Conquering His Cold Heart

"When's the war set to start Master?" Loki being the innocent saving grace that he was completely ignored the subtle tension between Frost, Maya and Daki. The young phoenix kin was very much looking forward to the upcoming war as he wished to play a key role within it and therefore be praised and rewarded by Frost.

His precious trove of candy was starting to dwindle given his lack of restraint and he felt guilty asking for more without accomplishing anything first.

Frost opened up the dungeon menu to check the time.

"In about an hour Loki, enough time for us to finish breakfast and do a last rundown of our forces." By now the residents and visitors within the Niflheim base camp were aware that something major was happening.

Ladius and her team using their influence as envoys of the federation of knowledge immediately spread word throughout the camp that something was changing within the dungeon and that everyone should steer clear for the next few days. To aid or rather provide evidence for this claim Frost made the entire dungeon rumble 24 hours before the war was set to commence every hour on the hour as a warning.

Of course a few groups decided to risk it anyway given how valuable even a small amount of time was within the dungeon but thankfully they were a minority and of little consequence. Frost already ordered Findlay and Khuno to erase them before the war began thus eliminating potential loose ends.

Now only Ladius and her team were sheltering within the dungeon due to their agreement.

"I can't wait hehehehe." The young phoenix kin couldn't hide his excitement as he quickly wolfed down his breakfast and positioned himself on the sofa where the pseudo dungeon currently hovered. He and his sister would be in charge of observing the battle and communication between the assigned teams.

The same as last time but far more in depth and with a much greater workload but neither blanched at the daunting prospect instead they were invigorated. Daki despite her current physical condition and obvious hatred of management would play as similar role since she was only the one who was yet to experience a dungeon war.

Finally Maya would do as she always did, facilitate a background role and offer support as the contract between her, and Dark was still in effect.

What about Frost you may ask well unlike the war with Gobuske this time there's no restrictions on the dungeon cores themselves meaning if they so chose they can enter the battlefield personally and Frost being who he is wasn't one to miss such an opportunity.

A wide battle lust inspired smile grew on his lips as he pictured the invasion, the only question was whether he'd be part of the defence or the offence.

The hour timeframe passed relatively quickly and was announced with the ringing of a loud bell and audible notification utilising Dark's voice.

"A dungeon war has been agreed to by Dungeon core Frost and Dungeon core Karrick. Your dungeons will be connected in 3….2….1….connected. You can now begin your invasion, have fun kids." This voice was heard within the heads of Frost, Maya and those who had the rights to interact with the dungeon menu i.e. Daki, Loki, Nanna and his most trusted subordinates Findlay and Khuno.

For everyone else the dungeon seemed to shake violently as the space around it shifted. The entrance that once led to the Niflheim base camp was replaced with a black energy wall that served as a corridor to Karrick's dungeon. The offensive teams would first enter this space before being transported to the opposing dungeon, thus preventing an obvious and dull clash at entrances.

"Alright, it's on everyone, time to let loose!" Frost roared at the top of his lungs as he raised his glaive up high and led the charge into the black barrier and into Karrick's dungeon. He decided to be part of the invasion force rather than the defenders.

"Follow after our Lord!" Khuno was joining him in the invasion as were the majority of the ronsos and yuki-onnas who were part of the special training squad whereas Findlay was left in charge of the defence.

The mighty elder ronso fully keen in exercising his newfound abilities let loose an earthshattering tiger roar before chasing after his master's back with his teeth bared. He was on the hunt and enjoying every second of it. A plethora of fire monsters would meet their end today.

Frost led hundreds, almost thousands of monsters through the black abyss and into his younger brother's dungeon, he was not going to hold back in the slightest. He'd show Karrick the folly in challenging one of the top rankers a second time.

After a couple minutes of travelling through the spatial distortion Frost and his mighty cohorts of ronsos, yuki-onnas and even revenants were met with a fierce, uncomfortable heat. Before them was a wide cavernlike environment dotted with burning trees, and red hot dunes of sand and granite.

