Chapter 55
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Northern Expedition - 4
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"Oh no..."
The black iron axe known as the First Fang was a treasure to the Fang Tribe, practically priceless. And I'd smashed it to pieces. Beyond any hope of repair.
"Th-this can't be..."
Vivian's father, the chief of the Fang Tribe, was visibly distraught. Tears like chicken droppings welled up in his eyes, betraying his deep sense of loss.
"You've caused quite the incident."
"Camilla, you seem to enjoy poking at me a little too much."
"Just your imagination."
I wanted to throttle Camilla for her nonstop jabs from the sidelines, but dealing with the mess came first.
I approached the chief and offered a cautious apology.
"Sorry about that. I didn't mean to destroy it."
"N-no, Great Warrior. It must mean your prowess is that extraordinary."
Sudden formal speech?
And what's this Great Warrior business?
"The warrior who succeeds the most times is called the Great Warrior and becomes the tribe's leader."
"I... see."
Vivian chimed in with an unprompted explanation, and I nodded along, convinced. Still, letting it slide like this pricked at my conscience a bit. A curse or two might ease my guilt, but the chief looked too broken for even that.
"My lord, the First Fang now belongs to you."
"Why?"
"By our rules, the tribe's greatest Great Warrior gains the right to own the First Fang."
"Didn't you say the previous top warrior died because of it?"
Vivian dodged my question. Her evasive look left me puzzled, but I wasn't one to turn down a gift.
The Fang Tribe's treasure, the First Fang, had its blade utterly shattered, but the shaft remained intact. With some polishing, it could serve as a spear.
"Fine, if you're giving it, I'll take it. That's only polite."
"......"
And just like that, I had a new weapon. Broken as it was, it was the perfect unlimited-use javelin for me.
...
As dusk fell, we decided to spend the night in the Fang Tribe's temporary camp.
"A proper bed after so long."
"Phew... finally, sleep."
The knights, deprived of real rest while crossing the snowfields, collapsed the moment they lay down.
"Clara, can't sleep?"
"Yeah, it's a bit uncomfortable."
Compared to the beds back home, the sleeping arrangements the Fang Tribe provided weren't great. The small tents could barely fit two or three people. Considering their circumstances, though, it was generous enough.
"Want me to fix up the bedding?"
"It's not that. I just have some things on my mind... I'm gonna step out for some air."
"Sure, go ahead."
Clara headed outside, clearly troubled by something. I wanted to follow, but she seemed to want space, so I let her be.
Left alone in the tent with nothing to do, I was drifting off to sleep when...
"Sian, you awake?"
Sylvia visited my tent.
"Yeah, what's up?"
"Can I come in?"
"Of course."
With my permission, Sylvia slipped inside. Then she shed her outer clothes, and... something seemed off?
"Sylvia, those clothes?"
"Hee hee, Northern tribesfolk traditional underwear, apparently."
Underwear? Way too revealing for that.
It was like wearing a thin sheet of ice—practically see-through.
"Pretty unique, right? Made from the pupal silk of snowflower butterflies, only found up north."
"Not unique. It's turning me on."
"Hee hee, good. Vivian, come on in."
"???"
Sylvia fetched Vivian from outside the tent flap. Vivian stripped off her outer layer too, revealing the same translucent underwear.
"Vivian?"
As I blinked in surprise, Sylvia translated for her.
"Tribe rules say she has to marry the man who beats her. And since you passed the tribe's trial, the chief officially approved."
"There's a rule like that?"
"Didn't know? If Vivian says so, it must be true."
Living in such harsh lands shaped their culture differently. Brutally primal.
"So, you don't want her?"
"Not that, but..."
No man turns down a beauty.
Vivian might not match my other women in looks, but she had that raw, feral charm unique to Northern tribeswomen.
"Even if it's tribe rules, marrying a man she doesn't love would be sad for her."
"Doesn't seem like it. She says a strong man like you is her type."
"I'm honored... But why'd you come along, Sylvia?"
"Hee hee, she needs a translator."
Or did you just want to?
Coming in underwear like that screams it.
"Clara was supposed to join too, but she didn't want to."
"Ah, that's why she was upset earlier."
Most women hate threesomes or more.
Shame, wanting to focus on their man alone.
Not to mention sharing with your own mom feels off.
"So, what do you want to do, Sian?"
"Well... obviously, I want to."
My family was growing, responsibilities piling up, but I didn't mind.
I could support them, and the male instinct to claim a woman who likes me was too strong.
"Hee hee, knew it."
Satisfied with my answer, Sylvia whispered to Vivian in the Northern tongue before switching to imperial.
"Vivian, do it like I taught you."
"My lord."
Vivian spoke halting imperial with resolute tone.
"I... love... you."
?!!
It touched me.
Imperial's tough to learn, yet she'd worked hard to confess to me.
Maybe soon we'd have real conversations.
Brimming with anticipation, I pulled Vivian into an embrace and whispered in her ear.
"I love you too."
Then we kissed.
...
Females crave strong males. An instinct etched into survival-driven genes. Humans are no exception.
Unlike beasts, though, social humans dilute it within societal bounds.
Northern tribesfolk, thriving in the wilds, embraced it fully.
Women sought men strong enough to protect them and their young. Men yearned to pass superior genes.
Instinct demanded it.
Survival favored it.
Vivian was no different.
She wanted a strong man. Stronger than her, one who could sire the tribe's Great Warrior.
To her, Sian was the perfect mate.
She hadn't shown it, but she'd fallen for him at first sight during their mistaken duel.
Casually hurling logs, fists quaking the earth like mini-earthquakes—his physical prowess. And his quick wit adapting to the tribe's unfamiliar weapon.
His seed would surely produce the ultimate Great Warrior. She was certain.
But bedding him had hurdles. Language barrier for one. And he already had multiple women.
All beauties, even by her eyes. Could a wild Northern girl like her compete?
Comfort: Sian was a scoundrel who even took his mother-in-law.
She consulted Sylvia, the one she could talk to. How to bed Sian?
"So, you want to do it with Sian?"
"...Yeah."
Sylvia helped eagerly, earning Vivian's gratitude.
Old enough to be a mother, but in this raider village where no one spoke her tongue, Sylvia was her sole compatriot—and kind friend.
Plus, the Ice Flower Tribe's signature youthful beauty helped.
That was her mistake.
"Right, deep breaths while taking Sian's thing."
"W-wait... like this?"
"Too tense. Relax your body."
"Urk..."
Under the guise of helping the virgin Vivian, Sylvia joined the bed.
Vivian had accepted Sylvia's claim of a family rule requiring first times with an elder, but now sensed her stealing the show.
"Haa... no helping it. Vivian, let big sis demonstrate."
"....."
For reference, Vivian was 24, just two years older than Sylvia's eldest, Clara.
...
After kissing Vivian, I took it slow, mindful of her virginity, caressing gently.
But she was so tense, no wetness came, making entry impossible.
Forcing it would hurt her, scar her.
Normally, sweet talk and bonding eases tension, but language blocked that.
No matter what I said, Vivian just panicked, helpless.
Sylvia came to our rescue.
"Sian, Vivian's way too nervous."
"Yeah."
"Let's do it first, show her how."
"Huh?"
Demonstrate?
That's a high bar, mother-in-law...
"She's a total virgin, clueless about men. Best for big sis to demo and loosen her up."
"Makes sense."
"Big sis" threw me, but I approached Sylvia to start with her.
"Alright, Sian."
Sylvia got on all fours like a bitch in heat, arching her waist into a graceful curve.
"Ravish me all you want♥"