By the spring of 1023 AD, the snow melted, and the true story of the "Epic Punishment War" reached the courts of Europe.
In Sweden (King Anund Jacob):
The King of Sweden sat in his hall, listening to a traumatized, half-frozen survivor who had finally made it across the border.
"They have exploding dogs, my King," the survivor wept. "Their soldiers are giants, a head taller than our best men. And they use our dead to feed their soil."
The Swedish King felt a cold spike of pure terror. He immediately ordered all Swedish Jarls to abandon any thoughts of revenge.
He realized Axiomra was a meat-grinder. To attack it was suicide.
In England (Emperor Cnut the Great):
Cnut read the intelligence report from his spies. He didn't shudder. He smiled a grim, calculating smile.
"The Giant lost his temper," Cnut mused, pouring a cup of wine. "He slaughtered a coalition and broke their minds. He is a madman... but he is my madman."
Cnut was privately relieved. Axiomra had proven it didn't need Cnut's army to survive, which meant Cnut didn't have to spend money defending the North.
In Norway (King Olaf Haraldsson):
Olaf used the horror to his advantage. He stood before his Christian priests and shouted:
"Do you see?! The Demon Giant turns men into cannibals! He corrupts the flesh and the soul! The Swedes went mad just by breathing the air of his valley! He is the Devil of the North!"
Olaf used the tragedy as propaganda, but secretly, he doubled his own bodyguards.
He knew that if the Giant ever decided to march out of the valley, Olaf's head would be the first to roll.