Frostbound [LitRPG Apocalypse]-Chapter 185 - It Will Have To Be

The trip back to the busy City was just as quick as the trip there. A few hours later I was right back to where I started, staring ahead at what would be my first diplomatic meeting.

It wasn't that serious, as we were fighting a common enemy, but it was technically my first meeting with another City Lord. Tracy didn't count as I knew her from the tutorial and I hadn't actually met their City Lord.

The fact her pylon was leagues away from mine helped matters because even if I did cause offense, it wasn't like they were going to chase me all the way North.

But this was different. This pylon was one of our nearest neighbors and there would be no running away if I managed to flub things. While highly doubtful, the possibility was there.

I had watched how the people who visited us acted and how they talked about their City and it gave me a decent idea of what I was walking into. Nothing specific was revealed, but an idea nonetheless.

The group was courteous and polite without any direct arguments breaking out during our time together. Unless the City Lord was the complete opposite of the people he sent, I wasn't overly worried.

My biggest thought was on how I would get him to abandon defense and go on the attack.

Even as I walked up to the settlement gates, more traps and defenses were being constructed. Even after knowing help had arrived, he was set on building up what he could.

The worst outcome from our meeting would be his refusal to go out and attack the Demons once they were found which would be monumentally stupid.

Demons were a ticking time bomb and the sooner they were vanquished the better. We didn't have time for him to turtle up behind his walls as their number grew with every new summon.

And if there was an intelligent Demon in control, they would wait until they had overwhelming numbers before doing anything. Waiting was death, and I wouldn't allow that to be an option.

I had Carson walking next to me as I entered the gates and the people inside parted for us to pass. I left Remi behind with the group and chose to go at this on foot.

My armor and hammer were with me and even if I didn't think a fight was probable, I was still ready.

The buildings I passed were mismatched with new construction mixed in with old. Some of the buildings were just reconstructed from being destroyed while others were completely new.

New growth rings of the city were the first we traveled through after entering the gates and we transitioned to older structures as we walked toward the City center. There was no inner wall, no castle at the center for defense.

It was a town full of regular buildings surrounded by a wooden wall.

It was funny to see how differently we approached City building. I was focused on fortifications above all else while what I was looking at made it seem like defense was an afterthought they had only recently seen to.

The only good thing they had going for them was the town butted up against a lake. The direction we came from made the lake sit on the opposite side of the City out of sight but it was revealed while getting closer.

Other than being on the shores of a lake, the City had nothing else going for it. The best way to fortify it would be to build a Castle inside the lake but that was long in the future.

The amount of manpower required to build up the foundational Earth for that to be possible would take forever, but that was the best option my mind could come up with.

Still, being surrounded by water wasn't the same deterrent it used to be. A powerful Water Mage would turn the moat against you, using the readily supplied Water as fuel. Ideas of how to fix that and make moats more deadly flashed but I waved those away.

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I didn't need to be thinking about what I would do differently when it wasn't my city.

The only thing I could admit was at least they were trying to make up for it now. The wooden palisade ringing the town wouldn't hold against anything too powerful, but it was at least better than nothing. It could be quickly enhanced by piling dirt behind it to make it more robust.

Carson didn't speak much while walking through his home and I didn't ask him to. A silent observation of what we passed through was good enough for me, I didn't need a tour.

Similar to our own City before we left, people were busy at work inside various workshops. The clangs of hammer blows were most obvious as smithing was the loudest profession by far.

Hides were laid out in the sun to dry while those already prepped were no doubt being sewn into armor. The City was in full conscription mode and people moved with a purpose between the different buildings.

It was hard to gauge the strength people held as the density made it all blend together into a blob. I couldn't pick out specific people which ruined any attempt to know how strong they were.

Levels were revealed on some but my [Identify] was weak enough that any run-of-the-mill [Blocker] could obscure it. From what I could see it didn't seem that different than my own city.

The levels here were on the lower side of our average but it wasn't that big of a difference. Our months of traveling gave us some levels but not as many as we would have from being next to a dungeon 24/7. Well, for those that chose to enter it. People who shied away wouldn't see any quick increase in level for their Class.

The fact we were still ahead was only because of the monsters we had to travel through.

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Carson led on through it all and I could see what I assumed to be the management building coming up. It appeared like a City Hall from before but repurposed to be the command center.

People rushed in and out of its doors constantly taking orders out or bringing information in. The building itself stood tall and was one of the few entirely made of stone.

It was also where I expected the pylon to be.

While pylons had a beacon effect before they were placed, they were harder to sense afterward. Not to say they were hidden, but they were more subtle with how they worked.

If I had to guess the reason why, I would say it was so unplaced pylons couldn't be lost or hidden for long.

The system made a big deal about owning land and making sure only certain people were able to do so and hiding a pylon or smuggling it away defeated that purpose.

Once purchased, everyone would know what was in your possession and there was no hiding it.

After it was placed, though, it was easier to disguise or mask where the pylon was hidden. It was easy to tell there was one, but not its exact location. Being able to hide it after it was placed confused me but it wasn't my biggest concern right now.

Carson led me through the doors into the building and I was met with a wall of parchment on either side. Crude maps from fledgling Cartographers filled the building with loads of different things written on them.

Points were circled and lines were drawn detailing various construction taking place while others were of older dates. They depicted the city before the wall was built and at various stages of development.

