"Haha, you are too kind." The Frost Knight Commander smiled as he came to greet them.

Exchanging a few more pleasantries with Dean Charlie in a courteous manner.

Then he turned slightly and gestured, "Everyone, please follow me!"

A faint chill constantly emanated from his body, his eyes gleaming with a faint icy blue, seemingly perfectly in harmony with the land of this Northern Country.

The other Frost Guards under the command of the Knight Commander naturally spread out to guard various positions. Though they were few in number, and the formation seemed rather loose.

But Andrew quickly noticed: these Frost Guards had subtly formed a battle formation among themselves!

"Warriors building a battle formation similar to a Magic Array?"

Andrew was secretly amazed, "This is quite unique! As far as I remember, the Crimson Knight, Flame Warrior, Desert Hunter (Deep Blue Guard) as fellow warriors do not have similar battle formations. Even if they do, it's not of this level."

So is this unique to the occupational group of Frost Guards?

Andrew observed silently, making notes in his mind. He had fully entered the "wartime state" mindset that should be expected upon reaching the frontline.

He noticed Dean Charlie also glanced a couple of times at the Frost Guards who had quietly constructed a battle formation around them, then smiled and said, "Much obliged."

The Magic Airship soon rose again, but did not leave, instead patrolling high above near the Royal Court, ready at any moment.

Under Dean Charlie's leadership, Andrew and his party followed the Frost Knight Commander on foot towards the Royal Court.

Compared to other places in this Flame Realm, this place was indeed colder.

But once you get used to it, you feel: the climate here, and the overall feeling it gives, is actually quite pleasant!

It's not truly a place of bitter cold.

On the contrary, it's sunny here, and not brutally so.

The sky is peculiarly clean and blue.

Although not as bustling and lively as Warm Fire City, it gives a sense of vastness, making both body and mind feel relaxed and open!

"I apologize for the trouble of having to walk this distance." The Knight Commander leading the way turned back with a smile, "I can't help it either, after all, this is tradition. If possible, even my brothers would prefer not to slog through so much, haha!"

The last thousand meters to the Royal Court must be traversed on foot, no transport allowed — this is indeed a tradition of the Royal Court.

On the surface, this tradition was to show respect to the Royal Court.

In reality, it was because, like Warm Fire City, the Royal Court also has a massive Anti-Air Magic Array covering it!

Moreover, the anti-air power here is actually stronger than that of Warm Fire City.

"The power of the array..."

As Andrew walked across the hard tundra ground, he recalled some "homework" he had done beforehand—

Rumor had it that the land where the Royal Court is located was once inhabited by an extraterrestrial race called the "Frost Pattern Titans," particularly skilled in the power of arrays, with the "frost patterns" on their bodies imbued with special array powers.

Even though the bloodline of the Frost Pattern Titans gradually dissolved into the long stream of history, the land where they once lived seems to have preserved many of its once-miraculous features, such as: all array powers are significantly stronger here than in other places!

This saying is, of course, somewhat exaggerated and mythical.

Fortunately, another piece of evidence proving the existence of the Frost Pattern Titans still undeniably remains within the Royal Family of the Royal Court to this day.

It is an array pattern inheritance imprinted on the Frost Guards, known as: "Frost Array Ice Pattern."

"So is that face paint on the Frost Knight Commander and the others under his command, with things resembling tattoos on their hands, the 'Frost Array Ice Pattern'?"

Andrew tried to connect and verify the information he had previously gathered with the current situation of the Royal Court he witnessed before his eyes.

Overall, the initial impression of the Royal Court has been very favorable so far.

Almost too favorable!

As they gradually approached the ice castle where the Royal Court resided, Andrew even began to sense a strange force of calling.

It seemed something inside the Royal Court was summoning him!

This sense of summoning was something Andrew hadn't experienced even when he awoke in Warm Fire City.

Yet simultaneously, Andrew felt somewhat uncomfortable.

It seemed that beneath this vast and incredibly fresh Northern Country scenery, something sinister, eerie, and perhaps even detestable awaited them.

"Why does it feel a bit like the sensation that female assassin gives me? Just... very contradictory!" Andrew thought, feeling a bit confused, "Could it be the people from the Magic Guild have already arrived ahead of us? Is this discomfort a sixth sense response caused by the people from the Magic Guild?"

He glanced ahead at the Knight Commander responsible for leading the way.

The Knight Commander was conversing intermittently with Dean Charlie.

His demeanor was very respectful.

But in reality, Andrew could tell: the Knight Commander was incredibly formidable.

Even if not as strong as Tier Nine Dean Charlie, not too far off.

Probably at the same level as Tier Eight peak Susan.

A master of such strength, yet exhibiting a somewhat overly excessive politeness from Andrew's perspective.

Simply put, it felt a bit excessively courteous!

