasons, the North was a land of endless winter. Snow blanketed the world in shades of white and silver, the trees dusted with frost, and the lakes frozen solid even in early autumn.

  Hana, bundled in three layers of fur-lined robes, let out a deep sigh. “I already hate this place.”

  Haruka, completely unbothered, marched beside her with bare arms, grinning. “This is great! The cold builds endurance.”

  Hana scowled. “No, it builds suffering.”

  Hime, as always, remained composed. “Try to endure. The Northern King has extended great hospitality.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Hana muttered, blowing warm air into her hands. She glanced around warily. “As long as Haruka doesn’t accidentally start another war, we should be fine.”

  Haruka rolled her eyes. “Why does everyone think I’m gonna start a war?”

  Hime gave her a look. “Because you almost did. Twice.”

  Haruka grinned. “Fine. This time, I’ll behave.”

  No one believed her.

  —

  The Arrival at the Northern Palace

  The delegation reached the grand fortress of the Northern Kingdom, a towering palace carved from the very ice itself. The gates opened to reveal a vast courtyard, where nobility and warriors from different lands had gathered. Their host, King Aldric of the North, stood at the palace steps, arms crossed over his chest, a towering figure with sharp blue eyes and long silver hair.

  He gave them a small, approving nod. “Ah. The famed Sato sisters. Welcome to my kingdom.”

  Hana, maintaining perfect royal decorum, gave a graceful bow. “We are honored by your hospitality, Your Majesty.”

  Hime followed suit with a polite nod. “We hope for a fruitful summit.”

  Haruka, meanwhile, stood too casually, hands resting on her swords as she eyed the crowd. Then she muttered way too loudly, “This place reeks of warriors.”

  The air immediately tensed. The Northern warriors bristled. Some whispered amongst themselves. Others narrowed their eyes. One of the northern generals, a broad-shouldered man with a heavy fur cape, stepped forward. “And what is that supposed to mean, Princess Haruka?”

  Haruka, entirely unfazed, grinned. “I mean, I bet there’s some strong fighters here.”

  Hime closed her eyes. “Oh no.”

  Hana groaned. “Not this again.”

  King Aldric’s brow twitched. “Are you implying you wish to test their strength?”

  Haruka beamed. “Wouldn’t say no.”

  The gathered warriors murmured in disbelief. Some looked offended. Others looked intrigued.

  Hime, sensing disaster, immediately stepped between Haruka and the growing tension. “We did not come here to fight.”

  Haruka shrugged. “Not even a little spar?”

  Hana grabbed Haruka’s collar and yanked her back. “Absolutely not.”

  Haruka grumbled but didn’t resist. King Aldric’s sharp gaze studied her for a long moment before he let out a low chuckle. “You have the spirit of a warrior, Princess Haruka. But let us focus on diplomacy first.”

  Haruka smirked. “Fine. But if someone challenges me, I’m not backing down.”

  Hime rubbed her temples.

  Hana muttered under her breath, “If we survive this trip without causing a war, I’ll consider it a success.”

  With that, the sisters were led into the palace, where the diplomatic meetings awaited. Little did they know, Haruka’s offhanded comment had already stirred interest among the northern warriors.

  The trip had barely begun, and already, chaos was brewing.

  —

  The Duel in the Frosted Arena

  The Northern Kingdom of Vintergard was known for its formidable warriors, frigid climate, and centuries-old traditions of battle. Strength was everything here—status, honor, and even diplomacy were often settled through duels.

  Which was exactly why Haruka’s offhanded comment was a terrible mistake.

  Inside the grand hall, the air had grown tense ever since she implied that she wouldn’t refuse a challenge. The gathered northern warriors, many of them high-ranking generals and battle-hardened veterans, had taken it as a provocation.

  One particularly large man, Lord Sigrun, stepped forward, his heavy wolf-fur cloak swaying. He was a seasoned warrior, his left arm covered in battle scars, his posture radiating pure dominance. “Aikyo’s princess speaks boldly,” he said, voice deep and gravelly. “Perhaps she would care to prove her strength in the old ways.”

  Haruka’s eyes lit up. “Finally, some action.”

  Hime instantly grabbed her arm. “No.”

  Hana, already exhausted, muttered, “Not again…”

  But it was too late. The moment Haruka grinned with excitement, the gathered warriors took it as a formal acceptance.

  King Aldric smirked, watching with interest. “Very well. A friendly match to test the strength of our nations, then.”

  Hime’s voice turned sharp. “We did not come here to fight.”

