Dungeon of Niflheim-Chapter 930: Overdue for Nanna’s cooking

"Icethorne’s under siege." Daki couldn’t believe what she was hearing, Frost’s encounter with a dangerous set of frost giants was intriguing but this was something monumental, something that would affect millions of lives.

"Yes, when I arrived there was already a large army assaulting the northern wall."

"But that wall’s over a hundred metres tall!"

"I know but it won’t be enough to stop what’s coming."

"I can’t believe it. The War Ursa Battalion has always marched out to war, attacking their enemies beyond their stronghold. For them to be the one’s under siege it’s....unreal" Across the entirety of the Glacial mountains’ inner regions there was supposedly no single force even half as strong as Icethorne. Their soldiers were of the highest quality, their defences unmatched and their instincts for war unparalleled. With the support of the mighty Northrend empire and the fortress’ ideal location it remained an unassailable blockade to those that resided beyond the northern wall. Any who wished to move south had to either be approved by the Duke or travel a more unconventional route, routes fraught with danger and hardly ideal for mass migration.

To successfully attack such a highly fortified position and a well-armed force you’d need at least 100 times as many soldiers and even then Daki struggled to imagine an enemy coming out victorious against them but according to Frost Icethorne’s fall was an inevitable conclusion.

"I agree but it is happening. Right now the War Ursa Battalion are battling the liberation alliance’s vanguard on their doorstep. Passage into the inner regions is all but blocked and at their backs knives are already being sharpened, ready to stab them mercilessly." His eavesdropping within camps during the journey home allowed him to understand the mindsets of those dwelling within the external regions...No aid would come from them, and neither would they receive aid from the empire as the current self-proclaimed ruler decided to ruthlessly abandon a chess piece that refused to obey.

"The inner and external regions of the Glacial mountains is destined to change. If the War Ursa Battalion fails to broker a deal with the ice dwarves of Karak Kanz then their defeat is certain and those who defeated them will become the area’s new rulers." From Frost’s perspective such a change would not do him any favours in fact it would likely throw a spanner in the works, delaying his long term goals.

Hearing such a decisive statement Daki collapsed back onto the sofa, her vision blurring and mind in a state of shock, she just couldn’t believe that such a thing was coming to pass and so suddenly too.

"Is the Demonic empire truly involved in this movement?" Maya however was unphased by the news, caring very little about a supposed kingpin in the inner regions. Anywhere that wasn’t equivalent to the very peak of the core regions was nothing but dull countryside for an S-rank fenrir like her. But what she did latch onto was mention of the Demonic empire a force predominant within the core regions.

"According to their intelligence yes although thanks to the enlightenment of the Lunar maidens I believe it’s likely a move made by their branch nation rather than the True Demonic empire." There was a very, very big difference between the two, somewhat similar to the relationship between Northrend and Icethorne -at least back when it was in its prime.

"....Is that Duke Runak you mentioned aware of what their involvement means?"

"Probably not but I’m sure he’s prepared himself to go toe to toe with at least one S-rank."

"A brave albeit foolish endeavour, as you continue to climb the ranks the gap between them only widens. An A-rank even someone at the very peak cannot hope to face off against an S-rank especially not one that is of demon or devil descent." Maya didn’t look favourably upon the Duke’s chances.

"True but what if he managed to cross the chasm, a man who has known nothing but war his entire life and remained invincible within his own rank throughout the entirety of the inner regions." Frost also knew that an A-rank couldn’t hope to face off against an S-rank, but he also knew that Duke Runak was just a sliver away from ascension, even closer to it than Khione. A battle with his life on the line was the perfect stimulus for such a man.

"I’d still place my bet on the other guy but....he’d at least have a fighting chance if that was the case."

"Then there’s still hope." As long as there was still a modicum of light in the dark he would hold onto it with all his might.

"...A part of you wishes to be there doesn’t it?" Maya could tell from the look in his eyes that Frost at least part of him wished to be embroiled in that war, to face off against countless foes and witness the carnage between those with far greater strength than himself.

