Ch.204Tradition (2)

Traditions naturally change as time passes. However, their ‘origins’ remain unchanged.

Take ‘wrestling’ for example. Originally, wrestling was a martial art devised by ancient legionnaires in heavy iron armor trying to kill each other.

They would knock down opponents and stab knives into the joints of their iron armor or cripple them. Like Muay Thai, martial arts literally designed to kill opponents eventually evolved into sports over time.

Martial arts created to kill people transform into sports as eras change and civilization advances. After all, there’s rarely any use for them outside of war.

Of course, that was in my previous life. This world is closer to medieval or early modern times. In a place where war could break out anywhere at any time, it will take longer for martial arts to develop into sports.

However, traditions like the Holmgang need to evolve into sports somehow. Otherwise, the foundations of the nation could be shaken, as with this recent Warchief situation.

That’s precisely why traditions should be transformed into sports.

“…Do you really think that would work? Changing the Holmgang into an annual competition?”

Leona Lions asked with a somewhat bewildered expression in response to my suggestion. Her face clearly showed she thought it was absurd.

Actually, her reaction isn’t strange. The Holmgang isn’t just a tradition but a sacred duel that unites the beastkin.

Suggesting to change such a tradition into a simple competition might seem like it diminishes its significance.

“It might sound absurd, but honestly, it could be a good approach. It doesn’t have to be annual—holding it every 3-4 years wouldn’t be bad either.”

“Sorry, but that’s not convincing at all. Didn’t I explain about the Holmgang? It’s not just a simple contest. It’s a sacred duel watched over by the goddess of nature, Hirt. It’s a match where both sides risk everything.”

“Didn’t you just say earlier that you dislike that aspect of the Holmgang? The Warchief lost his life because of it.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Leona furrowed her brow in deep thought, still not fully convinced. Meanwhile, she kept chewing on her steak.

Her reaction is actually normal because I’m a reincarnator who came to this world from Earth. Earth’s civilization is far more advanced and developed than this world.

What seems simple to me can appear very different to them. It’s hard enough to change someone’s mind, let alone a tradition that forms the foundation of a nation.

But the world changes rapidly, and stagnant water needs to flow. Otherwise, it becomes obsolete and rots.

“From the start, trying to change tradition will face tremendous opposition. If that’s the case, it’s better to move in a direction that sheds less blood. You said the Holmgang is a sacred duel watched by Goddess Hirt? Use that to your advantage. Create a new form of competition based on the Holmgang. Put forward candidates who meet certain conditions, and let the winner make their opinions widely known. Do you get the idea?”

“Hmm… what about taking all the authority from the opponent?”

“That must be eliminated. It’s a nation, not a tribe. You can’t live barbarically forever.”

“Sigh… this is too difficult…”

Leona groaned, holding her head. She seemed to be struggling with processing so much new information at once.

Wondering if my explanation was too complicated, I turned to look at Marie. I found her staring at me with a curious expression.

Her bright blue eyes were filled with surprise and curiosity. I spoke with a somewhat awkward feeling.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m just amazed. Issac, you really know so much.”

She continued to stare with that look of wonder. There seemed to be a subtle hint of suspicion in it too.

Perhaps she actually thinks I’m from the future. Considering the jokes she occasionally makes at my expense, it’s not that strange a thought.

I gave a bitter smile at Marie’s suspicious and curious gaze, then turned back to Leona. She was still making a strained expression, deep in thought.

After a few minutes passed, Leona removed her hands from her head and looked at me.

“…The idea of turning the Holmgang into a competition format is good. And as you said, having it every 3-4 years rather than annually would be better for adequate preparation time.”

She repeated what I had said, seemingly having made up her mind. There appeared to be a deep resolve in her beast-like golden eyes.

Then she faced me directly and pointed out one problem.

“But if we do that, the winner of the Holmgang would be predetermined. It would be someone from the naturally strong tiger, lion, or bear clans. Doesn’t that defeat the purpose?”

“Would it really?”

“What makes you so confident?”

“Just look at my father.”

“Pfft.”

Marie let out a soft laugh beside me when I responded without thinking. Leona was blinking with a dumbfounded expression.

That’s because my father is one of the world’s most formidable warriors despite being human. Known as the Red Lion, his reputation in the military is legendary and continues to this day.

Humans may be the weakest among all races, but he proudly stands among the strong. This shows that innate limitations can always be overcome with talent and effort.

“As you said, those three tribes would be strong contenders for victory. But there are no eternal champions in this world. Unexpected winners can emerge.”

The reason people are passionate about the Olympics or World Cup is precisely because of unexpected variables.

It’s common for perceived powerhouses to be utterly defeated by smaller nations, often because they become complacent and suffer humiliating defeats.

“It doesn’t matter if they use underhanded tactics. Since Goddess Hirt is watching, we can say she generously overlooked such things. We’ll subtly incorporate the origins of the Holmgang.”

“You mean they can use poison or hidden weapons?”

“Ah, those should be excluded. Even if there are shortcomings at first, the significance lies in changing the tradition of the Holmgang itself.”