Additionally: "Overall, the Water Element restrains Fire Element, Fire Element restrains the Ice Element, and the Ice Element somewhat restrains the Water Element. Back when Ivan faced that mayor of Wildfire Town, he was severely limited by the opponent's Frost Domain speed advantage."

Upon thinking this, an idea popped into Andrew's mind: "Could it be that, like Ivan who is also of the Water Element, I am restrained by the Ice Element as well? Is the discomfort I'm feeling stemming from the sense of being restrained by these Frost Guards?"

Since arriving in the Flame Realm, Andrew has always wielded his Water Element Golden Finger, counteracting the various flames and Fire Element Professionals of this fiery world.

Andrew hadn't felt "being restrained by someone else" for a long time.

After some thought, Andrew decided to probe a little.

He gently tugged the sleeve of Barbara beside him, and whispered, "Go ask that Warrior Chief about your second sister's recent news."

"Hmm?" Barbara glanced at Andrew curiously, thinking to herself, it's not that I don't want to ask, I've wanted to for a long time! But out of courtesy, I felt it wouldn't be appropriate to appear too eager, fearing it might be impolite, which is why I've held back.

"Oh come on, it's not like I'm asking you to directly ask 'How is my second sister recently,' just ask as a formality, like 'How is the Queen doing', that would suffice," Andrew said.

Barbara thought it over and agreed, then she asked, without referring to the Queen as her second sister Catherine, and while inquiring about the Queen's situation, she included the King as well.

The result was that the Warrior Chief immediately looked over, and laughed, "The King and Queen are both doing great! Thank you for your concern, Miss Barbara. The Queen has actually made arrangements in advance — once we arrive at Frost Fortress, the King will personally host a welcoming banquet for all of you. Afterwards, if you'd like, Miss Barbara, the Queen will naturally meet with you privately for a good chat."

Barbara was instantly delighted upon hearing this: "Really? That's wonderful!"

Andrew, however, quietly took Barbara's small hand, inconspicuously linking forces with her to enter a "Water and Fire United" state.

In this state, Andrew could, through Barbara, perceive much of the external information she received.

At this moment, Barbara was talking with that Warrior Chief.

Thus, through Barbara, Andrew finely perceived the feelings conveyed by that Frost Knight Commander's speech.

Although not as direct or intuitive as Andrew personally examining the other party, it was more covert.

"Hmm? This... This feeling is...?!"

Andrew carefully sensed and soon was shocked internally.

First, he genuinely felt and confirmed: as the Water Magic Lord with a Water Element constitution, he indeed experienced a slight sluggishness when facing that Ice Element Frost Knight Commander.

The restraint was not very apparent, but there was indeed a restraining situation!

Of course, this actually wasn't much of a problem.

So long as the Ice Element's restraint wasn't akin to the formidable "outstanding effect" his Invisible Enchantment had against Fire Element Professionals, it wasn't a significant issue.

What truly shook Andrew to his core was—

Malice.

A malice so intense it sent a chill through him, so dense it was nauseating!

Although it was just an instant feeling, fleeting and never reappeared, almost like an illusion.

But in that moment, the intensity and density of that malice made every hair on Andrew's body stand up.

His hand trembled, and Andrew let go of Barbara's hand.

He withdrew from the "Water and Fire United" state.

Water and Fire United is bidirectional.

Through Barbara, Andrew could perceive the aura and power of that Frost Knight.

Barbara, in turn, could to some extent sense Andrew's intentions.

She didn't perceive the strand of malice Andrew detected, but she clearly felt Andrew's intense internal turmoil.

"What happened?" Barbara asked softly.

At the same time, another voice asked, "What's the matter? Is there a problem?"

The Frost Knight Commander looked over, courteous and concerned, "You must be Mister Andrew? I've heard much about you! Your products are extremely popular in our Royal Court! Especially the Snickers, many of the newlywed young men in my team say it's quite useful. Isn't that right, Teddy?"

Then, a young man nearby—likely the Teddy mentioned by the Commander—appeared embarrassed, flushing as he exclaimed, "Captain, could you be serious? These are esteemed guests from Warm Fire City, the Queen's family..."

The phrase "the Queen's family" instantly transformed the overly formal and somewhat distant atmosphere into one of greater closeness.

Everyone on both sides couldn't help but laugh.

Even Susan showed a rare smile.

"Heh heh..."

Andrew laughed along.

No matter how adept the Water Soul Constitution was at acting, to some extent, Andrew's smile was forced.

Because deep down, Andrew couldn't smile at all.

He only felt terrified!

The world was still wide and open.

The closer they got to the Royal Court, the more pleasant the scenery became.

It almost felt like this trip wasn't for negotiating with the Magic Guild, but for visiting a Northern European resort or estate, to relax and vacation.

Andrew, however, no longer had the mood to appreciate the scenery.

His mind was filled with one thought: "There seems to be... something wrong with the Royal Court!!"