Chapter 172
Erich, who had suddenly appeared, fixed his gaze on both the barbarians and the Watch, causing them to halt their battle.
Grant wore an expression that clearly showed he had no idea what was happening, but the reason the barbarians had stopped was simple enough.
'Balmung's presence certainly works well here.'
It was because Balmung had ordered them to cease fighting.
After all, there wasn't a single person present who didn't know of Balmung, Ungrim's right-hand man.
That was precisely why he had been able to break through the ranks of the barbarians and appear before Grant.
'... Had I been a moment later, one side would have been annihilated.'
Erich surveyed the fierce battlefield. Although the fighting had stopped, enemy and ally alike remained intermingled in the chaos.
Grant had pushed to the front, attempting to break through the enemy's center, but at a glance, his offensive appeared to be at its limits.
And it was in such circumstances that Erich had appeared, so both relief and doubt flickered on Grant's face.
"... What in the world is going on?"
"Fortress commander Grant. From now on, withdraw your members. Ungrim is no longer our enemy."
"Hm..."
Grant scrutinized Erich for a moment, then sheathed his sword. Of course, he needed more explanation, but he was a rational man.
What mattered most now was that Erich had ordered a halt to the battle, in whatever manner, and the reason could be asked for later.
Of course, not everyone could remain as cool-headed as Grant.
For example, fortress commander Hern, his body still hot from the fierce fight, glared sharply at the barbarians.
Not all the barbarians had laid down their weapons, either. One of them approached Balmung and snapped at him.
[Balmung! The order I received from Ungrim was to eliminate all enemies. And now you say to stop fighting? Are you going to surrender to those crow bastards? Do you intend to shame so many warriors gathered here?]
[... This isn't surrender. Rather, there's something Ungrim must know—something far more important than this petty skirmish.]
[... A traitor can say anything, right? Isn't that so?]
The barbarian grinned, baring his teeth as if mocking Balmung.
But in the next moment—
― Swish!
The scythe in Balmung's off-hand swung lightly, and the massive barbarian who had mocked him teetered. Then, his head fluttered cleanly to the ground.
― Thud.
The barbarians shifted their gaze between the now-dead man and Balmung. Then Balmung spoke in a declarative tone.
[Would I be holding my weapon if I surrendered? Anyone else wish to insult me?]
As soon as Balmung finished, his scythe gleamed menacingly.
The bloodlust exuding from him kept the other barbarians from stepping forward.
Though he had lost to Hrung-ga, within Ungrim's power base, Balmung was the strongest after Ungrim himself, so this was natural.
Erich smiled slightly at Balmung's response and strode forward to make his declaration.
"From this point, I will go to meet Ungrim. Both sides are to maintain their current positions and await further orders."
The fortress commanders nodded at Erich's words, though not all found them easy to accept.
For example, Guenter seemed unable to swallow Erich's words, grinding his teeth.
Even the imperial lords who'd fought the barbarians alongside Grant felt the same.
Having just come to understand the barbarian's might in battle, it was impossible not to remain on guard.
And after having fought fiercely moments before, the instruction to suddenly lay down arms did not easily sink in.
Among them, however, one came toward Erich: the knight Milon, riding up in battered plate armor stained with blood.
― Clop, clop.
The nearby barbarians eyed Milon warily. For barbarians unfamiliar with charging knights, he would have been a tough opponent.
Erich could tell, even indirectly, just how much fear they felt toward Milon.
Regardless—
Milon dismounted and bowed his head to Erich, then lifted his blood-stained faceplate and spoke.
"My lord. If it is your order, it is of little concern to me, but is it not extremely dangerous to meet Ungrim alone?"
"It's fine. I have secured the means to convince Ungrim."
"... A means to persuade him, you say."
Milon fell silent, pondering. Of course, he wasn't trying to oppose Erich's plan. If Erich had such confidence, there had to be a reason for it.
From experience, Milon knew that there was never a need to worry about Erich's words.
Still, it was another matter entirely to enter enemy territory alone...
But Erich understood his thoughts well enough.
"Have I ever failed?"
"... Not yet. That is why you're still alive."
"And I don't plan to, next time either."
Erich spoke lightly, a faint smile on his face. Milon let out a short, dry laugh, his worries apparently put to rest.
"I will try to convince the lords then."
"I trust you, Milon."
Seeing Milon step forward that way, Erich felt reassured.
If before Milon had been just a stalwart warrior, his time here, interacting with the lords, seemed to have granted him some political sense as well.
And Milon's words alleviated some of Erich's concerns, even making him feel proud of Milon.
Of course, all of this depended on whether he succeeded in persuading Ungrim. If not...
'... If it comes to that, I'll find another way.'
Erich slowly turned his head east, the direction of the main camp of the barbarian grand army—where Ungrim awaited.
***
Heading east, Erich brought along only the minimal retinue: Frederick, Barnes, and Mikhail from Haratakan, as well as Hrung-ga and the shaman chief rescued there, Aung-ga.
