Ch.66Chapter 66

# At the edge of the forest, heirs invited by the Wendigo had gathered.

Of course, it wasn’t quiet. How could hot-blooded warriors remain silent in a place crawling with such disagreeable faces?

“You Lefrune furry bastards! If you hadn’t tempted our father, none of this would have happened!”

“Huh. You’re not a child anymore to be blaming others! Why blame us when your father fell for his own greed!”

The red fox beastmen of the Lefrune tribe and the fourth son of the Ulfen tribe had started quarreling. They glared at each other with hands on their weapons.

They would swing their weapons without hesitation if the other showed any suspicious movement.

Watching this scene, Shir inwardly sighed.

‘This is why the North is…’

Though Shir was born of fairly noble blood in the North and loved the North in her own way, scenes like this made her dizzy.

She simply couldn’t understand these warriors whose heads were filled with alcohol, meat, and opportunistic honor.

The problem was that such rude and barbaric behavior was considered normal in the North…

“Always stay alert. If your pathetic tricks fail, I’ll personally come and cut off your heads!”

“Was it 30 years ago? Do you know you’re speaking to someone whose ancestors were plundered by our tribe?”

“Ha! Seems you don’t know that 50 years ago, you were driven away by us and fled east! When I become chieftain, I’ll drive you back to your homeland!”

Except for a few close relationships, many northern tribes harbored deep grudges against each other.

These descendants of raiders had the heartwarming custom of raiding indiscriminately, even their fellow northerners.

Naturally, raiding always involved bloodshed.

Her father had lost an eye to a southern tribe’s chieftain, her grandfather had raided a northern tribe, her uncle had beheaded a renowned warrior from the west…

The fact that they were only exchanging verbal jabs was actually quite civil. Otherwise, there would have been bloodshed already.

The fourth son of Ulfen glared at the Lefrune warriors for a while, then spat and returned to his tribe’s group.

But Shir didn’t expect things to quiet down at all. Unlike usual days, today there was reason for noise even without confronting other tribes.

The eldest son of Ulfen slapped the returning fourth son’s cheek.

Smack!

For a slap meant to discipline a brother, it was powerful. The fourth son’s lip split.

The eldest grabbed his incompetent brother by the collar and glared at him fiercely.

“You idiot! Who told you it was okay to pick fights with other tribes? Are you disrespecting my authority?”

“Authority my ass… Do you still think you’re the heir to the chieftain? Once you’re out of the Djin’s sight, you won’t be an heir anymore!”

The fourth son of Ulfen mocked his eldest brother. Normally, he wouldn’t have dared defy the heir apparent, but things were different now.

Why would the Djin call not just the heir, but everyone with succession rights?

The fourth roughly pushed away his eldest brother’s hands. With the dice already cast, there was no need to bow to an enemy.

Of course, this scene wasn’t unique to the Ulfen tribe. All around, the shouts of fools no different from the Ulfen idiots filled the air.

‘To think such people are the future of the North… It’s both fortunate and depressing.’

Shir moved away from the crowd of warriors. The warriors glanced at her as she passed.

Who would have expected to meet a renowned northern beauty in such a gloomy place?

Some tried to catch her attention with exaggerated curses and violence, but Shir’s interest had completely departed.

The Djin residing in her bloodline, Freya, whispered in her mind.

[The warriors are trying so hard to catch your eye by fighting until they bleed, but my darling is too cold-hearted~]

“Shut up. If they want my attention, they should use their brains instead of showing off their stupidity. Besides, don’t you feel something?”

[Your love for me?]

“You son of a…”

Shir cursed at Freya’s nonsense. Sometimes Shir wondered if her Djin was a spirit of anger or provocation rather than beauty.

Otherwise, how could she be so dedicated to making people angry!

[Hmm~ I think you’re prettiest when you furrow your beautiful eyes!]

“If you’re going to keep talking nonsense, just go away.”

