Chapter 154: Barbarian Chief (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 154: Barbarian Chief (6)
The chieftain had an ax clutched in his hand, the same ax that had cut off the head of the man next to me at my coming-of-age ceremony.
"Teaching them to kill humans instead of monsters to earn money. Do you think this is the way of a warrior?"
My heated head cooled down. This was unexpected. I thought I might have to face this someday, but I didn't know it would be today. I calmly caught my breath and made a snap judgment. I could: 1) admit I was wrong and apologize, or 2) come up with excuses. But I immediately dismissed both options from my mind. I knew what kind of race barbarians were. Even if an option seemed easier and more reasonable to the average person, I couldn't get this wrong. There was only one way through this.
"Chieftain, this is what you should have done."
Just collide with the problem headfirst like a barbarian.
"...That's funny." The chieftain's mouth twisted. "Tell me, what do you mean?"
It felt like the moment I opened my mouth, that ax would swing. But I proudly straightened my shoulders. What was wrong only became wrong when you admitted it was wrong. But what if you didn't? Then it became a conviction. Whatever the crux of it was, there was a possibility I could package this like that, which was exactly what I needed to do.
"It is as I said. What I did today was something you should have done a long time ago!" On behalf of a cause, rather than self-interest, I raised my voice in front of the chieftain instead of giving in. I decided that the safest route would be an angry outburst where I pleaded for the future of the tribe as a young warrior concerned for his people, because the chieftain cared about warriors. "Chieftain! Do you know how many are dying in the labyrinth every month?"
"You cannot become a warrior if you are afraid of death."
This was now a clash of different values.
"Bjorn, son of Yandel, you should know that the only warriors who become strong are the ones who are able to survive." Still, believing my actions were truly for the sake of the tribe, the chieftain's voice softened a bit. But stopping here would get us nowhere.
"Only the warriors who survive become stronger?" I asked.
"You are proof of that!"
He was not wrong. Half of the barbarians died on their first trip into the labyrinth, then another half the next time. By the time half a year had passed since the coming-of-age ceremony, a total of 90 percent of the barbarians in that age group were dead. It was a demented system that was difficult to even call survival of the fittest. To survive it, you had to be strong even if you didn't want to be.
"Chieftain, did this many die when you first became a warrior?"
"No, they didn't."
That was what I thought. It was not that I had particularly studied up on records, but if this trend had lasted even ten years, the barbarians wouldn't have even been able to afford to hand out weapons at the coming-of-age ceremonies.
"Then is it because we are weaker than they that so many are dying? Chieftain, do you really think that?"
"That is... also not true." He could've avoided saying anything that damaged his argument, but the chieftain just answered my questions honestly. Well, he was probably also well aware of the actual reason behind our current state of affairs.
"In the labyrinth, there are monsters in human skin. They treat us like goblins. Why do you think that is?"
"Wizards take our hearts—"
I sternly cut him off. "No! Because you didn't do anything!"
If it had been any other race being targeted like this, they would have asked the royal family to make a law to prevent the trade of hearts. Of course, the failure to do so could have been because our race was weak. But our chieftain hadn't even made the slightest effort, instead using the tradition of survival of the fittest as a shield. He just watched as we all raced to the bottom.
"You should have at least warned them about the dangers! You should have told them what kinds of monsters lurk in the labyrinth and how to deal with them so they could prepare!"
"This is a tradition passed down from the time of our distant ancestors. I cannot change—"
"Our ancestors wanted us to be strong!"
There was no way to interpret the chieftain's decision as wise. There was no animal anywhere in the vast expanse of nature that chose to die. They all chose evolution and to adapt to their new environment. However, the chieftain had failed to do the obvious.
"Chieftain! Look at us now! In the labyrinth, we've become prey as easy to hunt as goblins because we have been taught that only monsters are our enemies! But you say our ancestors wanted this?"
"...Calm yourself."
"If I were you, I would have at least sent our people off with a pair of leather boots. And given them a pouch to hold mana stones. And taught them how to use a compass in advance—"
"Didn't I tell you to calm down!?"
Oh, did I cross the line a bit? The cry of the tribal chieftain who had been beaten with facts by a warrior less than a year old shook the forest.
