Zeke listened to the crowd's cheers. Even from his current position, he could feel the ground vibrate from the intensity of their stomps.
"Frost! Frost! Frost!"
A smile spread across his face as the cheers erupted. It was over. Whatever Polaris said now no longer mattered. Using food as a bribe had been clever, but the problem with bribes was that you had to have the deepest pockets to pull them off. Otherwise, you might lose it all. With Frost's status rehabilitated and the tribe no longer in danger, her offering seemed downright shabby.
As for Frost, the apparent winner of the day, his position wasn't much better. Having publicly backed Zeke's lie, he was now trapped. He had no choice but to strike a deal; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to fulfill his promises either.
With a single move, Zeke had defeated both siblings and effectively ended the tribe's internal strife. Polaris might attempt something else, but overturning the current situation would be difficult for her. No matter how well-stocked her cellar was, she would eventually run out of food as well. When that happened, she'd have no choice but to abandon her foolish plan for a diplomatic solution.
"Once they quiet down, call for a vote," Zeke ordered telepathically. He had stayed connected to Ash the entire time, giving instructions as needed.
"Understood," came the reply.
Zeke turned to leave; there was no need to stay any longer. With his alliance with Frost secured, he no longer needed to recruit others himself—those tasks could be delegated to his new ally. However, he still had preparations to make. Gravitas and Vulcanos followed on his heels as the three made for the shelter.
Less than two hours later, Ash returned with an entirely expected guest: Frost. The Pureblood seemed to be in a foul mood. "You've tricked me," were the first words out of his mouth.
Zeke smirked. "Did I? It looks more like I gave you everything you wanted and more."
Frost's scowl deepened. "There is no tunnel, is there?"
"No," Zeke admitted freely, causing Frost to bristle. "But that doesn't mean there is no way to get the food we promised."
"A way only you can access…" Frost retorted.
Zeke smiled, not bothering to deny it. He hadn't expected Frost to catch on so quickly, but he wasn't disappointed. Working with intelligent people made everything easier. "So, are we going to bicker, or are you here to make a deal?"
Frost glared at him for a moment, then slowly a resigned expression crossed his face. "What did you have in mind?"
"I'm willing to grant your people free access to the outside world. However, I want as few people as possible to know about me, so you can only send a handful of your most trusted subordinates. In return, I require a dozen freshly picked Lightbloom flowers each week."
Frost was surprised. He likely hadn't expected him to give in so easily. "That's all?"
Zeke shrugged. "I never intended to use this leverage against you if I didn't have to..."
Frost nodded, gradually coming to terms with the idea that his situation wasn't as dire as he first thought. After a moment, a thoughtful expression crossed his face. "Why do you want to stay in the dark? Even though you're human, you wouldn't face much resistance from the tribe, especially if they knew what you've done for us."
Zeke's smile faded, his expression turning serious. "Something doesn't add up."
"What doesn't?"
Zeke sighed. "There are too many coincidences: Your father falling into a trap, the enemy knowing exactly where you might attack, the timing of the siege... Individually, these events might seem plausible. But together, they paint a damning picture."
Frost also turned serious. "You think there is a traitor?"
Zeke nodded solemnly. "I believe it's someone quite high up."
Frost fell silent for a moment, considering. "You don't suspect it could be me?"
Zeke smiled. "I've considered it, but it is highly unlikely. I saw the fear in your eyes when that old man emerged; I saw you put your life in my hands for the sake of your men. No, Lord Frost, you aren't the traitor."
Frost's eyes turned sharp. "It could be you."
Zeke shook his head. "If it were me, you'd all be dead. Not just you, but everyone in the village."
Frost paused, likely remembering that Zeke had the ability to sneak past all their guards using his Magic. He nodded slowly, turning to the Chimeroi. "What about them?"
"Impossible," Zeke said without a moment's hesitation. "They could never betray me."
Frost scoffed. "I thought the same about my men."
"This is different. The three of them are under a spell that makes it impossible for them to turn against me. Anybody with the power to break this Magic would have no need to bother with such tricks."
Frost didn't seem entirely convinced, but he was willing to let the matter drop. "Who else can you trust?"
Zeke thought about it for a moment. "The men I healed are most likely loyal as well. If they were traitors, they would have found a way not to participate in the attack."
Frost nodded, his lips curling into a slight smile. "Of course they are loyal. They're my most trusted followers."
Zeke remained silent, not calling the man out. However, he had seen clear signs of relief on his face. "When do you want to make the first trip outside?"
Frost paused. "I lost a lot of men, and some positions need to be filled. I'll need a day or two to make arrangements."
"I'll be expecting you the day after tomorrow, then." However, to his surprise, Frost didn't leave. Instead, he seemed to want to talk about something else.
