I Was The Hero, But I Woke Up as a Phoenix Princess! – Chapter 747

Chapter 203 Marching Towards The Frost
Regardless of high summer or deep winter, the endless frost and snow seemed to eternally cover the Aer Continent.
Twenty years ago, when that magnificent city had collapsed in an instant under the frost, the Frost God’s minions had devoured the entire continent. Countless knights and blessed monks had launched expeditions more than once.
However, like countless numbing stories, they were valiant warriors, but met with a sadly foolish end.
But today, human footsteps once again trod upon the desolate ice plains. Civilization advanced into the frost, not merely confined to the so-called forbidden zones of life, but marching towards Winterfall City, the origin of all calamities!
Countless human warriors, clad in thick furs and armor, their magic markings of fire crystals illuminating the frost fog, advanced with high morale towards the frost.
They had initially been a small group of survivors who escaped the destroyed Vinash City, but later, Count Robert’s army and the Kasha Cult joined. Afterward, like torches lit in the cold night, countless secular rangers and knights became part of the army.
Even the Council and the Church, usually in chaos due to power struggles, under the impassioned speech of the Chief Speaker, Duke Ilboia, rallied the strength of the entire world.
Even though some lords still hesitated, the warriors marching towards the frost calamity far exceeded any recorded in the continent’s history, even surpassing the battle that destroyed the former kingdom.
“We come bearing flame—the Sword of Blazing Flame, marching to melt the frost. May the Lord of the Fire Saint bless us, and we shall surely achieve victory.”
The warriors sang their oaths.
Even if they died and were buried in the frost, their companions would cover them with blessings, their eyes still filled with morale. For decades, they endured the erosion of calamity, witnessing the destruction of civilization, but now they witnessed the hope of melting the frost.
—Just as everyone witnessed, in the cold night, the moment the peerless maiden drew the Sword of Flame and annihilated the starry sky of frost.
…
“Lord Fire Saint, I still can’t believe I’ll see the legendary Winterfall City one day!”
Amidst the marching ranks of warriors, a mage, cloaked in gray and white, clutched his staff, exclaiming with great excitement. Not long ago, they had fought a fierce battle. The corpses of Frost Calamity’s offspring and Frost Knights lay scattered across the snowy night, only to be devoured by the sweeping frost wind.
He raised his head. Even from such a distance, he could faintly discern the grand city, covered in frost, standing majestically.
Beside the mage, a youth dressed as a knight crouched down, scooped up a handful of snow, and, as his palm began to glow with the melting demonic power of flame, scattered it upon the ground.
He had a handsome face and tranquil, lake-like pale green pupils.
Noticing his companion’s gaze, the knight raised his face and said, “My father asked me to do this. His hometown was also Winterfall. Twenty years ago, he took me south to visit relatives and friends, and that’s how we survived.”
The mage nodded, “I just never imagined there would be a day when we could stand here.”
“Yesterday, Duke Ilboia killed the High Priest of the Frost Calamity Cult.”
“Those despicable traitors should have been ground to dust long ago.”
Although it had only been twenty years, this land shrouded in frost had already spawned a kingdom of frost.
The offspring of the various calamities, and countless people corrupted by the frost, formed the basis of this world. The being behind the frost calamity was none other than the deity of this world… From the traitors among humans, the Frost Calamity followers, what they truly desired was not difficult to guess.
However, for those marching towards this frozen land with the fire of revenge, these traitors were the most detested beings.
“But, after being in this domain for so long, I haven’t seen any sign of that evil god. All that stands in our way are its minions.”
The knight said, “Perhaps, just as Miss Witch said, it was severely wounded by the flame and is barely clinging to life.”
“North Wind Witch…”
This was a name that almost everyone once hated, equivalent to the Frost Calamity. Even six months ago, with Count Robert’s guarantee and plenty of evidence, many still harbored doubts about her, but now, no one questioned Cassleitte anymore.
They moved their gazes with a hint of awe, catching a faint glimpse of the slender figure of the frost-haired witch.
If it weren’t for this girl who called herself a witch, they would never have been able to venture into the depths of the frost domain. Although there were many high-ranking lords and even sacred domains among the ranks, the true leader was this taciturn girl.
“But even she, how should she face the deity after the Frost Calamity?”
The mage said, “And, six months ago, she said the flaming sword that melted the frozen starry sky came from a young girl.”
His voice suddenly paused. Beside them, the metal wheels of a carriage crushed layers of snow, leaving tracks as the magically driven carriage passed by.
“I’ve had doubts about these carriages for a long time. Why would Miss Witch allow them to follow us? Especially on an expedition against the Frost Calamity. Could it be that a princess from the previous dynasty is inside?”
“You don’t know yet?”
The knight also raised his head, “This carriage belongs to that Divine Lady…”
“Divine Lady?”
“Yes. But she is still asleep… It is said that six months ago, she bore the power of the Fire Saint, drew the Sword of Flame, and burned the frozen starry sky, but ever since then, she has never woken up.”
Everyone remembered the sword that pierced the frost six months ago, and they had also seen the peerless maiden’s figure. In the eyes of the people, the maiden who drew the Sword of Flame was a divine lady chosen by the oracle, bearing the power of the Fire Saint.
Currently, the North Wind Witch Cassleitte had earned much trust and respect in the frost expedition. However, the mysterious maiden who initially broke through the frozen sky and brought dawn to the world held an even higher, albeit subtle, position in people’s hearts.
“The Divine Lady is actually here…”
The mage exclaimed in shock, glancing around, unable to help but blurt out, “Is the Witch planning to have the Divine Lady face the deity of the Frost Calamity?”
“That, I don’t know.”
The knight hesitated, “But I have heard that it was not the Witch who insisted on bringing the Divine Lady along, but rather that guy named Ig.”
“Ig?”
The mage thought hard for a moment, then exclaimed in surprise, raising his face, “You mean, that black-haired swordsman… the young man suspected by the Cardinal of concealing demonic power?”
“It’s him.”
The knight replied, “It’s said that he and the Divine Lady were once lovers… And six months ago, it was precisely to save this guy that the Divine Lady was forced to unleash the power of the Fire Saint without being fully prepared, and then she fell into a deep sleep.”
A brief silence fell between them. The mage and the knight were neither those who adhered to old ways nor those who liked to suspect others. They also knew that the rumors they had heard might not be the actual truth, and there were hidden reasons unknown to them.
“Hmph, as a man, to let his own girl save him… and let the Divine Lady fall into a deep sleep until now. If it were me, I’d rather die with her.”
The mage couldn’t hold back for long and sneered, a hint of disdain appearing in his eyes.
“Moreover, even if he couldn’t do anything then, why is he still insisting on bringing her to this area now? Is he afraid the evil god of ice won’t find her? Or does he want her to save him again…”
“Talking about Ig like this… What do you guys know!”
Suddenly, an angry young girl’s voice came from behind them.