Only I Am A Reader

"Allow me to guide you into the Ice Palace."

Since little Baek had decided to risk her tolerable prison-like life for the sake of change, old Dae decided to go all in just as she did. At worst, he would just retire from being the commander of the coastal guards, he was already that old anyway…

'It's at times like this that I miss skip buttons.'

Although it was only for a little while when he was still trying to rid himself of his reading addiction, Leo had played all kinds of games ranging from RPGs to Galge. The ability to skip an NPC's dialogue or even skip through an entire event was simply too convenient, especially the useless banter at the beginning of some quests.

Leo tried his best to immerse himself in the two worlds he had been to, but some parts simply felt irrelevant to him who already knew their very core details as a reader. Compared to Geochin who was quite interested in Bing Baek's matter as a serial busybody who tried to find bonds in sorrow, Leo was only here to grab his stuff and give the Heavenly Strength Society a little assist before heading off!

The tension only grew stronger as the Palace grew bigger in Leo's eyes. Their destination, which seemed to be completely made out of ice, looked no different from a large piece of carved diamond under the lack of sunlight…

"You can go in."

Gesturing for the guards to open up the frigid gates, old Dae waited for Cheon Chang and Cheon Jeong to enter before he followed behind. Unlike a tour guide who would have explained every last detail of the Palace, the old ghost stayed silent all the way, taking them into a one-way route that directly led to the throne room!

"Dae Bong requests an audience."

"Come in. What made the head commander of the coastal guards come all the way here?"

Going in as he was given permission, old Dae made sure to warn Leo and the others not to enter before he told them to. Cheon Chang and Cheon Jeong had no reason to be that respectful to someone other than the Heavenly Demon, but considering the relations that they were trying to build up, they complied for the time being.

"Reporting, the young prince and the princess have set foot on the island."

"Baek and Geon are here?"

The Ice King who had been lazily leaning on the throne's handle with his chin in his palm straightened his back out in shock. Initial signs of happiness emerged on his face before instantly turning into a large frown.

He wasn't the type of evil father who sent away their descendants in fear of his throne being snatched. Rather, he was quite the loving one. Unfortunately, even he had no say in this.

"What are they doing here? Why did you come to report instead of sending them back to their tasks?"

No matter how fascinating the great Ice King seemed to be, he personally knew that this grandeur was nothing but a fake. Despite spending all that effort to push beyond transcendence, all that got him was to be chosen as the elders' puppet. He had to listen to their every word after tasting how it was like to suffer at their hands.

'Am I really going to let down again like this…?'

Although one of his two children would eventually come back to take his place when the time came, Just like he experienced, that would only happen after their spirit is broken under enough pressure, molding them to become flexible clay that would take any shape the Northern Ice Palace's elders desired.

Becoming the Ice King was a mix of heaven and hell, a curse that rendered everything tasteless. However, the Ice King couldn't stand up for himself, nor change his children's fate.

Escaping would only result in being hunted down with the excuse of leaking the Palace's secret martial arts, insisting to keep his son and daughter by his side would only increase their suffering under the elders' scrutiny. There was practically no other way than just to follow the route already set up for them…

"What are you waiting for? Didn't you hear the order?"

The elders' eyes were already moving in his direction, so the Ice King stressfully tried to return things to normal before they got out of hand, giving up the chance to see the faces of his children who had come so far.

"... They have brought guests as well."

"Guests?"

Just as the Ice King blurted out his question in confusion, Cheon Chang walked through the room's gate followed by the others. It was the perfect timing for them to make an audience.

"Greetings to the Ice King. We have traveled all the way here since we heard that the Northern Ice Palace is in need of help!"

As one would expect, the one to speak first was Cheon Jeong who confidently announced their purpose of coming over. She wasn't supposed to provide said help, but she was still the four seedlings' representative!

"Help?"

The Ice King's reaction was dull as he inspected the two powerhouses that just barged into the throne room. This was merely a first impression, but he could tell that… both of them were at least as strong as him if not stronger!

"What help? Didn't this clueless girl just bring enemies into our home after breaking down from the weight of our tests?"

Sitting on one of the four chairs surrounding next to the Ice King's throne, an old woman with a face full of wrinkles directed her gaze at Bing Baek who stood right next to Leo, scolding her lack of judgment.

"I think…"

The Ice King tried to speak, but a single glare was all it took for him to swallow his tongue back. Perhaps because she already viewed the intruders as enemies who must be eliminated, the old woman didn't seem to have any plans of keeping up the facade…

"Enemies? Are you sure you want to have our Heavenly Strength Society as enemies?"