The Freed Slaves Are Obsessed

Between the heavy clouds blanketing the dark sky, streaks of green and blue auroras stretched out, painting the world in a dreamlike glow.

Jagged gray cliffs pierced the heavens, serving as both a natural shield against the winds and beasts, and as a fortress gifted by nature itself.

The only path into the gorge was a solitary cloud bridge. Perfectly designed to fend off invaders, this was Lake Fortress, the home of the Northguards.

"Just looking at it makes me freeze up," I muttered.

At the narrow entrance of the gorge stood a checkpoint manned by burly sentinels. Their imposing presence was enough to make anyone hesitate to approach. Even from this distance, their vigilance was palpable.

To make matters worse, the bridge itself looked precarious—just a wooden structure that seemed ready to collapse at any moment.

Apparently, Hargran shared my concern. He glanced nervously at the abyss below the bridge and began inching backward.

"Hmm~"

Seeing this, I narrowed my eyes.

"Don’t get the wrong idea, you twig! I’m not scared. It’s just that dwarves don’t mix well with heights. We live close to the earth, so places like this don’t suit us!"

"Nobody said anything, so why are you so defensive? You’re acting as if you’ve been caught red-handed."

"Look at your own face in the mirror before saying that!"

In response, Ashies conjured a flat sheet of ice and held it up in front of me.

"Looking good," I said, admiring my reflection.

"What nonsense are you spouting? With a face like yours, not even a legendary blacksmith could fix you. Look at me: short and sturdy build, thick beard—that’s what a real man looks like!"

"Hm, is that so? The first time I saw a dwarf, I honestly thought it was dragon droppings."

"You rotten twig of a man!"

As Hargran flared up, I clapped my hands in mock realization. "Ah, that reminds me! An elf said something similar once."

"Damn it, it’s those pointy-eared bastards again! They act all high and mighty to your face, then talk trash behind your back. Typical!"

"Exactly. Unlike dwarves, who are refreshingly blunt."

"You do know something, twig!"

While I kept him occupied with agreeable banter, the sled moved onto the bridge. The Frostwolves stepped cautiously onto the wooden structure, which swayed ominously with each step.

This thing looks like it might collapse.

Despite the precarious situation, my synchronized soul kept me calm. Still, the thought of plunging into the abyss wasn’t exactly comforting.

Hargran, who had been basking in my flattery, suddenly realized the gravity of the situation. He gripped the sled’s handle with trembling hands.

"D-Do we really have to cross like this? This is insane! We should just walk instead...."

"I wouldn’t mind, but I can’t promise you won’t slip and fall between the planks."

"Ugh... Then you lot go ahead without me! I’ll wait here. If anything happens, come back and let me know."

"Is that what they call a dark coward in your homeland? You were boasting earlier about handling the Northguards, and now you’re not coming?"

"Well, I...."

"Enough talk! Let’s go! The bridge will hold just fine!"

I grabbed a hard lump of snow from the ground and hurled it at the Frostwolf’s head.

"Uwooooo!"

The wolf-like beast let out a strange howl and began charging across the bridge with powerful leaps.

Clunk! Clunk!

"Aaaahhh!"

"Great Vargan, save us—!"

As expected, the cloud bridge swayed violently under the pressure. Hargran and the other dwarves clung to one another, screaming like frightened children.

"Wow, this is quite the thrill," I said, feeling a faint tinge of excitement in the pit of my stomach. Even with my muted emotions, the adrenaline made this fun. Ashies, as usual, remained expressionless as she watched the panicked dwarves.

Thunk!

Suddenly, a dreadful crashing sound echoed.

It came right after the Frostwolf’s powerful stomp. The fragile wooden bridge wasn’t built to withstand the beast’s strength.

With a creak and a groan, the bridge sagged dramatically.

Then came the snapping.

Crack. Crackle.

The frozen ropes, brittle from the cold, gave way.

The bridge collapsed.

Like a ship struck by a torpedo, the sled tilted sharply backward and plummeted.

"Kyaaaaahhh!"

"You damned slave-driving bastard! I’ll never forgive you for this! Even as a vengeful spirit, I’ll drag you down to the depths of hell!"

"Haha! Even if you became a ghost, your short arms wouldn’t reach me. Besides, I have no intention of dying here. Right, Ashies?"

Ashies extended her hand forward.

Crack!

Ice surged from the walls of the gorge, reaching out toward us.

An icy bridge arched into existence, curving gracefully through the air.

Clunk!

The sled landed on the ice bridge, which absorbed the impact by sloping sharply downward, creating a steep descent.

Crack! Crackle!

The ice bridge continued to shift and grow, forming new paths. What started as a steep incline morphed into a twisting, winding road.

It felt like riding a roller coaster.

The Frostwolf ran at full speed, climbing the spiraling ice path. As the sled reached the top of the cliff, the wolf leaped with all its might.

Thud!

For a brief moment, we were airborne, weightless. Then the sled hit the ground with a jarring thud.

Looking back, I saw the chaotic ice course and the opposite side of the gorge where we had started. Somehow, we’d made it across.

