Chapter 61

Wendigo suspected that Osa might have obtained incorrect information, but Osa’s information was accurate.

Gelmir was greedy and violent, but he was a hero with the intelligence and coolness to hide his true nature.

When everyone wanted to immediately flay the traitors’ backs and tear out their bones, Gelmir was patiently waiting for the right time to drive them out.

If there had been no unexpected events, Gelmir would have caught the traitors, made an example of them, and proved that justice was alive in the world, but…

“My… my eye!!!”

“Ge-Gelmir. Calm down!”

“You’re telling me to calm down now! They, they’ve taken the light from me!!!”

Unfortunately, unexpected events come suddenly, which is why they’re called unexpected. If it could be anticipated, why would it be called an unexpected event?

What kills a hero is not a monster’s poison or a legendary sword passed down through legends, but a blind arrow shot by an ordinary person.

One arrow that flew through the thick fog accurately tore through Gelmir’s eye.

Gelmir, who had lost half the light of the world in a moment of carelessness, spewed out the anger he had been suppressing until now.

“I can’t endure anymore. I can’t be patient anymore! It doesn’t matter who the traitors are now! I’ll kill everyone who sided with them and make them food for ravens!!!”

Reason cannot overcome emotion.

As Gelmir’s reason was swept away by terrible anger, the chieftains expressed reluctance and began to try to stop Gelmir.

They had no intention of losing warriors because of Gelmir’s personal grudge.

“Gelmir! It was you who said we should wait until we root out the traitors.”

“Moreover, in a situation where they are also leading warriors, if we engage in battle like this, the losses will… Kuhek!?”

However, Gelmir easily ignored such protests. He grabbed the neck of the protesting shaman and lifted him lightly.

An unbelievable strength for an old man choked the shaman’s neck and…

Crack

“Go on, continue. If you can persuade me, I’ll listen.”

Gelmir, who had thrown the now-dead shaman to the ground, growled as he swept his angry eyes around.

Those who met Gelmir’s murderous gaze broke out in cold sweat and hurriedly averted their eyes.

Who would dare to open their mouth when a shaman had his neck snapped right before their eyes without even being able to put up any resistance?

“… I guess not. Then prepare to move. Tell the warriors about the battle and whisper of honor.”

“Y-Yes, understood.”

“Ahem. We’ll do so.”

Gelmir, who had subdued the chieftains and shamans in an instant, pulled out the arrow and scraped off the remnants, putting them in his mouth.

He savored the fishy taste and vowed to personally pluck out and chew the eyes of the traitors.

… And Wendigo, possessing a raven, was watching this scene.

---

“Oh. Maybe it would have been better to anger the commander from the beginning.”

“What do you mean by that all of a sudden??”

When Wendigo exclaimed in admiration after watching Gelmir break a friendly shaman’s neck, Geron asked him in disbelief.

He had possessed something to check on the enemy’s situation, but what was this nonsense about?

As Skadi, the shamans, and even Osa, who had just rendered a service(?), looked at him, Wendigo released the possession and explained what he had seen.

“In the end, Gelmir pulled out the arrow stuck in his eye and chewed it. Honestly, it wasn’t a pleasant sight.”

“Huh. To chew and swallow his injured eye… Though he’s an enemy, I can’t help but acknowledge him.”

“Indeed. He’s a rough man incomparable to amateur warriors.”

“It seems he’s not respected by warriors for nothing.”

“???”

When Geron, the shamans, and even Skadi nodded their heads, Wendigo was taken aback. This wasn’t the reaction he had expected.

Normally, if you tell someone that someone chewed and ate their own eye, wouldn’t they think the person was crazy?

“Is that considered great?”

“He didn’t lose his fighting spirit even after losing an eye. As someone who was once a warrior, I can’t help but admire that.”

“My mother said that a warrior who overcomes pain and moves forward deserves respect. Thinking about it that way, this Gelmir seems to be no ordinary warrior.”

When even Geron and Skadi, whom he trusted, acknowledged Gelmir’s bravery, Wendigo felt sour.

He thought he had adapted quite well to this world, but he still couldn’t easily accept their notions of honor and bravery.

To call someone who killed an ally because he couldn’t control his temper a brave warrior – isn’t he just a madman causing a riot?

‘… No matter how violently I behave, I can’t be worse than the people of this world.’

Wendigo didn’t dwell long on things he couldn’t understand. Isn’t it best to just not care if you can’t understand?

Above all, thanks to Gelmir’s violence, no, bravery, the two armies were bound to clash.

“Geron. Tell the warriors to surround them, hide quietly, and wait for the signal.”

“By signal, you mean?”

Wendigo pulled out an ice sword that had sprung from the ground and handed it to Geron.

“Tell them to drive out the enemies at once when a loud noise echoes through the forest.”

It was as good as saying Wendigo would intervene directly. Geron looked at Wendigo as if he had expected this and nodded.

“As expected. Although we can’t deny that this Gelmir is brave, he’s no match for you, spirit-nim.”

