Elion and Frost
Elizabeth couldn't hide her discomfort at the Progust's declaration that they were not friends.
"Um, well, the gift... an exchange, no. Could you lower that trident for a moment..."
She was so flustered that the words barely left her mouth.
Boom! At that moment, an explosion echoed from afar, and the Progusts aiming their tridents at her shifted their gazes toward the forest.
"Croak?"
A few seconds later, Bagan emerged from the trees. He'd finished dealing with the ice soldiers in the rear and made his way over. That single blast had reduced the number of ice soldiers by roughly fifty.
"What the hell is going on here?"
As Bagan stepped out of the forest, he spotted Elizabeth surrounded by the Progusts.
"Croak! There's an enemy over there too!"
At one Progust's cry, the creatures focused on the front line turned and encircled Bagan, leveling their tridents at him.
"Croak. Try anything funny and your whole body will be full of holes."
Bagan paused and considered the situation.
Even for a race with no manners, this is a bit much.
They had no idea how many ice soldiers he'd taken out to ease the pressure on their front line, yet the first thing they did was point spears at him.
"Are you all incapable of gratitude?"
"Croak?"
"I just came from clearing out the ice soldiers behind your lines."
When Bagan spoke, one of the Progusts glanced at the noticeably lighter front line and exclaimed.
"The numbers have definitely decreased, croak!"
"Was that explosion your doing, croak?"
"Croak! Everyone lower your tridents!"
The spears were raised in an instant and withdrawn in an instant. They were an utterly unpredictable race.
"Looks like you're the leader commanding these troops."
Among the Progusts who had pointed their weapons at him, one stood out in particular. The others clearly followed his orders. He was a full head taller than the rest, and the striking blue glow along his back was especially noticeable. The other Progusts had faded coloring, likely from the cold.
"I am Havik, Champion of Warriors! Croak!"
"Havik, release that elf. We'll need her if we're going to help you."
"You know this elf, croak?"
Bagan nodded. Havik raised his trident high and slammed it into the ground.
Thud!
The heavy impact drew every Progust's attention.
"Release the elf and return to the front line! Croak!"
"Croak!"
"Croarook!"
His words carried absolute authority. The same creatures that had been holding Elizabeth as if ready to kill her answered with their signature cries and rejoined the battle. Truly an unpredictable race.
"Bagan! These guys tried to kill me~"
"They wouldn't have actually killed you. Once the fighting was over, they would've thrown you in the village prison and kept you as emergency rations for when things got truly desperate."
"Gasp~!"
Elizabeth looked even more shocked by that revelation. Still, she was alive, so there was that.
"Havik, since we're lending you our strength, you'll need to give us something we want in return."
"Croak. We're grateful for the help, but we're in a difficult position. If you ask for too much, it will be hard to accommodate."
Havik couldn't refuse an offer of aid, but his tone made his reluctance clear. It was understandable. Even at a glance, the number of Progusts on the front line stabbing away at the ice soldiers was pitifully small. They must have already suffered heavy losses.
"The request will be simple, so don't worry."
At Bagan's assurance, Havik nodded and returned to the front himself.
Bagan surveyed the battlefield.
"We definitely took out a lot of them."
Yet the number of ice soldiers had only grown. What he'd eliminated seemed meaningless.
"If all you can do is stab them without any real power, it's no wonder the dead ones keep getting back up."
Come to think of it, while the Progusts' tridents were neutralizing the soldiers, they weren't completely dispersing the spirits' power. Like undead that would rise endlessly if not properly destroyed, the ice soldiers simply reformed their bodies and launched more icicle spears.
In the end, putting them down properly would require Bagan's help.
"I did promise to lend a hand, so let's get to it."
"Yeah. I'm still mad they saw me as emergency food, but we're friends now, so I'll help."
"Already? You shared hearts that quickly?"
"Isn't that how it's done?"
"That doesn't mean anything in this situation. I was saving it for when we safely got inside the cave."
Elizabeth glared at him.
"You should have told me what to do in a situation like this! I almost died!"
"I keep telling you they wouldn't have killed you..."
"Forget it! Just go deal with the ice soldiers!"
Pushed forward by Elizabeth, Bagan tilted his head in confusion.
"I'll handle the rear as usual."
