Reclaiming Snowfall
Rowen shot him a look that said he had no idea what he'd just heard. "...What the fuck did that bastard say?"
"He said a demonic seed is growing inside him."
"Why the hell? Did that fucker make a pact with a demon or something?"
"No, that's not it, Rowen. Do you remember what happened in the Albrin Forest?"
Albrin Forest. The vast woodland near Snowfall, infamous as a wolves' habitat. That's where Cain had nearly fallen into Arkanthia's clutches. There was no way Rowen could forget it. He'd truly thought Cain was a fucking idiot for dragging them out into that dangerous situation.
And above all...
"...Cain didn't remember what had happened to him back then."
"Exactly. We all think it started from that point. As you know, Arkanthia is basically the demon cult itself. They targeted Cain, and the kid doesn't remember a thing. You really think that's just a coincidence?"
"It's too perfectly timed to call it coincidence."
Rowen clicked his tongue. "Fuck. What the hell did that bastard do to end up with a demonic seed planted in him?"
"I want to know that too. Even I think the kid's an idiot."
"Ha... shit's getting complicated."
The current situation was already a headache with everything piling up. And now Cain on top of it? Did this even make sense? He truly couldn't tell.
Lucius could read Rowen's mood. He didn't know exactly what path the boy had walked these past two years, but the overwhelming presence he exuded was kingly. The qualities of a ruler. Whatever had driven an ordinary boy to this point was likely the loss of his family and homeland. Lucius knew that feeling all too well, so he could empathize.
Rowen disliked Cain, but he worried about him as family all the same. Lucius felt the same. It was Kadan's dying wish. He'd done everything to protect his family. When Cain first started being eroded by demonic energy, he'd scoured the land for healers to treat his bedside.
"That's why I became an exorcist."
"Cain... what a pain in the ass to the bitter end."
"Don't be too harsh. He's been out cold for a year already."
"Mana depletion."
"Yeah. His body's mana has been overtaken by the demonic energy now. We're barely holding it back with yin-yang arts, but... honestly, it's just a matter of time."
The tent filled with heavy sighs. This wasn't the conversation Lucius had wanted to have... He knew Rowen's burdens were already immense, but this was too important to leave unsaid.
Rowen understood Lucius's intentions too. Two years ago, he'd even lashed out at him. He'd hated that Lucius, holder of the sacred relic and the pure white sword Rosmerta, had fled alone while leaving his father behind. But now, after two years, he could understand.
Rowen had no mother—none to speak of. And now even his father was gone. Lucius had lost both parents young. He'd always existed as a loner. Just like Rowen.
Rowen had been discarded by the world as a bastard. Lucius had been called incompetent for ascending to the throne at a young age. In a way, the two were alike. They had no choice but to understand each other.
His head throbbed. Rowen probably knew it too, or so Lucius thought. A seed burrowed deep into the human soul, impossible to remove. In his past life, Rian hadn't been able to stop humans from falling because of it. He'd had no choice but to kill them before they turned into demons. That's what they'd wanted too.
Rowen spoke to Lucius. "So what are you gonna do?"
"...Well, our high-ranking exorcists are doing everything they can to hold it back."
"...After this war ends, we head to Kalia Rune."
"What about the North?"
"Leave it to Mio for a bit. She can't say no to my requests."
"...So the great mage really is in the North."
Lucius stepped out of the tent, moving on. Battle was imminent. The final fight loomed. There was no time for idle chatter inside.
Rowen followed behind. Unlike before, a cold wind began to blow. The wind he'd always faced as a child in Snowfall. A nostalgic, bittersweet freshness washed over him.
He was curious about the rest of his remaining family, but with no time, he postponed it. It was a conversation they could have anytime—as long as they didn't die in this war.
"Not that we'll die anyway."
It wasn't arrogance. With the golems gone, the enemy was just a ragtag mob. The flying ships in the sky had long been destroyed by the Ice Dragon. Now, they were just preparing to face Valenos's great army inside Snowfall.
To win without destroying the castle, a frontal assault was the only way. But could they hold?
"I'll breach the entrance."
"Then I'll handle your guard."
"Thanks. Ah, Arahan will chain them with her seals. Then next..."
"I'll cut them down."
"You know it well."
"This isn't our first time fighting together."
The two naturally bumped fists.
The gates of Snowfall. Inside lay five castles in total. The massive fortress at the center exuded grandeur for all to see. Its sturdy outer walls boasted their durability.
Half of their hundred-man force had gone out to defend the gates. The remaining fifty stayed in the fortress with Claus.
Honestly, he didn't think they could win. He was scared. He was just following orders from above. He'd never wanted a war like this to begin with.
How many of them felt guilt for their past rampages, drunk on power? The soldier glanced around. Everyone stared at the ground or into space with dull eyes.
General Claus...
