Ch.307Encounter

“Well, I guess it’s time to get up now.”

Frider stopped chatting and stood up just as bright flames began to rise in the braziers placed throughout the walls, spreading warmth.

“Are you really going to give a speech?”

“Yeah. Battle preparations are complete, so I should say something.”

Frider dusted off her clothes and let out a light sigh.

Her expression said she found this incredibly awkward.

“Good luck with that. Do your best.”

I waved my hand teasingly toward Frider.

She said she wasn’t confident in speeches… but hey, practice makes perfect, right?

If she takes this as a learning experience, she’ll do better next time.

“What do you mean ‘good luck’? Don’t talk like this doesn’t concern you. You’re coming too.”

Huh?

Frider grinned and grabbed my shoulder, forcing me to stand up.

“Why me?”

“Honestly, it’s a ridiculous situation, but you’re basically the hope of our soldiers right now, aren’t you? Should our Radiance hide in the back? Come shine some light on us.”

When she puts it that way, I can’t really argue, but it still feels awkward.

I can’t even imagine what nonsense this woman who claims to be bad at speeches might say next to me.

“I’m not really in the mood. Can I refuse?”

“Which would you prefer: a request from a friend or an order from your commander?”

So I don’t have the right to refuse, is that it?

I clicked my tongue and nodded. After teasing her so much, I suppose I owe her this much.

“Good thinking. Show them a reliable face, will you?”

“Sigh…”

Frider laughed while slapping my back as if taking revenge for earlier.

…Though that would only hurt her hand. I’m wearing scale armor under my fur coat.

—-

I headed toward the command tower overlooking the soldiers on the wall with Frider and Leonore.

A cold silence had settled over the wall, with only the crackling of embers quietly echoing.

Soldiers stationed in each section clutched silver-plated spears, silently glaring at the darkness beyond the horizon.

Their expressions were frozen like statues, a mix of anxiety, hostility, fear, and pride.

Their bodies trembled slightly. Their breath billowed like white mist before dissolving.

They looked less like proud warriors and more like disaster survivors facing catastrophe.

Looking down at the soldiers, Frider’s lips quivered before she took a deep breath.

“Sons of the North, hear me! Those who are not of the North, hear me as well! Frider van Faelrun, daughter of Faelrun, speaks!”

Her cry echoed across the entire wall. Startled soldiers all turned toward the command tower.

Frider flinched slightly. It would be perfect to tease her about this, but I’ll pretend not to notice.

“It has been hundreds of years since our ancestors fought with their lives to drive these hideous beasts to the frozen lands. For those hundreds of years, we descendants have fought endlessly to protect our ancestors’ achievements, the legacy of the North they left us. We’ve shown those beasts who still consider us prey, despite their defeat and exile, who the real prey is! Though cold and difficult, has it not been truly glorious!”

Oh, this is actually better than I expected.

“And now, the time of trial has come again. Under the sky where our ancestors watch, before the beast that calls itself winter, the moment has come to prove ourselves with all our might! Are you mere wastrels squandering your ancestors’ legacy? Or are you proud warriors who have inherited their pride and courage?”

Frider spread her right arm to the side. Taking another deep breath.

The coat draped over her shoulders fluttered like a cape.

“Fight to prove yourselves! Fight to be descendants without shame! If that’s not enough, look there!”

The soldiers’ gazes followed the direction of her finger.

The inner castle of Faelrun. The final refuge where refugees had gathered, trembling in fear and praying to the gods.

“Those pitiful weaklings trembling in fear inside that inner castle. Think of your parents, wives, lovers, and children. You know what will happen to them if you fail! If you lack the courage to fight for yourselves, fight for them! Isn’t that reason enough to fight with your lives?”

Indeed, there’s no stronger motivation than protecting one’s family.

The tension in the soldiers’ expressions began to crack. Through the fissures of fear, firm resolve seeped through.

Frider turned briefly toward me after finishing her speech.

I was about to nod slightly to indicate she was doing better than expected when…

“…Um, what now? I feel like I should say more, but I’ve run out of prepared words.”

Her voice was barely a whisper. Her reddish-brown eyes trembled uncertainly, matching her quivering lips as if asking for help.

…I should have known. You never disappoint me, Frider. This is exactly like you.

Leonore burst into clear laughter, apparently finding it ridiculous.

“Seriously… I was just about to compliment you. Well, can’t be helped. Growing up without friends, you can’t be expected to have good speaking skills. I understand.”

“What…?!”

I pushed back the wolf-head hood covering my head and stepped forward with a playful attitude.

