Chapter 110
Translator: penny
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: First Wedding Night(?) (4)
1st Princess Ether's domain.
The northern warriors were racking their brains busily.
"The prey the 1st Princess mentioned... was a single man?"
"Hmm... Should we see this as a joyous occasion?"
"If it's the 1st Princess's will, I'll support it! That's what a warrior does!"
Starting with Brolka, quite a few warriors who had learned the truth about the prey began voicing their support. Did the north not know love?
However, it was only natural that not everyone thought the same.
"I just can't wrap my head around this at all."
A massive warrior opened his mouth.
His entire body, including his face, was covered in blue tattoos, his frame bulged like it might burst, and a necklace strung with beast bones dangled from his neck. He was the warrior Brogar.
His most striking feature was the eyepatch covering one eye.
As he fiddled with his enormous axe, he spoke.
"I hope the warriors don't take my words the wrong way. I'm saying this for the good of the entire north."
The herald, who had been listening quietly, thought to himself.
'For the good of the entire north, my ass.'
The north was a region maintained by strength as its order.
In other words, even if someone weak had something they wanted to say or do, they had to swallow it down.
Brogar had long disliked the 1st Princess's ways and desired to rise to the top himself. That's why he was speaking up now.
"I want to hear the reason. Why did you hunt that man?"
"Because the 1st Princess desires him."
"She desires that man?"
"Yes."
The herald answered calmly.
"The 1st Princess has emotions too. She chose that man with utmost care, and he is the Inspector."
"So that means the man and..."
"Of course, marriage is likely on her mind as well."
The surroundings stirred at that.
"The 1st Princess harbors feelings of affection for another?"
"The 1st Princess? That 1st Princess?!"
The north was a place where strength held sway over common sense. Thus, the 'feelings of affection' spoken of here differed from what imperial citizens elsewhere might call it.
They too enjoyed romance and marriage, but...
The elements they found attractive were different. They typically fell for those stronger than themselves, striving to grow even more powerful to support and protect their beloved.
"Does that mean the 1st Princess acknowledges that man's strength?!"
"Acknowledgment from the 1st Princess! From someone not even from the north?!"
The 1st Princess had acknowledged that man's strength.
Everyone was shocked precisely by that point.
"I can't understand it. Just can't understand it."
Watching Brogar shake his head while flashing the blade of his axe, the herald furrowed his brow.
'Brogar was in love with the 1st Princess.'
In the past, he had challenged her to a marriage duel and lost one eye as a result.
There was no direct mention, but to the herald, it was obvious jealousy.
The herald asked,
"Isn't the position of Inspector qualification enough?"
Brogar shook his head firmly.
"Nonsense. What makes you think that?"
"The Inspector is..."
"Of course, the Inspector might be impressive. However!"
Brogar bellowed.
"We judge by clashing bodies directly—that's the north's tradition and way. Have you forgotten it all, Herald?!"
"The circumstances are different."
"Is the man the 1st Princess brought that different?"
"Yes."
"Then..."
Brogar smirked faintly.
"Shouldn't we evaluate him even more by the north's ways? Who could be fairer than me? I won't question his origins or status!"
The herald swallowed dryly.
Of course, there was some truth to it.
The north's method of 'judging origins and status aside, through direct confrontation' was exceedingly fair. The problem was Brogar planning to abuse it.
He clearly intended to mess with the Inspector.
...But denying northern tradition was no easy feat.
"One who wishes to become family of the north shall be judged by the north's ways. Indeed... such a tradition exists."
"Your brain hasn't rotted away completely, Herald. Good, you're no traitor. I'll stand witness!"
Brogar grinned and clapped the herald on the shoulder.
But the herald understood well. This wasn't true praise.
"Then you won't object if we drive him out when he falls short of northern standards, right?"
Finally, Brogar revealed his true intentions.
"That Inspector is conveniently held here right now."
"...Yes."
"No reason to hesitate or delay, then. Whether he qualifies to join the north's family? That's for the north's ways to decide!"
