Chapter 140
uev27“Anyone with a bit of sense knows this tundra has no future.”xXLNFOd
8uDtDays ago, Ainar explained why the tribe chiefs would have no choice but to submit to Lucian.SU2qs
ehSQrK“With time, the population keeps decreasing. A tribe chief cannot ignore that.”aHyLV
HAtIt was such a desperate reality that no one wanted to put it into words, but all the tribes were destined to go extinct in that tundra.7lET
UNepqyEven if they clung to life with tooth and nail, the general opinion among the warriors was that they wouldn’t last more than two hundred years.CWr
lKFmAnd in the midst of that situation, Lucian announced that he could stop the blizzard and guide all the tribes to a land of salvation?u7PLiY
BkG39g0“Their eyes will be clouded, and they’ll gladly come to swear loyalty. First, they need to escape the tundra. The problem is what to do with the chiefs once the oath is made.”dGM3
VgpDSWithout a doubt, the chiefs would want to retain control and autonomy over their tribes, offering only superficial loyalty.IkklxfQ
RNXtdQBut what Lucian sought was to strip them of all authority and directly rule over the five tribes.GIWJ
zZyUnless he eliminated them with his own hands, like he did with Ivar, it was clear there would be strong resistance.RYbKb
xDsO“Fortunately, the situation greatly favors my lord. They believe that once they cross the tundra, they won’t have to worry about you anymore, but…”Ph2ffJE
YDM“Without my help, settling beyond the tundra is impossible. They don’t realize it yet, but that’s the truth.”ZZc
RccThe tundra tribes were undoubtedly powerful. Every common inhabitant had the strength of a knight, and the warriors could surpass a knight through brute force alone.lpw
xPAjHowever, against the vast civilization of the Empire, that strength became insignificant.cyK0dGA
TAoNhDIf Lucian didn’t pave the way for them, they would end up living as raiders until they were hunted down.ZhB5B
nzqCS“That’s right. Myself included, no one here knows what kind of land lies beyond the tundra. It’s just a guess, but the wisdom of the tundra won’t work on the other side.”4Atp
cfnN3XY“To put it bluntly, it’ll be nearly useless. It’s a completely different land in terms of environment, resources, and rules.”4EZZt4
iqHHRx“And in that land, the one who rules is you, my lord.”GIg
rNDSuThe one who chimed in was Hugo. He let out a deep sigh and complained.A7HS
fgglBB“To be honest, my lord could simply force those five chiefs to kneel. Dealing with frogs at the bottom of a well is really bothersome.”IKqVrB
lswauYyAs if agreeing, the other vassals nodded in unison. Lucian was the Duke of Grimaldi, border marquis of Asagrim, and lord of the White Castle, with immunity privileges for mages.DXp5M
8IA2SXIf Lucian didn’t vouch for their identity, the five tribes could be marked as public enemies in the North the moment they stepped outside the tundra.qBV38u
a5ehp3And yet, they had to pacify those fools who interpreted the situation however they pleased, without even understanding that reality.T4C2
xC5zR“Wouldn’t it be better to let them leave the tundra and do as they wish, then teach them a lesson? When they come to their senses, they’ll kneel on their own begging for forgiveness, and then…”flwgvvj
5VoUX“Enough. Do you intend to cause bloodshed between the children of the tundra and the people from the other side?”zuCw9q
pVyAt Hugo’s words, Ainar frowned. Though he had decided to serve Lucian, he had lived his entire life in the tundra.kZrg0h
cF7GVIHearing a strategy that involved forcing the sacrifice of his people couldn’t leave him unmoved.w57U
zhaJ4“The children of the tundra wish to serve my lord as loyal vassals, not become slaves. Their different origin doesn’t give you the right to speak so lightly.”1pi
r7lUJbF“I said it out of frustration, nothing more.”75qS
6HITfAt Ainar’s warning, Hugo took a step back with an awkward laugh. Even for him, it had been a joke that went too far.o9GhxO
I49N2YWhen the atmosphere grew tense, Lucian tapped the floor with his fingers to shift the mood.b6tAfIT
nFk“In any case, whether inside or outside the tundra, it’s impossible for those chiefs to rebel against me. They just haven’t realized it yet.”rSzQ
