Chapter 15: The Cold Abyss Prison, the Snow Maiden
The strange figure who had come to investigate was Yin Hui, Elthorp’s spy in the Frigid Lands.
Following Elthorp’s orders, he had rushed to the frozen wasteland near the seal line, and had immediately stumbled upon this strange incident.
Although the emergency communication rune wasn’t a last resort for him, it was still precious.
And from the looks of the manor, the two sisters couldn’t have gone far. So he had used it to report to Elthorp.
“Yin Hui, so soon?” Elthorp frowned. He hadn’t expected to be contacted so quickly.
Yin Hui was a commander-level figure among the Evil Blade Demons, his strength at the low-level Calamity Class.
Years ago, after the great turmoil in the Frigid Lands had subsided, leaving only a chaotic mess of refugees and criminals, he had entered, disguised as a fugitive on the Evil Blade Demon kill order.
And over the years, he had built a powerful faction, rivaling the other major powers in the Frigid Lands.
On the surface, he was a fugitive, even occasionally killing assassins who came for his bounty, some of them his own kin.
In reality, he was a seed Elthorp had planted long ago. The Ice Demons’ power was undeniable, and after their fall, their legacy was a prize every demon race coveted.
Elthorp was no exception. But he hadn’t expected to use this seed for something other than the Ice Demons.
…Or rather, it was for the Ice Demons.
“My lord Elthorp…” Yin Hui took a deep breath and recounted everything he had discovered.
But Elthorp’s frown only deepened.
“…Two sisters, who survived the arctic calamity unscathed. They must be Ice Demons. And the calamity itself was likely their doing.”
After years of infiltrating and developing the Frigid Lands, they had a thorough understanding of its weather patterns.
Normally, besides the rare, freak storms, the cold snaps were predictable, their paths known.
If the patterns changed, there would be signs. It wouldn’t just appear out of nowhere.
Otherwise, how could anyone but the Ice Demons survive here?
“My lord, are you looking for… these two sisters?” Yin Hui asked.
He didn’t know much. Elthorp hadn’t told him anything. The more one knew about the Abyssal Lord, the more dangerous it was.
So, his orders had been simple: to watch the seal line, in person.
Because without a Calamity Class level of strength, a direct encounter with their target would be fatal.
Elthorp was cautious. With both sides in the dark, he wanted to seize the initiative.
“I don’t know. Perhaps, perhaps not…”
He had no concrete information.
Only that she was close to the Abyssal Lord, and to Shaya and Isabelle. And that she had appeared in the human Empire, and was on good terms with them… wait.
“Ice Lily?”
A name appeared in his mind, and with it, the image of a small, gray-haired girl, her pale blue eyes filled with a defiant hatred, a memory that still haunted him.
“Who’s that?”
“…A little Ice Demon girl, who escaped the Frigid Lands after the great destruction,” he said, his voice tight.
“You mean…”
“Yes. She survived the great destruction.”
His expression was grim. If “Ice Lily” was still alive, then the information all pointed to her.
And now, this arctic calamity in the arid town…
“Go to the ‘Snow Maiden.’ Immediately,” he said, his voice low.
“The Snow Maiden… the Cold Abyss Prison. It’s a long way,” Yin Hui said, his voice hesitant. “Even at full speed, it will take at least three days.”
“Then two and a half. You must get there before them.”
His tone was firm, unquestionable. He paused, then added, “I remember, the ‘Snow Maiden’ has started to wander again, right? Keep a close eye on her movements. She’s… special.”
Yin Hui wanted to ask what was so special about the “Snow Maiden,” a question that had plagued many in the Frigid Lands.
The high command of the Abyss seemed to know, but they wouldn’t say.
And neither would Elthorp. Before he could ask, Elthorp changed the subject. “Remember, if you find them, do not engage. Confirm their identity, then activate the directional teleportation rune. I will deal with them myself.”
“How do I confirm their identity?”
Elthorp hesitated. “The aura of destruction.”
“D-destruction…”
Yin Hui’s eyes widened. In the Abyss, only one thing was associated with “destruction”…
The great destruction, the advent of the Abyssal Lord, a nightmare that still haunted every demon.
“Just find the Ice Demon girl. We can confirm everything later,” Elthorp said vaguely. He couldn’t reveal any more. With Yin Hui’s rank, he shouldn’t know such things.
Yin Hui, understanding, didn’t press the issue. He thought for a moment. “My lord, I would like to mobilize my ‘Soul Slayers.’ Is that permissible?”
He had a considerable force in the Frigid Lands, and the “Soul Slayers” were his elite squad.
Although not as strong as a regular demon legion, they were still formidable.
“Try not to reveal too much. About… her. You know what to do,” Elthorp said, his voice low.
“Yes, my lord,” Yin Hui said, saluting.
The connection was severed, and Yin Hui knelt in the desolate landscape.
“Ice Demons… the aura of destruction…”
He stood up, sighing. “I didn’t expect my first order, after all this time, to be… this.”
“I hope… I don’t die too horribly…”
