Chapter 106
The first place Erich headed to was the nearest Black Wolf tribe.
Upon seeing not only Erich's forces, but also the army of the Incencus Church and even the forces of Heinkel from Milon, their faces turned deathly pale.
However, Erich had no intention of massacring them—without a leader, they became much easier to handle.
Of course, in order to unite the remaining barbarians, Erich couldn't be the one out in front, so he decided to put Hrung-ga in the lead.
As such, after about half a day of siege, the Black Wolf tribe finally opened the gates of their wooden fort and surrendered.
The elders of the Black Wolf tribe and Kuron, their interim leader, came out through the gates and knelt before Hrung-ga.
[We swear that from now on, we will never bare our fangs at the White Wolves.]
[I promise on the honor of Hrung-ga, the Guardian Warrior. As long as you hold to that, there will be no retribution or revenge.]
Yet a smirk tugged at the corners of Erich's lips as he watched them.
It wasn't for any other reason that they surrendered so easily. It would have been entirely possible for them to hold out longer, but...
'Shadow really is useful in all sorts of ways.'
That was because he'd already instructed Shadow to assassinate any who called for war.
The Shadows, who had already learned the language of the barbarians, had little trouble identifying and eliminating their targets.
Since all the deaths were made to look like accidents, the people believed they were punished by the Goddess and that these were the consequences of betraying her.
Of course, there were some minor lingering doubts.
'In any case, those Shadows are damn good at what they do... I've thought this before, but learning the Barbarians' tongue shouldn't have been easy for assassins from the Empire. How in the world did they manage?'
But that was a personal curiosity. The results were good, so Erich had no intention of digging further.
Having accepted the surrender of the Black Wolf tribe, Erich next returned to the White Wolf tribe.
He gave strict orders that the troops not enter the White Wolf tribe's Kabal, knowing they'd otherwise try proselytizing—making a mess of things.
The priests looked somewhat disappointed but said,
"If that is the wish of the apostle of Incensus, we will obey."
They withdrew.
Had they gone around blabbering about the Goddess, about Incensus' love for you, the relationship tenuously patched up for now might have exploded right then and there.
All Erich wanted from this place was one thing: to stabilize the Wolf tribes and form an alliance with them.
If an alliance was formed with them, then naturally, a great alliance that included even the Black Wolf tribe would result.
In addition, they could block the valleys of Angel Hills, through which Ungrim planned to march.
Moreover, they could serve as a forward base for when Erich moved east; in many ways, it was an important negotiation.
With Grossnak now dead, the chieftain's residence was vacant.
In other words, this was the best timing for cooperating with the Barbarians.
There, the elders and shamans awaited the arrival of Erich and Hrung-ga.
They didn't show open displeasure, but it was obvious they were in turmoil inside.
They'd tried to bring down Hrung-ga, but their representative, Grossnak, died in battle, and Hrung-ga scored another merit with his unbelievable victory.
Erich slowly began to speak to them.
[You should know that we've routed Ungrim's army. Now, we want to discuss an alliance between the Wolf tribes and the Watch.]
[... We agree that's desirable, but with the chieftain chosen by the ancestors of the Great Wolf now dead, there's nothing we can do.]
The elders' response was a gentle rejection. But Hrung-ga spun his club and slammed it onto the floor with a thud.
[If there's no chieftain, then we should elect one!]
The elders and shamans looked at one another. Right now, there were only two options for choosing a new chieftain.
One was to make Grossnak's young son the chieftain.
The other was to select Hrung-ga, who had achieved a great feat, as the new chieftain.
To make matters more convenient, Hrung-ga was actually Grossnak's nephew—same bloodline, and nothing prevented him from inheriting the chieftaincy.
However, the problem was with the elders who had sided with Grossnak and shared in his benefits; for them, switching allegiances so suddenly was awkward, to say the least.
They'd worked behind the scenes so that Grossnak and his son would inherit the chieftaincy. Flipping their position overnight was no easy feat.
But sensing their hesitation, Hrung-ga said,
"Bring Grossnak's son, Hufnak, here!"
The elders' shoulders flinched. Bringing him out was not much different from declaring the boy would be killed.
Crassly put, with all the White Wolf tribe's elite warriors now dead,
the only real fighting force left, aside from a few remaining warriors, was the young warriors loyal to Hrung-ga and the large army encamped outside.
One of the chieftain's bodyguards, karta, hesitantly went outside and brought in a small boy.
The young boy had blue eyes like Grossnak. Moreover, he exhibited a composure far beyond his years.
Hrung-ga placed Hufnak at his side, turned to the elders, and spoke.
[The seat of the ancestors of the Great Wolf cannot remain empty for long. What will you do?]
At Hrung-ga's steely tone, the elders glanced at each other. Clearly, this was an order to act appropriately.
After a brief exchange of looks, several elders shouted,
[The one who takes the chieftain's seat must be worthy—we believe Hrung-ga the Guardian Warrior is that person.]
[Indeed. Anyone can see he is far more qualified than a child.]
A twitch appeared on Hufnak's brow. Only a short while ago these elders had been loyal retainers of his father. Witnessing them flip so swiftly just because the situation changed was not a pleasant sight, to say the least.
A few silent elders joined in.
