Chapter 411
Chapter 411: Time is Running Out (2)
Perdium was incredibly peaceful.
The duty of guarding the North remained, but the barbarians weren’t running wild.
Instead, it had become something akin to a trading hub between the barbarians and the kingdom.
Heeeey!
Hundreds of horses entered the Northern Fortress.
These were the horses that Woroka offered as tribute.
“Ahem, the wolf of the North, it’s been a while.”
“It has indeed, Woroka.”
The two shook hands as soon as they met.
After exchanging a few necessary items, the days of drawing weapons and fighting on sight had vanished.
Of course, they were still sharpening their blades in their hearts.
‘Should I have taken him out last time we went to war?’
‘These guys can’t be trusted. Who knows when they might stab us in the back?’
Still, both maintained their smiles on the surface. After all, adhering to the treaty was beneficial for the time being.
Zvalter showcased the prepared food supplies to Woroka.
“Here, the promised food supplies. This should be enough for this year, right?”
Woroka gulped as he eyed the stacked supplies.
I always feel this way, but they have way too much food. It’s astonishing how well they acquire it.
‘If only we could produce food like this…’
Then we wouldn’t have to live on a leash like this. We could genuinely build a Northern Kingdom.
“Could you… share some methods for food production?”
Suddenly achieving mass production in such a barren North must mean there’s a method. Knowing that could bring prosperity to them as well.
However, Zvalter shook his head.
“I don’t know.”
“…?”
“I really don’t know. My son figured out the method, and no one on our side knows it.”
‘Damn! If you don’t want to teach me, just say so!’
Woroka made an irritated expression, but Zvalter’s words were true. The magical cultivated land was created directly by important figures from Penris.
Since pioneering the Forest of Monsters, Perdium had not relied on the magical cultivated land anymore. They could produce food there now.
The yield per area was less than Penris’s magical cultivated land, but the area developed was vast, and the soil was fertile, making it less of a problem.
Zvalter, pondering whether to share information about the Forest of Monsters, suddenly recalled something and spoke.
“By the way, you couldn’t possibly know how to farm, right?”
“…….”
The Forest of Monsters stretches into the barbarian territory. But they never thought about farming.
To them, farming was a shameful act that only the weak would perform. Warriors only hunted and plundered.
So even if they proposed to farm, it was clear that most would refuse.
Woroka had also planned to invade the kingdom and use the kingdom’s people as slaves for food production.
Clearing his throat a few times, he subtly asked again.
“Then, could you spare a little more food? We’re seeing an increase in our tribesmen, you see. It’s getting a bit tight.”
Woroka’s control over multiple tribes brought about an enforced peace.
Other tribes were unhappy, but they couldn’t rebel. Only Woroka could obtain food through trade with Perdium.
Woroka was among the more astute of the barbarians. Thus, he led the food trade himself without entrusting it to his followers due to his wariness.
Zvalter adamantly shook his head.
“There wasn’t such a condition in our negotiation. If you want more, bring something else.”
The once weak-hearted Zvalter had changed a lot. He had to endure quite a lot himself.
“Ugh… You’re being too tight-fisted.”
Woroka grumbled.
Still, thanks to the food, he had forcibly unified the tribes and brought about peace.
Even if they wanted to fight, they couldn’t act with the food in the enemy’s hands.
‘If we start plundering again, we’ll run out of food… and the tribes will scatter.’
That was unacceptable. He wanted to preserve his power and unify the tribes as he did now.
‘I need another force…’
He had already suffered greatly due to Giselle once. He had no confidence in beating them in a fight.
Woroka was starting to realize that if things continued this way, he would never surpass Perdium.
For someone with great ambitions, this life was absolutely unacceptable.
‘That guy is the problem. If I can deal with him…’
Woroka secretly inquired of Zvalter.
“How’s that blood-red demon… I mean, Baron Penris, doing?”
“He’s now a count.”
“Right. I heard he got promoted? The wolf of the North, I’ve heard you also became a marquis. How’s Count Penris doing?”
