Chapter 69
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Envoy to the Frost Fangs
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About a week had passed since rumors spread throughout the Empire that the Northern Barbarians had canceled their march. The capital had returned to peace amid the fading uproar when another piece of news arrived.
The barbarians' army had suddenly headed northwest.
Everyone wondered why they had abruptly turned their forces in that direction.
Speculation ran rampant, but no clear answer emerged. Then, fresh intelligence arrived from the Intelligence Bureau.
"So, their god Karak himself appeared, commanding them to halt the invasion of the Empire immediately and subjugate the Frost Boundary Forest?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Hah, ridiculous."
The Emperor let out a scoff at the Intelligence Director's report. What kind of absurd intelligence was this?
But the Director wasn't the type to deliver pointless reports, so the Emperor couldn't simply dismiss it as nonsense.
"Is it confirmed truth?"
"We can't verify if it's actually true, but the facts themselves are certain."
"Explain precisely."
"Whether the god Karak truly descended is beyond even our Intelligence Bureau's grasp. However, the barbarians firmly believe their god appeared in person and delivered a revelation to them."
The ministers snickered here and there. To Ian's ears, it sounded unmistakably like mockery.
"Your Majesty, this is nonsense. Why would a god suddenly descend like that?"
"There must be some ulterior motive."
"Indeed. The barbarians have always been an inscrutable bunch."
"No need to heed such a ludicrous report."
"They're probably just eager to swing their swords now that they've drawn them. Sheathing them again would look bad enough, not to mention the massive economic losses."
The ministers mostly reacted with disbelief. Yet the Emperor shook his head.
"The Director isn't one for idle reports. He's likely conveying exactly what his investigations uncovered. That said, I can't buy the part about the god descending in person. What do you think, Director?"
"This is just my speculation, but it might be due to a new high priest."
"A new high priest?"
"Yes. Word is their previous high priest recently died. The new one might hold very different views from his predecessor."
"Hmm."
"As Your Majesty knows well, the high priest among the Northern Barbarians commands immense influence. If the new one issued the order to subjugate the Frost Boundary Forest in the name of divine revelation, it all falls into place."
"Oh ho."
The Emperor stroked his chin thoughtfully. A good number of ministers nodded in agreement. It was a reasonable take.
In truth, for sizable Northern Barbarian tribes, the tribe's direction could shift dramatically depending on who the priest was.
The second-in-command, wielding power alongside the chieftain, could alter the course of events entirely.
"Your Majesty, I see it differently."
The voice that cut in belonged to Duke Kirsten.
The Empire's war hero of the north.
Duke Kirsten had been at the front lines preparing for war just a week prior. No one knew the Northern Barbarians better than he.
"Any cult is the same—divine revelations aren't tossed around lightly. A novice high priest with scant renown wouldn't dare invoke one, and even if he did, the chieftains wouldn't follow."
"You seem to have insight. Elaborate."
"The fact that every chieftain obeyed without question means whatever it was held overwhelming power. Calling it a divine revelation... they must have heard it straight from the god."
"Are you saying the god descended personally?"
"In my view, one of two possibilities. Either some fraudster impersonating the god pulled a con, or a truly transcendent being appeared and acted in a way that led them to mistake it for a divine revelation."
"......"
"They're not fools enough to be duped by a mere impersonator. Uncivilized, yes, but not unintelligent. So... likely the latter."
Silence fell briefly. Snickers soon rippled through the room. But Ian couldn't laugh. It was the sharpest guess of all.
'Wow. What an incisive speculation.'
As expected of a war hero. To think he'd cut so close to the truth.
'Well, our Ddol Ddoli is pretty transcendent. Demon-slayer, and now maybe even dragon-slayer level strong...'
Ian's admiring thoughts trailed off, thanks to Duke Kirsten's follow-up.
"Rumors say a gigantic rock man named 'Ddoli' appeared before them. I suspect that's the transcendent being they witnessed."
'Huh?'
Ddoli?
'Why is our Ddol Ddoli coming out of your mouth?'
"Hmm. A gigantic rock man."
"If true, one thing comes to mind."
"What?"
"A supreme earth spirit."
"Oh?"
"Earth spirits take forms molded from soil. A supreme one? More than enough for those barbarians to mistake it for their 'Rock God.'"
"The Duke makes a compelling point."
"Or we can't rule out that their god Karak is actually a supreme earth spirit. Truth be told, who's even heard of this Karak before?"
The chamber grew rowdy. Some nobles dismissed Duke Kirsten's words as nonsense, while others found merit in them.
Opinions clashed sharply. Naturally, Ian said nothing, lost in his own thoughts.
'How the hell did they learn our Ddol Ddoli's name?'
Seriously, how?
'Ah, makes sense. We keep yapping "Ddoli this, Ddol Ddoli that" all the time.'
Maybe fix that habit? But it's too cute.
Still, hearing someone else say 'Ddoli' felt oddly surreal. Who could've guessed a Korean name would echo in this fantasy world?
"Enough chatter."
The Emperor silenced the commotion.
"Just one more person I want to hear from. Sir Ian."
"...Yes?"
Ian stood awkwardly at the sudden summons.
"What's your take? Whose argument rings truer?"