[I agree as well.]
[Indeed, the chieftain must be strong.]
Hrung-ga smiled, seemingly satisfied, and told them,
[Then those in favor, stand to the right. Those opposed, stand to the left.]
Of nearly twenty elders, five stood against him. They shot sharp looks at Hrung-ga with resolute expressions.
[Only you oppose me?]
[Yes.]
[Why?]
[The Guardian Warrior cannot serve as chieftain as well. The Goddess declared it so. Hrung-ga, even if my skull hangs in your closet, the rules make this impossible.]
[Do the others feel the same?]
Unlike the first to speak, the other elders wore fearful faces—but even so, they did not change their positions.
[Hmm. I see. Erich.]
Hrung-ga nodded to Erich.
At that, Erich's hand moved swiftly.
—Slaaash!
[Kh, kuhak!]
[... Pff.]
In an instant, Erich's drawn sword sliced through the necks of the barbarian elders.
Yet, it was not Hrung-ga's supporters who remained standing, but those who had opposed him.
[... Wh-why?]
The elder supporting Hrung-ga coughed up blood and questioned him. But Hrung-ga looked at him coldly.
[They may have opposed me, but they did not betray the Goddess. You all, however, are the sort who could abandon her at a moment's notice.]
He brought down his club that he had raised to the sky. The struggling elder fell silent for good.
However, even the surviving elders were troubled by doubt; killing the rest would have been just as easy.
One of the elders who had glared at Hrung-ga spoke.
[... Will you kill us as well?]
[No, you have properly followed the Goddess's will. There's no reason to kill you.]
[Even if you spare us, we cannot support you as chieftain. Nor will we tolerate any harm to this child.]
The elder pulled Hufnak behind him. But there was no elder here who could defeat Hrung-ga, and they all knew it.
Hrung-ga leaned his club against the wall, then crouched to speak to Hufnak.
[Hufnak, you are my cousin. Furthermore, you bear the destiny of inheriting the will of the ancestors of the Great Wolf.]
[... Cousin, my father tried to kill you. It seems unlikely we'll have a good relationship.]
[Khaha! I know that, too. But did you two have a good relationship when Grossnak was alive? The chieftain's duties and the Guardian Warrior's duties are separate. I am not so stupid as to forget that.]
Erich, watching, wore a faint, helpless smile. On the way here, he and Hrung-ga had discussed what to do about the White Wolf tribe.
'I said I thought Hrung-ga should become chieftain...'
But Hrung-ga disagreed.
According to their tradition, the chieftain and Guardian Warrior could not be the same.
Perhaps it was a way for them to prevent the concentration of power.
Just as in the Empire, the Imperial family was not all-powerful—balance among the Church, Mage Tower, and the great lords was maintained.
Regardless of practical effect, Hrung-ga wanted to follow the Goddess's will; it was tradition, and so it must be honored.
Besides, though Grossnak was cunning, he was a clever barbarian; Hufnak, said to take after him, was also smart.
For the time being, Erich agreed with Hrung-ga. The opportunistic, flip-flopping elders had been purged, and power was to be vested in Hufnak.
Since Hufnak was still young, managing the dead during this period wouldn't pose much of a problem.
All Erich and Hrung-ga wanted was for the Wolf tribes and the Watch to form an alliance.
Hufnak then raised his head boldly and spoke.
[Cousin, I am not foolish either. Opposing you would be a stupid move.]
[See that, Erich? My cousin is this clever.]
Erich chuckled. Of course, had Hrung-ga been the one to kill Grossnak, this child would not have responded this way.
To all who didn't know the true story, Grossnak had died while holding off Ungrim's army.
It was widely known that Hrung-ga had turned the dire tide of battle. There was no need for information manipulation; the circumstances spoke for themselves.
Therefore, even though it was true that Grossnak and Hrung-ga had been divided, a smart boy like Hufnak had no reason to oppose Hrung-ga.
There was no apparent feud or grudge visible to outsiders between them.
Hrung-ga continued,
[However, I fully understand Grossnak. The burden of being chosen by the ancestors of the Great Wolf is heavy. Even if he tried to keep me in check for the sake of their will, I cannot see that as an evil thing. So, my cousin Hufnak, you may do as you wish—just don't stray from the path.]
[... Understood, cousin. I will remember your words.]
A smile flickered at Erich's lips.
Of course, for the time being, neither Hufnak nor the elders would truly lead the Wolf tribes.
The real decision-making power would remain with Hrung-ga and the young warriors at his side.
Even if this wasn't Erich's preferred outcome, this was Hrung-ga's tribe—his decision had to be respected. All Erich needed was peace and an alliance, for now.
Precisely, cooperation up until the decisive battle with the dead.
Anyway, Hrung-ga's decision was unlikely to have any effect until that point; Erich felt indifferent.
Thus, the new chieftain was decided.
The moment the small boy, Hufnak, ascended to the Wolf's throne,
Hrung-ga and Erich left him and the newly birthed chieftain's court behind.
Now that an alliance of the Wolf tribes and the Watch was secured, it was time for Erich to face another concern.
Namely, he had to go stand trial.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
It's a farce...
Well, Erich has the support of Heidrich and the Church, I won't worry too much about it...
【( ⩌_⩌)】