Home/The Ice Age Came? And I Just Got Married?!/ch 107

Chapter 107.

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A tense atmosphere hung over Acorn Village.

Luca was walking home from the school at the chapel with his friends when he sensed the seriousness in the air.

"Why hasn't the Duchess returned yet?"

His friend Lily, whom he'd met at the chapel school, asked him. She was one of those who still believed Luca was deeply connected to the Duke and Duchess.

Luca shrugged.

"She must be handling something important. She'll be back soon."

Lily leaned in and whispered as if sharing a secret.

"I heard there's an army surrounding our village—did you know?"

"I heard. But don't worry—the Duke is here."

At Luca's firm reply, Lily asked with curiosity.

"Is the Duke really that amazing? Enzo said he's like a demon lord."

"A demon lord? Do you know that you're safe because of that demon lord?"

"I know—I didn't mean it in a bad way."

Lily's voice grew smaller at Luca's sharp retort.

The children had been gossiping about Logan's blood-soaked returns whenever he went outside.

Rumors had been circulating for days—some villagers said Acorn Village would soon fall to the outside army.

They soon reached the village square. A large tree and a well stood at its center, with several benches in front of it, making it a sort of meeting place.

Luca and Lily naturally sat on an empty bench. From the next bench, they overheard a conversation.

"It's the Devil's Village, after all. Outsiders say we sold our souls to a demon."

"Let them talk—they can't even set foot inside!"

"Right. They say the army's been surrounding us for a week, but they haven't taken a single step into the village."

"They say even the Duke can't handle them alone—but whenever he moves, an entire squad gets wiped out."

"The village is impressive, but the Duke is truly remarkable."

"Maybe he really is a demon lord?"

The voices faded until Luca and Lily could no longer hear them.

Though people called him a demon lord, they didn't seem to fear Logan—rather, they spoke with a sense of pride.

"A village ruled by a demon lord—sounds pretty cool, doesn't it? At least it means our village will stay safe."

Lily said, eyes sparkling. That was the general sentiment among the villagers.

Having all endured terrible experiences at Lowell Amusement Park, they saw this place as a paradise.

After chatting with Lily a bit more about Logan's rumors, Luca headed back to Eve House.

Inside, he saw Marcus sitting quietly on the sofa, reading.

"Chairman."

"Oh—you're back."

Marcus took off his glasses and closed his book.

Luca approached him, holding his bag.

"Where's the Duke?"

"Ah—he went 'outside' again."

"Again?"

Marcus set the book down on the table. Its title read How to Give Up on Unrequited Love.

Unrequited love?

As Luca tilted his head, Marcus looked out the window.

"He's coming."

Luca looked out with Marcus.

Through the open gate, they saw Logan walking across the village—once again covered in blood. The villagers watched him with concern.

Yes—concern, not fear.

That was a remarkable response—it showed how much they trusted and followed the Duke and Duchess.

"Well—with that monstrous strength, who wouldn't follow him?"

Marcus muttered.

As the village expanded, watchtowers had been built into the walls. All the adults took turns standing guard.

So everyone had witnessed Logan's overwhelming power.

Those who'd seen his battles firsthand spread tales of his feats, inflating his reputation even further.

Click.

Just then, Logan opened the door and entered. Luca and Marcus watched him from the living room.

"Hey, Duke—are you alright?"

Logan, who had been heading straight upstairs, turned at Marcus's question.

His eyes were hollow.

In fact, Marcus hadn't had a proper conversation with Logan since his return. He wasn't even sure if Logan's memory had returned.

Graham said it hadn't—but Marcus couldn't shake the feeling that it had, and that was why Logan seemed so unhinged.

"It'll be quiet for a few days."

Logan answered briefly and went upstairs. Silence fell in the living room.

Luca looked up at Marcus.

"The Duke's going to get himself hurt at this rate—he doesn't take care of himself."

Marcus agreed.

Currently, the only internal forces available to help Logan were Clare, Leon, Charlotte, and a handful of people with military experience.

But the army surrounding Acorn Village kept attacking endlessly, seemingly without end.

Of course, Acorn Village was a magically enchanted place, so their attacks couldn't get through.

"I thought they'd give up because of the weather, but they're more persistent than I expected."

Marcus stroked his chin, lost in thought.

"I need to call Nathan."

Nathan, who had recently found sled dogs in Rosebrook, was busy repairing the sleds.

"We need to ask our allies for help."

---

I arrived in the capital, Avrid, with Julian—thanks to the Silverstone's power.

Though I can't really call it "thanks."

Whether my power was only half-restored or I'd miscalculated the coordinates, I'd thought of Acorn Village and ended up in Avrid instead.

There, I happened to run into Tony's Faction survivors and stayed with them for the night.

The sun had already set by the time I arrived in the capital.

Tony's Faction had set up camp in the Royal Natural History Museum.

One of the capital's largest stone buildings, it had miraculously survived the avalanche head-on.

Though cracks ran through its outer walls, the thick stone and massive pillars still held the structure upright.

Pushing open the heavy door, I stepped inside to find a scene completely different from the frozen world outside.

Beneath the towering central exhibition hall, dozens of tents were neatly arranged.

Display cases that once held fossils now served as storage for food and supplies. In one corner of the vast hall, children sat around a small charcoal stove, reading books.

It was another small village built in the middle of ruins.

"You can rest here tonight."

Following Tony's lead, I suddenly stopped.

In the center of the hall, a massive sauropod skeleton—its neck reaching toward the ceiling—still stood in place.

A creature extinct for millennia, now reduced to bones and silence, while beneath it, survivors of another era huddled around fires.

It was a strange sight.

"By the way, I'm glad you found your second brother. Please send my regards to your eldest brother as well."

At Tony's words, Julian looked at me curiously.

"He knows Graham?"

"Graham stayed here for a while."

Julian nodded in understanding.

"I wasn't too worried about him—he'd survive anywhere."

I smiled at Julian's words. After all, Graham had taught me so many survival skills as a child. It would be stranger if he lacked survival instincts.

Just then—

"Tony! Tony! Chief!"

One of Tony's survivors rushed up to him.

"A messenger has come from Acorn Village!"

And he delivered unexpected news.

"They say the village is under attack—they're asking allied factions for reinforcements!"

What?

The messenger who came to Tony's Faction was none other than Logan's aide, Nathan Holt.

"Your Grace! You're here!?"

Nathan was shocked to see me. He quickly grabbed my hand.

"I think you should stay here, ma'am."

"What? Why?"

"These bastards called White Veil brought an army—and they're looking for you."

What?

"Those damned sons of bitches..."

Julian cursed under his breath. Nathan looked startled.

"This is my second brother."

"Ah—sorry for the late introduction..."

"Forget introductions—explain the situation in detail."

Julian crossed his arms and pressed Nathan with a serious face.

Nathan hesitated, then spoke.

After a moment, my expression grew even more grave.

"...You're saying Logan's gone berserk?"

"Ah—yes. He's been fighting alone against overwhelming numbers. Lieutenant Wayne and Sergeant Faulkner are fighting alongside him—but I'm worried he might push himself too far."

Still, I was relieved that Logan had made it back to Acorn Village safely.

I listened quietly and made my decision.

"We leave for Acorn Village tomorrow morning."

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