"So," Alice said, her voice calm but tinged with pride, "what do you think? Impressive, isn't it?"
We stood before Balant Fortress, its massive walls rising against the pale northern sky like an iron mountain. The wind carried the faint hum of mana running through its barriers. I folded my arms, eyeing the structure from end to end.
"Well," I said slowly, "did they build this thing out of money?"
Alice's eyebrow twitched—barely, but I caught it. Still, I wasn't done.
The fortress stretched endlessly, the outer walls engraved with glowing magic patterns that shimmered faintly in the frostlight.
"Wait a second," I pointed. "That magic circle over there—it's the same type you use for demon-exclusive sniping, right? The one in your mansion?"
Her lips curved faintly, pride leaking through her composed facade. "You have a good eye. Yes, that's correct."
Of course it was.