It seemed his rage was skyrocketing because he couldn't refute me with logic, but he also didn't want to sit back and listen quietly. "Spit it out!" he demanded. "What do you want to say?"
"If you don't do it right..." I gulped before delivering my last line. "I will do it, Chieftain."
For myself, and for the barbarian race.
After I finished proudly expressing my aspirations, the chieftain did not speak for a long time. He just stared at me like he was mulling over what I had said. Then, out of nowhere, he swung the axe.
In an instant, I moved back to dodge it. Then, using Giantization, I reached out and grabbed the axe, and a power struggle began.
It was a landslide victory for the chieftain. My large body of well over ten feet was promptly suspended from the axe and dangled in the air. So, I dropped the axe and charged at him. Then I thrust my fist into the chieftain's face. However, I did not feel the usual satisfying jolt run through my hand, and when I came to my senses, I saw the chieftain's large fist appear right in front of my eyes. That was the last thing I remembered.
...So I must be in the chieftain's tent.
Once I calmly finished piecing together what had happened, I slowly opened my eyes. As expected, I was in a tent, and I could see the chieftain.
"You woke up fast."
"...Chieftain, your nose is inside your face."
"So is yours."
Really? No wonder I couldn't breathe well. I could taste a bit of blood in my spit too. I opened my backpack next to the bed, took out a bottle of potion, took a few sips, and handed the rest to the chieftain. "You drink too."
"...It's fine. Why waste a potion? If I leave it, it will be better by tomorrow."
Well, if you say so.
I sternly cut him off. "No! Because you didn't do anything!"
If it had been any other race being targeted like this, they would have asked the royal family to make a law to prevent the trade of hearts. Of course, the failure to do so could have been because our race was weak. But our chieftain hadn't even made the slightest effort, instead using the tradition of survival of the fittest as a shield. He just watched as we all raced to the bottom.
"You should have at least warned them about the dangers! You should have told them what kinds of monsters lurk in the labyrinth and how to deal with them so they could prepare!"
"This is a tradition passed down from the time of our distant ancestors. I cannot change—"
"Our ancestors wanted us to be strong!"
There was no way to interpret the chieftain's decision as wise. There was no animal anywhere in the vast expanse of nature that chose to die. They all chose evolution and to adapt to their new environment. However, the chieftain had failed to do the obvious.
"Chieftain! Look at us now! In the labyrinth, we've become prey as easy to hunt as goblins because we have been taught that only monsters are our enemies! But you say our ancestors wanted this?"
"...Calm yourself."
"If I were you, I would have at least sent our people off with a pair of leather boots. And given them a pouch to hold mana stones. And taught them how to use a compass in advance—"
"Didn't I tell you to calm down!?"
Oh, did I cross the line a bit? The cry of the tribal chieftain who had been beaten with facts by a warrior less than a year old shook the forest.
It seemed his rage was skyrocketing because he couldn't refute me with logic, but he also didn't want to sit back and listen quietly. "Spit it out!" he demanded. "What do you want to say?"
"If you don't do it right..." I gulped before delivering my last line. "I will do it, Chieftain."
For myself, and for the barbarian race.
After I finished proudly expressing my aspirations, the chieftain did not speak for a long time. He just stared at me like he was mulling over what I had said. Then, out of nowhere, he swung the axe.
In an instant, I moved back to dodge it. Then, using Giantization, I reached out and grabbed the axe, and a power struggle began.
It was a landslide victory for the chieftain. My large body of well over ten feet was promptly suspended from the axe and dangled in the air. So, I dropped the axe and charged at him. Then I thrust my fist into the chieftain's face. However, I did not feel the usual satisfying jolt run through my hand, and when I came to my senses, I saw the chieftain's large fist appear right in front of my eyes. That was the last thing I remembered.
...So I must be in the chieftain's tent.
Once I calmly finished piecing together what had happened, I slowly opened my eyes. As expected, I was in a tent, and I could see the chieftain.
"You woke up fast."
"...Chieftain, your nose is inside your face."
"So is yours."
Really? No wonder I couldn't breathe well. I could taste a bit of blood in my spit too. I opened my backpack next to the bed, took out a bottle of potion, took a few sips, and handed the rest to the chieftain. "You drink too."
"...It's fine. Why waste a potion? If I leave it, it will be better by tomorrow."
Well, if you say so.
