Chapter 137

But this was enough to remind Sejuani of what she had witnessed before—she had seen Chen Ce deliberately leave one person alive and say something to that person.

It sounded like forced confession.

"You... can you help me?"

"Of course I can," Chen Ce replied confidently.

How can I help?

"I'll take care of all the Frost Priests for you."

"... You sound like a hunter who specializes in hunting Frost Priests."

"Frost Priests Killer? That's a pretty good nickname. Could you send me a badge?"

Upon hearing this, Sejuani was amused, something she hadn't done in a long time.

But she quickly covered her mouth, forcing herself to put on a serious and cold expression—she had to maintain her good image!

"Ahem... um... alright, maybe I can let you assist me—provided you never mention that man's name again, understand?"

"As you wish, my dear Miss Sejuani." Chen Ce smiled and bowed.

"Hmph..." Seeing the outstretched hand, Sejuani hesitated for a moment before extending her own hand.

At the same time, without the support of her arms, her already slipped clothing fell down another halfway.

Now all areas above the equator are exposed.

Including a touch of cherry blossom color.

Chen Ce almost instinctively turned his head to the other side, pretending he hadn't seen anything.

However Sejuani didn't seem to mind at all.

She even took advantage of the moment when he looked away to launch a surprise attack, pulling Chen Ce close and making him bury his head in her ample bosom.

As for the reason for doing so... it certainly wasn't because she was lustful.

Well... or rather, it's not entirely because of that.

More importantly, it was because someone happened to come back carrying two dinners.

The sound of food falling onto the snow was somewhat muffled.

The girl standing in front of the tent stared wide-eyed.

She stared at it all in disbelief.

"What... what are you doing...!"

Chapter Twenty-Two: Plastic Sisters, Initiation!

Chen Ce truly didn't expect to be able to enjoy facial cleanser after arriving in Runeterra.

It's still the cooling type.

Cool and refreshing, soft and fluffy... it feels so good.

Ashe seemed quite unhappy... Well, after all, Sejuani was her "arch-rival." Just like two big brands competing, a facial cleanser company naturally wants its customers to use only its products.

But whatever happens, it's used, so I can only try the Ashe brand facial cleanser next time—if she were as sincere in inviting customers to try it as she is with the Sejuani brand facial cleanser.

The day after using the facial cleanser, Chen Ce and Ashe resumed their journey to the southwestern part of Freljord.

Moreover, Sejuani is also with them this time— Chen Ce promised her he would go back to Winter's Claw with her to resolve the Frost Priests issue, but he must first help Ashe finish dealing with the major event of the Avarosan Tribe's migration.

Having learned of the Frost Priests's conspiracy and threat, Sejuani dared not return to Winter's Claw alone and could only go with them to the Avarosan Tribe for a while.

Her warriors, each commanding several glacial behemoths, along with her Bristle leading the way, found the Avarosan Tribe, which had already stopped, in just two days.

"A large group of Hearthblood... they look really scattered."

Sejuani spotted the large Avarosan Tribe from several hundred meters away, her words filled with disdain.

"I really don't know why Ashe would take in these useless parasites... Do you know why?" As she spoke, she turned her head slightly and glanced at the handsome young man behind her out of the corner of her eye.

"Because Ashe wants to create a united and cohesive Freljord." The man behind her— Chen Ce, of course—patiently replied, "She desires equality for all, an end to exploitation, and a distinction between the noble Iceborn and the lowly Hearthblood. She sees everyone as an equal member of her race, not as slaves to be enslaved."

"Naive and childish idea..." Sejuani shrugged dismissively, then turned to look at Ashe on the other side—who was riding a giant ice beast with a Winter's Claw warrior.

Ashe just happened to make eye contact with her.

Ashe's eyes were filled with displeasure.

"Hi, Ashe, we're here." Sejuani smiled contentedly, then deliberately leaned back against Chen Ce in front of Ashe. "Go say hello to your Hearthblood friends."

Ashe was so angry she was practically grinding her teeth—she knew Sejuani had deliberately let Chen Ce sit there so she could take advantage of him!

How shameless! She has absolutely no ladylike manners!

"Hmph...!" Ashe jumped off the back of the ice beast in a huff, and then stomped toward the Avarosan Tribe in a huff—her steps looked forceful, and each step left a deep footprint in the snow.

"Oh, looks like someone's angry." Sejuani's smile widened.

Despite her laughter, she still urged everyone to follow Ashe.

Soon, she saw a brand new Avarosan Tribe —several hundred people, a truly enormous group.

But almost all of them were Hearthblood.

Only... less than ten Iceborn? That looks really pathetic, haha.

"You're finally back!" A large group of people surrounded Ashe the moment they saw her, and everyone's words and actions revealed a sense of relief and joy—clearly, they had been waiting for Ashe for a long time and had been very worried about her.

"Mmm." Ashe responded to everyone, her sweet smile making her appear none of the majesty Warmother should have.

Sejuani scoffed at this.

Before she could even open her mouth to mock Ashe's "naiveté," the Avarosan Tribe members pointed at her and shouted:

"The people of the Winter's Claw!"

She was a middle-aged woman. She looked somewhat familiar.

"Yes, that's me." Sejuani straightened her back, looking down at the crowd with a rather arrogant air. "What's wrong?"

"..." Faced with this question, the middle-aged woman—who was also the logistics manager, Ul —suddenly became a little nervous.

Those who later Avarosan Tribe might not know what Winter's Claw was, but she knew all too well... She was one of the Hearth-Home Tribe that Sejuani had previously raided.

