Dungeon of Niflheim

Duke Runak and his vaunted Generals willingly lowered their heads in reverence to the young Princess. Their hearts that were previously filled with guilt and frustration were now ablaze with loyal passion.

"Uncle please elaborate on the Duchy's current situation. If I am to help I must understand the true depths of this plight." Avira spoke with a natural gravitas that uplifted the hearts of those who heard her words, the voice of a leader who was eager to take on their burdens.

A few teardrops fell from Duke Runak's eyes as he took in her regal bearing. To him she bore the same charisma of her father but held the appearance of her mother, empress Amelia. He had never felt prouder than he did at this very moment.

"It would be my honour Princess." He replied with a warm smile on his lips, an expression that he hadn't been able to show in quite some time.

"Princess, lord Duke before we discuss the particulars are you sure that Sir Frost and Lord Darksteel should be present?" General Danielle Argrave who arrived earlier with General Jared Bando raised her hand and politely asked.

They were about to discuss the ongoing war situation of the Empire's northern most Duchy. Yes Frost and Borris were the Princess' companions, trusted friends on her part but nevertheless one was a civilian, a talented blacksmith who had zero ties to the military and their Duchy while the other was a lord of a territory not beholden to the Empire.

Protocol wise they should not be present during such delicate talks.

"You can trust them General; Borris wishes to enlist in the Duchy's services anyway and Frost bears no threat towards the fortress.

I have no problems discussing the war efforts with them in the room in fact I'd prefer it if they stayed, perhaps given their stance as outsiders they may be able to see a solution which we cannot." Avira didn't wish to be separated from her friends as Frost and Borris were currently serving as her emotional support, allowing her to easily talk face to face with the Empire's most experienced Generals.

"….." Duke Runak however was silent in response, his lips moved but no words passed through. He held a fairly high opinion of both Frost and Borris, feeling that they were naturally trustworthy plus he wished to respect Avira's position, but he also understood protocols given his military background and station thus he was torn.

Frost who was currently sitting by Avira's side was quite curious about the war situation and if given permission wished to be present during the discussion as such talks would be very beneficial for his role as Lord of the Niflheim city-state.

Alas he too understood the misgivings of General Danielle thus he was going the remove himself from the discussion voluntarily however…

"I agree with the Princess and as someone who is already acquainted with him I'll vouch for Frost, he's a good man, brave, honest and more than trustworthy." General Jared Bando smiled and winked at Frost after he said his piece causing the young dungeon core to both internally sigh and feel warm at the same time.

With General Bando chiming in Duke Runak felt that there was enough sway to allow Frost and Borris to stay. He glanced at his Generals who each responded with curt nods, even General Danielle though it was clear that she was still a little reluctant to reveal military secrets to outsiders.

"Very well Sir Frost and Lord Darksteel are permitted to remain within the war room while we discuss the current plight of Icethorne and debate our options."

""Thank you Lord Duke."" Frost and Borris respectfully crossed their arms across their chest in salute as they thanked the Duke for his kindness.

What followed was an in depth conversation of the Duchy's current predicament followed by possible solutions and many, many dead ends.

The fortress of Icethorne was practically besieged from the northern side. Waves of monsters would attack throughout the day alongside hired mercenaries and even the occasional military outfit. Passage into the inner regions was completely blocked off due to this thus trade was brought to a halt.

No caravans could move beyond the Northern wall lest they wished to be devoured and ransacked for all their worth.

At the moment the situation was still manageable as the members of the impromptu alliance loosely known as the Glacial Mountains liberation alliance were still amassing their armies. Currently only the forces of those beholden (subordinate/vassalized) to the big 5 as well as hired mercenaries were attacking Icethorne's northern wall.

The quality and quantity was rather lacking but still enough to force the War Ursa Battalion to constantly be on red alert.

Supplies were still solid as the Duchy forcibly purchased all goods from the caravans that couldn't enter the inner regions but the longer the inner regions remain closed the more agitated the merchants would become. Tensions would grow as profit declines. The Kingdoms, tribes, enclaves and nations prevalent in the external regions would eventually be forced to make a decision.

The 3 to 6 month timeframe Duke Runak gave previously was due to a multitude of factors. First his forces would likely be exhausted and possibly overrun by then, second their supplies even with the forceful buying from the northbound caravans and likely inflated transactions from countries in the external regions they'd run out of much needed military supplies i.e.

arrows, mana crystals, metal, potions etc… however the main reason for the time frame was the interests of these nations.

If trade wasn't opening back up and it was due to the presence of the Icethorne duchy then these less powerful nations and tribes would eventually team up with the Glacial mountains liberation alliance and attack the fortress from the south. The moment the duchy was pincered and truly had enemies on all sides the war would be lost. Read exclusive chapters at empire

Duke Runak was known in the Glacial mountains as a local war god, a commander without parallel on the battlefield. The minor nations and tribes within the external regions respected and feared his strength.

When they had no other choice they were willing to submit to his position and pay large fees to conduct trade through the fortress as well as occasionally with the Northrend empire but if he was ever in a perilous situation they'd spare little hesitation in pushing him off a cliff rather than pulling him up from the edge.

The Duke knew of this, but his hands were tied, the Glacial Mountains respected strength, everything else was secondary. With his forces trapped within the fortress he would be unable to maintain their image of unparalleled strength thus their fear towards him and the Northrend empire would wane.

He could at most send a small and powerful group of envoys but even then that would only delay the inevitable. The only way they could maintain their position was if they achieved a complete and total victory.

Unfortunately the famous Duke was unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The sudden alliance was just too much. One or two nations he could accept but 5 big names all working together was beyond what he could handle. He greatly valued his intelligence corps, but it was obvious that they dropped the ball, he received no prior warning in regards to this alliance.

The speed and determination of this sudden agreement was bone chilling. The necessary work needed to facilitate this alliance meant that the planning stages had to have been in progress for quite some time. The current chaos in the Empire was merely an opportunity for them to act early yet he heard not even a whisper.

For the first time in a long time Duke Runak felt as though he was dancing on his enemy's palm, that his every move was calculated and prepared for.

Frost felt his skin crawl when he understood the true gravity of the war that was festering beyond Icethorne's walls. It couldn't even mentioned in the same breath as the monster stampede faced by Furano or his dungeon. The scale was completely different.

The War Ursa Battalion and the Ducy of Icethorne had soldiers in the tens of thousands yet they were by far in the minority. Their enemy numbered in the millions, and they had the quality to go toe to toe with the Battalion's Generals and even the War Marshall himself.

Although the fortress boasted of a wall that reached 120 metres in height and that was armed to the teeth with mana cannons, ballistae and other war machines the sheer difference in number was impossible to ignore.

'He claims to be able to hold out for 3 to 6 months against such an onslaught.' Frost struggled to see the possibility; he reckoned that 2 months maybe not even that was his absolute limit. He really wanted to fight alongside this powerful Duke and learn of his methods alas he had a prior engagement to uphold.