Chapter 110

Chapter 110

I Proposed While Drunk and Now the Princesses are Obsessed.

Episode 110: Honeymoon Night (?) (4).

The First Princess’s territory.

The warriors of the North were busy racking their brains.

“The prey the First Princess mentioned is a man?”

“Hmm… Should we take this as a good omen?”

“If it’s the First Princess’s will, we support it! That’s what warriors do!”

To start, warriors like Broolka, upon learning the details about the prey, began voicing their support. Just because they were from the North didn’t mean they didn’t understand love.

However, not everyone could share the same opinion.

“I just can’t understand this situation.”

A giant warrior spoke up.

His entire body, including his face, was covered in blue tattoos, and his enormous build was adorned with a necklace made of animal bones. This warrior was Brogar.

The most noticeable feature was the eyepatch covering one of his eyes.

He stroked his giant axe and spoke.

“I hope the warriors don’t take my words too harshly. I’m saying this for the good of the entire North.”

The messenger, who had been listening quietly, thought to himself.

‘For the good of the North, you say…’

The North was a region where strength governed order.

In other words, those without strength must suppress their desires and words.

Brogar had never liked the First Princess’s methods and always aspired to rise to the top himself. That’s why he was speaking up now.

“I want to know the reason. Why is that man a prey?”

“Because the First Princess desires him.”

“She desires that man?”

“Yes.”

The messenger replied calmly.

“The First Princess also has emotions. She carefully chose that man, and that man is the Auditor.”

“Does that mean with that man…?”

“Of course, marriage is likely being considered as well.”

This caused a stir among the surrounding warriors.

“The First Princess has romantic feelings for someone?”

“The First Princess? That First Princess!”

In the North, strength matters more than common sense. Thus, the ‘feelings of affection’ discussed here were not quite the same as what the empire’s citizens in other regions might call it.

They also enjoyed love and marriage, but…

The elements of attraction were different. Usually, they would be drawn to someone stronger than themselves, and they would gain even more strength to protect and support that person.

“Does this mean the First Princess has acknowledged that man’s strength?”

“The First Princess’s acknowledgment? And he’s not even from the North!”

The idea that the First Princess had acknowledged this man’s strength.

That was the part that astonished everyone.

“I can’t understand this. I just can’t.”

As Brogar shook his head while flashing the blade of his axe, the messenger furrowed his brow.

‘Brogar once had feelings for the First Princess.’

He had once challenged the First Princess to a duel for marriage and lost an eye in the process.

There hadn’t been any direct mention of it, but the messenger could sense that Brogar was clearly jealous.

The messenger asked.

“Isn’t the Auditor more than qualified?”

Brogar shook his head firmly.

“Nonsense. Based on what?”

“The Auditor is…”

“Of course, the Auditor may be impressive, but!”

Brogar roared.

“It is the tradition and way of the North to judge with direct physical confrontation. Have you forgotten that, messenger?”

“This is a different case.”

“The man the First Princess brought is that different?”

“Yes.”

“Then…”

Brogar smiled slyly.

“Doesn’t that make it all the more necessary to judge him by Northern standards? Could anyone be fairer than me? I don’t even care about his origin or status!”

The messenger swallowed dryly.

Of course, there was some logic in his words.

The Northern way of ‘judging directly without regard for origin or status’ was indeed fair. But the problem was that Brogar was planning to abuse it.

Clearly, he was planning to harm the Auditor.

…But it was difficult to deny Northern traditions.

“Anyone who wishes to become part of the North must be judged by Northern standards. Indeed, that tradition exists.”

“Your brain hasn’t completely rotted, messenger. Good, you’re not a traitor. I’ll vouch for you!”

Brogar grinned as he patted the messenger on the shoulder.

However, the messenger understood well that this was not true praise.

“Then you won’t object if we throw the Auditor out when he fails to meet Northern standards?”

At last, Brogar revealed his true intentions.

“Isn’t the Auditor currently held here?”

“…Yes.”

“Then there’s even less reason to hesitate. Does he truly have the right to be part of the North? That should be judged by Northern standards!”

“Heh…”

The messenger let out a hollow laugh.

It was rare for warriors to laugh at each other during an important conversation, yet the messenger couldn’t hold back this time.

