The total force of the Watch that arrived at Fuga Gorge encountered an unexpected situation.

There, the Barbarians had already constructed an impregnable fortress.

Erich and the fortress commanders under his command gazed quietly at the fortifications the Barbarians had built from afar.

The first to speak was Richter.

“… Damn it, if it weren’t for that rebellion.”

Indeed, as Richter said, had it not been for the rebellion, there was no way Fuga Gorge would have been lost so easily.

Originally, the fortress commanders who had sided with the rebels would have checked the movements of the Barbarians of Ungrim.

However, while the commotion of the rebellion took place within the Watch, Ungrim advanced his forces and had already taken Fuga Gorge.

So, all that the Watch under Erich’s command could do was one thing—to surround Fuga Gorge and stay in a tense standoff.

Erich calmly laid his hand on his sword and spoke.

“This is troublesome. I didn’t expect them to move so quickly.”

But, truthfully, Erich knew this deep down. The dead and Ungrim had maintained some form of cooperation.

Considering the dead had sparked the rebellion, it was highly probable that Ungrim knew about it in advance.

In other words, although Erich had managed to suppress the rebellion in an instant, given the sequence of events, Ungrim’s actions would naturally be quicker.

Soon after, Hern spoke.

“… Can’t we just break through?”

“You want to push all our forces into that narrow gorge?”

At Mikhail’s remark, Hern made a low hum. Erich also agreed with Mikhail.

If all their forces were thrown into such a confined gorge, none would survive.

‘The important thing is to face Ungrim’s main force. Not having troops left would be disastrous.’

Furthermore, there was no way of knowing how many fortresses remained within that long, narrow Fuga Gorge.

Even if they succeeded in breaking through, they might constantly hit obstacles, leading to the worst possible scenario.

Erich quietly spoke to Hrung-ga.

[Hrung-ga, there is only one possible method. Do you think it’s realistic?]

[… If you’re thinking of crossing Haratakan, you’d better give up. They are hostile to outsiders.]

[Are they really that strong?]

[There’s a reason Ungrim never disregards Haratakan. Haratakan, the shaman’s stronghold, is a place of monsters. It’s not a place permitted to humans.]

Erich nodded, lost in worry. For Hrung-ga to speak so emphatically—crossing Haratakan had to be reserved as a last resort.

‘But even so, we can’t break through Fuga Gorge, nor can we just go over the Iceborn lake.’

Still, the most feasible option was to take a detachment over Haratakan, appear on the rear side of Fuga Gorge, and attack the enemy together with the main force.

If successful, positions would be reversed, and the enemy could be encircled instead.

However, Erich gazed up at the peaks of Haratakan, rising as if to touch the sky.

It wasn’t just the shamans living there that posed a problem—it looked tremendously difficult to climb.

Even before his regression, Erich had never been to Haratakan. To him, this was nothing short of an adventure.

But it wasn’t just Erich and the officers who cast their gaze toward Haratakan. Ceres also turned her gaze that way.

“… I do sense an incredible aura. If Haratakan is to Barbarians what the Mage Tower is to us, it certainly piques my interest. I imagine other mages feel the same.”

“Are you saying…?”

“I’m saying we might be able to recruit volunteers from the Mage Tower and bring some mages.”

Ceres smiled slightly. If mages supported the Watch, it would be a huge help.

Although Ceres was the current master of the Mage Tower, she couldn’t just drag mages around at her whim.

Each had their own research, and there was an unwritten rule—even the master couldn’t interfere without cause.

But what if they were given something interesting?

That meant giving the Mage Tower mages a reason to participate in this war. Erich’s lips curled upwards.

“So, if we declare that we’re climbing Haratakan, we might receive support from the Mage Tower.”

“Yes, even if the shamans are as strong as the rumors suggest, I believe we’ll be fine if we prepare sufficiently.”

Ceres’ advice was very tempting.

Even if crossing Haratakan was risky, if it provided a reason to bring along the many mages—then it was certainly advantageous.

‘Is the risk of facing the enmity of the shamans on Haratakan greater, or is the benefit of gaining mages more significant? Which outweighs the other?’

Erich reached his conclusion quickly.

‘It’s better to climb Haratakan.’

That was the conclusion Erich reached.

Of course, Hrung-ga objected, saying he found it unsettling…

[It’s going to be extremely dangerous, Erich.]

[Still, it’s better than depleting our forces here. In any case, only the detachment will go up Haratakan.]

Soon after, Grant spoke up cautiously, concern coloring his voice.

“… Surely, you’re not thinking of climbing it yourself, Lord Commander?”

“I have to.”

“No, sir. Not this time.”

Grant firmly objected, but Erich had expected this much.

‘… Until now I’d been in a temporary position, but I guess I’m now firmly established as lord commander.’

