The large pair of dark blue eyes gradually disappeared into the fog as Vadric straightened his back after a few seconds.
He corrected his sleeves as he began to walk towards the mountain. Even though he could simply fly towards the bottom of the mountain, his pace and steps were steady, neither fast nor slow.
His entire body was taut since he could guess the reason the Winter Dragon King summoned him. His body was already beginning to shiver under the killing cold since this was the coldest part of the entire Coldstorm of Hell region.
This only made him realize once again the might of his king to stay in such a place without even flinching.
When he reached the bottom of the giant snowy mountain, a large dark blue door revealed itself, built on the bottom of the mountain itself.
Nobody could notice such a door existed from afar, but only when they reach so close can they see it.
Vadric took a deep breath as he entered through the door and walked into a hall that was so tall and large that it could easily accommodate a couple of fully mature Winter Dragons. However, it was only large enough to accommodate the Winter Dragon King alone.
But right now, the hall was almost empty except for the imposing dark blue icy throne that took up the center of the far end of the hall and was graced by giant windows behind it that let in snowy light.
The armrests of the throne were in the shape of dragon heads with their jaws wide open, showing off their frightening teeth.
And the backrest of the throne was made up of icy scales and was about ten meters tall, casting a large shadow on the floor below.
The throne was situated on an elevated level above the rest of the floor, and anyone who wanted to see the throne and the person standing beside it would have to angle their head up to see it.
However, it wouldn't be the grand throne that would mesmerize them, but instead, it would be the 190cms tall beauty standing beside it.
Her dark blue gown adorned her hourglass figure while her long sapphire hair was flowing down her back like a picturesque river. She was looking out the giant windows as the snowy light highlighted her pale light skin, making her look even more mesmerizing like a winter goddess admiring the beauty of her creation.
In fact, only very few knew that people knew her by the title 'Winter Goddess' before she became the Winter Dragon King, especially since she was as powerful and breathtaking as a goddess.
But since so many centuries passed, people had gradually forgotten about such a fact.
However, more than that, her prowess shook the entire realm since nobody had ever witnessed the ascend of a genius like her, and her ruthlessness and her competency to rule the kingdom only solidified her influence over the entire realm.
She was also the first woman to become a Winter Dragon King, and probably there might never be one like her again.
People would worship even the ground she placed her feet on, and even powerful men like King Erzu would tremble at the mention of her name.
And now, Vadric didn't even dare to cause any disrespect by looking directly and instead had his back bent as he cupped his fists, "Your Majesty, may I know--"
"Do you know why you are here, Vadric?" The Winter Dragon King asked in an emotionless voice without even turning around or shifting her gaze. Her expression was as plain as snow, and one couldn't even tell what she was thinking.
A drop of sweat near Vadric's brow froze before it could even trickle down as he said, "Your Majesty, I...I suppose this is about my son, Mevron?"
"Was he the one who asked you to raise the barrier around our realm?" The Winter Dragon King asked without a change in her tone.
Vadric's eyes nervously blinked as he answered, "Yes, Your Majesty. He informed me that some dangerous criminals had attacked him in his own guild building, and to make sure they didn't escape, he had asked me to put up the barrier till he could catch them."
"Criminals? Did you know that one of these criminals was none other than the Fairy Queen?" She asked as her glimmering icy blue eyes finally shifted in the direction of Vadric while the tone of her voice became frigid.
Vadric's heart began to thud against his chest as he said with his back still bent, "Y-Your Majesty...I-I didn't kn--"
"You dare lie to me?!" The Winter Dragon King suddenly turned as she glared at him with a livid look.
*BOOM!*
Everything happened in a split second, but the sound of Vadric's back crashing against the other end of the hall with an explosive sound echoed in the hall before he crashed to the floor.
All she did was simply look at him, and someone who was the second strongest in the Winter Dragon kingdom was already crawling on the floor, spitting out dark red blood.
Still, he didn't show any anger or surprise, but instead, his expression became one of pleading as he stammered with his head still lowered, "F-Forgive me, Your Majesty! This prince has sinned!"
He was so shocked, not because she struck him but because he had never seen her this angry. No...she usually wouldn't even show any emotion and would deal with any matter, no matter how serious, with ice-cold calmness that none can possess.
Still, he gathered his wits and didn't get up as he continued, "But I never betrayed your orders. I did send a letter to my son, ordering him to return the Fruit of Youth. It was only after he had asked me to raise the barrier did I receive the news that the Fairy Queen herself had shown up to get her fruit back. I never expected my son to ignore my orders just like that. Otherwise, I would have personally seen to it that he returns the fruit. He is too young and foolish. Please forgive him!"
The Winter Dragon King narrowed her eyes with a look of disappointment, "You fool. You have no idea that your ignorance may lead to the death of your son. You have no idea whom you and your son have angered. Arrogance has gone to your son's head just because you insisted on making him the champion of our race. We will be lucky if a calamity doesn't fall on our realm, and if something like that happens, not even I can do anything about it."
Vadric's expression turned into one of disbelief as he said weakly, "B-But...the Spirit Guardian has been long gone, right? Eras have passed since his last noted presence."
The Winter Dragon King let out a cold scoff as she said, "How foolish to think that a powerful deity like him is gone forever just because nobody had seen him. Leave and bring your son here after forcing him to return the fruit to its rightful owner. Cripple him if you have to if he doesn't listen. You better pray it's not too late."
Vadric finally looked up with a shaken expression as he immediately flew out after respectfully taking his leave.
