Conquering His Cold Heart

The solar dawn magic device activated, lighting up the night sky, revealing those who dwelt beneath and weakening those of the darkness element.

Dozens of ghosts, undead and shadow creatures cried out as the light of the miniature sun burned their bodies and reduced their strength.

This was an important magic device that ensured Furano survived the night waves. Similar versions were set up within the other two bastions towns and there was even a backup in case something happened to it.

This was a magic device designed and created solely to combat the night waves of the monster stampedes and so far, worked wonders.

"Fire arrows!" Hamon gave his next order, and the ranged corps lit their ammunition on fire before firing in a high arc.

Their arrows and bolts glowed with an orange light as they pierced the light filled sky before ultimately crashing into the weakened masses of ghosts, undead and shadow-based monsters.

Fires spread out on contact thanks to the oil, affecting nearby monsters even if they weren't hit. Chaos ensued as the monsters were set ablaze, they panicked and ran in all manner of directions, spreading the fire.

The rindar and poison herald ground their teeth at such as sight but were powerless to stop it. The majority of their current forces were vulnerable to fire, such a situation was inevitable.

"Ready shields!" Hamon roared out his third order as the vast swarms of monsters ran towards the frontline with maddened fury, many still ablaze.

In response the frontline infantry grabbed their massive metal shields that rivalled them in stature and slammed them down hard on the ground creating an imposing wall of metal. They then braced themselves for the charge, bending their knees and placing their weight against the shields.

Booooooooommm!

An earth shattering clash erupted as the monster swarm slammed against the shield wall, but this wall didn't even budge in the slightest, completely shutting out the monsters' charge.

"Carve them up!" Hamon gave his final order with a wild smile.

The special squads armed with enhanced weapons and or chakra mimicked his wild smile before leaping over the shield wall and carving up the temporarily stunned monsters without any effort.

A deluge of spells swiftly followed their attack, impeding the next few charging lines that escaped the treeline. This gave the specialist squads enough time to clean up the first group and retreat back to behind the shield wall.

The next steps would simply by a case of rinse and repeat. Though the arrows volleys would be reduced thanks to their limited reserves the mages would take over with their fire and light based magic.

The solar dawn by itself lasts close to 2 hours but with the addition of the sub arrays and additional magic crystals it could last entire night so there was no option to wait it out. The monster stampede simply had to grin and bear it.

Thankfully for them it wasn't just dark based monsters within their ranks. Shortly after several lines were decimated a horde of armoured lizards, ice boars and other highly defensive monsters left the treeline in full charge.

Not limited by the solar dawn they slammed hard into the shield wall causing many areas to be pushed back slightly and the shield bearers to cough up blood but still the wall held, and the monsters' momentum was brought to a complete halt making them easier to cull.

Frost watched on with amazement as wave after wave of monsters fell to these simple and passive tactics. If this was during the day the range of monsters charging at all manner of speeds would make such a formation far less efficient but at night it worked wonders.

The darkness based monsters which made up the majority would be weakened from the solar dawn and thoroughly injured by the mage corps leaving their charging power rather lacklustre.

The use of the armoured lizards and other defensive monsters certainly packed a wallop, but the frequency of such charges made maintaining the shield wall possible.

Frost's job for this wave was quite simple, fire spell after spell without end, seriously taxing his endurance now that he was no longer connected to the dungeon.

4 hours later the night wave ended, and the next lapse arrived.

The majority of soldiers and adventurers were in rather good moods. The wave went down without a hitch, a few broken arms, some damaged shields and less than ten deaths, a very positive result that inspired them greatly.

Many were all smiles and very talkative as they dug into their meals whereas others such as the mages were groaning and cursing as they dragged their bodies towards the resting tents. Their mana veins thoroughly overworked from the near constant barrage of spells.

Ryuu and Jessie had arranged a three line system wherein the first line would fire up to 5 spells before being taken over by the second team which would then be repeated for the third team before starting over. This ensured that they were given enough time to recuperate in between casting and prevent mana exhaustion.

Like the oil barrels and fire pits near the ranged corps the mage corps had mana amplifying and gathering devices that created mana rich areas surrounding their platforms. However time was still needed to absorb the surrounding mana thus having three lines ensured that not only would the mages have the time needed to gather mana but the deluge of spells would be constant.

Frost, Jessie and a high C-rank mage named Yanni were each in charge of their own line whereas Ryuu oversaw the entire process and used his higher circle magic to take down specific targets.

It was clear that the night time waves were carried by the mage corps thus while the others felt energised and celebratory from the win they struggled to even make it down the stairs. Of course Frost wasn't nearly as bad as they were still able to stand tall and unwavering, something that caused Ryuu's lips to twitch in irritation.

He mildly uttered something about youth under his breath before forcibly dragging himself to the command tent. He walked tall and steady, but it was clear that his limbs were trembling.

Jessie attempted to laugh at Ryuu's attitude, but she was too tired. She joined the other mages in heading off to recuperate, leaving the report to Ryuu and Frost.

Frost being the only one who could move naturally scratched his cheek upon seeing how different he was from everyone else in the corps before quickly running after Ryuu and offering to assist him but was stubbornly waved off.

Another strategy meeting went down and this time the atmosphere was far more positive. The night wave went down well so it was hard to be pessimistic after such a victory. However the morning wave would be a deciding factor in how the next few days would go.

Given how hard they worked during the night wave, the mage corps would be far less effective during the morning and the ranged corps would have even less ammunition to utilise. The main line and the vanguard squads would have to fight with limited back up all while doing their best to preserve their numbers.

