Chapter 175: Kasa's Ambition
Storm Highlands, Frost Giant temporary encampment.
This place was originally a lush forest, but the Frost Giants had felled all the trees, leaving howling cold winds bringing heavy snow.
On the snowy ground, crude tents made of land dragon beast bones and pelts were erected, with loot plundered from nearby areas piled beside them, including food, pelts, armor, and weapons.
The tribe's Frost Giant shamans would pray to the gods, casting ancient spells to create zones of frost, not only providing a comfortable environment for the Frost Giants but also deterring intruders.
The Frost Giants would then use these frozen zones as bases to raid all nearby settlements, engaging in extensive plundering.
Kasa stood atop the slope with a double-edged axe in hand, overlooking the heavily scarred Baya.
"Baya, where are the clansmen under your command?"
"And why did you return empty-handed without any loot?"
Baya lowered his head, gritting his teeth as he said, "Chieftain, we encountered a tough bone to chew."
He hesitated momentarily, finally choosing to reveal the truth.
"As many as twenty-six warriors fought valiantly to their deaths."
As Baya spoke, his expression twisted, and he immediately added,
"But don't worry, I will avenge them and flatten that fortress. Fifty men—give me just fifty warriors, and I guarantee—"
Kasa frowned, glaring at Baya and rudely interrupting him:
"Twenty-six clansmen? You lost that many for a mere fortress? Do you know, sixty years ago, your father destroyed the entire city of Nitri, plundering treasures accumulated over hundreds of years, with only eleven clansmen lost!"
Baya murmured in defense, "That was no ordinary fortress. Behind it, there's a real dragon."
Kasa coldly interrupted again, not allowing any further argument: "The most important quality of a seasoned captain is patience, and you clearly lack it. Relinquish your position to... Temma."
"I don't want to see such reckless behavior from you again."
"Yes, Chieftain."
Baya wanted to argue but swallowed his words upon seeing Kasa's unyielding gaze.
Kasa gestured, and Temma, standing behind Baya, stepped forward excitedly. The chieftain painted two red streaks on Temma's forehead—a mark signifying the leader of the Frost Giant forces, used to differentiate in battle.
Kasa returned to his tent, where a massive leather map lay spread out, covered in crude markings.
Several Frost Giant shamans sat around him, mostly robust and experienced, while the elderly and frail Elder Noor had chosen to stay back at the Wahala Glacier with the old and weak.
"Veer, can you locate the exact position of the Eternal Frost Horn now?"
The young Frost Giant shaman nodded slightly.
"Chieftain, we cannot pinpoint it exactly, but we can infer its general area."
He pointed to the worn map, marking a region in the southern part of Storm Highlands with his staff.
"However, according to the records left by the previous chieftain on this map, there is only one human city within that range—Northwind Fortress."
"Good, very good."
"Seize that city and reclaim the Eternal Frost Horn. The glory of our ancestors will be revived in our hands."
Hearing the shaman's affirmative answer, Kasa's eyes lit up.
But something seemed to cross his mind, and his brows furrowed as he asked another question.
"Based on your knowledge, is there a dragon on Storm Highlands?"
The Eternal Frost Tribe, separated from the south by the towering Kolka Mountains, required significant time and effort to travel back and forth, leaving them almost entirely ignorant of recent southern developments, relying only on ancestral information.
The shaman truthfully replied, "There are no such records."
"However, Chieftain, if I may speak frankly, our intelligence is sixty years old. For these weak mortals, sixty years is several generations. The situation in the northern lands may have changed drastically compared to before."
"Is that so..."
Kasa stroked his chin, narrowing his eyes slightly.
Soon, however, his gaze was filled with ambition again: "No matter how these insignificant humans change, they cannot escape their fate of being destroyed by our great giant race."
"And as for a dragon that wasn't even heard of sixty years ago and, at most, is in its youth? It's nothing. It will only make my achievements more glorious and add the deed of dragon-slaying to my legend."
"When we reclaim the Eternal Frost Horn, I will turn the entire northern land into a frozen domain, letting the Frost Giants rule the lands our ancestors once claimed!"
"Under the mighty power of Eternal Frost, all resistance will crumble."
Northwind Fortress, council hall.
Cassius sat on the throne, reviewing the latest intelligence submitted by his subordinates.
"They've reached Rock Fortress already? That's a quick move."
Darenna replied solemnly, "The Frost Giants' rapid marches are renowned across the north. They often form squads of dozens of giants, arriving with the cold winds, conducting swift raids, and moving far faster than any human force in northern history."
"Currently, both Bartow City and Sger Town have faced small-scale Frost Giant attacks. Fortunately, they suffered little damage. Rock Fortress encountered the Frost Giants' main force but has managed to hold its ground."
"According to the intelligence from the Crimson Scaled patrol, it seems they've abandoned sweeping the Storm Highlands and are gathering forces for an all-out southern march. Their target is likely—the Eternal Frost Horn."
"Through the research of the Great Sage Tower, Lord Langpu suspects that the horn's runic power resonates with the Frost Giant bloodline, providing an effect similar to a locator spell. However, the level of magical effect is too high for him to neutralize for now."
Cassius rose from the throne, stretched his wings, and shook himself off.
"No need to neutralize it. Their southward march aligns perfectly with my plans. I dislike running around putting out fires and losing the initiative."
"But... this farce should come to an end now."
"Notify all the kingdom's forces to block the Frost Giants north of the Trier Throat. If we let them go any further, they might disrupt the southern territories' normal operations."
"The era of the Giant Empire has long ended. These parasites feasting on their ancestors' legacy should have been buried in their graves by now."
Darenna hesitated for a moment before adding,
"Master, there's one more thing."
"The Duchy of Bosk has sent an envoy, claiming to assist the Ember Kingdom in resisting the Frost Disaster. What is your opinion?"
Cassius showed a spark of interest.
"Oh, is that so?"
"Quick, invite this 'warm-hearted' envoy in. I'm curious to see what that old lion is up to."
The golden pupils of the red dragon gleamed with a hint of amusement.