Elsewhere.
In a defensive zone built near an abandoned mine.
"Bedrock" Eric, a lord proficient in engineering, watched in despair as the heavy gate ahead groaned under the frost giants' relentless blows.
Visible cracks spread across the gate's surface.
He poured his last trace of mana into a rusted device within the mine that appeared to be an ancient city-defense energy core.
As the core emitted a blinding earth-yellow glow and a deep hum.
The entire mountain housing the mine seemed to come alive.
The rock walls on either side of the opening shook violently.
Chunks of rock rose like liquid and reshaped themselves.
In an instant, they became two six-tier [Mountain Stone Bulwark Guards], each five meters tall and wielding a massive tower shield and stone warhammer.
They were not frail creatures of flesh and blood, but beings made entirely of stone and earth energy.
They silently stood before the damaged gate, bringing an overwhelming sense of security.
They even formed a battle formation.
When the frost giants charged in, their heavy fists struck the tower shields and the formation's light barrier, producing only a dull boom.
The resulting shockwave shattered the rock walls on both sides and sent debris flying.
Yet it could not budge them in the slightest!
Every swing of the [Mountain Stone Bulwark Guards'] stone warhammers carried the force of a mountain collapse and earth-shattering upheaval.
They smashed the frost giants' iron-hard bodies to pieces.
The lord defenders hiding within the mine fortress erupted in cheers at having survived the disaster.
Similar randomly triggered events occurred throughout the Northern Frontier.
Like little surprise Easter eggs, they helped many lords escape danger.
The Lord System did not only bring scares; occasionally, it still offered a few small surprises.
It was just that compared to the unlucky