Ch.147Chapter 147

Wendigo’s army swept through the north and advanced southward with unstoppable momentum.

Their pace was so swift that nobles who had been preparing feasts and welcome ceremonies while waiting for Wendigo to pass by were startled and had to hurriedly chase after the army.

Of course, it wasn’t that Wendigo had mastered some spell to fold the earth beneath him and fly like the wind.

Even if he knew such magic, his concentration wasn’t exceptional enough to cast it on an entire army rather than just one or two people.

The reason Wendigo could move so quickly was thanks to Geron and the officials being separated from the main force once again.

An army’s delay isn’t usually caused by individual laziness, but by friction when crossing nobles’ territories and by troublemakers who waste time under the pretext of replenishing supplies.

Therefore, resolving these two issues would inevitably speed up the army’s movement.

Geron and the officials accurately identified this point, sending messengers ahead to nobles along the expected route and devising means to replenish supplies.

First, the friction caused by passing through others’ territories was easily resolved.

Since blocking the path would be tantamount to treason, it was only natural for anyone who wasn’t a fool to clear the way when faced with warriors hungry for blood… or rather, glory.

Wendigo added a bit of lubrication to this. He took out a small portion of his meticulously accumulated wealth and bestowed it upon the lords whose lands the army passed through.

This news spread like a wave toward the south, carried by the fastest people in the land—the merchants.

And then…

“This is our chance to prove that even if our strength is weaker than others, our loyalty is superior. Send warriors to clear the surroundings so there’s no hindrance to His Majesty’s punitive force!”

“Behead all dangers like bandits and wolves! I’ve heard rumors that there’s a handsome reward for proving you govern your peasants well!”

“But, but we’re just ordinary farmers…”

“What farmer nonsense is this from a band of brigands! And I’d be a fool to believe the words of those who kidnap and imprison people! Kill them all!”

The effect was remarkable.

Even those who had kept their heads down to avoid trouble now burned with loyalty and cleared the paths the army would take, all because rumors spread that the king would reward them with gold and jewels.

Indeed, there was nothing more effective in moving people than gold that could be seen and touched.

The nobles began punitive expeditions for the sake of punitive expeditions, aiming for the lucrative deal of one gold coin per head… and through a kind of trickle-down effect, others benefited as well.

Namely, the peasants.

“Are they gone? Whew… I thought my heart would burst. Who were those men who attacked the bandits causing trouble in the mountains?”

“I went to the upper village tribe to sell some leather recently, and merchants there told me the king is coming down to kill the wicked.”

“Why’s that?”

“I heard that if you hunt and present not only villains but also beasts that threaten people, like wolves, the king will exchange them for gold.”

“What nonsense… Does the king turn corpses to gold by touching them?”

“How would I know? Still, I’m grateful they’re killing the bad guys. Even the low grain prices are thanks to the king, so he’s truly a benevolent ruler.”

Not all northern peasants resolved their problems with swords.

It wasn’t that they were too innocent to kill with weapons, but rather that those who lived by banditry in these lands tended to be among the better fighters even among northerners.

When such vicious men, as well as wolves, bears, and snow leopards that came down from the mountains monthly to devour people, were eradicated, the peasants praised the king’s grace.

Of course, it was actually the warriors acting on their lords’ orders who restored public order…

But even the uneducated peasants knew that this wouldn’t have happened without the king’s rewards.

There was another reason for the peasants to be grateful to the king—the punitive force never once requisitioned supplies from them during their southward march.

All supplies were purchased from merchants at fair prices, which was possible because merchants had gathered in anticipation of Wendigo’s army’s route.

Naturally, these weren’t ordinary merchants. Knowing the army’s route itself meant having access to confidential information.

These were trustworthy merchants, almost like half-subjects, who had received secret orders from Geron to gather other merchants and supply Wendigo’s army like shepherds herding sheep.

It was a kind of supply that came to them.

The nobles and warriors were happy with the gold they earned from their “harvested” heads, the merchants were pleased with the punitive force that bought their goods generously, and the peasants were glad their long-standing troubles were resolved.

Naturally, Wendigo and the punitive force were happy too. With all problems resolved, they could continue southward without stopping, as if carried by the wind.

However, there were some who couldn’t share in this happiness with others…

“This… this is an impossible speed! It must be a lie!!!”

“B-but this is reliable information confirmed by scouts who secretly crossed the border. The punitive force from Manheimr will reach the castle in barely two days.”

“This can’t be happening. Unless those northern barbarians who usually cause so much trouble have collectively gone mad, this is impossible! Lord Dencan needs more time to prepare his grand plan!”

They were nobles belonging to Dencan’s children, who would be the first to face Wendigo. They felt like screaming at this advance speed that exceeded all expectations.

How could those eastern fur-faces—no, horse-faces—achieve such a march!

But no matter how much they didn’t want to believe it, nothing changed. Even now, the punitive force was advancing toward this place day and night.

Berman of House Lukarf bit his lip and collected himself. Even if the punitive force’s speed vastly exceeded expectations, his role remained unchanged.

His role was to defeat all ignorant fools who opposed the will of the great ancestor, Dencan, and Berman was willing to sacrifice even his life to fulfill this role.

He swore to fight to the death.

