The Five Precepts

Wendigo had a rough estimate of how many people would be there, thanks to Skadi's stories. With the forest folk gathering and the Blue Mane tribe's warriors and their families joining in, it was bound to be a crowd. But Wendigo realized his prediction was way off.

"Ooooh! The spirit has awakened!"

"Skadi said he'd awaken if we prayed every day, and it was true!"

"The spirit truly exudes more dignity than the incarnations of the forest!"

A number far exceeding Wendigo's expectations erupted in awe upon seeing him. Wendigo cleared his throat as he surveyed the crowd.

"Ahem."

"The spirit speaks! All of you, bow your heads and pay your respects!"

"......"

He'd coughed out of nerves from speaking before so many people after so long, but one man shouted and dropped to his knees, and the others followed suit. It was a fairly burdensome situation, but Wendigo didn't panic. This wasn't his first time.

The key here is choosing the right image to project.

Why did spirits always carry themselves with such arrogance? Was it just their nature to look down on others?

That's not entirely wrong, but the arrogance of the capable becomes solemnity.

Most kings were arrogant, but few saw it as a flaw. They had the ability and bloodline to justify it. Without that, their heads would have rolled long ago, and usurpers would have claimed their crowns. It was only natural.

Spirits weren't much different. They were born with every qualification for arrogance, so it would be stranger if they weren't.

Being solemn will certainly make life easier going forward.

It varied by person, but few liked working with someone rigidly solemn. Just being around them could feel suffocating—who would enjoy that? With the number of beings he'd have to rule growing, showing a solemn face to keep trivial matters at bay seemed wise, but...

You can't just fake solemnity on a whim.

True solemnity required a baseline of arrogance. Thinking of arrogance paired with "spirit" brought to mind the boar, the parasite, and that wolf bastard. By this world's standards, he'd need to match those three to hear, "Ah, our spirit is quite arrogant!" But that was impossible.

Better to stick with his usual kindly demeanor, even if it was a bit more hassle.

"Sp-spirit, have we been rude in some way?"

"Hm?"

A warrior who had been bowing politely peeked up and asked. Wendigo snapped back to reality. It suddenly hit him how tiring it was to kneel and bow like that. Especially on hard dirt—no cushioning at all.

Sensing worry and anxiety rippling through the crowd, Wendigo blurted an excuse.

"Forgive me. Seeing so many who believe in me and follow me, even knowing I'm a spirit... it made me reflect on how fortunate I am, and I couldn't speak."

"!!!"

The people, who had been holding their breath in prostration, startled and exchanged glances. Hadn't the spirit just said he was moved?

Is he truly different from ordinary spirits?

Granting warriors clemency out of respect for their honor wasn't an act after all!

Those who'd been with Wendigo from the start had loyalty as deep-rooted as ancient trees, but the latecomers didn't. Some had joined under duress after OneTon's attack, and the Blue Mane tribe had little choice. Wendigo's words softened their distrust, but didn't erase it.

Anyone can say pretty words. Even a spirit.

We still don't know. Better to stay cautious...

While others buzzed with excitement, the skeptical ones bowed even lower. A spirit of Wendigo's caliber would spot any hint of attitude or expression, so they aimed for maximum deference. But their efforts were in vain.

Wendigo caught the scent of doubt and clicked his tongue inwardly.

Winning hearts takes more than this.

What was needed now was performance. Wendigo turned to Skadi, who looked immensely proud despite her straight face.

He pointed to the ice prison behind him and asked her, "Skadi. I heard you relocated the village around this ice prison. Is that right?"

"Yes. We kept the old village for its fertile soil as farmland and arranged the new settlement radiating out from here. We also built your residence larger than before."

"So this will be the heart of the forest folk from now on?"

"Unless you decide to move elsewhere? And..."

"?"

Skadi glanced at the crowd, then gestured for Wendigo to lean down. He did, and she whispered into what she assumed was his ear.

"Just in case, I laid out the village a bit loosely. If it clumped too much, you might not be able to move around freely."

"...That far?"

"No matter how loyal the people, if you can't enjoy it, it's putting the cart before the horse."

His senses had dulled ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as the village grew, but she'd considered even that? Wendigo nodded, impressed by Skadi's thoroughness. If her words held, this place would become the people's center.

Wendigo uprooted the ice pillar from the ground and brought his claw to its center. He began carving letters one by one, and the people watched in silence.

Wendigo finished the fifth and withdrew his claw. The people stared at the inscribed pillar in confusion. What on earth was this?

"It would be a lie to say I expect nothing from you. But demanding too much would be my failing."