The air was so hot that objects in the distance were distorted, a strange and foreign concept to the young Frost.

"Damn that's uncomfortable!" Frost didn't even register the battalions of fire monsters that were grinning maliciously towards him and his ice brethren before calling on the yuki-onnas enlisted in his special training.

"Activate the veil."

"Yes milord." The strongest and defacto leader of the yuki-onnas replied while frowning, she too found the environment utterly unpleasant.

""[Veil of ice]"" The yuki-onnas followed their leader and cast their recently acquired spell, [veil of ice]. This spell held no offensive nor defensive properties instead what it did was summon a thin curtain of ice mana around their forces, protecting them somewhat from the insufferable heat.

Neutralising it completely was an impossibility but at least now they'd be able to summon most of their innate strength.

But Frost wasn't satisfied.

"Ronso corps show them your fire!"

"ROOOOOAAAAARRRRRR!!!" In response to their master's call the flock of ronsos let loose a terrifying howl as they set themselves ablaze in silver and azure coloured flames. The temperature surrounding Frost's forces lowered even more, and the magic users could feel their connection with their natural element being restored.

Their opponents however grimaced at the sight, the frontline monsters even took several steps back as the chilling cold unsettled them. And Karrick who was watching the scene from one of the lower floors punched a nearby cliff out sheer anger.

"HE DARES TO USE FLAMES AGAINST ME!!!!" Veins bulged and throbbed across his body as his rage threatened to blow him up from the inside. Was there anything more insulting to a master of fire, to use cold flames in his own house, no this affront, this insult must be met with savage aggression.

He completely ignored the combined might Frost brought the field, all he saw was those cold flames denying his beautiful fire cavern. The war was on, and leniency and mercy were no longer on the table.

"Clear me a path." Frost calmly ordered with his glaive outstretched into the distance.

"Gladly master!" The ronsos adorned in cold flames smiled from ear to ear before charging ahead with reckless intent. These fire monsters were nothing to them, even with the environment being what it was, dozens of unique C-rank monsters was a force to be reckoned with.

And as to be expected the mighty ronsos bulldozed a path for Frost, launching and cleaving Karrick's forces in twain, nothing but a slaughter.

"Yuki-onnas and protection teams keep apace with our main forces as we follow after the vanguard, we've got a red scaled lizard to hunt."

""Yes sir"" With a brisk and confident gait Frost thus led his forces deeper into Karrick's dungeon, his vanguard making very short work of the majority of Karrick's defences. To Frost and his soldiers this invasion was akin to a walk in the park.

The two and half days spent within the training space comprised of Frost mass purchasing anti fire spells for his ronso and yuki-onnas and them learning how to properly utilise them for the upcoming invasion. He also summoned the high earth rank cold flame and allowed his soldiers to study the oddity so as to improve their innate gifts with the ice element.

Their overall strength didn't improve all that much but their ability to counter fire and more importantly hot environments skyrocketed. What was once a weakness was now Karrick's bane….at least in the upper floors. Frost wasn't foolish enough to expect his little tricks to work the same once they reached Karrick's true depths.

However for an opening punch the effect was quite drastic. Poor Karrick felt his heart lurch as Frost's ronsos slaughtered their way through his frontline defences. The carnage brought up memories of his first war, the sheer difference in strength, the weakness he showed, his fragility and ..…the inevitable ending.

His hands trembled as he thought of Pyro, he didn't even register his monsters screaming at his side for orders. He suddenly felt small and powerless….again.

".....No…..not again….." The trembling in his hands gradually changed and the fearful expression he donned warped until a vicious smile grew on his lips. Even if he was outmatched he would not cower or submit, he would fight even if it meant defeat. It was time to own his arrogance.

Boom!!

Karrick blew up a nearby boulder with his fist so as to calm his frayed nerves.

"Move up the yuanti, flaming hippogryphs and…..willowisps."

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