Ch.141Chapter 141

Skadi didn’t create the statue, or rather model, of Wendigo for any special reason.

While Wendigo was heading north with Gulmarg, she had started it as a light hobby to ease a slight emptiness…

The problem was that Skadi’s talent was too exceptional for something meant to be enjoyed casually. When a hobby matches one’s aptitude well, it can produce results that even professionals admire.

Of course, at first she truly began with a casual mindset, asking the elves to procure wood abundantly blessed by the World Tree.

‘No matter what, I couldn’t use just any wood to carve Wendigo.’

Elhemina, wanting to leave a good impression on Skadi who wielded strong influence in Manheimr, cut down the finest wood and delivered it to her.

With good materials in hand, Skadi happily began carving the wood, and initially she was just making a statue that somewhat resembled Wendigo…

Perhaps because she had spent so much time with Wendigo, she kept finding imperfections in the statue she created.

Wendigo’s muscles should feel firmer, and his veins should be more pronounced.

Leaving out his black leather among Wendigo’s dozens of charms seemed too careless.

Wendigo’s head should capture the majesty felt from his more magnificent horns…

“So this is what you completed.”

“Yes. I’m not a silly child, but I got so excited and…”

Skadi fidgeted with her fingers, blaming herself for her childish behavior.

She felt ashamed that despite not being a child, she had failed to separate personal matters from official ones and had indulged her selfish desires using her authority.

As she avoided eye contact out of embarrassment, Wendigo scratched his head and asked Geron.

“Is this… something to be so embarrassed about? She’s a ruler after all, so having a sculpture isn’t strange. Though this is closer to taxidermy, but still.”

“That’s true.”

Geron nodded in agreement to Wendigo’s question.

Wendigo might not be interested in self-promotion, but it was extremely common for those in power to indulge in self-admiration.

Sculptures were actually considered rather modest—many nobles who admired the art of the Old Empire enjoyed decorating with carved marble.

However, this case was a bit different. Geron glanced at Skadi and whispered to Wendigo with a sour expression.

“But this time, Lady Skadi made it secretly. She’s embarrassed because she created a model of someone without permission.”

More bluntly put, it meant “Wouldn’t you be embarrassed if you creepily made a model of someone’s body in secret, and it turned out eerily identical?”

Of course, Skadi surely didn’t create Wendigo’s model for any sinister purpose, but it was indeed impolite to use someone as a model without permission.

“Besides, Lady Skadi is diligent and conscientious, so she might be ashamed of using the resources she received to make something like that.”

Glance.

While listening to Geron, Wendigo quietly turned his head to look at Skadi. Whether she had overheard Geron’s words or not, Skadi’s ears reddened as she bowed her head even deeper.

Seeing such an honest reaction that required no questioning, Wendigo couldn’t help but chuckle.

How could she be so ashamed over something so minor…

Wendigo approached Skadi and gently stroked her head.

“The conscientious ones always blame themselves even for small things. Besides, someone of your status would normally use power for personal gain…”

“Ahem!”

As Wendigo was about to teach something inappropriate, Geron cleared his throat roughly and glared at him sternly.

If you’re going to say something nice, stick to nice things—why say something like that?

“Can’t even make a joke around here. Anyway, it’s not something bad enough for you to be ashamed of, so don’t worry about it. More importantly, does this good method you mentioned have something to do with this model?”

“Y-yes. Considering Wendigo’s abilities, I thought you might be able to possess this model. Since it’s made of quite good materials, if we engrave spells on it, it should be entirely possible.”

“Possessing this model… Indeed, since it looks identical, it’s a perfect solution.”

Wendigo nodded as he examined the mystical qualities of the model. The body made of wood filled with the World Tree’s blessings, along with the flawless leather and skull, was in perfect condition for casting spells.

If Skadi herself cast spells to create the body, it would certainly become an ideal vessel for possession…

“Also, I’m thinking of adding something to help contain Wendigo’s power more completely.”

“Having more mystical power would certainly be beneficial, especially if we need to resort to force.”

“So about that…”

“Hmm?”

Wendigo was puzzled when she hesitated, as if she had an important proposal. She looked at him with shining eyes and asked:

“I’m thinking of placing Gicas’s heart inside that body—would that be alright?”

“……”

Why, among so many things, would she want to place such an ominous object inside the body?

Wendigo wanted to refuse, but facing Skadi’s sparkling eyes, he simply couldn’t.

He turned his head toward Geron for help, but…

“Gicas’s heart is ultimately Your Majesty’s possession, isn’t it? It doesn’t seem appropriate for a subject to comment on the monarch’s belongings.”

Geron avoided both Wendigo’s gaze and the responsibility. Wendigo glared at him with a sense of betrayal before sighing.

Skadi must have her reasons for making such a request, right?

When Wendigo reluctantly nodded, Skadi’s eyes lit up as she grabbed and pulled his fingers.

