Chapter 21: Vassalheim's Lord and the Savage Tide
The narrow corridor of magically stilled blizzard led Ainz and his companions towards the colossal ice-hewn gates of Vassalheim. Before them stood Cocytus, a breathtaking monument of azure chitin and gleaming ice-forged weaponry, his four katanas planted in the frozen earth like markers of his dominion. The air crackled with the unnatural cold emanating from him and his fortress, a palpable aura of Niflheim's desolate majesty transplanted to this alien world.
As Ainz, Albedo, Sebas, and Aura drew within a few paces, Cocytus's multifaceted eyes, burning with a frosty blue light, scanned each of them. He clearly recognized Sebas's dignified bearing and Aura's vibrant, if currently somewhat chilled, Dark Elf form. Albedo's overwhelming aura, even in her human guise as Lady Alva, was unmistakable to a fellow Floor Guardian. Then, his gaze settled on Ainz – on the youthful, human figure of Elian Hollow. For a fleeting moment, confusion flickered within those icy orbs. But then, as Ainz met his gaze, allowing a fraction of his true, overwhelming spiritual presence to bleed through the Elian facade, Cocytus flinched as if struck. Recognition, profound and absolute, dawned.
"Lord… Ainz?" Cocytus's deep, resonant voice rumbled, each word precise, carrying the weight of glaciers. Disbelief warred with an unshakeable, instinctual loyalty. With a sound like cracking ice, the Warlord of the Fifth Floor dropped to one knee – or rather, the closest approximation his insectoid anatomy could achieve – his four katanas driven deeper into the frozen ground, his massive head bowed. "Forgive. My. Unpreparedness. I. Did. Not. Expect. Your. August. Presence. In. Such. A. Guise. My. Senses. Are. Unworthy."
A wave of profound relief and paternal warmth washed over Ainz. Another of his children, another of his most powerful and loyal Guardians, found. "Rise, Cocytus," Ainz said, his voice as Elian taking on a deeper timbre of command. "There is much to explain. It is I, Ainz Ooal Gown. And it is a great joy to see you again, my loyal warrior."
Cocytus rose, his massive frame towering over them. He looked from Ainz to the others. "Lady. Albedo. Lord. Sebas. Lady. Aura. It. Is. Good. To. See. Comrades. Of. Nazarick. Once. More." His greeting was formal, befitting his warrior code.
Brief introductions and explanations followed, Ainz outlining his arrival, his current human form, the discovery of the others, and the nature of this new world. Albedo, despite her initial shock at Cocytus's somewhat tardy recognition of Ainz (which she attributed to his "warrior's focus on externals rather than true spiritual essence"), was visibly pleased by the reunion with another high-ranking Guardian. Aura, shivering slightly despite her enchanted cloak, bounced on her heels, eager to explore Cocytus's icy domain. Sebas offered a respectful nod to his fellow Guardian.
"This. Fortress," Cocytus rumbled, gesturing with one of his massive arms towards the towering structure behind him. "I. Have. Named. It. Vassalheim. The. Fortress. Of. The. Vassal. Awaiting. The. Return. Of. My. True. Lord." He turned and, with a thought, the colossal ice gates before them groaned open, revealing a glimpse of the wonders within. The magical blizzard, which had momentarily parted for their approach, now seemed to recede further, acknowledging the master's intent.
Cocytus led them inside. The interior of Vassalheim was as breathtaking as its exterior was formidable. Vast halls were carved from the same blue-black, magically imbued ice, their surfaces shimmering with captured light. The architecture was a stunning fusion of intricate, insectoid aesthetics and stark, samurai-influenced martial design. Pillars of ice, sculpted to resemble colossal insect legs or stacked katana blades, supported vaulted ceilings that soared into icy darkness. Glowing ice crystals, pulsed with a cold, ethereal light, illuminating corridors lined with weapon racks holding an array of exquisitely crafted ice weaponry – katanas, naginatas, yari, all seemingly forged from pure, solidified winter.
"I. Utilized. The. Natural. Magical. Ice. Of. This. Region," Cocytus explained, his voice echoing in the vastness. "And. My. Innate. Abilities. And. The. Construction. Skills. Honed. In. Nazarick. To. Create. This. Bastion." He showed them the training grounds – vast, ice-floored arenas where he clearly practiced his martial forms – an armory, and even rudimentary barracks. "The. Blizzard. Is. A. Permanent. Defensive. Ward. I. Conjured. It. Upon. My. Arrival. To. Deter. Unwanted. Attention."
