Chapter 65:

Chapter 65:

Chapter 65: Turned Upside Down

News that the Frost Giant had proposed to Ascal spread quickly through the North.

Did you hear? The Empires greatest flirt has finally charmed even the Frost Giant.

Am I witnessing a moment in history?

In the North, where the weather is perpetually cold and theres seldom much to do, gossip spreads like a plague. It traveled from family hearths to outdoor bonfires.

Eventually, everyone in the North heard about Ascal.

Even the Northern bards, sensing a major event, hurried to compose new songs.

In the chilly Northern lands, Ascal set his foot. Stealing the hearts of maidens far and wide, whispering love with his eloquent words. Oh Ascal, how did you, with your sweet tongue, manage to steal even the giants heart?

Hearing the song on the streets, Ascal sent a jeer their way.

A bard, catching Ascals eye, winked.

Bernstein remarked upon seeing this.

Congratulations on escaping the Empire, Ascal. Im truly envious as a friend.

He added with a chuckle,

Im really looking forward to your first night.

Ascal threw a punch, which Bernstein deftly avoided.

The next day.

Ascal climbed back atop the Northern walls.

From afar, the Frost Giant stood unchanged.

Well, there was one change.

In the Frost Giants hand was a huge log, held in its entirety.

Whats that...

I believe its trying to give you a bouquet.

Through a magnifying tool Bernstein provided, Ascal observed the tree.

Indeed, winter flowers were blooming brightly on it.

A rather romantic giant, isnt it?

Duke Felix crossed his arms and nodded.

Your Grace.

Such formal titles. Call me uncle.

I wonder how long that giant intends to stand there?

Probably until you accept its proposal.

...

The Frost Giant stood silently, gazing at the walls. Or more precisely, at Ascal.

Scholars say the Frost Giants sight is unbelievably sharp. It might even see you from there.

What happens if I refuse the proposal, or how does the Frost Giant even know me?

Ascal realized his speech kept ending in questions.

No wonder, for the Frost Giants proposal was unprecedented. Even for Ascal, who had faced unimaginable situations before, it was hard to keep his composure.

Why not ask directly? Hmm, lets try an experiment. Bring the largest parchment you can find!Duke Felix commanded his subordinate, who soon returned with a roll of parchment. When unrolled, it was as tall as a man.

Try writing it yourself. Surely, a direct question from you would elicit a better response.

A love letter, of all things.

Ascal, feeling ridiculous, grabbed the pen and scrawled across the parchment in the largest letters he could manage.

<How, where, did you, come to, know me?>

Two soldiers stretched out the completed parchment.

Thats when the Frost Giant began to move. Clearly, as Duke Felix had said, its eyesight was exceptional.

And the message the Frost Giant wrote on the ground was:

<A relative told me about Ascal. Said youre kind, impressive, and dont discriminate.>

Duke Felix read the message aloud.

Who could it be, the one who spoke of me to the Frost Giant?

Ascals mind raced.

Who could be a relative of the giant and also speak so highly of him?

Then it hit him.

Jerobe.

A burly friend hed met in Zlat Prison, now working as a guard in the Evaluation Department.

- Hehe, Ascal. I went back to my hometown for the festival after a long time. Told all my relatives about you. Heres a gift.

- Thank you.

To confirm, Ascal wrote on the parchment.

<Jerobe, do you know him?>

<I do. He is the relative who told the stories about Ascal.>

This is unbelievable. A job landed through corruption has led to such poetic justice.

To think Jerobe was related to the giants. His size had always seemed more than ordinary.

Hearing Jerobes story, Duke Felix commented,

Thats fortunate.

What do you mean?

Imagine if this friend Jerobe had spoken ill of you. Who knows, the North might have been destroyed by now.

Duke Felixs words brought a vague memory to Ascals mind.

In the original story, the North is obliterated without even noticing the rebellion in the Empire. The details were never clear, only mentioned in passing as if its ruins were trampled by a giant.

Could it be?

Ascal swallowed dryly.

So, what will you do?

...

Will you marry the Frost Giant, or refuse? Our actions will depend on your answer.

Duke Felixs eyes changed. These were the eyes of a leader responsible for the North.

Of course, he must refuse.It was a womans voice.

All eyes turned toward the source of the sound.

Yulia Barba, the Empires third princess, was standing there with a cold smile.

When did she get here?

As Ascal looked at Yulia, she waved cheerfully at him. Then, her gaze turned sharp as she looked at the Duke.