That was one thing, but protecting the Progusts meant he needed to eliminate the threat quickly. Elizabeth nodded at his words and placed her fingers on the bowstring.
"Elestra, lend me your power. Arrow Rain!"
Twang! The bowstring sang as the water arrow shot high into the sky. It wasn't aimed at any particular target.
The water arrow climbed upward, then changed direction as its momentum faded. With its tip now pointing down, Elestra's power caused it to multiply. One became two, two became four, and the water arrows continued to split until thousands hung in the air by the time they neared the ground.
It truly deserved to be called a rain of arrows.
Shooshshooshshoosh!
The ice soldiers creating icicle spears were helpless against the sudden deluge. Water was a poor matchup for them, making it difficult to destroy the soldiers outright, but being attacked while trying to form their weapons broke their concentration. The icicle spears aimed at the Progusts scattered and shattered.
Leaving that spectacle behind, Bagan maintained his Flame Blessing by drawing on fire-attribute mana and Seleph's power, then charged toward the rear soldiers untouched by the Arrow Rain.
"No need to overexert myself."
Their icicle spears might be somewhat annoying, but their individual combat strength wasn't particularly high. Their sliding movements were slow, and the time required to create their spears made their attacks sluggish as well.
Their tactic of instantly surrounding enemies could be disorienting, but against someone with Bagan's speed and agility, it was nothing he couldn't slip through.
Boom! Wrapped in flames enhanced by Seleph's power, Bagan released his fire-attribute mana and wiped out five or six enemies at once.
Swish! Bang!
Occasionally a completed icicle spear flew toward him, but Seleph intercepted them all.
"Nice, Seleph!"
(Seleph is thrilled because her power is completely full!)
Since she was absorbing spirit energy while destroying enemies, it was no wonder she was in such a good mood. Normally he would have needed to focus on dodging as well, but thanks to Seleph he could devote himself entirely to destruction.
The number of ice soldiers had grown since the beginning. After eliminating nearly two hundred, Bagan returned to Elizabeth and the Progusts.
(Ugh, there's so much cold energy. I'll need to purify some of it with my power.)
'Really? You've worked hard too. Take a break.'
Bagan forced Seleph to rest after she'd struggled to intercept every incoming icicle spear. He sent her back to Harmonia.
After sending her away, Bagan approached Havik, whom he'd noticed earlier.
"Croak! Thanks to you, we were able to put those evil millennium snowmen to rest."
"Millennium snowmen?"
"Indeed. I'll explain everything, so allow me to guide you to the village. Croak!"
At the sudden offer to lead them to the village, Bagan replied.
"Perfect. That's exactly what I was going to ask for."
"Croak! Inviting a benefactor to the village is only natural. Think of something else for the exchange."
"Sure, whatever. I'll let you know if I think of something."
Since he'd already achieved his goal, the exchange no longer held much meaning for Bagan.
"Follow me. Croak!"
Havik took the lead while Bagan and Elizabeth exchanged glances and raised their eyebrows.
"Looks like things worked out."
"Yeah. Let's go."
Thus, Bagan and Elizabeth followed Havik toward the coastal cave.
Following their guide into the cave, the already freezing weather grew even colder as chill winds seeped through, making them cough involuntarily.
"Cough!"
"It must be cold. Croak! If we Progusts hadn't adapted quickly, we wouldn't have been able to move at all."
Hearing Havik's words, Bagan finally voiced the question that had been bothering him from the start. It had seemed strange from the beginning.
"Now that you mention it, how are you all fine?"
The Progusts Bagan knew were a race that prepared for winter. In other words, even if it wasn't technically winter, in weather this cold they would normally stay inside their huts until the freezing temperatures passed.
Havik answered.
"You know us well. Croak! We found a way. A way to move even in winter."
"What is it?"
The curious Bagan listened closely, and Havik's answer was shocking.
"The sea closest to the sudden cold has completely frozen over. Croak. The warriors had to venture into farther, deeper waters to find food."
Thud! Havik struck his trident against the ground once before continuing.
"Those who survive the flesh-tearing pain and desperate battles against strong foes, those who bring back food, can move even in this weather. Croak!"
In other words, they had endured the deep sea, which was even colder than winter, to obtain food and barely survive.