Standing beside Frider, who was blushing with anger.

Soon, the soldiers’ attention focused on me.

Now, what should I do…

Frider already gave them a reason to fight, so I should give them confidence that they can win, right?

I took a deep breath, choosing my words.

“Are you humans actually afraid of mere beast cubs?!”

A fierce shout that shook the heavens.

Snow piled beside the tower roof scattered and poured down.

Frider covered her ears with a horrified expression.

“They may walk on two legs, but they’re just unfinished beasts. No different from livestock! We have the means to kill them, and we have plenty who are stronger than them. Why fear creatures that are merely prey! Those who were already crushed hundreds of years ago and ran away whimpering with their tails between their legs!”

I drew up the Karma of Murder and ignited it fiercely like flames.

A dark red radiance covered my entire body and flickered, spreading in all directions as if devouring the darkness.

“If we could win back then, of course we can win this time! Winter wolf? That white pup is nothing but a piece of meat before me! Look-!”

My left arm raised toward the sky. The red Karma that had grown by consuming thousands of lives wrapped around Frosting.

I swung the Karma-sharpened claws fiercely toward the command tower roof.

– CRASH!

With a thunderous sound of stone and wood being crushed, the roof exploded as if hit by a shell.

“What are you doing, you crazy woman…!”

“Just watch. This kind of thing is all about presentation, you know?”

I grinned, blocking Frider who was quietly protesting with quivering lips and undisguised shock.

To raise morale, I need to show off my power, right? This kind of performance should inspire confidence where there was none.

The Karma enveloped the fragments soaring into the air. From mist to tentacles, from tentacles to flames. The Karma fire, changing forms, burned all the debris.

The remaining ashes swirled like a blizzard and scattered beyond the sky on the wind.

“My goodness…”

The soldiers stared blankly at the scene with their mouths agape. The knights were no different.

The sight of a massive roof being blown away with one strike and then turned to ashes in the next moment. It must have looked like the work of some giant monster rather than a person.

[Should I call this magnificent or just brutish… it’s certainly like you.]

Like me? If anything, this is something you would do.

Ignoring Hersella’s comment, which could have been admiration or mockery, I continued.

“That wolf pup isn’t worth fearing! Winter? To me, it’s just dinner! Tell me, who am I?!”

“Were Eater-!”

Several soldiers shouted loudly. Or were they knights? Anyway.

When a few began to call out, others soon joined in, shouting at the top of their lungs.

Were Eater.

It’s not a nickname I particularly like, but I should use whatever I can.

“That’s right! Those creatures are just tasty prey to me! And the same goes for you! Skin them and chew their flesh! Roast their cut meat and make it tomorrow morning’s feast! Just as they did to you! Let’s teach them clearly which side is truly the livestock to be eaten!”

Cheers and shouts filled the night sky.

I wonder if this is enough to raise morale.

Things will change once they start seeing blood, but they should fight well for now.

“See? Definitely effective, right?”

I turned to Frider with a grin.

She looked like she wanted to complain about the gaping hole in the ceiling, but soon gave up and just sighed heavily.

“That was certainly a speech worthy of you, my lady.”

“Right? Now let’s just wait for our late-night snack to arrive.”

I patted Leonore’s shoulder and stepped back.

“Um, my lady. Surely you’re not actually planning to eat that? The stench would be unbearable.”

[Why would you eat such things when there’s better food available…]

You’re hardly in a position to say that, Leonore aside.

You crazy woman who used to eat people.

======[ Rurik ]======

Haschal’s shout and the soldiers’ cheers disturbed the night’s silence, echoing all the way to the horizon.

Even Rurik’s army marching toward Faelrun Castle could faintly hear it.

Given the distance, they couldn’t make out the words, but they could tell that the humans’ fighting spirit had been greatly elevated.

“What a grand welcome. I’m looking forward to this.”

Rurik and the Champions bared their fangs in smiles.

Their eyes already gleamed with bloodlust, as if anticipating the upcoming festival of blood and flesh. Except for Nazar, whose expression had darkened slightly.

“Reinforcements shouldn’t have arrived yet… their morale is higher than expected. They may have prepared a strategy they’re confident in.”

“Well, we’ll see when we fight. Let’s watch what kind of impressive measures these hairless monkeys bring out.”

Viktor Kaminski, one of the seven Champions and an elephant werebeast, snorted dismissively.

White breath burst from his upturned trunk like a chimney.

They were now just thirty minutes away from the humans’ castle.

It was time to slow down to recover their strength and prepare for battle.