One Week Later
A week had passed since OneTon issued his one-sided threat. That was more than enough time for the people to settle into the village and begin integrating.
Wendigo faced them in the temple's meeting hall. Representatives from each tribe sat in chairs lined up along both sides, gazing up at him. As the massive Wendigo loomed over them with fierce, gleaming eyes, they swallowed hard.
If only he weren't so huge, maybe he wouldn't be so terrifying.
If his head weren't just bones... No, if it were a real deer's head, that'd be scary in its own way.
Fear and respect naturally showed in their demeanor. They looked up at Wendigo with unwavering posture.
Of course, Skadi, seated right beside him, took in the scene as well. She maintained a cool, shaman-like expression, but deep inside, she felt profound satisfaction.
That's the attitude you need to serve Lord Wendigo!
Skadi wasn't one to revel in superiority or discrimination, but she didn't deny that sometimes it was necessary. Depending on how you used it, superiority could become dignity, and discrimination could instill humility.
Of course, Wendigo didn't particularly like this atmosphere. It wasn't some sudden passion for democracy. He just thought such heavy vibes hampered efficiency.
The mood's too tense. Makes it hard to share ideas.
When the atmosphere was this stiff, people hesitated to voice their opinions. Wendigo beckoned to Geron, who stood at the back. Geron approached with measured steps.
"Is there something you need, my lord?"
"Does Skadi still have those herbs she gathered last time? She said they could be brewed into tea."
"Yes, we have quite a bit left, but..."
"Brew some tea with those. They've taken time out of their schedules to attend this meeting—we owe them at least that much."
"!"
The attendees' eyes widened. Serving tea was one thing, but herbs gathered by a shaman? One might wonder what the big deal was with mere herbs, but to them, it was significant. Anything belonging to a shaman held an air of mystery from a layperson's perspective. And herbs personally gathered by a shaman were never ordinary. They had to be rare and precious enough that even the shaman couldn't entrust the task to others!
To think he'd brew tea from such valuable herbs. What a spirit unlike any other.
If all spirits were like him, how wonderful that would be.
Their fear faded, replaced by growing goodwill. Even the toughest person—or spirit—would warm up if they felt cared for.
Wendigo sensed their shifting emotions, a faint prick of conscience nagging at him. He didn't even need to probe; their eyes told him everything.
...Truth is, those are the herbs people gathered for Skadi because she hates foraging.
No matter how important winning hearts was, it didn't justify wasting precious herbs. Squandering them on trivialities could leave them short in a real crisis. If Skadi hadn't stockpiled so many, Wendigo would have just ordered ordinary tea.
Geron, instantly grasping which herbs Wendigo meant, lit up with understanding.
I'll bring the right ones.
Thanks.
Wendigo replied in kind with a glance. Moments later, Geron returned with attendants and served the tea. The sweet scent of honey mingled with the sharp, herbal aroma. Those at the meeting sipped and gasped in admiration. Just one taste invigorated their bodies.
"Is it really alright for the likes of us to enjoy such fine tea?"
"Herbs will grow back with time, but you won't. To me, my allies are more precious than herbs, so it's fine."
"Lord Spirit!"
To them, it looked like a halo glowed behind Wendigo's head. The deer-skull-and-halo combo was admittedly bizarre, but that's how moved they were.
Once their hearts had sufficiently softened, Wendigo began.
"It's a happy time for all, so bringing this up feels off, but... there's something I must tell you."
"What is it? Has another demon appeared?"
"Why would a demon pop up out of nowhere?"
Wendigo couldn't help but voice his confusion at the mention of a demon. He'd never even encountered one—why bring it up now?
"Pardon? Didn't you lead us to exterminate the demon, Lord Spirit?"
"Fool, it was an earth dragon, not a demon."
"I heard it was a parasite..."
Was it the warm tea? Emboldened, they sipped and shared their recollections. Suddenly, Wendigo found himself cast as the slayer of a parasite-turned-earth-dragon-demon. As he pondered how to handle this, Skadi slammed the round table and snapped venomously.
"What are you doing in front of Lord Wendigo? Have you forgotten he's speaking?!"
"S-Sorry!"
"Ahem. Yeah, why bring up weird stuff?"
"No, that's really what we heard...!"
Skadi's icy glare silenced the man who'd mentioned the demon. One more word, and the shaman might kill him! Sensing mortal danger, he bowed his head frantically.
"Forgive me! I got carried away!"
"Demon or earth dragon—what does it matter? What's important is that we've united with a common purpose. I'm fine with it, so lift your head."
As the man raised his head in gratitude, Skadi clicked her tongue. Her uncharacteristically stern demeanor tensed everyone up. Disrespect Lord Wendigo in front of Skadi, and she'd make you pay!
Truth be told, I exaggerated the story—er, embellished it—so this is kinda my fault... Feels bad.
If he'd called it a wicked earth dragon from the start, no one would be getting scolded. Wendigo cleared his throat awkwardly to move past it.
