Skadi's Zeal
Skadi had been more enthusiastic than anyone else while the Wendigo absorbed the Origin.
She tended to people's health, helped those in need, and offered warm words to those struggling mentally. Her benevolent demeanor melted away their wariness in an instant.
"To think a shaman like Lady Skadi exists in this world. I've never met anyone so kind in my life."
"Not only is her heart pure, but her looks? Sure, she's a bit unusual, but no girl in the village can compare to Lady Skadi."
"If she's serving a spirit, it must be an incredible one, right?"
In a world where kind shamans were rare, Skadi had no shortage of admirers. Her unusual appearance wasn't a big issue for forest dwellers either. The forest they lived in left no room for such complaints.
It was a place teeming with beasts, poisonous plants, monsters, and evil spirits. Holding grudges against others in the forest was foolish. They barely had time to solve the problems right in front of them.
Naturally, people valued cooperation over discrimination, viewing prejudice as pointless nonsense. Once they judged Skadi by her essence rather than her looks and accepted her, something long buried in her heart began to stir!
"If you set up supports like this for these crops and plant this around them, they'll grow even healthier."
"When butchering a deer, focus around here—that's how you get the freshest meat~"
"Here, for pain, find this herb in the forest, mash it up well, and take it. Nothing works better!"
It was her craving for recognition. Like a fish in water, she darted everywhere, eager to show off her knowledge.
Skadi's childhood had been especially harsh. No matter what she did, praise never came. The villagers were too busy spitting curses starting with "That witch sold her soul to an evil spirit!" whenever she excelled.
Of course, Skadi had received praise before. At least her mother had recognized her talent and showered her with affection—it was only natural.
But Skadi's desires couldn't be sated by her mother's praise alone. She wanted more acclaim, more attention, more recognition!
"Lady Skadi, my mother hurt her finger—what herb should I use?"
"Eh, a little finger cut? Handle it yourself. Lady Skadi, there's this girl I like—any way to win her heart...? Gah!?"
"Fix your hygiene first, then ask. Lady Skadi! My question first!"
"Lady Skadi! Lady Skadi!!"
Aah, I'm so glad I met Lord Wendigo!
It took less than a month for people to treat her like the village sage once she fully unleashed her desires. One might wonder how an outsider could achieve that, but think about it.
A young woman appears out of nowhere, exorcises the evil spirit tormenting the village (strictly speaking, it was a spirit, and the Wendigo did the exorcism), shares precious herbs and knowledge to heal body and soul (they weren't that precious, and most was trivial info), and on top of that, she's beautiful? Unless your eyes were knots, it was only natural to see Skadi as extraordinary.
The only ones viewing her rationally were Geron and Hegilson...
"Chief, were our villagers always this dim?"
"Well, Skadi's happy, and so are the people. It's fine. And she is a good person."
"Yeah... I guess."
Even they shrugged it off as "good is good," and Skadi's presence grew like wildfire.
The final blow came when the Wendigo's new mysticism enriched the soil and bolstered crop health. For people whose survival hinged on that year's harvest, the Wendigo and Skadi commanded fanatical reverence!
"—and that's what happened!"
"Hmm, I see."
In the residence built for the Wendigo and Skadi, she sat across from him, recounting recent events. The Wendigo nodded awkwardly, reading her emotions.
Skadi tried to hide it, but with his heightened senses from absorbing the Origin, he read her clearly. He hadn't expected her to work this hard while he was unconscious.
It was commendable yet burdensome, leaving him with mixed feelings.
Scolding her feels wrong, but celebrating it is problematic too.
She'd done nothing wrong. Nothing... but he hadn't asked her to excel this much. Who knew Skadi had such talent for agitation—no, guidance?
The Wendigo gently stroked her hair. As Skadi smiled with her eyes, he gave in.
Fine. It's done. If I'd explained better, this wouldn't have happened.
Lord Wendigo praised me. This must be what he wanted!
Unaware he'd fueled her misunderstanding, the Wendigo spent the day as usual.
The Wendigo and Skadi decided to stay in the village.
They'd only recently acquired the mansion, but a residence had been built for him, and with her growing influence, leaving felt wrong.
