Chapter 86: Ice Goddess

The Hard Steel Empire wasn't stupid, either.

Although it seemed like they mindlessly followed Tuto, no one could doubt or oppose his strength. That was a man whose body went through the universe, jumping from one low world to another.

It was the strength gap.

Still, even though that gap severely limited them and made them look like servants, The Hard Steel Empire couldn't allow their dungeon to disappear.

Emperor Ren was the creator of their popular armors. It was their main strength and the only reason they were in contention for the top.

Other Empires didn't dare make anything haste due to that power.

That power existed due to the royal dungeon.

If they made good contact with the Overlord, he would just gladly take their dungeon. They wouldn't lose people at that time, but the future surely would turn bleak. Royal Advisors had assumed that other empires would wear them down through countless skirmishes, then absorb them wholly over time.

That was the future the Hard Steel Empire wanted to avoid.

In a nutshell, their fate was the worst.

It was either instant death or slow death!

If Tuto hadn't appeared, the empire would've been quite emotionally devastated. They would go all out for Minato, and that would be it.

However, Tuto's appearance gave them hope.

Hope and future would retain their dungeon and keep their strength going up and up!

"They have done it..." That very hope stood at the border between the Hard Steel Empire and the Majestic Ice Kingdom.

He floated up in the sky, his eyes reaching far to the capital. He was many ice royalties clashing with the steel armored soldiers.

At first, Tuto's heart clenched.

Had he known beforehand that Minato was this unique, he would've planned the whole scenario differently. His comrade next to him also sighed.

"They are doing fine, though... The Ice Royalties, I meant," That comrade pointed out many ice treasures.

Ice Royalties wielded those well. Of course, many treasures were after known weapons such as swords and spears. However, a few more such as expansive area ice mana pools and similar ones were scattered on the ground.

Those helped Ice Royalties heavily.

Tuto squinted his eyes, "The Overlord must've passed it to them... That's good... They will hold on before he comes, then the Overlord will join the fray... This is not that bad, actually. The Overlord's rage should allow us to infiltrate his world.

We must pay attention to him," Tuto concluded.

His buddy nodded, "Yaro should draw Overlord here soon enough."

It was the first time they cooperated, so Tuto awkwardly replied, "I hope so... Fuck..."

The Hard Steel Empire didn't contact their royal son.

They allowed him to tour their lands with Minato while silently gathering their armies around the border. When Minato entered yet another dungeon, their forces immediately stomped through the border.

They also spent a lot of attention on Minato, not allowing anyone around him to learn about their march.

Minato was in a good mood as he conquered those dungeons.

His plan to circle around the empire suited the empire's book. They wouldn't stop him until he reached their royal dungeon!

Before he did, they would surely break those ice royalties.

Alas, they couldn't...

It was not the king who was the most oppressive.

It was his daughter, instead!

Princess Julia benefited the most from her deal with Minato. She had received countless treasures from him, to say nothing of the dual cultivation with him.

Those dual cultivation sessions gave her affinity toward the treasures from Minato's World. After he conquered their dungeons and took the items from them, their ownership fell into his hands.

Minato marked those items unconsciously.

It was the passive effect that made Princess Julia the strongest! There was also another hidden effect, though.

That hidden effect ensured Princess Julia would be in charge of the whole kingdom for eternity and even more.

Because she was a lady close to the Overlord, anyone who wielded the items of the exact origin wouldn't be able to hurt her. Of course, some pain would be inflicted, but not as much as toward those steel soldiers, for example.

Minato's possessiveness was the reason for those effects.

"I know what you are scared of," Julia spoke in a tone close to ethereal.

Snowstorms with ice shards surrounded her while the ground beneath her was like a frozen lake. It gleamed with blue light, which illuminated all around her. Those colors still paled in comparison to Julia's long blue hair.

Her appearance outshone all around her. She stood straight with her beautiful curves donned in royal golden-blue clothes.

Her expression had been contorted by ire.

It changed as her rosy lips parted, "You are scared of the Overlord, aren't you?"

As she smiled, Julia's expression turned quite warm. That was due to the connection she's made with Minato.

Just speaking about him somehow warmed her heart.

As she was like an Ice Goddess now, the outsiders blinked their eyes at the sudden show of emotions and warmth. The Princess' expression melted, and she smiled brightly while keeping those sharp ice magic circles around her!

The Hard Steel Empire's royalty bit his lips beneath his tight armor. That was the same armor covering the body from top to bottom, so he was like a superhero. His design was much better than ordinary soldiers, though.

The colors and design exuded one word - Royalty!

Julia didn't fail to imagine him biting his lips, "What's the point? We haven't grown complacent due to our growth. The loss of the dungeon was severe, and we planned to slowly establish our business across other kingdoms and empires.

"We've already spotted a few hidden parties from your kingdom," The royalty replied, "Now that the dungeons are gone due to the Overlord, they must've either switched to the danger zone or returned to your kingdom."

Julia didn't answer the royalty but smiled wider.

Never did in her mind such a day appear. She never imagined standing before the Hard Steel Empire and their forces as equals.

And yet, due to the choices she'd made, she found a good time with the Overlord and even became strong enough to fend off all their forces.

Julia believed she would be able to fend off even the emperor himself!

Thus, her tone became a little arrogant, and rightfully so!

"Learn how to drop a little of your pride! For what you've done to us, we will make sure to repay you!" Julia threatened, then her mana surged!

Icestorm around her expanded and extended toward the royalty clad in superhero armor. He had no way of avoiding it, even if he wanted to.

Royalty wouldn't show their back to their enemies, though.

He clenched his fists and welcomed the ice storm's embrace. Many ice shards shattered after their collision with his armor.

Alas, the royalty quickly found out that he couldn't move an inch!

He was dead frozen in one spot!

Julia lifted her hand gracefully, then magic circles around her hand and arm exploded! It became a giant shard with a dragon head that devoured the royalty whole!

"I have killed him..." Julia whispered, her eyes staring at the shattering ice dragon's head.

She shifted her attention to her hand and arm... Her whole sleeve tore apart due to the sudden and simultaneous usage of her magic circles, exposing her skin bare.

Julia smiled bitterly, "I can't conjure them like Bei..."

She needed to prepare them beforehand on her body. Only then would Julia be able to quickly use powerful spells! Some used weapons, some even other sacrifices!

That was all due to Julia being born in the low world.