Since rest was crucial and no new members had arrived since Frost the meeting was rather brief.

Frost was invited to eat with Ryuu and Bastion, but he turned them down as there was something else he needed to do.

Passing beyond the food court, the resting stations and the repair workshops Frost arrived at the medical centre where the wounded soldiers would be brought.

To the left of this medical centre was an area designated for monster mounts as the frost wolf battalion -though he hadn't seen much of them- came with several hundred as part of their cavalry forces.

Apparently they played a major role in the mid stages and thus suffered devastating loses. With their reduced numbers and the fact that their attributes were more inclined to handle sapients armies rather than monster armies they were currently on standby since the late stages began.

Frost made his way through the clinic spotting many frost and ice wolves with debilitating injuries as well as minor wounds recuperating with the aid of healers and doctors.

A young woman who was in charge of this sector noticed Frost come in. She dusted herself off to make herself more presentable before walking towards him.

"Mr Frost." She said with a bright smile.

"Miss Kala." He nodded his head with respect before looking beyond the young woman. "How's he doing?" Frost asked with a painful look.

Kala the healer in charge of the monster clinic let out a sigh before replying in a positive tone.

"Better, he's responding to treatment well and will surely make a full recovery within the next couple days." Kala then led Frost into the room behind her where the patient she spoke of was currently placed.

There lying on a soft layer of feathers was Kiba. In the earlier wave when the cyclops made its presence known he was shot down by the beast's eye beam. His wings were badly wounded as were areas around his torso and hind legs.

Once Artemis jumped from his back Kiba with difficulty glided or rather fell behind the northern wall, crashing hard onto a few soldiers who moved to catch him. He was then shuttled off to the monster clinic to receive immediate treatment.

Kiba was currently sleeping soundly and looked far better than when he visited earlier. The deep wounds had started to scab over, and colour had returned to his cheeks. They were taking the slow and steady approach just like with Douglas so as to ensure no lingering damage, something Frost was grateful for.

Kala wisely left Frost and Kiba alone after warning Frost to not touch any of the wounded areas and that it would be best if he didn't wake him.

Though desperately wishing to hear his chuffs and roars Frost acquiesced to the doctors orders.

He gently sat by Kiba's side and lightly stroked his head in an affectionate manner causing the tiger to relax in his sleep and even subconsciously purr like a domestic cat.

He stayed like this for 10 minutes before someone else walked into the room.

"Oh you're already here." The person was Artemis.

"Of course he's my precious partner after all." Frost quickly replied back while scratching Kiba's ears. This wasn't the first time Artemis came to visit, like Frost the moment the previous wave ended he immediately made his way to the monster clinic.

Kiba was the reason he was able to avoid being injured and even successfully advance to advanced bow mastery, he felt a lot of gratitude towards him.

Frost smiled when Artemis walked in, appreciating his attitude towards Kiba.

"Doctor Kala advised me not to wake him, but she said that he should make a full recovery over the next couple days."

"That's good. I'll treat him to a high quality steak once this is all over." Artemis whispered as he smiled towards the sleeping Kiba.

"I'm sure he'd love that." Frost gave Kiba one last petting before standing up and walking towards Artemis.

"Have you eaten yet?"

"No not yet, you?"

"No I came here first. How about you join for a meal." Frost showed a toothy grin as he placed a hand on Artemis's left shoulder.

Artemis was caught by surprise for a second before immediately nodding his head and agreeing. Though he didn't have a very high opinion of Frost when they first interacted, after fighting together and alongside Kiba he now greatly admired and even respected him.

"Alright then let's get some high quality grub and chat, I'd like to hear more about the frost wolf battalion as well archery." Frost then led Artemis out of the monster clinic and towards the food court not forgetting to politely thank Kala and the others on call for taking good care of Kiba.

At the food court Frost and Artemis both went to the highest quality food booth and received upper C-rank meals that were absolutely to die for. Frost reaffirmed the need to have some high quality chefs back in the dungeon and the in progress camp.

The two young men chatted about themselves at length creating a firm bond of friendship, Leo and Luna even joined them at a later point thus generating a bond between an up and coming solider and the next Viscount of the Furano territory.

Frost learned that Artemis was only 23 years old but he already had a foot in the door to B-rank, very impressive not just in Northrend but across the entire continent. Artemis was a very talented individual, one that Frost couldn't help but want to poach somehow but that idea was swiftly shot down.

Artemis was a loyal soldier and had no interest in serving another group or nation no matter the benefits. He wished to follow in his master's footsteps and become a mighty general for the Northrend empire.

He talked about the capital as well as his master and sibling disciples quite a lot drawing the interest of Leo and Luna who were always inquisitive about the capital.

"So you're here in the frost wolf battalion to gain battle experience." Said Frost.

"Pretty much, my master signed me up and slotted me under Colonel Hamon's command last year and said not to return until I understand the true role of an archer." Artemis spoke in a mimicking voice of his master before laughing, quite impressed with his own impression.

"At first I was quite annoyed with his actions and sulked quite a lot but after taking part in this monster stampede, seeing the different roles in the army being utilised and of course fighting with Kiba and then by your side on the frontline I think I understand what he was getting at." A look of understanding donned his face as he came to terms with what his master meant.

A smile then grew on his lips causing Frost, Luna and Leo to smile in return.

Artemis then looked seriously at Frost this young elf like man who surpassed him in strength and talent.

"What about you Frost? Why are you here?"

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