Chapter 58

When Gelmir first planned the expedition, he anticipated that commanding this large, greedy, and selfish group would not be smooth.

Even those who rise up under a noble cause can’t avoid discord…

Then how much would an alliance stained with greed cooperate to overcome adversities while considering each other?

“Your supply unit passing through your land was attacked. How are you managing things!!”

“Haha. When there are over a hundred warriors born in the frozen land and even more living as raiders, why are you questioning me?”

“Have you forgotten that you guaranteed safety at the last meeting? Try to make an excuse!”

“It was safe when I was heavily guarding my post. Who knew the bandits would run rampant as soon as I left?”

“Are you seriously saying that!”

Of course, these greedy creatures were incapable of consideration and cooperation.

Gelmir pressed his wrinkled eyes with his hand, tired of the insufferable arguments. What on earth were they doing?

‘We haven’t even faced the spirit yet, and it’s already a mess.’

If these arguments were just problems between individuals, Gelmir wouldn’t have cared.

As the only one with the authority to give orders in the alliance, the more divided the chieftains and shamans became, the easier it was to control them.

But when these bastards started forming factions within the alliance and banding together, the problem became serious.

The shamans and chieftains in the meeting room exchanged signals and started running their mouths.

“Even so, raising voices like this is not right.”

“Are you trying to shift the blame for your subordinates’ mistakes to another chieftain? That’s too ugly.”

“You… you bastards!”

As those who had been quiet until now started pouring out criticism, the chieftain felt both indignation and anger simultaneously.

It was hard enough to endure the cut-off supplies, but to even shift the blame onto him – how could he not be upset?

If he endured this, he would be no different from a castrated pig, not a northern warrior.

In an instant, the chieftain who had become the culprit drew his sword with a roar. Murderous intent gathered in his eyes filled with resentment.

Normally, as soon as a chieftain drew his sword, others would have responded by unleashing their killing intent…

Todel stepped in front of the chieftain with a gentle smile.

“Calm down. Should we cause discord over such a trivial matter?”

“Shut that bewitching mouth of yours..!?”

As the chieftain was about to roar again, Todel’s face hardened as he lunged forward and swung his dagger.

As wind blades swirled around the dagger, the chieftain hurriedly blocked them with his sword.

However, a mere iron sword couldn’t withstand blades created by shamanism. The chieftain’s sword broke upon impact as if it were made of mud.

Todel sneered as the man glared at him while trembling.

“Hehe. It seems your skill with the sword is worse than your eloquence? To think you couldn’t even block an attack from a mere shaman.”

“Enough. Even if the other party drew their sword first, that’s too much against a tribe’s chieftain. Todel!”

Unable to watch any longer, Gelmir shouted while tapping his staff on the ground. Even for Todel, who had been mocking and irritating the chieftains, Gelmir was burdensome.

Every old shaman usually hides at least one sharp dagger.

‘This should be enough.’

Todel nodded his head slightly in apology with a cunning smile.

It was an extremely disrespectful action, but Gelmir didn’t easily get agitated. Rather, his cold, calm gaze made Todel nervous.

Gelmir spoke quietly, but clearly enough for everyone to hear:

“Todel. Go out and restrain yourself.”

“… I’ll do that.”

As Todel nodded and left the meeting room, a few who had been watching the situation followed him out.

Gelmir sighed at this pathetic and ridiculous sight.

How could he proceed with the meeting in this situation?

“We’ll end today’s meeting here. Everyone, leave.”

“Ahem. I guess that’s how it is.”

“Tsk tsk, I wonder how they all think of war to show such an unsightly appearance…”

Grind.

As those leaving the meeting room voiced their complaints, Gelmir gritted his teeth.

Normally, those who had lost warriors should have become docile with their spirits broken, and by now the alliance should have been following his control!

As Gelmir showed his discomfort, those who remained in the meeting room until the end looked at him with suspicious eyes.

The situation had become too different from the initial plan.