He recounted his own arrival in this world: a disorienting plunge into this desolate, frozen wasteland. Alone, he had assessed his surroundings, identified this region of potent ice magic, and immediately begun construction of Vassalheim, a fortress to serve as his command post and a beacon of readiness should Lord Ainz or other denizens of Nazarick appear. He had encountered and dispatched several large, aggressive ice-based beasts native to the Glacial Moors, their souls adding incrementally to his own power, though he had not understood the mechanism as Ainz did. He had also created a small garrison: a few dozen "Frost Sprites" – nimble, low-tier ice elementals he could summon – and a score of "Ice Huskarls" – skeletal warriors encased in magical ice armor, animated by his own necromantic energies.
They convened in Vassalheim's central command chamber – a vast, circular hall that was clearly intended as a throne room. At its center stood a single, imposing throne carved from a massive block of obsidian-like ice, its design clearly inspired by the throne in Nazarick's own audience chamber. It was currently empty, awaiting its rightful occupant.
Ainz updated Cocytus on their own situation: the existence of Greywater Keep as a temporary, disguised base in the Riverlands; the other reunited NPCs (Entoma and Mare); the ongoing search for others; the delicate political situation with House Tully; and the long-term goal of establishing a true New Nazarick.
Cocytus, the consummate warrior, listened intently, his mandibles clicking softly in thought. "A. Human. Guise. In. The. Southron. Lands," he rumbled. "A. Cunning. Strategy. My. Lord. For. Information. Gathering. And. Establishing. A. Foothold. However." His gaze swept over his icy domain. "True. Strength. Requires. A. True. Fortress. This. Vassalheim. Is. But. A. Humble. Outpost. A. New. Nazarick. Must. Be. A. Testament. To. Your. Unrivaled. Power." He fully supported Albedo's ambitions for a grand new home, his warrior spirit resonating with her desire for a display of their might.
They discussed Cocytus's role. His immense physical presence and insectoid appearance made him utterly unsuited for the Elian Hollow charade or any subtle operations in the more populated southern lands. Vassalheim, however, was perfect. It was remote, defensible, and attuned to his elemental nature.
"Vassalheim will serve as our primary northern bastion, Cocytus," Ainz declared. "You will remain its commander. Continue to fortify it. Gather intelligence on these Glacial Moors and the lands further north. Your strength here will be a vital anchor for our growing power."
Back at Greywater Keep…
Life continued under the watchful eyes of Mare and Entoma. Mare, his youthful face perpetually smudged with dirt, worked diligently on the subterranean sanctuary. Using his earth-shaping magic, he silently and efficiently carved out hidden chambers, reinforced tunnels, and laid subtle magical wards deep beneath the foundations of the old keep. The space grew daily, a secret refuge taking shape. Entoma's insect spies, a near-invisible network, patrolled the lands around Greywater, their reports delivered to Mare via tiny, chirping crickets or scuttling beetles.
Ser Desmond Grell, meanwhile, found himself increasingly isolated in his role as Tully liaison. Lord Elian, Lady Alva, Master Tian, and even the wild elf-girl Lyra were now absent on their "perilous quest for magical ice crystals." He was left with the quiet, unsettlingly competent Master Marsh (Mare) and the knowledge that the deadly Mistress Zeta (Entoma) was… somewhere, unseen. His reports to the Blackfish became more strained, detailing the prolonged absence of Greywater's leadership and the eerie, almost preternatural calm that had settled over the keep, punctuated only by the faint, distant sounds of… digging, which no one could ever quite locate.
Nyx, Demiurge's agent, also noted the departure of Ainz's core group. She reported this to her master, along with her observations of Mare's unusual connection to the earth and Entoma's unsettling, unseen omnipresence. Demiurge processed this. Lord Ainz was clearly pursuing another Guardian, likely Cocytus, given the northern direction and Aura's involvement. His plan to destabilize the Ironborn threat was progressing, albeit slowly, requiring intricate intelligence gathering and agent placement along the western coast. He also tasked Nyx with a new objective: with Greywater's primary defenders away, and only the 'lesser' NPCs Mare and Entoma present (along with the human garrison), were there any specific, valuable resources Greywater Keep itself lacked? Perhaps a rare herb, a specific type of metal for weapon-smithing, or even skilled artisans? If Demiurge could subtly "arrange" for such a resource to become available to Greywater, it would be another demonstration of his proactive support for Lord Ainz's endeavors.
In the icy throne room of Vassalheim, Ainz questioned Cocytus further about his observations of the far north.