“……”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Geron had sincerely meant it as praise, but Wendigo glared at him with a serious expression.

It was clearly meant as a compliment, but being associated with Gelmir made him feel strange.

… Perhaps he was doing this knowingly.

---

“Tear the traitors apart and kill them!”

“I knew something was wrong when supplies were delayed. They planned to weaken us by starving us from the beginning.”

“Damn it. My shoulder hit by an arrow still aches. I’ll definitely split the shoulders of those archers.”

Gelmir wasn’t the only one enraged. Anyone would become venomous after having arrows rain down on their heads and being starved due to cut-off supplies.

In such a situation, when Gelmir declared he would pluck out the traitors’ eyes, the warriors advanced with angry battle cries.

Of course, the other chieftains weren’t pleased with this situation. It wasn’t just about the warriors’ lives, but they were also displeased that the warriors’ respect was directed towards Gelmir.

To put it bluntly, if warriors charmed by Gelmir’s violence deserted their tribes, they might suffer losses even after the expedition ended.

Even if there was a lot of loot, it would be no different from grasping an illusion if there was no force to protect it.

And Gelmir had realized this point as well. Even if he was swept up in emotions, his intelligence hadn’t completely faded.

‘Perhaps… it would be better to punish the traitors like this and negotiate with the spirit.’

The reasons shamans are obsessed with shamanism are as diverse as their numbers.

Immortality or resurrection of the dead were common, and some dreamed of enlightenment about the world’s truth or entering the hall of gods with a mortal body…

Gelmir was quite unique among them. The reason he was obsessed with shamanism was purely for the desire for power.

In that sense, the current situation was quite appealing to Gelmir.

The sight of warriors advancing at the risk of their lives according to his orders sent shivers down his spine.

If they fought for him, even becoming a king wouldn’t be impossible!

‘… But for that, those guys need to die.’

“Gelmir? Why are you glaring like that?”

“Shut up and advance. If you dare show your back to the enemy or return without a drop of blood on your weapon, I’ll personally behead you!”

“… Understood.”

The anger that had been burning until just now easily subsided in the face of the sweet prey called power, but Gelmir had no intention of abandoning anger as a weapon.

As he spewed out his anger and shouted, the chieftains averted their gazes and stepped forward. It was humiliating, but they couldn’t help being afraid of Gelmir.

Gelmir glared at their backs and prayed to the gods for the first time in a long while. He prayed that the arrow that had flown at him would fly at those bastards.

… And his prayer was answered.

“Kuhek!?”

“?!”

One of the chieftains who had stepped forward to command the warriors had his neck pierced by an arrow that came without a sound. Gelmir instinctively sensed that the arrow was no ordinary arrow.

Unlike the noisy rain of arrows earlier, the arrow that pierced the chieftain’s neck couldn’t be sensed at all.

It was clearly the work of a shaman, or the spirit…

‘This is actually a good situation for me!’

Gelmir rushed forward with a bloody smile. Of course, it wasn’t to warn the chieftains.

He embraced the chieftain who was clutching his neck and coughing, and poured out his sorrowful feelings.

“For such a brave warrior to pass away like this! This is unacceptable. How could such a brave warrior breathe his last from an arrow, not a sword or an axe!”

“Keurk…”

Even as he was dying, the chieftain tried to open his mouth at Gelmir’s act, which was too awful to watch.

Of course, Gelmir didn’t allow it. Why would he provide any reason to disrupt his plan even slightly?

Gelmir waited for the chieftain to die with his ear close to the chieftain’s mouth, then shed a tear and shouted.

“Listen! Proud warriors. Even as he was dying, he was angry at the traitors’ cunning, and worried about the resentment of warriors who died dishonorably!”

“Split the traitors’ backs! Tear out their spines and tie them to crosses to feed the ravens!!!”

“Right. That’s right! Advance without fear. Engrave the price of betrayal into their bones. Honorable warriors!”

Gelmir’s false tears and the warriors’ burning hearts turned one chieftain’s dog’s death into a tragic death.

The warriors forgot even the purpose of their visit to the forest and charged through the rain of arrows, shouting for revenge. Thanks to this, perhaps…

“It’s the traitors!!!”

“Kill them! We’ll kill them all and throw them to the dogs!”

“Damn it. You’re the ones who betrayed first, you goddamn sons of bitches!”

The two armies clashed beyond the curtain of fog. The momentum, which initially seemed evenly matched, quickly shifted to Gelmir’s army.

Unlike Todel, who was hiding behind the warriors, Gelmir started running around the battlefield, slaughtering warriors.

As Gelmir swept through the battlefield wielding an axe and a sword, blood storms arose and pools of blood formed where he passed.

Todel watched this scene and screamed silently.

‘H-How are we supposed to fight against someone like that!’

Even Todel’s jealousy, which had been almost like his driving force, was useless in the face of Gelmir’s overwhelming force.

How could one face a monster that cuts down humans as if they were straw?