After roughly popping my nose back in place with my hand, I swiped at the pooled blood like I was blowing my nose and wiped it on the bed. Then I got straight to the point. First, the most pressing matter I had to address. "Are you done being angry?"
"...I wasn't angry to begin with."
"Then why?"
"You were a little cocky, so I just felt like hitting you."
Um, the rest of the world would call that being angry. Anyway, I didn't have to say anything else because I could sense that his anger was gone now. There were other important matters to deal with.
Good thing that went well.
I had declared that I would become the tribe's chieftain in front of the tribe's chieftain. It wasn't that I had just blurted the words out impulsively, either. I had just wagered that the chieftain wouldn't kill me over something like this.
"Do you covet my position that much?"
"Yes." Ambition and aspirations were nothing for a barbarian to be ashamed of—all the more so if conviction and a noble cause were mixed in with them.
"As expected, you are different from the other warriors."
"What do you mean?"
"Other warriors have wanted the position of tribal leader for the sake of honor. But you are only focused on our tribe."
Fortunately, I didn't think he suspected me of being an evil spirit. It seemed the chieftain didn't actually hate this side of me, either. I was sure that if I hadn't argued with him so much, I wouldn't have been beaten up at all.
Anyway, the chieftain had some excuses to make, too. He brought up something a little out of the blue. "If I had to compare, you're similar to the last chieftain. If it were for the tribe, he always went out of his way. Do you know what happened afterward?"
"Are you talking about the War of Sacred Relics?"
"Yes."
The War of Sacred Relics was the name given to the war we fought with the elves ten years ago, a tragedy that had started when a barbarian picked up a holy relic belonging to the elven tribe in the labyrinth by coincidence. The elves arrested and interrogated the barbarian who took the relic, and the barbarian stubbornly resisted their methods and died.
"Before the royal family interceded, we fought against the elves for over a year. The previous chieftain also died in that battle."
The War of Sacred Relics was the biggest reason behind the barbarian's declining authority. Countless warriors who were supposed to lead the next generation had died. To add to that, the Magic Tower announced right after that barbarian hearts were valuable magical ingredients.
"We even met with the lord of the Tower, but they just asked why they should have to give up on magical ingredients for us."
Wow, so they didn't just sit back and take it.
"But we couldn't wage a war against the Magic Tower."
"So, like I said—"
"Yes, I'm sure things would have been better than they are now if I had taught the young warriors the dangers you spoke of."
"What?"
When I flinched in surprise, the chieftain chuckled. "But you're still young, warrior. What you've done was instill hatred toward humans in the young warriors."
"They are plunderers, not human beings."
"If you really believe that distinction can be made, then I pegged you wrong."
After roughly popping my nose back in place with my hand, I swiped at the pooled blood like I was blowing my nose and wiped it on the bed. Then I got straight to the point. First, the most pressing matter I had to address. "Are you done being angry?"
"...I wasn't angry to begin with."
"Then why?"
"You were a little cocky, so I just felt like hitting you."
Um, the rest of the world would call that being angry. Anyway, I didn't have to say anything else because I could sense that his anger was gone now. There were other important matters to deal with.
Good thing that went well.
I had declared that I would become the tribe's chieftain in front of the tribe's chieftain. It wasn't that I had just blurted the words out impulsively, either. I had just wagered that the chieftain wouldn't kill me over something like this.
"Do you covet my position that much?"
"Yes." Ambition and aspirations were nothing for a barbarian to be ashamed of—all the more so if conviction and a noble cause were mixed in with them.
"As expected, you are different from the other warriors."
"What do you mean?"
"Other warriors have wanted the position of tribal leader for the sake of honor. But you are only focused on our tribe."
Fortunately, I didn't think he suspected me of being an evil spirit. It seemed the chieftain didn't actually hate this side of me, either. I was sure that if I hadn't argued with him so much, I wouldn't have been beaten up at all.
Anyway, the chieftain had some excuses to make, too. He brought up something a little out of the blue. "If I had to compare, you're similar to the last chieftain. If it were for the tribe, he always went out of his way. Do you know what happened afterward?"
"Are you talking about the War of Sacred Relics?"
"Yes."
