Dungeon of Niflheim

“Anyway let’s get down to the reason you’re here, I’m sure it wasn’t just to tell me about your girlfriend or to brag about fighting C-rank monsters?” Borris looked at Frost with a knowing expression. Daki had already repaired the glaive to its peak condition there was no need for his services in that regard.

“Yes I’m here to enlist some other services from you or at least get some advice on where to go for it.”

“You want a magic engraving right?” Borris didn’t need Frost to say anything, he already knew. The fact that Frost fought against an ice revenant made the issue quite clear to the old smith.

‘He must have come across some difficult elemental disadvantages.’

“Sharp just like Leo said.” Frost tapped his nose; Borris was right on the money. Since he was a one trick pony his ice affinity proved to be a very bad match up against other highly ice based opponents, the elementals, and spirits in particular.

Borris crossed his arms and cupped his chin as stared at the glaive in deep thought. It wasn’t as though he hadn’t thought about adding an engraving to it before but since there wasn’t anyone to use it there was no point. He then looked at Frost with examining look, adding the wielder into his equations.

“Do you use your ice chakra a lot in a battle?”

“Pretty much always, whether that’s for adoring my body in armour or covering the glaive to enhance its lethality.”

.....

“That rules out the best element for you then as well as many others, you’ll either need something non elemental or one that complements your ice affinity.” Logically given that Frost was a pure ice user a weapon with a fire enchantment would be ideal in turning his weaknesses into strengths but since he used ice chakra the elements could counteract one another.

“Non-elemental?” Frost had heard the term before when Maya mentioned life magic and defensive spells but in terms of weapon enchantments he was clueless.

“It refers to enchantments that have no discernible element, pure chaotic mana if you will. This can mean covering the weapon in the stuff as a protective coating thus increasing its durability and allowing a weapon to magically harm something like an elemental or applying an effect commonly referred to as a mechanical trait to the weapon i.e. simply increasing its sharpness or making it vibrate when mana is injected. The range of possibilities with chaotic/non attributed mana are endless and complicated but a few choice engravings can produce amazing effects.” Borris gave a quick explanation about non elemental engravings but didn’t go into it too much as it wasn’t his specialty, he himself wasn’t even a magic engraver it’d be his 2nd son who’d handle that delicate work.

“My advice however would be to get an elemental engraving that compliments your ice affinity, wind would be appropriate and would fit well with the glaive materials wise. I could have my son apply a 3 star wind engraving if you’d like, he’s quite adept with creating wind engravings and I’m sure we have the materials in stock.” Borris nodded his head confident that wind was the best bet given the wielder.

“Wind?” At the mention of the word wind Frost couldn’t help but conjure up the image of his elder sister Sylph who was the embodiment of the element. In terms of personality they were definitely not that compatible but magic wise he really didn’t know.

“Well if that’s what you recommend I’d be foolish to argue with your expertise however I’m on a tight schedule, I need to leave tomorrow.” He wasn’t too worried about the price; he brought a little over 2 gold coins with him as well as some monster materials to barter with if necessary.

Borris frowned a little as he thought about his 2nd son’s current workload. A lot of people were waiting for engravings for when the stampede arrives.

After a few seconds of thought he nodded his head. “We can do that, but I’ll have to charge you for an expedited process, you ok with that?” If Frost was willing to pay extra he could have his glaive bumped up to the front of the queue thus allowing it to be done in time.

“That shouldn’t be a problem, I’m not as lacking in coin as I was the last time we met.” Frost’s reply was met with a wide grin.

“2 gold coins will get you his best work as well as being done by 10am tomorrow.” Even though Frost said he wasn’t worried about the cost that was still a real gut punch. His lips twitched before he let out a sigh and removed 2 gold coins worth from his purse.

“Pleasure doing business with you lad.” Borris gladly took Frost’s money and added this transaction to their shop’s books.

“Oh by the way if you encounter anymore C-rank monsters could you save me some of the materials, I’ll pay you a fair price.”