"Of course but it’s not my war, I may be invested in its outcome and have a friend or two involved but ultimately I have no business fighting for Icethorne." It was true that the war called to him like the song of a siren, but he couldn’t ignore his own duties to fight in someone else’s war.

"Borris and Avira huh."

"Yeah, they both stayed despite the danger. The former putting himself straight to work in the armoury while the latter decided to rally forces within the external regions to the Duke’s aid." If Icethorne fell then both of them would be lost as well, another reason to hope for Icethorne’s victory.

"It’s a shame to lose the dwarven smith, he was a good role model for Daki and an excellent teacher to our own smiths, Avira however...." Maya revealed a strange glint in her eyes as she attempted to shift the topic to the young Princess but before she could.

"Noooo that old man can’t die I still haven’t managed to beat him yet." Daki suddenly blurted out in a panic. Although his time in their territory was short Daki already saw the old man as half a teacher, his death would hurt her greatly.

"Calm down Daki there’s no danger yet, Duke Runak promised to hold out for at least 3 months so until then we can try and think of ways to help tip the scales in their favour." He quickly soothed his lover while at the same time ’innocently’ avoiding Maya’s questioning eyes.

’Did he just avoid talking about that girl?.....I knew it something must have happened.’ Frost’s efforts at soothing Daki were a little too exaggerated thus making her suspicious.

She was just about to force the issue when Nanna’s delightful voice hollered from the kitchen. "Dinner’s ready."

"Oh it smells absolutely divine Nanna, what is it?"

"A type of winter boar stew. I first grilled the meat to give it a smoky, charred like taste before stewing it with an assortment of vegetables, herbs and a full bottle of red wine....I can’t be considered at the level of a spirit chef quite yet, but I did try my best to retain a little bit of the meat’s life energy." Nanna explained with a bright smile on her face.

"It’s delicious Nanna, you’re improving so fast. Our little genius chef hahahaha." Frost was enamoured by the smell and smitten after the first bite.

"Hehehe thank you master." The young girl felt bashful from his praise, squirming in her seat and avoiding eye contact as she blushed. Cuteness overload.

"That reminds me part of the payment I received for taking those Lunar maidens under my wing was one of Primordial Ice King’s high ranking spirit chefs. You’ll soon have a proper teacher Nanna." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Woah really!"

"Yep, I promised you didn’t I. As long as it’s something you’re passionate about I’ll do my best to support you." As far as Frost was concerned Nanna and Loki were family and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his family.

"How did you manage to swing that?" Maya queried knowing full well about Shivali’s possessiveness when it came to his personal chefs.

"With great courage and a hell of a lot of luck." Frost shivered as he remembered the thick wave of bloodlust he endured just to ensure Nanna’s professional future.

As everyone praised and congratulated Nanna, Loki ended up feeling left out. His big sister got a proper teacher but what about him, all his medical education came from the Dungeon’s monsters.

"Don’t look so glum Loki I didn’t forget about your aspirations; I was merely presented with the option to request a chef rather than a doctor. Continue to learn the fundamentals from the troll witchdoctors and frost dwarven priests and I’ll keep my ears open for any doctors looking for a new place to call home." Being such a capable father figure Frost immediately honed in on Loki’s discomfort, soothing him with a promise and an affectionate head pat.

"Yes master." His spirits were successfully lifted, a homerun in terms of parenting skills.

As they ate Frost spoke of his time in the Glacial regions carrying on from where he left off earlier. He spoke of his battles after leaving Icethorne, the majesty of the Niflheim realm, the Primordial Ice King, the Xuanwu behemoth and then his saving of the Lunar maidens before embarking on the long journey back home. Every aspect of his tale was filled with life causing sparkles to glisten in Nanna and Loki’s eyes. Oh how they wished they could have been there alongside him, to see his bravery in person and see all the beautiful sights alas they were still children, too weak to travel beyond the confines of the Dungeon’s territory.

But perhaps there was hope for the future, when they finished their training and were able to protect themselves from danger.