256

[Byrest]

"You dare to betray Jotunheim!" Byrest exclaimed, his gaze coldly sweeping over the surrounding snow demons. "Betrayal has only one end."

With that, he released Sommer, who collapsed to the ground.

The snow demons remained silent as Byrest approached an elder snow demon. "Tell me, what happened? What did you discuss with the Asgardians?"

"Yes..." The elder Snow Demon responded fearfully, recounting the plans of forming an alliance with Asgard.

Listening intently, Byrest frowned slightly, contemplating silently. Beside him, a frost giant suggested, "Your Highness, Forseti couldn't have gone far. Should we pursue?"

"No," Byrest raised his hand dismissively. "He's merely a low-level deity, posing no threat to me nor the course of this battle."

"Let the snow demons proceed with negotiations as scheduled. We'll lay traps, with the aim to capture Hela—that's the key to Jotunheim's invincibility."

...

Forseti returned to camp and briefed Hela on his discussions with the snow demons.

Hela inquired, "From your interactions, do you find them trustworthy?"

"Their intentions seem genuine. After enduring Frost Giant enslavement for so long, they harbor a strong desire to rise and take control," Forseti explained thoughtfully. "But their loyalty remains uncertain. The Frost Giants maintain a firm grip, and errors are likely. We must prepare for any eventuality."

Several days later...

Hela departed camp with over a hundred soldiers, heading towards the designated negotiation site.

The site lay between the Asgardian camp and the Snow Demon Tribe, closer to the former—a valley of ice.

Approaching their destination, Hoddle suddenly halted. "Your Highness."

"What is it?"

"I believe we should relocate the negotiations," Hoddle suggested.

"Why, Hoddle? What have you observed?" Forseti inquired.

"Just a precaution," Hoddle shook his head. "Moving the negotiations here, not far from the original site, would disrupt any ambush plans the Frost Giants might have made."

"I agree," another voice chimed in.

Forseti nodded. "Then I'll go and inform them of the change."

As he prepared to leave, Hela halted him. "Wait."

Forseti turned. Hela continued, "We should go in force."

Forseti nodded, extending his hand. "Brunok, bring your team with me."

With a group of soldiers in tow, totaling more than ten, Forseti proceeded towards the agreed negotiation spot.

Half an hour later, they arrived to find slender figures waiting in the distance—the Snow Demon Clan.

"These are the Snow Demons—the legendary beings renowned for their beauty," one soldier remarked upon seeing them for the first time.

"It's hard to discern their gender," another observed.

Snow demons, regardless of age or gender, possessed graceful features and slender frames that defied easy categorization.

As the two groups approached, Forseti queried, "Why isn't Patriarch Sommer present?"

The approaching party comprised dozens, their grandeur undeniable, yet Patriarch Sommer was conspicuously absent. Instead, an unfamiliar elder snow demon led them.

"I'm Sommer's younger brother. He injured his wing while flying two days ago and is recuperating," the elder explained. "I'm authorized to act in his stead."

Forseti frowned briefly, then nodded. "Very well."

The elder snow demon inquired, "Where is Princess Hela?"

"We've relocated the negotiations nearby. Follow me. Princess Hela awaits there," Forseti responded.

The elder Snow Demon appeared alarmed. "Relocated? Why?"

"It's a matter of preference. I find this setting more suitable," Forseti answered, noting the elder's reaction with vigilance.

"If you're reluctant to come, then perhaps an alliance isn't in your best interests. While you possess valuable information about the Frost Giants, Asgard needs assurances that are more than just nominal," Forseti added pointedly.

The elder Snow Demon hastened to reassure, "Of course, we will follow."

Turning, he signaled to his kin. "Let's proceed."

The slight hesitation among the snow demons heightened Forseti's wariness.

A few steps later, Forseti discreetly touched his waist, opening a silver box.

Venom slithered out, curling around Forseti's hand. "Are we expecting a fight?"

"It appears so. Prepare yourself," Forseti replied.

With a contingent of Asgardians and the snow demons, they exited the ice valley, arriving at its edge shortly thereafter.

"Where does Princess Hela await us?" the elder Snow Demon inquired once more.

"We'll reach her shortly," Forseti replied curtly, his alertness increasing.

With one hand on the hilt of Rivendell's Sword and the other faintly glowing with golden light—the Lightforged Symbiote Venom, poised to transform him at a moment's notice—Forseti maintained a heightened state of readiness.

"Be cautious," Venom's voice echoed suddenly.

Forseti needed no reminder.

Moments before Venom spoke, the Holy Deed erupted in radiance, projecting a pointer of holy light toward a diagonal point ahead.

In that direction lay an expanse of ice and snow, seemingly benign save for a few ice worms—hardly enough to trigger the Holy Light Pointer's response.

Behind his back, Forseti subtly signaled readiness for combat, sending a shiver through the soldiers behind him.

"Clang!"

One warrior reacted hastily, drawing his weapon and startling the snow demon beside him, as well as many others.

Observing this, Forseti acted swiftly, unsheathing Rivendell's Sword and thrusting forward.

Judgment Sword!

Holy light and flame intertwined along the blade as Judgment Sword surged forth, aimed precisely at the Holy Light Pointer's designated spot.

"Boom!"

Judgment Sword pierced the ice, triggering a violent explosion. A golden-red aura blossomed, melting ice and snow over a wide area.

Amidst the blast, a faint grunt reverberated.

Then, the ice shattered ahead, and several Frost Giants emerged.

"Byrest!"

As Laufey's eldest son and heir apparent to the Frost Giants' throne, Byrest was unmistakable. Forseti swiftly recognized him.

Thus began the ambush: attacked by the enemy in turn. Byrest's expression darkened as he faced Forseti. "Are you Forseti?"