“It sounds good… but I’m still not sure.”

Leona crossed her arms, still seeming uncertain. Unlike before, she doesn’t seem completely unable to understand.

She closed her eyes, thought deeply, and then spoke with an ambiguous voice.

“If things proceed as you say, that would be ideal. But the Holmgang is requested when someone has been insulted or has accumulated grievances. The current Warchief also received a Holmgang request for such reasons. Goddess Hirt would still be watching, but if we change it, individuals would lose their voice to address others. Do you have a solution for this?”

“Such matters should be handled through ‘trials,’ not by individual resolution. Settling disputes through force is what barbarians do. Don’t you have clan leaders with authority similar to lords? From now on, ask those clan leaders for trials. And if people still fight? Throw them straight into prison.”

“What if there are many political complaints?”

“That’s when you use the Holmgang. But instead of individual complaints, groups with grievances select representatives to voice their concerns. In other words, a group’s representative doesn’t necessarily need to be physically strong.”

An individual’s voice is weak. But when individuals gather to form a group, that voice becomes very powerful.

There’s no policy in the world that satisfies all citizens. If someone is happy, it means someone else is working their bones off behind the scenes.

“Leona.”

When I called her name in a serious tone, Leona stopped pondering and met my eyes. I looked at her face carefully and explained an important point.

“Animus is both a nation and a ‘civilization’ founded by Hick. If everything is resolved by force, that civilization will eventually fragment.”

“…”

“If you dismiss noble traditions by saying, ‘Well, that can’t be helped,’ then the fate is predetermined. What needs to changing should be changed decisively.”

For beastkin, suppressing instincts is difficult. But if they’ve established a civilization, they must suppress them.

Even Leona herself entered the academy proudly, setting aside the prejudice that beastkin are ignorant. If things are corrected one by one like this, change will eventually come.

“And what changes civilization isn’t strength but wisdom. Throughout history, it wasn’t strong kings but wise ones who developed powerful nations. Conversely, kingdoms ruled by incompetent kings met more terrible ends than those ruled by tyrants. The group representatives I mentioned earlier should be wise rather than physically strong.”

“Wisdom… that’s advice that’s difficult for beastkin to embrace.”

Leona gave a bitter smile after hearing my words. Well, beastkin have always tried to resolve things through strength, so there’s bound to be some distance.

“Anyway, I understand what you’re saying. So we change the Holmgang into a competition format, prohibit individual challenges, and if there are complaints, form groups and send representatives. Is that right? And since Goddess Hirt is watching, the winner’s words are considered more righteous?”

“Something like that. Though it might be better to avoid using it politically. The meaning of the Holmgang could be diminished.”

“No, using it politically would be better. If someone participates with a grievance, isn’t that politics? It would be fine if it carries the meaning of raising voices regardless of age, gender, or race. The question is whether they’ll accept it… sigh.”

No matter how good the intention, it’s all for nothing if those in power don’t accept it. Leona seemed to understand this as she sighed gloomily.

However, there’s a simpler method than expected. One characteristic of high-ranking individuals across all races:

Their pride is incredibly strong. Especially in this era where honor is paramount, you just need to gently prod that aspect.

“Why not just gently poke at their pride? Ask if they’re afraid, or if they’re ignoring opinions because they think they’ll lose.”

“Oh! That sounds good. Despite appearances, I’m confident in verbal sparring. I’ve never lost a war of words.”

Leona’s ears perked up and her face brightened at my suggestion. Come to think of it, she’s a princess of a nation, but her speech is quite rough.

I figured we had a general direction now, so I took a spoonful of my now-cold soup and spoke.

“So are we good now? I might have explained it in a complicated way, but if you organize it slowly, it should be fine. Just be prepared for challenges and hardships. It’s going to be tough.”

“Still, I’m grateful. If things work out later, I’ll definitely reward you.”

“I’ll look forward to it. Can you give me a hint about what kind of reward?”

“Hmm…”

Leona seemed to be thinking deeply as she chewed her steak, looking upward. Then she spoke as if it were no big deal.

“If things go as you say, it would change all of Animus… so maybe becoming your wife?”

“Kuhp!”

“Cough! Cough!”

Not only did I choke on my soup, but Marie also started coughing. Suddenly saying she’d become my wife—what nonsense is this?

However, Leona didn’t seem to think it was strange at all. Instead, she asked with a puzzled expression.

“Why are you so surprised? I only have brothers above me, but if there had been a sister, it would have been her instead of me.”

“Cough. No. No. That’s not it… Is this normal for beastkin? Cough?”

“What is?”

“Being able to… cough… openly say you’ll become someone’s wife.”

This question came from Marie, not me. I was too busy coughing after choking on my soup.

Leona blinked, pondered Marie’s question, and then nodded in response.

“Yes. Beastkin usually offer their children as ‘rewards.’ Humans do something similar, don’t they? History is full of cases where people give their children as rewards, right?”

“…”

“…No?”

It was a moment of realization about the cultural differences between races.