"Well done, Ashies. Thanks to you, we crossed safely."

I pushed my wind-tousled hair back, glancing at Ashies. Her hair also bore signs of the wind, disheveled and wild. Gently, I began combing her hair back into place.

Meanwhile, the dwarves clung desperately to the sled’s railing, panting as if their lives depended on it.

"I told you, didn’t I? The bridge would hold." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Y-You, you...!"

I wasn’t wrong. We crossed the bridge, after all.

Granted, with a few improvisations.

"If this was the plan, you should’ve just made an ice bridge from the start!"

"Exactly right," I said, flashing Hargran a bright smile.

"Then why didn’t you say so earlier? Timing is everything, you know. The ability to act at just the right moment is a skill in itself."

“What kind of scoundrel are you...?”

“On the contrary, this might not be such a bad thing. You could even argue that I’ve done something good for the dwarves.”

Was his mother absent during his upbringing? Ah, right, he’s practically an orphan. Hargran’s expression mirrored that sentiment.

I spread my arms dramatically toward the collapsed bridge.

“Look at this. The bridge has collapsed. Now, a new bridge must be built. And who in this world is the best at building things?”

“Of course, it’s the dwarves.”

“Exactly. Instead of that pathetic wooden bridge, we can build something much sturdier. The Northerners will surely sing your praises, Hargran. They’ve had to cross that rickety bridge every day in fear, but not anymore.”

“Is that so?”

“Absolutely. This new bridge will symbolize the bond between dwarves and the Northerners. And we could even install a statue of you, making you the pioneer of friendship!”

“Ooh!”

Hargran let out a sound of admiration.

“So, when you explain this to the Northerners, just say it was all for this reason. That the old bridge was destroyed to make way for something better. Assure them there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Such a thought... Hah? Don’t get cocky, twig! I was already thinking of this!”

“Of course you were. Now, let’s go share the good news.”

“Yes! It’s time to showcase the greatness of Meister Hargran!”

“Perfect timing. It looks like they’re already coming to greet you.”

The previously shut checkpoint gates opened, and armed Northguards came running toward us. Hargran straightened his beard and confidently stepped forward.

The Northguards surrounded us.

“Who are you? How dare you destroy the bridge!”

Hargran casually slung his hammer over his shoulder.

“Hey! You frostbitten brutes! I am Hargran, Meister of Doomheim and bearer of the Berserker’s Hammer! Don’t bother me with grunts—bring me your leader!”

The Northguards exchanged uncertain glances before one of them nodded and went to fetch their commander from the gorge.

A towering figure, easily over two meters tall, emerged.

He had brown skin, a shadowed, stern face framed by a fur hood, and armor strapped across his back, waist, and thighs.

“I am Jorne, Elder Guard and chieftain of Lake Fortress. You claim to be a Meister of Doomheim?”

“That’s right!”

“What brings you rock-digging moles here? And why did you destroy our bridge?”

“I ordered it! That flimsy excuse of a bridge... no self-respecting dwarf could tolerate it. But don’t worry. With dwarven craftsmanship, we’ll build something far superior to—”

Sching!

Jorne swiftly drew a pair of tomahawks from his belt.

“Intruders! Arrest them!”

“Aye!”

“What?! Intruders?! How dare you! I am a prophet of civilization’s progress! Do you really think you can take on Hargran, the Berserker’s Hammer?!”

Hargran raised his hammer in defiance.

Crack!

Ice surged from the ground, instantly encasing Hargran in a frozen statue. The Northguards, who had been ready to charge, faltered at the sight.

Jorne, momentarily startled, quickly composed himself and glared at us.

“Are you accomplices?”

“We’re victims,” I replied calmly. “This was all the dwarf’s doing. I suggested alternative methods, but he acted on his own.”

“How can we trust you?”

“If we intended to harm you, wouldn’t that magic have frozen your men instead of the dwarf?”

“...”

Jorne’s eyes darted between me and Ashies. His pupils dilated slightly when they landed on her.

“If you continue pointing weapons at us, we’ll have no choice but to unfreeze this dwarf and fight back alongside him.”

“...Fine. But I cannot lower my guard. You will move under escort.”

“That’s acceptable.”

“Hmph.”

Jorne signaled to his men. They loaded Hargran’s frozen body onto the sled and led the Frostwolves forward, surrounding us as we moved.

Ah, a bloodless entry into Lake Fortress.

What can I say? My mind truly works wonders under pressure.

Sorry, Hargran, but this was a necessary sacrifice for the greater good.

“Ashies, that was an excellent combo. But... why are you looking at me like that?”

Ashies’ gaze narrowed ever so slightly—a look I’d seen many times before when slaves viewed me with exasperation.

That same flicker of disdain appeared in her expression.

“What? This is how slave traders make a living.”

“...”

“You ungrateful slaves. No matter how much I do for you, you never appreciate your master’s efforts. You live comfortably because you were lucky enough to meet me.”

One day, when I’m gone, they’ll realize.

Oh, Master, how selflessly you lived!

Mark my words. I’ll make sure they can’t live without me.