"Anyway, let's continue. You all remember the wolf attack not long ago, right?"
"Yes, of course. Have you noticed any suspicious signs?"
Wendigo nodded at the question. Their faces turned grave as they began murmuring among themselves.
"The shaman I saw long ago said beasts roaming in winter were possessed by evil spirits."
"Idiot, it's spring now."
"It might feel like winter to southern wolves. The forest spring is harsher than their winter."
"True... that makes sense."
Silly talk, but Wendigo let it slide. Such chatter helped foster an atmosphere where ideas flowed freely. After listening briefly, he raised a hand to quiet them.
"Drawing varied inferences from your knowledge is a good attitude."
"Was one of our guesses right?"
"Sadly, no. The wolves were manipulated by a spirit from outside."
At "spirit," they scowled. Things were finally calming down—why had another spirit come stirring trouble?
"This is why spirits are..."
"They should stick to the bountiful south—why come to the forest?"
"Must be filthy greedy. My father said spirits are fiercer than starving wolves."
As they grumbled about spirits' villainy, Wendigo grew uneasy—not from guilt, but surprise at their intense animosity toward spirits. From their view, he was a spirit too, so he'd assumed some goodwill.
"Not the best time to say this, but... don't you see me as a spirit?"
"You are a spirit, Lord... but not like a spirit."
Everyone nodded in agreement. It wasn't wrong. He was a spirit... but not spirit-like. A spirit using power for others? They'd have dismissed it as nonsense without seeing it themselves.
Spirits' reputation is worse than I thought.
Without power, they'd have gone extinct long ago.
"Thanks for thinking well of me. Anyway, let me tell you about the spirit controlling the wolves."
Wendigo explained about OneTon. No embellishment was needed to stoke their rage—the mere mention of human sacrifice sufficed to darken their faces.
"Such an evil spirit exists?!"
"Spirits are evil by nature. Calm down."
"But there's a limit! Lord Spirit, we can't let him be!"
Wendigo nodded. Their fervent gazes fixed on him.
"Listen well. My plan is this."
On the eastern outskirts of the forest, where beastkin of various kinds had pitched tents to form a camp, OneTon lounged in the largest, most ornate one, devouring meat. But it wasn't ordinary meat...
"Still no human captures? Our numbers are too low..."
"...The tribesfolk aren't used to the forest—it'll take time."
"Tch... That's why I assigned you beasts specially."
OneTon glared at the wolfkin before him as he chewed and swallowed human flesh. Rektar, the young chieftain of the Blue Mane tribe and a wolfkin himself, shuddered under the thick killing intent grazing his neck, prostrating himself.
Damn spirit bastard...
Rektar swallowed his rage. He yearned to rebel against OneTon, but he couldn't.
Not out of fear. True warriors didn't fear spirits. Yet he couldn't draw his sword. OneTon knew why and sneered.
"Your father was an outstanding warrior and true wolf. Though he met his end by enemies' tricks, I still respect him."
"I'm my father's son and a wolf too! If you mean to mock me..."
"Then prove it to me. Like how your sire offered a beast's heart and glory to become a true wolf."
OneTon licked blood from his muzzle, mocking Rektar. Not out of disdain for him specifically—just his twisted nature. Rektar knew it but couldn't contain his fury. If this damned spirit lacked power, he'd have severed that head!
Once I gain enough strength, you'll be first to die!
Rektar ground his teeth and stormed out. OneTon watched, chuckling.
Fool. Think I don't know your thoughts?
Among notoriously wicked spirits, OneTon was born villainous. He'd backstabbed over ten shamans and spirits for mysticism. As the saying went, betrayers knew betrayal best—he saw Rektar as a backstabber.
He's useful for now... but once I have enough mysticism, I'll kill him and install a new puppet. Too bad he's not as dumb as his father.
Imagining Rektar's rage-fueled sword swing, OneTon pondered.
Time has passed. He must be getting complacent by now.
OneTon recalled the spirit he'd met days ago—naturally, Wendigo. He fully intended to stab Wendigo in the back, as if it were obvious. A handful of humans or not, OneTon was too greedy to hand them over easily.
Above all, there's still a way to extract mysticism from that spirit punk...
"Disaster!"
OneTon flinched. Rektar burst in urgently; OneTon glared. He'd been savoring pleasant fantasies—interrupted!
"To barge into my tent, it must be huge..."
"Our warriors are dead! The ones raiding the village were massacred by a giant wearing a deer skull!"
"...Did you say a giant with a deer skull?"
"Yes. Know him?"
OneTon trembled with rage. This backwoods runt spirit dared insult him!
"...Did a survivor bring this intel?"
"Yes. But do you know him?"
"Shut up! I'll tell you after hearing it—bring the survivor to me!"
As OneTon's aura flared savagely, Rektar cursed under his breath and exited. Alone, OneTon finally unleashed his fury. An enraged wolf's howl echoed across the vast plains.
