Ch.39Chapter 39

Through Skadi’s stories, Wendigo had roughly anticipated how many people would be outside.

With the forest people gathering and the Blue Mane tribe’s warriors and their families joining, there was bound to be a considerable number.

However, Wendigo realized his estimation was wrong.

“Ohhh! The Djin has awakened!”

“Skadi said if we prayed every day, he would awaken, and it was true!”

“The Djin is truly more majestic than the forest incarnations!”

A crowd far exceeding Wendigo’s expectations burst into exclamations upon seeing him.

Wendigo looked at the people and cleared his throat.

“Ahem.”

“The Djin speaks! Everyone bow your heads and pay respects!”

“……”

He had merely cleared his throat from nervousness at speaking before so many people after a long time, but when one man shouted and knelt down, everyone followed suit.

Though the situation was rather burdensome, Wendigo wasn’t flustered. This wasn’t his first such experience.

‘The important thing here is to choose carefully what image to project.’

Why do Djin consistently maintain arrogant attitudes?

Is it simply because they naturally enjoy looking down on others?

‘That’s not entirely untrue, but the arrogance of the capable becomes dignity.’

Most kings are arrogant, but not many consider it a flaw. Kings are born with the ability and lineage that allows them such behavior.

If not, they would have long since lost their heads and crowns to usurpers, so it was natural.

Djin weren’t much different. Rather, Djin are born with the conditions that justify arrogance, so it would be strange if they weren’t arrogant.

‘Being dignified would certainly make life easier going forward.’

While it might vary from person to person, generally few people enjoy working with dignified individuals.

Just being around them can feel suffocating—how many would actually enjoy that?

Considering the growing number of beings he would need to govern, perhaps showing a dignified appearance to distance himself from trivial matters would be beneficial, but…

‘Dignity isn’t something I can just act out as I please.’

To be dignified, one needs a certain degree of arrogance.

Wendigo thought of arrogance and the word Djin together, followed by the boar, the parasite, and that wolf.

By the standards of this world’s people, he would need to be at least as arrogant as those three to hear people say, “Ah, our Djin is quite arrogant too!”

But that was simply impossible. It would be easier, albeit slightly more troublesome, to maintain his usual benevolent demeanor.

“D-Djin, have we committed some offense?”

“Hmm?”

When a warrior who had been bowing respectfully slightly raised his head to ask, Wendigo finally came to his senses.

He realized that kneeling and bowing was quite strenuous, especially on the hard dirt ground rather than a soft surface. How painful it must be!

Sensing worry and anxiety among the people, Wendigo blurted out an excuse.

“I apologize. Realizing how many people believe in and follow me despite knowing I’m a Djin, I was speechless contemplating how fortunate a Djin I am.”

“!!!”

The people who had been bowing in silence looked at each other in surprise.

If they hadn’t misheard, the Djin was expressing gratitude?

‘So he truly is different from ordinary Djin?’

‘Indeed, when he recognized the warriors’ honor and spared our lives, it wasn’t an act!’

While those who had been with Wendigo from the beginning had loyalty as firm as deep-rooted trees, those who joined later did not.

Some had reluctantly joined under Wendigo after Oneton’s attack, and the Blue Mane tribe had joined out of necessity.

Wendigo’s words began to blur the distrust in their hearts, though they didn’t completely eliminate it.

‘Anyone can speak pleasant words. Even a Djin could do that.’

‘It’s still uncertain. I should maintain a critical stance…’

While others were stirring with excitement, those who still harbored doubts lowered their posture even further.

They thought a Djin of Wendigo’s caliber would detect even the slightest suspicion in their faces or attitudes, so they tried to appear even more respectful.

But their efforts were in vain. Wendigo caught the scent of distrust and inwardly clicked his tongue.

‘It seems this isn’t enough to win people’s hearts.’

What was needed now was a performance.

Wendigo turned his head to look at Skadi. Though she didn’t show it on her face, she appeared quite proud.

