Chapter 271: Urich

The nobles of the civilized world were on edge due to the movements of the alliance army. The Porcana-Alliance army was making its way up north. At this rate, they would be passing the imperial capital of Hamel in just two days.

The vast plains of the imperial lands made camping easy anywhere. As night fell, the warriors pitched tents and prepared to camp.

"We will gain land in the civilized world and engage with them in an exchange. Some of us will become farmers, and we will even meet strange merchants from faraway places every now and then."

Urich spoke while sitting by the campfire. There were a lot of warriors gathered around him.

"Exchange?"

Someone questioned as if they didn’t welcome the sound of it.

"What, you’re just going to retreat back to the west and stay there after going through all this trouble? We may be united as brothers right now, but once we return to the west, we'll become enemies again. The land in the west is harsh. We can't get enough food there. We need to interact with the civilized world."

The alliance army had gained the upper hand and could negotiate with the empire to get what they wanted at any time.

‘The reason why we’re still fighting is to get better negotiation terms.’

Unlike in the early days, the frequency of plundering by the alliance army had greatly decreased. Many warriors were itching for action, but Urich prohibited any unnecessary attacks. They supplemented their necessities by receiving tributes from the territories they passed by.

‘We need to interact with civilization. That’s what the future of the west will depend on. We need to learn civilization on equal terms, not in a subjugated state like the north or the south.’

Urich was looking toward the future.

‘I have no intention to let this end without a clear plan.’

He felt as heavy as if he was submerged in a lake. The eyes of the warriors pressed on him.

Urich had to live up to the expectations of the warriors. That was his responsibility and mission. Once he started something, he had to see it through to the end.

‘What I want to do.’

Everyone has dreams. There is something they truly want to do.

But how many people actually get to live the life they want? Responsibilities, duties, family, and status. These were some of the reasons that made people either settle for reality or feel frustrated.

One had to fulfill the responsibilities given to them. Dreams were something to be chased after that.

Urich came back to the west to save his people. His brothers and kin relied on and followed him. From that very moment, Urich was no longer a free man.

‘It would be nice if my ambition and duty aligned like they did for Samikan....’

Urich smiled faintly. Each day of Samikan’s life must have been filled with fulfillment.

‘After the war ends and our exchange with the civilized world stabilizes...’

A faint hope glimmered.

Feeling unsettled, Urich got up and walked to the outskirts of the camp where there was less traffic. He found Gottval praying and spoke to him.

“Why are you praying out here, of all places?”

“I was looking for a quiet place, and I just happened to end up here.”

“You might get killed wandering around like that. Not all warriors follow my control. The ones who hate you are sharpening their axe blades with passion.”

Gottval laughed softly and stood up.

“Do you know how Solarism expanded its influence?”

Urich thought for a moment before speaking.

“Martyrdom... Those who overcame the fear of death with their religious fervor inspire others with their deaths.”

Gottval flinched at Urich’s answer.

‘Urich's knowledge might have already surpassed that of many scholars.’

Urich was an extraordinary barbarian from their very first encounter. He was not just an exceptional warrior but a keen explorer. If he were merely a good fighter, he wouldn't have garnered this much love from so many people.

“Would you believe in Lou if I died for you?” Gottval asked.

“Don’t even try to threaten me like that. Well, if you do actually die, I might do a little pretending out of guilt.”

Urich shrugged.

“Urich, you are smart.”

“You won’t get anything from me with that kind of flattery.”

“You don't need to be smug. That intelligence is your problem. Smart people don't easily believe in what they can’t see. They need to see it with their own eyes. I heard about the taboo of the Sky Mountains. The taboo you challenged and broke.”

“So what?”

“In the past, you were a barbarian filled with curiosity about the gods. But over time, you've seen, heard, and experienced many things. Now, you don't worship or follow anything—not the sky, not Ulgaro, and not Lou. You've become too complex to walk a single path, Urich the barbarian.”

“I like you, Gottval, but don't talk like you know everything about me. Save your preaching for when I ask for it.”

Despite Urich's words, Gottval didn't stop.

“Please don't choose the worst path, Urich.”

Urich frowned to show his displeasure. He quietly returned to his tent.

* * *

‘The Porcana-Alliance army is attacking the imperial capital of Hamel.’

Such rumors were heard everywhere. It was also true that the Porcana-Alliance army had advanced near Hamel. The people inside the walls prayed as they trembled in fear, while merchants avoided Hamel even if it meant taking losses on their business.

"Let them come if they dare!"

However, the morale of the garrison stationed in Hamel was extremely high. Despite the emperor's absence, the steel knights remained unwavering.

‘The walls of Hamel will never be breached.’

Hamel's outer walls were the highest in the civilized world. Even with all the existing siege weapons and techniques, breaching Hamel was difficult. Anyone who was familiar with Hamel's wall structure and had military knowledge knew that Hamel wouldn't be easily breached.