"Ha..."
The herald let out a hollow laugh.
It was rare for warriors discussing serious matters to mock each other, yet he couldn't hold back this time.
"...Laughing? Were you mocking me just now, Herald?"
"You've misunderstood, Warrior Brogar."
The herald shook his head.
"The 1st Princess has made the absolute best judgment, and no matter how harshly we apply northern standards, the Inspector will pass with flying colors."
This explanation wasn't enough, so he drove the point home.
"In the end, you can't stop that Inspector."
"Ha!"
But Brogar burst into even greater laughter.
"I've heard that you scouts, including yourself, made a grave mistake this time. Because of you, the 1st Princess suffered a defeat, right?"
"..."
"How pathetically did you assist her for that to happen? Now your judgment's clouded too. Watch and learn. The north needs a wind of change."
The herald clicked his tongue.
"Enough with the personal attacks. What's your conclusion?"
"I'll duel that Inspector myself."
"...Personally?"
"Yes. Could it be fairer? If he's stronger than me, he'll have earned a place in the north."
The herald couldn't hide his pitying expression.
"You've always eyed the 1st Princess with lustful intent. Seems your obsession runs deep. Emotions are heavily involved."
"Emotions? It's just tradition."
Using tradition as an excuse was revolting.
How many bold, respectable warriors were there in the north? Even the seemingly naive ones were clever, and the fierce ones brimmed with compassion...
...Warriors like Brogar were always the problem.
"You will lose to the Inspector."
"Now it seems you're just hoping for a northern warrior to lose? Is this treason too?"
Sharp words flew at each other.
"Push as hard as you like. However."
The herald paused briefly.
In truth, from here on, it was his own initiative. He wasn't sure if he should say it without the 1st Princess's permission, but...
...He didn't care. It was what his gut told him to do.
"Brogar, how about we add some stakes?"
"Stakes?"
"The north fundamentally respects every warrior's opinion. But since you're pushing ahead despite differing views, let's at least add conditions."
The herald continued calmly.
"If you win, I'll step down as herald. You'll get all my authority too."
"...!"
The warriors' eyes widened.
The 1st Princess's herald held immense privileges.
He could convey her will while adding a bit of personal input, and it was her closest position. When she was away, he even acted as strategist.
He was offering it all up.
"But if you lose... you and all who share your views must leave the north."
"Ho?"
"I'll await your answer."
He'd expected mere opinion alignment, but the scale had grown unexpectedly. The warriors were greatly shaken.
"Is this okay...?"
"Too complicated for my head!"
"I just wanted the 1st Princess to be happy... Hasn't it gotten too big? I don't know."
That was when Brogar spoke.
"Fine. No reason to refuse."
"Brogar!"
Some warriors gasped in shock, but Brogar didn't waver. Neither did the herald.
"Understood. Then the duel will be..."
"Today."
"Yes. I'll go inform him right now."
The herald swiftly left the scene. Once he was gone, the warriors turned to Brogar.
"Brogar, can you handle this?"
"Yeah! It's the 1st Princess's choice, after all...!"
"All of you, shut up!"
Brogar shouted.
"..."
"You saying I'll lose? Or that the north's evaluation method is wrong?"
"...Not that, but."
"You brain-rotted fools."
Brogar clicked his tongue.
"The demon realm's atmosphere is unsettled, and the 1st Princess might have grown distant from the north. If a warrior like me doesn't seize control now, who will? When will there be another chance?"
"Hmm..."
Brogar knew it too, of course.
'I can't guarantee victory.'
But there were no perfect opportunities in life.
What mattered was seizing even the slimmest chance with desperate fervor—he'd learned that through countless bodily clashes.
'This is the last chance to claim the 1st Princess.'
If he proved stronger than the man she'd set her sights on, wouldn't she finally turn her interest to him? It was entirely possible.
'I'll win for sure!'
Brogar vowed to himself over and over.