In the heavy, overcast sky between the clouds.
A green and blue aurora flows across the heavens, painting the world with a dreamlike hue.
Gray cliffs pierce the sky, forming a natural coat of armor and a heaven-sent fortress, blocking the wind and beasts alike.
A single cloud bridge lies isolated on the path leading to the gorge. This place, perfectly designed to repel outsiders, is the stronghold of Northguard, Lake Fortress.
“Looking at it alone makes me stiff.”
At the narrow entrance to the gorge, robust sentries stand guard. The solemnity felt even from a distance makes one hesitate to approach.
Moreover, the bridge itself, constructed casually out of wood, raises concerns about its durability as one worries it might collapse mid-crossing.
It seems Hargran shares similar thoughts. After glancing down at the precipitous cliffs below, he quietly steps back.
“Hmm~”
Witnessing this, my gaze narrowed teasingly.
“Don’t be mistaken, skinny one! It’s not because I’m scared, it’s due to unfavorable elemental compatibility! Dwarves thrive within the embrace of the earth, not at such high altitudes!”
“But no one said anything to provoke you—why are you so quick to react? It’s as if someone’s hit a nerve.”
“Look at yourself in the mirror before you talk!”
At that, Asies conjures a flat sheet of ice and places it before me.
“Handsome, aren’t you?”
“What nonsense is this? Even a legendary blacksmith couldn’t fix your face. Look at me—a stout build, a scruffy beard. That’s what a real man ought to be.”
“Hmm, is that so? When I first encountered a Dwarf, I thought it was a dragon’s poorly formed dung pile.”
“Such a twisted, frail fool!”
I clapped my hands in amusement.
“Indeed, the memory of what the Elves said comes rushing back.”
“Damn it! So the fault lies with those thieving, high-and-mighty Elves pretending to be noble in front of others but gossiping behind their backs!”
“Exactly, one must know how to speak up like a Dwarf.”
“You finally get it, skinny one!”
In the midst of the banter, the sleigh attempted to cross the cloud bridge. With each step of the Frostfang Wolf hybrid, the bridge swayed dangerously.
‘I’m sure this thing will collapse…’
Even with the benefit of soul synchronization steadying me emotionally, some unease lingers.
Hargran, captivated for a moment, belatedly realized the precariousness of the situation, clutching the sleigh’s handle with trembling hands.
“Is it absolutely necessary to cross this way? This is madness! At least we could’ve walked…”
“Maybe so, but there’s always the risk of falling through the gaps.”
“Ugh… Then you all go ahead. I’ll wait here. If anything happens, let me know.”
“Are you serious? You were the one boasting about taking responsibility for Northguard and now you don’t want to go?”
“That… ”
“Enough chatter! Let’s go! The bridge should suffice!”
I picked up a chunk of hard, packed snow and hurled it at the Frostfang’s back.
The Frostfang let out an eerie howl between a wolf and a horse before kicking off the ground. It began to traverse the bridge with powerful leaps.
Thud-thud!
Thud-thud!
“AAAGH!”
“Oooh, Great Bargan, forgive me—!”
Sure enough, the cloud bridge began swaying violently under the weight. Dwarves, including Hargran, clutched onto one another, screaming like girls.
“Whoa, this is quite thrilling, isn’t it?”
The sensation of fear means only a slight thrill for me. Asies observed the terrified Dwarves with a deadpan expression.
BOOM!
An ominous sound of collision rang out.
It followed immediately after the Frostfang’s powerful strides, indicating that the fragile wooden bridge couldn’t sustain the pressure.
Crack! The wooden structure began breaking, making the bridge sway even more dramatically.
And then…
Drip.
Drip.
The frozen ropes, stiffened by the cold, gave way and snapped.
The bridge was collapsing.
The sleigh tilted backward, much like a ship struck by a torpedo at its stern, and began to plummet vertically.
“AAAGGGHHH!”
“You foul Death God slave! I’ll never forget this! Even in death, I’ll haunt you and drag you down to the abyss!”
“Haha! Even if you become a ghost, you won’t reach me because your arms are too short. Besides, I don’t intend to die today, do I, Asies?”
Asies extended her hand forward.
A crackling sound emerged.
Ice pillars grew out from the canyon walls and reached towards us.
An icy curve-shaped bridge formed.
THUD!
The bridge caught the sleigh just in time, absorbing the impact by creating an extreme downward incline.
Crackling continuously, the icy bridge crafted new pathways on the go, transforming its steep edges into winding curves.
Much like a rollercoaster track.
The Frostfang raced forward along the ice bridge, the sleigh swerving through the twists and turns, climbing upward, and eventually reaching the top of the cliff.
BOOM!
The Frostfang leaped mightily, soaring high above the opposite cliff face. After floating in the air for what felt like an eternity, the sleigh roughly landed on the ground.
Looking back, the chaotic ice courses leading from the ravine across to the point we just crossed were in full view. Miraculously, we succeeded in crossing.
“Great job, Asies. Thanks to you, we crossed safely.”