Originally, Progusts lived by the sea and ate fish from shallow waters. They would do anything to survive, but the way they proved their worth was truly admirable.
"I see. So that's why some of you have white spots on your bodies?"
Bagan observed the mottled patterns on Havik's body and his occasionally snow-white skin.
"Croak! It's a mark only warriors who can endure the cold possess. The pure white skin."
It wasn't that their color had faded. It had changed so they could withstand winter.
"A badge of honor."
"Croak! You understand."
Havik spoke as if proud of his own white skin, then stopped at the end of the cave.
"Isn't the path blocked here?"
Elizabeth was looking at the dead end.
"Wait a moment. You'll see something interesting."
As Bagan predicted, after a few seconds Havik spoke.
"Champion Havik has returned after defeating the millennium snowmen! Croak!"
A voice answered from within the wall.
"Croak! Open the gate! It is the Champion!"
The cave wall blocking their path flowed down like water. It vanished as if it had never existed, and light welcomed them.
Following Havik inside, they saw the Progusts living around the frozen bay. Below a massive cliff stretched a wide sandy beach, upon which stood sturdy wooden huts and floating houses built atop the frozen waters.
"It's already like this."
Seeing the Blue Wave Village in person brought fresh emotions, but Bagan couldn't help frowning. The Progusts whose skin remained the color he remembered moved sluggishly and looked drained of strength. Perhaps that was why they showed little reaction even when outsiders appeared.
"Lord Havik. Croak! Congratulations on your successful defense."
One Progust approached slowly to congratulate Havik on the battle. He was likely a high-ranking individual, speaking to celebrate their safe return.
"Croak! Thank you for the congratulations. More importantly, I must see Lord Padok."
"Understood. I will arrange an audience immediately. Croak!"
The Progust who departed walked away slowly and without energy.
"Food is scarce, and those without the Heart of the Deep Sea cannot move properly. Please understand. Croak!"
Now it was clear that not all Progusts had undergone the evolution. Those without the Heart of the Deep Sea, as they called it, were no different from before.
"It feels wrong to ask for anything from you."
"What are you saying! An exchange must be fulfilled. Croak!"
Havik declared that they would uphold tradition regardless.
"I'll accept it after this situation is resolved. We came here to eliminate this cold, after all."
"Is that so? Then you must see Lord Padok even more urgently. Croak!"
With those words, Havik guided them to where the Progust named Padok awaited.
***
"Lord Padok! It is Havik. May I request an audience? Croak!"
"Crick! Enter!"
They reached the largest floating house in the area and parted the wooden curtain-like door, stepping inside. The interior was filled with the scent of phytoncide as expected. At the far end sat Padok upon a chair.
Padok appeared three times larger than the other Progusts. Even without the Heart of the Deep Sea, his blue skin gleamed with a healthy sheen. Around him sat the elderly Progusts. As far as Bagan knew, they were the elders.
"I pay my respects to Lord Padok and the honored elders. Croak."
Havik knelt on both knees before them and placed his clenched fists upon his knees. He did not bow his head, however. It was an ancient custom of the Progusts.
"Yes. For what reason have these outsiders come to see me? Croak!"
"Havik shall convey the message, Lord Padok. These individuals claim to be seeking a clue to end this terrible winter. Croak!"
Though the words were clearly directed at Padok, the response came from elsewhere.
"Is that true? Croak!"
It was one of the elders seated nearby. Given that the elders possessed nearly equal authority to Padok, the village chief of Blue Wave Village, it made sense.
"It's true. That's why we need information."
Bagan ignored the Progusts' customs and spoke directly. Right now, ending the winter quickly was more important than rigid etiquette.
"Just what are those millennium snowmen we saw outside?"
"Croak! How insolent!"
"Croak! It is fine. He does not act this way because he wishes to."
Opinions were divided among the elders, but Padok provided the answer.
"We are subjects who serve Lady Elion. Croak! That is why we have survived until now through her power."
At Padok's words, Elizabeth's eyes sparkled with interest.
"Croak! Our history foretold that powerful traitors would one day appear to neutralize her power."
At those words, Bagan asked.
"Traitors?"
"The millennium snowmen. They are Frost's subordinates, those who covet Lady Elion's power. Croak!"