It is said that the trials in the Frost Tower are so complex that many people have failed constantly, even after many tries. Because of this, and the dangerousness of the sea, many of those that tried it and failed decided to go back to the mainland and gave the trial and the island a bad reputation. Over time, the adventurers that came to explore this place became lesser and lesser. However, there was a group of people that decided to stay in here instead of going back to the mainland, a brave group of people that slowly built their own town around here, fought these enormously strong beasts, consumed the plants and fruits growing here alongside the meat of these monsters, and cultivated the rich surrounding energies. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that these people… might be extremely strong.
"This is the town. I've visited it only twice before, but the people inside are surprisingly nice! Please don't let appearances betray you though… Some of them look really scary, but are good people deep down." Charlotte said. Showing us the closed gates of the town.
The large town was surrounded by gigantic walls made of ice and what seemed to be a permanent magical barrier on top of the walls, probably shielding it from flying monsters. The invisible barrier was fueled by the island's energy itself through cores that absorbed this energy. It was simple yet archaic magic technology, with a hint of divine power… Wait, could this town be related to the Frost Queen as well? Maybe she actually built it?
"Charlotte, do you know anything about this town's history?" I wondered.
"Ah, yeah! The Frost Queen was said to have built a large temple in here, surrounded by these walls and the barrier. It allowed travelers to come rest from he trials of the tower. It had potable water and even a large field where plants could grow. People that stayed in here slowly built this entire thing into a large town surrounding such resources left by the Venerable. She really thought about everything when you think about it!" Charlotte seemed specially fascinated with the Frost Queen. I can't blame her, the Venerable was quite amazing and made a whole island and even this gigantic divine tower.
"Oooh… I thought she had left descendants or something… Haha, but that's a bit too crazy, right? There's no way that would actually be a thing." I sighed.
"Huh? How did you guess?!" Charlotte asked.
"Wait, what?!"
Everyone in our party asked in shock.
"But why would I tell you more? It's better if you met that person yourself, come!"
Charlotte ran into the closed frost doors. There were no guards or anything of the sort, so I felt slightly worried that it might be abandoned or we might never get a response…
"Hello? It is me, Charlotte! Do you remember me?"
For a moment, just silence.
Did they even heard her?
However, a few seconds after, a sudden voice resonated from within the door itself.
"I can see you and hear you, dear former visitor." Said the door itself. The entire door- no, he entire walls were all… alive? It was similar to Fuyu, but more automated and robot-like.
"How are you doing, Miss Ice?" Wondered Charlotte.
"I am glad you treat me like a person, but I am merely an automated golem made in ancient times. I have lost most of my database so I lack memories of how I was conceived, or about my creator… But I would prefer if you could simply treat me as the object I am supposed to be." Sighed the door.
"What? But why would I do that…!" Said Charlotte. "Everyone inside treats you kindly, Miss Ice. Can we come in? I came with various friends this time! Sir Drake, come here!"
I ended walking to the side of Charlotte.
"Huh? You're not surprised about Miss Ice?" Wondered Charlotte.
"I have created a similar Golem as well, so I am quite used to them." I laughed.
"A new visitor- Hm?! What is this..! A… Aaahh! S-Such power… And this Bloodline! By the Gods! You're a God!" Miss Ice began to freak out.
"God?" Wondered Charlotte.
"Please, if possible, just don't mention that…" I sighed.
"Fine, I apologize." Miss Ice said. However, the golem quickly spoke to me through telepathy. "(It is an honor to meet a descendant of Nifl herself. Sir Drake, I greet you, an original god's descendant of the honorable dragon race, the guardians of the world.)"
"(Oh? So you know as much, I thought your memories were lost?)" I wondered.
"(They are. To avoid pursuit from greedy people, my memories were deleted by my own creator, I believe. However, memories such as basic knowledge remained. Dragons such as you, Sir Drake, are incredibly rare. A miracle, in fact. I am very happy to see one in here. It appears the prophecy of my lady has become true.)" She said.
"(Prophecy?!)" I asked in disbelief.
"(Indeed. Amongst the little data I have, it said that a divine dragon, with half the power of ice and half the power of darkness would one day come to the Frost Tower, and that we had to greet him kindly, with great hospitality… You were something of a chosen one.)" She said.
"(Say what? The Venerable can see the future or something?!)" I wondered.
"(I don't know about that, but I shall welcome you and your people kindly. There might be someone else that could help you learn more, and also that could bring some insights about the journey you are going to take in the Frost Tower.) You're welcome, all of you are allowed to enter my domain…" Miss Ice said, as her gates opened.
"Uwah, thanks for being so nice!" Charlotte said happily, running inside.
"Huh, that was very easy. I guess I was slightly worried for nothing." Benladann said.
"Hm, this place seems quite comfy." Miranda added.
"Oooh, an ancient town in the Frost Island! Visiting this place is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by far!" Rakasha said.
"This looks interesting indeed…" Tisha smiled while glancing around.
"Let's go, Yuki, stop gasping for air. You shouldn't had ran so much if you're going to get tired now." Sighed Pekora.
"Ugh, don't you feel the air a bit heavy?" Sighed Yuki.
Seeing everyone enter the town inside the walls, I walked behind them as I saw the gates close slowly.
And in front of us, an enormous and beautiful town emerged, filled with more people than we have originally imagined.