While the chieftains might be tearing through the fog to command the warriors, the situation was different for the shamans.

Just as Todel was hiding behind the warriors and watching the blood storms arise, the shamans were also watching the scene.

They turned pale and grabbed Todel’s body, shaking him.

“Todel. Try to say something to the spirit! At this rate, we’ll all die to that monster-like fellow!”

“Th-That…”

“I absolutely refuse to clash head-on with Gelmir. How can we fight such a monster-like old man! Quickly, quickly try to ask the spirit for something. Aren’t you the spirit’s loyal subject!”

Normally, they would have watched Todel’s reactions considering the future, but the shamans were desperate, knowing Gelmir’s infamy and skills.

Shamanism and power are all good, but don’t you need to be alive first to gain anything!

‘This cursed… If I could contact him, I would have done so already!!!’

Todel was equally flustered. Although he was jealous of Gelmir, he had no ambition to clash head-on with him right away.

He had only thought of targeting him after gaining the spirit’s favor and grasping shamanism and power!

“Do-Don’t panic! If it’s the spirit, he would have reacted simultaneously to Gelmir’s army moving. Soon, the spirit will appear with reinforcements!”

Todel shouted loudly, trying to calm the shamans, but it wasn’t very effective. No matter how hard he tried to hide it, he couldn’t completely conceal his flustered appearance.

Those who noticed that things had gone wrong slowly moved away from Todel’s side. It was only a matter of time before the enraged Gelmir realized who the central figure among the traitors was.

As those who anticipated trouble moved away, those who hadn’t given up yet surrounded Todel as if detaining him.

“What are you all doing? We should be joining the warriors, it’s not enough as it is!”

“… If you die, everything ends even if the warriors survive, doesn’t it? We’re trying to protect you safely.”

“You… you bastards!”

Todel raged with wide eyes, but there was nothing he could do. Todel swallowed dryly and watched beyond the fog.

Although the situation had worsened, Todel was looking at a very thin hope.

‘Their momentum has decreased!’

Gelmir’s army, which had been on the verge of sweeping away Todel’s forces, had lost momentum starting from some point.

It wasn’t because Todel’s forces were strong. After all, those who had caused trouble because they weren’t confident in achieving military exploits couldn’t be very skilled.

The reason Gelmir’s army temporarily lost momentum was purely due to the inexplicable sudden deaths of commanders.

Arrows flying from somewhere kept piercing the heads or necks of commanders by chance.

… However, this wasn’t enough to stop Gelmir’s army.

Rather, as the chieftains and shamans responsible for command fell dead, Gelmir swept through the battlefield with a sense of ecstasy.

He planned to roast and boil the warriors to make them his own once this moment was over and they escaped the forest.

It was confidence possible only because he was a shaman, warrior, and chieftain.

There was no one who could stop Gelmir, and it didn’t take long for him to cut through the army in half and reach Todel.

“Todel! Come out and draw your sword. Then I’ll forgive your crime by just plucking out your eyes!”

As Gelmir, covered in blood, approached with a chilling smile, the shamans surrounding Todel retreated with backward steps.

“Ge-Gelmir. We were just deceived by Todel.”

“That’s right. We never intended to be at odds with you!”

“… Good. I’ll forgive you all if you throw down your weapons and kneel.”

The shamans, who had been watching each other’s reactions, threw their weapons to the ground and knelt.

Although Todel raged and insulted them, the shamans didn’t care at all. They had no loyalty to die with Todel.

Todel glared at Gelmir, holding a dagger with trembling hands. Clear fear was wavering in his eyes.

‘I-I can’t die like this…!’

“Cawwww!”

It was then. A large raven flew down from the sky and let out a loud cry.

Although Gelmir didn’t pay much attention due to the abundance of corpses around, Todel started to smirk as if the raven was a messenger of salvation.

Gelmir sneered, thinking that Todel had gone mad in the face of death.

“Todel. You should have lived within your means and curbed your greed. Then you could have taken a decent reward and left.”

“Hu-huhahaha! You know nothing. Soon, soon the spirit will…!?”

Gelmir had no intention of listening to Todel’s ravings. The red axe that had cut down dozens of warriors was swung towards Todel’s neck and…

“!”

At that moment, Gelmir saw an ice spear flying through the fog. He reflexively bounced back and retreated.

Seeing this, Todel turned around. There was only one reason for Gelmir to react like that.

The spirit must have appeared to save him!

… Of course, no such thing happened. The flying ice spear pierced straight through Todel’s body.

Todel died with his eyes wide open, as if he couldn’t believe it. Fortunately, or perhaps not, Todel had quite a few companions on his way to hell.

Several more ice spears flew in, piercing through the shamans’ bodies. Even if they avoided instant death, it was useless.

Terrible cold burst out, freezing their bodies. The shamans passed away without even having time to scream.

“… Damn it.”

Gelmir stared at the fog where the spears had come from and muttered with a frown.

Emitting an ominous light, a huge shadow was approaching him.