The wall of parchment had people checking on it and adding words but I didn't have a clue what most of it was about. There was way too much information to catch anything as we passed by and into a long hallway.

Doors lined either side of the hallway but none were where I was led. Small alcoves or rooms were where most of the doors led as a few were open, revealing what they contained.

We breezed by all of them and it became clear we were heading toward the lone door at the end of the hallway instead of any of the branching ones.

As my steps neared, I took a deep breath to ready myself. I wasn't scared, but it was hard not to feel nervous. Diplomacy was not my strong suit and I did not like having to do it.

The fact it was necessary and would continue to be only made it worse. Anything I said or did could affect our future relationship and the fact we were neighbors meant that would be a constant one.

Prepared as best I could, I stepped through the door.

Inside the room, there were three other people except for Carson and I who just entered. Two of whom I'd met before. Off in the corner was the strong woman with the bow, Victoria. The warrior who I'd met, Nathan... or Noah, I couldn't remember the man's name, sat next to who I assumed was the City Lord.

All in the room were armed and armored, prepared for a fight to break out at any time. I didn't think they would fight me, but ready to fight in case Demons attacked.

Even knowing they weren't armed just to meet me, it made the room tense anyway. With everyone in a state of battle readiness it didn't matter we were supposed to be allies, when an unknown with a weapon stood before you, it was hard not to tense.

The man in charge was seated at a meeting table with chairs arranged for three. Two straight across from each other with the third placed off and behind. Close enough they were still at the table, but clear they were support rather than another voice.

"Hello and nice to meet you. I must express my appreciation for you coming to our aid." The man, who I knew was Ashton, started the conversation with platitudes.

With only a few people in the room, it was easier to pick out the feeling specific people gave off and this man reminded me of Jonathan. Even without seeing the shield leaning against his chair, it was clear he was a defender.

But instead of a sturdy mountain that Jonathan felt like, one immovable if it chose to be, Ashton felt like a steadfast source of light. A comforting presence that would prop you up if you were to fall.

It was an odd feeling and one I hadn't felt before but I could guess what it was from games I used to play.

He was a paladin of some sort.

I wasn't sure how faith or religions worked now with The System and all, but what I could feel was hard not to associate with paladins. He even had the sword and shield combo to match.

The armor he wore matched my own in heaviness and even exceeded it in some areas. I made mine to go under my [Frost Armor] but his was made to be his sole protection.

When he stood briefly to greet me he matched my height putting him over six feet. His face was devoid of facial hair and his brown hair was meticulously trimmed.

An odd detail to keep under control with the world in its current state. Even his eyebrows looked curated, oddly enough. After peeking around the room and the new face in front of me, I took in his stature.

The armor made it hard to tell but there was a thickness in his limbs speaking of high strength. It wasn't a foolproof rule that thick arms meant high strength, but it was common.

With appearances observed and platitudes to start, I followed suit, "You called and I have answered. I know the threat Demons hold and cannot leave it to fester so close to home."

It wasn't what I really wanted to say but I couldn't leave the man hanging.

"Introductions are in order then. This is my first time meeting another pylon owner and, truth be told, am unsure of the proper procedure." He said with a laugh trying to lighten the atmosphere. "My name is Ashton Seger, City Lord and Faction leader of Fort Hope."

"Christopher Zalenski, City Owner and Faction leader of Frostheim." I matched before we shook hands. It felt weird to be so formal about this but it was essentially a meeting between foreign delegates.

Not that we were the size and strength of countries before, but that was essentially what we were. Two separate forces meeting for the first time. Ugh, the Formalities are only going to get worse.

"With that out of the way, we can get into it then. I'm told you came with four hundred fighters and I'm pleased to have them. We're currently adjusting our battle plans with the additions in mind so feel free to share any inputs you have that could help." He said bringing out a map of the area with the same drawings I had seen on the way in.

My options on how direct I wanted to be flashed in my head but I decided to handle this like I had before. Direct and to the point worked with Tracy and keeping that would be easiest going forward.

"I've come to fight Demons, not defend your City. I have trackers out searching for them now and intend to march once they are found. Time is of the essence and I cannot waste it waiting for them here." I stated succinctly.

The room fell silent at my announcement and it was clear they were caught off guard. I expected as much as I saw zero preparations for an offensive battle.

"You intend to lead an attack against them?" Ashton asked questioningly.

"I do. We need to find them first, evaluate their strength, and vanquish them as soon as possible. The longer we wait the harder it will be." I said, "We can't depend on them coming to attack here when so many other things can happen. What if they run South and never come back?"

"We know the consequences of such a fate but we can't do anything without information. All our scouts and anyone with a tracking skill are running around the countryside looking for them without any luck." Ashton said.

Hearing that eased my mood. It was hard not to look at all the defensive preparation and think they weren't doing anything besides that. Hearing they were actively looking for the Demons was good news, even if they had no leads.

"Then I will add those I can to the search. If we pool information we should be able to find them faster." I said in a lighter tone.

"Then it shall be done." He said with a nod, "But are you sure going at them with... our numbers will be enough. While I can force people to defend their home, forcing them to march is a completely different story."

"How many can you estimate will come?" I asked.

"I don't know. A third? A quarter? Half if we're lucky." He sighed, "Will that be enough?"

"It will have to be." I said.