The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 160
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
this book is completely translated on luna kofi (advanced chapters for the website will follow)
The master of the North. A strong man who no one disagrees with.
The sight of such a man looking up at his wife in adoration was already like a beautiful painting.
“I love you, Amber. I love you so much that I would give you my very heart.”
At the confession from the towering man, Amber’s cheeks flushed pink like camellias.
It was a reaction born of joy.
Igmeyer then carefully lifted Amber and kissed her deeply, more tenderly than ever before.
Sometimes, one action can speak louder than a thousand words.
This kiss was filled with heartfelt love, and Amber accepted it happily.
At that moment, her heart trembled with happiness.
* * *
That morning felt peculiar.
It wasn’t cold for the North, nor was it hot. The sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds, blending with the clear blue above.
With perfect wind, humidity, and temperature, it was a day that naturally invited happiness.
Every household flung open their doors and windows, shaking off the dust of ages, while children excitedly chattered and ran around. Merchants stood tall instead of shrinking away, and the market bustled like never before.
It was one of those afternoons filled with unfounded hope, swelling in the chest like freshly baked bread.
But suddenly, a dark hole appeared in the sky, and a whirlwind began to swirl.
“Look, look at that!”
“What is that? A gate?!”
“Out of nowhere? Everyone, run!”
“Call the soldiers!”
The people, who had gathered in the market due to the pleasant weather, panicked and fled. Even the merchants didn’t think to secure their goods; they just ran, well aware that failure to do so could mean death.
Rule number one when a gate opens:
Do not hesitate to abandon anything but your life.
If you suffer any loss, the castle will compensate you later. So, even if tears come to your eyes over precious fruits, fish, or meat, you must flee first.
“Wait? That’s not a monster!”
“No, look! That’s…!”
Amid the panicking crowd, there were those who stood still, staring at the sky without running.
They were the monster butchers, and the opening of the gate meant that something suitable for slaughter was about to come down.
Armed with axes in both hands, each of them was stronger than a soldier. While they might not match a knight in strength, they were nonetheless formidable.
In any case, they were powerful, knowing exactly where to strike to bring a monster down.
Excited, they gazed up at the sky, tilting their heads in confusion.
What they were witnessing was not the typical spectacle they were accustomed to.
When the sky typically opens, monsters usually pour down like rain in spherical forms, but that wasn’t the case now.
Instead, a massive foot emerged.
With long, hook-like claws, that foot revealed what was crawling out from within.
“Could it be…?”
“Nid…hogg?”
Black scales glimmered ominously. As one monstrous arm tore free from the gaping hole, a fierce wind swept through the world.
“Ugh!”
The wind was strong enough to knock over a child or a frail person. As shards of stone and branches whipped through the air, striking skin, those without proper armor screamed in terror.
Even the security soldiers who had rushed in to deal with the falling monster were now bewildered, unsure how to respond to this situation, and chaos grew as the scent of blood spread through the crowd.
With no way to discern whether what was emerging was indeed Nidhogg or something else, fear mounted even further. Humans naturally fear the unknown.
Then came the shout.
“It’s the Frost Giant Knights!”
“The Grand Duke has arrived!”
“We’re saved!”
The dark blue flag adorned with the emblem of the Frost Giants billowed violently in the wind.
But it didn’t feel like they were being swept away by the wind. Rather, it felt as if they were gripping the very gust and holding firm.
After all, they were giants.
In this dire situation, Igmeyer’s presence was more commanding than anything else.
He remained calm, issuing directives without a hint of panic or fear, ensuring everyone evacuated. He moved through the market and into the square, leading them outside the castle.
“Close the castle gates. Your fight ends here.”
“Yes!”
With Igmeyer and the Frost Giant Knights remaining composed, the soldiers felt less rattled.
Riding his black horse, Igmeyer was at the forefront of the army, gazing skyward.
The massive hole, now fully revealing two front legs, gave off a sense that something was very wrong.
A feeling of lightheadedness washed over him, and his heart raced. That tremor, which should be called fear, was felt universally by everyone except Igmeyer.
“Whew, my heart is pounding like crazy.”
Gallard muttered as he looked up at the dark sky.
If Gallard felt this way, one could only imagine how the other knights felt.
But Igmeyer merely scoffed.
“Do not fear. It senses fear.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
“If you want to underestimate it, keep feeling afraid.”
At Igmeyer’s provocation, Gallard burst into laughter.