"Damn it! You worthless shits... Defeated by outdated magic even with our magitech..."
He gnashed his teeth. He clenched his fist and slammed it into the wall with all his might. Again. Again. Again!
His magitech-reinforced right arm crumbled the stone. He placed a hand on his hip, gripping his sharp rapier. Even without infusing mana, flames erupted along the blade—thanks to the fire rune embedded via magitech.
He linked it to his rune fragment. Flames enveloped Claus.
"...I'll kill him."
Valenos's bastard. That illegitimate whelp had finally crawled his way up. If only he'd been a bit faster back then... He could've dealt with Cain too.
He berated his past mistake. And dreamed impossible dreams.
"...Fuck."
It was natural for humans to feel fear. They felt it at scary sights, at overwhelming gaps in power. Countless triggers existed.
The intensity varied by person. Fear was the brain's defensive response to external stimuli. Thus, it differed in strength from individual to individual.
Thus...
"Grrr..."
No one could look at the massive beast devouring people before their eyes without terror.
The Ice Dragon circled all of Snowfall. Its shadow alone silenced the Arkanthian remnants.
"...Should we intercept?"
"Not yet. Touch it and we're dead."
"Then what the hell do we do?!"
"How the fuck should I know?!"
It was pandemonium. A mythical creature from legends hovered overhead, one they'd never seen in their lives. Their presence here meant defeat in the snowy plains.
He wanted to join those waiting in the fortress, but orders forbade it.
Maybe desertion would've been better...
Boom!
A massive thud shook the gates. A huge log. A siege weapon swung the thick battering ram back and forth, slamming the gates.
Rowen disliked breaking the gates, but he knew it was unavoidable and watched silently. They could probably retake Snowfall without him even stepping in—as long as the enemy head, 'Claus,' wasn't on par with the prophets.
At least he had magitech power. No telling when or where demonic erosion might strike.
Boom! Thud! It hammered harder. Green rune traces glowed on the walls—Arkanthians forcibly amplifying mana for repair spells. Overwhelming strength defended the ramparts.
"Hold the line!"
"Don't let them in! We're all dead!"
"Fuck... God, please...!"
It was futile. Arahan bound them with golden chains, and Lucius's flash drew black-and-white energy in star patterns. Heads tumbled, spraying blood. The gate-protecting magic began to vanish like a lie.
"No way!"
"This easily...?!"
Rowen looked down from atop the Ice Dragon, stroking its back gently.
Whoosh! Overwhelming wind pressure crushed his face. His eyes dried, so he blinked softly.
Soon, the dragon's roar began.
"KRAAAAAARRRRGH!"
The all-freezing breath encased the gate's soldiers in ice. Overwhelming power carried a tier gap. They knew it too, freezing without resistance.
Magitech energy barriers could've held, but they didn't. Crushing terror was etched in their minds.
Humans felt fear. Paralyzing fear made inaction inevitable.
Rowen raised his sword atop the Ice Dragon.
"All forces, advance!"
The Frost Knight Order responded to his presence.
"Push!"
"Raaaaah!"
"For the North!"
"Long live Valenos!"
"Follow His Majesty!"
All charged, smashing the gates. Swords clashed with remnants, turning the field into a blood-soaked slaughterhouse in moments.
Rowen immersed in the scene—the horror and beauty of war.
Snowfall from high above. How often could he see his homeland from such heights, beyond its surface?
The Ice Dragon's summon time neared its end. Knowing this, he wanted to etch the view deep.
"I'm back."
Home. To his side.
Blue rune letters appeared beside Rowen. The frost-laden air consented to his will. He hadn't even been to the Soul Spring yet, but mana loved him already.
He spun his core. Frost flowers tangled in the circular mana ring. Not bad. A natural sensation rose from deep within, far smoother than before.
Thump thump! His heart pounded. Vicious blue mana swirled around him. With the dragon's cry, Rowen plummeted to the ground.
Soft snow touched him. The Frost Knight Order arrayed behind his light landing.
"Gates secured! Only the fortress remains."
"Charge."
"Yes!"
His short command drew unanimous assent. His emotions conveyed: a voice tinged with sadness, longing, and joy.
Especially since he was the age of their dead sons. They had no choice but to heed him.
The entire Frost Knight Order felt it. Some were fathers, some sons. All had lost family, homeland. Rowen had taken them in, shown the path of vengeance.
How could they not follow? A bastard? So what. He was Valenos. Illegitimate or not, he'd given them home, food, shelter. Kadan's son, no less. The clever Valenos blood flowed true.
Their master never changed.
"Raise the frost swords!"
"Drive out the invaders from our land!"
They advanced, waving snow banners. All drew blades to defend Winterer's capital. Shouts filled the vast castle grounds.
"..."
"Young master."
"Yeah. Let's begin."
The reclamation.