If Ashe hadn't been there, she might have died under Sejuani's mace long ago...

"Sejuani... you won't even think about harming my people...!"

After a moment of fear, Ul stepped forward without hesitation—even though her legs were trembling slightly.

"You want to harm my people...? You'll have to step over my dead body first!!"

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Sejuani finally remembered who the Hearthblood in front of her was, and realized that there was a huge misunderstanding between them.

But she didn't want to explain.

She just looked at him with a mocking expression.

"You seem pretty brave... What, are you going to fight me?"

"I... I'm not afraid of you...!" Ul was trembling all over.

But she couldn't back down...

Because... because she wanted to protect her people... and to defend her most revered Warmother to the death...

Oh, and that handsome young man from out of town... he's the Warmother's male concubine...

"Give... give Mr. Chen Ce back...!" Ul pointed with trembling hands at Chen Ce behind Sejuani.

In an instant, all the tribespeople gathered around—even though a significant portion of them didn't recognize Sejuani or know what Winter's Claw was, they firmly believed in the power of unity.

If the administrator says she's an enemy, then she is an enemy.

She is an enemy who threatens the Warmother and the tribe, and also...

Now everyone has noticed Chen Ce behind Sejuani and is convinced that Sejuani "kidnapped" Chen Ce —she's trying to steal their Warmother's male lover!

"Give Mr. Chen Ce back!" More people grabbed their weapons. "We're not afraid of you bandits!"

Seeing this, Sejuani laughed even louder.

But at the same time, she was also somewhat surprised by the courage and unity of this group of people—not long ago, these Hearthblood were cowards who would surrender en masse as soon as a fight broke out.

"Not bad, not bad at all..." Sejuani clapped her hands, and the dozens of Winter's Claw warriors behind her immediately controlled the Ice Giant to take half a step forward. Their synchronized steps and powerful aura instilled fear in everyone.

Fortunately, Ashe stopped the farce in time with a shout, "Stop! Sejuani is not the enemy!"

Actually, she had been explaining all along, but her voice was too soft for anyone to hear.

Only Sejuani heard it. "Look at you, Ashe... Nobody listens to you anymore, you have to yell at them. Is this your authority as the Warmother? How laughable... Heh."

Her shaking her head and sighing were full of irony.

Ashe was displeased, but she didn't argue anymore and led her guilty tribesmen away.

Chen Ce quickly followed – he had to help everyone with the work.

We're almost at our destination; time to set up camp.

Sejuani watched the departing figures silently, then let out another mocking laugh—as expected, Ashe was utterly unworthy of being the Warmother; she had only gotten to where she was today thanks to the legacy of Avarosa and the help of others.

"Set up camp right here and show the people of Avarosa how efficient we are!"

For the next few days, Ashe and Chen Ce were busy "rebuilding their home".

After what happened last time, the Frostguard probably won't bother them again anytime soon, so there are no more pursuers forcing the Avarosan Tribe to flee.

This place is great now, perfect for settling down.

The southwestern part of Freljord wasn't as warm and dry as Ashe had heard, nor did it have the so-called lush green mountains and clear waters, but... at least she couldn't say she'd been deceived.

The climate here is much better than in the northern Freljord.

The snow on the permafrost isn't too thick, and it should melt completely in a while, at which point both farming and animal husbandry will be possible.

In addition, there aren't as many tribes here as in the north, so there are far fewer bad things like resource disputes and tribal conflicts.

The only downside is that it's too close to the Noxus shipping lanes, posing a risk of attack—which is why, despite the better environment, not many tribes are willing to settle here.

Ashe was also somewhat worried, but for the Avarosan Tribe at this stage, it was the best option.

Furthermore, she was confident that she could grow the Avarosan Tribe to a size where they wouldn't be afraid of Noxus raids—as long as everyone was united!

Freljord has been bullied by outsiders all these years because it has been too fragmented, so she is determined to unite the entire Freljord.

A single tribe may only number a few hundred, which is certainly weak compared to the Noxus army of tens of thousands. But what if there were ten or a hundred tribes together?

United, Freljord fears no nation!

Ashe has this belief and will always hold onto it—she inherited not only the Frost Crystal Longbow from Avarosa, but also this belief in unity.

This is the true legacy that Avarosa left to future generations.

To put this belief into practice, we must begin by rebuilding our homeland together with our people.

Sejuani watched all of this silently.

During these past few days, Ashe and Chen Ce have been busy working, while she has been comfortably lying on the side watching them work.

Unlike the people of Avarosa who intend to settle here, she doesn't need to build houses or anything; she can simply pitch a tent and lie down to watch the show.

Overall it was a bit boring, but she also discovered some things that puzzled her...

That is, those Hearthblood seem to be completely unafraid of Ashe.

They chatted and laughed with Ashe every day, and even ate together—they ate the same food. Ashe had absolutely no privileges as a Warmother.

On the contrary, because of his better physical condition, he did more work than others.

This kind of relationship is simply unthinkable in Freljord... As the leader who protects the entire race, the Warmother's strength, responsibilities, and sacrifices far exceed those of ordinary people. How could she possibly eat and do the same things as ordinary people?

I simply can't understand it...

Sejuani was confused, but she also saw something else in Ashe's interactions with the others that she had almost never seen in her own tribe—family.

The Hearthblood's feelings towards Ashe seemed to go beyond respect and fear; there was also... a deep-seated adoration and affection?