The snowfields of Aisengar stretched endlessly, desolate and barren, but here, like nowhere else, the earth itself seemed to open its mouth.

Descending the long staircase that followed the gaping hole, one would arrive at an underground fortress.

Frost Hollow, the maw of the icy plains. Once a den of magical beasts, it had been stained by the history of blood, steel, and slaughter, only to devolve into a sanctuary for humans.

The structure resembled an ant nest—chaotic and disorderly, a stark contrast to the meticulously organized Doomheim. It was a fitting dwelling for savages.@@novelbin@@

Even among those of the same continent and race, the forms of their societies varied wildly.

If Lake Fortress was a harmonious family home, Frost Hollow was a lair of beasts. Its inhabitants drank all day, pouncing on women without hesitation at the mere sight of them.

The northerners here didn’t know who their fathers were, nor did they care who fathered their children. Truly, “beast lair” was the only apt descriptor.

“Great Chieftain! I have urgent news to deliver!”

The one who sought this savage hideout was Bipen, the slit-eyed merchant.

Having failed to exploit Lake Fortress under the guise of trade, he had scurried to Frost Hollow like a beaten dog, now prostrated before the Great Chieftain’s quarters.

Sitting arrogantly on a throne-like chair, a burly man glowered down at Bipen as though he were a king.

Zeke Snowsvine, Great Chieftain of Frost Hollow.

Though his roots were in the honorable Nosgard, he had grown tired of its archaic traditions and chosen the path of savagery.

He swept through other tribes, unifying them under his rule. His power had snowballed, and his was now the largest tribe in all of Aisengar.

In Frost Hollow, Zeke was as good as a king. His cold, oppressive gaze bore down on the back of Bipen’s head.

“I recently visited Lake Fortress for a trade,” Bipen began, his tone ingratiating. “They somehow managed to get their hands on a significant amount of wyvern wings, not to mention exceptionally high-quality yeti pelts.”

“...Hmm.”

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