Chapter 129
kjxDC“Ha.”1yena
K71bLA dry laugh escaped from Ivar’s mouth.enEQY
kenzThat it wasn’t an excuse but genuine praise for a woman like that was absurd—and at the same time, a perfect opportunity to crush Lucian.ogmH0
EHLxeWithout realizing it, his shoulders trembled with excitement.av4tWE
hgd“Words that are spoken cannot be taken back.”oVy71
q10S4YF“If I didn’t know that, I wouldn’t have said them.”ysXFHo
JnTBh“Good!”TAM8q
SHFaFR6Ivar sprang to his feet, slamming the table with such force that it thundered.zzvN
fPx8qqLeaving no room for anyone to intervene, he proclaimed in a booming voice.KRgk5qj
mQUlMP“Descendants of the dragon, listen! I, who inherited the purest blood, have led the tribe! But the years have turned my hair white and bent my back!”oOd
cL7tJdw“…!”ZsTW
pWi“Now that I am old and weakened, it is difficult for me to bear the duty of the dragon! Therefore, I will entrust the future to a suitable successor! Are you prepared to shoulder this heavy duty?!”NBZ
5iZwfThe holders of the right of succession, except for Lucian, rose in unison and bowed their heads.YBgDM
3fqPyCIt seemed like a rite that didn’t even require an answer.1N1nQ
SUOm7Ivar frowned slightly when he saw Lucian remain motionless, but soon formed a strange smile and continued.0GG
eJfI“…Good! I have seen your determination! But whoever wishes to shoulder this duty must demonstrate the corresponding ability in three trials!”TG6R
l2ychThe warriors present swallowed.Onf6
xyYs5SBy invoking the tradition for choosing the next chief, it was clear he would impose the trials right there.7kK
vMB3FDIDepending on the content, there would be those who benefited and those who didn’t, so tension was inevitable. With all eyes focused on him, Ivar announced the first trial.yF0bN
UjSY“Whoever aspires to be chief must show the strength of the warriors who serve him! Show how great is the vessel capable of housing a great warrior!”HbUr
C2KJAt the proclamation, the warriors’ gazes turned to Lucian.nBJmpyl
TT8goFThe content was familiar, a trial often used in the past.LCL
vumNyflThe problem was the declaration Lucian had just made.j3wgjw
hQ15tMEIf he brought out anyone other than the woman, he would become the laughingstock; and if he brought her out and someone managed to withstand even a single blow, Lucian would have to hand over his head according to his vow.K9mvPVZ
9Cc468‘It’s over.’1n8jp2
ssYXJC6The warriors mocked Lucian’s blunder inwardly.KjVgBk
Opq4n9KNow he could only withdraw from the trial and remain a mere spectator. But, contrary to their expectations, Lucian smiled and said.JB8X
tmxvhNk“It’s not a bad idea. Subordinates are the face of a ruler. By seeing the ability of the subordinates, one can know that of the ruler.”aSBe6V
5ODUH“…?”hFTua
s5obAt his relaxed tone, the warriors blinked in disbelief.hWt
dg4mN1Did he really intend to face the trial with just one woman? Seeing their doubts, Lucian drove the point home.91s9
YYpWq5“Very well, I’ll play along. Just be careful. My guard is not as lenient as I am.”SUwECEi
gdVSU***S7S2V
TeJmrE— The foreigner presented a woman as his warrior!hmHq7
e4Xraf— They say he’ll send her to fight other warriors!rUy
xPRCs4What happened at the banquet spread through the tribe in an instant.Vm6
bbCNyYiTo be precise, the warriors present broadcast it without restraint.WyDnn
evlThey wanted to display Lucian’s disgrace, but more than that, it was so shocking they couldn’t keep it to themselves.cIFO
1M0g“A woman warrior? What kind of nonsense is that?”SGE
PW9q“How would I know? In foreign lands it seems that’s allowed.”Oa1EfK3
VFaaT“He’s insane! A king who hides behind a woman?”hhJV5G
ScDut“Could it be that the prophecy was wrong?”nRbzjTf
eThQ“Prophecy or whatever, I don’t acknowledge a king like that!”9D75
8naY0The tribe stirred at an act that overturned all tradition and common sense.EthdTG
CRoWdKThe gazes that had once been filled with curiosity and fear began to be tinged with hostility.Tkr
QfhoQFor Ivar and the other competitors, the outcome was perfect.LRvdi