  Lord Sigrun turned to her with a cold gaze. “Do you mean to say Aikyo’s warriors only speak, but do not act?”

  The hall fell silent.

  Hime’s expression remained unreadable, but Hana knew her sister well enough to know that she was barely holding herself back.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Haruka, of course, broke the silence immediately. “Alright, I’ll do it.”

  Hana slammed her forehead onto the table. “We’re all going to die.”

  The "friendly match" was scheduled for the following morning. The warriors of Vintergard wasted no time in clearing out an arena—an ancient dueling ground carved into the ice itself, surrounded by torches and stone carvings of past champions. Snow fell lightly over the battlefield, but no one seemed to notice the cold.

  Haruka stood at the center, grinning like a madwoman. “Finally, something fun.”

  Hime stood beside her, arms crossed. “Do not disgrace us.”

  Hana, bundled in so many layers of fur that she looked twice her size, muttered, “Why am I even here?”

  King Aldric raised a hand, and the gathered audience fell silent. “This match is a test of strength, not a battle to the death. Show honor. Show skill.” He turned toward Haruka. “Princess of Aikyo, you may choose your opponent.”

  Haruka’s golden eyes scanned the warriors before her. Then, with a smirk, she pointed directly at Lord Sigrun.

  “You look like fun.”

  The crowd roared in approval.

  Hime sighed heavily. “She’s going to give me an aneurysm.”

  Hana mumbled, “Can I fake my own death now?”

  As Sigrun stepped forward, removing his cloak, his scarred muscles and sheer size made even some of the Vintergard warriors murmur amongst themselves. He was more than twice Haruka’s size and had crushed boulders with his bare fists.

  Hana leaned toward Hime. “Do we tell her she’s going to die?”

  Hime simply closed her eyes. “Let her find out.”

  The duel began.

  Sigrun charged forward, his axe swinging in a blinding arc. Most warriors would have been obliterated on the spot. Haruka grinned, ducked low, and caught the handle mid-swing with her bare hand. The entire arena fell into stunned silence.

  Then Haruka, still grinning, yanked Sigrun forward and threw him over her shoulder in one fluid motion. The ground cracked from the impact.

  Hana’s jaw dropped. “Okay. I’ll admit. That was cool.”

  Hime simply nodded. “Acceptable.”

  Sigrun groaned from the snow. “Gods above, what is she made of?”

  Haruka laughed. “Wanna go again?”

  The warriors of Vintergard, though initially skeptical, were now cheering her name.

  The alliance, for better or worse, had been sealed in combat.

  —

  After the duel and political negotiations, the summit concluded in unexpected success. Vintergard and Aikyo’s alliance had never been stronger, and relations between their people flourished.

  Everything was going well—until King Aldric, seated at the grand feast, suddenly turned toward Hana.

  "Princess Hana, I have heard tales of your divine wisdom."

  Hana, in the middle of sipping her tea, nearly choked. "I—what?"

  Aldric smirked. "And your divine miracle in healing. I would like to witness this firsthand."

  Hana panicked internally. “W-Well, miracles are… complicated—”

  The king cut her off. "I have a trusted aide who has suffered from back pain and exhaustion for years. Would you not offer him your blessed healing?"

  Hana’s brain short-circuited.Before she could refuse, her mouth betrayed her. "Of course."

  Hime and Haruka whipped their heads toward her. Haruka grinned. “Oh, this is gonna be good.”

  Hana desperately searched for a solution. Then, in a panic, she used her reality-warping abilities to summon her royal chef. Tanaka-san appeared in a burst of light, looking completely unfazed.

  Hana froze. “…Tanaka-san, why are you not surprised?”

  Hana’s soul left her body, deeply regretting every decision that had led her to this moment.

  She was standing in the center of the grand banquet hall, surrounded by hundreds of nobles, warriors, and political figures from all over Vintergard and the Aikyo Alliance. The long tables were packed with fine foods and drinks, the air warm despite the freezing northern winds outside. But all the merriment had paused, because now, every eye in the room was on her.

  At the head of the table, King Aldric leaned forward, amusement dancing in his piercing blue eyes. “You may begin, Princess Hana.”

  Begin? Begin what?!

  Hana had only agreed to this nonsense because she panicked. But now she was stuck in the middle of the grand hall, with everyone eagerly waiting for her to "bless" a bowl of banana soup like it was some divine elixir of life.

  To make matters worse, Tanaka-san, her royal chef, had taken this entire event way too seriously. The moment he was summoned, he had immediately dropped to one knee, his expression filled with nothing but devotion and excitement.