"Ah, well..."
Eyes turned his way. Plenty of curiosity and expectation, laced with a hint of hostility. The prickling stares left Ian uneasy.
Lately, he'd been called on an awful lot.
Didn't happen in past meetings.
'Why keep picking on me?'
He'd planned to just listen quietly, yet here they were asking his opinion.
No.
Better this way.
He had something to say anyway.
"I don't think the reason matters much. What counts is grasping whether their actions harm the Empire or not."
"Go on."
"Whatever the cause, this works in our favor. Handle it right, and we eliminate our northwestern headache without lifting a finger."
The Emperor nodded. A few ministers let out quiet exclamations of admiration. They'd grasped Ian's point.
The Empire's northwest had long suffered monster incursions, many originating from the Frost Boundary Forest.
If the Northern Barbarians subjugated it?
The northwest would naturally be rid of that monster threat.
"Your Majesty, why not provide the Northern Barbarians with support while we're at it?"
"No, what..."
"Sir Ian, what nonsense is this?"
"Supporting the barbarians?"
"Why should we aid those insolent savages who had swords pointed at us just days ago?"
Backlash erupted fiercely. It was inevitable. Asking to help the very scum who'd threatened invasion moments ago? Hard to swallow.
"Quiet. Sir Ian hasn't finished. Continue, Sir Ian. What reason prompts such a proposal?"
"Two reasons."
"Two, you say."
"First, as mentioned, it clears our headache. Second, they must not fail the subjugation."
"Must not fail."
"Yes. The Northern Barbarians serve as our natural bulwark. They block monster incursions across the far north. If they take catastrophic losses in failure, we could face those monsters ourselves."
Silence descended. Some were impressed; even the furious ministers conceded Ian's logic.
"Impressive. Sir Ian's insight cuts deep."
"You overpraise me."
"Still, risks exist. What if they bolster their strength with our aid and turn on the Empire?"
"I see low odds, but since we can't be sure, we'll take precautions."
Ian stepped forward and knelt.
"Sometimes a gentle caress outshines raw force. The sun strips the traveler's cloak better than the harsh north wind. If Your Majesty's boundless benevolence is extended to them, even they will recognize the Empire's greatness and bow. Other nations, too, will marvel at Your Majesty's mercy."
Conflict flickered in the Emperor's eyes. He seemed genuinely hesitant.
"Since I brought it up, I'll take responsibility. If permitted, I'll go personally and convey Your Majesty's will."
"You yourself?"
"Yes."
"Hmm."
He pondered briefly.
But not for long.
"Very well. Make it so."
"My thanks for granting permission."
Ian bowed, grinning inwardly.
'Whoa. It actually worked.'
Exactly what was needed, and it landed perfectly.
Worth the long-winded pitch.
With that, support for the Northern Barbarians was approved, and details finalized swiftly. Primarily supplies like warm clothing and food, with Ian leading the envoy.
One condition: attaching a certain individual. Count Lykan, a veteran diplomat who'd served across nations for years. Likely a hedge against Ian's inexperience.
"Best of luck, Sir Ian."
"Likewise."
They exchanged greetings and discussed mission details. In a flash, the envoy assembled and departed.
After warping to a northern city, five days across the vast northern plains brought them to the Frost Fang Tribe's enclosure.
Endless tents sprawled across the grassland. The envoy's faces were a sight to behold. Naturally so, given the sheer scale.
Those who'd underestimated the "barbarians" had good reason to gape.
Finally, they met the Grand Chieftain. Ian murmured quiet admiration at his towering stature and sturdy build.
'Wow. Built like a total beast in a fight.'
Grand Chieftain Bolgrom. A man who would've stood as lord of the north.
But that history would never unfold. He wouldn't invade the Empire now.
At least not while Ian drew breath.
That's why Ian had bothered trekking here personally.
No alchemy research for days, but it was fine. For future peaceful work-life balance, a few days' effort was nothing.
"I am Ian, Imperial Court Mage, here to convey His Imperial Majesty's words. May the steadfastness of rock grace the valiant Grand Chieftain of the Frost Fangs."
Ian thumped his chest twice and bowed his head lightly. Grand Chieftain Bolgrom's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh ho. You know our customs."
"Of course. The Frost Fangs' valor is renowned even in the Empire."
"Haha. Is that right?"
Bolgrom laughed heartily. Count Lykan looked somewhat displeased. Ian's unscripted move had thrown him.
Freely adopting barbarian customs like that? Understandable reaction.
"Mage Ian, you impress me. You have the makings of a warrior."
"Thank you. To be deemed a warrior by the Grand Chieftain is a true honor."
Ian smirked inwardly. His crash course in northern customs had paid off.
'Heh. Worked my butt off studying. Had to land...'
Ian's thought cut short at the next words.
"I sense Karak's power in you. A most solid power of rock."
"......Pardon?"
" Astonishing. Utterly astonishing. How can this be?"
'Karak's power?'
What was that supposed to mean?
Some rock god power?
"Just like the Karak we met recently. If unaware, I'd mistake you for Karak himself. Are you perhaps Karak's apostle?"
"Pardon?"
'What the heck is that?'
Karak-nim?
Was he talking about Ddol Ddoli?