News from the barbarians inevitably reached later. Zvalter recounted the details without any suspicion.
“Oh, you didn’t know? My son, you see, after becoming a count, recently went up against Marquis Roderick…”
Zvalter’s boasting about his child began. With every word, Woroka’s face paled.
‘Marquis Roderick? He’s a tremendously famous great lord, right? Destroyed 100,000 without taking any damage? How does that even make sense?’
Cold sweat trickled down as Zvalter’s bragging showed no signs of stopping.
“So at that moment, I showed up! Huh? Chasing the remaining troops of Marquis Roderick!”
Zvalter excitedly recounted his recent support mission for Perdium.
At first, he was overwhelmed with worry. Fighting against Marquis Roderick was like taking on the entire West.
But since his son had to fight the Duke’s faction anyway, if he could defeat Marquis Roderick first, the risk would significantly reduce.
So Zvalter thought about giving his son any help he could and rushed out as soon as the support request came.
‘Sure, that oddball named Claude suddenly changed the plan…’
Originally, they were supposed to wait in a designated area and ambush the enemy based on Giselle’s signal.
But then the Chief Officer of Penris suddenly changed the plan and sent the Perdium support troops to some strange castle.
‘What? The war ended before I could even do anything.’
The enemy fled as soon as they saw them. They briefly chased, but the distance widened, and they stopped.
That was the end of it. After waiting a moment, he heard that Marquis Roderick had died, and the war was over. He returned, feeling awkward after merely exchanging thanks.
He still felt as if he were possessed by a ghost.
‘Damn, anyway, our son and his subordinates are truly outstanding. Can they actually defeat Marquis Roderick? Could Penris be the strongest in the kingdom?’
“Oh, right. Our son is a master, a master.”
“Master…?”
“Don’t you know the master?”
“W-wait, could it be? The Undying Warrior?”
“Is that what you call him? Anyway, he’s still a master.”
‘The Undying Warrior’ is a legendary figure among the Northern tribes. It signifies a slightly higher level than what is commonly referred to as ‘Superhuman’ on the continent; however, there wasn’t a suitable alternative term.
As Zvalter boasted about his child, Woroka’s expression grew darker.
‘Damn, he was already a monster, and now he’s become even greater!’
The scariest guy has gotten even stronger.
Even considering some exaggeration, a person like that could easily wipe out several tribes alone.
Plus, he had the forces to fight and win against an army of 100,000.
The Northern lands of Ruthania, which once surrendered comfortably, had now become an insurmountable Giant Wall.
‘We should have taken Perdium long ago…’
Penris is one thing, but Perdium was also a problem. Every time he came, it felt like the number of knights kept increasing.
“Hey… have the knights increased since before?”
“Oh, didn’t you know? It’s thanks to our son. He created a general mana circulation method and distributed it. So we’re continuing to increase our knight numbers.”
“The mana circulation method? Shouldn’t that not be handed out recklessly?”
“We’ve changed now. We don’t spare anything to become stronger.”
The knight class serves as a means to maintain the power of the existing rights, especially for the aristocracy. Thus, the mana circulation method became one of their visions.
As more individuals acquire power, more challengers to the established order will arise.
However, Perdium hadn’t pursued that path. Giselle modified the family’s mana system to be more easily learned by anyone.
The destructive power is slightly reduced, but with a bit of talent and effort, anyone could use mana.
Of course, the unique explosive power remained intact. Consequently, newly inducted knights had to train like crazy if they didn’t want to die.
“Well, not just anyone can be chosen. At least we screen for minimal character.”
Upon hearing that, Woroka bit his lip.
‘Damn! Damn! Damn!’
The opponent’s knights are rising, and the food is overflowing. The gap was widening with the passage of time.
Moreover, the advantage of cavalry, a strength of the Northern tribes, had now faded. The number of cavalry they provided equaled that of their opponents.
Now they couldn’t win a fight against this place with their strength. They’d be relegated to living their lives as horse suppliers.
