The Strong Should Do the Unthinkable

"Aishie, you?!"

Pointing a magical ice arrow at her, Sejuani felt no fear, only utter astonishment.

She genuinely believed that everything she did was for the tribe, regardless of whether it was considered treacherous, cruel, or bloodthirsty, she did it so that the people in the tribe would not starve to death.

Moreover, she could have made more thorough preparations; she acted rashly in order to help Ashe establish her authority as quickly as possible... She did it entirely for Ashe's good.

But you're pointing a bow at me? Just because I'm nice to you, does that mean you can point a bow at me?

She could tolerate Ashe's opposition, which was a great tolerance for Sejuani, who was somewhat stubborn. However, she could not tolerate Ashe drawing her bow for the sake of outsiders.

She raised her longsword and walked towards Ashe. Ashe's fingers clenched so tightly they turned white, but she still couldn't bring herself to actually shoot the arrow at her own Sergio.

She could only watch helplessly as Sejuani walked over and knocked her to the ground with a long sword.

Sejuani held Ashe's neck to the hilt of her knife, and didn't forget to raise her fist and punch her in the face.

Ashe did put up a fight. Although her Frostblood was fully awakened, Sejuani also had Frostblood and had been independent for many years. There was a significant difference in combat ability between her and Ashe, a little girl who had just been forced to leave the protection of her War Mother and Oathfather.

Ashe was thoroughly defeated, but she still stubbornly insisted on her opinion.

"There's no need to kill them. We can drive them away... drive them onto the icy sea!"

"What nonsense are you talking about! No one can survive the icy sea! That's crueler than killing them!"

"I survived!"

"You survived because you met me; you have the bloodline of ice! They are merely furnace dwellers!"

Aisha pursed her lips, her eyes, which usually held a cute and gentle look, were now filled with stubbornness.

"Ice Bloodline? Furnace House? A life is a life!"

Upon hearing this, Sejuani's angry expression froze, and she couldn't help but chuckle.

"You know what? Ash, your mother, Glenna, is the woman I admire most. I've fantasized countless times that she could be my mother... But if I had to say what her shortcoming is, it's that she protected you too much. She found you ten sworn fathers to protect you and love you... You're too foolish, too weak!"

Sejuani released her grip on the hilt of the sword, allowing Ashe to breathe freely again. Then, Sejuani pointed to the tribespeople who were still trembling.

"Do you think I'm only thinking of myself? If they die, the tribe can live, and you can stay and avoid being killed by the Frost Priest... Do you understand? They have to die for you to live!"

"Okay... I understand."

Aisha staggered to her feet and dragged her bow in the snow.

Just when Sejuani thought she had finally come to her senses, she raised her head and said with a firm gaze.

"I will go with them to the icy sea and lead them across it."

Sejuani was stunned; she never expected Ashe to make such a decision.

Just like my retaliation against her... You say I'm weak? Fine, I'll show you whether I'm willing to give my life for my principles, and whether I dare to step into the icy sea you say no one survives.

"Are you crazy? Ashe, you're throwing your life away! For these Hearthstone Fiends? It's not worth it!"

"I have to try... Like you said, the strong do the impossible."

These were the words Sejuani said to Ashe, and now Ashe is returning them to her.

By this time, Sejuani had realized that her conflict with Ashe wasn't a matter of pride, and Ashe wasn't an overly kind-hearted saint... She truly had her own principles and was willing to risk her life for them.

Sejuani couldn't understand this idea at all... but she knew she couldn't persuade Ashe.

After a long silence, Sejuani turned her head and looked at Heron.

Heron stood with his hammer still upright, between the Avarosan and Ibrahim, with frozen ice crystals beneath his feet spreading down the hammerhead.

Ibrahim's furnace dwellers dared not move, and Ercas and the others were also intimidated by the abilities he had displayed, so they dared not make any rash moves.

Sejuani looked over, but Harren didn't look at her; instead, he stared intently at Ashe.

Before this, she only felt that the little girl in front of her was very similar to the Ice Archer in her memory.

Equally kind and gentle, except for a bit of naiveté... And now, she is no longer just an ice archer, but a true Avarosa Warmother.

It was only then that Harren realized why Ashe was able to go from being all alone to building the most powerful tribe besides the Frostguard in just a few years.

Even Herren was captivated by her and felt an urge to serve her.

"Helen, what...do you think?"

Harren snapped out of his daze, looked at the group of furnace workers, and said calmly.

"I'm a hearth dweller too, Sejuani."

Sejuani paused, and Harren was clearly on Ashe's side as well.

She turned away sadly, but after hesitating for a moment, she turned back... Although she didn't want to admit it, she was really reluctant to part and couldn't help but ask again.

"You're not a blacksmith, Harren! You're a warrior, you just happen to know how to forge."

Upon hearing this, Herren shook his head again.

"No, I am first and foremost a blacksmith, it just so happens that I have great strength... Blacksmithing is my foundation, my life, fighting is just a means of self-defense, Sejuani... Ashe is right."

Of course, in Heron's eyes, Sejuani's actions weren't necessarily wrong, but from his perspective, he didn't approve of them.

Finally receiving this disheartening answer, Sejuani gritted her teeth and turned away.

"Alright, you two are a match made in heaven... Take them and go! Don't come back! I'll consider you traitors, enemies... if fate brings us together again."

Sejuani waved, and Urkas and the others were relieved. If they could, they wouldn't want to fight Harren.

That strange weapon... Nobody wants to get hurt, especially not something so pointless.

Moreover, the supplies and food have already been obtained.

They loaded their loot onto the Juvask and lined it up in rows, while Sejuani, head down and with a long sword slung over her shoulder, led the way dejectedly.

Just then, Herren's voice came again.

"Wait a minute, Sejuani."

Sejuani's eyes lit up, and she turned around with a hint of anticipation.

However, Herren simply leaned on the hammer handle and asked.

"Since we're going to spare their lives, could you leave them a little food? Enough to last them a few days, I think they'll figure out the rest... For our sake."

Sejuani's face turned cold, and she flung her hand haphazardly. Urkas, understanding her intention, caught a bag of food, swung it around, and threw it at her.

Sejuani, finally unable to contain her anger, shouted.

"We're even now! Herren! This is for the sake of you speaking up for me back then!"