Master Forging

Like the rest of the Winter's Claw tribe, Jessica eagerly awaited the answer. She desperately wanted to know the true strength of this tribe. One was a powerful warrior of the tribe, and the other was the War Mother, both excellent sources of information.

The group cleared a space, but Sejuani and Udyr walked further and further away, almost leaving the tribe and becoming nearly out of sight.

Why did you go this far?

Jessica was puzzled, but she soon found out why.

"Bromacia!"

A deafening roar resounded, so powerful that even from a great distance, it still caused ringing in the ears.

Immediately afterwards, everyone saw a ball of fiery golden light rise into the air, enveloping a figure wielding two axes, leaping into the air.

However, immediately afterward, that figure was slammed down by the sweeping frost wave.

Like an earthquake, the wine glass on Jessica's table tipped over, and he sat up straight, staring in disbelief at the scene in the distance.

Even though they were so far apart, their battle seemed so close, and the aftershocks felt like they could hit them at any moment.

Jessica felt a chill, not only in her heart, but also in the cold wind whipped up by the War Mother's flail, which made her hair stand on end.

Olaf, who should have been severely injured, stood up again as if nothing had happened and pounced on Sejuani. His ferocious aura and terrifying roar made even Jessica, who was used to seeing the powerful warriors of the Empire, feel a chill in her heart.

He couldn't help but turn to look at Udir and Helen, only to see that they looked perfectly normal, watching the match with great interest.

He took a deep breath and came to a conclusion.

The Claws of Winter... are far more dangerous than imagined. Without the help of the Imperial army, it is absolutely impossible to overpower them.

……

The battle between Sejuani and Udyr was intense, and both seemed to have inexhaustible stamina.

Olaf's berserk blood granted him the stamina for relentless battles, while Frostblood Endurance provided Sejuani with sustained stamina. Even the True Ice weapon, combined with her Frostblood lineage, could steadily suppress Olaf, but as Harren had predicted.

Even though Sejuani tried her best, even with the intention of killing Olaf, she couldn't do anything to Olaf.

By the time the moon was high in the sky, the two were panting heavily, but they hadn't suffered any injuries.

The surrounding snow had been cleared away, revealing solid, uneven frozen ground. If the fighting broke out within the tribe, Winter's Claw would need another major overhaul.

After fighting for an unknown amount of time, Sejuani, her eyes bloodshot, finally felt a deep exhaustion during a break. Looking up at the bright moonlight, she realized that their "contest" had lasted far too long.

Olaf, on the other hand, remained as energetic as ever, to the point that even Sejuani couldn't help but marvel at how monstrous he was.

Sejuani stopped and stared at Olaf quietly. After a long while, she chuckled softly.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you. It seems I can't let you experience a glorious death in battle."

"That's true... but it was a thoroughly enjoyable battle, I had a great time!"

Olaf had also realized that Sejuani could not kill him, so he no longer had the idea of ​​trying to die in battle.

The reason we've fought this far is purely for the thrill, not to determine a winner.

He suppressed his arrogance, grinned widely, and laughed heartily.

"Herren's wine made me very happy, and you didn't disappoint me either... You're a worthy opponent, I acknowledge you, Warmother Sejuani."

"Then join my tribe, Olaf. You know my strength. I am an ambitious man... I have many rivals, and I need someone who is not afraid to die to be at the forefront for me."

Upon hearing this, Olaf readily gave his reply.

"Of course! Leave the most dangerous opponent to me! You owe me, Sejuani! Oh no... War Mother! Ha ha!"

When Sejuani and Olaf returned together, everyone in Winter's Claws erupted in cheers.

Because they had been fighting for so long, the banquet was already in its second half, and many people were already drunk. But the alcohol made them even more excited, howling like savages.

But Jessica, who had already changed her opinion of the Winter's Claws, dared not underestimate them in the slightest. She did not find them barbaric; on the contrary, she saw it as a display of the Winter's Claws' respect for force.

Sejuani stood in front of everyone, clenched her fist, raised it, and shouted loudly.

"Welcome Olaf of Lokfar! Great warrior! To be part of our tribe!"

"oh!!!"

Everyone celebrated joyfully, and no one could feel the slightest dissatisfaction with the addition of such a powerful warrior.

Olaf, being a man of strong emotions, was caught up in the enthusiastic atmosphere and had long since abandoned Sejuani, running off to drink with the others and enjoy the compliments.

Sejuani, meanwhile, returned to her seat with an air of superiority, glanced at Jessica indifferently, and raised her hand to stop him from uttering the praise he was about to give.

Then, she walked up to Herren.

Heron raised an eyebrow, glanced at Sejuani, and simply said one sentence.

"Well played."

"Just not bad?"

Sejuani was somewhat dissatisfied with Herren's performance, and Herren, upon hearing this, quickly gave her a meaningful look.

Sejuani rolled her eyes and said reluctantly in a muffled voice.

"Heh... thanks to your weapon, it deserves at least half the credit."

Sejuani flicked the Frostblood Chains in her hand and returned to her seat. As she passed Harren, she secretly pinched him hard on the back of the neck.

"Hiss! That tiger woman!"

Herren felt like his face was being squeezed to the back of his head, and the pain almost made him lose his composure.

So what if I didn't praise you properly? Wasn't this what we agreed on? Why are you being so rough...?

At worst, I'll just praise you lavishly in private...

Sejuani's reluctant words, however, drew Jessica's attention to the flail.

Udyr had previously told him that the War Mother's weapons were also forged by Heron, the "master forger".

He had already witnessed the power of Frostblood's continuation of battle firsthand...

……

After a while, while everyone was freely gathering to drink, Jessica quietly approached Herren, who was drinking with Udyr.

"Mr. Herren, may we discuss the matter of cooperation?"

"Hey! We can talk about this anytime. It's just exchanging minerals for food, right? We don't ask for much, just the same as other tribes."

Herren seemed a little tipsy, looking impatient as his enthusiasm was interrupted.

"Why don't you try some of my homemade wine tonight? You can't find it anywhere else."

"Of course, I will try more of it, but... I am also very interested in your weapons. To be honest, I don't quite believe that anyone could forge such weapons in such a short time... Of course, I personally believe that you are such a master."

Taking advantage of Herren's rising drunkenness, Jessica deliberately provoked him, her words practically saying that she didn't believe Herren's boasting.

Sure enough, Herren frowned, swayed as he stood up, and said disdainfully.

"We all say you guys are cunning, and it seems the Noxians don't trust our honesty either... Alright, come to the forge tomorrow, and I'll show you outsiders what the strongest blacksmith in Freljord is all about."