Chapter 14: A Frostzard’s Pride

The fragrance of the flowers was slightly hidden by the snow and ice, but any race with an above-average sense of smell could still detect this fragrance. Especially the Frost Lilly flower, dark blue in color, released a stronger fragrance than the other flowers of its kind.

This world had permanently entered its Ice Age a few million years ago, yet it still managed to sustain life, with its creatures adapting to the change in nature.

The sky was azure, a bit too blue. The white sun that shined over the lands slowly started becoming bluish since the world entered its Ice Age. Though there was still somewhat of a hint of white light present, the sun was mostly all blue.

The white clouds drifted like cotton under this blue sky. This specific region was called the Quingmon region, with its famous landforms being the Ice Gate mountains.

Legends had it that one day a deity descended here and created this mountain. This so-called deity used to live on the peak, but one day it silently disappeared, leaving behind this mountain.

Dangerous forests surrounded this mountain, as a result of which, many species preferred to stay within a certain boundary around the mountain, which was considered a safe zone.

Though some species also lived on the mountains, most of them stopped halfway. Above that region were the overlords, the Frostzards.

Halfway up the mountain were a number of terrace fields, layer by layer, and step by step some weird plants and vegetation were grown on these fields. All kinds of races specializing in some aspect or another helped each other. It was a mutual deal for mutual benefit.

While the strong and arrogant ones would fight each other for so-called honor and benefits, these small races under the food chain learned to work with each other and slowly build up a union, a union entirely formed of weak races. And thus, they managed to establish themselves and survive.

Swoosh! Swoosh

Suddenly, high-pitched swooshing sounds reverberated in the air, alerting the common species. Some of them went back to their houses while others rushed down the mountain.

With straightened bodies and stiff faces, they looked at the army of Frostzards that were coming.

"It's the Overlords!"

One of them exclaimed. There were around a hundred to two hundred Frostzards, some on flying mounts while others on giant wolf and horse-like beasts.

"It's really them!"

Another one exclaimed. Hearing this, almost all the species living in that particular area came and bowed in front of the army. However, they didn't block the path; instead, they positioned themselves so that a lot of space was left in the middle, more than enough to not delay the army.

They felt a lot of pressure being emitted as the army passed. All of this felt like an eternity. Thankfully, just like a fleeting cloud, this moment also passed quickly.

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As a small humanoid rat looked back at the army, more specifically at the wyvern, he couldn't help but think.

'Who was that? On top of the wyvern?'

...

An ocean of clouds drifted above the mountain ridges, making the place look even more majestic and mysterious.

Reaching one-fifth of the height of the mountain ridges, enclosing the natural semi-circular mountain barrier, was an enormous artificial wall that blocked anything from passing through.

Two gigantic statues of Frostzards could be seen, each standing on one side of an enormous gate. A towering gate that could even block the wyvern.

"Rooooooooooaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrr!"

"Open the gate!"

Standing on the wyvern was a strong-looking Frostzard, beside him was the headless body of Frostzard Ruok.

With a powerful voice, he once again roared. "I, Kreprkre Hugguz, Right hand man of General Ruok, am waiting to report! Open the gate and let us in."

Boom! Boom!

Not long after his voice faded, the loud sound of chains falling resounded across the mountain range as the enormous doors slowly opened up, revealing the insides of the city.

The gates slowly opened, revealing what lay behind them. There were gigantic structures, some with a somewhat crude appearance, while others were brilliantly designed, such as the three great towers where the flying mounts stayed.

The bone temples housed the mounts that traveled on the ground.

This city-like area had a somewhat gloomy atmosphere. Some buildings were made of bones, remnants of their enemies mixed with black marble and various materials. The bones and skulls used as decorations added to the eerie environment of the city.

Releasing all the mounts, as it was uncertain which building they belonged to, the Frostzards marched on the ground. Hugguz, the right-hand man of General Ruok, carried the headless corpse as they walked towards the Bone Palace.

After a few minutes, they finally reached the palace. After identity verification, they entered it, and after navigating through many turns, the door to their final destination appeared.

[Blood Hall]

Creak!

With a creak, the door opened, revealing the dark room.

The next second, fire torches attached to the wall were ignited, releasing a blood-red light. The hall's walls were made of blood-red stone, while the floor was crafted from deep reddish wood.

Hugguz entered the hall alone, gazing at the majestic figures inside. Eight thrones were arranged in the hall, with six of them vacant.

Near the end of the hall, there was a throne made of bones. Seated on it was Rugzonus, the son of the current clan chief.

Rectangular banners with black and red sigils hung along the walls. Between each banner sat a small altar filled with candles, illuminating the statuettes of powerful creatures depicting mystical beings like gargoyles, dragons, drakes, elves, and Frostzards.

At the end of the hall, a few meters away from Rugzonus, stood a bone throne much larger than the others. Seated on it was a Frostzard twice the size of Hugguz.

His eyes were closed as he sat in a relaxed position. Though appearing relaxed, this Frostzard's majestic presence couldn't be concealed.

Hugguz remained silent, enduring the insulting words from the young chief. Although Frostzards valued pride highly, another rule among them was to respect strength.

A headless corpse was the most humiliating death for a Frostzard. During their funeral, the deceased's body would be washed by the holy water of the Divine dragons. Some blood would be smeared on their face, and a few drops would be released into their mouth. The head of a Frostzard was a symbol of pride, and without it, their death would lack dignity, a source of great shame.

"You deserve to die! All of you couldn't even kill a monkey?! Like cowards, you all ran away!"

"Rugozonus." Before his son could continue, the chieftain's voice echoed. "Stop, Rugozonu, stop."

As his calm eyes, as illusory as spirits and ghosts, opened, the environment seemed to become calming.

"But father-"

"I said stop." Rugozonus, who was standing up, fell back to his seat. Some invisible energy seemed to be binding him.

The chief's calm eyes then focused on Hugguz. With a serene tone, he asked, "What happened?"

Hugguz trembled slightly as he clenched his fist. Gritting his teeth, he took a small deep breath before opening his mouth, ready to speak.