Chapter 137
wKeFrom the beginning, the option of sparing Ivar’s life didn’t exist.CsZ
Y8LPFElA former ruler would never acknowledge a new one, so there was no choice but to eliminate him.Xqv
lx95However, Ivar held a certain prestige among the members of the tribe. Even for Lucian, killing him immediately could provoke visible or silent resistance.QND
cXeHpr‘That’s why I tried to make the outcome as overwhelming as possible—something everyone would be forced to accept…’O7x2
l5hHe never imagined that, beyond reverential respect, he would end up provoking fear.w52Yv
SWRJa6The effect had been so strong that it became excessive.VXdx
r1cbgzZ‘In the short term, it’s not bad for suppressing any rebellion, but if this atmosphere drags on, it won’t bring anything good. I’ll have to ease up when the time is right.’WIi
1yRGThose who live oppressed by fear cannot voice even the slightest complaint.KxNb
zM0BdIn the short term, it allows for quick progress, but if that resentment quietly builds up, it eventually rots from within.NuhbX
LZiq7To solve the people’s problems, you have to know what they are first.9Y7E
qrFvJg‘Well, for now it’ll be convenient. Since we’re already here, might as well finish everything at once.’dWK
RqRGEven though the atmosphere wasn’t what he had planned, once it had formed, the most sensible thing was to make use of it.bre
YwqVVVLucian spoke calmly, in a loud voice so that everyone could hear.25lDpb
dXe3iO“I gave Ivar several chances. I offered him the chance to step down and serve me, following the dragon’s will. But even after losing his blessing, the chief couldn’t let go of his obsession and kept trying to cut my throat.”hdY1QC
I10hv“…”uZ4QE29
HSVprJ“There is nothing more vile than clinging to a right that has already been lost. That’s why I’ll use their necks as a lesson. Pass this truth down to future generations.”QRuROy8
ig8Qd91“…”1j9
cLM3nSeWhat happens to those who cling to a throne that no longer belongs to them, even when the true king has arrived?4iH
ZwYuWhat fate awaits those who confuse someone else’s right as their own?LIxqOZB
JgoEiAt Lucian’s words, the members of the tribe lowered their heads even further.Sj3p
SmnORTTo them, Ivar had been a great warrior—but the one speaking now was a king comparable to the rebirth of a dragon.XgljeRs
9uajSABIf he claimed to have seen truths they could never understand, who would dare argue?CegNj5
PisHowever, a brave man from the tribe dared to raise a doubt.4ig0
uxvMG6p“T-then… why did you spare Ainar’s life…?”RJUetD
zi9syH“Ugh!”RFU
Od8The man suddenly collapsed, slamming his forehead against the ground with a dull thud.soeR
zYkHis pale wife had struck the back of his neck with all her strength.dwRuA
siMDRnX“Dear! Are you insane? How dare you question the king’s words…?”OmQkb
B6o7T3N“It’s fine. Let him be. I was just about to explain it.”c66j
xjVQ2LKLucian smiled faintly, as if it were nothing.sU3x9N5
YWJER“Because only Ainar felt shame for Ivar’s greed. He never intended to win. He only wanted to atone for his guilt by dying alongside his family.”VrMSV
j2w5“S-so that’s what it was…?”1uXM9P
qJ3eI“Do you doubt it?”B6LBL
Cxfv2K“No, no! Not at all!”FpQksV
27kTerrified by Lucian’s sharp gaze, the man once again pressed his forehead to the ground.bPA
yuCiMoHe had already committed the blasphemy of questioning the king; doubting even that explanation was practically asking to die.obHsUiC
5RYtNbyOnce the man finally went quiet, Lucian looked around again and continued.XaiB
1DUH“Only Ainar knew shame and humiliation and chose to die by his own will. That is why, as king, I have decided to give him one last chance.”RxAGX
8cVCThe same opportunity that had also been given to his father—and that the father ultimately rejected.DpNa22w
wCl8Perhaps it was excessive mercy, but in Lucian’s eyes, Ainar had earned it.zAN
T040A“Take Ainar inside. When he wakes up, I’ll ask him a question.”lw6bIjV
