141 - The Freed S*aves Became Obsessed

In the land of Isengard, the stark white expanse of snow stretches endlessly, yet the earth opens its maw in this seemingly unremarkable locale. Descending a long flight of stairs carved into the hole reveals an underground fortress. This is the Frost Hollow of the ice plains, once a lair of monsters but now a refuge, marred with the bloody and metallic history of slaughter by humankind. The maze-like structure reminiscent of an anthill, unlike the orderly Doomheim, is chaotic enough to befit barbarian existence. Despite being the same continent and race, the forms of congregation vary immensely. If Lake Fortress is a harmonious home, Frost Hollow is a den of beasts. Here, the men drink all day and accost any woman in sight without hesitation. Northerners from this place often don't know their fathers or identify their children, rendering the den of beasts an apt description. "Chief, I have urgent news!" The voice belonged to the squinty-eyed merchant Biffen, who had come in search of this barbarian hideout. Failing the extortion disguised as a trade deal at Lake Fortress, Biffen raced like a madman to Frost Hollow, prostrating before the chieftain's throne. Sitting arrogantly in a chair, as if he were a monarch, was the burly chieftain of Frost Hollow, Sieg Snowswine. Though of honorable Norseguard lineage, Sieg grew weary of antiquated traditions and chose the path of savagery, unifying tribes in his wake until his power snowballed into the greatest in Isengard. Practically a king within Frost Hollow, Sieg's cold and heavy gaze bore down on the back of Biffen's head. "I recently traveled to Lake Fortress for a trade. For some reason, they had an abundance of wyvern wings. They also had some exceptionally high-quality yeti fur." "..." "I intended to offer them to you, Chief, but they demanded unreasonably, and the deal fell through." "What are you trying to say?" The deep voice resonated, making Biffen flinch as he mustered his quivering words. "There, I saw an astonishingly beautiful woman. She was more beautiful than any I've seen before—like a goddess of winter..." "Hmm." "And yet, she was a slave. A slave to none other than the Slave Messenger." "What is this 'Slave Messenger'?" How could he not know the infamous Slave Messenger? Though calling them barbarians, to their faces would be deadly, Biffen explained generously. "The Slave Messenger is a notorious slave trader, infamous across the continent for a grim hobby of killing slaves." "And the woman you mentioned is that man's slave?" "Correct. Undoubtedly, after some malicious teasing, her life will be taken. I did my utmost to secure her freedom, but I ultimately failed..." "We must bring her here." "That's precisely the point I wanted to make!" Biffen lifted his head in agreement, promptly bowing again as Sieg scrutinized him, chin resting on his arm. A clueless fool from the south. His erratic demeanor clashed with northern sensibilities. While not fond of Biffen's rashness, their mutual interests aligned with Biffen's meticulous assessment of gain and loss. The tribe protected him, and he supplied them with quality goods, sometimes delivering valuable information that led to raids for beautiful women regardless of nobility. Sieg, reigning as a self-appointed monarch of this lawless northern land, wielded enough power that no outlier city's militia could pose any threat. The new information about the woman from Biffen intrigued him. Despite Biffen's lack of tact, his judgment in assessing the quality of merchandise was remarkably sharp. Her beauty must indeed be extraordinary if he praised her so. “So, Lake Fortress it is.” The traditional, reputable tribe led by Chieftain Darka that Sieg once held in high regard was now in decline. After Baskal's accidental death and Darka's breakdown, Lake Fortress fell rapidly, akin to a sled down a slope. With no longer any reason to keep it in check, Sieg planned a visit. The aim was to seize the beautiful slave of the