Chapter 123
Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: The Outsider and the Great Wolf Tribe (4)
"Hm?"
I looked up at the sky.
A clear sky without a single cloud.
It wasn't the kind of weather where lightning would strike.
Sismys, who had followed my gaze upward, tossed out a light joke.
"Looks like the sky's angry."
"Yeah, seems like it."
After replying like that...
A brief silence followed.
And then Sismys broke it.
"Heros, you said you're heading to Ultan's tomb, right?"
"Yes."
"You'll run into all sorts of tribes on the way there."
"Probably."
"A lot of those tribes are hostile to imperials. So battles are bound to happen pretty often."
"We can handle that much."
Barbarians are strong.
Living in such harsh environments forces them to toughen up.
But even so, there aren't many who could stand against a knight.
On our side, we had eleven knight-level fighters.
We wouldn't lose easily.
"Still, fighting every tribe we meet doesn't sound great, does it? It's better to avoid fights when we can."
"What are you getting at?"
Sismys wanted something from me.
Having seen through that, I asked her point-blank.
She smiled brightly and answered.
"Heros, you have two barbarians under your command."
"You mean Konel and Pergal?"
"That's right. And I'd like to hand the position of Great Wolf Tribe chief to one of them."
"What about the chief's brother and son?"
"They both died in the fight against the monster. Which means the chief's seat is still vacant. There are no candidates left now."
"Ah."
"I can say with certainty—this proposal benefits you too. Our tribe may have fallen on hard times, but we once had our days of glory. The great warrior Ultan led the Great Wolf Tribe, and back then, our scale was truly impressive."
Ultan had been from the Great Wolf Tribe.
This was news to me.
As I processed this new info...
Sismys continued.
"Thanks to that, our tribe's name is still well-known among the barbarians. So if one of your subordinates becomes our chief, it could prevent armed clashes with other tribes."
"You mean leverage the Great Wolf name?"
"Yes, it still carries that much weight."
"But if a barbarian traveling with imperials declares himself chief, will the others even buy it?"
"We have the chief's insignia. Showing that should do it."
"Hm... Still, I'll pass."
"Why?"
Sismys's eyes widened as she shot back.
She clearly hadn't expected my refusal.
"Whoever takes it would have to be responsible for dozens of tribesmen. I don't have the right to ask that of them."
Taking responsibility for people is incredibly tough.
Even I was dealing with all sorts of issues leading the Oak Mercenary Corps, which was just over twenty strong.
If Konel or Pergal became chief of the Great Wolf Tribe, they'd be shouldering way more.
No wonder I hesitated at her offer.
"You wouldn't have to take responsibility! We're just handing over the title. My tribesmen and I will fend for ourselves."
"Why go that far?"
"It feels like what Akovar would want me to do."
"Hm..."
After a moment's thought, I spoke up.
"I'll discuss it with the others."
Crackle, crackle.
The bonfire we'd lit inside the cave.
The group gathered around it.
And I brought up the topic for the day.
"The shaman Sismys wants to give the Great Wolf Tribe chief position to either Konel or Pergal. She says it's just the title—no need to take responsibility for her or the tribesmen. Should we accept, or decline? I want to hear what everyone thinks."
As soon as I finished, Bear asked a question.
"Why not just have you become the chief, Heros?"
"Exactly! You're our leader, aren't you, Heros? So you should be the chief too."
Cedric chimed in, agreeing with Bear.
Pergal immediately countered.
"Handing the chief position to an imperial would spark massive backlash in the tribe. Plenty would up and leave. The shaman knows that, which is why she suggested it to someone other than Heros."
As Pergal finished, Konel spoke up this time.
"Seems like the shaman's trying to get a connection to Heros through me or Pergal. Indirectly joining your command."
"Why would she want that?"
"You treat your people well, Heros."
"Me?"
"Yes. She's probably seen that. So she wants in under you. Once she's one of yours, she'll get your care."
"But she said she and the tribesmen would handle themselves."
"With your personality, would you really stand by? Once you see them as allies, you'll help somehow."
"I see..."
I muttered and looked around.
Surprisingly, not a single person contradicted him.
Meaning Konel's take made sense.
Now I finally understood why Sismys had made the offer.
But the core issue remained unsolved.
Should we take the position or not?
To resolve it, I asked again.
"So what do we do about the chief position?"
