Chapter 173
As Erich stepped forward, the barbarians cracked their knuckles as if mocking him. Erich studied each of their faces.
'Most of them are still young barbarians. I doubt they've ever even fought the Watch.'
These were young, hot-blooded barbarians who imagined a future where they would one day sweep the battlefield and eliminate the members, just like the warriors of their tribe.
Of course, even such barbarians would be difficult to handle unless one was a reasonably seasoned member.
The problem, however, was that what they now faced was not a 'reasonably seasoned member'.
[Did you really think you could just waltz onto our land and walk out unscathed?]
[... I thought I'd told you we came here for peaceful purposes?]
[We know nothing of that. Peace only exists as long as people like you never set foot here.]
They exchanged strange looks as they spoke, as if giving each other a signal to attack Erich.
However, Ungrim, who was mixed in among them, simply curled his lips into a grin from behind them.
Erich had several options.
One, to subdue them instantly. Of course, there was also the choice to do so without killing or injuring them.
Usually, if someone came here in peace, the sensible response would be to lightly discipline them....
'No, I need to show Ungrim something that will interest him.'
Erich didn't know which era Ungrim belonged to.
He also didn't know if Ungrim knew of Kaladia's Flame, but considering the time period, there was a high chance he did.
So, Erich's decision was...
― Fwoooosh!-
[W-what?!]
[What is this?!]
Flames shot up around Erich.
The wavy aura solidified into tangible fire, and in an instant, shattered the fighting spirit of the young barbarians.
Flames erupted from a human body.
Having neither seen nor even imagined such a sight, the barbarians instinctively stepped back.
Furthermore, the heat radiating in all directions was unbearable to face—their faces were soon drenched in cold sweat.
[W-wait!]
[Isn't it a little late for regrets?]
Erich slowly lifted the corners of his lips in a smile, then fixed his gaze on Ungrim, as if to ask, "What are you going to do now?"
'... If Ungrim is as I've analyzed him.'
Erich clenched his fist and raised it toward the young barbarians.
In synchrony, intense flames spread out in all directions.
The roiling fire, as if about to engulf them at any moment, looked extremely threatening.
Perhaps the barbarians thought Erich's actions were just intimidation.
None of them got up from their spots, since shedding blood in the midst of enemy ranks was basically suicide.
What they didn't know, however, was that sometimes in the world, there were men who would commit such suicidal acts without hesitation.
― Screeeeech!-
Erich swung his fist.
The surrounding flames shot toward the barbarians.
In that instant, even those who had been watching with interest had their faces turn pale with shock.
[W-wait!]
Even the watch that had sent these men in to teach Erich a lesson shouted in panic. But by then, it was too late.
And then—
― Boom!-
Someone leaped in among them and blocked the fire head-on.
Like a boulder splitting a river, a barbarian man parted the flames and, standing in Erich's inferno, swiftly swung his hand.
― Whooom!-
An unbelievable scene unfolded, one nobody would believe a human capable of.
The air pressure from that barbarian's swing blasted Erich's fire up into the sky.
The shockwave, which scattered in every direction like an explosion in the air, was chilling to witness.
Even though the fire had blackened the surroundings, the barbarian with flowing red hair remained completely unharmed amid the lingering traces of scorched earth.
But Erich was not surprised, as he could predict this man's response, and he spoke.
[You must be Ungrim.]
[... Indeed, Balmung wasn't exaggerating when he called you a match for himself.]
Ungrim flashed Erich a chilling smile, his fangs revealed between his lips.
'As expected, Ungrim cares for his kin.'
Even if Ungrim seemed cold-blooded, he truly cherished the barbarians, the descendants of his comrades.
Erich understood that well even before he regressed.
On the battlefield, the way a commander treats and moves his subordinates reveals his true feelings for them.
Therefore, as soon as Erich realized Ungrim had sent the others to test him, he decided to use the situation to get Ungrim to step up himself.
By displaying a 'fire' that would interest Ungrim, and simultaneously forcing a situation where Ungrim had to protect the others.
Erich slowly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and addressed him.
[Relax. I didn't come here to fight. Balmung probably gave you a rough explanation, right?]
[No, he told me nothing.]
[... What?]
Erich's eyes narrowed.
Balmung had barely spent any time in Ungrim's tent, so Erich assumed he'd given him only a brief, concise message.
But, judging by the sight of Balmung panting as he hurriedly rejoined from the rear, it seemed he hadn't had the chance to say anything at all.
Ungrim spoke next.
[I suppose I should listen? There must be a reason why my enemy came so deep into my camp. The only thing that matters now is what kind of man that enemy is.]
[U-Ungrim, the guy is a comm—]
Balmung fumbled, but Ungrim swiftly put a finger to his lips, motioning for him to keep quiet.
But it was already too late—even the word 'commander' had been uttered, so there was no way Ungrim didn't know who Erich was.
Shaking his head in mild disappointment, Erich said,
[I was planning to take the time to explain everything... Balmung, you just ruined my fun.]
[S-sorry.]
[Don't be. I already knew their commander was bold. He's just the perfect candidate to be here. Now then, the next question is...]
Ungrim's wild gaze was fixed on Erich, a mix of curiosity, hatred, and something complicated between them flickered in his eyes.
'... Damn. He means to fight.'
Erich's body tensed.
In an instant, Ungrim closed the gap, and his fist appeared right in front of Erich's nose.
― Boom!-
Erich's reaction was quick.
He didn't have time to draw his sword, so he simply raised his hand and blocked Ungrim's punch.
The air rang with a powerful sonic boom.
'My bones are shaking.'
Both Erich's and Ungrim's arms trembled as they pressed their strength against each other.
Even so, Erich was relieved that his arm hadn't broken from the first blow.
