I leave the workshop satisfied with my work, dirty, and dog-tired. I make it back to the villa and make great use of the facilities within, bathing and getting a good rest, which apparently I have been neglecting to do because of my work. As of the moment, everything is more or less out of my hands, I simply have to wait and check in on progress every now and then. The next morning I put on some soft clothes for the day rather than wearing the normal noble attire. Since I pretty much don't have classes because I can't use magic, I decide to take the day off to an extent, by that I mean only doing small amounts of work. I call Mekare into my room and ask her to bring me the dress she had made for the Schneemacher woman. After reading a financial document I can confirm the Schneemacher woman is keeping her side of the deal.

I would best describe the dress Mekare got her as something out of a Disney princess movie. Somewhere between Cinderella and Elsa from Frozen's Dress. White and blue, some frills, and somewhat form-fitting. Remembering her face and body shape, it's gonna look awesome on her. I confirm Mekare had a tailor come and correctly fit the dress to her before I get to work adding the Runes.

On the back of the dress is a small steel plate that works like the clasp for the dress. It's painted white in order to blend in with the pale fabric surrounding it. Since it is steel, that makes my job easier as I can put multiple runes on it rather than creating composite runes which can sometimes get a little complicated and require no mistakes.

As per the request, I focus on temperature regulatory runes and add one focused on reducing temperature. Because of how little experience I have with these runes I spend extra time making sure the lines are straight and the runes are spot-on. I want this thing to look good on top of everything considering the boon I requested. I take breaks while creating the runes and during that time I think about what else I can request based on the favors I asked of the Schneemacher family. Upon further deliberation, I plan to exhaust all of my favors with one request when I deliver this dress. I'm sure it will be accepted.

It takes me multiple hours to create the runes on the dress. I am proud of my work here though. The lines are clean and the way I placed them, they look like decorative patterning rather than strange symbols placed on the metal plate. Testing my creation I feel the outside and it feels like regular fabric at room temperature. I place my hand inside and find it absolutely frigid. I test it further by placing a mug of water inside the dress, careful not to spill any. I check it every few minutes and after about half an hour the mug is frozen solid. This shows me that the interior of the dress is at least below freezing. I continuously check the outside and it still feels normal, this tells me the dress is well-insulated.

I fold it carefully and place it inside a small wooden box that looks somewhat nice. I put on a fairly heavy jacket and make my way to the Schneemacher villa.

I am allowed inside quickly and am greeted by the fat one. We share a nod and I continue toward the room of the woman. Per usual the villa is fucking cold, but this time I have a jacket so I am cozy.

I begin unlatching the crate and ask in a conversational tone,

"So, how's the project going."

It takes her a moment to think about what I asked before she answers in her normal overly posh tone,

"It appears to be going very well. Your people are highly industrious. In all my life I would have never thought it possible for something like that to be built where it is. You... um... Frontiersmen as you call yourselves only continue to impress me per usual. I am quite excited about your product here. I believe it will be worth the wait."

I laugh and respond,

"Yeah, sorry I made you wait. I got preoccupied."

She exhales sharply and speaks,

"Yes, I understand that much. I watched your weapon demonstration. I was quite impressed with it. I said nothing about your end of the deal as I can very much see the utility of a weapon such as that, and ever since the attack made by the Kingdom of Lusthardia I believe or military may be lacking. Your weapon may fix that, so I was understandably patient."

I nod as I reveal the dress. I say to her,

"I assume it is to your tastes?"

She nods and tells me,

"Absolutely. I had a direct say in the design I am more concerned with how it performs."

My face shifts to a salesman's smile and I lay on the charm as I explain my product,

"Based on my testing the dress maintains an internal temperature lower than what is needed to freeze water. Through testing, I confirmed this. The cold is not lost to the outside through the fabric either, as pressing my hand against it I felt none of the internal cold.

Remember though, this dress is not reinforced by anything aside from its own craftsmanship, so please don't tear it. "

She nods and asks me politely,

"Can you please leave the room for a moment so I may put it on?"

I smile and leave the dress on the table. I stand up and exit the room. I sit on a completely frozen chair in the main room. The hard-eyed elven servant brings me a cold tea of some kind that tastes strongly of peppermint. I don't like tea or peppermint...

