Building a Kingdom and Conquering the World

174  Ahead

Henry toyed with a fist-sized blue gem that glowed faintly despite no sunlight reaching it, tossing it up and down as a luminescent white light wriggled inside, resembling a worm. He had found this gem within the head of the Ice Giant, and the moment he touched it, he felt a surge of unfamiliar energy being drawn into his body. Unlike Mana, this energy moved too quickly for him to grasp as it traveled through his Mana Circuits, disappearing into the dragon tattoo on his chest where Caelum, the First Sword, rested. "It's dimming again" - Henry said, watching as the light within the gem was fading away, slowly turning into a pale color, a death gray. The light worm's movements were becoming slower and slower each time it touched his hands.

After tossing the gem a few more times, Henry halted, prompting the nearly two hundred barbarians behind him to stop as well. The encounter with the Ice Giant had awakened their survival instincts, honed over generations in the Frozen Forest. The barbarians moved silently, their eyes constantly scanning from the snow-covered ground to the distant horizon where the mountains, clad in white, embraced them. They were brave enough to face danger but wise enough not to underestimate it. "They are coming back" - Henry muttered, standing still in front of the barbarians. He had sent Leier and five others to scout ahead, instructing her to stay within his sight.

In the distance, he spotted Leier's group, just emerging back from the dead forest and running towards his position. Within minutes, Leier was reporting to Henry, her furry black boots sinking slightly into the snow as fresh flakes fell upon her black robe - "We found footprints in the snow ahead, similar to those of the creature we encountered"- she said. "Is it from the same creature?" - Henry asked. Leier shook her head and pointed to one of the barbarians who had accompanied her, now conversing with the others, gesturing with their hands - "The barbarians are adept at tracking and identifying monsters. They said the footprints are different."

"Are there more than one?" - Henry asked.

"At least three or four more, my liege" - Leier responded promptly - "Additionally, we found other footprints that match those of the dwarves. It appears the Ice Giants are moving in the same direction as the dwarves."

"Together?" - Henry asked.

"No, my liege. The dwarves' footprints were difficult to find, partially covered by snow" - she explained - "They seemed to be in a hurry, likely passing through an hour or two after attacking me. One of them was also injured; we found bloodstains on the snow."

Henry stood in silence for a few breaths, his eyes fixed on the leafless trees that resembled skeletal fingers pointing toward the sky - "How is the terrain inside that forest? Can our troops pass through it?"

"It is possible, my liege" - Leier responded immediately - "The trees are sparse, and their roots run deep. The snow helps conceal the rugged mountainous terrain. General Olaro should have no trouble leading the cavalry through it."

Henry's eyes shone, trying to calculate how to proceed with this. He could either go forward and enter the forest, in the direction of the couple of Ice Giants and where the dwarves were and still continued in his mission to attack the capital from the mountains. Or, climb back the mountain and return to the original path, where he would face more resistance and numerous enemies.

Henry's eyes gleamed as he calculated his next move. He could proceed forward, entering the forest where a few Ice Giants and the dwarves were, continuing his mission to attack the capital from the mountains. Alternatively, he could climb back up the mountain and return to the original path, facing more resistance and numerous enemies.

After a moment of contemplation, Henry made his decision - "We will advance through the forest" - he declared - "Leier, take the lead and guide us through. General Olaro will bring the cavalry behind us. We'll move swiftly and silently, leaving marks on the trees to help Olaro reach us."

"As you command, my liege." - She turned to the barbarians and signaled them to prepare. The nearly two hundred warriors tightened their grips on their weapons, their faces filled with caution and courage. Their genes making them alert.

With that, they plunged into the forest, the eerie silence broken only by the soft crunch of snow underfoot. The leafless trees loomed overhead. Henry kept a watchful eye on his surroundings, every sense heightened for signs of danger. He closely followed Leier, letting her use her skills to the utmost level, moving at a slow but constant pace.

Hours passed, and the sky began to darken. The forest grew even more ominous, the shadows deepening around them. Just as Henry was about to call for a brief rest, seeing the tired faces of the barbarians, Leier halted abruptly.

"What is it?" - Henry asked, moving to her side. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Leier pointed ahead to a place where three to four trees had fallen, creating a small clearing - "There" - she said softly - "Footprints. Fresh ones. Ice Giants and dwarves. They're close."

Suddenly, a grotesque howl echoed through the forest, very similar to the one the Ice Giant had emitted when Henry's sword had severed its neck. This time, however, it was not a solitary cry but was joined by three others, causing the very air to tremble and the snow beneath them to shift like a small earthquake.

Henry sensed a disturbance, the flow of mana in the air subtly disrupted - "Prepare for battle!" - he commanded, drawing a hatchet he had taken from the fallen barbarian - "They are ahead!"

The troops readied their weapons, their eyes filled with steely determination. Seeing they were prepared, Henry kicked off the ground and dashed forward, ready to confront these formidable creatures. There was no turning back. Even if it meant losing a few troops, he was determined to traverse these mountains and conquer the capital.

Soon, the scene of four Ice Giants surrounding a group of three dwarves unfolded before them. Despite their small stature, the dwarves skillfully fended off the Ice Giants' attacks, standing their ground with remarkable resilience.