Until he singlehandedly suppressed the rebellion, Erich was just August’s substitute—there were plenty who could have filled his place.

But after quashing the rebellion and integrating the Watch, the current Erich was perceived very differently by the fortress commanders.

Now, if the lord commander’s seat became vacant, they seemed to believe even more chaos would follow.

Erich didn’t entirely disagree, but he was even less satisfied with the idea of sending an untested subordinate up the never-climbed Haratakan.

Grant quickly continued.

“The Watch is unified now, thanks in large part to your personal strength and the symbolic act of crushing the rebellion. Should anything happen to you, this expedition will end right here.”

“I understand your concern. But there’s no other way. All I can do here is keep up this standoff.”

“Then we should select only the most capable for the detachment, and have one of the fortress commanders command them.”

“But then, as you said, my personal strength would go unused. Sometimes you need to take risks—we’ve done it once already, haven’t we?”

Grant fell silent.

Erich had a history of succeeding with what many thought were gambles, and often secured the best results.

So, for someone who had already proven himself this way, there wasn’t much Grant could say.

But Erich did not intend to simply overrule him. Thus he said:

“If I do not make it by the appointed date, Grant, you’ll have to take command.”

Erich spoke with a faint smile. Although he didn’t think it would come to that, even if it did, Grant would fulfill the role well.

But above all else, Erich had no intention of dying.

‘Right now, my power is at its peak. I’m not afraid of whatever might appear.’

Erich wasn’t afraid of climbing Haratakan.

Some might call it reckless, but even before his regression, Erich had done many things considered reckless.

But it wasn’t mere confidence; he made his decisions based on their objective feasibility.

This time was no different.

Not only did Erich have his own strength, but also the Head Hunter Hrung-ga and Mikhail, as well as the mage corps, and Ceres who could nullify the frost of the dead.

With such might, he judged there was little to fear—unless the Lord of the Dead himself appeared, which would be another story entirely.

‘But even that could bring about a final confrontation, which wouldn’t be so bad.’

After all, the Lord of the Dead would have to be fought eventually. In a way, this could become an opportunity.

Erich worked hard to persuade the fortress commanders, and, including Grant, they reluctantly agreed.

The plan was for Erich and the detachment to ascend Haratakan, reach the rear of Fuga Gorge by a set date, and strike the enemy from behind.

If that succeeded, they could secure a route to Ungrim’s main force.

Erich gazed up at the lofty peaks of Haratakan.

The chilling, brooding mountains radiated a sublime force that made him feel small and insignificant.

But Erich intended to ascend them—a place holy to the shamans and revered by the Barbarians.

***

In Ungrim’s camp, rows of shabby tents set up by countless Barbarians stretched as far as the eye could see—almost hundreds of thousands in number.

Not since the last Mountain King, Barbaronga, had their numbers been so great.

The one leading them stayed in an equally shabby tent at the center of the camp, lounging on a throne made from skulls, resting his chin on his fist.

His red hair was tied in a high tail, tough muscles threatening to burst from within a thick fur coat. Unlike other Barbarians, he bore no weapon.

Soon, several Barbarians entered his tent. The moment they caught sight of his red eyes, their shoulders shrank with intimidation.

[… U, Ungrim. We came to make a report.]

[I’m listening.]

Ungrim merely raised his eyes toward them with a bored look.

[There are reports the enemy is preparing to ascend Haratakan.]

[… They’re climbing Haratakan?]

[Y-yes.]

[Hmm…]

Ungrim grinned, sharp fangs visible between his lips. His aura was closer to a wild beast’s than a man’s.

[That’s an interesting choice. The shamans won’t just sit by.]

[Perhaps the shamans will deal with them for us.]

Next to Ungrim, a man known as Balmung, Ungrim’s right hand, wore the same smile. But Ungrim waved him off lightly.

[I’m not about to sit and wait for that. There are nuisances in Haratakan as well.]

[… Ungrim, you’re not saying that we should climb Haratakan too…?]

[What, are you scared?]

Even Balmung, who had been grinning, showed an awkward expression. The others looked no less frightened.

But Ungrim’s simple, magical word—

‘Are you scared?’

—was taboo for warriors. They must not show fear, even if they felt it. So, the Barbarians including Balmung, muttered half-heartedly in reply.

[… O-of course not.]

Ungrim seemed to sense their fear, but didn’t particularly care. Instead, he crooked his finger.

[Since it’s come to this, let’s seize Haratakan for ourselves. Balmung, I leave the brothers to you.]

Balmung nodded silently.

They, too, would be heading for Haratakan—ready to deal not only with shamans who didn’t join their cause, but with Erich as well.

To Ungrim, all of this seemed an opportunity. If he could deal with his most troublesome adversary, Erich—

Then conquering the Great Wall would be the easiest thing in the world.

————-= Clacky’s Corner ————-=

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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