155 - The Freed S*aves Became Obsessed

### Chapter 155: The Fetters of Liberation At the center of the village, wooden planks are stacked high and set aflame, their fiery tongues stretching skyward alongside dark plumes of smoke. Contrary to the hopeful expectations that Darka might quickly arise once regaining her senses, she passed away not long after. Although she had been in a weakened state, many speculated that, having lost the will to cling to life, she saw no need to recover. Perhaps that's why, in her final moments, Darka's visage was as serene as one asleep. In accordance with Northern traditions, a final rite was held, burning the body to ensure the soul remains unshackled. Alongside her physical form, the items she cherished in life were consumed by the flames. In her folded hands lay Baskal's bracelet, a memento. The villagers bowed in solemn respect, tears flowing quietly. Standing a few steps removed from the powerful heat of the fire, Ashies surveyed the village. Days past had seen conversations with Darka, and now, the once lively village was steeped only in the sounds of gentle sobs. Ashies pondered: why do they cry? Darka is merely setting off on a distant journey. Could parting be such a sorrowful affair? The concept remained elusive to her. Despite witnessing the tears and grief, Ashies herself felt no such sadness. Instead, with a deep breath, she placed a hand over her heart. Memories of Darka flashed before her eyes. A month isn't long, yet for Ashies, who lacked memories, the days spent at Lake Fortress encompassed half of her life. The reality that she could no longer encounter Darka, whom she'd seen daily, was not easily painted in her mind. It felt as though she could walk into a tent and be greeted by her as usual. It was as if her heart was weighed down by stones — a sensation of heaviness that Ashies experienced for the first time with this separation. *** Several days following Darka’s funeral at Lake Fortress, the village was still grappling with her absence. Parting with someone is never easy, especially when that someone holds a significant bond with a tight-knit community, particularly as the village chief. Though discussing the value of death might be a foolish endeavor, one cannot ignore the significant impact it has left. While it wasn't overtly displayed, everyone carried a piece of sorrow within them. “Rami… the people….” In the village, under a melancholic cloud, Ashies sought assistance by calling out to Karami, yet he too chose not to intervene this time, declining bluntly. “Time will mend the wound.” Knowing when to engage and when to withdraw is a crucial rule for any merchant. Despite spending a month with these people, he was still an outsider. Aligning with their grief completely was beyond him; intervention would likely only be counterproductive. Above all, Karami believed firmly in the resilience of the Northern folk. They would stand again, without his interference. “Let’s prepare to return.” It was time to head back to Doomheim. Their belongings had decreased compared to when they first arrived at Lake Fortress, as there was no need to dismantle the tents and materials set up by the dwarves. They planned to leave behind what the villagers frequently used. Just before departure, Ashies thawed out Harglan, who had been frozen. As cracks appeared on his surface, chunks of ice fell away. His first action upon breathing fresh air for the first time in a month was a roar. “You wretched twig of a man!” Frozen he might have been, but Harglan retained his consciousness throughout. His memories from the moment he froze remained intact. Seizing Karami by the collar, he shook him vigorously, the latter's frame flapping like a paper sheet in the wind. “Why are you doing this to me~?” “Why? You turned me into a frozen being and you ask why?!!” “I didn't do it. Ashies here is the one who froze you.” “Huh…?” Accused without warning, Ashies could only look on in astonishment—her expression a testament to her shock. Karami, smirking, spun a convincing tale. “Who froze you, Harglan?” “…Rami told me to….” “Who?” “Rami told me….” “And who actually froze you?” “…Me.” Satisfied with the confession he'd extracted, Karami smirked. “That’s right. It was Ashies who froze you. You realize it was wrong, don't you? Best not to do such things again.” “…Sorry…” “You see, Ashies truly feels remorse. Don’t you think, Harglan, that offering forgiveness this time would be gracious?” Harglan nodded in contemplative understanding, resolve firm in his eyes. He grasped his hammer tightly. “You're an evil to this world. Ending you here would surely be a boon to all. Even Lord Vargan would applaud.” “Ha. Could you really kill me? I have Ashies, a celebrated hero, at my side. Isn't that right?” “…” “...Ashies?” Instead of defending him, Ashies turned her head sideways, fiddling with a music box, ignoring the plea. “Even the hero dismisses you, so you must surely be a villain. Come here, you.” *** After what seemed like an endless game of tag involving Harglan, Karami emerged unscathed. He feigned dodging blows, but it was ultimately Ashies’ reluctant intervention that spared him. Without her, he might have become a permanent fixture at Lake Fortress. Just before climbing onto the sled, Karami turned back to look at the village. The residents had gathered to bid farewell to the group. The time it took for the villagers, initially distrustful of outsiders, to accept Karami's party as one of their own was merely a month. Waving his hand, Karami, who had achieved a commendable feat, announced, "We’ll be on our way now. Soon, dwarf craftsmen will come to construct the bridge. They mean well, so please don’t be too wary of them." The reconstruction of the collapsed bridge had been entrusted to the dwarves of Doomheim as initially planned. With no better artisans in the world, it was a perfect match. Thanks