xOqYGRWhether he would choose to serve the new king named Lucian of his own free will—or decide to follow his family to death.TdP8
5EPxIRFaced with the king’s firm declaration, the members of the tribe could only bow their heads deeply.gvHo0o
BTR***RvREF
1Z9lyx‘…Am I still alive?’GWKdBZj
dQWLxlAinar blinked within a hazy, whitish vision.dxs7NPX
Hk8srThere was no need to pinch his cheek to check if he was alive or dead.KU9
W6nHis whole body throbbed as if he had rolled down from the top of a snowy mountain.FXon
T91HWD‘If everything hurts, I guess I’m still alive.’4ijDV
lNL5hre“You’re awake?”QfM2
NrpNlThe voice that sounded beside him made Ainar flinch. Forcing his aching body, he turned his head to see who it was and muttered with a groan.zsD
pwwq7AY“The foreign king…”fW2Q
3b0WjZG“Is that how you’ve always seen me? What a generous evaluation.”9qA
7EzAt that title coming from a still-dazed Ainar, Lucian let out a faint laugh.klO
YpmbFor him to call him king in that state meant he already acknowledged him as such. Barely regaining his senses amid the pain, Ainar spoke with difficulty.7nDziRm
J2YC1qz“What happened to my father and Brunda?”c0K
pDNZlx“They died. I beheaded both of them.”dzITLy
3pHmJ“You were the one who executed them?”z0ZHW1
p8B“Who else would it have been?”uCDsLQL
gbben“I see.”9fx
zm5nnjuAinar exhaled deeply and lay back on the ground.M09AI
eoZBpIt wasn’t an unexpected outcome, but it still left a bitter taste in his mouth.GetYA
4T73MIf he had accepted reality earlier and acknowledged Lucian as king… if he had forced the other two to kneel before him—even if by force—could he at least have saved their lives?XptEagh
Wwwr“Don’t think such nonsense.”AlzN29h
MgmFkLucian’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts.l63GD
RNDEM3k“You think things would have changed if you’d acted differently? If they couldn’t accept the outcome of their own free will, they would’ve eventually bared their fangs again. Even if things had gone well by some miracle, I still would’ve dealt with them myself.”Hv7nMgc
r7qm“…Then why did you spare me? If you didn’t want future trouble, shouldn’t you have eliminated me too?”ULJHtL
07e“Why? Are you thinking of avenging your father and brother?”CPAw
jI7Ainar couldn’t respond. As a son, he should seek vengeance—but he didn’t feel the impulse.qdEkfAL
ZY7Their deaths had essentially been the consequence of their own actions. After a brief silence, he let out a sigh.KiX
V9990hQ“It’s not something I desire.”yS2XdVa
T3t“Then the answer is clear. Serve me, as Gunstein does.”uvwaZDF
7diAinar’s eyes widened. Ever since he had been spared, he had vaguely imagined it—but was Lucian really planning to take him under his command?MVumB7
xKulx“Are you out of your mind? You killed my father and my brother.”BQ3BBP
lBM1z7r“And you said you have no intention of avenging them.”YkZ5NWO
DAiM“No, that’s true, but… what if I change my mind later?”vnkwW
rQ8on“Would you?”ewK
nOG5qoZ“No, that’s not it. That’s not what I meant!”NMBTwU7
sL1eFrustrated, Ainar unknowingly beat his chest.UckX
7CCHe didn’t know if Lucian was a fool—or simply had too big a heart.QmmCdc
TlP1V“That’s why I don’t like you. Fortune lands at your feet, and you still hesitate, unsure of what to do.”ULCK
UlXHearing that familiar voice, Ainar flinched. He didn’t know when he’d gotten there, but Gunstein was sitting in a corner in a crooked posture, glaring at him with disdain.2eez
6aNGZBefore Ainar could say anything, Gunstein sneered with scorn.Ku8aE
X9Y2“This is why I couldn’t give up the right of succession. I figured it’d be better to become chief myself than serve under you all.”TO5wo
CIeRF“What are you suddenly talking about? From the beginning—”mwKSvwV
qIRw“Do you really like staying so clean? Are you that afraid of staining your name?”vMvv
5N0Sr9Ainar didn’t understand. Wasn’t it natural for a warrior to value honor?LkeYFQ
NefKp6But Gunstein, as if he didn’t want to hear any objections, continued attacking.k0p
