Snowfield War (1)
The successive heads of the Edelgard family had always adhered to an unwritten rule: "When the frozen tundra faces imminent peril from barbarian invasions and monstrous hordes, set aside all else and return to Nilfheim." Leonora was no exception.
She was heading back to the tundra. She summoned every knight stationed in the Imperial Capital. The War Council, in support of her, issued an order halting all Spatial Fold operations temporarily to teleport the tundra's knights.
"Shame we have to part like this. I should've dragged you into the Wynder Mercenaries by any means necessary.... Barbarians and frozen corpses swarming in at once, huh? The heads of the Edelgard family always draw the short straw. Anyway, catch you later. You're a man I've acknowledged, so don't go dying in some lame-ass way."
"Of course, Lady Frederica."
The red-haired beauty flashed a bold smile and clapped him on the shoulder. True to her role commanding countless mercenary bands, she exuded magnanimity laced with genuine warmth.
Next time, I'll treat you to ice cream. At his promise of reunion, Frederica nodded.
"Leonora might show some vulnerability. She's usually as cold and ruthless as a blizzard's bite, that silver-haired witch... but against the barbarians beyond the wall? She loses all reason in her rage. Which means your role as her vice-captain will be more crucial than ever."
"Lady Leonora, who's always been impeccably thorough?"
"She has no choice. Her father, the previous head of the Edelgard family, fell in battle against the tundra's invading barbarians after a desperate fight with meager forces."
"......"
First time hearing that. To think the tundra hid such a tragic tale.
It makes sense they wouldn't spread it around. Must be a taboo not to be uttered lightly.
He recalled Leonora's gaze, heavy with sorrow and longing, as she remembered her father.
For his sake—and the Valtenstein detachment's—Leonora had halted her conquest of the barbarians, her blood-sworn enemies who'd murdered her father, and declared war on the Holy Empire instead. In response to her devout trust and support, he opened up to Frederica.
"No matter what happens, I'll protect Lady Leonora. Even if it costs my life... for the woman who believed in me, death holds no fear."
"That's the man I've acknowledged! Straightforward and bold!"
The Red Mercenary King roared with laughter, radiating fervent approval. At the same time, she slyly produced a dark blue mana stone from her grip, resembling lapis lazuli.
"No matter what happens, I'll protect Lady Leonora. Even if it costs my life... for the woman who believed in me, death holds no fear."
"Lady Frederica."
"Ahaha! No need to get all wary. I just used the recording stone to remind you to honor that oath from your lips. You think I'd stoop to something as low and shameless as using it for blackmail?"
If I had to trust a mercenary's word, I'd sooner trust the neighbor's mutt. He eyed the shrugging Frederica, thinking that.
No time to quibble over the recording stone. It was time for the Valtenstein detachment to board the Spatial Fold.
He let out a deep sigh at her duplicitous nature—threatening blackmail in a sly tone while genuinely wishing him luck.
The Eisenreich Colonial Empire touted a tolerant rationalism that embraced all races and peoples of the continent equally. Thus, even elves and beastkin—who shunned human rule—accepted coexistence with the empire.
But even the empire drew the line at certain foes: the barbarians. Savage demon-worshippers. Deeming them irredeemable for defying rule and repeatedly plundering the tundra, the empire marked them for extermination.
"Kyaaak!"
"Barbarians! The savages are invading!"
"How did barbarians get this far...? Did they breach the wall?!"
Hiemalis. A mining village not far from Nilfheim, the tundra's heart. Peace shattered as violence descended on the quiet hamlet of miners.
Barbarians covered in red tattoos hefted grotesque weapons, seizing the village.
Kill every man. Capture all the women. Secure food and valuables, then burn everything in sight.
The tundra's barbarians showed no mercy. Axes cleaved the skulls of men groveling in the snow, begging for life.
"An offering for the great Grommash!"
"Malakar! Korbak! Let the snowfields drown in our enemies' blood and corpses!!"
The barbarians chanted prayers to their evil god in some ancient tongue, hoisting fresh chunks of meat.
A display of their valor and devotion.
Splat—
Fresh blood poured copiously. Crimson rivulets and brains from severed heads soaked the barbarians' bodies. Bizarrely, the red tattoos etched into their brutally honed muscles absorbed it like sponges.
"Woooaaargh!"
"Grommash's grace...! Grommash's blessing!!"
Their eyes turned red. Veins bulged as muscles grotesquely swelled. Half-man, half-demon. True monsters.
The women of Hiemalis, captured by the barbarians, trembled and screamed.
"Grraaah!!"
A red-eyed barbarian lumbered forward. Fresh scent. Tender, young flesh.
All eyes locked on the frozen canal. Their explosively enhanced senses, wolf-like for devouring corpses, picked up the huddled children shivering inside from cold and terror.
"The less developed the whelp, the softer the meat and juices.... One big bite and they flop around, spilling fresh savoriness.... Spare only the girl children—kill the rest...!"
Thud. Thud. They approached the canal.
Getting closer. The human-skinned monsters had sniffed them out. Cannibal barbarians drooling in anticipation of young meat.
"Fucking bastard. No words too vile in front of kids."
Two sharp blades pierced the barbarian from behind. Kailun reversed his grip on the hilts and ripped the body apart.
"Weak livestock like you... dares?!"
"What the hell? Guts shredded and it still moves?"
The ambushed barbarian, entrails dangling, took another step—showing freakish resilience.
Kailun severed the arms clutching an iron mace, then lopped off the gleaming bald head.
Zombie. Near-undead abomination. And despite the reckless bare-chested bravado, its skin was metal-tough.
Recalling the feel of tearing steel, Kailun bellowed to the Valtenstein detachment knights dispatched to Hiemalis.
"These bastards are monsters! Cut off limbs, rip out guts—they keep coming! Always decapitate first to neutralize! And... their goddamn physiques are insanely tough, so hit 'em with sword ki!!"
How the hell did barbarians breach the wall?
He glared at the dozens of barbarians clashing with the Valtenstein detachment, pondering.
"Look over there, Captain Valtenstein!"
"Shit. Truly immeasurable...."
The barbarians' undead-like tenacity was just the opener. Ghouls with glowing blue eyes encircled the mining village.
Black sockets flickering azure. Charred skeletons. Rusted weapons rimed in frost and venomous chill.
Frost Wraiths. Monsters of the tundra, once mentioned by an Edelgard family elder.
Kailun spat curses, staring down the horde of barbarians and wraiths. The nightmare beasts from beyond the wall defied all reason with their transcendent forms.
"Rozalin, protect the villagers!"
"Understood!"
He tasked the one-eyed knightess with civilian safety. Then crushed the barbarian's severed head underfoot—even headless, its jaw gnashed with murderous intent.