The War of Sacred Relics was the name given to the war we fought with the elves ten years ago, a tragedy that had started when a barbarian picked up a holy relic belonging to the elven tribe in the labyrinth by coincidence. The elves arrested and interrogated the barbarian who took the relic, and the barbarian stubbornly resisted their methods and died.
"Before the royal family interceded, we fought against the elves for over a year. The previous chieftain also died in that battle."
The War of Sacred Relics was the biggest reason behind the barbarian's declining authority. Countless warriors who were supposed to lead the next generation had died. To add to that, the Magic Tower announced right after that barbarian hearts were valuable magical ingredients.
"We even met with the lord of the Tower, but they just asked why they should have to give up on magical ingredients for us."
Wow, so they didn't just sit back and take it.
"But we couldn't wage a war against the Magic Tower."
"So, like I said—"
"Yes, I'm sure things would have been better than they are now if I had taught the young warriors the dangers you spoke of."
"What?"
When I flinched in surprise, the chieftain chuckled. "But you're still young, warrior. What you've done was instill hatred toward humans in the young warriors."
"They are plunderers, not human beings."
"If you really believe that distinction can be made, then I pegged you wrong."
"...But why can't we hate humans?" I asked out of pure curiosity.
The chief paused for a moment, then answered. "Because if we hate them, we have nowhere to live."
"You are afraid of the Rafdonian monarchy." It was not that I didn't understand. I knew very well how great the power of the royal family was.
However, the chieftain just muttered bitterly, almost to himself. "There is no living being in this world who is not afraid of him. If there comes a day that you meet him, you will understand."
It was almost as if it wasn't the army under the royal family that he was afraid of, but the king himself.
After that, he cut the conversation short.
"I'll forgive you for teaching the warriors about plunderers. But if you go any further, I won't sit idly by. Do not let the warriors harbor a deep hatred toward humans."
He hadn't chosen me as his successor, but he acknowledged my ambition and would tolerate it even if I increased my influence within the tribe. I had received a warning to stay in my lane, but this was a boon I would not have been given if I had admitted my mistakes or made excuses.
"If you want my position, become stronger, warrior. And prove you are worthy. I will watch over you. Oh, and one more thing. Your fist is quite strong."
Look who was talking. With that parting compliment from the chieftain, I left the tent. The sun was setting beyond the castle walls, and the area around the tents was filled with barbarians. Everyone was staring at me, from the baby barbarians to even the elders, who must have been fairly good fighters in their youth.
"You're all right."
"I heard the chieftain has a bloody nose..."
"Then does that mean...?"
Upon seeing me return alive and well from the tent, they radiated deep curiosity. I merely adjusted my backpack and walked through them. They watched but did not approach me. Apparently, they thought I'd earned the chieftain's ire.
A few steps later, Ainar came up to me. "Bjorn! Are you okay?! I heard you fought with the chieftain!"
"Ah, I am fine."
"So what happened? I heard that you declared that you would become the tribe's chieftain?"
The moment Ainar asked this straightforward question, about a hundred barbarians' ears perked up at the same time. It would be impossible for me to just slip away from here.
So I smiled and replied. "He told me to get stronger and prove my worth."
Immediately, a buzz filled the clearing. Some were surprised, and some said it would be impossible even for me. There were also those who had surprisingly realistic reactions and said that it would take several years. The chieftain probably thought the same way.
"And? Bjorn, what did you answer?"
At the time, I answered, "That it won't take long."
***
On the way back to the city with Ainar, we ran into Kharon. I drilled firmly into his head that he shouldn't teach the baby barbarians to hate humans too much.
"B-But! Didn't you say that humans are our enemies?"
"Not everyone is an enemy." I was pretty much going against my own advice, but when I told him about Dwalkie, Kharon agreed.
"A noble man even among humans... Can I tell this story to the other warriors?"
"About Dwalkie?"
"It will be a very good example! We love warriors like him!"
"Didn't you hear me? He was a wizard, not a warrior."
"Haha! You say strange things. He fought to the death to protect your teammates. How is he not a warrior?"
Well, I had nothing to say to that. I just ended the argument and conversation there. "Then I'll be going now."
"Okay! See you next time, Bjorn, son of Yandel! The great warrior who will lead us in the future!"
Somehow, it felt like my title had gotten longer.
Still, I guess this worked out well.