Just as people who live long become eccentric, Freya was certainly an eccentric spirit.

After playing with submissive beauties for ages, she found the scolding from a prickly (bordering on hateful) beauty thrilling.

Freya whined and answered Shir’s question.

[Ugh. You’re so mean. But you’re right. I can feel a strong mystical presence from the forest. It seems to be getting closer?]

“!”

Shir took out her golden whip and calmed her mind.

Though Freya had an awful personality, she was still a Djin that had existed since ancient times.

If such a Djin described something as “strong,” there was reason to be tense. Perhaps the forest spirit had prepared a trap.

Of course, it seemed unlikely that a spirit full of pride would commit such a dishonorable act…

[Kyaa! You look so pretty holding that whip too~]

‘It wouldn’t be strange if there were other crazy spirits in the world.’

Having spent enough time with a sufficiently crazy spirit, Shir didn’t miss even the slightest possibility.

She prepared to swing her whip at any moment. Just then, a large wolf leaped out from the forest.

The warriors who had been growling at each other were startled and glared at the wolf. A single wolf wasn’t scary, but a wolf emerging from the forest wasn’t an ordinary wolf.

“It’s, it’s too big?”

“…Did a bear and a wolf mate or something?”

The large white wolf with a bear-like build scanned the warriors with its golden eyes. The warriors realized from its boldness that this was no ordinary wolf.

Of course, the wolf wasn’t an ordinary wolf but Oneton, a wolf blessed with mystical power by the Wendigo.

The reason Oneton suddenly came looking for the warriors, or more precisely the heirs, was simple.

While other wolves were active in the northern alliance’s attack, Oneton was dissatisfied with his lack of notable achievements.

Though born to be a leader, a leader must prove their abilities to become one.

Of course, guarding Skadi was itself an important task, but even with high intelligence, Oneton was still fundamentally a beast.

He wasn’t smart enough to consider such deep meanings.

Oneton sniffed the air, then frowned and growled at the filth before him.

“Why is it doing that?”

“Is it warning us not to enter the forest?”

The warriors were confused. Who would have imagined being attacked by a wolf while waiting for a messenger from the forest?

While the warriors were assessing the situation, Shir recognized what was happening and quietly put away her whip.

[Oh my! Look at all the mystical energy in that creature! Darling, if you capture it, it would greatly help your summoning…]

‘Do you think I’m an idiot? Anyone can see it’s a beast cherished by the Djin!’

Shir firmly rejected Freya’s whispers. Unless she was a fool, Shir wasn’t stupid enough to not deduce the wolf’s identity.

A mystical wolf appearing from a forest ruled by a Djin must obviously be related to the Djin, right?

Of course, she didn’t understand why it was sniffing and barking so aggressively…

The other warriors also realized the wolf was under the Djin’s protection and put away their weapons.

They had no intention of causing trouble before even meeting the Djin.

“It seems to be a wolf sent by the Djin.”

“Everyone, put away your weapons. It doesn’t seem to be an ordinary wolf…”

“Hahaha. What cowards! Step back if you’re scared! I’ll catch that wolf!”

But the world is wide and fools are many. Especially those who lived like hooligans, relying on their status as a chieftain’s child within their tribe.

The fourth son of Ulfen, Targal, boldly stepped forward. He had come up with an extraordinary idea different from the other warriors.

It was a very brave and… ignorant thought that if he offered such a magnificent wolf, the Djin would be moved by his sincerity and grant him the chieftain’s position.

As Targal drew his bow, Shir was horrified and warned him.

“Lower your bow immediately! That wolf is not an ordinary wolf…”

“Oh, Shir! Most beautiful woman of the Freyr tribe! Your hair, like spun gold, is truly beautiful!”

Even in this situation, Targal was delighted that Shir showed interest, spouting buttery lines.

Her concern(?) was inflating his vanity.

Grind.

‘I want to kill him.’