‘That can’t happen!’
Penris is far away. At all costs, they needed to destroy Perdium and occupy the territory within the kingdom.
It seemed that food production in Perdium had also greatly increased, so even occupying this place would allow the Northern Kingdom to gain proper strength.
“Wolf of the North, Zvalter. I’ll take my leave now. Be sure to eat well with the supplies.”
“Already leaving? Why not have a cup of tea like before?”
“Not necessary, I have a lot of work.”
When they first engaged in the food trade, Woroka felt quite happy. He was successfully subjugating tribes without fighting.
Yet, as time passed, they were weakening as Giselle intended.
The warriors had become lazy, unable to retort to Perdium. Discord among the tribes lingered uneasily, filled with discontent.
Nevertheless, there was no other way. If they fought, they would all die. And that’s all they kept contemplating.
‘Until those guys show up, that is.’
Not long ago, a mysterious group had visited. They introduced themselves as the Salvation Society.
Normally, he would have just chased them away. They already had their own religion.
But they made a rather enticing offer.
‘They said they’d grant us three territories in the North, including Perdium… with the help of the Duke Delphine faction…’
Had the terms not been unfortunate, he would have accepted immediately. However, what they demanded in return was so disturbing that even Woroka, called a barbarian, felt hesitant.
So he had postponed it for now. They continued to linger near Woroka’s tribe, stating they would wait until a conclusion was reached.
Woroka kept pondering as he returned.
‘Either way, there’s no other method.’
‘That blood-red demon cannot be defeated by my power.’
‘Even Perdium is now hard to counter. It’s no longer the Perdium of the past.’
To achieve his ambition of building a Northern Kingdom, he needed the ability to be self-sufficient in food.
“Huh…”
Woroka’s gaze began to fill with murderous intent. He turned to the great warrior Monga beside him.
“Monga, how long did they say they would wait?”
Monga spread his two palms wide and replied.
“Something like this.”
“…….”
After a moment of silence, Woroka spoke.
“I’ll meet with them right now.”
“Are you really going to accept the offer?”
“Yeah. If we continue like this, we will do nothing and become Perdium’s slaves.”
Monga showed a slightly fearful expression. The proposal from the Salvation Society was also cruel for someone called a great warrior.
But Woroka was already determined.
Before returning to his tribe, he gathered his followers and headed to where the guests were.
There were only a few small tents set up. Upon announcing his visit, a pale young man in a black robe emerged from one of the tents, smiling at Woroka.
“Have you given it some thought? Lord Woroka.”
“Was your name Dentarious?”
“Indeed. I’m Dentarious, serving as a judge of the Salvation Society, though modestly.”
“…Will this really succeed?”
At Woroka’s question, Dentarious smiled softly.
“It wouldn’t be impossible if Lord Woroka helps us. Behind us is the strongest Duke of the Ruthania Kingdom, the Duke Delphine faction, isn’t it?”
“Three territories in the North isn’t enough. You need to match the numbers. Give me five.”
After a moment of consideration, Dentarious nodded.
“I can handle that within my authority. I’ll provide you with five territories. Furthermore, after seizing the kingdom, I will grant you a title of duke, Lord Woroka.”
“So I can just stir up the North of Ruthania?”
“Yes. Of course, I understand it will be difficult with just the power of the tribes. Therefore, we offer our support.”
“Huh…”
Woroka exhaled deeply and closed his eyes for a moment.
This was a critical decision. Once made, it could not be undone.
Yet he had already made his decision in his heart. He was merely afraid to voice it.
After steadying his breath and hesitating several times, Woroka finally spoke.
“Alright, I will accept the offer.”
“Do you mean…?”
“I intend to create the ‘door’ you speak of and march on the Northern region of Ruthania.”
“You are aware of the cost, yes?”
“Yes, I will sacrifice five tribes to you as offerings. Since I can’t attack five tribes simultaneously, assist me with that first.”
“Understood. It should be handled easily.”
Dentarious lowered his head, a cruel grin creeping onto his face.