I decided not to bother with the issue of robbing plunderers. The chieftain was only concerned about hatred for humans escalating—he told me that this was within the bounds of what was permissible. The killing and robbing of plunderers would end in a few months, anyway. The reason why plunderers targeted barbarians so much was that it was low-risk, high-return.
If rumors start to spread that we've changed, none of those bastards will risk their lives.
If a goblin dropped millions of stones' worth of materials, anyone would go crazy. But a rank-three monster doing the same? Any sane bastard would make a run for it.
Drag!
After leaving the holy land, I led Ainar to my inn, and after finishing a tearful meal on the first floor, I booked her a vacant room next to mine.
"C-Can I really sleep in a place like this...?"
"Of course. You don't have to pay me back later. This much isn't—"
"Bjorrrnnn! I will follow you for the rest of my life!"
"...Quiet. This is not the holy land."
"Oh, right!"
While I was giving Ainar the heads up, my room, which should have been empty, opened from the inside. "...Bjorrrn? Who is that woman with you?"
"Oh, you're here?"
Since Ainar was a team member who would be joining us in the future, I gave Missha a brief introduction. But since I had mentioned each of them to the other several times in the past, there was no need for long explanations.
"Nice to meet you, Missha Karlstein! I've heard a lot about you! Any teammate of Bjorn's is a teammate of mine! I hope we work well together!" Ainar seemed nervous about meeting Missha for the first time. She practically screamed each word as she held out her hand.
Missha was just as bewildered. "Oh, um... Nice to meet you..." She shook hands with Ainar almost like she was possessed and approached me once she came to her senses. Then she whispered in my ear. "Th-this is the Ainar you mentioned? You said she was a barrrbarian!"
"And?"
"How is she a barbarian?!"
Wasn't it clear she was a barbarian? I didn't understand her reaction at first, but then when I thought about it again, I understood her surprise. Most people imagined barbarians as at least six feet tall.
The problem was, Ainar had heard this too. "Missha Karlstein! A-Are you insulting me for being short?! I sincerely thought of you as a precious teammate...!"
"Ahh! No. You heard wrrrong!"
"I have good ears!"
"S-sorry! Th-that's not what I meant. Hm? It's just that you're so prrretty... yeah! That's why I—"
"Whaaat?! Missha Karlstein, how much more will you insult me? A duel! I demand a duel!"
Ainar started shouting as soon as her trauma button was pressed and Missha tried to calm her down. Watching this gave me a powerful headache.
"Ugh... my head..."
It was clear my head hadn't totally healed yet from being clocked by the chieftain. Yeah, that had to be it. After all, all five members of the team hadn't even gathered yet. There was no reason for me to already see a rocky road ahead.
"...But why can't we hate humans?" I asked out of pure curiosity.
The chief paused for a moment, then answered. "Because if we hate them, we have nowhere to live."
"You are afraid of the Rafdonian monarchy." It was not that I didn't understand. I knew very well how great the power of the royal family was.
However, the chieftain just muttered bitterly, almost to himself. "There is no living being in this world who is not afraid of him. If there comes a day that you meet him, you will understand."
It was almost as if it wasn't the army under the royal family that he was afraid of, but the king himself.
After that, he cut the conversation short.
"I'll forgive you for teaching the warriors about plunderers. But if you go any further, I won't sit idly by. Do not let the warriors harbor a deep hatred toward humans."
He hadn't chosen me as his successor, but he acknowledged my ambition and would tolerate it even if I increased my influence within the tribe. I had received a warning to stay in my lane, but this was a boon I would not have been given if I had admitted my mistakes or made excuses.
"If you want my position, become stronger, warrior. And prove you are worthy. I will watch over you. Oh, and one more thing. Your fist is quite strong."
Look who was talking. With that parting compliment from the chieftain, I left the tent. The sun was setting beyond the castle walls, and the area around the tents was filled with barbarians. Everyone was staring at me, from the baby barbarians to even the elders, who must have been fairly good fighters in their youth.
"You're all right."
"I heard the chieftain has a bloody nose..."
"Then does that mean...?"
Upon seeing me return alive and well from the tent, they radiated deep curiosity. I merely adjusted my backpack and walked through them. They watched but did not approach me. Apparently, they thought I'd earned the chieftain's ire.