i9ceZBBut Lucian and his group didn’t care in the slightest. The only exception was Gunstein, who only then learned that Felicia was a warrior.exm8
CHu“My lord! Why didn’t you tell me earlier?!”SMC
dA8“Did I hide it? You saw her several times with a sword at her waist.”z6hj
lBmeY“I thought it was just for self-defense! We also give that equipment for protection in case of emergencies!”8tL83s
VBxb“I’m glad you know now. From now on, if something seems strange, ask immediately.”Ql8
v2WjE“No, my lord, that’s not what I meant…!”zrMza
eKRT“Your Highness.”3c1VMUL
hihThe voice beside him made Gunstein flinch. When he turned, he saw that Felicia had already approached and was kneeling with composure before Lucian.oJkIrTD
omr‘I didn’t sense her presence at all… when did she…?’Fdc
gcDIgnoring the confused Gunstein, Felicia asked.zazDI8V
nl0g“To what extent do you wish me to go?”euv
MQr0q“How far do you want to go?”Ac1GI8
SeJE5“Either option is fine. The objective remains the same.”zkmf
s7XV84“Then do it at your discretion. In this land, duels are usually to the death, so act as you see fit.”Ide
cTcX3sf“Understood. I will adjust the intensity according to the situation.”ZUpmI
4kHw“…?”pRA
3FTTfxGunstein shifted his gaze between the two, completely bewildered. Since the subject wasn’t mentioned, he didn’t understand what they were talking about.0mTjQ
Oaa“My lord, what does all this mean? Adjust what exactly?”kGkL0B2
RS9uLucian smiled wryly and replied.McsZ
ZUN8j“Well, how badly Felicia is going to wreck her opponents.”F1axF
GtXMqZ“…!?”67DP0
mR5jRr5***glZCLfj
N1D8fThe next morning, every member of the tribe gathered without exception beneath the chief’s residence.vHT9r
mrLoyIt was there that all duels personally overseen by the chief were always held.xNCn8b
DH1aAinar, who had arrived a bit earlier than the others, looked around and murmured,oEw
TCJY“He seemed to have some backbone… I guess I was wrong about him. Was he just someone with a silver tongue?”OUwImSf
6NVWt“Are you referring to that foreigner?”9WU
qShUOne of his subordinates asked.YBLjHT
zGyPTEY“Who else? He made a fatal mistake and still couldn’t give up on his ambition. Walking straight into his own grave…”rGlqn
X6HSAinar clicked his tongue at the question.E1apry
WPoqHIf he trusted his guard that much—even if she was a woman—maybe he wasn’t entirely useless.ljFpqT
AfN0Maybe she had trained again and again until she reached a level worthy of being called a warrior.5uJY9Ud
WKOBut still, defeating everyone in a single blow?Waot
f2I22E‘Even if she were fighting opponents one or two levels below her, under those conditions, it’s impossible.’CEUBAy
D7oIf she focused everything into the first attack, maybe it would work once or twice.8D7w
jk0But repeating the same method again and again meant the enemy would eventually figure it out.ozOFVb
aP0By the third opponent, they’d have countermeasures.cmrSfnC
cTuyMThe fourth would find her weakness.ifm
su0UBy the fifth or sixth, it wouldn’t work at all.r78SH
1HqJbUnless she changed her fighting style each time—something impossible if she also had to win with one hit.oSt
Tlf“Putting too much trust in a subordinate ended up being a noose around his own neck?”vNNGE2
UyCAV“Trust? Don’t be ridiculous. He’s just an idiot. A coward hiding behind a woman, now paying the price.”aCT
SzRrsThe one who spoke mockingly was Gormsen, another contender and Ainar’s half-brother.jkW
zrLkiUnlike the disappointed Ainar, he seemed eager to see Lucian’s head roll as soon as possible.sNGQ
Od1m“Better this way. At least the sons of the dragon won’t end up under the rule of a foreigner. My father will finally be able to rest easy.”fcG
m0JQ7e“On the other hand, the Guide’s authority will crumble. The moment the prophecy fails, the trust he’s built up over decades will collapse.”dAho
vTIzTzO“Now you’re worried about that old man? The same one who always got in the chief’s way?”Tzj9z7p
yCo“It doesn’t matter what he thinks deep down. His ability is needed in this land. Don’t let power blind you to what’s truly important.”QBl
BWALGilThe gazes of the two brothers clashed midair.uTcVy
eMJSEIt wasn’t unusual for them to end up arguing every time they talked.CLwh