Ceres, who had left the mages behind, also came alone, and Balmung, who'd somehow been persuaded, was with them as well.
Reaching Ungrim's main camp took about three days.
Balmung's guidance had gotten them there quickly, but it was still a long trek; without his help, it would have taken much longer due to the maze-like terrain.
'... A terrible place to be forced into battle.'
The area was riddled with crevasses and needle-like icebergs that threatened life even before combat began.
It was no wonder the place was rumored to be so harsh that only the strongest could survive.
And so, Erich's group found themselves before the barbarian main camp. The scale was fearsome to behold.
Even if Erich brought every available soldier, they'd still only make up half the enemy's numbers.
The tale of a million barbarians was no mere exaggeration.
Standing before such a force, Mikhail cautiously spoke to Erich.
"... I understand that you believe you can persuade him. But isn't it a fact that there's no guarantee of success?"
Erich simply nodded. No matter how persuasive, it always depended on the listener.
If Ungrim proved too stubborn to be convinced, disaster would follow. Erich knew this as well.
"In that case, I'll have to use another method."
"Another method?"
"If Ungrim is no more, these people will collapse easily."
From Erich's words alone, Mikhail grasped his intent.
The point was, even if there was a plan to negotiate, if it failed, Erich was prepared to assassinate Ungrim.
After all, this vast barbarian host was united by Ungrim's charisma alone.
Remove the core, and the army would collapse—this was a known reality.
Historically, a second-in-command sometimes succeeded power, but here, Balmung filled that role.
'Ungrim is an undefeated monster, but Balmung is not.'
So even if Balmung did take command, he could not inspire the same charisma.
In fact, even recently, some barbarians had dared to ignore Balmung.
Still, killing Ungrim was the last resort.
After all, the ultimate goal wasn't to break up a million barbarians but to destroy the Lord of the Dead.
To deal with the many dead, Ungrim's support was essential.
Thus, Erich wanted as much as possible to bring him to his side.
'... What kind of person is he, really?'
Erich remembered having met Ungrim before. Not in a parley, but on the battlefield.
There, Ungrim had killed Mikhail and left Erich on the verge of death.
The Ungrim Erich remembered was nothing short of a monster.
He wasn't a monster in human form—it was more accurate to say a monster wearing a human mask.
Soon, the barbarian watch guarding the camp spotted Erich's group and approached.
It was only natural for them to be surprised to see Balmung among them.
[... Balmung? Why are you with them?]
[Things have turned out that way, given the circumstances. I'd like to let them meet Ungrim.]
The watch leader wore an odd expression. What kind of situation would allow Balmung to aid these outsiders?
And to let them see their chieftain so readily?
To those doubts, Balmung added,
[They are entering the midst of hundreds of thousands of enemies. What is there to fear? More than that, do you think these people could harm Ungrim?]
[... That's...true.]
The watch leader accepted Balmung's words at once.
Anyone who'd seen Ungrim's strength even once would think the same.
'... Ungrim needs no guard. He is the best guard of all.'
An ambush?
Such things didn't work on Ungrim.
'The strongest being'—that was Ungrim's very title.
Thus, the watch led Erich's party inside without protest.
Even so, Erich and his group received countless hostile stares as they passed through the throng of barbarians.
When they'd come some distance inside, the watch turned to Balmung and said,
[I'll go ask Ungrim if he will meet with them.]
[I can ask him myself.]
[... Weren't you under their captivity?]
At this, Balmung gestured to his scythe.
Holding a weapon didn't really look like captivity. Finally, the watch nodded.
[True. You would explain this incomprehensible situation better than I could.]
[I'll go directly. Please see that these folks don't get into any trouble.]
[Don't worry. I'll make sure they're not harmed.]
[Though... protection is hardly necessary.]
Balmung narrowed his eyes at Erich and Mikhail.
Perhaps not knowing about Hrung-ga, but to those who had killed Death Lord, protection was just a formality. Knowing this, Balmung entered the tent.
After Balmung left, the group waited some time until a crowd of barbarians approached. They all wore eyes filled with hostile intent.
Erich scanned the watch that was supposedly protecting them. But those who had stood nearby a moment before were now nowhere to be seen.
"... Hm."
Erich and Mikhail exchanged knowing looks. Why they were approaching was clear—they intended to cause a scene here.
Among them, one figure caught the eye. Mikhail noticed it before Erich did.
"... That one in the back is radiating a dangerous presence."
Erich knew it without being told. Not just danger—he recognized the man's face.
There among the barbarian youths, hiding with those who wanted to torment the intruders, was one who did not stand out in size, but with brilliant red hair, keen eyes, and a relaxed smile.
Ungrim. He was hiding among the crowd, observing Erich's response.
'Ungrim, you have a sly side to you.'
Erich slowly curved his lips in a smile. What was Ungrim hoping to see in Erich's reaction?
Regardless, it didn't matter.
As Frederick and Barnes moved to step forward and block them, Erich took a step first, halting their movement.
And in that tense moment, he advanced before anyone else.