Subordinates and tender reunions

-- POV Freya --

I was walking through the forest followed by Persea, Nixia, Trioa and Naïa in the direction of the cave Gaya had spotted. The day before, before returning to the camp with Shiro, I had asked her to discreetly fly over the area to find a suitable place to hide the prisoners. I wanted to wait until the confrontation was over before risking taking them out to join the camp.

The other girls were not there because they were collecting weapons from the dead and all the useful objects, destroying the cages and taking the carts and horses to move those still hidden.

[You look like you had fun onee-san. But you have blood all over you, so you might scare them, right ?]

*Mmh it's possible, but you know I'm not a goddess descended from heaven, innocent and pure kufufu~! I'm the Empress of the Ice and I'm ready to do anything to protect those who find refuge here, even if i have to...*

[...yes I know "walk on a pile of dead bodies" haha~]

My goal wasn't to scare them of course, but I wasn't a gentle person and I didn't want anyone to misunderstand me. I was going to protect them all but they all needed to know who I really was, Shiro and Gaya were no exception.

As I spoke with Kira, we came to a place near the first clearing, well hidden. It was a cave with brambles that hid its entrance. Persea had placed them under my command before our attack this morning, so it was hard to find a way through if no one had told us before.

"This way, Your Highness"

Persea led the way as I entered the cave. It was quite small and could barely hold the 252 former prisoners but it was a perfect place to hide. In front of me were hundreds of skinny, weakened, scared, and bruised people. They seemed happy to be out of danger but nothing could erase what they had been through. At that moment I couldn't remain impassive and as my fists clenched, my cold aura slowly began to emerge.

"Your Highness !"

Ynir who had stayed in the cave then suddenly rushed at me after feeling my anger rising. The 5 women didn't know about my "Frozen Wrath" skill but it wasn't hard to understand that I was about to get angry and very angry.

Taking a deep breath and as my natural aura calmed down, I cursed those humans.

*Those humans were lucky I didn't see the treatment they gave them. I wouldn't have let them be killed by the girls otherwise...*

[Careful onee-san, you almost activated your skill. I never thought I'd say this, but please go through the "angry screaming" stage first before you explode your aura so calmly].

This skill was a very important asset but the fact that I couldn't control it was a problem. Theoretically I kept my cool and rarely snapped, but I had found that seeing the cruelty of humans through other abused races always made my mind explode. It was exactly like in the manor, when I saw the lord trample those poor young women, Triss and Lia. The increase in my anger in those moments was searing, even if I remained calm my mind was overflowing with murderous urges.

"Forgive me, I didn't mean to frighten you."

As I approached these people, Ynir explained that she had told them the whole situation, that they already knew me and also wanted to pledge allegiance to me.

As they were all about to kneel down, I hurried to stop them.

"Don't kneel down, you have suffered a lot and I don't want to put you through that. As I already told those waiting for you at the camp : from now on I promise to protect you and build you a place where everyone can finally live happily. You have all been very brave and now it's over, you are finally free and you will stay free !"

As I finished my sentence, everyone's faces lit up, giving that dark cave a blinding glow of radiant smiles. They looked relieved and I couldn't help but give a slight mental smile as they thanked me.

"Thank you very much your Highness"

"You saved us"

"Then it's her the Empress !"

"What a beauty...stunning.."

"Thank you !"

-- PING --

[Congratulations! You have obtained 252 citizens/subordinates.]

As I watched this new notification, a shape behind me slid to my left to rush at two figures sitting in a corner.

"Mom ! Dad !"

It was the young Naia who was reunited with her parents who had been captured. The fox had told me about what had happened almost to the point of tears so seeing her hug her parents warmed my heart. They were smiling with joy and as I approached, I could see them crying their eyes out.

Naia, who had noticed my presence, got up to introduce me.

"Dad, Mom, I'd like you to meet the Empress, her Highness Freya. Without her we might not have been able to save you all or protect those waiting in the mountains."

The two foxes who both had red hair and green eyes stood up bowing respectfully to me before introducing themselves.

"I am Naia's father your Highness, my name is Tao, thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing us to see our daughter again."

"I am Naia's mother, my name is Viana. Thank you very much your Highness for looking after my daughter and it's an honor to meet you."

They didn't dare look me in the eye as they lifted their heads, but I knew they were deeply grateful.

"Nice to meet you too. Thank you for your praise but I was not alone and your daughter is I must say very brave"

The vixen's parents seemed surprised at my words as they looked at their daughter obviously with questions. I had noticed that Naia was still very cheerful despite the situation, a bit naive and airheaded. For her parents, who had not seen her on the battlefield, it was indeed hard to believe that she had gone to the front.

As I withdrew to let them enjoy their reunion, I could see that there were many people who wanted to talk to me or thank me personally and I had decided to listen to them all. But this place was far too small though and there were two people waiting for me at the camp, I couldn't keep them waiting any longer.

Standing in front of everyone at the entrance, I clapped my hands lightly to show my desire to speak.

"The battle is over and there are many of you who may have a loved one waiting for you back at camp. Let's get out and head north, once there you can rest then I'll make sure to listen to all of you !"

As everyone got up to get ready to go back to camp and I walked out of the cave, Trioa approached me with a question.

"Your Highness, it should be an hour before we reach the camp, should I leave early to announce our victory and arrival ? With my speed and in the air I could easily get there before the group."

I was dying to announce the victory myself and see everyone's faces when we unexpectedly would have arrived, but I didn't want to ignore those who were waiting. They were all scared to death and waiting for good news, and as Empress I couldn't put my desires above everything else.

"Very good idea Trioa, I'm counting on you."

"Hai !"