Pointing to the ice prison behind him, he asked her:

“Skadi, I believe I heard that you moved the village to center around this ice prison. Is that correct?”

“Yes. We’ve kept the previous village land for farming since the soil is fertile, and instead arranged the new village to spread out from this central point. We’ve also built a larger dwelling for you than before.”

“Then this place will become the center for the forest people going forward?”

“If you don’t wish to move elsewhere, yes. And…”

“?”

After briefly gauging the people’s reactions, Skadi gestured for Wendigo to lower his head.

When he did so, she whispered near what she presumed was his ear.

“I arranged the village somewhat loosely, just in case. If the village were too compact, you might not be able to move around freely.”

“… You went that far?”

“No matter how loyal the people are, if you can’t enjoy that loyalty, it defeats the purpose.”

Though his sensitivity had dulled as the village grew, Wendigo was surprised that she had been so considerate.

He nodded, impressed by Skadi’s thoroughness.

According to her, this place would become the center for the people going forward.

Wendigo pulled an ice pillar from the ground and brought his claw to the center of the column.

He began carving characters one by one, and the people watched quietly.

1. Parents shall protect their children, and children shall honor their parents.

2. Those who commit adultery are unworthy of love, and shall not escape death.

3. Those who covet others’ possessions shall first pay with their hands, then with their lives.

4. Murder without cause is unforgivable evil, and shall be repaid in kind.

5. Love thy neighbors and family, and they shall respond with love.

After writing the fifth rule, Wendigo withdrew his claw. The people looked at the inscriptions on the pillar with puzzlement.

What was this all about?

“It would be a lie to say I have no expectations of you. But it would also be my fault if I asked too much of you.”

“That’s not possible. If you desire anything, whatever it may be— mmph!”

When Skadi reflexively opened her mouth at Wendigo’s words, he hastily covered it with his hand.

Though Skadi made muffled protests with her face buried in the leather, Wendigo ignored her and continued speaking.

“I may not know human laws, but I do know there are things that must be upheld. Can you see what is written here?”

“Yes, we can see it, but…”

The people nodded in response. The characters carved into the ice pillar glowed with a clear blue light, impossible to miss even if one tried.

“I swear to protect you if you abide by these five laws… no, precepts.”

The people were greatly surprised by Wendigo’s oath. From their perspective, the five precepts didn’t seem particularly difficult.

It was essentially telling them to be good and not harm others—yet he was swearing to protect them just for that!

The distrust that had been flowing among the people was crushed under the great weight of the Djin’s oath, and in its place, intense emotions began to fill.

The people, full of respect, awe, and faith, cheered so loudly the forest seemed to shake.

Amidst this fervent atmosphere, Wendigo made a cool-headed judgment.

‘In governing people, upholding the most basic principles is more important than special rules.’

People think rulers govern with great wisdom, but what’s actually important for governance isn’t exceptional wisdom.

What a ruler needs is peace that allows for adequate governance.

Most problems, if not chaotic, always have solutions if one looks for them.

Moreover, he had promised to protect them if they followed the precepts, but taxes and labor were separate matters.

‘I can’t expect much in taxes, but I can at least look forward to tribute.’

Wendigo inwardly smiled, thinking he had been quite clever in concealing his intentions.

… In truth, even if he had simply stated it outright, the people would have been grateful for Wendigo’s grace.

In a world where knights and nobles stripped away people’s property instead of protecting them, having any protection at all was a blessing!

Besides, the taxes Wendigo had in mind weren’t even that high…

Had he known the truth, he would have regretted wasting his cleverness on unnecessary scheming.

* * *

Apart from Wendigo’s timid politicking, the forest underwent significant changes. First, it now had a center.

Forest people who had heard rumors came to investigate, and were so impressed that they joined with their tribes, naturally causing Wendigo’s tribe to grow.

Thanks to this, Wendigo’s wishes were also fulfilled.

Wendigo trembled as he surveyed the food laid out before him.

Soup made with various grains and meat, lamb with sauce, vegetables roasted with animal fat, fruits preserved in honey.