“Sure but you’ll have to come and get them yourself, I plan on spending a lot of time in my territory, rarely visiting Furano.” Frost gave a backhanded wave as he exited the back office, leaving one more reason for Borris to seek him out in future. He didn’t let the old man know where his territory was at the moment lest any problems occur. He needed to establish his camp before anyone else had an opportunity to step in. When he visits Furano next during the last leg of the stampede that’s when he’d finally tell people about his territory. By then it would be too late for anyone to interfere.

Frost quickly made his way back to Calder’s mall to reunite with Maya, Cassandra, and the kids. He wasn’t gone too long so it was likely they were still taking part in the fashion show. He also needed to get the final tally in regards to the bill.

However the moment he arrived Cassandra had just put a stop to the fashion show and was giving off her authority as Lady Viscount. All the other mothers, grandmothers and shop clerks were gathered around in confusion wondering why Cassandra had them all be silent and stop the show. Calder could be seen working alongside Cassandra, asking that everyone do as she says.

Maya turned to face him as he walked in, she silently mouthed the words ‘red alert’ which instantly explained the situation.

‘Douglas must have called her to let her know that he was about to make his announcement.’ Nanna and Loki could be seen standing nervously by Maya’s side, they were dressed up in matching azure outfits that were in one word ‘breath-taking’. Somehow they had become even cuter, the colours matched well with their phoenix feathers, boldly promoted their origins. Something that they should be proud of.

Once he arrived by their sides and rubbed their heads there was a loud alarm that went off throughout Furano. (Think the ww2 air raid siren)

As it rang Frost could see nearly everyone in sight become white in the face and their entire bodies’ tense up out of instinct. There was only one reason why that alarm went off, the red alert was being enacted. After ringing for a few seconds and grasping everyone’s attention a voice could be heard in its place, it was Douglas.

“Hello, for those who don’t recognise my voice I am Douglas Furano the current Viscount of the Furano family, please pay attention to what I’m about to say.” Douglas was silent for a few seconds allowing people to fully stop what they were doing and focus on his voice.

“That fabled time has come once again my citizens, the monster stampede that plagues our territory will arrive in less than a week. Therefore as our protocols dictate this town as well as the other two bastions towns Adima and Tunir will be entering red alert status from this moment on. Regular activities will henceforth be restricted and after 48 hours the town will enter full lockdown. For your own safety and the security of our defences no one after that point will be allowed to leave our gates.

“But fear not my citizens we have weathered this storm dozens of times before and we will survive through it again of this I am sure. Along with a record breaking number of local adventurers to aid us in our endeavour his majesty the Emperor has ordered the frost wolf battalion, a regiment of his mighty army to fight alongside us once more. Furano has never been so well defended in all my years as Viscount.....we will prevail!” Douglas spoke with an authoritative tone revealing no sense of trepidation or fear. His speech kindled a great many people within town, their hearts beating rapidly as fire surged through their bodies and determined looks adorned their faces. They were prepared to meet this disaster head on like they had done before and always had.

“More information about the red alert status can be found posted throughout the town and operation staff will be ready and waiting to answer any questions you may have within the government district and adventurers guild. Please make use of them as they are there to help and assist you during this time. They will also take care of anyone who wishes to leave Furano within the next 48 hours..... Throughout the red alert I will continue to speak to you all through the tannoy system keeping you updated on the situation and to allay any fears you may have. That will be all for today, please begin your preparations, thank you.” Douglas ended his announcement there and once he did a large red beam of light extended from the centre of the town, reaching hundreds of metres into the sky. This was the sign of the red alert, a thick beam of red light would be rise from the three towns and could be seen from hundreds of kilometres away. Letting those living within the Northrend forest, the fringes of the Glacial mountains and even those territories behind Furano know that the stampede was coming. Refugees would now flock towards the bastion towns with desperation. There was no longer anytime left to hold off, they had to move now, or risk being devoured by the ravenous horde.