Episode 89

Guided by Hraka, Erich’s unit headed toward the Wolf Tribe and encountered sporadic ambushes along the way.

Of course, since Hraka was their ally, he took care of those issues himself.

In contrast, the hostile Barbarian forces would suddenly appear from within the forest and attack.

Even then, thanks to Mikhail and Erich’s advanced detection, they suffered no losses.

Thus, after many twists and turns, the unit finally arrived at the Wolf Tribe.

What greeted Erich’s unit, however, was a cold rejection. Hraka shouted out in a furious voice.

[Didn’t I say we came to meet Guardian Warrior Hrung-ga!]

[Hraka, even if you put it that way, there’s nothing I can do. The Elders told me not to let them in. What do you want me to do?]

[Damn it. Are you planning to ignore our traditions?]

Hraka expressed anger on Erich’s behalf. Erich was grateful for that, but it was unlikely to solve the problem.

When Erich stepped forward beside Hraka, the barbarian warrior on guard flinched and turned his head.

[Then, could you at least call Hrung-ga out to meet us?]

[That’s a difficult request, too. Hrung-ga headed out with the warriors to stop the Black Wolf raiders nearby, so no one knows when he’ll return.]

[Hmm, I see.]

Erich fiddled with the wolf figurine in his hand. There wasn’t much they could do by waiting here anyway.

Then Erich spoke to Frederick.

“Frederick, how much supplies do we have left?”

“About half. Still, since we’re in a forest, we could forage for more if needed. But you’re not thinking of leaving them behind and heading out, are you?”

“Is there a problem?”

“Well… is it all right for the commander to be going around like that?”

Erich let out a short laugh. For Frederick to worry about the commander—perhaps the sun would rise in the west tomorrow.

“I’ll take you and Barnes, at least. The main group can be left to Senior Sergeant Kurz, right?”

“That’s not wrong, but I still think it’d be good to bring a guard detail.”

“Then, I’ll take up to a hundred guards with me.”

Frederick nodded, passed the order to Kurz, and moved to select the members.

Hraka turned to Erich and asked,

[What did you two talk about?]

[I’m thinking of looking for Hrung-ga myself. From what I can tell, we seem to have a common enemy. Wouldn’t it help both sides if we worked together?]

[… That’s true.]

Hraka rolled his eyes thoughtfully, seemingly weighing whether it was the right decision.

[We won’t get in the way.]

[I know. Hrung-ga said you’re an unbelievable powerhouse. Said you even used the Goddess’s power.]

[Well, that’s a bit exaggerated… but it’s mostly true. So, can you lead us to where Hrung-ga is?]

[That’s not difficult. That bastard Hrung-ga will owe me big time.]

Hraka grinned. So, with Frederick, Mikhail, Barnes, and about a hundred guards, Erich set out on the road.

All to support Hrung-ga, said to be on the battlefield.

***

Biting cold.

In it, barbarians cloaked in furs stood armed and gathered. They weren’t arranged in perfect formation, like Imperial soldiers.

But the mere presence of these huge, broad-shouldered barbarians was enough to create an overwhelming sense of pressure.

There was one barbarian who stood out even more—around his waist hung several skulls, and amidst his tangled long hair, warriors clustered close.

Hrung-ga, the Guardian Warrior of the Wolf Tribe.

Having defeated the Guardian Warrior of the Bear Tribe and become the new one himself, he enjoyed the deep respect of many warriors.

He had particular support from the younger warriors of the Wolf Tribe. On the other hand, the elders described Hrung-ga as insolent.

Likely, this stemmed from Hrung-ga’s rebellious streak—his habit of frequently disobeying the elders’ and the chieftain’s orders or questioning their opinions.

Yet, neither elders nor shamans nor even the chieftain could openly oppose him anymore.

Not only did he return alive from the sacred ground where he’d been sent to die on a trumped-up pretext, he had become a Head Hunter there—the greatest of warriors.

The one who returned from their “sacred ground” as a Head Hunter. More than his actual strength, the symbolism of this feat was immensely powerful.

Thus, Hrung-ga’s story, akin to an epic, had become an object of aspiration for the young warriors.

A young warrior addressed Hrung-ga.

[Hrung-ga. We’ve lost contact with our brothers at the Fuga Gorge. Seems the enemy broke through there and is headed our way.]

[… I see. If they’ve come, we must face them.]

Hrung-ga slung his massive weapon over his shoulder—a weapon said to be blessed by the Goddess and passed down among Guardian Warriors.

Of course, to the uninitiated, it looked to be just a huge metal club.

Then, a vivid yellow aura began to burn in Hrung-ga’s eyes. The young warriors watched in awe.

[… Ooh.]

[Head Hunter Hrung-ga…!]

Every barbarian warrior’s dream: “Head Hunter.”

Not many barbarians attained that rank so naturally.

Hrung-ga rose from his seat, and the other barbarians looked up in reverence.

Hrung-ga drew a deep shout from his belly.

[Let’s go crush them!]

[Hrung-ga! Hrung-ga! Hrung-ga!]

The Wolf Tribe barbarians marched onto the broad snowy field. At the far end, opposite them, was the canyon’s exit, where the enemy was expected to appear.

