Chapter 177 - Kingdom of Winter 2 (1/2)
Originally, the Valkyrie was a vassal of the God of Light.
She was called the Maiden of the Battlefield and was a demigod who fought against the demon faction.
Therefore, if Woohyuk declared that he would overthrow Nigel, the Lich Lord, under Brynhild's orders, the Holy See would support his decision.
He was the Hero King who had defeated demon kings and protected several small kingdoms, so it wouldn’t be particularly strange if the Valkyrie appeared before him.
In fact, Rosenkreuz was also somewhat convinced.
“It seems that the princess returned safely.”
Leading the army of elites at the forefront and traversing the snow-covered wilderness was Woohyuk.
He was secretly communicating with Eleonora through artifacts.
Eleonora was completely obsessed with Woohyuk and was listening to his every order.
“But will it be okay? The Holy See will be monitoring this expedition carefully...”
“The Norton Kingdom is famous for its harsh climate. So even the people of the kingdom don’t try to come out of the fortress city.”
Compared to the other kingdoms, the Norton Kingdom had a small population but with a high population density.
In other words, the Holy See’s area of influence was limited.
It would be difficult to monitor Woohyuk's every movement unless they used crows and ravens to observe him like the Witches of the Seven Sins did.
As Woohyuk reassured Sieg, Brynhild, who was traveling with them on horseback, intervened in the conversation.
“It seems like the witches are already monitoring you.”
She raised her gaze at the black crows circling around them.
“Then get rid of them with your power of light.”
“Understood. I was also finding them very bothersome.”
Brynhild nodded and summoned the Valkyrie's Spear.
She recited a spell and a white bolt of lightning fell from the cold blue sky and turned the crows into barbecue.
“Incredible. As I expected of you, Brynhild.”
“That was nothing. I’m not as strong as I used to be.”
Because of her love for humans, Brynhild was subjected to considerable limitations by the system.
She couldn't return to heaven and couldn't properly use her abilities as a Valkyrie.
However, her magic abilities were superior to most wisemen and sages.
“I’m suddenly reminded of the past. Back when we were thinking of our simple yet cosy future together in a small cottage. Maybe I was too greedy back then...”
“Don't blame yourself, Sieg. I chose to commit suicide at that time because I had my own reason.”
Brynhild hadn’t killed herself due to mere shock.
Only by killing herself could she regain her lost loser.
At Brynhild's explanation, Sieg went silent and quietly grabbed her hand.
Afterwards, the romantic atmosphere between the two continued.
“How nice. Your passion is so hot that it’s difficult to withstand the heat even in this cold weather.”
Helena interrupted the mood with a bleak look.
Woohyuk then turned to her.
“Don't be so jealous, Witch of Profanity. You didn’t even complain back in the tropical areas of the Talis Kingdom. Why are you being so grumpy now?”
“Back then, I had no energy to speak at all. I'm a saintess, so I couldn't wear exposed clothes like the slave girl you were bringing with you.”
The female slave Helena was referring to was Cynthia.
She did not return with Woohyuk and remained with the Talis Kingdom’s new ruler, Hong Yuri, representing the interests of the liberated slaves.
However, once the Talis Kingdom regained stability, she was planning to return to Woohyuk’s side.
When Woohyuk didn't comment about her, Helena looked at him with suspicious eyes.
“You, you didn’t spend a night with her, did you? Although her skin was dark, she was quite the beauty...”
“You really don’t hold back on your words, do you? And even if I had, would it be a problem? As long as I make up my mind, I can sleep with any number of women right away.”
“But you are deliberately holding yourself back. You no longer want to see a woman who gave herself to you to meet a tragic end.”
“...”
When his past with Lucretia was mentioned, the glint in Woohyuk's eyes changed sharply.
As he turned and stared at Helena, Sieg pointed forward with his finger.
“We seem to have arrived. It's Gettingsburg, the capital of the Norton Kingdom.”
A giant bronze giant, the symbol of Gettingsburg, could be seen in the distance.
Woohyuk pulled onto his reins after withdrawing his gaze from Helena.
“We must hurry. Negotiations with Colesman must be finished before sunset.”
Although King Colesman welcomed this expedition, he was wary of Woohyuk.
He had heard rumors Woohyuk was expanding his power rapidly in the western region, and also had demons and undead as subordinates.
'It wouldn't be a bad idea to get my hands on the Norton royal family's treasures using this opportunity.'
Stormblade Cardion and the Frost Queen’s Necklace.
If those two artifacts were to get into the hands of enemies, things would get troublesome.
Woohyuk ran on his horse as he recalled the Norton Kingdom’s myth related to the Frost Giants.
***
An audience chamber decorated with colorful and gargantuan candlesticks.
King Colesman of the Norton Kingdom was discussing with Woohyuk and his companions about Nigel, the Lich Lord.
“I have been fighting against the undead army for 20 years during my reign, but I didn't know there was such a being. Thanks to you, we will be able to avoid a big catastrophe.”
“Have you ever thought about searching the area around Dreadlore?”
“We couldn't do that. The undead forces there are too strong. And there is a prophecy that has been passed down in this kingdom since a long time ago.”
If you disturb the slumber of the dead in Dreadlore, the kingdom will be destroyed.
As it was recorded in famous ancient documents, the Norton royal family was only preventing the undead forces in the north from going south.
Woohyuk nodded at those words