so-called Slave Messenger, extort tribute regularly, and spare some lives. “Alright, let’s get──” Sieg was just about to lift his heavy form when a blood-curdling scream pierced the underground domain. "Aaaaah! My arm!" "Don't cry! You're a man, aren't you?" "But my arm!!!" Bothered by the sudden commotion, Sieg's demeanor turned cold. “...Who dares cause such a ruckus?” “Sorry, I’ll check immediately.” An angered Sieg grew fierce. The chieftain rushed out to confirm the situation. “Argh!” “Run! A madwoman is slicing through people!” The noise grew louder and more turbulent. The chieftain burst back in, breathless. “Chief, we've got an intruder!” Sieg's brow furrowed. “An intruder? Who dares attack us? What’s the size of their force?” "I don't know who they are! We only see one." One? Charging alone into Frost Hollow? Whoever it was, they had no regard for their life. Sieg seized his enormous greatsword and rose from his seat. Outside, his tribespeople scattered in disarray, fleeing. Chasing them down was a lone female swordsman. The light of winter illuminating the dim underground fortress. Sieg, a man without fear even in the harshest cold, was momentarily captivated by the intense beauty of the woman before him. “Th-that's the woman! The slave I mentioned!” Biffen shouted, frantic and dramatic. The woman he intended to bring was here of her own accord. More audaciously, she was slashing through the tribal warriors with her sword. Yet, Sieg found himself mesmerized by the elegance of her sword dance, akin to a sword master’s performance. "Chief!" His awareness returned. Sieg shook his shoulders. This was no time to be merely watching. Gripping his greatsword in both hands, Sieg swung upwards. The sharply honed blade energy surged toward Ashies. Ashies lightly darted around the difficult terrain like a rabbit. Thunk. The sword energy targeted where she’d stepped—a perfect Relevé, balancing delicately on her toes. With a graceful spin, the blade energy narrowly grazed the tip of her hair. Thud! Sieg leaped and landed right next to Ashies. She turned her head, meeting Sieg’s gaze. "So, Biffen’s tales weren’t exaggerated." There was a reason for his boasting. Her beauty was so supreme, words could barely encapsulate it. ‘No ordinary slave.’ Her aura was distinctly different from the typical enslaved imagined by many. Not due to her appearance or attire, but because she had an air of a sheltered princess, untouched by hardship. Even her swordsmanship wasn't ordinary. Upon a quick glance, her movements held unparalleled lightness. "What brings you here?" "Rami... sent me to clean things up." "Who's Rami? Is he the so-called Slave Messenger?" "Rami is... just Rami...?" "...?" What? Is she perhaps lacking something mentally? But it doesn’t matter. Such beauty, even if slightly flawed, doesn’t pose a major issue. If anything, her individuality enhances her charm. "Don’t think you’ll leave Frost Hollow unscathed. Until your last moment when your beauty fades, I’ll make sure you bear my child." Boom! Sieg, positioning his black greatsword behind him, launched his body forward. Though not swift, his massive physique cut through the air with intense force. The oppressive power akin to a charging buffalo. Sieg swung the greatsword diagonally down. Despite the rushing blade, Ashies responded indifferently. Her facial expression unchanged, she sidestepped the attack and thrust her sword. Thunk. “Guh?” The sword slid smoothly into Sieg’s shoulder. Blood splattered forth. What was once a spray of blood from Ashies froze mid-air. Crimson ice shards returned toward their master. Leaving shallow wounds across Sieg's body. ‘Magic?!’ Though the injury was not severe, in a battle where the outcome hinges on mere moments, distractions are crucial. It was effective merely by being a nuisance. Swish! Razor-like icy blades shot forward. Sieg hurriedly angled his greatsword to deflect. Clang─! Blocking the attack with the flat of his blade, Sieg leaped backward in an instant. “What, that slave…” A magic swordsman? While handling a sword was expected, wielding magic simultaneously was unforeseeable. Far too competent to be a slave. Though it damages his dignity as the leader, assistance would now be needed from his subordinates. “Hmm?” Tap. Tap. Tap. Ashies approached in a slide. Wherever her toes touched the ground, ice formed. She adeptly skated across the ice, rapidly closing the distance. With incredible swiftness, Ashies continued her attack. Ashies was left-handed. Most people are right-handed. From the trajectory of attack onward, everything differed. For those accustomed to dueling right-handers, such subtle differences proved disorienting. Sieg, flustered and disoriented, defaulted to defensive maneuvers. Despite sweating profusely and attempting blocks, he continuously left openings, allowing Ashies’ barrages through. Every splash of blood became an icy spike shooting back at him. A single-sided exchange, not a true battle. With swordsmanship beyond the reach of a mere barbarian, the outcome had been decided long before. Snap, crackle. Where Ashies’ sword tip met his greatsword, ice formed. As she pressed forward, the greatsword shattered. “Kraaaaah!” Sieg rolled across the ground from the impact. Ashies stood poised, her sword pointed at him. The overwhelming difference in skill. Despite having dominated Sieg, Ashies’ expression reflected slight confusion. Tilting her head, she pondered: “Is it... over?” As though she couldn't believe it had ended so soon. It was unintentionally a bit of a mocking blink. 관장초6학년해달 2025.01.14 02:17 신고 Well, then, there's no helping it. Keep trying until it works!!! 0 미궁속으로 2024.12.09 08:01 신고 As expected, Karami really trained the slaves well. 0 얼룩이 2024.12.09 09:30 신고 I wish Ashies would show her obsessive side soon, haha. 0 오르도비스 2024.12.09 10:05 신고 I hope Ashies makes a dumb choice that gets Karami badly hurt or killed—that's when the real fun of a tragic and pitiful story begins. 0 초보09173 2024.12.09 16:01 신고 It's sad how he's forgotten the time with Rin... 0 Karon 2024.12.10 01:28 신고 I want to see Ashies consumed by guilt and self-harm, unable to handle the anxiety when Karami gets seriously hurt due to her mistake. 0 재수학원지박령고양이 2024.12.10 14:22 신고 Oh dear... 0 Karon 2024.12.11 03:23 신고 But it’ll be interesting, won’t it? 0 쌩큐 2024.12.12 07:08 신고 Haha... 0 tokieu 2024.12.17 09:06 신고 Even if they bear my child! 0 아디쉐 2024.12.30 20:18 신고 The first member was a real novice, a melee fighter among all ranged ones, but the fifth can handle both close and ranged combat. 0 You must be logged in to comment. Weekly Best Adult BL/GL +3041 Even if I fall into a scary tale, I must go to work +992 Mistaken as a War Hero +363 Declared engagement annulment to the resentful heroine +2884 Living as a Wizard in Magic School +1245 Obsessed with the Liberated Slaves +316 Mad Priest of the Slums +937 Normalize Dark Fantasy +408 Mistaken as a Temple of Catastrophic Tales +809 I want to be a former VTuber +1810 The Heroine Stole My Regression +4011 Surviving in a Damned Fantasy World +16812 The Potion-Drinking Genius Mage +17313 Childhood Friend of the Best Under Heaven +1514 Crown Prince Growing a Side Character +7515 Martial Arts Aren't That Special +5616 Reincarnated 30 Years, Found Out It's a Romance Fantasy +9117 It's Easier If You're Handsome +5418 Is This Not an Erotic Game? +5119 I'm Telling You, I'm Not a Boss Monster +2020 Mistaken as a Genius Mage in a Game New Posts + More New Breaking News Captain America arrested in Korea Unity2 02.23 Re: 🥬The S-class Hunter Doesn't Want to be the Villainous Young Lady🥬 02.23 Divorce Required, Runaway Optional Requested🥬 02.23 Martial Arts of the Carefree Heavenly Pathfall Academy (Thank you for the translation!) +28 02.23 (๑ಕ̴_̆ಕ̴) ﾝ？ +1 02.23 No Apples Due To Shortage 02.23 I'm the Psychopath's Daughter in Three Kingdoms Requested 02.23 How to Reject a Perfect Marriage Requested 02.23 Chef Cooking Joseon Requested 02.23 Playing as Danjong Requested +1 02.23 Computer Review