cz9P1Lb“What is it that you actually want? No—do you even want anything? Are you content to die leaving behind a clean name after living without purpose?”0Tu
51N“And what’s wrong with that? Is it so bad to want to live with honor as a warrior?”P6tzi
MuN“Of course it is!”6Zt
bM0q“What?”tLeefON
rfAT5The response, so blunt and baffling, left Ainar speechless. But Gunstein continued, more resolute than ever.1BAz6DG
YHscX88“Who decided what’s right or wrong? Our ancestors! Not us, living in this era!”fLJGdC
jTc“Are you saying our ancestors were wrong?”mIKeN
DRVmvP“No! I’m saying that what they never experienced can’t be judged as right or wrong. You only know once you live through it.”wXj
5u1nde3“What are you even saying…?”KEw
paflS“Are you that afraid of following a lord and facing an order you’ve never known?”ZeynLV
F6udF2Z‘…!’1ftII
RbvRtdYAinar felt as if he’d been struck in the head with a hammer. Gunstein had pinpointed a fear he himself hadn’t even recognized. Seeing that, Gunstein clicked his tongue.9Yx
Jye“Of course you’re worried. You’ve lived your whole life as a great warrior. Under the tundra’s law, with more honor than anyone… isn’t it natural to be afraid of stepping into a new world?”RS1Pk
qDa725v“…”EAe7Ps
ekV“That’s why you keep rejecting this opportunity. You’d rather die as a glorious warrior of the snows than risk the honor you’ve built in an unknown world.”7dPM7y2
OkSdtNo. That single denial got caught in his throat.hGQ
oQnb2CAs time passed, Gunstein’s words pierced him like thorns.GZ3k
vzdoQvG‘Is that really it?’lTBxr7
iZP4NUnable to stop his family, he wanted to shoulder the guilt and die with them.lsyuG
HSmcAEven after surviving, he thought he had no right to serve the king.ZSXpm
Nun8dABut was that truly how he felt? Or, as Gunstein said, was it just a noble excuse masking a desire to die an honorable warrior?rdoVq9b
p7l3tso“I can’t live like that. Warrior’s honor or whatever—I’ll make sure the name Gunstein is carved into people’s minds. If I serve my lord, opportunities won’t be lacking.”NLNQN0
f9e5With that, Gunstein leapt to his feet and left the room—as if to say that while Ainar was left to rot there, he would keep moving forward.8JMOMIy
4FPEven after he was gone, Ainar remained still for a long time. Lucian waited silently until he spoke.kDAg
0x2After more than ten minutes, Ainar’s deep voice finally broke the silence.jXDBDqo
oBYOPyP“I just want to ask one thing.”LzQFq
oAk“Go ahead.”pkHvp
wGF“If I refuse your offer and die buried in this land… will my name remain in your history?”GMtMJ
nWHhVq“Do you think it would?”mqeR
jVG7zbmLucian replied without hesitation.rb8xt0m
1cQFW4“What do you think this place is? A sacred land of those chosen by the dragon? A great territory I must claim at all costs? It’s neither. This is just a stepping stone on my path.”lTc
nw8ZAgk“…”HFmkU8a
f7VKU“As long as my name remains in history, what I did here will be recorded too. But yours won’t. At most, a single line mentioning your actions—and nothing more.”R5LYj
BILGAiAs the chief’s son who died alongside his father resisting Lucian.gnCk
mo0RAinar closed his eyes.eQhCEs
0b5He had wanted to live with honor all his life, to be an example for others. But now the tribe would follow a new king and abandon the tundra.2qxoVKv
p0gTiyQAinar, bound to the laws of the snow, would be forgotten along with that land. What point was there in keeping a clean name?l1YhYv8
zxt“The decision is yours.”IcBim8Q
TpjTQtmLucian’s voice echoed once more in his ears.I1B
BRKKcaL“If you despise the dishonor of serving the man who killed your father and brother, die here. But if you still want to live and leave your own legacy—follow me.”k8E
nlX3a“…If I follow you, can I leave behind a legacy even beyond the tundra?”CvV
eNwGo7At Ainar’s trembling voice, Lucian smiled broadly.1qtKnXl
ubEj“I’ll make you an immortal legend—one that will never be forgotten.”4tlv
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