How long did they wait? As dusk fell, the first glow of light seeped out from the gorge. The warriors, weary from the wait, rose to their feet.

[They’re coming!]

[Pay for betraying the Goddess—with your lives!]

Barbarians lined up, their faces tense. Yet despite their tension, an untamed savagery was apparent, as if they’d leap out at any moment.

Hrung-ga stood at the very front. To him, honor meant seeking a place to die. Even in the sacred ground where none had returned alive, it hadn’t been his time to die.

Hrung-ga bared his thick fangs.

[I hope someone worthy of sending me to the Goddess comes today, Hakan.]

[Hrung-ga, is there even a warrior out there who could face you?]

The tension of battle began to course through the warriors’ bodies, their excitement turning into shouts.

When the enemy barbarians lined up before them, their eyes filled with madness.

Hrung-ga strode forward, intent on facing the enemy’s leader.

[I am Hrung-ga, son of Batanga! Who will stand against me!]

—Hrung-ga! Hrung-ga! Hrung-ga!

The barbarians chanted his name. As morale soared sky-high, the opposing side looked at each other nervously.

At last, one stepped forward, Hrung-ga’s brow furrowing at the sight.

[I am Norg, son of Tug. I am a Head Hunter, too, just like you.]

There was a strange light in Norg’s eyes. Yet, rather than a vivid hue, it was a dull ashen color.

A sense akin to contempt fell across Hrung-ga’s face.

[… Are you mocking me, Norg?]

[Mocking you?]

[How dare you claim to be a Head Hunter, a guardian of the Goddess, with such pitiful, makeshift power?]

[… So arrogant, Hrung-ga. That’s why you, chained by your Goddess, will never amount to anything.]

Norg growled. Like a wild beast, he lunged forward. His forearms bulged taut as his massive axe came slicing at Hrung-ga.

—KWAANG!

Hrung-ga easily blocked the strike with his Goddess-blessed weapon, and as Norg’s stance wavered, he kicked Norg squarely in the chest.

—THWACK!

[Urgh!]

Norg’s eyes went wide. The difference in sheer force was overwhelming. It had merely been a kick—and yet his whole body tingled.

Hrung-ga bared his teeth and muttered,

[Is it my turn now?]

Norg kept up his guard, ready to counter Hrung-ga’s attack at any time.

But—

—CRAAACK!

Hrung-ga’s club hit Norg square in the face. With the sound of bones shattering, Norg’s jaw—intended to stand firm—was absolutely demolished.

[Guh—Guhh!]

Unable to withstand the impact, Norg’s body was driven into the ground.

The end for Norg—who had boasted of being a Head Hunter—was, in truth, completely insignificant.

At the same time, fear painted the faces of his comrades, who had been hopeful about Norg’s duel.

Not just because their leader had been defeated, but because no one had imagined a man like him could fall so easily.

[… A m-monster!]

Hrung-ga had no intention of letting the cowards fleeing before him escape.

He trampled over Norg’s corpse and charged right into the midst of the enemy horde.

[You disgraceful cowards!]

—KWAANG!

The sound of bones breaking rang out everywhere. At the epicenter was Hrung-ga, mercilessly bashing barbarian skulls with his club.

Quickly, the barbarians who followed Hrung-ga charged into battle too. Barbarians, bearing the same tattoos, spilling blood in a civil war.

And overwhelmingly losing were those clad in wolf pelts—the Black Wolf Tribe.

After a wild clash of clubs, Hrung-ga slowly came to from his fighting trance, his battle fervor fading as he spoke.

[… Truly pathetic, these bastards.]

[Hrung-ga, won’t you collect their heads?]

[Their heads? Just collecting those would be an insult.]

[… As expected, Hrung-ga. You truly deserve respect as a warrior.]

Head Hunter. That is, the one who collects heads among the barbarians, usually only collected skulls of worthy warriors.

But in Hrung-ga’s judgment, these weren’t worthy. Even the head of Norg, who called himself a Head Hunter, was a worthless trophy.

Hrung-ga wanted greater spoils. For example, the head of Ungrim, or at least one of his right-hand men.

Anything lesser would not sate Hrung-ga’s drive to collect.

Narrowing his eyes further, Hrung-ga spoke,

[… Wait. Hakan, tell the warriors not to pursue those men.]

[Why? If we pushed a little harder, we could wipe them all out.]

[There’s an ambush hiding behind them.]

Hakan’s mouth hung open. With the yellow glow in Hrung-ga’s eyes, he could see through even the farthest, thickest undergrowth.

A Head Hunter’s vision was nothing like that of ordinary men.

However, Hrung-ga’s face then grew complex.

[… But what is that?]

[What’s wrong, Hrung-ga?]

[They’re being slaughtered. But by whom?]

Hrung-ga saw that the ambushers were being massacred by another force. In the midst of it, a scarlet light kept weaving and darting about.

In the flashing arc of that blade, Hrung-ga felt an odd sense of déjà vu.

At last, realizing the owner of those sword skills, Hrung-ga’s eyes went wide—and a smile crept up his lips.

[… Erich the fatherless!]

The little Imperial with whom he’d forged a bond at the Goddess’s resting sacred ground.

Though small, he was the mightiest of all the little crows—and now, he was here.

————-= Clacky’s Corner ————-=

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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