bMliwl“Exactly. That’s why, my lord, you only need to make them understand it for themselves.”0NFUCTl
wX0BEtyTime was on Lucian’s side, so there was no need to worry about the repercussions.JPSh9
JLx8EMxWhat mattered was to impose absolute control, even through drastic methods.LzvI2dB
yN9With time, and when faced with reality, they would eventually submit on their own.DdH
ZyKreztAnd at that very moment, Lucian had a clear way to subdue the chiefs, even if only for a short period.YMjnr
BX01G“Crush them with overwhelming force. Faced with the fear of death, anyone submits.”BaE
nWRZx***8dzUHvq
mQUZaLucian recalled the words Ainar had spoken and curved his lips slightly.rJ1qH
tCgdM3YFor someone like Lucian, who already hated things becoming unnecessarily complicated, it was advice that fit him perfectly.de5q
TupRFJ‘Besides, the effect is excellent.’fGv2LV
eHIrWhen Lucian’s gaze swept across the tribe chiefs, all of them shuddered at once.g1x63
R4mjUThere was no trace left of the fury they had shown before; they looked like frogs trapped under the gaze of a snake.iArUmBc
eXuMVUnable to even open their mouths, Lucian addressed them briefly.1Uwy
TMUet“Sit down.”3Vd
v9R“…”qx9
De6marRAt the commanding tone, the tribe chiefs frowned, but still clumsily bowed and obeyed.W4h5B
7kJyThey had already understood that, if Lucian so desired, everyone present could be annihilated in an instant.mOAU9
c6GKOnce they were all seated, Lucian fixed his eyes on Broindolf, who had been the first to step forward.CucD
DxA“You first. Speak.”owQqlG
gIYXuQ“W-what am I supposed to say?”O9kxSP
IrsR“I told you earlier to step forward one by one and introduce yourselves. Tell me who you are.”GNpaNF
QBL34“…I’m Broindolf, chief of the Red Wolf Tribe.”ecWcq4
PVO“Is that all?”sOFTpVb
9VmWS7“What more is there to say?”eDnN2
dXdBroindolf spoke through gritted teeth, his face pale.Eurer
eUd54MOIt was a pathetic yet stubborn resistance—even if he died here, he wouldn’t give up his last shred of pride.M9B
ZNrLVLucian let out a faint chuckle, as if finding his courage somewhat admirable.FxpT
y4Jfiog“I suppose you’re right. And the others?”pUB
oP4“I-I am Otar, chief of the Black Hawk Tribe.”Pw8u
jERkq3f“I’m Keyal, chief of the White Bear Tribe.”sNu6n
L6DEvery time Lucian’s gaze landed on one of them, the chiefs immediately opened their mouths and introduced themselves. When all five had finished, Lucian nodded.g9ea
euAtl“Good. Now that the introductions are over, let’s get to the point. Swear loyalty to me and cross the tundra with me—or stay here and rot. Choose one of the two.”dAk
aaw7NdU“Wait a moment…!”jluM
BbOEDkP“There is no negotiation. Do you really think you’re in a position to set terms?”SqgLx7M
QDjFaced with a truth they couldn’t refute, the chiefs’ expressions darkened all at once.taDpsBi
iegThat man not only held the power to escape the tundra of death, but also possessed immeasurable strength. He had nothing to gain and nothing to fear.WxhL
jk2Gz0ARealizing all the power was on the other side, Otar spoke in a grave voice.rXN12M
Gebi“Fine. I will swear loyalty. In fact, that’s what I came to do. But there’s something I want to ask.”3OdcD
kro“Speak.”nnYfM
NI3“Where do you intend to lead us, King? What will happen to the tribes once we cross the tundra?”XmcNH
sFUJgBv“What will happen? I’ll relocate them all to my territory. They’ll live together with the people already there.”2Ss0
fbB4bO“Territory? People?”IEiyO4
rmG“I mean…”dXc
ou1l5qLucian calmly explained the concepts to Otar, who seemed confused by terms he was hearing for the first time.b6Ij
lycAs the explanation continued, the curiosity that had shone in Otar’s eyes slowly faded, turning darker.kQP
Md3kjVWhen Lucian finished, Otar asked in a trembling voice.DV4k
lkli“W-wait a moment. That means the king owns lands and people beyond the tundra?”dMpVqn
XvXmrxA“That’s right.”0cZoC
Gkko“And you intend for our members to live alongside them?”bTU1M
N0ZN“Exactly.”Sy1
XZ4CvX“…Then, what will become of us, the tribe chiefs?”IWs4
Cq6kNYThe position of chief only made sense while there was a clear boundary between the five tribes.cQOWBu