VZxNNormally they would have exchanged more harsh words, but this time—unexpectedly—it was Gormsen who withdrew first.Sjulonz
lCYdps“Bah, enough. You irritate me, but we can’t keep fighting each other when there’s a foreigner meddling. Let’s take that guy down first.”BioX3W
IyqhZ8O‘…So united, yet they stood back and watched as Brunda was nearly crippled?’O4Uzj
KIWQmKyAinar swallowed the words rising in his throat.8A1WO85
BUTXN5At the very least, he could understand their refusal to hand the position of chief to an outsider.upyx2
gnRc88It was then that—WXN2rvN
OpC“The king—no, the foreigner is here!”NsMc
muDhG“The chief has arrived!”Wv4Drx
kDBGDIt wasn’t long before shouts rang out from both sides.2w9CI
nQBOLucian and Ivar appeared almost simultaneously, as if coordinated, drawing every eye.FMl
3rQclFor Ivar, it could’ve been humiliating, but his expression remained completely calm.jthn0
cZ9HVmU“Looks like everyone’s here. Then there’s no need to drag this out.”9A5lwi
ZdG5KKEven with the whole tribe watching, Ivar started the trial without fanfare or flowery speeches.Vkx4W
zeaThen he glanced sideways at Lucian and said,yeJb
wVif6“Foreigner. Will you stand by the words you spoke yesterday?”IizJ8yB
e9M5“Of course. She will fight as my warrior.”ScPcHuG
Yl8Lucian responded without hesitation and tilted his head slightly.75cE6
WkODZPAt the same time, Felicia, who had remained behind until now, stepped forward.RdST1
G7nWhen it was confirmed that a woman really would be participating as a warrior, murmurs rippled through the tribe.RTOjtRt
dR0R“It’s true…? He really sent out a woman!”atb6i
kEpf“What in the world is that guy thinking?”ER8w
XKKYh“He said he’d give up his head if she didn’t win even once…”nKOJ
bTYz“Well, gotta admit—he’s got guts.”Nt4ZPX
5BbPmZ2At the murmurs, Ivar’s smile deepened.3dOMq
AlBvNo matter how skilled she was, for a woman to declare herself a warrior flew directly in the face of tundra law.qdwB
pJOhrdEven if she passed the trial, the people’s revulsion wouldn’t vanish.m85dZdR
LLpoWithout hiding his smirk, Ivar looked over his sons.o6t
v7V“Which of you will go first? Who will show a warrior worthy of boasting?”8473
5rN“I’ll take the first step.”B6Gr1
sPrEThe one who stepped forward without the slightest hesitation was Gormsen.a77wp
NoWaMore precisely, it was Strad—his right-hand man and maternal uncle.CO8
PW11CA veteran warrior who had chosen to serve his nephew to help him become chief.AqCoiY
2ATU6bxHe was among the ten strongest warriors of the tribe—a choice no one could question.ePTNZp
r145PxC“Good! Then, warriors—fight! Show your strength and reveal the worth of the lord you serve!”zY1oo
VwsupDespite Ivar’s booming voice, no member of the tribe responded with excitement.8A8t
bNhETo them, this wasn’t a duel between warriors—it was a fight between a warrior and a woman.DhAtx
ZWbQmbIt wasn’t thrilling, but uncomfortable.hbaI
873LFFIt wasn’t awe-inspiring, but unsettling.tSlWXvn
D79FAmid the silence, Strad spoke with a displeased look.6cbLEZ
eduhA“Woman, don’t hold a grudge. All this is your lord’s recklessness.”jk2
YFT“Are you still alive?”4jzQoRV
b6VeAA“What…?”0NEJ
VhPDlXL“It’s over. Stop talking and die.”i6l0
ImVj7“What nonsense are yo—?”Xyqm
mIDxTANStrad frowned at the incomprehensible words—then felt something wet on his neck.dGk9mc7
JbSoclCHe instinctively reached up—0zJ4
ePnhThick blood began to drip onto his hand.WtYage
KBr3FVOnly then did he realize a long gash had opened across his throat.rhMvL
11pnGO0“Grrhh—”TrTtwt
imlYOqFHis voice hissed through his throat like a whistle.WWDo
HlMThe wound spread, wrapping around his entire neck.bBMG
jw2CiY1And the moment Strad could no longer utter a sound—pkJOm
RplwIHis severed head dropped to the ground with a dull thud.gUb2R
IlmE“……”wa3UXp
nXCED1“……”8hY8Hn
xOECgThe onlookers blinked, unable to process the surreal scene.dHITR3p
FFrgicpWhat had just happened?xWF4x
ducbP98There had been no clash of blades, and yet—a head had rolled.g9iB
35FrAs everyone remained stunned, Felicia spoke calmly.is3G
mkza“Next?”ntCr6h
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