With superhuman patience, Shir suppressed her murderous intent and tried to warn Targal again.

Or rather, she was about to.

Until suddenly, a warrior boldly jumped out and threw a spear at the wolf.

She looked at the flying spear and lamented.

Who would have imagined there would be not one but two such idiots in the world!

“I, Hardr of the Norg tribe, will catch the wolf!”

More than ten pairs of eyes looked at Hardr with jealousy.

To lose glory so pathetically while hesitating!

Hardr’s spear flew fiercely toward Oneton. Oneton didn’t even flinch, just staring at the approaching spear.

Hardr watched this and smiled.

Perhaps the wolf was sacrificing itself for his heroic first step…

Clang!

“…Huh?”

“Grrrr!!!”

Oneton deflected the flying spear as if it were ridiculous, then charged across the ground with a chilling howl and lunged at Hardr.

Hardr was startled and drew his sword, but it was a foolish decision. The moment he drew his sword, Oneton tore at his throat.

At this sudden tragedy, the warriors reflexively drew their weapons and rushed at Oneton.

“Damn it, just kill it!”

“Why is its hide so tough!”

Once blood rushed to their heads, warriors wouldn’t stop until either their enemy or they themselves shed blood.

Naturally, this time it was they who would shed blood. The warriors tried to cut Oneton’s hide but with little success.

Rather, just approaching Oneton, who was wrapped in the north wind, made their breath cold and their bodies stiff.

“Woof!”

“Let go! Let go of this… Arghhhh!”

Of course, the stiffened warriors were nothing but easy prey for Oneton.

Oneton’s claws tore through the warriors’ armor, and his teeth penetrated their bodies like sharp daggers.

Even the warriors who had boldly rushed in began to distance themselves as the situation turned strange. They looked around and asked for help.

“Warriors are being defeated, aren’t you ashamed! Help us!”

Some warriors seemed to fall for their request, or rather provocation, but most did not.

Why should others be dragged into a problem they created with their own stupidity?

“If someone heard you, they’d think we were your subordinates.”

“Are you brainless or just thoughtless? Why did you provoke something that wasn’t attacking and cause this mess… tsk tsk.”

“Eek!”

Reyrik, a warrior, seeing that provocation wasn’t working, took out an enchanted axe.

An axe with extreme killing power should be able to penetrate the wolf’s tough hide.

‘I was planning to offer this to the Djin!’

But if he couldn’t kill the wolf in front of him, he would die. It was more likely he’d survive if he killed the wolf and ran away.

Reyrik raised his axe toward the charging wolf. Oneton noticed the magic flowing through Reyrik’s axe but didn’t slow down.

Instead, he made his claws harder and sharper, and honed his senses even more in preparation for the flying axe.

In a moment filled with mutual killing intent…

Swoosh!

“Kuhuk!?”

“Woof?”

An arrow from the forest struck Reyrik’s chest. The arrows didn’t stop there.

Two more arrows flew in, piercing Reyrik’s heart and throat.

Oneton looked toward the forest, leaving Reyrik’s falling corpse behind.

Shortly after, wolf riders led by Jacken burst out of the forest. Oneton barked cheerfully, as if it were unbelievable that he had just torn warriors to death.

“Woof woof!”

“Onetooooon!!!”

Unfortunately, Jacken couldn’t be as cheerful as Oneton.

After all, there were bodies lying around that Oneton had clearly killed!

When Jacken shouted, Oneton seemed to realize he might have gone too far and averted his gaze. But he didn’t seem remorseful.

He thought these foul-smelling men would have been killed by the Djin anyway.

“You damned beast!”

“Grr!?”

Jacken stopped beside Oneton and jumped off his wolf.

Then he slapped Oneton’s back with his palm and shouted.

“You cursed beast! You damned spirit-like creature! I should have advised the Djin to change your name or something…”

“Um, excuse me…”

As Oneton, who had been toying with warriors just moments ago, stood still, a warrior cautiously approached Jacken.