to Karami's various contributions and the trust he had earned, the villagers offered no objections. "Brother! One day, I’ll become a merchant like you and find a beautiful slave like her!" "I look forward to it. When the time comes, let’s have a slave battle." "Farewell, Perka! And you too, Ashies!" "Be sure to defeat that wicked dragon!" Like heroes venturing from the city to defeat a dark lord, the villagers sent forth their encouragement and well-wishes. In the crowd, Yorn watched them with his arms crossed. Stepping into Darka's shoes as the new chief, he maintained his signature solemn demeanor. Then, in a low voice, he murmured, "Farewell." Life sometimes demands casting aside one's pride. For Yorn, that moment had come. They had bestowed innumerable blessings upon the village, saving its members. Even with Darka's affairs, it's the same. Though they might argue that it didn’t matter since she would have forgotten as a dementia patient, everyone in the village averted their eyes in quiet respect. Yet, Karami did not shy away from it. He chose a direct approach, opting not to pass off responsibility. Thanks to him, Darka was able to let go of her regrets and pass with a peaceful expression. Surely, she was now a free spirit reunited with Baskal. Perhaps the two were off on a journey right now. Indeed, that must be it. “Oof, that gave me chills just now. Best not to do that; it doesn’t suit you.” While Yorn’s dislike remained, the frost wolf began to move. The sled started its journey out of the village. “Don’t wait for us, even if you think of coming back. It’s too cold here.” “Hahaha! Still as crazy as ever. Just get lost already!” “Bye, pretty lady!” “You’ll be back, won’t you?” Ashies, too, waved toward the people bidding farewell. The frost wolf sped up its pace, and soon, the village slipped out of sight. Karami ceased his waving and settled into a comfortable position. “A month really flies by, doesn’t it?” “Thanks to a certain skinny fellow. Blinked my eyes, and a month had passed!” “Haha… It sure was hard on Mr. Karami.” “If not for freezing him, we would’ve been kicked out long ago.” Controlling a fervent dwarf is no easy task. Had it not been for Harglan being frozen, the remaining dwarves would have been relentlessly insistent on developing the village. Ignoring Harglan’s constant grumbling, Karami was simply eager to reach Doomheim as soon as possible. *** Beyond several mountain peaks lies the treacherous ridge of Isengard. A titanic shadow looms over what could aptly be called a mountain fortress. In the skies above. A being that freezes clouds in its wake, dropping massive hail, and conjures snowstorms with a single wingbeat to shroud the earth below. The ice dragon, Skadia. A purveyor of chills and terror across Isengard. Typically, dragons remain nestled within their lairs, but Skadia was an anomaly. Restlessly roaming the world, collecting valuable and beautiful objects. The reason Skadia sought out the unassuming orc fortress was because her blessing upon Orcking Valkrash had been severed. Though not a deep connection, nor a devoted comrade. Merely a whim. Curious as to how far an insignificant orc could rise with the dragon's blessing. Yet it ended sooner than expected. Unable to believe Valkrash could be slain by mere mortals, curiosity spurned her visit. The orc’s fortress, now a tourist attraction covered in walls of ice where even the tiniest insects were frozen alive, was where Skadia descended. It was then. Skadia sensed Ashies' aura. The aura, which should have remained sealed in the lair, now emanated from the orc fortress. Though impossible, the reality was too vivid to dismiss. A blatant anomaly. Skadia flapped her wings again. The north wind produced shattered the fortress to ruins. She flew with all her might back to her lair. Arriving in an instant. Skadia immediately inspected beneath her nest. Evidence of intrusion. Crystals had melted, and Ashies was gone. Who dared infiltrate Skadia’s lair and abscond with the princess? Enraged, Skadia unleashed a breath towards the heavens. Immediately. The princess must be returned immediately. Left unchecked, her luminescent beauty would diminish. Skadia questioned a magical mirror. Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who is the fairest of them all? The mirror replied. But instead of the image of the ice princess Ashies Priana, there were four women. A red-haired human. A weary-looking elf. A maid girl. A pink nine-tailed fox. There was no sign of Ashies among them. Question marks floated in Skadia's mind. There should only be one fairest, yet here were four? Though each possessed striking features, they didn’t align with Skadia’s tastes. Moreover, two were but younglings. Was the mirror broken? At that moment of doubt, all four women simultaneously moved their heads. Their gazes fixed upon the mirror, as if perceiving Skadia beyond it. They narrowed their eyes and mouthed: Don’t spy on us. What are you staring at? Stop peeping. Don’t peek at Rin. Crack! Startled by the intimidation emanating from the four visions, Skadia instinctively smashed the mirror in a momentary panic. She panted heavily, her body slick with cold sweat. Shocked that she, the mighty ice dragon Skadia, was intimidated by mere mortals—such a thing seemed impossible. An awkward silence followed as Skadia gradually regained her composure. Instead of asking such unnecessary questions, should she not merely inquire about Ashies' whereabouts? But unfortunately, the mirror had already been shattered. ...No matter. She would find Ashies herself—the allure of Ashies’s beauty should guide her easily wherever it was. With a determined flap of her wings, Skadia soared into the sky once more. Unbeknownst to her, there was never anything wrong with the mirror. Those who have been liberated and saved in the name of freedom possess a beauty that others cannot mimic.