Seeing how delighted she was that he had permitted the use of Gicas’s heart, Skadi was truly born to be a Summoner.

* * *

After sending the busy Geron back, Wendigo visited the shrine where Gicas’s heart was buried with Skadi.

The shrine had changed significantly since Wendigo had last stayed there. The spaces that had been set up for living had been expanded and were now being used as a kind of military camp.

Dmitri, who was training warriors as usual, shouted in shock when Wendigo and Skadi entered through the entrance.

“Huh!? Y-Your Majesty! And the Great Witch! What brings you here?”

“We’ve come to see a treasure kept here. By the way, since when did Skadi’s title become Great Witch?”

“Well… I’ve heard that’s what witches have been calling me recently. Personally, I prefer the title of Chancellor.”

Strictly speaking, Skadi’s position was Chancellor of the university and Royal Summoner.

However, it was inevitable that more people found the title of Great Witch more impressive than Chancellor, and naturally, Skadi came to be called by this non-existent position.

While the two engaged in idle conversation, Dmitri, the camp commander and Forest Keeper, ran around the camp shouting at the warriors.

“Everyone stop training and line up!”

“What? But we’re in the middle of training… Argh!?”

“Shut up and get moving! The Great Witch and His Majesty are here together—is training more important right now?”

“You should have said that first… Ack! I’m going now! I’m going! At least take off that bone helmet before hitting me!”

With two of the kingdom’s highest authorities visiting, there was no time for explanations.

Dmitri kicked the warriors who wouldn’t listen while still wearing his bone helmet, gathering most of the warriors in the camp.

At first, the warriors grumbled at Dmitri’s tyranny as they moved…

“Y-Your Majesty!?”

“Oh damn… The Forest Keeper wasn’t just joking about discipline! Hey, hey! Quickly go call everyone and make everything as clean as possible!”

“There’s no time for that… Mmph!?”

“Is that water in the barrel just decoration? Dunk your filthy face in it and wash up!”

Upon seeing Wendigo and Skadi lingering at the entrance, the warriors panicked and began harassing their juniors.

‘If I had known it had become a military camp, I would have given notice… I feel bad now.’

Watching this scene, Wendigo couldn’t help but feel guilty. No matter how the world changes, a superior’s visit is never welcome.

Making a mental note to ask Geron to reward them when they returned, Wendigo and Skadi received salutes from Dmitri and the warriors.

Fortunately, the warriors didn’t look at Wendigo and Skadi as if they were enemies.

After all, despite the sudden visit being disconcerting, how could the warriors dislike meeting the two who were bringing glory to the north?

After acknowledging the warriors’ salutes, Wendigo beckoned to Dmitri. Dmitri hurriedly ran over and prostrated himself before Wendigo.

“I apologize for visiting without any notice. Skadi and I have private business, so you may dismiss the warriors.”

“This must be about the treasure you mentioned. Would you perhaps need the warriors’ assistance?”

Flinch.

For a very brief moment, the warriors’ expressions turned to shock before quickly disappearing.

It was a natural reaction—there weren’t many brave souls who would readily volunteer to assist not just any superior, but the king himself.

Not wanting to torture(?) the warriors any further, Wendigo declined with a shake of his head.

“That won’t be necessary. Just show us to the room where the treasure is kept and carry on as usual.”

“Then I will guide you personally.”

Dmitri called his adjutant and gave a few instructions. Though Wendigo had said to carry on as usual, Dmitri wasn’t foolish enough to take those words literally.

The warriors would be training without a moment’s rest until Wendigo departed.

“Then please follow me.”

“…Alright.”

Wendigo wanted to tell Dmitri that it was really fine to act normally, but he realized that would be counterproductive and held his tongue.

Whether for the warriors’ sake or his own, it would be best to quickly retrieve Gicas’s heart and leave.

Wendigo and Skadi followed Dmitri toward the room where the treasure was kept, but…

“Huh?!”

“Y-Your Majesty, why are you here?”

“……”

Since it was where treasures were stored, the warriors standing guard saw Wendigo and broke into cold sweats, not knowing what to do, which made Wendigo feel increasingly uncomfortable.

As he was contemplating what rewards to give these men, Wendigo finally reached the room where the treasure was kept.

But there was a strange notice on the door…

[The King, after a life-threatening battle, tore out the heart of an evil dragon and sealed it in this land to purify the dragon’s curse. Our duty is to guard this seal, which is how we repay the King’s grace.]

“Ah, that’s a wooden plaque made by a carpenter based on the story passed down in the village. We read it every morning to—”

“……”

Wendigo covered his face with his hands, overwhelmed by shame.

Who could have imagined that the story he had spouted to inspire the warriors would be preserved like this?

He couldn’t understand why Skadi was so embarrassed when her secret was revealed, but now Wendigo could finally understand her.

Having one’s embarrassing past exposed was indeed more shameful than he had thought.