Who would ever want to marry that huge, smelly Frost Giant? Offering Ascal the choice, was it not just to end this matter more comfortably, Duke?

Thats a bit rude, Princess.

Ahaha. Is the Duke, who tried to trade Ascal, the Empires most critical asset, into a marriage of convenience, any better?

There was never such an intention. It was merely to ask for his consent

<We giants call this a love tusk. Ive been rejected in love. So, Ascal, take this. Use it as you see fit.>

I only seem to be taking from you.

Isolda smiled.

Then gently placed Ascal back on the ground.

Ascal watched Isoldas retreating figure for a long while.

****Festival! Festival!

Now we can freely explore the northern mountains!

With these herbs, we can heal the sick!

And what about the ore! The North is now wealthy!

The people cheered.

Ascal! Ascal! The legendary charmer who wooed a giant! All hail!

Ascal let the crowds cheers wash over him.

He then looked at the Frost Giants tusk, which had required several carts and many people to transport.

This is tricky. Even the blacksmiths are having a hard time with it.

Dont worry about that!

It was the Stonehead tribe from the North that had come upon hearing of the Frost Giant.

Its been a while, Ascal.

Dugrim?

Yes, its me.

A leading dwarf from the group of dwarves stepped forward to greet Ascal.

Come to think of it, Dugrim had mentioned he was from Stonehead when he first introduced himself.

Chief, you know him?

Youre new here, so you might not know. This hoe is one of his creations.

Dugrim lifted the hoe tied to his waist. The dwarves gasped in awe.

Wow! To meet the creator of the hoe here!

Ascal was dumbfounded.

No. That damn hoe trend hasnt died yet?

Dugrim eyed the Frost Giants tusk greedily.

With a size like this, we could make unbelievable items. Since no one but our Stonehead tribe could handle it anyway, how about you give it to us for free?

Out of the question.

Duke Felix intervened to prevent Dugrim from taking advantage.

So, how much would you want for it? Make an offer.

But Duke Felix, not being a dwarf, had no idea about the tusks market value. Dugrim crossed his arms confidently.

A hundred gold.

No, thats absurd. Who do you think you

And then Dugrim was shocked to see who appeared.

It was Yulia. Dugrim remembered the negotiations over the hoe. It had been a nightmare.

Negotiating with you is always fun. How about we negotiate all night this time?

Please, spare me.

Dugrim, following Yulia, looked like a prisoner being led to execution.

****

Eventually, the Frost Giants tusk was sold at a high price.

Ascal kept a small piece of the tusk that remained after the sale.

Additionally, the Stonehead tribe agreed to provide weapons and armor made from the tusk to the warriors of the North.

And finally,

Look here. Ascal, its your statue. Called the Scoundrel of the North.

Can we change the name?

How about The Charmer of the North? The Romantic?

Rumors, increasingly absurd, continued to spread.

After much debate, the statue was eventually named the Savior of the North.

Ascal closed his eyes.

Then, someone tapped his shoulder lightly.

It was Yulia.

Ascal. Look at me.

Your Highness?

Somehow, since arriving in the North, he hadnt once called her Lia. Perhaps the aura she exuded made her seem unapproachable.

Cant this wait until dawn?

Youll run away again, wont you?

Ill follow.

Yulia, seemingly amused, sauntered ahead with her hands clasped behind her back.

This isnt the way to the lodging.

No. Its a cave. Whatever happens here, no one will know.

When she had found this place was a mystery. The cave Yulia led him into was just big enough for two people.

Inside the dark cave, Yulia lit a magical lamp. Her face was softly illuminated, and a vanilla scent wafted from her hair.

Ascal took a step back. Yulia moved two steps closer.

Youre too close.

If I dont do this, youll run again. Are you afraid of me, Ascal?

He couldnt deny it, nor could he affirm it.

The image of her as a future tyrant, casually beheading her enemies, was something Ascal couldnt forget.

Couldnt forget?

Yulia slowly pushed Ascal with her palm. With no space to retreat, he found himself inadvertently lying down.

Yulias face came into view above him.

Looking down at him was a face both beautiful and somehow magical, bearing the haughty expression of a sovereign who oversees everything, as if it belonged to a persona he had never seen before.

Her warm breath brushed against his cheek.

Ascal Debrue, no, Ascal Erindale. I told you.

The world seemed upside down.

All premises began to invert.

You belong to me, even in death.

[TL: You can support the translation and read 5 chapters ahead of the release here on Patreon: /OracleTls]