"Beyond. These. Moors," Cocytus reported, gesturing with a massive claw, "lies. What. The. Savage. Human. Tribes. Call. The. 'Land. Of. Eternal. Frost.' I. Have. Sensed. Ancient. And. Powerful. Magics. There. Not. Of. Nazarick. But. Primal. And. Cold. There. Are. Also. Signs. Of. Colossal. Creatures. Far. Larger. Than. Any. Beast. I. Encountered. In. YGGDRASIL's. Wilderness. Zones." He paused. "The. Savage. Tribes. Themselves. Are. A. Minor. Nuisance. They. Worship. Crude. Ice. Deities. And. Occasionally. Attempt. Raids. On. Vassalheim's. Periphery. My. Frost. Sprites. And. Ice. Huskarls. Dispatch. Them. With. Ease." He had not sensed any other Nazarick signals himself, his domain too remote, his own senses perhaps too attuned to the immediate icy environment.
Ainz made a decision. "Vassalheim is a critical asset. Cocytus, you will remain here, its commander. Continue to strengthen its defenses. Gather what intelligence you can about these northern lands and the powers that reside there." He then looked at Aura. "Aura, your reconnaissance skills are invaluable. You will stay with Cocytus for a time. Use Sky-Screecher to scout the Glacial Moors and the borders of this 'Land of Eternal Frost.' Report anything unusual directly to me via [Message] if the distance allows, or through Entoma's network upon your return. Also, assist Cocytus in taming some of the more potent native ice beasts. His garrison could benefit from heavy cavalry."
Aura beamed. "Yes, Ainz-sama! More scouting! And new beasts to tame!"
Albedo looked slightly put out at the thought of Aura remaining with Cocytus while she returned south with Ainz, but she understood the strategic necessity. Her own skills were better suited to the political machinations and grand construction projects that awaited them.
"Sebas, Albedo, and I will return to Greywater Keep," Ainz announced. "We must manage affairs there, continue our plans for the eventual construction of New Nazarick at the north-eastern mountain peak, and prepare for further NPC searches, guided by any new information Aura or Cocytus might uncover."
As they were finalizing these new strategic directives, a shrill, piercing cry echoed from outside the fortress walls – not the howl of the wind, but the alarm signal of one of Cocytus's Frost Sprite sentinels. The sprite then dissipated into a flurry of ice shards, its magical existence snuffed out.
Cocytus rose to his full, imposing height, his mandibles clicking, his four katanas seeming to hum with anticipation. "Intruders," he rumbled, his voice like an avalanche. "Approaching. The. Western. Perimeter. Not. Mere. Beasts. These. Are. Organized. They. Carry. Banners. Of. A. Sort. Crude. Animal. Hides. Stretched. On. Poles."
Aura, who had rushed to one of Vassalheim's arrow-slit-like ice windows, gasped. Sky-Screecher, perched on an outer ledge, let out an agitated shriek. "Ainz-sama! It's those savage Northmen Cocytus mentioned! Hundreds of them! They're armed with bone spears and stone axes! And… and they're dragging something with them! In massive iron chains! It's… it's a giant! A colossal, hairy giant, roaring and struggling!"
Ainz, Albedo, and Sebas joined her at the window. Indeed, a veritable horde of Wildling-like figures, clad in thick furs and crude armor, was advancing across the frozen moors towards Vassalheim. They were dragging a bound, heavily chained giant, easily twenty feet tall, its shaggy hide the color of dirty snow, its roars of fury echoing across the ice. The warriors were chanting, their voices a guttural cacophony, their eyes fixed on the glittering prize of the ice fortress.
"They. Dare. To. Assault. Vassalheim?" Cocytus's voice was a low growl of pure, warrior's indignation. "They. Seek. Death."
Albedo's eyes gleamed. "Perhaps, Ainz-sama, these primitives will provide a suitable… stress test… for Lord Cocytus's defenses? And their souls, while likely meager, will add to your reserves."
Ainz looked out at the approaching horde and the struggling giant. This was an unexpected development, but also an opportunity. An opportunity for Cocytus to demonstrate the might of his new domain, for Ainz to acquire more power, and for all of them to witness firsthand the native threats of this harsh, frozen land.
"Cocytus," Ainz said, a cold smile touching his Elian lips. "It seems your hospitality is about to be tested. Prepare your defenses. We will observe… and offer support where necessary." The Warlord of the Ice was about to have his first true battle in this new world, and Ainz Ooal Gown would be there to witness it.