Chapter 52: Ch 52: A War Maiden’s Resolve

Bella’s POV:

​”Are you confident you can do it, Your Grace?”

“Yes. If I must survive the upcoming invasions, I must receive all the power of the Sea God. I know you don’t want to say it, but there’s a greater obstacle waiting for me somewhere unknown. The previous Sea God died mysteriously, and maybe I will face the same fate. For this, I would like to prepare myself, because I don’t wish to die. Not when this life has shown me a different path of living.”

“My beloved King of the Sea, you may not know, but in this moment you resemble the man who visited my dreams night after night. I am certain that what others could only yearn for, you will be able to make it real. But alas, I might not be so fortunate to witness it.”

My eyes snapped open early in the morning.

I touched my head, feeling extremely dizzy.

Once again, I had dreamed of that bastard. I didn’t know why.

Who is this Naida, and why are her memories running through me?

Not just memories. As I recalled that hooligan’s face, my heart fluttered uncontrollably.

I hated it.

These aren’t my emotions.

This love, this infatuation belongs to Naida, not me.

I love someone else. And I would never forgive myself if I ever thought of another man in place of Arlan.

As I recalled, he was very cute and adorable, and sometimes overly protective.

I wondered… would I ever find him again?

“Bella, are you awake?”

Just then, my friend Carla called out to me from outside my room in my Frozen Castle.

I stood up and went to open the door without caring too much about my appearance.

Because I knew Carla always came alone, and only for important matters.

Outside, I saw Carla’s usual cynical expression. Her eyes roamed over my body before she barged inside without waiting.

She sat down on the bed and crossed her legs.

“You’re the Queen of this castle, Bella. I wish you’d try to be a little more reserved in front of me,” she said lazily, eyes still scanning me.

“Look at you… your boobs are practically spilling out of that gown. I wonder who you were thinking about so intensely in your dreams that they ended up like this.”

She was clearly being mischievous.

It’s not like this was the first time we’d seen each other like this. Back in middle school and later in college, we were practically bosom buddies.

“So any news on him?”

She already knew about whom I was talking about.

But to my disappointment, she shook her head again.

My eyes unknowingly turned blurry with tears.

“It’s been weeks already, Carla. And we still have no news about his whereabouts. I’m afraid, very afraid.”

Carla placed her hand on my bare shoulder, and hugged me in a comforting embrace.

“Everything will be fine, Bella. I’m sure your love will win.”

After a while, I calmed down and regained my composure.

“What’s the news on the Warfront? Were the 1st platoon successful in their raid?” I asked.

As I slowly dressed up, she replied in a serious tone, “They should be done by now. After this, you should be able to upgrade Iceland to Stage 6.”

I nodded, satisfied with the result. “That’s good. If we want to increase our manpower and surpass others, we need a large territory. Both for greater defense and mobilizing power.”

“Especially if we want to take over Holy_Emperor and Aegis,” I added.

Carla smiled faintly. “They might be monsters, but you’re not so bad yourself, my bestie.”

She usually doesn’t call me that in public, which showed how thoughtful she was being.

Just after that, I received a notification on my System panel.

[ Congratulations! You have conquered an Island.

Received: 3 Sky Crystals + Skill Book: Sniper Soldier (D) ]

Carla noticed the flash in my eyes.

“Is it done?”

I nodded. “Yes. Our island is ready to rank up to the next stage… and I received a sniper skill that definitely complements your fighting style.”

“Oh, really?” she said with interest. “Tell me about it later. First, let’s upgrade the island. I want to see you crushing those arrogant men at the top.”

I laughed a little, then pressed the upgrade option.

As soon as I did, the whole island began to tremble violently. Iceland expanded once again. I could feel it through my connection with the island.

I checked the leaderboard, anticipating seeing myself at the peak.

But the updated leaderboard completely shocked me.

[ Island Leaderboard ]

1. Ann (Stage 7)

2. Gaia (Stage 7)

3. Ignisius (Stage 7)

4. Skadi_Supremacy (Stage 6)

5. Aegis (Stage 6)

6. Holy Emperor (Stage 5)

“What’s this?” I muttered in shock.

Curious about my reaction, Carla leaned closer and looked as well. She was just as surprised.

“How is this possible?” she exclaimed.

“Who are these top three? How did they rise so fast? And wasn’t Aegis at the top with Stage 4 just hours ago?”

I gazed at the leaderboard for a long time. My fingers unknowingly clenched into fists.

Ann. Gaia. Ignisius.

They are names I had never heard before, yet they were already standing above me.

Moreover, they overtook Aegis and Holy Emperor.

For a while, I couldn’t understand what was going on. Then I recalled something. About Goddess Skadi, about other Gods.

“So that’s how it is,” I murmured.

Carla watched me closely. She knew that look. It was the same look I had when I decided to challenge the Tree of Life, when I chose to defy fate itself.

“You’re not backing down, are you?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Back down?” I repeated softly.”No, Carla. I’m done chasing from behind.”

I stepped toward the balcony of the Frozen Castle. Below, the vast icy plains stretched endlessly, marked with fortifications, watchtowers, and marching units.

“I don’t care who Ann is. I don’t care what kind of monsters Gaia or Ignisius are,” I said calmly.

“If they climbed faster, then I will crush them faster.”

Carla exhaled slowly, then smiled.

“That’s the Bella I know.”

—

Not long after, I stood before my assembled forces.

Over 500 soldiers.

Elite warriors wearing frost-forged armor and magic users with Ice Goddess’s stigma glowing on their chests mounted frost wolves and winged beasts.

Their discipline was absolute. Their loyalty unquestionable.

They kneeled as one.

“Rise,” I commanded.

Instantly the sound of armor clanking echoed like a distant war Symphony.

I looked at them, one by one, imprinting their resolve into my mind.

“Listen carefully,” I said calmly that reverberated across the frozen field.

“The world has changed faster than we anticipated. New powers are rising, and they will not wait for us to catch up.”

“But I refuse to be left behind.”

Hearing me, their eyes burned brighter.

“From this moment onward, we go on the offensive. No more slow expansions. No more cautious probing.”

I raised my hand and pointed toward the horizon, where multiple floating islands drifted within visible range.

“I want every neighboring island in our region to be conquered. There will no negotiations unless they kneel first. No mercy for resistance.”

The soldiers looked at me with faith and belief that I planted in their mind

“Secure their resources. Absorb their territories. Break their morale,” I said coldly.

“By nightfall, I want this entire region under my banner.”

The soldiers roared in unison:

“For Lady Skadi!”

“For the Ice Domain!”

“For Victory!”

Carla stepped forward, looking fierce.

“My Lady, I’ll lead the first and third platoons. We’ll take the eastern cluster.”

I nodded. “Good. I’ll personally lead the northern advance.”

I paused, then added quietly, “If you encounter resistance stronger than expected, do not retreat. Just send a word to me and I’ll be there ”

Carla met my gaze and smirked. “I pity whoever stands in your way my lady.”

As the army began to mobilize within Ice and snow, I clenched my fists at my sides.

Aegis.

Ann.

Gaia.

Ignisius.

Holy_Emperor.

Watch closely.

I won’t just catch up.

I will stand above all of you.

And it’s not for the thrill of conquest, but for the one I love.

I will find my Arlan no matter what. And that day will be the happiest moment of my life.

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