Chapter 94
The next day, Erich headed to the residence of the Wolf Tribe chieftain. The purpose was to hear the answer to what they had conveyed the previous day.
However, Erich did not forget what Grossnak had said.
'He hinted that something is needed for trust, didn't he?'
On the surface, it was proposed as a discussion since plans for the expedition had been drawn up, but Erich knew the truth.
They must have already decided what they wanted Erich to do.
'They'll make me take on something dangerous or troublesome.'
Unlike Richter at 6th Fortress, these were people who could be called enemies until just yesterday.
It was a situation where hoping for goodwill from them was difficult.
They might intentionally set a difficult problem or demand the impossible.
'But in the end, I'll only know when I meet them.'
Just then, as Erich arrived at the chieftain's residence, one of the chieftain's guards, a member of the Carta, scrutinized him.
[... Go in. The chieftain is waiting for you.]
Passing the gatekeeper and heading inside, Erich found that Hrung-ga was already there, facing the chieftain.
[Erich, you're on time.]
Hrung-ga bared his fangs and grinned when he saw Erich. Soon, Grossnak, sitting on the throne, addressed Erich.
[Erich, son of Heidrich. How did you sleep last night?]
[The land of the wolves was more restful than I thought.]
[Of course. The great ancestors of the wolves watch over it.]
It was, of course, a lie. Erich, along with the Watchmen, had hardly slept the entire night. It was because the wretched wolves had howled in quartets nonstop all night.
'... Damned bastards. Even if the world were to end in their sleep, they wouldn't notice.'
One guy reportedly drew his sword and tried to go make grilled dog meat, but upon seeing the gatekeeper's massive direwolf, he backed away and retreated to the barracks.
For that reason, Erich actually considered it fortunate that they hadn't built the barracks inside the village.
Otherwise, the sleepless members might have gone mad and started hunting direwolves with their swords.
Erich quietly scanned the elders' faces. Somehow, their expressions seemed much warmer than yesterday.
Likely, it was because they'd come up with a good way to use Erich for their so-called trust.
Erich addressed the chieftain.
[It seems you have found a way to prove my usefulness.]
[Indeed. The time has come to test your sincerity. It is said that Ungrim's army is marching this way.]
[... How close are they?]
[It's said they have not yet crossed the Ice Lake. And our fallen brothers, the Black Wolves, are preparing to meet them.]
Erich's eyes narrowed, but a slight smile appeared on his lips.
Whereas Erich could only enter the east through Haratakan, Ungrim could cross the Ice Lake.
That was because his sphere of influence originally included the Ice Lake.
Given that one swing of a hammer could break the lake and drown an army, it was practically a privilege only Ungrim could claim.
But Erich realized something else. Unless they had divined Ungrim's advance by astrology or some such...
'... They have received advance information before he even arrives, huh.'
Apparently, they had their own concept of intelligence operations.
Otherwise, they could not have obtained information about Ungrim's movements, which could not be seen.
Here, Erich's thoughts went a step further. From the tone of the chieftain's words, he roughly grasped what they wanted.
[You want us to face the Black Wolves?]
[Are you afraid, Erich, son of Heidrich?]
[Not at all. But if we attack together, the Black Wolves will quickly collapse.]
[The great wolf warriors shall not engage the Black Wolves in combat. Instead, while you deal with them, we will set traps where Ungrim's army will pass.]
[It rather sounds as if the great wolf warriors don't intend to shed a drop of blood.]
[It is just preparation for a greater battle. Excessive speculation won't benefit either side.]
Though Grossnak said so, he wore a sly smile. Erich understood their intentions exactly.
'... You plan to keep your warriors unharmed by using us? And if things go wrong, you can abandon us?'
As Erich fell into brief thought, Hrung-ga furrowed his brow and burst out in anger.
[Chieftain! What is this talk!? You mean to have them face the Black Wolves alone? Are you insane!?]
Hrung-ga's booming voice echoed off the walls, making even the Carta shrink their shoulders. But soon, the elders grumbled.
- Hrung-ga! Remember your bloodline!
- After dealing with the crows, you've become a crow yourself!
However, their complaints were silenced by a single sharp glare from Hrung-ga. Even the most prominent elders dared not challenge the guardian warrior directly.
On the other hand, Grossnak addressed Hrung-ga calmly.
[Hrung-ga, great wolf guardian. You are misunderstanding.]
[Is that so? What am I misunderstanding?]
[The Anghel Hills, where the enemy will come, is a harsh place even in the warmest spring. If preparations are made there in advance, even a massive army can be wiped out instantly with a small force. But for that, someone must prevent the Black Wolves from joining up.]
