Fairy Tale: With Sin Of Pride

"Is this the Kingdom of Ettel?"

Rhode hovered in the air, his gaze sweeping across the bustling castle below.

"It seems... not bad," he mused.

Despite the frost coating the streets, the townsfolk moved about their day without panic. Their calm demeanors hinted at stable living conditions, something uncommon in most territories he'd seen.

At least Count Ettel isn't one of those typical nobles who see commoners as mere livestock, Rhode thought. A rare breed indeed.

He'd encountered countless lords in his time, but a ruler who ensured his people had food and clothing? That was a rarity, almost a miracle.

As he scanned the castle grounds, his sharp senses picked up a familiar magical signature. A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. "Found you."

---

Inside a lavish study, Yulia sipped tea, her calm interrupted by the sudden arrival of an all-too-familiar figure.

"You've been missing for so long," she said coldly, raising a brow. "I assumed you'd holed up in some immortal paradise, too enchanted to leave."

Rhode chuckled lightly. "No such place exists in this world. But if it did, I'd take you there in a heartbeat."

Yulia rolled her eyes. "Oh, stop pretending it's as easy as strolling into your backyard. If such a place existed, do you think anyone would just let us in?"

Unbothered by her skepticism, Rhode extended a hand and pulled her into a flicker of golden light.

The next moment, Yulia stood frozen, her breath caught in awe. Before her stretched a vast world painted in stark black and radiant gold, where time itself seemed to bow in reverence.

"This... This is..." Yulia stammered, her earlier cynicism replaced by wide-eyed astonishment.

"Fairylands are fantasies," Rhode said, his voice steady. "Even the gods need mortals to sustain them. If mortals could live forever, what meaning would the gods have? Faith thrives on mortality, not eternity."

His words cut through the silence like a blade.

---

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Rhodes' initial plan of purging Yulia's demonic energy turned into an exhausting endeavor as one mage after another lined up for his help.

By the time he was done, the sun had long set.

"Exorcism really takes it out of you," he muttered, stretching his arms. Luckily, his immortal body and unparalleled skill with the Sun Spear allowed him to withstand the draining process.

Stepping into a nearby tavern for a break, Rhode was greeted by the familiar hum of drunken chatter.

"Did you hear? His Majesty's upped the difficulty of the princess's marriage test again!"

"Bah! That wicked queen must've whispered something foul into his ear."

"She doesn't want the princess to marry at all, mark my words!"

Rhode leaned against the counter, listening with mild amusement. The queen's reputation seemed universally loathed. Whispers of her manipulation and schemes filled every corner of the tavern.

Satisfied he wouldn't learn anything useful, Rhode returned to his lodging for the night.

---

The next morning, as dawn broke over the frosty kingdom, Rhode stood by his window, a light breeze rustling his robes.

"Sign in," he said quietly.

Ding! Sign-in successful!

Reward: God's Grace (Tornado)

Almost immediately, a gentle wind coiled around his body, forming an invisible shield. Curious, Rhode tested its strength. He conjured a demon spear and thrust it toward himself.

Clang!

The spear shattered before it could even touch him, obliterated by a roaring vortex of air.

"The Grace of the Tornado... Absolute defense," Rhode mused, his lips curving into a faint smile.

---

Later that day, a commotion near the castle gates drew his attention. A group of knights had gathered to post an announcement.

"His Majesty the King has decreed that to marry Her Royal Highness, Princess Snow White, suitors must complete four grueling trials!" one knight bellowed.

The first trial involved retrieving gems from the forbidden zones near the Abyss of Extreme Cold.

Rhode tilted his head, intrigued.

The Abyss of Extreme Cold was a legendary frozen chasm in the far north, its icy grip eternal. Surrounding it were four restricted areas—ancient ruins said to be crawling with monsters, some as strong as legends themselves.

"Four gems in four ruins?" Rhode muttered, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Seems simple enough."

His dark wings unfurled, and with a single powerful leap, Rhode soared northward, slicing through the frosty air.

---

From above, the Abyss of Extreme Cold came into view—a vast expanse of eternal ice, its surface shimmering like a crystalline fortress. The bitter winds howled as if trying to guard the secrets hidden within.

Rhode landed atop the glacier, his curiosity piqued. "An iceberg that doesn't melt, no matter the heat? Let's see about that."

Raising a hand, he summoned the fire of the sun itself. A blazing orb, radiant and fierce, formed above his palm. With a casual flick of his finger, he sent it hurtling toward the icy surface.

Boom!

The sun's flames roared, engulfing the glacier. The ice began to melt, but almost as quickly, it re-froze, as though resisting the sun's fury.

"This ice... fascinating," Rhode murmured, extinguishing the flames.

Though intrigued, he had no time to unravel the mysteries of the abyss. His true target lay further ahead.

---

Minutes later, Rhode stood before the ruins of a colossal ancient city. Crumbling spires and frost-coated statues loomed over him, remnants of a civilization long lost.

"This must be the first restricted area," he said, stepping forward.

The air was heavy with an unnatural chill, and faint growls echoed from the shadows.

Rhode smirked, his dark wings spreading once more. "Let's see if you can entertain me."

With a flick of his wrist, sunlight pierced through the frost-laden gloom, illuminating the path ahead.

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