Once upon a time there was a greedy snake.

Chapter 36 Cultural Exchange of Food in Permafrost
Despite centuries of blood feud between them, the Ice People received the Ignis people's team out of respect for their old rival.

However, the reception was far less friendly. Tall, muscular Icefield warriors stood on either side, each holding a sharp spear aloft, its pointed spearheads aimed directly at the Ignis's army. Judging from their expressionless faces, each of them was a seasoned veteran.

If these warriors truly harbored malicious intentions, even the most skilled high-ranking mages walking beneath their spears would be riddled with holes on the spot.

Is this a protest?

Feeling the chilling killing intent emanating from those giant warriors, David Day, who had traveled a long way, couldn't help but frown.

As the king of the Ignis, he had never been treated like this before. When he was in the city of Ignis, he was above all others and his word was law. But now, a bunch of giants wearing tattered animal skins dared to point their spears at him.

"Is this how you treat guests who have come from afar?"

"This is a custom of our people on the Ice Plains."

When David Day raised his questions, a hunched old giant stepped forward.

That was the great shaman of the Ice Plains people, and among these Ice Plains people, he was the one whose word was law.

"If you want to meet our king, you must at least be considered a true hero. Otherwise, you'll probably be scared to death the moment you see him."

"..."

Faced with the great wizard's explanation, David Day immediately gritted his teeth.

This is a demonstration, this is a demonstration. These ice people are humiliating him, humiliating them, the Ignis—but in order to achieve his own goals, he cannot clash with these giant warriors. After all, he still needs their strength, so how can he start a fight as soon as they meet?

To show a friendly attitude, one must at least let the giants feel his sincerity.

"Be patient."

Gritting his teeth, David Day finally suppressed his anger.

After passing through the jungle of spears, they arrived at the meeting place. To David Day's surprise, these Ice People also had the habit of eating and chatting at the same time. So, after a short preparation, David Day, along with the high-ranking mages he had brought, sat down in front of the stone platform arranged by the Ice People.

Immediately afterwards, dishes were served.

It was a whole piece of mammoth meat, uncut, with traces of blood still on the raw meat—such a rough way of serving them made David Day think they were being slighted.

However, when they saw the same dishes being served to the elders of the Ice Plains, they realized that this was what the Ice Plains people ate.

"And the meat quality is also very average."

David Day couldn't help but comment on the piece of meat in front of him.

Compared to the mammoths raised by the Ignis, the texture of these pieces of meat was far inferior. The pieces of meat, still stained with blood, also carried a faint fishy smell. Heaven knows how anyone could stomach this stuff.

"Let's use the supplies we brought. It'll also show these people of the Ice Plains our sincerity."

After shaking his head, David Day waved to the magicians behind him.

The tenderloin of saber-toothed tigers, the marrow of mammoths, the paws of cave bears, the tender and juicy beef shoulder... a dazzling array of dishes were quickly served one after another, leaving the elders of the Ice Plains dumbfounded.

"This is our sincerity, and we hope we can have a pleasant meeting."

David Day said this.

"The tenderloin of the saber-toothed tiger was given to the warriors, symbolizing that they would be as brave as the saber-toothed tiger."

"The marrow of the mammoth is offered to the shamans, as its sweet taste can sharpen one's mind."

"Beef shoulder and cave bear paws, the best food, should be offered to the most honored people... These things should be offered to your king, who carries the entire tribe on his shoulders and hands." After this arrangement, everything was done in an orderly manner, and every Icefield person present received a share of the delicacies. The tempting aroma had even made their mouths water.

Seeing the giants drooling over the food in front of them, David Day already knew that his plan was probably half successful.

They're just some foolish giants; he only needs to show them something good, and these giants will...

No one is allowed to eat it.

Just as David Day was pondering how to continue luring the giants, a voice came from the deepest part of the crowd.

Upon hearing this, all the Icefield people stopped what they were doing.

Even though their eyes were still fixed on the food in front of them, and even though they were constantly swallowing their saliva, they all firmly controlled their hands under the command, showing no intention of touching the food in front of them.

At that moment, an even taller ice man emerged from the crowd.

Just looking at that muscular body, David Day's heart skipped a beat. Although the Iceman was as broad as he had been, his muscles were clearly defined. His thick arms were like solid rocks, and his strong legs were like towering trees. But what was most striking were his muscular chest and abdominal muscles. The explosive muscle shape was like that of a giant saber-toothed tiger.

The way he strode out exuded an immense sense of oppression, inspiring awe and fear.

“I am the king of the Icefield People, the eighteenth generation Carlosane you are looking for. I already know why you have come.”

"I already know why you've come."

The Icefield King, named Calosaan, scanned the Ignis people present, then his gaze settled on David Day.

"Put away your pointless arrogance. The Ice People do not accept your charity. We Ice People are not like you dwarves, who have to beg from others for anything we want... We will use our own hands, our own spears and axes, to get everything we want."

"As for the so-called peace talks... you're not even qualified to talk peace. You're not even a king now, just a stray dog ​​without a home."

"Since you want to come and seek refuge, then straighten out your attitude and recognize your own position."

"Now, continue eating."

With a wave of his hand, all the delicious food of the Ignis people was taken away.

Instead, there was mammoth meat, which had previously emitted a foul odor.

"eat."

Karlosane scanned the Ignis people in the hall.

These few words, though brief, weighed heavily on the hearts of all Ignis people, like a mountain.

Faced with such a direct insult, David Day could no longer contain his anger and immediately raised both hands, ready to clap them together.

But facing this chilling killing intent, Carlossane was not afraid at all, and even looked David Day straight in the eyes.

"It doesn't matter. Even if you kill me, or everyone here, the Ice People will immediately give birth to a new king."

“We, the people of the frozen wasteland, are not like you weak dwarves, who want the throne but have to inherit it from their parents and elders like a weak infant… The warriors of the frozen wasteland will take whatever they want with their own hands.”

"But you, you cowardly dwarf, dared to attack the king of the Ice People. Do you think you'll be able to leave this venue today?"

As he said this, Carlosane clapped his hands together.

Immediately afterwards, an incomparably sharp giant claw descended from the sky.

(End of this chapter)