"Just say it," Zeke encouraged after a while.
"This…" Frost started. "Do you think it would be possible for you to help my father the same way you helped me and my men?"
Zeke hesitated. "I'm not sure. Anything that affects someone as powerful as your father is likely beyond me. Still, I'd need to try to know for certain."
"Would you?"
"What?"
"Would you try," Frost clarified.
Zeke's eyes opened wide. "You would bring me up the mountain to see your father?"
Frost nodded, a heavy expression on his face. "If there is even a tiny chance that you might be able to help, then I'll do whatever is necessary. I… I don't think he'll be able to beat this on his own."
Zeke looked at Frost for a long moment before returning the nod. "If you can get me in a room with him, I'll do what I can."
Hearing those words, Frost's expression brightened. However, Zeke remained cautious. If Winter was as formidable as he'd been led to believe, the poison affecting him was likely just as potent. A mere True Mage wouldn't stand a chance. Still, he was determined to give it his best shot.
Suddenly, Frost extended his arm, offering it to Zeke. Though the Icefang tribe didn't have a tradition of handshakes, the gesture was unmistakable. Zeke quickly took hold of Frost's forearm, gripping it firmly.
The Pureblood's skin felt as frigid as if Zeke had plunged his hand into ice water. Despite the chill, he maintained his grip. He understood the gesture as an offer of trust. Frost's stern expression softened briefly before he firmly withdrew his hand.
"Await my news," Frost said as he left, looking notably more cheerful. It was as if a heavy burden had been lifted from him.
Zeke was also smiling. They had both gotten what they wanted, and the prospect of meeting the legendary Progenitor of the Icefang tribe was something he had wanted for a long time. However, much more importantly, he had finally secured a steady stream of the Lightbloom flower. With this, he had finally gotten his hands on the last ingrediant for the Mana purifying device.
Zeke entered his study and immediately began writing a letter. Although he was stranded on the mountain and couldn't return to Tradespire in the short term, he still had options. If he couldn't go to his materials, he'd have to bring the materials to him.
After all, who said that he couldn't just build the device here?
Over the next few hours, Zeke was a whirlwind. He and Akasha reviewed their schematics, prepared the room, and periodically checked if his letter had been read. Finally, as the sun began to set, the first set of materials was placed into the vault in Tradespire.
Zeke was overjoyed. Over the next few hours, he retrieved everything he needed from the vault, one [Transposition] at a time. By the time he held the last delivery in his hand, the sky was already brightening. Despite the strenuous process, Zeke hadn't felt this excited in a long time.
This was it, the culmination of all his efforts over the last year: His way to power!
Zeke inspected his haul: dozens of sheets of curved crystal glass, a large pile of rubbery bits, cogs, connectors, tubes of resin, two flasks, and various knickknacks, most of which had been specially made for this device.
According to the Dragon, the apparatus was supposed to be spherical. The curved sheets of glass would form a dome when connected, and he would need to insert rubber in between to make them airtight. The cogs were meant to be integrated into the central gearbox of the alchemical machinery, though Zeke had never fully understood how that aspect worked. His knowledge of alchemy was too limited to grasp the details of the process.
All he knew was that the two resources—the essence of the Lifebloom flower and the liquid dark metal—needed to be placed in each of the flasks. These opposing elements would create a gas that had to be pumped into the dome and trapped inside.
However, this was as far as he could go for the moment. He was far too tired to continue. Thankfully, the actual construction was left to Akasha. She was the only one Zeke knew who had the precision and understanding required for such delicate work. While the dwarfs might also be capable, Zeke had never seen the legendary master craftsmen in action, so he couldn't be sure.
The work continued around the clock. Akasha was tireless. It didn't matter if Zeke was asleep or otherwise occupied—whenever he was within reach, she used her [Telekenesis] to advance the project. Besides Zeke, she was clearly the most invested in its success. Well, aside from Khai'zar, but the Dragon had been suspiciously silent as of late.
Occasionally, Vulcanos was called upon for help. He was essential for tasks that required high temperatures. The Chimeroi was like a portable forge—a name he didn't seem to like much. Nevertheless, he faithfully fulfilled all of Akasha's requests.
By the time Frost returned two days later, the outline of the Mana purifying device had already taken shape. It looked like a giant, upside-down fish bowl, but Zeke couldn't be happier.
"It's good to see you again, Frost," Zeke greeted cheerfully.
Frost returned the greeting with a nod, seemingly in a good mood. "I'm here to send my people out. As for the other thing… I've gotten permission. You are allowed to ascend the mountain on orders of the Elder council."
Zeke froze. He hadn't expected to receive permission so quickly, which meant he'd need to pause his plans for the moment. With Winter injured, the safety of the entire mountain was at stake, and that had to take priority.
"I am prepared to do my part."