The Grand Duke's Son Is A Heretic-Chapter 161:The Ice Elves

"Your Grace."

"I want the name of the Serpent Gang to rot in every corner of this Duchy," Ruth said. "Spread their crimes. Let the peasants, the merchants, the guards—let them all know who these snakes are."

He paused for a second, then added, his voice icy, "And then... tear them apart."

Grant raised his head slightly, eyes sharp. "Understood, Your Grace."

"Assign squads. Five or more if needed. Crack down on every nest, every rat hole they crawl into," Ruth continued, his gaze never leaving the map. "I want every last one of those snakes pulled from their holes and cursed thoroughly before they die."

His tone turned cruel, filled with noble disdain.

"Destroy them. Burn them. I don’t care how it’s done, but this land—my land—must be free of those vermins."

Grant placed a hand over his chest, his face calm but respectful. "Consider it done."

Without another word, he turned on his heel and left the room, cloak fluttering behind him.

The nobles around the estate always said Grant was like a blade—polished, efficient, and sharp.

Ramos stood there for a moment, arms crossed, staring at the door Grant just exited from. He didn’t say anything for a while. Then slowly, his eyes shifted toward Ruth.

Ruth, as usual, sat in the large carved chair at the head of the table, made of blackwood and silver trim. He didn’t look at Ramos. His focus was already elsewhere.

He noticed the stare, though.

"What?" Ruth asked without lifting his gaze.

Ramos didn’t answer at first. He just stared, his eyes heavy and tired, filled with something more than anger—maybe disappointment.

Then, with a sigh that came out of nowhere, he muttered, "You’re really a hell of a parent..."

His voice dropped lower.

"Idiot."

Ruth blinked, surprised, and turned to him. But Ramos was already walking away, his boots echoing across the stone floor with no further words or explanations.

Ruth stared at the door for a moment, genuinely puzzled.

Then he shook his head and looked back at the table. He pushed the map aside, and underneath it was a smaller parchment—a report from the recent explosion.

His eyes narrowed.

Among the ruins of mines, they’d found the remains of dragon bones—ancient, rare, and valuable beyond measure. Even among nobles, it was the stuff of legend. Bone like that could forge weapons or armor that lasted centuries. It was a treasure... a gift after the chaos.

He sat back for a moment, thinking.

Then he picked up the long-range comm device beside him and pressed it on. The crystal inside hummed faintly as a voice came through.

"Yes, Your Grace. So what pleasure do I owe you?"

It was a cheerful voice. Too cheerful.

Ruth didn’t smile.

"I want you to craft a fine sword."

He paused for a moment, letting the weight of the next words hang heavy.

"From dragon bones."

There was silence.

Then a loud, echoing voice filled the air.

"WHAAAAATTT?!"

.......

TAP! TAP!

Kael and Lyria walked through the forest, unarmed, led by the Ice Elves. The soft snow crunched under their boots as they followed the quiet group.

Their weapons had been taken away. The Ice Elves also tried to take the egg, but Kael refused.

He clutched it close and said, "It’s mine. My father gave it to me."

It was a lie—but a damn good one. They didn’t push after that.

Kael looked around and grumbled, "Didn’t you say we’d be treated well? Because this really feels like a prisoner march."

One of the male Ice Elves replied in a deadpan voice, "You are treated well. If you weren’t Veydrin, we would’ve broken a few bones by now."

Kael snorted. "What are you all? Cavemen? Maybe learn some manners from the lady over there."

He nodded at the tall, graceful figure walking in front. Her steps were light, her long coat dancing in the snow.

Silence followed his words.

Then—

Laughter exploded.

"Hahaha!"

"That’s a good one."

"I can’t believe someone actually said that!"

Someone muttered through a laugh, "Lady Iris... a charming flower? Gods." ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Kael frowned and glanced at Lyria. She shook her head like, don’t ask me.

One Ice Elf turned to him with a flat face and said, "You say that only because you don’t know. Last human who flirted with Lady Iris had his thing cut off."

Another added cheerfully, "And once, we starved a human and tossed him into a frozen river."

Kael blinked. "So I’m still alive ’cause I’m a Veydrin?"

"Correct!" They said it in unison like it was a rehearsed line.

Kael shivered, hugging the egg tighter, then looked around.

He tilted his head and asked with a creepy grin, "Do you guys fear the Veydrin?"

One Ice Elf scratched his chin. "No, not really."

Another one added, "But having them as enemies is annoying. Like stepping on a nail. It hurts, and then you have to deal with infection later."

"Enough chit-chat," came a cold voice from the front.

Everyone stopped talking.

They stepped out of the forest.

And then—Kael and Lyria froze.

Before them stood a city.

It wasn’t anything like Kael remembered. No more small igloos. No more scattered tents.

This was massive. Towers of clear blue ice stretched into the sky like frozen glass spears. Roads shimmered under the soft white snow, wide and smooth like polished stone. Huge crystalline bridges linked parts of the city across a flowing, glowing river.

White-leafed trees stood tall along the roads, their branches sparkling with frost, blending perfectly into the city. Snow fell like dust, but none of it seemed to pile. It melted into soft light as it touched the surfaces.

Buildings weren’t just houses—they were sculptures. Arches of glowing runes decorated their walls, while lights shimmered inside like living crystals.

Kael’s jaw dropped.

"Last time I was here, everything looked like a damn freezer with holes," he muttered, stunned. "What the hell happened? Did they rob a god?"

Lyria was wide-eyed, completely silent. She looked around, awestruck, turning slowly as if trying to see it all at once.

Then...

A cold voice broke the moment.

"Human and Demoness."

Lady Iris turned her head slightly.

"From here on, you’re in the land of the Ice Elves. Behave properly."

Her voice was flat, but the meaning was clear.

"Or else..."