Southward, Further South (1)
Baekseol couldn't bear the throbbing in her head any longer.
"Advancing on the Empire? Is that really possible?"
"Winter is almost here! What in the world are you thinking...?"
"Even a slight delay means we won't prepare properly for winter, and we'll all die!"
The tribal chiefs had come to dissuade her upon hearing she planned to march south into the Empire. It was the same argument that had come up repeatedly in meetings. The same words over and over.
The Crui Tribe's political structure consisted of numerous chiefs under a single great chieftain. So it was only natural that all the other chiefs gathered at Baekseol's summons, as the great chieftain.
However, perhaps because the position she'd won in the sacred duel wasn't truly hers by her own strength, the existing chiefs' territorialism was fierce. This opposition was nothing more than a check on her power, opposition for opposition's sake.
"Enough."
Her words, as cold as the northern frost, silenced the chiefs who had been clamoring moments before. Even they didn't know why they'd shut their mouths. It was Baekseol's innate charisma.
"I've heard the chiefs' opinions well. Quite a few of you oppose attacking the Empire."
Baekseol surveyed the assembled chiefs. More than half opposed the war. Most of the dissenters were the group that had directly followed her father, the former great chieftain, Bendan Kru.
She had no intention of painstakingly persuading those who opposed her.
"If you don't want to follow me, stay behind."
She cut them off decisively.
"But if we break through the Empire's barrier and head south, those who didn't come now will regret it all."
"Why are you so confident of success? Raising an army in winter is a plan to kill all our families."
Baekseol snorted derisively.
"You still don't get it? Do you not know who made me the great chieftain?"
"......"
The other chiefs' gazes turned outside the tent. There stood the Empire's greatest mage, leisurely overlooking the village. Morris Dmitry.
"Do you really think it's impossible?"
Baekseol's smile held the edge of a sharp blade. No one could easily refute her.
Was it truly impossible? If Morris helped in earnest, wouldn't it be possible? Even the opposing chiefs began to sense the possibility.
"When do we begin?"
One of the more moderate chiefs asked.
"Three days should suffice, no?"
"Pardon? But gathering the forces and accounting for all the families would take more than that."
Crui Tribe wars always involved leading every tribe. They dismantled their villages and marched south with combatants and families alike. Children, elders, and women were among them. It was their nomadic battle tradition. If the warriors left the village empty, other tribes would raid from behind. So they moved their villages as close as possible to the battlefield. This time was no different. March south with families, then deploy forces from nearby battlegrounds. That was the Crui Tribe's basic tactic.
"No."
Baekseol shook her head.
"Leave all non-combatants in the village."
"Great Chieftain! That's madness! Abandoning our families?"
"Hear me out. Once we cross the barrier, we'll send a messenger. Then the garrisoned forces will bring the families south."
"......"
"Speed is key. We'll strike before the Empire's soldiers even hear the rumors and seize the barrier."
Some nodded, but opposition still overflowed.
"We can't abandon our families! I can't stand by for such idiocy!"
The older chiefs stormed out. Baekseol had no intention of stopping them. What mattered was leading those who followed her.
"So, what do the rest of you think?"
Confidence filled Baekseol's expression as she spoke.
"Is everything ready?"
"Hah, hah. Yes, I've ordered everyone to prepare, my lord. Tomorrow, ahhn! The warriors will assemble!"
Baekseol, impaled on my cock, shuddered violently. Her muscles clenched tight around me. I felt one orgasm ripple through her, then thrust my hips up to conquer her depths as she peaked.
"W-wait a moment! M-Morris, my lord! Haaang! I'm so sensitive right now... kuhk!"
"Is this your weak spot?"
I shifted position and plunged deep into her vulnerability.
"Kuhk! Eek! Th-there! N-nooo!"
Baekseol twisted and screamed. Her mouth said no, but her body gripped me harder.
"Your body doesn't lie. If you really hate it, pull yourself off. I won't stop you."
"Th-that's......"
Baekseol turned her flushed face away.
