Chapter 124

With Syndra in charge, it's basically like placing a nuclear bomb in Noxus's capital—and most importantly, Swain roughly knows the power of this "nuclear bomb."

Under such circumstances, Swain would never dare to act rashly.

The effect of a nuclear threat is always greater than the actual effect of a nuclear explosion.

A powerful and uncontrollable being like Syndra either stays in her safe house without using her magic, or she goes out of control and destroys the entire capital and even the whole of Noxus; there is no middle ground.

In other words, Swain didn't even have a chance to negotiate with her— Syndra could easily lose control if she used even a little magic to attack.

This is also the source of Chen Ce's confidence to head directly to Freljord.

He took only a few pieces of equipment and Rhaast's giant scythe with him and set off alone for the far north.

After several days of travel, the temperature in the surrounding environment dropped even lower, and traces of snow could even be seen on some high mountains.

It must be said that Noxus's geographical environment truly facilitates their military expansion into various countries— Demacia, Ionia, Freljord, and several other major powers are all adjacent to it.

The only drawback is probably Noxus's land and resource situation.

Although this powerful empire had a vast territory and a strong army, its local mineral and agricultural resources were extremely scarce, and some remote towns even frequently experienced tragedies of people starving to death.

This is precisely why they frequently invade other countries.

Of course, this is not a reasonable excuse.

Well... but those are things for later. Right now, Chen Ce's primary goal is to [resolve Freljord]. Everything else can wait.

So, regarding this timeline...

"Ashe must have just transformed from a blonde heiress who only relied on her mother into a silver-haired mature woman who inherited the Bow of Avarosa..."

"She should be traveling westward now, bringing along the Hearthbound Tribe and preparing to rebuild the Avarosan Tribe..."

"Looking at the map... well, starting from the Noxus capital is just right, it's quite close to the west..."

"She's being pursued; if we go now..."

"Everything is just right..."

Is there really a spring for Freljord?

This problem has been bothering Ashe for many years.

Her mother— Grena, the former tribal Warmother who called herself Storm and Lightning—had firmly told her: After the harsh winter comes spring.

But why does blizzard and frost continue after the harsh winter?

The snow and ice of Freljord never melt; even under the bright sun, warmth is only fleeting before the biting cold returns.

She couldn't understand; did spring really exist?

On every cold, hungry night, she would question this question and recall her mother's patient teachings.

But all of that is gone forever.

Her mother had died in battle—a glorious death, standing straight as a spear until her last breath. Just a month ago.

The entire Avarosan Tribe was slaughtered in the search and pursuit of the "Holy Throne of Avarosa," and she is now the last member of the Avarosan Tribe.

She went through so much in that month.

The destruction of her tribe, inheriting Avarosa's will, breaking ties with her former best sister Sejuani, being forced westward by pursuers, and accepting the Hearth-Home Tribe she encounters along the way...

She was just a young girl who had just come of age.

"The weather is getting colder and colder..."

Inside the makeshift camp, Ashe gazed ahead with a troubled expression—the endless snowstorm obscured her vision, even though her eyesight was far superior to that of ordinary people.

How much food do we have left?

"Very little left," the woman beside her replied, glancing at the list and pulling her already worn-out sweater tighter around herself. "Maybe it can last another ten days? Or maybe two weeks—if we can be more frugal."

"We can't be frugal any longer, Ul." Ashe shook her head. "The children are weak and frail; they simply cannot continue their journey if they don't have enough to eat... The harsh weather and blizzards will engulf them."

"I mean... adults should be more frugal," the woman Ul said again.

"No, you've already eaten very little." Ashe firmly objected.

"We can still hold on... We must prioritize ensuring the food rations for the children and soldiers." As he spoke, Ul looked at the beautiful girl in front of him with a guilty expression.

Their tribal Warmother, Ashe, was a child not even twenty years old... She was so strong, so heartbreakingly strong.

She gave all her clothes to the rest of the tribe, wearing only a thin, sleeveless archer's outfit... She also gave all her food to the children, not even eating it herself...

She was the Warmother, the highest-ranking leader in the tribe...

"And you are both a child and a warrior."

"Don't worry about me—like I told you from the beginning, I am Iceborn, I can withstand any hardship." Ashe forced a gentle smile. "Neither snow nor hunger can take away the might of Iceborn. Besides, as the Warmother of my tribe, do you really think I would starve myself?"

"Can--"

"There's no 'but,' just do as I say."

"This... sigh..."

"Don't worry, Ul." Ashe grasped his hand, her long silver hair fluttering in the snow and falling into their palms. "I will find food for the tribe, don't worry."

"Alright..." Ul finally relented, and with the list in hand, he prepared to distribute today's rations to the tribe members.

Ashe remained alone by the long-extinguished campfire.

There's no one else around now.

She was finally able to put her hands to her mouth and exhale a breath of warm air.

Even the Iceborn cannot withstand the Freljord climate for an extended period of time solely through physical strength and willpower...

Not to mention...

"I'm so hungry..."

After several more days of fleeing, many in the tribe were on the verge of collapse.

