(Bonus chapter 3/5, with thanks to .∞Shinji Ikari. for the tip.)
The Silver Shield Grand Noble led three Knights away from the main force, circling around to look for the trail into the mountains.
While commanding the frontal battle and directing the others to hold back the tide of monsters pouring through the gap, the Flower Shield Grand Noble contacted the Silver Shield Grand Noble over comms to confirm his position.
"How's it going? Have you found the entrance?"
"Not yet. It's been over fifty years. I can't quite remember the way."
"I remember a patch of loose rocks nearby. Take a good look around.
"I remember it perfectly. You wanted to test whether pissing in the Arctic would freeze your piss into a stick, so you found a rock to piss against. The moment your little silver shield touched the air, it nearly froze off!"
"All right, stop talking. Dead memories are coming back to attack me. I found it! I found the entrance into the mountains!"
After that reminder, the Silver Shield Grand Noble actually managed to find the mountain entrance through the thick white fog.
He immediately led thirty Knights up the mountain, reporting his progress to the Flower Shield Noble fighting on the front line as he climbed.
"It's steeper here than it was fifty years ago. I remember hiking here back then, and it wasn't this steep."
"Of course it is. Everfrost Island sits on a highly active seismic belt. Fifty years of geological changes are enough to transform the terrain.
"So? Can the Knight Mechs make it up?"
"They can. I've already led the team halfway up. We'll reach the summit soon."
Hearing that, the Flower Shield Grand Noble relaxed considerably and began to tease him.
"I'm telling you, the enemy commander is an