  "It is an honor to serve the Divine Wisdom of Aikyo," he had declared.

  Hana had physically recoiled. But before she could correct him, Tanaka had marched straight to the palace kitchen, gathered the finest ingredients, and created the most magnificent bowl of banana soup in existence.

  Now, the golden-hued broth sat before her, steaming slightly, the aroma surprisingly rich and inviting. It had been placed on a ceremonial pedestal, bathed in candlelight, as if it were some sacred relic.

  Hana swallowed hard.

  How. Did. It. Come. To. This?

  Then, suddenly— A voice echoed in her mind, smooth and confident.

  "Master, I advise you to proceed with utmost grandeur."

  Hana almost jumped. "Kuro-chan?!" she thought, startled.

  The dragon, still curled around her shoulders in his smaller form, let out a quiet hum in her thoughts.

  "If you wish to maintain your divine reputation, you must act accordingly. I shall provide assistance. Follow my lead."

  Hana internally groaned.

  But before she could argue, Kuro-chan moved.

  He leapt gracefully onto the pedestal beside the soup. Then—he began to grow. Shadows flickered and coiled as his form expanded, stretching higher and larger until he stood in his full size—an elegant, towering beast, his dark fur now glistening with embers, his wings partially unfurled, making him seem divine and untouchable.

  The nobles and warriors of Vintergard gasped. Someone dropped their goblet. A general fell to one knee. One of the older lords made the sign of protection against spirits. King Aldric raised an eyebrow but otherwise remained silent, watching the spectacle unfold.

  Then Kuro-chan’s voice echoed not just in Hana’s mind, but through the entire hall.

  "Rejoice, mortals. For you stand before the Divine Priestess of Aikyo, whose wisdom and power know no bounds."

  Hana internally panicked. "Kuro, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

  "Follow my lead, Master."

  Before Hana could process anything, her body moved on its own.

  Kuro-chan’s presence surged through her like an unseen force, guiding her to step forward with divine grace. She raised her hands elegantly, her silk sleeves billowing as if carried by an unseen wind. The golden candlelight reflected off her amber eyes, giving them an ethereal glow.

  To the gathered audience, she radiated pure divinity. Then, in a voice that was calm, regal, and entirely unnatural, Hana spoke.

  "This humble offering shall be blessed by the wisdom of Aikyo, an elixir to nourish both body and soul."

  Hana internally screamed. "WHY AM I TALKING LIKE THIS?!"

  "Excellent performance, Master," Kuro-chan purred in her mind.

  The nobles whispered in awe.

  “She speaks with the voice of the divine…”

  “I can feel the power in her words…”

  “Truly, she is blessed by the heavens…”

  Hana was going to die. Then Kuro-chan touched his forehead to the soup. A pulse of golden energy rippled outward, faint symbols appearing in the air, as if reality itself was bending to his will.

  The soup…glowed.

  And then— A literal halo of divine light appeared above the bowl. The hall erupted. The reaction was immediate. The nobles whispered in awe. The warriors starred in absolute shock. One priest was openly sobbing into his robes.

  Haruka, watching from the sidelines, barely held back her laughter. “Oh, this is so much better than I imagined.”

  Hime, completely unreadable, simply sipped her wine.

  Meanwhile, Hana was having a crisis. In an effort to continue the divine act, she lifted her hands dramatically and gently pressed her fingers over the glowing bowl. Then, she spoke again, voice serene and mysterious.

  "Let this offering bring forth renewal and strength, as the wisdom of the past and the hope of the future converge in harmony."

  Hana, internally "WHAT DID I EVEN JUST SAY?!"

  Kuro-chan, smugly "Perfection, Master."

  Then, before she could question her life choices further, the royal attendants brought the glowing bowl to the Northern King’s trusted aide. The old warrior, who had suffered from chronic exhaustion and pain for decades, took one cautious sip.

  And then—his back cracked audibly. The man suddenly stood straighter, stretched, and gasped.

  “…By the gods.”

  Another stretch. Another series of bone-popping sounds.

  Then— The warrior threw his arms in the air. “I FEEL TWENTY YEARS YOUNGER!”

  The nobles exploded into cheers. The soldiers pounded their fists against the tables. Someone fainted from sheer emotion Hana, standing in the middle of this absolute chaos, smiled weakly and whispered,

  “I hate everything.”

  Hi Kryssa Here! if you enjoy the story or have any suggestion, question, theories, and favorite moments please let me know in the comment section!

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