“Gelmir. I’ve lived as long as you and never doubted your abilities. So… the current situation is quite unexpected.”

“I can’t even guess what basis they have for being so bold. Are they praying for total ruin since they’re already ruined?”

Normal opinions started to be exchanged in the meeting room where useless and emotionally scarring nonsense had been flying around until just now.

Gelmir tapped his staff on the ground and fell into thought for a moment. No matter how he thought about it, it was strange.

‘What was our purpose for gathering? Wasn’t it to obtain the mystery, shamanism, and land that he possesses?’

Among the shamans who were unfairly(?) driven out without even being able to ask the spirit for a reason, those who weren’t afraid of bloodshed.

What reason would an alliance of such people have to cause discord with no benefit, just because some warriors died and their pride was hurt a little?

There were two possibilities.

Either they were fools who didn’t know what was beneficial… or they had another way to achieve their goal.

‘Although many chieftains are violent and lazy… there weren’t such idiotic fools among the shamans.’

When choosing shamans to work with, Gelmir might not have checked useless things like personality, but he definitely confirmed their abilities.

These were people who could throw their pride into the mud if it was for shamanism.

No matter how he thought about it, the latter possibility seemed more likely.

In Gelmir’s opinion, there was only one way for them to achieve their goals while causing such chaos.

‘There are traitors among them. And it’s clear that it’s not just one.’

It was the most likely reason, but Gelmir was puzzled. Of course, it wasn’t because he trusted the shamans.

In Gelmir’s opinion, the shamans participating in the alliance were the worst of the worst in terms of personality among the most ill-tempered ones.

The reason he was puzzled was that the shamans had readily accepted Wendigo’s offer.

What on earth did he promise as a reward for betrayal that made the shamans betray so quickly?

‘Unless it’s a reward comparable to the ice crystal Isaac brought, they wouldn’t betray this quickly…’

That was insane by common sense. Wasn’t the ice crystal Isaac brought dangerous enough to threaten the life of an inexperienced shaman?

There was no way such an item would be used merely to incite betrayal. It would be more profitable to directly sweep away the enemies.

But if, if the spirit had lived so long that he had an excess of mystery, and had an eccentric personality that enjoyed such schemes…

“It seems there are rats within the alliance.”

“Huh… Indeed. It’s not an entirely impossible story.”

“But aren’t there too many? Even the recent conflicts are too numerous to count on two hands.”

One tribe reconsidered with a sour expression, but Gelmir shook his head.

“Not everyone needs to betray. Even if the spirit is cunning, he wouldn’t bear such expenses just to plant traitors.”

“Then?”

“Probably three or four have enticed the foolish ones. They must have thought they could get a larger share when dividing the spoils if they banded together.”

“Tsk… It’s not entirely impossible.”

The incompetence of allies is often more frightening than the competence of enemies.

The chieftains frowned and criticized those who had fallen for the schemes. How incompetent must they be to fall for the traitors’ tricks?

“Gelmir. What should we do?”

“I think… increasing the speed of our advance would be the best method.”

“Ending the expedition quickly is good, but… will it be alright? What if they stab us in the back?”

“It’s fine. I plan to let them take the vanguard anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

In Gelmir’s opinion, the traitors’ influence hadn’t yet deeply penetrated the alliance.

They had indeed made the atmosphere of the alliance worse, but they hadn’t inflicted any direct damage like sabotage, had they?

If a considerable number had joined the betrayal, the alliance would have already split in two, with both sides aiming for each other’s necks with swords.

So now was the last chance to drive out the spirit.

“The traitors have been scheming, but most are probably acting without even knowing they’ve been betrayed, merely being deceived.”

“What does that have to do with advancing quickly…”

“If they haven’t betrayed, they’ll be eager to achieve military exploits. Let’s give them what they want and use them as arrow fodder.”

At Gelmir’s suggestion, the chieftains murmured and exchanged opinions. It was quite a good proposal.

From the beginning, the longer the expedition took, the more troublesome it was for them as well.

