Conquering His Cold Heart

"The Frozen Demonic Empire is the largest force present within the inner regions, and they perform a similar duty as our fortress of Icethorne but instead of the boundary between the external and inner regions they guard the entrance to the core regions." The map moved northwards becoming less and less detailed the deeper into the Glacial mountains it showed.

Eventually at the 9th layer a massive black outline containing over 70% of the entire layer was seen with bold lettering in centre spelling out 'The Frozen Demonic Empire.

"We know very little about this group, only that they are the true hegemons of the inner regions in terms of military might and that every other nation is wary of their presence." Given the vastness of the inner regions and the Duchy's habit in staying in their local area they very rarely encountered the Frozen Demonic Empire but even then they could still feel their influence.

"The 9th layer, Demonic Empire" Frost muttered under his breath while stroking his chin in thought.

'Why would a force so powerful suddenly decide to make a move on the Duchy? What do they stand to gain?'

The other nations all had a reason that they could deduce but the Frozen Demonic Empire was a complete mystery.

"Have you angered them in some way or hold something that they desire?" Frost quickly asked.

"Unknown but my instincts tell me that this isn't something recent, the Empire must have been planning to dethrone us for quite some time." Duke Runak's gut was screaming to him that this was some far reaching insidious plot.

"…..Is there no weak link then?" Avira asked in an exhausted tone.

Katrina had explained what they knew about the alliance members at Frost's request all so that they could find some way to break up their alliance. Unfortunately not a single one showed promise.

"Regardless of what their end goals are the Icethorne Duchy stands in their way, only when that impediment is removed can the alliance fall apart internally." Frost summarised with a shake of his head; this was a dead end.

"We came to the same conclusion." General Katrina Orwell let out a restrained sigh after sharing a knowing look with Duke Runak.

"If we can't break their alliance or weaken it through external methods that only leaves one option."

"And that is?" Avira who was clearly exhausted from their discussion perked back up upon hearing his voice, her faith in Frost was rock solid.

Frost glanced at Duke Runak who seemed to already know his answer.

""We need an ally"" the two of spoke at the same time resulting in a wild smile forming on both the lips afterwards.

'This brat knows warfare quite well' Duke Runak internal praised, finding Frost more and more to his liking.

'Damn Duke if you already knew the answer then why did we spend the last several hours going back and forth!' Frost however was cursing his counterpart rather complimenting him.

"...." Strangely instead of becoming passionate due to finding a solution the mighty Generals all displayed awkward expressions.

"…..Don't tell you've offended everyone during your tenure here as Duke?" Frost had a strange feeling forming in the pit of his stomach.

In response to his query Duke Runak stared straight into his eyes, locking his gaze for a few seconds before growing slightly red in the cheeks and looking to the side. "No comment." He pushed out these two words before pretending to whistle innocently.

"....." Frost, Avira and even Borris who never managed to bring himself to get in a word edgewise were stunned silly.

"…..General Katrina is there really no one you can call upon for aid?" Feeling that discussing this any further with the Duke would lead to him saying some rather profane words Frost focused on Katrina who was still amicable in his eyes.

"Unfortunately most groups in the inner regions would love to see us deposed but there may be one who'd be willing to help us.

Alas we've been rather reticent to negotiate with them given our history as well as the restrictions placed on our decision making by the Empire." The Icethorne Duchy was still a territory under the rule of the Northrend Empire, they couldn't just shack up with another nation whenever they wanted even if it was too save their own hides.

The Generals and a reluctant Duke Runak all looked at Avira with expectation.

"Fuck it! You have my permission as a member of the royal family and the future Empress, do whatever you need to do." Her identity allowed her to easily lift the restrictions on the Duke as well as the War Ursa Battalion.

"Perfect that makes things easier then." Only now did the Generals get pumped up.

"Our only possible ally is the great ice dwarven hold of Karak Kanz!" Katrina slammed her right hand against the metal table causing the image to swiftly move southwest to the 8th layer of the inner regions.