That's how heavy Ungrim's punch was.
[... Remarkable. How did you block this barehanded?]
[Well... like this!]
― Bam!-
Erich's body rose as he forcefully landed a kick to Ungrim's chest. It felt like kicking a giant boulder.
Ungrim, having taken the kick, slid backward.
He, too, seemed surprised that Erich could generate this much power with sheer physical strength.
Erich's group, as well as Ungrim's subordinates, all broke out in cold sweat.
The thought that someone could treat their leader this way was shocking.
Above all, these were men who, in their respective factions, were regarded as insurmountable mountains.
To see two such figures fighting evenly was surreal.
Erich brushed off his crumpled cloak and spoke toward Ungrim.
[I didn't come here to duel to the death. You said you hadn't heard, so listen—]
[Wait.]
Ungrim abruptly cut him off, straightening his shoulders.
The sculpted muscles visible beneath his fur cloak gleamed like marble.
[The fact that you came here means you had something with which to persuade me. Isn't that right?]
[And if I did?]
[Then I'll give you time to persuade me—until you die, that is.]
No sooner had Ungrim finished speaking than he lunged at Erich.
In fact, given his agility and speed, 'teleported' might be a better word.
'Fast...!'
― Boom!-
This time, Erich managed to draw his sword and clashed with Ungrim's fist.
Even filled with aura, the divine sword Dragon Fang was nearly bent. If it were an ordinary sword, it would have shattered.
"... Huff!"
Erich steadied his breath as he exchanged blows with Ungrim. Each clash of sword and fist rang in the ears of everyone nearby.
― Bam! Bam!-
[Get back!]
"Damn it, what on earth...!"
Erich's sword grazed Ungrim's ear. The sharp aura left behind a faint trail of flame where it passed.
It seemed like a simple slash, but Ungrim's eyes darted quickly—the missed sword aura had caused a massive explosion.
― Boom!-
But even that wasn't enough to slice through Ungrim's body.
The sheer size of his physique alone was able to block a sword imbued with aura.
'... He seems even stronger than before.'
Now, Erich was much stronger than before his regression.
And Ungrim should have been much weaker than when they'd first met, given the earlier timeline.
Yet Ungrim was fighting the current, much more powerful Erich, without being outmatched at all... which suggested another possibility.
'... Ungrim got stronger too?'
If anything, Ungrim felt even stronger than he had at his prime.
'Something I changed... must have affected Ungrim as well.'
Erich's regression had had endless consequences.
He'd disrupted the plans of the dead much sooner than expected and had threatened the survival of the entire northern barbarian region.
Given that, it wasn't strange if Ungrim felt more threatened and became stronger in response.
Just then, a powerful shockwave skimmed past Erich's side.
He couldn't see it clearly, but something wavering zipped past his flank and crashed into a distant mound.
― Boom!-
A tempest followed, whipping the air violently. Even Erich felt a chill at such a terrifying sight.
― Bam!-
Again, Erich and Ungrim crashed together, pushing at each other with brute strength.
Erich spoke through his exertion.
[... Crazy bastard, can you really make explosions with just the shockwave of your fists?]
[... With that strange fire and your aura mastery, you're among the top swordsmen I've ever faced.]
[Back when you were with the Watch?]
Ungrim's face hardened.
Apparently, it was an unexpected question.
But he pressed the attack, and Erich, catching those heavy blows, continued.
[I understand your sense of betrayal. You must have been horrified to see your comrades' descendants treated that way.]
[So you claim not to have known?]
[... Yes!]
― Boom!-
Erich mustered his strength and pushed Ungrim away.
But Ungrim's body was so heavy, like a boulder, that he wouldn't budge fully.
Erich could barely get his words out under the barrage of attacks.
[It's not our fault. We didn't know, and behind all that trickery is a familiar name.]
[Tiberius, you mean?]
Ungrim grinned. Erich was surprised that he had so quickly guessed the name Tiberius.
But he had no time to look shocked as Ungrim's attacks grew fiercer.
Soon, as if delivering a heated argument, Ungrim shouted as he attacked.
[You say it's a misunderstanding, but within that you still look down on me and my kin. Why did you think I wouldn't notice?]
[... Because I thought, if you knew, you'd have put things right.]
[And was that something I could fix? Do you believe Tiberius could have pulled all that off alone?]
[What do you mean?]
Erich shot back as he quickly drew a line to Ungrim's left, flames flaring up to block his approach.
Both paused for a breath; they glared at each other for a split second. Then Ungrim replied.
[I admit it. I only learned the truth recently. But what I've come to know even more deeply is that a handful of Watchmen joined in the scheme for their own benefit.]
[... Of course. Things disappear from history not because of one person, but by collective will.]
[So can you really claim you're blameless? Is there any guarantee this won't happen again someday, even if it's not this time?]
[I'll guarantee it.]
[You?]
Ungrim scoffed in the middle of their furious fight, quickly widening the distance as he retorted sharply.
[You think you're someone with that kind of authority?]
[... Hmm.]
Erich gauged Ungrim's demeanor. At this rate, the matter might have to be settled with life on the line.
Even Mikhail was gripping his sword, sensing persuasion might not work.
'It's a shame to let go. Ungrim has become even stronger than before.'
There wasn't much time to think, but Erich fully understood Ungrim's point.
To bring the barbarians back under the Empire's influence couldn't be done by an ordinary man's power.
In other words, if Erich could prove that he was no ordinary man, he might be able to convince Ungrim.
Erich quietly lifted the corner of his mouth. Coincidentally, Erich was anything but ordinary.
He possessed strength anyone would acknowledge, and in addition, he was the incarnation of Incensus.
Slowly, light began to gather in Erich's hand. He was about to prove that Erich's promise was as good as the will of the Empire itself.