"You're so mean, my lord."
"Didn't you like it like this?"
"......Yes. But it's because it's you, ahhn! Morris, my lord—eek, that's what makes it good. Other men, haah haah, I wouldn't even glance at."
I stroked Baekseol's head as she clung to me, coquettishly.
The cold chieftain who had just commanded her subordinates so sternly was melting in my arms. It was a conquest few could feel.
"Well said. As a reward today, I'll give you what you deserve."
I explored her body endlessly. Each poke of my cock drew moan-like screams that echoed far.
"What if word spreads that the chieftain is a lustful nympho?"
"But I can't help it, hnnng! Kyaaak! It's too much. Hnnk!"
Baekseol gasped beneath me, continuing.
"And you like it when I moan so loud, haaang! Don't you, eek?"
"I won't deny it."
A stoic woman was one thing, but screams like she was being torn apart stirred my desires far more.
"The guards must pity themselves, hearing this every night."
"Let them hear! Haak! Any who dare eye the chieftain, kuhk, get executed!"
Tension gripped Baekseol's toes. Her eyes rolled back as I targeted her spot relentlessly. Soon she convulsed.
Squirttt!
"Kuuuhk!!"
She squirted grandly in climax. Her pussy clamped down hard, and I came deep inside her.
Afterward, I held her until she calmed, lying together. I felt her trembling for a long while.
"Haa, haa."
Her breath tickled my skin.
"Still feeling the aftershocks?"
"Yes...... It was so intense, my lord."
Her tongue lolled slightly, eyes glazed—she was still savoring the peak.
As she nestled against my chest, Baekseol asked.
"Do you have no plans to take a wife, my lord?"
Her upturned eyes sparkled.
"A wife...... You mean marriage?"
"Yes."
"Why do you ask?"
"By Crui Tribe custom, a chieftain must find a mate within three months of ascending......"
Meeting my eyes, Baekseol looked away.
"If you were inclined...... then...... be my mate......"
She fidgeted with her fingers against my body.
Marriage. Proposing by invoking Crui custom, no less.
"You seemed ready to smash every Crui custom, yet you cling to this one."
"W-well......"
Baekseol fidgeted, then lifted her head as if remembering something.
"The chiefs' backlash would be fierce too! I thought following some customs might be better."
"Is that so."
"We've shared our bodies so many times...... isn't that enough for a marital bond?"
I stroked her hesitant head.
"It's too early for such talk."
"Pardon?"
Disappointment crossed Baekseol's face.
"I still have much to resolve in the Empire. Once everything's settled, I'll consider your proposal seriously."
"R-right? Politically and externally......"
At my gentle refusal, other women who'd thrown themselves at Morris flashed in Baekseol's mind.
"Is it because of other women? The maids in that mansion...... or your former fiancée......"
Seria and Emir. Alluring women. But I wasn't sure what my feelings for them truly were. My heart raced whenever I saw them, my chest tightened, my mouth went dry. My gaze kept drifting to them. Even now, delaying my answer to Baekseol was because those two came to mind first.
"It's not because of them that I'm refusing your proposal."
I kissed her forehead.
"Don't be too disappointed."
Once I finished everything, I'd give her a clear answer.
"I'll await your reply."
"Good."
I kissed Baekseol's lips.
"Still raring to go?"
She touched my tented blanket.
"Next round, you up for it?"
"Probably...... yes."
And the moans echoed again.
The massive barrier dividing the Empire's northern border. It had been breached once by imperial rebels, but only because they opened the gates themselves. Never broken in true combat, it was a natural fortress.
I glanced at the barbarian horde following me.
"I heard you didn't bring the forces that refused to follow you. What if they attack the village?"
"The village won't be attacked. As long as my loyal warriors remain intact, they won't dare draw their blades."
"You sound confident of victory."
"Of course, my lord. With you by my side right now......"
Baekseol looked up at me.
She gazed with boundless trust.
"I must work hard not to betray that faith."
I had to repay such blind belief.
With my mask on, I soared high into the sky.