Chapter 124
5uXItA“It’s ambiguous.”RqaP
PMuLucian muttered with an unconvinced expression. Being the son of the chief clearly didn’t mean a low status.gvAipj5
9769Fu4For a foreigner, gaining status right from the start wasn’t a bad thing either. The problem was that Lucian’s goal was far too ambitious.ES7
0rrc“I came here to bring the entire tribe under my command. I didn’t come to serve under the chief. Rather than being placed on the same level as the chief’s son for something like this, I’d prefer to be treated as a foreign ruler.”dfN
oJ1Even after this, Lucian would still have several chances to prove himself.4u5S
ctAN3But, as always, first impressions were the most important. Had he just arrived, and was already being given treatment just below the chief?riQ
xx3lwjInstead of that—even if it meant being regarded with suspicion as a foreigner and having to shed blood—it was better to conquer a proper position.OWSn71T
JxGLHowever, upon hearing this, Helen shook her head.lXCm5
n0BqP“My lord, it’s the opposite.”N8rSM
RbY5“The opposite? Are you saying it’s better to accept that proposal and be on the same level as the chief’s son?”xw8IB
n5aaDl6“What someone gains by subduing a warrior isn’t just preferential treatment. They obtain all the rights that warrior possessed. From command authority to the right of succession—everything.”5lj2
R38j4xi“…!?”g5FD
ia0At those unexpected words, Lucian’s eyes widened. If that were true, Lucian could become their ruler in place of Gunstein.aTnWb
udBVNo matter how great his achievements were, as an outsider, he’d always carry the label of a conqueror.kTOtqc
OtD12MBut to be recognized as a legitimate ruler by tradition—not as an invader?0UXJV
fjqInZ“Does a rule like that really exist? It’s not some theoretical rule that’s never actually applied, is it?”BMC
GJN“It’s a blood rule that all the tribes of the glacier respect. Regardless of His Majesty’s origin, not a single member would oppose it.”JvQaB
KyDeBXi“Then that’s a relief though it’s still absurd. To surrender and hand everything over to the enemy just like that.”o889A
FBroAt Lucian’s doubt, Helen gently smiled and explained.b66Evjb
NCX“My lord, this is a land where the population is extremely scarce. In a place like this, if they killed everyone just for being enemies once, the losses would be enormous. On the contrary, even if they want to forgive, if the enemy won’t surrender, there’s no choice.”vrvZ
2rHSA3YThen Lucian understood why that rule existed. The population a ruler controls is the source of taxes, labor, and military strength.IH4wHy
WQnzWThe more people, the greater the benefit to the ruler and their entire faction. But unlike the Empire, here they couldn’t bring in new people from the outside.KFtED
hP5‘Whether enemies or allies, in the end, they’re all just fighting among a fixed population. If they reduce that population by calling them enemies, the entire exchange network collapses.’3Ho
xhYyO6A bitter smile appeared on Lucian’s lips. If there were population available to resettle the empty lands, it would be different—but as it stood, even winning gained you nothing.JkHWvJ7
2GgGPOn the contrary, losing the trade network would worsen quality of life.UGb
pOnykWThat’s why, as the victor, the ideal was to eliminate only the leaders and absorb the enemy’s population.BS4Bi75
pmLsmBut if the former enemies would rather die than surrender, there was no other option.BvYEmiK
vokrFVF“It’s a kind of pact. In exchange for recognizing the victor as the legitimate ruler, life and equal treatment are guaranteed.”8rqfly7
suKT“Exactly.”KcvjX2
wgy“I see. In that case, there’s nothing to worry about.”ITe
pakg7lIt wasn’t an empty formality, but a rule created to prevent the complete extinction of the tribe.SdYKW
5YbRBecause it was directly tied to survival, no one would dare break it lightly.w4q6WJ
3CKK1k“Very well, I accept.”AKvi
KeJ***e1ib2
Rou6WbAs planned, Lucian’s group decided to spend the night at the last rest stop before setting out.UvYEZ
YsGMore time had passed than expected, and in a glacier like this, conserving strength was just as important as anything else.XI8G