And a whole roasted pig completing the spread—it was enough to make his mouth water.

To think he could enjoy such luxury once a week!

Wendigo took a hearty gulp of soup prepared to match his size and muttered:

“This is why power is so wonderful.”

“… I think the Djin could indulge a bit more if he wished.”

Geron, who was attending to Wendigo, offered his honest counsel with a somewhat disgruntled expression.

Frankly, considering the size of the tribe, Wendigo was being too… frugal.

While clothing and weapons were of little use to Wendigo, he could certainly enjoy more abundant meals.

Even now, there were countless people who wished to offer various grains and game to Wendigo.

They had received protection and even fertile land as a gift—how could they not be grateful?

Unaware of Geron’s wish that his lord would indulge more, Wendigo offered him advice.

“Geron, even after gaining power, one must not overwork subordinates to maintain it. Power crumbles most easily from below.”

“No, it’s not overworking… Never mind.”

Geron started to tell Wendigo the truth but gave up.

It was obvious that Wendigo would just say something like “one must always be cautious” and make him feel frustrated.

Geron decided to change the subject instead.

“By the way, did you experience any significant changes after defeating the wolf Djin? Skadi mentioned that you gained new powers.”

“Hmm… it’s somewhat ambiguous.”

Wendigo said, chewing and swallowing several fruits at once.

Oneton’s essence was ferocity.

And ferocity was… a more abstract power than he had expected. It was no wonder Oneton had a talent for sorcery.

The ability to fatten and strengthen beasts, and to command hundreds of animals…

‘It’s a power that’s awkward to use.’

Yes, Oneton’s essence was truly ambiguous.

No matter how he thought about it, creating avatars to fight was a hundred times more useful than fattening and strengthening beasts to use them.

Being able to command beasts might make him stronger, but… Wendigo had never seen anyone stronger than himself.

‘Is sorcery all I gained from that wolf…?’

Shared vision and avatar creation were quite useful, but the aspect he had most anticipated was disappointing…

“O Djin, an urgent message has arrived. May I enter?”

While savoring the lamb, a respectful voice from outside the banquet hall requested permission to enter.

When Wendigo waved his hand, Geron nodded and approached the door.

“The Djin has granted permission. Open the door!”

The warriors standing guard outside opened the door, and a man entered. Wendigo immediately recognized who he was.

The man’s name was Refnil, a small-built, physically weak but quite clever servant working under Skadi.

Refnil bowed his head to Geron and handed over the message. Once Geron took it, Refnil backed away while maintaining his bow.

Geron unrolled the leather scroll and checked its contents.

“What does it say?”

“Well…”

Geron hesitated with a bewildered expression. This uncharacteristic behavior from the usually decisive Geron piqued Wendigo’s curiosity.

What could possibly be in that message?

“No matter how absurd the content, I’ll take it in stride, so speak quickly.”

“Yes. Well… it says a herd of musk oxen has settled in the village.”

“What nonsense… Wait.”

Wendigo, about to dismiss the absurd content, hastily took back his words.

If it was true that a herd of musk oxen had settled in the village, and there was a cause, it was almost certainly himself.

‘Everything happens for a reason. This too must have a reason.’

Wendigo stood up abruptly, ready to go check immediately, but hesitated as if something was holding him back.

Geron approached Wendigo with puzzlement and carefully asked:

“What’s wrong? If there’s an issue you’re concerned about, we can prepare somehow…”

“No, I was just wondering what to do about the food—it seems a waste to leave now.”

“… They say the animals aren’t threatening people or causing disturbances, so it should be fine to finish your meal first.”

“That’s a relief then.”

As Wendigo sat back down and began rapidly consuming the food, Geron closed his eyes and inwardly sighed deeply.

No matter how much he respected and revered his benevolent lord…

‘Sometimes I wish you would show me a more dignified appearance…’

It wasn’t easy to maintain reverence after witnessing such behavior.

Geron struggled once again today to maintain his sense of awe.