A few steps later, Ainar came up to me. "Bjorn! Are you okay?! I heard you fought with the chieftain!"
"Ah, I am fine."
"So what happened? I heard that you declared that you would become the tribe's chieftain?"
The moment Ainar asked this straightforward question, about a hundred barbarians' ears perked up at the same time. It would be impossible for me to just slip away from here.
So I smiled and replied. "He told me to get stronger and prove my worth."
Immediately, a buzz filled the clearing. Some were surprised, and some said it would be impossible even for me. There were also those who had surprisingly realistic reactions and said that it would take several years. The chieftain probably thought the same way.
"And? Bjorn, what did you answer?"
At the time, I answered, "That it won't take long."
***
On the way back to the city with Ainar, we ran into Kharon. I drilled firmly into his head that he shouldn't teach the baby barbarians to hate humans too much.
"B-But! Didn't you say that humans are our enemies?"
"Not everyone is an enemy." I was pretty much going against my own advice, but when I told him about Dwalkie, Kharon agreed.
"A noble man even among humans... Can I tell this story to the other warriors?"
"About Dwalkie?"
"It will be a very good example! We love warriors like him!"
"Didn't you hear me? He was a wizard, not a warrior."
"Haha! You say strange things. He fought to the death to protect your teammates. How is he not a warrior?"
Well, I had nothing to say to that. I just ended the argument and conversation there. "Then I'll be going now."
"Okay! See you next time, Bjorn, son of Yandel! The great warrior who will lead us in the future!"
Somehow, it felt like my title had gotten longer.
Still, I guess this worked out well.
I decided not to bother with the issue of robbing plunderers. The chieftain was only concerned about hatred for humans escalating—he told me that this was within the bounds of what was permissible. The killing and robbing of plunderers would end in a few months, anyway. The reason why plunderers targeted barbarians so much was that it was low-risk, high-return.
If rumors start to spread that we've changed, none of those bastards will risk their lives.
If a goblin dropped millions of stones' worth of materials, anyone would go crazy. But a rank-three monster doing the same? Any sane bastard would make a run for it.
Drag!
After leaving the holy land, I led Ainar to my inn, and after finishing a tearful meal on the first floor, I booked her a vacant room next to mine.
"C-Can I really sleep in a place like this...?"
"Of course. You don't have to pay me back later. This much isn't—"
"Bjorrrnnn! I will follow you for the rest of my life!"
"...Quiet. This is not the holy land."
"Oh, right!"
While I was giving Ainar the heads up, my room, which should have been empty, opened from the inside. "...Bjorrrn? Who is that woman with you?"
"Oh, you're here?"
Since Ainar was a team member who would be joining us in the future, I gave Missha a brief introduction. But since I had mentioned each of them to the other several times in the past, there was no need for long explanations.
"Nice to meet you, Missha Karlstein! I've heard a lot about you! Any teammate of Bjorn's is a teammate of mine! I hope we work well together!" Ainar seemed nervous about meeting Missha for the first time. She practically screamed each word as she held out her hand.
Missha was just as bewildered. "Oh, um... Nice to meet you..." She shook hands with Ainar almost like she was possessed and approached me once she came to her senses. Then she whispered in my ear. "Th-this is the Ainar you mentioned? You said she was a barrrbarian!"
"And?"
"How is she a barbarian?!"
Wasn't it clear she was a barbarian? I didn't understand her reaction at first, but then when I thought about it again, I understood her surprise. Most people imagined barbarians as at least six feet tall.
The problem was, Ainar had heard this too. "Missha Karlstein! A-Are you insulting me for being short?! I sincerely thought of you as a precious teammate...!"
"Ahh! No. You heard wrrrong!"
"I have good ears!"
"S-sorry! Th-that's not what I meant. Hm? It's just that you're so prrretty... yeah! That's why I—"
"Whaaat?! Missha Karlstein, how much more will you insult me? A duel! I demand a duel!"
Ainar started shouting as soon as her trauma button was pressed and Missha tried to calm her down. Watching this gave me a powerful headache.
"Ugh... my head..."
It was clear my head hadn't totally healed yet from being clocked by the chieftain. Yeah, that had to be it. After all, all five members of the team hadn't even gathered yet. There was no reason for me to already see a rocky road ahead.