After a short wait, the Schneemacher woman exits her room wearing the dress, the veil is gone from her body. Without thinking I let out a low whistle. She is truly one of the most attractive women I have ever seen in my life, and that's not just because of her very shapely body. It's largely in her face. The almost porcelain doll look she has with her perfectly smooth and snow-white skin. Her dark hair contrasted the paleness of the dress and her skin, her blue eyes shining with pride and excitement, but she isn't smiling despite the clear happiness in her eyes.

I give her a big smile and ask,

"You like it?"

She nods and answers,

"It is absolutely lovely. It feels so strange to not be maintaining ice magic all over my body. It feels... liberating...Isa, you have my deepest gratitude."

I give her a wide smile and say sweetly,

"I'm glad you love it because I wish to fulfill all the promises I asked of you."

She frowns deeply and asks,

"What is it you request?"

I speak in a way, showing a cold nonchalance, I avoid showing any deeper excitement for this request,

"I wish for my people to go free. Every single one you can afford. Not just the Stella Coyote, but all Frontiersmen. From all cultural groups and every city."

She asks confused,

"And where will they go? What will they do when no longer enslaved?"

I smile and reply,

"You know where."

She frowns and replies,

"So that was your game. You are nation-building within my family's borders."

I shake my head,

"No, that is not my goal. I wish to create for us a new home, for all of us since our population within this kingdom is reasonable for a large city. At most, I wish to create a new noble house in order to protect us all, but it is currently in your borders, and I trust we can find some common ground."

She nods and then asks me,

"What about your original homeland?"

I look her in the eyes and she averts her gaze and I say sternly,

"I was there. When the teleportation spell activated I was returned home. Nothing lives in those cities, everyone is gone. All those left in the city are dry bones, left in the open to be picked clean by vultures. I wish to create a new home, and that new home will be that city that is being constructed within your borders, within that fertile valley between a ring of mountains. I will create a safe haven for my people, where we will combine all the best and worst of our homeland, but unified by our shared suffering.

Our bondage under you all will become our unity, and that will become our guarantee of freedom.

Do you understand?"

She doesn't return eye contact but she mutters,

"It is against the goddess... she calls for us to hold savages in bondage until they become civilized under her loving light."

I stand up and take a step toward her so I am able to lower my voice. I tell her,

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"I know savagery... and us Frontiersmen do not define it. All of us, even the most brutish of us, do not commit the actions your kind justifies as civilized.

I know love... and your goddess, if she justifies the actions and deeds done to my people, then she does not know it."

The Schneemacher woman says in her normal cold tone,

"That's a heretical speaking Isa Hasslerouge."

I say in a flat tone,

"So it is, what of it?"

This causes her to pause before she seems to break and concedes,

"I will do as you ask, but may I make a single request?"

I nod and she locks eyes with me again, the familiar glint of greed within them as she asks,

"This ball dress is quite nice, but would you be as kind as to make me some more casual day clothes?"

I toss my head back in laughter amused by her show of desperation for freedom, and tell her,

"If that's what you wish."

I leave the Schneemacher home, far richer than I entered. Maybe not with wealth, but with assets. As I practically strut across the campus I am met by Blake and Godiva. We greet one another happily and Godiva offers a fun excursion,

"So Isa, since we all are more or less free of classes until that end-of-term tournament let's head into the capitol and just... well let's go enjoy ourselves!"

I pretend to think about the situation really hard but I answer happily,

"Sure! Let's go and run that town!"

We three spend the next month running around the kingdom, the capital is not enough to contain us during our vacation. We put all our previous woes behind us and all work for a later date. We visit all the beautiful natural sights the kingdom has to offer, and we visit various small noble fiefs and villages, tasting the many cultures they have within. So separate are these cultures, but all unified as a singular kingdom, something only capable in a pre-intercommunication society.

It's honestly a wonderful time. I forget any stress I have, only sending messengers to the workshop to bring me information on the construction of my ship. Everything appears to be in order. All materials are being collected easily and a steady rate of construction continues forward.

One month of vacation turns into two as we continue our adventures. We get in fights with bandits, slay some monsters, and help random passersby. We really start to feel like an adventurer's party, and the people really begin to see Blake as a hero. He is no longer just in name the champion of the people in the kingdom. Eventually, like all good things we have to stop our travels and return to the palace.

During our visit to the palace, I had to leave the town to oversee something with the ship, during my absence something happened... something terrible.