The food the warriors were consuming came from their granaries, and moreover, because they had brought so many warriors, they couldn’t guarantee the safety of their territories.

“But… if they achieve military exploits, won’t our share of the spoils decrease?”

They didn’t want to suffer losses, but it was troublesome if the spoils decreased. Especially in this barren northern land, the value of fertile land was enormous.

If fewer people died of starvation, wouldn’t they all grow into warrior seedlings?

Gelmir understood their feelings as well. He burst into laughter and shook his head at their naivety.

“Both the chieftains and the shamans, how can you all be so naive?”

“Gelmir. Stop with the strange talk and explain…”

“They’re just following the traitors anyway. If negotiations with the spirit go well, those weakened fellows can be cleaned up easily, can’t they?”

“That’s… quite a good idea.”

Gelmir’s explanation was music to the ears of the chieftains and shamans.

Who would dislike the idea of others bearing the losses while they reap the spoils?

Gelmir enjoyed their smiling faces with a cunning smile of his own.

The fact that no one voiced any complaints proved that working with bad people was indeed the easiest.

---

While Gelmir had made quite a few misconceptions, the most erroneous thought was believing that the number of traitors was small.

The number of people Wendigo had recruited was as many as 10. He thought he could increase it further, but decided that having too many wouldn’t be good, so he stopped at 10.

They were so honest about their greed and without hesitation that both chieftains and shamans alike readily grasped his hand when he offered land and mystery as rewards.

“I hear they’ve decided to advance quickly.”

“The traitors are doing one thing right, at least.”

“Bad guys are usually the most skilled when dealing with other bad guys.”

When Geron expressed disbelief, Wendigo replied nonchalantly. With similar thought processes, wouldn’t they understand what each other was thinking?

Geron nodded and moved pieces on a large map made by connecting parchments.

“Although it’s a hastily made map and may not be accurate, their current position is estimated to be around here.”

“It’s not that far from here. Have the routes been properly blocked?”

“Yes. It seems my skills haven’t rusted as setting up the lure routes was quick. The problem is that we can’t abandon our villages in this situation…”

“We’ve just started settling down, so we can’t ask them to abandon their villages. That would be too cruel an order.”

As Wendigo shook his head, Geron smiled and nodded.

Wendigo examined the map and found a suitable location.

A flat land quite far from the village, good for concentrating warriors.

“This place looks good. I’ll order the traitors to lead the army here.”

“It does seem like a good place for a battle. With fewer trees, it would be easier for the wolf riders to disrupt the enemy…”

“Oh my. A battle, you say? That might cause many warriors to get hurt.”

“What? Surely you’re not thinking of fighting alone? No matter how strong you are, spirit-nim, it’s dangerous to face them all by yourself.”

Geron urgently asked for reconsideration, thinking Wendigo was trying to shoulder the burden alone.

However, Wendigo looked at Geron as if to say, “What are you talking about?”

“Do you think I would do something so reckless and inefficient?”

“… I think you’re quite capable of doing so.”

Geron looked at Wendigo with a blank expression, recalling the previous battle with the Blue Mane tribe.

Wendigo cleared his throat, feeling a bit guilty. Thinking about it, he couldn’t deny that he had fought quite recklessly, or rather, foolhardily.

“Ahem. I have no such intention this time. I have others who will fight in my stead.”

“Oh.. if you’re talking about the doppelgangers, that seems quite good.”

Wendigo shook his head. Doppelgangers weren’t a good choice against such a large-scale army.

Unless he controlled them directly, even if the doppelgangers fought well, it wouldn’t be strange for them to lose their heads to shamans.

The ones Wendigo would use were not doppelgangers… but the traitors.

“I plan to make the traitors and the alliance fight each other. That should be enough to reduce their numbers.”

“But will the traitors obey so easily?”

“Of course not. But don’t worry. I have a method in mind.”

As Geron looked at him with meaningful eyes, Wendigo created two ice arrows and showed them to him.

“These two arrows will be enough to make them run around trying to kill each other in a frenzy.”