* * *

In truth, Wendigo hadn’t expected nobles to present the heads of bandits and carcasses of beasts. He had merely offered rewards to quell any dissatisfaction…

“It’s good that they’re showing loyalty to Lord Wendigo, but offering so many heads is a bit much. Human heads aren’t very useful, after all.”

As another bandit’s head was presented today, Skadi Brynhild, perched on Wendigo’s leg, muttered with a disgruntled expression.

Wendigo’s thoughts weren’t much different. At least animal carcasses could provide meat, but human heads were completely useless.

Using them as fertilizer seemed concerning—burying so many heads might bring bad luck.

There was even someone who watched with curiosity and fear while offering heads, wondering when Wendigo would eat them… How many heads must Wendigo have received for such an irreverent rumor to spread?

“Woof woof!”

“Oh my! Oneton, you shouldn’t eat that!”

“……”

When Oneton, who had been rolling around in the spacious tent as if it were his home, suddenly snatched up a severed head, Skadi was startled and struck Oneton’s head with her staff.

Oneton enjoyed the staff strike as if it were a pat(?) and picked up the head with his tongue, devouring it voraciously. Wendigo stared at Oneton in astonishment.

Come to think of it, wasn’t he being falsely accused because that beast ate severed heads like snacks?

Rising from his seat, Wendigo carefully set Skadi down and flicked Oneton’s forehead. Though it had been a while since he’d delivered such a flick, his skill hadn’t dulled at all.

With a dull sound, Oneton yelped and swallowed the head he had been eating in one gulp.

“… It’s quite a talent to maintain your gluttony until the end. Tell the attendants waiting outside to collect the criminals’ heads and inform the officials to reward those who eliminated the criminals.”

“Woof…!”

“This beast… I said stop eating!!!”

As Skadi tried to take away his snack(?), Oneton resisted her pulling with both arms, licking his lips and doing his utmost to eat as many heads as possible.

It was deplorable that such a gluttonous creature was acclaimed as Manheimr’s representative spirit beast.

Finally, Oneton achieved the feat of devouring half the severed heads before following Wendigo out of the tent. Skadi, displeased with Oneton, firmly grabbed his muzzle.

“When did you become so ill-mannered? You used to listen well and be selective about what you ate.”

“It’s probably because he visits the wolf riders when he’s bored and gets food from them. Since the wolves consider him their leader, there’s no shortage of people offering bribes to befriend the wolves through him.”

Oneton looked at Skadi with pitiful eyes, whimpering.

Of course, Skadi knew it was an act, but an animal’s pitiful appearance is always more powerful than a human’s.

Skadi sighed and released her grip on Oneton. Immediately, Oneton began wagging his tongue like a docile dog, trying to flatter Skadi…

Thwack!

Wendigo’s flick struck Oneton’s head directly. Oneton groaned and lowered his head.

He knew well that while acting pitiful might work on others, it would only earn him blows from Wendigo.

Wendigo looked around.

Armed warriors were waiting for the charge order, carrying makeshift palisades to block arrows and ladders to scale the walls.

After confirming that everyone was in formation, including those who had just presented heads and joined the ranks, Wendigo stroked Oneton’s head and commanded:

“It’s time to earn your snacks by performing your role. If their response is good, you can eat all the heads you like.”

Oneton, eager to repay his master’s affection with the promise of more snacks, shed his foolish appearance and revealed a dignified demeanor as he moved to the front of the warriors.

The warriors marveled at Oneton’s majestic and feral bearing, which they had only heard about in rumors.

So it was true what they said—this was indeed the king of beasts, chosen by the king to rule over the creatures of the forest!

“But is that a bloodstain—”

As Oneton was enjoying his popularity, one warrior pointed questioningly at his mouth. Hastily, Oneton performed his role.

A howl announcing war echoed across the battlefield, and the wolves of the wolf riders responded to their leader, filling heaven and earth with the sound of wolf howls.

Wendigo looked at the castle blocking his path. Most of the mercenaries defending the castle were flinching with terrified expressions at the ominous wolf howls.

They had simply taken contracts based on their employer’s word, but this was not the scene they had imagined.

Amidst the confused mercenaries, a civil official poked his head above the castle wall.

“King of Manheimr! We merely expressed our dissatisfaction with the king through the nobles’ rightful privileges, we never intended to shed meaningless blood…”

Without waiting for the official to finish, Wendigo flicked his hand. Dozens of arrows flew toward the official, who instantly became a porcupine and fell from the wall.

Wendigo answered the dead official in a majestic voice:

“I did not ascend to the throne by seeking permission from nobles, nor did I beg for loyalty, nor did I seek permission to carry out my will. Above all, I find it amusing that you claim rights I never granted you.”

While Wendigo had not desired to become king, now that he was one, he had no intention of being a weak king manipulated by his subjects.

Wendigo concentrated mystical energy in his hand, forming a massive ice spear. It was extremely thick and heavy, more like a pointed pillar than a spear.

The soldiers on the castle wall were puzzled at first, but…

CRASH!!!

When a sound like the world collapsing rang out, they looked down at the base of the wall with horrified expressions.

Seeing the castle gate shattered by a single thrown spear, if not the world, the soldiers’ hearts certainly collapsed.

Watching this scene from the castle, Berman sighed in disbelief.

“Holy shit.”

Though unbecoming of a noble, this vulgar utterance was a profoundly meaningful expression that struck at the heart of the matter.