As the small, flying, sailing dinghy I am on approaches the capitol I can see fire rising high into the sky. As the small ship gets closer I can see nearly one hundred Lusthardia Airships hovering over the city raining fire onto the defenders below. Alrius airships fight a desperate and losing battle against the armada over the capitol, but the Lusthardia ships are taking heavy losses as the palace and its surrounding walls spew flames and lightning from the various towers. As I have the pilot of the small ship pull us in close I can see King Alrius standing on the roof of the palace unleashing hellish quantities of fire and lightning each massive spell sending a Lusthardia ship to a fiery grave. A huge six-masted ship silently flies over the city and I see a figure in white armor standing on the bow of the ship. She powers a spell and sends a bolt of flame toward the king. There is a huge explosion, throwing masonry dust into the air from the force. As the dust settles I can see the king still on his feet, but from his posture, I can tell he is hurting.

The pilot brings me close to the palace, dodging some friendly fire as we get lower. He gets me close enough so I can leap from the small boat onto the palace roof. I have no weapons on me aside from a knife on my belt. I grab the sword from the belt of a dead knight, it's rather long for my tastes but it will work. I rush to where the king was located and find him holding his side in pain. Wet blood drips from his side, a clear shrapnel wound from the explosion. His ears are bleeding from the concussion wave. Around him are his dead guards. I get ahold of the king who initially struggles until he sees who I am. He can't hear me but I motion I am going to take him to safety.

As we begin hobbling to a nearby door a shadow falls over us and the sound of heavy metal boots hitting the ground rings out behind me. I swear loudly and push the king forward and turn and face my adversary. I show a mask of false confidence as I face the armored woman. She stands in front of me, and I notice her armor is a little different now. The breastplate now has a neck guard and the helmet has fewer air-holes. Clearly in response to the trauma I enacted upon her. I say to her,

"New armor? It looks good on you!"

She makes an audible grunt and says to me venomously,

"Your heretical actions are the cause of all the suffering around you. Do you not understand this?"

I put my hands over my heart and make a show of looking around. I gasp loudly and say in faked awe,

"You did this all for me? Oh my goodness! You shouldn't have! I'm so flattered I live so rent-free in your mind!"

She clenches her fist in rage and begins storming toward me. I give my last bit of snark,

"Oh! Are you coming to give me a big ol hug? Awwww, I'm flattered!"

I let out a hacking cough and noticed a rather concerning amount of blood in my spit. My feet drag limply behind me as the armored woman drags me by my hair across the palace floor. My ears are ringing and I think my everything is broken. I can barely see out of my right eye as it has either swollen shut, or might be hanging out of its socket. I really can't tell.

Every time our journey through the palace passes a table or artwork the armored woman smashes my face into it, or just rubs me violently against it. I try to say something smart but I can't speak, everything comes out as a gurgle or long groan. My consciousness is quite sharp right now as I am not currently bleeding in any massive capacity aside from my broken nose, mouth, and what I'm starting to think may be part of my neck. She had returned the favor, rather than trying to slice me up, she simply beat the fuck outta me. I tried to defend and landed one or two blows but it meant jack.

I am used to slam a large door open and find myself inside the throne room. The king is in the process of being healed by some priest and Godiva is in the process of pacing back and forth. Blake is there being crammed into some plate armor he has almost gotten too fat to fit in correctly. Everyone looks up at me and the armored woman as I am tossed onto the polished stone floor and slide a few feet my bloody face trailing blood. I let out a long groan of pain as I tried to roll onto my back. As I do a heavy metal boot slams onto my back right between my shoulder blades causing me to make a rather animalistic noise.

Godiva makes a sharp inhaling noise and Blake announces a challenge. The armored woman pulls on my hair once more arching my back toward her in a painful manner. I feel a blade press against my throat. The armored woman shouts,

"Princess Godiva Alrius surrender yourself to the Kingdom of Lusthardia. I will spare this vile man if you do."

Blake stops in his tracks and looks toward Godiva looking for her answer the King shouts,

"Do not surrender yourself to them. We as royals cannot accept this. "

I finally manage to find my voice, and through strained breath, I mutter something. The armored woman leans in and asks,

"Begging for more?"

Using the last of my breath I shout loudly in her ear,

"That's what I asked your mom last night!"

She jumps back holding her ear in pain from my sudden volume. I painfully laugh as my broken ribs scream in pain, I then receive a kick to the ribs and any still-solid ribs are broken as well. This sends me rolling a few feet before I flop into a pile. With distance gained, I manage to sit up just as the armored woman approaches me once more. I can't help but laugh for a second, knowing I'm about to get round two, but then the throneroom doors slam open.