E0H5XThe only difference now was the increase in the number of people—and thus, a change in the food.D3byVgE
WZg0WyCSizzle.874ITQ
8aqRFtThe aroma of roasting meat spread throughout the cabin. While everyone swallowed hard at the scent that stirred their senses, Gunstein cut a piece of meat and chewed it.rxw
6YL“Hmm.”j23rB
t8y6WkPWith a satisfied expression, Gunstein took the meat and carefully placed it on a plate.PRv
mBUYoU4Then he held it with both hands and offered it to Lucian as if it were an offering.HahxT
59kWsah“It’s ready, my lord.”KK0nCJJ
nF5ULucian silently accepted the plate and brought a well-cut piece to his mouth.A9DhOV
Hd5Z7Unlike the bland taste from before, this now had a sharp tang that stimulated the tongue. Not bad at all.ogI
l2WE“The flavor is unique. What spice did you use?”V4z
IRMCg8L“Spice? I don’t know what that is, but it’s dried and ground black weasel liver. If you add it to any food, the flavor improves a lot.”p2QeS1
zDtV6K“Not bad.”8akV
CsOJg3F“Come on, everyone else eat too.”sD8T18
eZLGunstein also cut meat and personally handed it to the others. There was no trace left of his previous arrogance; now, he was impeccably respectful.s4eq
RKKKGThe group accepted the plates with astonished expressions.6L488SN
EFpXOne of the subordinates, uneasy at seeing Gunstein like this, stepped forward.Ogjig
WbkN“Chief, we can serve.”Mhx
RiMfn“No need. It’s my duty.”9boKuYq
3E8dWhDespite the subordinate’s thoughtfulness, Gunstein didn’t budge.2fn9
enyIn the Empire, personally serving food was already a high mark of respect, but here it seemed to carry an even deeper meaning.lcVHh
mFsHelen silently watched Gunstein and only after receiving the plate he offered did she speak.BDPIebz
UJq“Gunstein, it’s time you explained.”XI4A
gmMWQ4“Explain? Explain what?”bTq
gBch“Don’t play dumb. Why did you ignore my mediation earlier?”ueciaw
cCrl3sHelen’s sharp gaze pierced through the confused Gunstein.ne3k
MvWFoY“The Gunstein I knew wasn’t someone so reckless. You knew right from wrong, and even showed respect to my master.”tELO7uV
95PuY“…”ccMN6
1Zs0Nvs“And yet today, you not only ignored my words, but disrespected my master’s guests. Why did you do it?”5edjzs
Sq0DcaIt was a direct question that bordered on cold.Scs
9Ie3UGunstein hesitated for a long time, and in the end, let out a sigh as if giving up.eirKP
HK1DmNo matter how he thought about it, no excuse came to mind that didn’t sound pathetic, so he decided to speak the truth.FdOFfi
VyKA“I wanted to bring the Guide to my side so I could become chief.”ln8oOn2
I620Pt“What are you saying?”nXaZs
jKs0“My father is already very old. He’s not immobile, but he’s at the point where he can no longer call himself a warrior with pride.”CQl
3YbWhen a chief can no longer fulfill their duties as a warrior, tradition dictates that a new one must be chosen.wVLTN41
FMA5Everyone knew that a contest between the brothers was coming.hRbCub
CZ82VfGunstein, as the chief’s son, also had the right to compete—and the ambition.8QP
aAG“But unlike my brothers, my base is far too weak. The history they’ve built, the time they’ve spent leading—it’s all different. They’ve led their groups for over ten years and built up prestige.”0QR
RNWQsIf the contest were a simple one-on-one, Gunstein might’ve had a chance.Hyku
WfMZdBut it wasn’t just about personal strength—it was also about reputation and the factions under each candidate’s control.hAdZ
VXBFMaybe in ten more years—but if the contest started now, there was no way he could win.lAh826
LOtIocN“My brothers don’t even consider me a rival. And honestly, they’re right. But there was one person who could reverse all those disadvantages at once.”icGSo
D5sbNo“You’re talking about my master.”VA7BG
atsRI“That’s right. If the Guide sided with me, I could compete on equal footing. But there was no sign he would, so…”FEOh
3iiDk1“So you tried to use us—the ones you stumbled across by chance. You planned to invoke tradition, claim us as your property, then free us in exchange for our support. Right?”kHjIt
7wrAAt Lucian’s blunt interrogation, Gunstein nodded with a reddened face.ceWYw0D
Kzd9W3oHe seemed ashamed to recall how his own scheme had backfired.iH19c1
