The Yeti soldiers outside the village were still deeply immersed in a profound state of self-doubt. The strange turns this day had taken completely defied their grasp of reality.
They simply couldn't comprehend why an imperial inspection detail would turn and run at the mere sight of them. Had those officers truly become that cowardly? Or had the fierce reputation of the Yeti squad grown so terrifying that enemies now fled at the first sign of their winter coats?
Regardless of those mysteries, they faced a far more pressing concern: weathering the storm from their own captain.
FrostNova had undoubtedly sensed their presence from the very beginning; that much was obvious, especially since Jeanne had intentionally left those charred markings along the trail. Their captain had known they were trailing her all along, but she had simply been too amused by their antics to call them out.
But playing the fool from a distance was one thing; facing her directly in the open was a completely different matter.
Right now, only one thought resonated through the mind of every soldier present: We are doomed. Looking at FrostNova's stormy expression, they were on the verge of sliding down into the snowbanks to beg for her mercy.
"Line up, every single one of you," FrostNova commanded, her voice cutting through the crisp air. "I am giving you precisely twenty words to explain this display."
She knew if she let them ramble, these clowns would progress from simple embarrassment to doing something that entirely transcended human reason.
Meanwhile, back inside the cottage, Jeanne had successfully convinced the old couple to accept the relocation. Curious about the sudden commotion near the lanes, she stepped outside to check on FrostNova, silently praying her soldiers hadn't completely disgraced themselves.
Instead of a battle, Jeanne emerged to find a crowd of elderly villagers eagerly crowding around FrostNova. Panic danced in their eyes, yet they bore no ill intent; they were desperately pleading with the white-haired warrior to flee the valley immediately.
FrostNova stood in the center of the gathering, a look of profound, helpless resignation washing over her features.
After a few swift questions, Jeanne quickly piece together the full narrative.
The villagers were urging FrostNova to run because they feared the imperial officers had only retreated to gather reinforcement units from the nearest garrison. They were terrified the soldiers would return in overwhelming numbers to crush the travelers.
"You told me previously that the people of your old village were exceptionally kind," FrostNova remarked quietly, turning to Jeanne as the crowd dispersed to pack their belongings. "It seems your assessment was entirely accurate."
Clashing with imperial authorities in front of civilians was something FrostNova had experienced numerous times over the years. But in her vast experience, the reactions of these settlers was remarkably noble.
Most communities would treat infected warriors like a plague, keeping their distance or even pretending to offer hospitality while secretly spiking their food with sleeping draughts to betray them to the imperial guard for a bounty.
"Jeanne, you've here!" the old village headman gasped, spotting her near the porch. "Please, talk some sense into your friend. We must gather our bundles and abandon the cabins immediately, before those scoundrels return to trap us here..."
Jeanne felt a wave of deep embarrassment wash over her. She vividly recalled that the community's previous relocation had been triggered when she and Talulah fought Kashchey's private enforcers. Now, her mere arrival had caused yet another sudden displacement.
If anyone in the village possessed a superstitious mind, they would likely suspect Jeanne was a walking curse upon their community, bringing unexpected chaos whenever she crossed their path.
Yet, decades of enduring a cruel world had hardened the resolve of these settlers. No one directed any resentment toward Jeanne's circle; they recognized that these warriors had actively shielded them from harm. Had FrostNova's scouts not intervened, the inspection detail would have stripped them of their remaining seed grain without a shred of pity for their survival.
As the families hurried back to their respective cabins to secure their linens, Jeanne realized she needed to finalize a grander plan. She proposed that the entire community migrate to the vanguard's primary settlement—the hidden valley that currently sat largely vacant.
The village population was small, and forcing a group of frail elders to constantly flee across the frozen plains was entirely unrealistic. More importantly, Jeanne knew these quiet seniors would never cause any political friction within the movement.
"The choice rests entirely with your circle," FrostNova replied after a moment of quiet reflection. "You three poured the greatest share of labor into raising that settlement from the foundations. I raise no objections."
The Cautus warrior genuinely preferred to stay out of the administrative details, as she wasn't familiar with the nature of these people. But if Jeanne vouched for them, they were undoubtedly different from the opportunistic factions they had encountered elsewhere. At the very least, these elders wouldn't turn on them the moment their paths diverged.
"This... is this truly acceptable?" the headman hesitated when the girls presented the offer. "Taking over your homes... won't it cause a grave disturbance for your people?"
The majority of his remaining flock consisted of elderly folk who already had one foot in the grave. In this unforgiving world, no established settlement welcomed such refugees, viewing them as nothing more than a drain on precious grain reserves.
Worse still, some cruel governors would intentionally infect such elders during imperial sweeps, using them to fulfill quotas and curry favor with higher authorities.
"There is no issue whatsoever," Jeanne reassured him, a warm smile breaking through her serious demeanor. "The valley has plenty of vacant structures, and our own personal cottage will sit empty once our march begins. As long as everyone respects the local guards, you will find a peaceful haven."
As Jeanne laid out the details, the old headman's heart swelled with hope. What greater fortune could there be for a displaced community than to be offered a secure, stable home just as their world was crumbling?
Had an outsider made such a grandiose promise, he would have suspected a deadly trap. But the words came from Jeanne—the darling child whom every elder in their old home had adored, the girl used as the golden standard whenever parents lectured their own children on character. They trusted her implicitly.
What dark motives could young Jeanne possibly harbor? She simply wanted to provide a quiet, secure sanctuary where these weary souls could live out their twilight years in peace.
With the decision finalized, the operation moved with incredible efficiency. Utilizing the massive transport beasts Jeanne summoned alongside the sturdy muscle of the Yeti squad, the entire village was successfully transferred across the ridges before the sun sank below the western peaks.
The Yeti soldiers tasked with hauling the heavy wooden crates were privately weeping over their misfortune. This was supposed to be their final day of official rest, yet their own curiosity had led them straight into hard labor.
Still, the afternoon wasn't a total loss. Because they had performed admirably during the brief encounter with the imperial guards, FrostNova chose to overlook their initial insubordination. Her only reprimand was a schedule of double drills for the upcoming week.
For the rowdy Yeti squad, escaping without a severe demotion or a freezing lecture was considered a massive triumph!
As twilight painted the snowfields, the grandfather and grandmother stepped through the threshold of the sturdy timber cottage where Jeanne, Talulah, and Alina had lived for so long. The elderly couple was thoroughly enchanted by the craftsmanship; every beam had been shaped by the hands of the children they raised.
"Tell me, Jeanne," the grandmother murmured, looking out at the massive, dark-armored figures patrolling the lane. "Those massive soldiers... their bearing toward us is remarkably polite. Who exactly are they?"
The towering Shieldguards left an intimidating first impression, and their notoriously taciturn nature made them appear utterly unapproachable to common folk.
"Why else do you think they treat us with such care? Those giants are clearly comrades of our girls," the grandfather interjected from his seat by the hearth, tossing a dismissiveness glance at his wife.
Before Jeanne or the others could offer a formal explanation, the two elders instantly dissolved into another familiar, lively debate. It was a heartwarming spectacle, a beautiful echo of the domestic music that had filled their childhood home before the crisis.
Unfortunately, the trio had a grand journey ahead of them, and time was a luxury they lacked. They wouldn't have the opportunity to linger by the hearth for long conversations.
Yet, knowing these two precious souls were securely settled in a safe haven before their departure brought an immense sense of peace to their hearts.
And for the old couple, seeing their girls vibrant and strong, and possessing a permanent home where they could look toward the horizon and await their eventual return, was more than enough to satisfy their old bones.