I brushed my wind-ruffled hair back. Asies’ hair, too, bore traces of having been blown by the wind.
While I combed her hair carefully, I looked down upon the dwarves clinging desperately to the sleigh fence, gasping for breath.
“I told you, didn’t I? We’d make it across the bridge!”
“I, i, i…”
I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?
Clearly, we crossed the bridge.
Though perhaps I left out some minor details…
“If this was going to happen, why didn’t we just cross on the ice bridge from the start?”
“You’re exactly right.”
I flashed Hargran a cheerful smile.
“You should have mentioned that beforehand. Timing is everything, and being able to find the right words at the right moment is a real skill.”
“Such a conniving bastard…”
“However, this isn’t entirely bad—for the Dwarves, it could even be considered a good thing.”
Is your mother away on business?
Ah, you’re an orphan.
Hargran makes the same face as before.
I dramatically spread my arms toward the collapsed bridge.
“Look. The bridge is ruined. That means we need to build a new one. Who’s the best architect in the world?”
“The Dwarves, obviously.”
“Exactly. Let’s replace this meager wooden bridge with a much stronger, grand bridge. Then the northern people will surely praise Hargran, won’t they? No longer will they have to cross this unstable bridge daily.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course. This bridge will become a symbol of friendship between the Dwarves and the northerners. And by installing a statue of Hargran, he’ll become the champion of this friendship!”
“Wow!”
Hargran exclaimed in admiration.
“So, all you need to do now is explain this to the northerners. Tell them the bridge was destroyed for this reason. And we’ll build a stronger one, so they don’t worry.”
“Such an idea… huh? Don’t overestimate yourself, fool! I already thought about all that!”
“Indeed. Shall I spread this good news then?”
“That’s right! It’s time to showcase the greatness of Master Hargran!”
“Great. It looks like they’ve come to welcome Hargran.”
The tightly closed gate of the outpost opened, and Northguard warriors with full combat gear rushed out. Hargran, adjusting his mustache, confidently stepped forward.
“What kind of nonsense is this! You dared to destroy our bridge?”
Hargran flamboyantly placed his hammer on his shoulder.
“Hey! Frostfolk! I am Hargran, the Master Warrior of the Thunderhammer from Doomheim! Send your boss over!”
The Northguards exchanged glances.
One of them nodded and returned to the canyon bringing along their superior.
A towering figure, possibly around 2 meters tall, with dark brown skin, a fur hood, and a shadowed stern expression on his face.
Various armors were strapped around his back, waist, and thighs.
“I am Jorn, the Clan Chief and Elder Guard of Lake Fortress. You claim to be the Master from Doomheim?”
“That’s right!”
“What brings these mountain mole creatures here? Why did you destroy the bridge?”
“I commanded it! Calling that thing a bridge is an insult. As a Dwarf, I couldn’t possibly tolerate it. But don’t worry. We Dwarves will replace this insignificant thing with something incomparably superior—”
ZING!
Jorn swiftly pulled out a pair of tomahawks he carried on his waist.
“Intruders! Arrest them!”
“Wha—! These disrespectful fools. I’m a prophet here to bring civilization! Do you really think you can defeat this Hargran!”
Hargran proudly lifted his hammer.
CRACKLE!
Ice erupted from beneath his feet, instantly freezing Hargran into a life-like ice statue. The Northguards, who were ready to rush in, hesitated momentarily.
Jorn briefly feigned confusion but then quickly straightened his expression, glaring furiously at us.
“Are you affiliated with this one?”
“We are the victims here. Everything happened because of this Dwarf’s recklessness. We suggested a safer method, but he proceeded according to his wishes…”
“How can we trust you?”
“If our intention was harmful, wouldn’t the magic have frozen you Northguards instead of the Dwarf?”
“…”
Jorn locked his eyes in place but rolled his gaze between me and Asies. His pupils widened slightly as he looked at Asies.
“If you keep drawing your weapons, we’ll have no choice but to unfreeze this Dwarf and retaliate.”
“…Understood. But we cannot let our guard down. We shall move while he remains in this state.”
“That’s acceptable.”
“Hmm.”
Jorn signaled to his subordinates with a nod.
They placed the ice-frozen statue of Hargran on the sleigh and led the Frostfangs away. While surrounding the Dwarves and us, they began to move forward.
‘Yeah~ Unmarked entry into Lake Fortress~’
Me, a human, am quite clever, aren’t I?
My apologies to Hargran, but this is a necessary sacrifice for the greater good.
“Asies, your combo was exceptional, but why do you give me that look again?”
Asies’ eyes became just a tad narrower, reminiscent of the disdainful looks I used to receive from slaves.
That same flicker of contempt showed in her expression.
“What? Slave traders are like this naturally.”
“…”
“Anyway, slaves these days receive too much. They don’t understand the efforts of the Master. Thanks to a good Master like me, they’re living comfortably without even realizing it.”
Should I disappear suddenly one day,
‘Ahh~ Master, how could you be so selfless?~’ they’ll regret it only then.
Just wait and see.
I’ll ensure they can’t survive without me.