1YaVf1l“…Even so, now that I serve my lord, I think this is better. Among my brothers, there’s not one with the caliber to be chief.”7Hf
jjZfTRHe preferred to serve Lucian over any of his brothers.ZNKO
QOujtuuIt didn’t sound like a forced excuse—Gunstein’s expression was oddly relieved.mXdq
JAl“Well, if that’s how you see it, all the better. By the way, that contest—is it really going to happen soon?”VQf
G4N“Huh? Ah… yes. At the latest, in three or four days. My father has already hinted at it.”t28GCZv
tsj“Then…”Y3Xtyxo
cOsLucian set down his plate and smirked boldly.Acr
bOunSI“Can I participate in the contest in your place?”H26qco
pGOq85“…!?”41zPDu
6PKAO***2rWA
0BPtcdThe next day, Lucian’s group left the cabin and headed toward their destination.bRM
wa1This time, Helen didn’t have to rely on memories from years ago.18V7Y
4f7Gunstein and his men, natives of the area, served as guides.Gr3x
36X0fy“If we keep this pace, we’ll arrive before afternoon.”TLHK4b2
U5V“Good. I was getting tired of walking on nothing but snow.”mqL
pX29Y0“My lord… do you truly intend to participate in the contest?”Gr4
myixLucian answered only with a smile and quickened his pace.wpN
wppWGunstein, about to ask more, shut his mouth. It wasn’t his place to press his lord for answers.BX1mw
DukR“The blizzard’s easing up.”6uzx
McvHW7Lucian looked around while following Gunstein.h29Y
Yi8iUntil now, outside of the path opened by magic, the terrain had been impossible for a human to endure.Yp8n
E3GXIiBut from this point on, the farther they advanced, the calmer the blizzard became.pCm
zpW4Soon, the snow completely settled and the surroundings turned uniform.VBB5hKW
V6r“This is where our tribe lives. We call it the Dragon’s Jaw.”gnU
Ep6DqOhGunstein pointed downward from a hill.Q7dD
fjyp613Lucian followed him up and let out an exclamation.Y5pVS
hm0ko5“It’s impressive.”EZUY9V
Kzk7sBeyond the frozen wasteland, at the edge of the land of eternal cold, there truly was a settlement.Bz0LjV
iMq0hcaIt wasn’t just any village.E6EtwR
pDqNA9rAll the inhabitants were giants, two or three heads taller than imperial citizens.pevGz
kvzwClad in furs, they repaired damaged homes and skinned hunted beasts—each one busy with their own tasks.dl0
qGL3xEveryday life wasn’t all that different, but the sight was far too strange to ignore.x2kNY
LBBn“…That guy just carried two massive logs—one in each hand?”5zMoLeZ
4zY“And the beasts they’re skinning are all predators.”CaRW
c55oLeSA physical strength that let them effortlessly lift weights an imperial of the same height could barely budge.sTKfA
WKtQ54The skill to handle giant beasts like rabbits.xzWWm
e3mHaAnd the villagers passed by it all as if it were perfectly normal.l9t
FeZRAny one of them could crush an elite imperial soldier like a child.L7vL813
lube“My lord, before going down, please wear this.”l6W0
mlLvhNWhile everyone was still captivated, Gunstein removed his outer coat and handed it to Lucian.PJDl
cZ958It was an overly large, thick leather garment, causing Lucian to frown slightly.Dipyqss
3U4“Do I really have to wear this? It’s huge. I’ll look like a clown.”lzPKl6
cRYXm“It’s the proof that all my rights have been passed to you. At least the first time you enter, you must wear it.”9dmlg1
5jP1Z7“Sigh no choice then.”AeTSPE
hSrLucian put on the coat.fMxDg
okZPG8rLuckily, it didn’t drag on the ground, so he could preserve at least some dignity.9Xy
aHxBdbThen, the moment the group descended and encountered the villagers, it happened.nuIa
mfd“Hngh!?”SKBz2
UGPKUM5“D-Dear gods!”BxlqNXZ
ELxfr7“It can’t be!”F9bOf6q
OsUKae“Oh… at last!”5XjVVll
MXvWQAyShouts erupted from all around as soon as they saw Lucian.Jxag1
9afQsiStunned by the unexpected reaction, Lucian blinked.E1SdT7
4hq‘What the hell is going on now?’ncJIX
El1GJHe had expected hostility, but this wasn’t hostility—it was shock and fear.idOLME
9Q4uAnd still, among the crowd, there were also those who looked at him with hope and joy.dVs2v
yU1aAs Lucian tilted his head in confusion, one villager shouted.2iSGc4
fjFEZh“Our king has arrived!”D8pE
jEE“…!?”tSG5
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