Chapter 974: Chapter 974: Blacksmith beauty (2)
Frost and Daki shared a tender moment as they sipped their drinks, enjoying one another’s company before Frost was set to return to his office in the Lord’s manor and she to the forge.
"When my blacksmithing rank does breakthrough to 4 star I think it’ll be more than just an improvement in my profession." Said Daki, her right hand resting against her breast, feeling the strong beat of her heart.
"Hmm?" Frost titled his head, curious what she meant.
"I can feel walls all around me, limiting not just my skills as a blacksmith but also my physical development. My strength despite my recent ardent attempts in training hasn’t increased much. My baseline abilities maybe but the fundamental jump in quality seems to be beyond what this body can achieve." For a while now she knew that to keep up with Frost and Maya she needed to change; to improve her strength otherwise she’d soon become a burden.
"Are you talking about...."
"Evolution yes. Though diluted over many generations I’m still at my core an orc, a monster and therefore restricted by racial limitations." Daki and her brother Druakai weren’t all that dissimilar to Sapients given how they and several generations of their ancestors were born through copulation rather than through the accruement of mana in nature. They found it easier to branch out and learn a multitude of skills without having to evolve or change their innate race or rank but clearly Daki had reached some sort of limit.
She could feel it in her bones and in her soul, her charge to 4 star blacksmith, her training with Maya and even her loving engagements with Frost were all improving her body to its limits, bringing her to the brink of change.
"That’s....what can I do to help." Hearing the term evolution Frost immediately smiled, thinking it as a glorious thing. His lover would grow stronger, her lifespan become longer and thus able to be by his side for longer but after a moment he realised that such a great change would not only alter her appearance -something both she and Frost viewed as perfect - but would also require sufficient stores of energy. For Findley’s evolution into B-rank he needed to absorb dozens if not hundreds of magic crystals to facilitate the energy requirement for such major modifications.
"At the moment nothing but when the time comes I’ll likely need a ton of food and maybe even magic crystals otherwise my evolution could fail or end up subpar." A subpar evolution would limit her strength and future potential something she could no longer accept given her dream to be with Frost for as long as possible.
Normally monsters developing towards an evolution especially an evolution that would see them rise in rank would aggressively hunt other monsters, feast on their flesh and store vast amounts of life energy before making the charge. Daki primarily as a noncombatant would not follow the same path therefore she needed a different way to collect the necessary life energy. If she was connected to the Dungeon like Frost’s monsters then as long as it could support another B-rank she wouldn’t have to worry about energy but since that wasn’t the case she would need to eat and absorb energy from another source. Thankfully Frost could accrue such means through DP thus there was no need to worry, just prepare.
"Got it I’ll start hoarding magic crystals for your advancement starting now and I’ll isolate some DP for highly nutritious food when the time comes." His serious tone and reliable expression as he spoke melted Daki’s heart making her feel safe and protected.
"Thank you Frost."
’Hopefully my appearance won’t change too much.’ She was even more worried about this than Frost, she loved her appearance and would hate for her immaculate face to be marred in pursuit of physical strength that a lot of orcs faced. Her succubus ancestry made her an oddity among her kind; rarely would a female orc be blessed with her level of beauty and curvaceous figure. Sure they might have large breasts, but their waists would usually be as wide as a barrel and their tusks intimidating rather than cute.
"Don’t worry about a thing Daki, just focus on improving to 4 star blacksmith I’ll take care of the rest." Frost thumped his chest and vowed, earning him a gentle kiss on the cheek.
The two engaged in small chat until their time ran out. Frost teleported to the Lord’s mansion to continue his gruelling tasks as Lord of Niflheim while Daki got right back on the horse, hammering out pieces of equipment to either shore up her fundamentals or to be sold to the adventurers dwelling in the city. Her work sporting an avid fanbase not smaller than the one she had back in Kranor.
A few days later Frost received a message from Yuna, the first ’caravan’ from Sedrick’s side had arrived in the city.
"The Avarice caravan huh, bold choice but rather appropriate for a merchant group." To help identify the false caravans from the real Frost received a list of prepared names, Avarice was one of the ones chosen by Sedrick’s side.
"Let’s see what kind of reinforcements our gilded 2nd Prince has deigned to send his political rival." Before meeting with the leaders of the convoy Frost brought up the Dungeon menu and screened his prospective allies.
"Hmph guess he really does mean business." Though only being the first of several ’caravans’ the strength hidden beneath the façade was rather frightening even for a man in his position.
One peak B-rank, two late stage, two mid stage and four early stage accompanied by over thirty C-ranks and a contingent of what appears to be logistical and support staff....a significant force that would normally give him great pause and alert the entirety of his ronso security team.
He couldn’t see through the multitude of tarps covering the actual caravans but from the way the wheels disturbed the ground and pushed apart the snow it was clear they weren’t light, filled with soldiers and resources galore, exactly what Icethorne needed right now.
"Yuna take over for me while I go and greet our guests." Frost rose from his seat with regal authority, his every step laced with power and confidence. He must not appear perturbed by this group of B-rank individuals even if their leader slightly surpasses him in strength.
"Shall I send ’her’ a message?" Asked Yuna before sitting down at her own desk.
"Yes but just notify her of the situation I don’t need her to accompany me for this particular visit."
"Understood."
The ’her’ Frost and Yuna were referring to was General Anya, the third highest or rather formerly third highest General in the Frost Wolf Battalion and a firm supporter of Princess Avira.
Not even 24 hours prior she arrived under the cover of night seeking an audience with Frost. Her position within Northrend had become untenable, her continued presence there was now nothing more than an accident waiting to happen so with the help of Dartanan and Viscount Furano she prepared herself to join the false caravans heading to Icethorne, supporting the neutral nobles against their sudden and forced partnership with Sedrick’s forces.
Minutes later as the Avarice caravan were shown to their prepared quarters Frost arrived with Khuno gallantly by his side to warmly greet them on behalf of the city, the premise being to show support for these brave merchant groups willing to continue trade in the Glacial mountains despite the ongoing tribulations.
Their leader a suave looking man with a scar across the bridge of his nose welcomed Frost into the lodge, treating him to a meal to thank him for his generous hospitality.
"Greetings Lord Frost." Once behind closed doors the man as well as several of the other B-ranks politely bowed their heads.
"Umm are my arrangements suitable or are you in need of anything else." Frost was curt and slightly cold, clearly not looking to foster any sense of camaraderie with these men and women.
"I’ve not come across anything yet, but I’ll be sure to let you know if we come across anything during our temporary stay."
"Fair enough just remember to stay cordial while in my territory. I don’t care that you serve Prince Sedrick, you take a single step over the line, interfere in my business or break even a single one of my rules and I’ll kick you out, understand?"
"...Clearly my Lord." The suave man’s face twitched in response to Frost’s cold and threatening attitude but in the end a smile remained on his lips.
"Good then I wish you a pleasant stay here in Niflheim. Speak to one of the ronsos stationed outside your quarters if you need to reach me or wish to facilitate a meeting with the other ’caravans’" i.e. those prepared by Douglas and the neutral nobles.
Frost didn’t stay for a meal nor a drink leaving practically the instant he laid down the law.
"What name are you going by here?" Even if it was fake he needed something to call the suave man.
"Avarice, you can simply call me Avarice." The suave man took on the same pseudonym as their fake merchant group.
"Got it." He then left with Khuno in tow as if disregarding Avarice and his vast contingent of powerful subordinates, perfectly playing the role of someone with immeasurable backing.
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