I could see her flying high into the sky and racing north with her powerful wings as the last of them came out of the cave.

Everyone was there now, Thorunn, Ralph, Caipy and Luna were waiting for us with horses and enough to move everyone. There were 5 carts, all pulled by one horse, not counting the 3 other horses that belonged to the two mercenary leaders and Kirk. So we had 5 carts and 8 horses.

To get into these carts, people helped each other with courage despite the pain. The oldest were supported by the younger ones, the children held hands to encourage each other and the men carried the weaker women. While Trioa went to warn the others, we were ready and started our way to the camp.

____

We were soon to arrive and there were still a few yards but I could already hear the voices of the whole camp coming to greet us.

In an instant 21 people were throwing themselves at us to find the people they knew. Even little Hans seemed to be reunited with his parents who were luckily among those who had been freed. It was a festival of tears and warm hugs for the families that had been separated and then reunited, unfortunately many were not so lucky. Most of the former prisoners were alone but I could see the others in the camp hugging them as well, whispering that it was all over and that they had been brave.

In the end, everyone was warm in the heart and despite the suffering, there were 283 happy, relieved and smiling people in front of me.

*Two people are missing...*

[Indeed.]

As I turned to look for the ones I didn't see, I could see long white hair floating in the wind as a little girl seemed to be hiding in the tent.

*Kufufu~ I think she wants to scare me. She's acting more and more like a child...I'm reassured*

[Go ahead and see ! Play the game onee-san, don't you dare break the heart of my little niece so adorable pfffhaha~!]

While Kira's words made me smile, I headed for the tent, letting everyone else meet quietly before talking. I was eager to get back to my daughter and wife and I knew they were too. As I lowered my head to enter the tent, a small thing suddenly clung to my lap.

"Boo !"

It was my little moon who had just jumped on me to scare me as she laughed and hugged me. Gaya was standing back and giggling in a corner amused by the situation. I had decided to play along, trying my best to look surprised.

"Oh !"

[Pfffhihi~]

I was acting very badly because I couldn't stop smiling. In the tent Shiro and Gaya knew perfectly well that I was not surprised but we didn't care. They were smiling and I felt happy and fulfilled. As the dragoness approached me, I took Shiro in my arms and gave her a kiss on the cheek as she laughed. She hugged me tightly in return, burying her head in my hair. Her tail as usual was still wagging energetically showing that she was happy.

"Mommy ! I'm glad you're okay !"

My little moon was so cute so I decided to answer her quickly, fearing that my heart would stop from an overdose of cuteness. I couldn't explain the bond I felt with her but one thing was for sure, she was my daughter whom I loved dearly

"Mommy's strong you know and I've brought back more people to protect ! How about you, everything is fine sweetie ? I'm sorry I took so long."

"No, no, you had work to do, it's normal and it's really good, I hope I'll get along with them. And I'm fine especially since you came home !"

Shiro continued as I listened attentively.

"I waited for you wisely with mom Gaya and even though I was a little scared for you I didn't cry hehe~!"

[Awww I'm cracking up !]

My little girl was so cute as she said this while trying to look serious to impress me. She was putting her fists on her small waist and puffing her chest out with a proud look. Despite her expression I couldn't help but hug her again and kiss her on the forehead with a warm laugh.

"Of course, you are the bravest and I am very proud of you !"

As I laid my little moon on the ground and stroked her head, Gaya waited patiently with a smile and eyes full of love. She was as beautiful as ever and seeing her gave me butterflies in my stomach every time. Seeing that I had released Shiro, she came forward and spoke in a shy and adorable voice.

"Thank God you're okay ! I knew you'd be fine but...I couldn't help but be concerned..."

As she said these words I was drewing her closer to me to giving her a hug. Our daughter was looking at us with stars in her eyes as I moved closer to her face to kiss her gently on the lips.

*I missed this feeling...*

Her lips were soft, her scent intoxicating, and as we kissed, I couldn't help but think I loved her.

As we parted, I pressed my forehead to hers as our eyes closed before whispering a few words to her.

"It's all right now, I'm back my love..."

_____

FULL STATUS

Name : Freya

Age: 0 years / Mentally: 25 years

Gender: Female

Course: Ice Demon Wolf of chaos - Adult

Race : Major Demon

Titles: Blessed by Titania, Goddess of Endless Chaos and Eternal Frozen Hell.

Dragon tamer

Ruthless slayer

Level : 32/70

Exp required for next level: 22 100 / 33 000

HP : 90 000 / 90 000 MP : 45 000 / 45 000

Strength : 340

Defence: 336

Agility: 350

Endurance: 353

Speed: 342

Intelligence: 340

Charisma: 410 (imperial she-wolf)

Attribute points to allocate: 300

Married to : Gaya

Daughter : Shiro

Kingdom (menu)

Subordinates : 385

Humans killed: 148

Elements: Ice / Chaos

Skills (all):

Attack - Demon Claws (Lvl 5)

- Bite of Hell (Lvl 5)

- Infernal Ice Peaks (Lvl 5)

- Fighting techniques (lvl max)

- Katana mastery (lvl max)

- Demonic Aura of the Empress (lvl 3)

Defense - Ice Demon Wall (Lvl 4)

- Demonic Cloak (lvl 5)

- Pain resistance (lvl 3)

Attack/Defense - Ice Empress Domain "frozen wrath" (lvl 1) - (under condition)

Other - Humanoid form

- Ice creation (Lvl 4)

- Storage of chaos (Lvl 3)

- Devouring Chaos (Lvl 4)

- Analysis

- Second soul (lvl max) - unique

- Telepathy

Passives - Commander (lvl max)

- Natural aura of the Ice Empress ]