“…Are you laughing? Messenger, are you mocking me right now?”

“Warrior Brogar, you are mistaken.”

The messenger shook his head.

“The First Princess made the best possible decision, and no matter how harshly you apply the Northern standard, the Auditor will easily pass.”

Apparently, this explanation wasn’t enough, so he added the final nail.

“In the end, it means you won’t be able to stop the Auditor.”

“Hah!”

But Brogar burst into an even bigger laugh.

“I’ve heard that this time, the scouting team, including you, made a grave mistake. Because of you, the First Princess has suffered a defeat, hasn’t she?”

“…”

“You must have been quite incompetent in your assistance for something like that to happen. It seems your judgment has also become clouded, but we’ll see. The North needs a change.”

The messenger clicked his tongue.

“Enough with the personal attacks. What’s your point?”

“I will personally fight the Auditor.”

“You personally?”

“Yes, could there be anything fairer? If he’s stronger than me, he’ll deserve a place in the North.”

The messenger couldn’t hide his disdain.

“You’ve always looked at the First Princess with lustful eyes. It seems you’ve become quite obsessed. Your emotions appear heavily involved.”

“Emotions? What emotions? This is just tradition.”

It was nauseating to hear him talk about tradition.

How many honorable and respected warriors were there in the North? There were many who were both gentle and wise, fierce yet compassionate…

…But warriors like Brogar were always the problem.

“You will lose to the Auditor, warrior.”

“Now it seems you’re just hoping a Northern warrior will lose. Is this also betrayal?”

Sharp words flew back and forth between them.

“You can frame it however you like, but…”

The messenger paused for a moment.

Truthfully, what came next was the messenger’s own decision. He didn’t know if he could say this without the First Princess’s permission, but…

…He didn’t care. He had to follow what his heart told him.

“Brogar, how about we set some conditions?”

“Conditions?”

“It’s a fundamental principle of the North to respect every warrior’s opinion. But since you’re determined to push forward despite differing views, I suggest we at least add conditions.”

The messenger continued speaking calmly.

“If you, Brogar, win, I will resign as the messenger. I’ll give you all my authority.”

“…!”

The warriors’ eyes widened in shock.

The First Princess’s messenger held tremendous privileges.

Not only could he convey the First Princess’s will while adding his own opinions, but he was also one of her closest confidants. When she was absent, he could even act as an advisor.

He was declaring that he would give it all up.

“But if you lose, Brogar, you and everyone who sides with you must leave the North.”

“Oh?”

“I await your response.”

The warriors were greatly shaken. What they had thought would be a simple negotiation had grown into something much bigger.

“Is this okay…?”

“This is too hard for me to think about!”

“I just wanted the First Princess to be happy… but this has gotten way too big. I don’t know anymore.”

It was at that moment that Brogar spoke up.

“Very well. There’s no reason not to accept.”

“Brogar!”

Some warriors were shocked, but Brogar didn’t waver at all. Neither did the messenger.

“Understood. Then the duel…”

“Let’s have it today.”

“Yes. I’ll go inform them right away.”

The messenger quickly left. Once he was gone, the warriors began speaking to Brogar.

“Brogar, can you handle this?”

“Yeah! After all, it’s the First Princess’s choice…!”

“Shut up, all of you!”

Brogar shouted.

“…”

“Are you saying I’ll lose? Or are you saying the Northern way of judging is flawed?”

“…No, that’s not what we meant.”

“You brainless fools.”

Brogar clicked his tongue.

“With the Demon Realm’s situation looking unstable, the First Princess might turn her attention away from the North. If a warrior like me doesn’t keep the North firmly in check now, who will? And when?”

“Hmm…”

Of course, Brogar knew this as well.

‘I can’t guarantee victory.’

But there’s no such thing as a perfect opportunity in life.

What’s important was the desperation to seize even the smallest sliver of opportunity, something he had learned through his struggles.

‘This is my last chance to win over the First Princess.’

If he could prove that he was stronger than the man the First Princess had her eye on, wouldn’t she finally take an interest in Brogar? It was certainly possible.

‘I will win, no matter what!’

Brogar vowed to himself over and over again.