The main hall of the royal palace in the capital below had been entirely carved out of solid mountain rock.
The lion crest above the main gate had a mane that flared out like icy spikes, looking vividly lifelike.
Around the palace, following the contours of the mountain, stood core institutions such as the Privy Council, the main armory, and the ice caverns where the Grace Royal Family worshipped their former kings.
They too were connected to the mountain itself, linked to the outside only by heavy stone gates and watchtowers, making them easy to defend and difficult to assault.
"Nicely built."
Zong Shen's calm voice rang out across the platform, interrupting Yarogluk's troubled gaze.
The former king lowered his head, his voice unusually dry.
"...My king, we have arrived above Winter Imperial... Great City."
The massive floating fortress, [Fury of Eternal Frost], was currently hovering quietly some 3,500 meters above the ground.
Zong Shen had originally intended to lower the altitude further.
However, the Great City below also had several buildings that exceeded the height limit.
For example, those outrageously tall towers, each over a thousand meters high.
All of them had been constructed using magic and Magic Energy Technology.
Even at its current altitude, the shadow cast by Zong Shen's fortress made it seem as though night had fallen early over the Great City.
Darkness blanketed fully half of Winter Imperial City.
The city had long since erupted into uproar and panic.
Crowds in the streets looked up at the steel mountain blocking out the sky, cries of alarm, prayers, and children's wails blending together.
The patrolling security troops desperately sounded their alarms.
Officers at every level tried themselves hoarse to maintain order, but in the face of this calamity beyond comprehension, all discipline seemed pale and powerless.