Jacken was irritated, but seeing the warrior, he felt his blood run cold.

After all, these were guests invited by the Wendigo!

The warrior glanced at Oneton and asked Jacken.

“Is this wolf… a wolf raised by the Djin?”

“…I suppose you could say that.”

“I knew it! Look here. This isn’t right! Even though we were defeated, this is outrageous! Sending a wolf to attack us!”

“Y-yes! We came at the Djin’s invitation, what kind of treatment is this!”

The warriors who had swung swords at Oneton might have lacked tact, but they weren’t completely without it.

Using Oneton’s attack as an excuse to gain an advantage in negotiations, they began acting like victims as if by agreement.

However… it wasn’t a good choice. Shir, who had been watching the situation, approached Jacken and greeted him politely.

“I’m sorry to greet you in such a commotion. I am Shir, representing the Freyr tribe.”

“Ah, pleased to meet you. You must be the one the Djin mentioned.”

When Jacken recognized Shir, the warriors didn’t miss the opportunity to try to draw her in.

How convenient would it be if a smart Summoner like Shir helped in this situation?

“Shir! Tell him too. The wolf…”

“Shut up.”

But Shir had no intention of helping these fools’ nonsense.

Shir shot the warrior a cold look, then smiled at Jacken and spoke.

“Don’t listen to them. It’s all their own doing.”

“What do you mean?”

Jacken’s eyes lit up as he asked Shir. Of course, the warriors had no intention of watching Shir’s betrayal(?)…

“Step back.”

“Step back? That woman is selling us out and you want us to just stand by and… guk!”

“She must be telling him about your despicable actions! Shut up and move!”

Warriors who hadn’t touched Oneton acted as Shir’s shield. There was no reason not to help eliminate competitors.

Shir calmly revealed the truth, and Jacken’s expression twisted grimly.

He barely held onto his rationality as he organized his thoughts.

“So… they attacked Oneton first? A wolf blessed by the Djin? Even one personally raised by Skadi?”

“I don’t know who Skadi is… but you heard correctly.”

“Jacken! These men deserve to be slaughtered!”

The wolf riders drew their weapons, emanating killing intent.

From what they heard, it wasn’t Oneton who had been disrespectful, but these men.

And not just ordinary disrespect, but the audacity to try to hunt a beast directly blessed by the Djin!

Jacken drew the sword bestowed by the Wendigo and glared at the warriors.

“How dare you try to hunt the Djin’s wolf, get out! People like you cannot enter the forest!”

“W-we may have made a mistake, but we came at the Djin’s invitation!”

“Silence!”

When a warrior protested, Jacken shouted and kicked him.

Jacken pointed his weapon at the fallen warrior’s neck and declared.

“The Djin said there’s no need to bring everyone, and suspicious people or troublemakers can be driven away!”

“Y-you can’t do this!”

“Shut up! If you don’t want to become wolf food, get out of the forest! If you’re still here tomorrow, I’ll kill you myself!”

The wolf riders stepped forward in agreement with Jacken’s angry shout. The warriors backed away when confronted by angry wolves and warriors.

Those idiots who had tried to hunt Oneton to curry favor.

None of them were brave enough to stand up to the angry wolf riders.

“A-alright. We’ll retreat, just don’t attack.”

And so, some of those who had come to the forest were driven away without even entering. Jacken glared in the direction they had gone for a while before letting down his guard.

Shir couldn’t help but be surprised by his loyalty.

She realized that Jacken’s loyalty wasn’t built on fear or greed.

‘He’s sincerely serving the Djin?’

Could it be that those unbelievable things Isaac had said were true?

[Oh my. How wonderful it would be if our darling showed such reverence!]

‘…No. I shouldn’t easily trust a Djin.’

Shir barely maintained her vigilance with the help of the Djin.

Shortly after.

Shir and the heirs followed Jacken’s guidance toward the depths of the forest.