Dungeon of Niflheim

The three men discussed their plans in depth for the next two hours before breaking off to take care of their assigned tasks.

"Quicky calculate your initial costs and send me your reports so I can start bulk purchasing what we need." With the initial plans set each of then needed to figure out how much they needed to buy, whether that be in monsters or extra materials to be bought directly. What they managed to mine from their many quarries and mines was far from enough to support such a large construction job.

"I'll have someone talk to the local merchant caravans, perhaps we can purchase their materials with all the gold coins we have lying about….Alright that's enough planning time to start working."

"As you wish master."

Findley and Khuno both teleported out of the training room with determined looks leaving Frost with an evident frown even he was unsure of their chances.

"Yuki-onnas and ronsos perhaps even ice trolls can be assigned to the walls construction but it's not enough. The Ice dwarves are a little lacking still and would likely cause a scene appearing in mass even with my blessing. Guess I'll have to finish up that previous project." Ideally he wanted to take his time with this but unfortunately he needed them sooner than later.

However just when he was going to start his pet project he received another call this time from Yuna who was left in charge of the Camp.

'Please be good news I don't have time to deal with anything else right now.'

"Yuna what's up?" He asked rather sternly, conveying how busy he was.

"Sorry to disturb you master but Sir Borris wishes to urgently speak with." Though reluctant to disturb her master there was nothing she could do. The situation with Borris was beyond what she was allowed to handle.

"Borris….Dammit has he decided to leave?"

"I'm not sure but it's likely."

"Haaaaaa very well I'll meet with him right now, perhaps I can convince him to stay…by the way did you manage to arrange a meeting with Ringwald later?"

"Yes he'll be free after 7pm tonight."

"Good, try and see if you can have all the influential representatives of the camp there as well, it'll save us some time."

"Understood I'll try and arrange for a meeting at 7.30pm with as many people as possible."

"Perfect, carry on Yuna."

"Yes master."

Frost couldn't help but frown even deeper as he thought about Borris. The old dwarf already made it abundantly clear that he would only being stay here in the Niflheim base camp temporarily and from his recent interactions with him and what Daki had been telling him he was starting to grow restless.

Though his chances at keeping him here were slim he needed to try at least, that a was a 4 star smith after all.

After quickly cleaning up his robes and straightening out his hair Frost teleported into his office before heading towards the reception room where Borris was waiting patiently with a glass of whiskey in his hand.

"Ah Frost lad I'm not interrupting anything am I?"

"A little but your issue is more important." Frost waved his hand before sitting across from Borris who somehow seemed to appear younger than he did back in Furano. Getting his passion back did wonders for his physical health.

Borris took another sip of his whiskey before showing a serious expression, seemed Frost guess correctly this was him giving his notice.

"Haaaaaa I've been staying here within your developing camp for quite some time now." A forlorn look appeared in Borris' eyes as he summoned up his courage.

"Before, back in Furano I already mentioned my desire to travel, to rekindle my passion for smithing by engaging with other smiths deep within the glacial mountains. Though I've enjoyed my time here and have found that lass Daki of yours to be even more talented than my sons. Engaging with her has been a great start on my path however…."

"It is only the beginning; your stay here was but a temporary resting spot for your to prepare. Your true destination lies within the mountains." Frost finished his speech with a clear sense of defeat in his voice. Seeing Borris as he was Frost knew there was nothing he could do to convince him to stay. Borris was never destined to remain within his territory.

"Haaaaa." Borris let out a long sigh as he cemented his decision to leave. The camp here was wonderful, the people here respected him and treated him fondly without expecting much in return.

A young orc lass with a devasting appearance and a passion even greater than his own would frequently work alongside him, testing his knowledge, pushing his own limits as she herself absorbed his experience like a sponge. In his eyes Daki was not far from reaching his current level.

Here he could play around with as much 3 star and 2 star material as he wanted and could even request a certain quota of 4 star material to do with as he wished. Rarely did Frost request for him to perform actual work, simply allowing him the freedom to focus on his craft, something he was immensely grateful for and a key aspect of what made his current decision so difficult.

Alas while unlimited experimentation would help expand one's limits and create a solid foundation it was not that conducive to his current level. Unlike Daki who really benefited from such a system he already had a vast and solid foundation based on his decades of working experience, what he needed now was inspiration. Something that couldn't be found while sheltered here.

He'd have to give up his access to unlimited materials, his access to high quality food, bath houses and the joy of interacting with Daki on a daily basis but for his passion, his destiny it was a worthy sacrifice, even if it hurt to do so.

"Your heart is truly set on leaving?"

"Un"

"…..When?"
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"In 3 days, there's a trading caravan that's heading to the Junok enclave, which is near the Three Flower Kingdom, from there I should be able to find passage to the empire's northern most bastion." Borris had already thought long and hard about his intended destination and how best to improve his craft.

His skill had dwindled over the past decade or so, quickly accumulating a thick layer of rust. Only when he met Frost and handed over the glaive he forged for another did his heart start to thump again. But it was the thrill and pressure of war that finally and truly reignited the old man's fire once again.

Seeing weapons, armour and other pieces of equipment that he handled put through the ringer everyday allowed him to clearly see the inadequacies in his craft and charge ahead against the bottleneck. The cumulation of this knowledge and putting it into practise to reforge the [wolf howling at the moon] allowed him to ascend to the rank of 4 star blacksmith.

He thus felt strongly that war was the key and where best to offer his services than the Northrend empire's northern most bastion, the grand fortress of the War Ursa Battalion, the great city of Icethorne.

At Icethorne war was ever abound, the great kingdoms and powerful tribes of the inner regions constantly throwing their warriors head long against their mighty walls, desperate to unearth the stele established by the Northrend empire that barred their way south. Here mass death was a weekly occurrence far removed from the Viscounty of Furano that only saw a monster stampede once every few years.

"…." Frost was silent for a moment as his mind turned.

'Perhaps it's fate.'

"If you're not in an absolute rush perhaps you could hold off for a few days and at most a couple weeks."

"Huh why?" Though a week or two wouldn't make much difference he'd rather leave now before Frost and his ilk had more chances to dissuade him from leaving. His trepidation was clearly shown on his face causing Frost's lips to twitch, feeling slightly wronged.

"It just so happens that I'll be heading into the Glacial mountains soon and that my final destination will see me pass through Icethorne. I'd be more than happy to take you along with me when I leave then." Frost didn't plan on bringing anyone else bar Kiba with him into the inner regions.

Far too dangerous for the kids and given the danger present with Northrend he preferred having both Daki and Maya at home to handle any disturbances. Borris would therefore make a pleasant partner to interact with on his long journey.

"Really?" For a moment Borris felt that Frost had no reason to enter the mountains that this was some sort of ploy or an act of pity but eventually after gazing into Frost's eyes he realised that the young man truly did have to visit the inner regions.

"Well if that's the case I'd be a fool to reject your escort Lord Frost. The strength of a B-rank fighter far surpasses that contingent of guards the trade caravan hired. With your protection I'm guaranteed to reach Icethorne hahahaha." Plus with the difference in travel speed between Frost and a large trading caravan his arrival time wouldn't differ that much, win-win.

Though Borris entered Frost's office with a heavy heart and an aura torn between stubbornness and reluctance he left with a smile plastered across his lips.

Being able to enjoy the bounty of the Niflheim base camp for an extra week was uplifting enough but getting the opportunity to travel with Frost the bearer of his greatest weapon he'd get to see its performance up close and say a more in depth farewell to the young man who helped him rise from the ashes.