F4rIf all were dissolved and merged into one, as Lucian proposed, that role would no longer be necessary.NGF
909MIt would be enough for Lucian to govern everything directly.Sq2c
gpIf9“You don’t intend to strip us of our rank and reduce us to mere warriors, do you?”DZkY
gn3Yx“Why not? That’s exactly what I intend to do.”7C9rLz
gcz‘This bastard…!’BKD1
3TxnOtar was about to curse, but managed to hold back. The demonstration of power he’d seen earlier was too overwhelming.qd4R2
FbybHowever, surrendering out of fear wasn’t an option either—too much was at stake.vaeYs12
HuH“Are you sane? Who would swear loyalty under those conditions?”QSnr
NCJFft“Is holding on to the title of chief in a tundra with no future more important than going to the land of salvation?”b6ybW
7ql“To you it may be a trivial title, but to us, it’s a position passed down from great ancestors for generations.”Uqq9
9jLrQrThough they didn’t say it openly, the interests of rulers and the ruled often clashed.dEsj
v6qdmzFor the tribe members, it didn’t matter much who the chief was, as long as they could go to the land of salvation.xgPVe
4PyBut some chiefs preferred to cling to power, even if it meant staying behind in the tundra. After all, as long as they lived, the tribe could still somehow survive.P7u
FOX“When hunting a fierce beast, you should always leave it a way out. If completely cornered, it’ll fight to the death.”cNnDVg
oXgQOJh“Then I’ll just block the retreat and bring reinforcements.”ZYRSC
kSCA“What are you saying?”cQveY3G
OmoFNE9“Didn’t you hear what I said before? I have a territory and inhabitants. In other words, I also have an army.”NYs
XZPOV“…!”JLbOQ
1AJM3At the word “army,” the chiefs froze.tGyh
RO7IHow had they not thought of that before? The blizzard disappearing didn’t just mean a chance to cross to the land of salvation—it also meant that people from beyond the tundra could invade.9KQyzUQ
sTrG“If you truly don’t wish to swear loyalty, leave. I won’t touch you immediately. But don’t think that unstable peace will last forever.”G4VgWHe
qywGELPLucian had no intention of tolerating indefinitely those who refused to swear loyalty and stood against him.EZKg
1QbRLJRealizing they were trapped with no way out, the chiefs shut their eyes tightly.PhB5T
Q8Z***lPsV
mWuxb“To hand over to an outsider the position our ancestors passed down for hundreds of years…”NuG
MU42cA“Damn it… how can we face them in the same grave now?”4mg
O4a0i8After completing the oath of loyalty, the five chiefs left Lucian’s chamber with ashen faces.EgLiT
Pl6KM6Even if it was due to overwhelming force, in just one day they had lost both their position and their tribes.rug
p4UyyThough many ears were around, if they didn’t vent a little, they wouldn’t be able to bear it.mKK
5K296pl“Calm down, everyone. It’s not like there’s no chance to regain our position.”Yzo
U4elw4O“What do you mean?”H5IP
nVa4WThe chiefs, who had only been complaining, turned their attention to Skal, chief of the Gray Ermine Tribe. Skal looked around with eyes still full of life and spoke.CGI
fJhiiQE“Even if the king takes control of all the tribes, he doesn’t know each individual’s abilities. And as you all know, this tundra isn’t sustained by warriors alone.”6FhPG
InP6pDl“That’s true. Someone has to build houses and make ornaments.”vG7ZOBe
bHNO“In the end, to assign everyone to the right place, he’ll have to rely on those who know the people best—us. We may have lost the title of chief, but in the process, we might gain new positions, don’t you think?”9a0s
07Y0The chiefs’ eyes lit up in realization.GsiMsR
tGlKa8dPower isn’t defined so much by title as by real influence.NEdR0
1rPhZOsIf they ended up in charge of the tribes they once ruled, their authority wouldn’t differ much from before.EOrCmA
E0R8“So let’s wait patiently. The world doesn’t move on strength alone. The time will come when the king will need our hands.”gdpV
gOhx2gb“I see…”vWBY7b
jEWAs the chiefs exclaimed with admiration at the hopeful future Skal painted, Otar, who had been quietly listening, let out a dry laugh and muttered coldly:yuVFrbr
GBcoI“You’re dreaming.”paNI6
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