[But why must Erich be the one to do this?]
[Because he has a smaller force than we do. What he needs to do is block, not defeat, the Black Wolves. Don't you see yet?]
Grossnak's tone was relaxed and gentle, as if pacifying the angry Hrung-ga. Yet to Erich, it recalled the imperial noble's cunning method of mixing stick and carrot.
Hrung-ga rolled his eyes, then, with a sigh, finally calmed his anger.
[I apologize. I got too worked up. Then, after Ungrim's army is dealt with, are they to join us?]
[If you are that concerned, Hrung-ga, you and your warriors may stand with Erich.]
[... Is that allowed?]
[Hrung-ga, no one doubts you are a great warrior. But I too am chosen by the ancestors of the great wolves. I would not make such a dull choice.]
Hrung-ga slowly nodded. Grossnak then turned his gaze to Erich, as if asking if he was convinced. Erich replied with a faint smile.
As Grossnak smiled in satisfaction, he spoke.
[Then we are agreed. The time of the expedition is dawn, one week from now. On that day, the descendants of the wolves will mercilessly tear at the enemy's throats.]
Different smiles appeared on the faces of Erich, Hrung-ga, and Grossnak, each carrying their own meaning.
Above all, Erich had learned much from Grossnak's words just now, even about the schemes he was plotting.
*
Erich did not send Hrung-ga home. Instead, he brought him to the barracks for a separate meeting. Hrung-ga looked puzzled as to why, when things had already been decided, there was a need for further discussion.
But after hearing Erich's explanation, Mikhail snorted.
"... These guys really think we're total idiots."
"Still, sir Mikhail, isn't it surprising? That a barbarian chieftain could craft such a scheme."
"True enough. If I were an idiot, I'd have my nose cut off in my sleep."
The 'idiot', Hrung-ga, who still couldn't follow their conversation, glanced back and forth busily. It seemed he sensed he was missing something.
[What are you all talking about, Erich?]
[Put simply, your chieftain has devised a scheme to have us wiped out.]
[... What? Wasn't it a reasonable plan?]
[On the surface, yes. But here's the interesting part.]
[...?]
Erich explained a few things to Hrung-ga. Namely, the trap hidden in Grossnak's proposal.
If things went according to Grossnak's plan, both sides could engage the enemy while keeping troop losses minimal. But that was only if things went according to plan.
With Erich blocking the rear and Grossnak ambushing the enemy, it would mean Erich's unit bore all the damage while waiting for Grossnak to join them.
But if Grossnak, after dealing with Ungrim's army, did not join up?
Either the Black Wolves or Erich's unit would take near-fatal losses, and whether Erich's unit survived or the Black Wolves did, only a wounded prey would be left for Grossnak.
What Erich saw as a scheme was this: Erich's unit, surrounded by barbarians, could not retreat once combat started, while Grossnak could betray them at any time.
Under these circumstances, Erich's only option was to pray for Grossnak's good faith.
After hearing the explanation, Hrung-ga's face hardened.
[... Those bastards, at once—!]
[Cool your head, Hrung-ga. That won't solve anything.]
[How can you be so calm about this!]
[But Grossnak's plan is still the best option. If we ask to handle the ambush instead, he won't accept, and the alliance is dead.]
[... So, you're prepared to die. Now that I think about it, to fall gloriously and return to the Goddess's embrace may not be so bad.]
[No, there's no need for that. In fact, I have a good idea.]
Hrung-ga blinked. Frederick grinned, revealing his yellow teeth.
"Look at the savage, wide-eyed in surprise."
"Should I interpret that for you?"
"No, there's really no need."
Frederick hastily waved his hand. In any case, Erich had a good way to ruin Grossnak's scheme.
Mikhail turned to Erich.
"We can just use those southern bumpkins. By the way, do they really understand what the barbarians are saying?"
"They weren't confident until yesterday, but as of today, they've started gathering quite a bit of information. They'll be useful."
Erich smirked. The 'southern bumpkins' Mikhail was referring to were the "Shadow".
Even Mikhail would only rate their combat prowess as 'interesting', but he still acknowledged their covert skills.
In fact, if he used the Shadows, there'd be no need to eavesdrop at all. Their true value shone brightest on the battlefield.
Erich turned a meaningful smile at Hrung-ga.
The Wolf Tribe's chieftain, Grossnak, may have shown a shrewd mind for a barbarian.
But Erich intended to make them realize for themselves that the schemes of an imperial native were in a different class entirely.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Those elders and chieftain needs to be dealt with...
Install Hrung-ga as new chieftain...
Unfortunately, I don't think he will be a good chieftain, he strong but he slow on the uptake...
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】