Packing essentials and warding the grave with mysticism, they began village life.
Skadi was busy with gatherings and rituals, but the Wendigo had little to do. He mostly sat on his massive wooden throne, mediating disputes.
I don't love the rumor that I'll devour souls of wrongdoers, but...
With his appearance, what choice did he have? He shrugged it off.
As the Wendigo held the fort without incident and Skadi solved woes, the village quickly stabilized.
Geron noticed the change first and acted swiftly. He approached the Wendigo, mid-deer roast lunch, and bowed deeply.
"Spirit, you alone watch over this village. I wish to step down as chief!"
Even a glutton like the Wendigo couldn't enjoy his meal with such a sudden bow. Especially given the reason.
"You're not one for flattery, so this isn't nonsense. Don't you value the chief's position?"
"Not at all. What does it matter without you and Lady Skadi?"
The Wendigo read Geron's emotions. No lies, but expectation lingered. A con man would've gotten a shout and a flying roast, but Geron wasn't one.
In their short time together, the Wendigo had gauged him: a man who loved the village, thought flexibly, yet wasn't a pushover.
"You want something. Speak. What is it?"
"Yes. I wish to be steward of your residence."
The Wendigo mentally calculated and nodded. From Geron's view, it was reasonable.
With their arrival, his influence would wane inevitably. Better to give what he lost and gain loyalty.
"Steward" might sound lowly, but it wasn't for just anyone. Stewards worked hard but reaped rewards—perks from above, authority over below.
"I knew forest folk were brave, but their wisdom is no joke."
"No, how can my paltry wisdom compare to the forest incarnate of a millennium?"
I haven't lived a millennium.
The Wendigo swallowed the retort. Why tarnish Skadi's carefully crafted image with loose lips?
He stirred his mysticism, and a sword-shaped tree grew from the earth. It carved and twisted itself into a fine longsword.
"Take it. Wood at core, but tougher and sharper than most steel."
"!"
Geron bowed in awe and approached cautiously. Grasping the hilt, the sword reshaped to fit his hand perfectly.
He drew it, gaping at the extraordinary aura.
I wouldn't call myself a sword expert, but this is no ordinary blade.
The coppery blade gleamed menacingly. A wooden sword? Geron felt his faded warrior's soul ignite. He yearned to test it.
As he stared blankly, the Wendigo chuckled lowly.
"Ask Skadi about steward duties. I don't know that stuff."
"S-sorry. I got lost in the treasure you bestowed."
"No need. I felt bad taking your chief seat; seeing you happy eases that."
Loyalty surged in Geron's heart. How grateful those words! My past doubts were blasphemy. Bestowing such treasure without burden, even worrying for me—what mercy!
"I'll finish eating, so go."
"Yes! Thank you! Thank you!"
Geron left, beaming gratitude. The Wendigo resumed eating, ripping off a deer foreleg, slathering Skadi's secret sauce, and—
Knock knock knock.
"Great Spirit, Hegilson seeks audience. Shall I let him in?"
"...Send him."
The Wendigo sighed, setting down the leg. No hunger meant duty first.
If I were hungry, I could rationalize it.
"Oh dear, I didn't know you were eating, Spirit. Forgive me—next time for the report—"
"No need. I don't even feel hunger. Anyway, Hegilson, it's been a while."
Hegilson looked far sharper than their first meeting—muscle and flesh filled out, beard neatly trimmed, quite the heartthrob.
"Haha, running Skadi's errands everywhere left no time to show my face."
"Hm? Skadi's orders? What did she ask you?"
"You didn't know?"
Hegilson scratched his cheek. The Wendigo searched his memory—nothing.
"No idea. What command?"
"To visit allied villages and spread your great name. And boy, when I said a merciful spirit resided here, their faces—"
"Wait. What did Skadi tell you to do?"
The Wendigo covered his face, confused. His ears weren't failing him?
Hegilson boomed a laugh.
"Spread your great name!"
"Ah, damn. I heard right."
Discarding decorum, the Wendigo raked his skull and sighed.
I've reared a tiger!
Skadi was more passionate than he'd thought.