The energy provided by dry rations is far too limited; if this continues, more and more people will surely fall ill.

The endless wind and snow were like sharp knives piercing people's bodies.

Ashe knew she couldn't delay any longer.

She had to get more food for the tribe—some fresh food, meat.

She had started planning a week ago, but she still wasn't entirely confident... but she couldn't wait any longer.

We must act immediately.

The target was that despicable band of Icefield bandits— the Icefield Children Tribe.

This was a very risky move, one that even her powerful mother, Grena, had never done... but she had no other choice at this moment.

Those despicable bandits never engaged in agriculture or animal husbandry; their survival depended entirely on plundering other tribes. Beneath their numerous crimes lay a large group of warriors and terrifying individual combat capabilities.

They can often destroy an entire village with just a dozen or so men... They are ruthless, cunning, and vicious, making them very difficult to deal with.

But Ashe will never back down.

Not only for the tribe, but also to vindicate "Avarosa"—she has inherited the legacy of Avarosa, one of the legendary Three Sisters, and she fears no one.

"Do you see that group of people...?"

Ashe lay prostrate on the icefield the Rift, pointing with her finger at the crowd in the distance—those were the Children of the Icefield.

"Huh? I can't see clearly..." Ul rubbed his eyes hard, but he still couldn't make out the black dots obscured by the wind and snow. "Who are they...?"

"They are the children of the Ice Plains."

"The Children of the Ice Plains...? Ah, we must get around them immediately!" Upon hearing this name, Ul, a commoner from a Hearthblood, panicked instantly. "If we follow the original route, we'll run into them!"

"Yes." Ashe nodded slightly, her beautiful eyes, sharper than a hawk's, fixed on the bandits below the valley. "We'll bypass them, but we don't need to change our route."

"Huh...?" Ul couldn't understand this tongue-twisting sentence.

What Ashe said next made her eyes widen in confusion and horror:

"We need to steal some food from them."

"From them...? The Children of the Ice Plains...?!" Ul seemed even more panicked. "They... we can't defeat them...! Our warriors are too few in number, and their condition is extremely poor due to hunger and cold... we have absolutely no chance of winning...!"

"I don't need you to participate in the battle." Ashe shook her head again. "You just need to keep moving forward and empty their warehouses while they're away."

"You mean...?"

"I'll distract them. You guys just need to get the food—try to pick the easy-to-preserve, high-energy foods, and be quick. Don't take any alcohol," Ashe continued. "You can also take some fur coats and blankets for warmth."

"You're all alone...?" Ul was taken aback again. "No... that's too risky...!"

Ignoring her companions' advice, Ashe continued, "Also, there might be some Iceborne Children left behind. If you clash with them, try to avoid battle—always remember, our goal is food and supplies."

"Ashe...!" Ul was so anxious that he wanted to find someone else to help persuade this Warmother who always risked her life for her people.

Unfortunately, Ashe didn't give her that chance.

"Once I've lured them far enough away, I'll shoot an ice crystal arrow this way. Use that as a signal to organize everyone to move out."

After saying that, Ashe stood up and, with her agility, jumped down the Rift slope.

Ul was somewhat desperate.

But before she was completely desperate, she was willing to gamble with Ashe, using her worthless life that Ashe had saved once.

"This is insane... I'll give it my all...!"

Ashe quickly ran from the top of the Rift to the bottom of the valley.

She moved quickly, yet her steps were light, and she remained undetected until she was less than three hundred meters from the Children of the Icefield—thanks in large part to the swirling snow that greatly obscured their vision.

Those damned bandits were inspecting their mounts; saddles and reins were already on, clearly preparing to set off to plunder some poor village they had their eyes on... Those bandits deserve to die!

When the distance was only two hundred meters, Ashe quietly leaned against a boulder and then took the longbow off her back.

This is a magical longbow made from pure [True Ice].

It was also one of Avarosa's weapons.

It contains a powerful force that can shoot Enchanted Crystal Arrow out of thin air even without arrows, and can unleash extreme cold upon hitting the target, thus freezing the target completely.

This is a magical longbow far beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

As long as she held it in her hand, Ashe was filled with confidence—she could feel Avarosa's will in that biting cold.

[Unity]

[Dedication]

[Friendly]

[Fighting]

[Hope]

"Freljord will be unified..."

Ashe silently recited her vision in her heart, and then slowly drew the bowstring.

A moment later, a dazzling ice crystal arrow appeared out of thin air.

The bowstring was released, and the arrow shot out immediately.

Call out--!

A sharp whooshing sound rang in my ears, and almost instantly I struck my target—the Icefield Child bandit wielding an axe.

Bang--!

The ice crystal arrow exploded the moment it hit its target, freezing it completely into an ice sculpture. The scattered ice crystal dust also froze the knees and ankles of the other three people, rendering them all immobile.

"Enemy attack--!" The bandits of the Icefield Children shouted in alarm.

Having gained the upper hand, Ashe did not linger in the fight and quickly ran behind a larger boulder further away.

As a dozen or so people ran out of the tribe, she fired three more ice crystal arrows in quick succession.