Dungeon of Niflheim

522 Chapter 522: Leaving Furano (2) [End of volume 7]

Frost’s words caused the two gate guards to don a shocked expression.

“D…Did you say you’re leaving sir?” One of them asked in a confused manner.

“Yes, immediately. Please inform the Viscount and Viscountess on my behalf and give my apologies for the sudden departure.” Frost replied calmly to the two shocked guards before turning around.

“But sir what about the celebration?”

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend… farewell.” Frost waved to the two guards as he alighted Kiba’s back. He then leaned over and grabbed Maya’s fair hand, pulling her onto the tiger’s back. Then while the guards were still floundering the three of them set off at speed and within a few seconds were completely out of sight. The hero of the stampede and the ravishing beauty that was Maya were gone just like that.

The gate guards turned to one another and frowned, clearly suspecting that something untoward was afoot but such things were beyond their jurisdiction. The two let out a deep sigh before rushing to inform the Viscount who was currently in a meeting with sir Dalamar.

“He what!” A couple minutes later Douglas was informed by the head servant and jumped from his chair, exasperating his injuries and causing him to cough up some blood. Ryuu who was also present showed a no less shocked expression.

“Haaaaaaa not the most positive reaction but certainly reasonable.” Sir Dalamar who had just been informing Douglas, Ryuu and Cassandra about the assassination attempt leaned back and sighed, bemoaning the result.

Cassandra started tear up, her heart clamping up at the thought of being hated by Frost. She sharply glared at the three men in the room as if blaming them for the whole situation. One was the lord Viscount, another the territory’s court mage and the last a famed A-rank mage and Ryuu’s former master. How could such vaunted people not prevent a ‘simple’ assassination attempt within their own territory. Hell, none of them even caught wind of such an operation, only when Frost dealt with it himself in a flashy way were they finally informed by Dalamar. A blemish on Douglas’s and Ryuu’s prestige for sure.

.....

Douglas wanted to yell, complain and demand that his servants flag Frost down so they could talk about the situation but his better judgement prevented such an eventuality. Eventually he slumped back down on his chair with a defeated expression.

“Haaaaaaaa hopefully the two of them won’t hold this against us.” He sighed and shook his head before donning a stern, almost threatening demeanour that made even Dalamar shiver.

“We will leave no stone unturned in our investigation. Ryuu you have permission to bathe the underworld in blood if they refuse to play ball. I don’t care who the assassin’s backer is, our territory will be bathed in fire and justice will be brought down in Furano.” Douglas bellowed out his orders, a fierce flame of hatred raging in his eyes.

There were a few seconds of silence before Ryuu and Cassandra smiled evilly.

“As you command Lord Viscount.” Ryuu replied with a formal salute while Cassandra giggled and showed an even more hate filled expression than her husband.

“I’ll call in a few favours with the merchants. With their aid we should be able to severely damage the backer’s financial capability…. Furano has remained too quiet and easy going during the past century. The empire has forgotten who we are.”

“Yes, they have.” Douglas agreed with his wife, giving her the go ahead before turning to Dalamar.

“Thank you, sir Dalamar, for informing us of this situation without obscuring any details, I won’t forget your honesty…. However I also know where your allegiances lie.” Douglas’s weight as a noble and highly experience adventurer formed a heavy pressure that surrounded Dalamar. Of course it wasn’t enough to truly threaten an A-rank mage such as him but it made Douglas’s stance clear.

“Regardless of the assailant’s identity the Furano Viscounty will retaliate with their full force.” Dalamar’s eyes opened wide, and his body trembled.

‘He can’t be serious.’ What Douglas just said could easily be construed as a threat, a threat towards the ruling family of the empire, practically treason. Douglas was just a Viscount and, in many ways, a close friend of the emperor yet he was willing to rip up that friendship due to an assassination attempt on their soil. It wasn’t even on a member of their family, just a local friend whose background was practically unknown.

Dalamar looked into the eyes of Douglas, Ryuu and Cassandra hoping to see some form of softness but all he got in return was an unwavering will of iron, they were 100% serious.