Along with a group of about twenty very well-armored knights, a young man. His face is statuesque. Handsome with chiseled features. His hair is long, touching his shoulders and flowing past like one of those chocolate fountains. Among his guard is a group of six Frontiersmen, their armor telling me they are of the Scarlet Raven city, their bird-like helmets hiding their entire faces.

The presence of this new man causes the foreign hero to stop in place and she nearly squeals in delight,

"Brother! You have arrived!"

The man gives her a gentle smile, indulgent and sweet. His eyes are... dangerous though. An armored glove grabs the back of my head and my face is shoved into the tile floor, whatever cartilage left in my nose being finished off, making it kinda hard to breathe. The woman hisses at me before her voice rises to a fever pitch,

"You will bow to the true king. The king of all!

All hail the True King! High King of Lusthardia and All the Skies Jakob Zweiblitz!"

I can't see in front of me but from the silence and lack of sound of knees hitting the floor, no one really cares. My fingers then wrap around a familiar object sitting on my belt...

The High King begins to speak,

"Good afternoon Royals and false hero of the Kingdom of Alrius. I have come to liberate you all from your ignorance of the true light of the god Bullhard!

As his his voice within the mortal realms I have been granted the wonderous power to rule, and the power to forgive sins in place of my god! Your sins are all easily forgiven, and I shall, so long as I get what I desire."

King Alrius responds contemptuously,

"And what is it you desire?"

The High King nods in acknowledgment and responds,

" I do not wish for war or conquest. There is one thing I wish for more than anything. I simply request the hand of your daughter. Princess Godiva Alrius. Through our matrimony, our kingdoms can join and we can avoid war!"

The Lusthardia Hero Sakura begins applauding him and announces,

"What a generous offer! He is truly the----- AHHH!!"

Her statement is stopped as she screams in pain and falls to the floor in agony. The knife I had on my hip plunged into the Achilles of her left leg. I had noticed from my vantage on the ground, that the armor on her shins and the boots overlap on the front, but the back has a small gap, only about a centimeter thick and two inches wide. Unlike her other joints with articulating lames of metal, her ankle doesn't. She did reinforce it with some form of leather shinguard that wrapped all the way around, but leather is not enchanted armor granted by a god, and my knife is pretty damn good.

The High King looks over in thinly veiled rage. Clearly angry he got interrupted as his sister writhes on the ground in pain. She removes the knife and the wound heals quickly, but as she stands she holds her head in severe pain and collapses again because I had dipped the knife in my pooling blood before striking. I get myself to my feet and face the High King.

I point at him and say,

"I'm... I'm gonna fuck you up."

I hear two people approach me from behind and as I turn around I see the visage of a raven before my lights are put out by a wooden club to the head...

I wake up on the throneroom floor. Mekare is over me along with a healer. All my wounds are either patched or magically healed. I feel pretty good despite getting knocked out. Healing magic must also repair concussions. I sit up against the wishes of the healer. I look around to find the King on his throne. Blake sitting just below him with a very sad expression. I ask everyone in the room,

"Where is Godiva?

The workshop's doors slam open as I storm inside. Behind me are two workers I hired on, they are carrying Silus's hide. I ignore all voices of concern as I enter the forge and begin working. I let my frustration guide the hammer. I have my concern hold my hand steady as I work leather. My rage sharpens the edge of the blade. My guilt for having been unable to stop what happened, allows my mind to flow free as I continue my work.

They had taken Godiva as she had surrendered after my beating. The Zweiblitz siblings threatened to burn the whole city and slaughter everyone and she had relented. I feel guilty as I am part of her reasoning. While the kingdom isn't immediately transferred to them if they marry, it gives them an easy claim to the throne if they dispose of King Alrius. From an explanation made by King Alrius, Lusthardian marriages are done with some kind of ritual magic that binds souls or something. I cannot let this happen, and to deny this potentiality, I have to make my best tools yet.

I order the shipbuilders to work double time as the great ironclad is yet to be finished. Upon the explanation, they work through the night, as do I. At any time I must wait I create the world's first handgun. A single-shot pistol at about .40 caliber, is useful for a single devastating blow. I have a week to be ready as that's when the wedding will happen. The whole time I work, I am creating a dangerous plan... A plan... that feels almost... familiar in an odd way, but regardless, it has to work...