The garrison, who knew the power of Hamel’s defense better than anyone, stood firm, maintaining their positions without a single deserter.

The Porcana-Alliance army encamped at a distance where the walls of Hamel were visible as a mere dot. They hesitated instead of advancing as planned.

There was an unexpected reinforcement for the alliance army.

"It’s Belrua!"

Belrua joined the alliance army with three thousand warriors.

"Belrua came... at a time like this..."

The chiefs cautiously glanced at each other. They did not hastily welcome Belrua.

The Porcana army who was completely unaware of the internal dynamics of the alliance army was simply pleased to see their numbers increase.

"I went through all that trouble to drag myself here and what, not even a proper welcome?"

Belrua snapped at the warriors who welcomed her. She had returned to the alliance army after being away to give birth to her child in the west.

‘The wife of the last Great Chief Samikan.’

It was quite an awkward status within the current alliance army. Urich had killed Samikan and taken the position of Great Chief. In a way, he was her enemy.

"What the hell are you all just standing around for? Belrua of the Red Sand is here! Bring out the wine and meat!"

Urich pushed the warriors aside and stepped forward. He greeted Belrua with a broad smile.

The warriors seemed relieved by his words. They couldn't afford a civil war now.

"Great Chief Urich, huh? I guess it suits you well enough," Belrua said as she approached Urich.

"Son, or daughter?"

Urich asked as he guided Belrua into the camp. Belrua led her warriors deeper into the camp, where a peculiar stillness and tension hung in the air.

Belrua entered a large tent and sat on a fur-covered chair. She toyed with the armrest of the chair and looked at Urich with half-closed eyes.

"Son."

Upon hearing this, Urich's excited smile faded, and he closed his eyes briefly before reopening them.

"Well, let’s have a drink first. It's good to see you after a while."

"You have the audacity to say that after killing my husband?"

But despite her words, Belrua shrugged. Everyone in the alliance knew it was a loveless marriage.

"It's not like it was a union out of affection anyway. What, you’re going to try to avenge your husband here?"

"I know there's no chance of winning if I go against you now. I brought my warriors here purely for the purpose of joining you. I swear to the heavens."

Belrua accepted the cup of wine. The two shared a light toast of friendship.

Urich exhaled deeply and muttered, "I see. You had a son. Samikan's son...."

Belrua had left her son with the Red Sand Tribe. He was under good care of the women who were more caring than herself.

"A son has to avenge his father someday. Maybe not now, but eventually. He'll be ridiculed by the warriors if he doesn't when he's grown. Samikan's revenge is none of my business, but my son's dishonor certainly is."

"Can I not be his godfather? After all, Samikan and I are sworn brothers."

"Are you joking? That would be like my son begging for his life by making the man who killed his father his godfather. I'd rather strangle him with my own hands."

"Well, we still have at least ten years before that child grows up. It's not an immediate issue. And who knows? I might die before then."

The issue of Samikan's son wasn't urgent enough to resolve right away. Belrua came to Urich because she knew that.

Belrua and Urich put the matter aside. It was a problem that would resolve itself if one of them died before the son grew up.

"Why did you kill Samikan and take the Great Chief position, anyway? Things got that bad between you two while I was gone? Knowing you, I doubt you wanted the Great Chief's position that badly."

"Samikan made a reckless decision. He became overly ambitious because he knew he didn’t have much time left, and there was only one way to stop him."

"Are you sure his decision was reckless?"

Belrua's eyes narrowed sharply.

At the time of their conflict, Urich believed that Samikan would lead the alliance to ruin.

‘But was there really no chance of winning? Could Samikan have known something I didn't that could have brought down the empire?’

Urich thought to himself.

In some ways, Samikan's vision was broader than Urich’s. They often saw different things even when they were standing in the same place.

"...Even if his decision was the correct one, what meaning does it have now? I am the Great Chief of the alliance, Belrua. You've already broken a promise with me for your own gain once. Are you sure you have the right to blame me? If you can't accept me as the Great Chief, then go back to the west. Go start a rebellion or whatever."

Urich leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs. He let his arms hang loosely and fiddled with the axe that had fallen under the chair.

The organization called the alliance had become as politically complicated as its size had grown. But an organization built on the tribal warrior culture had a simple rule.

One rule that transcended any morality, ethics, or legitimacy.

Belrua brought her hand to her chest. Urich's pupils dilated and contracted repeatedly like a hawk eyeing its prey.

Schring.

There was a cold sound. Belrua drew her meteorite dagger, her treasure and symbol. If Urich's expedition failed, the west would become slaves of civilization, and she knew that just as well as Urich.

Creak.

Belrua knelt on one knee and bowed her head. She raised her palm high and offered the meteorite dagger to Urich. It was a form of tribute to repair their shaky relationship.

"I apologize for my rudeness, Great Chief Urich. I will follow your words without complaint."

The law of the wilderness, both simple and close to nature.

The strong have the right to rule over the weak.