“...I’ll inform him of your stance.” After sucking in a sharp breath Dalamar replied sternly.

“Good. There has never been any subtlety between us and that will not change now.” Douglas nodded his head and showed a wide smile before erasing his threatening aura. The choice was up to the emperor, whether or not he wished to dip his hands into covering up this situation and or protecting those involved the Furano Viscounty would continue their retaliation unabated.

While the Furanos were boldly announcing their stance, the crown prince Randolph was ransacking his private quarters in an unbridled rage.

“THAT DAMN BASTARD!!!! HOW DARE HE THREATEN ME!!!”

BANG!!! A chair was sent flying and smashed against one of the room’s walls. Randolph was red in the face, huffing and puffing as his blood boiled with rage. General Warik stood silently at the side with his head hung low. A couple of scratches could be seen on his face and hands. It was clear that a few pieces of furniture were previously launched his way. His status as a mighty General meant nothing to the crown prince especially while in a fit of rage. He simply kept his mouth shut and endured the blows, letting them run over his back like water.

This wasn’t the first time he’d been present for one of Randolph’s meltdowns. Whenever his younger brother Sedrick made a play for control and gained a victory no matter how minor he’d shut himself off and let out the rage that couldn’t be shown to the public. In a way the fact that General Warik was allowed to be present was a sign of good faith, he was truly part of Randolph’s inner circle. A few blows were a small price to pay for such luxury.

Eventually once Randolph tuckered himself out, he deigned to speak. “Your highness has your fury abated?”

Bang!! In response to his question another piece of furniture was sent his way, though this time it merely crashed beside him instead of against him.

“My fury on this issue will never go out!” Randolph screamed with an expression akin to a demonic being.

“Haaaaaaaa then I suggest your break some more things in the room before leaving. This situation isn’t something we can easily deal with after all.”

“TSK!” Randolph loudly clicked his tongue and moved to launch a couple more things at this useless General but stopped midway, his intelligence finally overcoming the blood haze.

“...You’re right but even so, regardless of who that bastard is I refuse to be slighted without retaliating.” After a few deep breaths, Randolph’s expression started to return to normal and the red colour receded from his skin.

“Warik get me everything you have on this Frost, information and patience will be key to getting revenge.”

Warik’s expression practically glowed, he smiled enthusiastically and nodded his head. This was one of the many reasons he followed Randolph completely. The young man was able to control his emotions when needed and look at the big picture. He could be patient or ruthless when needed and though he was of royal blood he wasn’t insufferably arrogant -well compared to someone like his brother. Warik could see Randolph leading the empire into a glorious age, equal or perhaps even surpassing his father Franz.

While many parties made their plans in regards to Frost the man in question had already made his way beyond the northern gate atop Kiba, with Maya latched around his back. Though the guards were rather confused with his departure they waved them on through, many saluting and or bowing as he passed. Giving their thanks to the noble warrior.

“Seems you made a very large impression on them.” Maya chimed in as Kiba rode into the Northrend forest.

“While fighting side by side in the flames of war it’s hard not to make an impression.” Frost answered back with a tinge of nostalgia, already reminiscing about the time he slept in the barracks, ready to head into battle at a moment’s notice.

Maya looked at Frost’s chiselled face and then to his wide back that seemed to radiate a strong sense of reliability. In her eyes he had grown, matured, slowly treading the path he was meant to take in life, a natural leader.

‘If it wasn’t for the assassination attempt this trip would certainly have been nothing but a glorious success.’ She looked at him gently while thinking. ‘I’m sure he was looking forward to the celebration tonight.’ She’d overhead the guards mentioning the event as they tried to convince Frost to stay.

Knowing that her boyfriend was likely feeling a little depressed she squeezed her large chest against his back, allowing him to be wrapped in a heavenly feeling as they made their way home. A minor luxury but one that didn’t go amiss. A smile and slight blush grew on Frost’s face as he unceremoniously leaned back against Maya’s bountiful assets.