Chapter 21: A Strange Village in the Mountain

There was a grand hustle and bustle in a clearing on a plain of tall grass. Such activity was never seen in such a remote area. Much more of the grass had been cleared out and large tents had been set up around an unassuming little village. One one side were dark red tents and on the other were white tents with blue snowflake decals. It had been already three months since the two empires had arrived here where a treasure had descended. They had put their best minds on the task of retrieving it from the mysterious fog that surrounded it. However the fog was just too unforgiving. At first the various experts were confident of success and grandly promised their two sovereigns they would present the tool. As such they did not even consider partnering and had moved independently to be the first to retrieve it. However they quickly found that the fog was beyond them and requested more and more reinforcements and research tools from the capital. By the second month they were at their wits end from both players and had no choice but to call a meeting. The Ice Queen's researchers proposed the two sides share information since they clearly were not getting anywhere and at this point their necks were due to leave their shoulders if they did not produce results. Only they were even more flabbergasted when they received the other side's research. Simply put there was nothing they did not already know. Similarly the Ironhand team did not gain anything from the exchange. Three whole months and all that they knew was that the fog came from the treasure, and anything that touched it disintegrated to nothing. They were no closer to acquiring it as the first day, they couldn't even approach it. Furthermore the Adventurers Guild had joined the fray and had their own team investigating the fog. The area was already as lively as a small town and even merchants had set up caravans here. Both the Blood Emperor and the Ice Queen had made no move to return to their respective capitals. This treasure was too important. If one left and the other got a hold of it whilst the other was away it would completely tilt the balance of power to one side. The disintegration power was simply too domineering. A powerhouse wielding such a weapon could completely sweep all enemies aside. Thus neither of the two could allow that to happen and had stayed put. Their palaces had arranged for the finest camping equipment and attendants. As such the current situation of a small town emerged. In the largest of the red tents an old man sat on a lavish throne with lion patterns on it with a frown. He was impatiently drumming his fingers on the armrest of the throne with his other hand on his chin. This excursion had really turned into a costly and time wasting endeavour. Ever since he had gotten on in age he was especially irritable toward time-wasting. How could he not know these ants were buying time and appeasing him. The treasure this time was too important and that fog even gave him chills, so he didn't make things too difficult for his subordinates. Even so a head or two rolling every once in a while inspired diligence. Thinking this far, he smirked, and stopped drumming his fingers. "If i don't have that treasure in another month, I'll kill the lot of you then deal with that little girl." he said coolly. "Yes, Your Highness." the reporting scribe bowed and quickly withdrew. Being the bearer of bad news to the Blood Emperor was a gamble with ones very life. He quickly delivered the emperor's edict to the researchers. They all paled when they heard it. He might as well just kill them now, there really was no progress with that fog. A similar situation was playing out on the other side in a white tent. Icicles shot out of the tent lining in various directions as the scream of a young girl echoed in the camp. The tent was reduced to a sieve as a scribe ran out for dear life. Seeing this, a hunchbacked man could only sigh before making his way into the tent to pacify the Ice Queen. He also waved to a few servants to fetch a new tent as he went in. Inside the tent were numerous icicles embedded in the ground at different angles. Clearly in a fit of rage the Ice Queen had thrown out a multi-directional icicle attack. "Your highness, please calm down. The Ironhand people are no better for progress than us." even as Jack said this workers swarmed with expert efficiency and removed the icicles in the ground and replaced the tent in the backdrop."Hmmph" the Ice Queen frowned and folded her arms but reigned in her cold aura. "I have come with a recent discovery your highness, it would seem the fog is slowly shrinking." Jack bowed and announced. A sharp glint flitted across the queen's eyes. This meant they could simply wait out the fog until it dissipates. Time was the one thing she had plenty of. "Unlike that old geezer I can afford to wait. How long?" she asked. The Ice Queen was a teenager of thirteen. The Blood Emperor was already approaching one hundred and fifty years and had one foot in the grave. Even experts like them could not escape the cold hand of time. "At the current rate, twenty years your highness."Jack solemnly replied. "I cant wait here all that time!" the Ice Queen fumed and crossed her arms. After all she had an empire to run, all those merchants and court officials would start getting ideas if she left for too long. "Lets head back then, ill come back closer to the time." she decided after thinking on it a bit. "As you decree." Jack bowed and exited the tent backwards. Immediately a huge furore began as the Leiss regiment prepared to leave. Seeing this General Simeon immediately reported to the blood emperor. "She's giving up? How could it be so simple? Find out what she discovered to give up." he immediately ordered.