"No such thing! Whatever you desire, we—mmph!"

Skadi reflexively opened her mouth at Wendigo's words, but he hurriedly clamped it shut with his hand. She mumbled something into his hide, but he ignored her and continued.

"I don't know human laws, but I know there are things that must be upheld. Do you see what's written here?"

"Yes, we see it, but..."

The people nodded. The letters on the ice pillar gleamed in sharp blue, impossible to ignore.

"I swear to protect you if you uphold these five... no, precepts."

The people gasped at Wendigo's oath. To them, the precepts seemed simple—no great hardship. Just be good and don't harm others. And for that, he'd swear protection!

The lingering distrust crumbled under the weight of a spirit's vow, replaced by hot fervor. Filled with respect, awe, and faith, they cheered so loudly the forest shook.

Amid the heat, Wendigo judged coolly.

Ruling people requires no fancy rules—just enforcing the basics.

People thought rulers governed with profound wisdom, but it wasn't. What mattered was a baseline of peace where even lax rule worked. Most problems had solutions if chaos was avoided.

Besides, he'd promised protection for following the precepts—taxes and labor were separate.

Taxes won't be much, but genuine tribute should roll in.

Wendigo smirked inwardly at his own cunning.

...In truth, even blunt demands would have earned gratitude for his graces. In a world where knights and nobles plundered rather than protected, mere safeguarding was a boon! And his envisioned taxes weren't excessive anyway. He'd have regretted overthinking it.

Apart from Wendigo's petty politicking, the forest underwent massive change. A central hub had formed.

Rumors drew forest folk who joined in shock, swelling Wendigo's tribe naturally. And thanks to that—or because of it—what he'd hoped for came true.

Wendigo shivered at the feast before him. Soups of grains and meats, sauced lamb, oil-grilled vegetables, honeyed fruits, a whole roasted pig. Saliva flooded his mouth.

To enjoy such luxury weekly! Wendigo gulped a massive bowl of soup tailored to his size and muttered, "This is why power's great."

"...Spirit, you could indulge more."

Geron, attending him, offered advice with a troubled look. Given the tribe's size, Wendigo was too... frugal. Clothes and weapons were useless to him anyway, but meals could be lavish. Piles of grains and game were offered daily. With protection and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fertile land gifted, who wouldn't?

Unaware of Geron's wish for more extravagance, Wendigo advised, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠"Geron. Even with power, overworking underlings risks losing it. Power crumbles from below."

"No, not overworking... Never mind."

Geron gave up telling the truth. Wendigo would just say "Better safe than sorry," stifling him. He changed the subject.

"More importantly, any big changes after defeating the wolf spirit? Skadi said you gained new power."

"Hm... It's ambiguous."

Wendigo chewed and swallowed several fruits at once.

OneTon's Origin was ferocity. And ferocity was... more abstract than expected. No wonder OneTon excelled at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠shamanism.

Fattening beasts, strengthening them, wielding the power of myriad beasts...

An awkward power to use.

Yes, OneTon's Origin was truly vague. Clones for battle were far more useful than buffing beasts.

Beast power might boost strength, but Wendigo had never met stronger foes.

The wolf's gifts are mostly shamanic techniques...

Shared vision and clones were handy, but falling short of expectations left him a bit disappointed.

"Spirit. A messenger arrived in haste. May I enter?"

Mid-lamb savoring, a polite voice called from outside the hall. Wendigo waved, and Geron nodded, approaching the door.

"The spirit permits it. Open the door!"

Guards swung it open, and a man entered. Wendigo recognized him instantly: Lefnil. Small and weak but sharp, Skadi's attendant.

Lefnil bowed to Geron, presented the dispatch, then retreated bowing. Geron unrolled the hide and checked it.

"What does it say?"

"Well..."

Geron trailed off, stunned. Unusual for the decisive man, piquing Wendigo's curiosity. What could it be?

"No matter how absurd, I'll laugh it off. Speak."

"Yes. A herd of musk deer has settled in the village."

"What nonsense... Wait."

Wendigo nearly bristled but caught himself. If true, the cause was undoubtedly him.

Everything has a reason. This too.

He shot up to check but paused, something nagging. Geron approached cautiously.

"What's wrong? If a problem arises, we'll prepare—"

"No. I was debating leaving food behind."

"...They're not threatening or rampaging, so you could finish eating first."

"Good."

Wendigo sat and inhaled food rapidly. Geron closed his eyes, sighing inwardly. For all his respect and awe at this benevolent lord...

Sometimes, a touch of dignity would be nice...

Maintaining reverence after such a display wasn't easy. Geron strove on today as well.