"Karak Kanz, the ice dwarven empire situated in the western regions of the 8th layer. A hegemon nation that even the mighty large horned ice drake tribe dare not offend." The map this time despite showing an area in the 8th layer was surprisingly well detailed.

"As long as we can offer them a substantial reward I'm sure their king would listen to our request."

The great ice dwarven hold of Karak Kanz was a neutral nation that traded and interacted with all its neighbours including the Duchy of Icethorne. Situated behind walls that towered even higher than their own the great hold was a bastion that symbolised defensive warfare. Not even once in the past thousand years had their walls ever been breached by an enemy.

No other nation had existed within the inner regions for as long as they had, and no other nation could hold their heads up high when dealing with the Frozen Demonic Empire. A powerful group that thankfully was still rather lukewarm towards the usually arrogant and warlike Duchy.

As long as they could offer something that could move their interests then Icethorne would have a reliable and powerful ally.

"That reward however is the problem." Duke Runak announced with an evident frown on his face. "Karak Kanz is certainly powerful and capable of standing against more than a single nation like ourselves but for what reason would they risk their own nations' safety. I'm afraid that the price to do so would be beyond what we're prepared to give."

In this situation it wouldn't be the case of Karak Kanz taking advantage of their weak position but the fact that what they were asking of them was so extreme that price would also have to be extreme.

"..." Duke Runak's worries were shared amongst his Generals. They couldn't help but imagine what the Duchy would ask for if their positions were reversed.

"You won't know until you ask them so imagining the worst case scenario will only dampen your spirits."

"….Haaaa well said young Frost. Katrina have the logistic corps and the fortress management team write up a report of our assets both physical and intangible. Princess I'll need you to go through the report with me so we can come up with a ceiling limit." Though the restrictions had been lifted by a member of the imperial family he still felt that she should be involved in the actual transaction.

"I'd be honoured Uncle." Avira couldn't help but feel a little giddy, this was the first official duty she was taking part in as heir to the Empire's throne.

"Umm" Duke nodded in approval before looking towards General Maximus. "We'll need to send a sufficient envoy to Karak Kanz, since I can't afford to let go of a single General send a long standing Major and three Captains."

"By your will War Marshall." Maximus loudly slammed his arm across his chest in salute before leaving the war room to enlist the chosen envoys.

A Captain position in the War Ursa Battalion was reserved for those between half step B-rank and the early stages of B-rank i.e. like Frost while Majors encompassed the mid-level to peak B-rank.

Above Major was Colonel and General, the latter was reserved solely for those who had crossed into the A-rank while the former was usually filled with veterans who had served in the military for decades and who would struggle to improve their strengths any further.

Duke Runak couldn't afford to send even a single General and his Colonels were also desperately required for the battles to come thus only a Major could be sent and preferably one that was older and wizened.

"Lord Darksteel if you're ready and able I'd like you to get yourself acquainted with the battalion's smiths as soon as possible." A great war was on the horizon, and he needed every able bodied man and woman to do their part.

"Ah..uh…Certainly Lord Duke." Frazzled at being suddenly called up Borris stuttered slightly before nodding his head and bowing. Moments later however he was feeling giddy and full of energy, finally he'd be able to take part in another war. His blacksmithing heart was ablaze at the prospect, this old dog wasn't too old to learn new tricks.

Duke Runak next locked eyes with the young Frost, he smiled initially but then an intimidating pressure assaulted him.

'Fuck!' Frost internally cursed knowing that he'd drawn the old man's ire in some way.

"Young Frost would you mind following me to my private training grounds, I'd like to see your potential personally." The way he spoke was warm and friendly but their was a malice hidden within, an ulterior motive that made Frost's spine tingle.

Frost wanted to refuse but for some reason he felt that that would only make the situation worse.

"I'd be honoured Lord Duke." He was forced to agree resulting in the vaunted War Marshall smiling from ear to ear.

'Haaaaa why did I ever agree to leave my Dungeon?'