Pergal answered.
"No harm in accepting the shaman's offer. The weight of the 'Great Wolf' name isn't light."
"Pergal, are you interested in being chief?"
"Chief? I'm just waiting to die. Give it to someone much younger. They'll last longer. And with that solid build, the tribesmen won't mind."
Pergal's gaze drifted over.
Konel sat there.
He'd been listening expressionlessly, but as eyes turned to him, he frowned.
He was clearly flustered.
"I've lived my whole life as an imperial. Didn't Pergal just say it? Giving the chief spot to an imperial would cause huge backlash."
Konel spoke up.
Bear replied.
"But the Great Wolf tribesmen don't know you're an imperial, Sir Konel. That huge frame and fierce face? You look every bit the barbarian. So have some confidence."
Hearing Bear's tease, Konel's face flushed beet red.
I cut in quickly before he could snap.
"Sir Konel, I think becoming chief is a good choice for you. You can't deny your roots forever, right? Might as well try living that life now."
Konel stared at me quietly.
Then he asked back.
"Do you want me to take it, Heros?"
"Your opinion matters more than mine. Sir Konel, think about what you truly want. You'll find your answer that way."
Konel closed his eyes at my words.
A moment later...
He opened them and answered firmly.
"I've lived as an imperial my whole life, but no one ever treated me like one. So this time, I'll choose to live as a barbarian."
With that, Konel took a deep breath and spoke.
"Chief, I'll give it a shot."
After getting his firm yes...
I immediately let Sismys know.
The next day.
We gathered in the clearing.
To test if Konel was worthy of becoming chief.
"Less backlash than I expected?"
I muttered, scanning the area.
I'd figured the tribesmen would revolt at Konel as a candidate.
He was an outsider, even if a fellow barbarian.
It was natural they'd dislike an external chief stepping up.
But contrary to my expectations, they seemed indifferent.
"They're exhausted."
Pergal spoke up, having overheard me.
"The tribesmen?"
"Yeah. The chief's brother and son spent a month fighting over the seat, right? Tribesmen couldn't hunt because of the monster, starved half to death. Then the raid wiped out most of the young men. In that mess, how could they not be worn out?"
"Fair enough."
"Exactly. So as long as it's a fellow barbarian, they don't care who becomes chief. Survival comes first."
As we chatted...
Konel stepped forward with Sismys.
She shouted to us all.
"Wolves! We've waited ages for a wolf to lead our tribe. And today, at last! A candidate has appeared. Now, we test if he has what it takes to lead us."
The moment Sismys spoke...
The dirt at Konel's feet stirred, and a rock the size of a man's torso rose from it.
She'd used earth magic.
'Do they really need a test like that?'
I already knew how it'd go from her explanation.
Punch the rock barehanded.
Until a fist mark was left.
Testing strength, courage, endurance, or whatever.
Not my favorite method.
What if he hurt his hand?
"If they're picking chiefs like that, why didn't the brother and son do it the same way back then? See who leaves a mark first. Or deepest. Would've settled it easy."
Pergal chuckled at my words.
He tapped the hand axe at his belt and replied.
"Why gamble like that? Bash the other's head with an axe, and you're chief for sure."
"Ah."
As we talked...
Sismys quietly slipped away.
Leaving Konel alone before us.
"Huuuuu..."
Konel stared at the rock, taking deep breaths.
We watched him, holding our breath.
Even the tribesmen, who'd seemed uninterested, now focused on him.
About thirty seconds passed.
Suddenly, Konel smashed the rock with his right fist.
His movement was so fast, I couldn't track it fully.
His fist vanished, then reappeared at the rock.
Boom!
After the impact...
A massive crack echoed, stone shards flying everywhere.
He'd shattered it in one blow.
"Uh...?"
Had she not foreseen this?
Sismys stared blankly.
Everyone else reacted the same.
"Didn't see the fist."
"The rock's smashed?"
"Never seen this before..."
Murmurs rose.
Then someone in the crowd cheered.
"Wooooah!"
It was Cedric, hands cupped to his mouth, cheering for Konel.
As always, playing hype man.
His friends joined in, and soon the tribesmen got swept up, shouting too.
The clearing erupted in noise.
At that moment.
Flash!
Konel raised his right hand high.
Blood dripping from his fist proved his strength, courage, and endurance.