Lunaria 2: The Naked Chief's Bargain
In Kelt, there was a warrior group called the Kaisata. Savages who tattooed intricate patterns across their entire bodies with unique dyes and fought completely naked.
It was a fantasy world, so I figured such things might exist here and there. Still, the sin of polluting my eyes was grave.
"Aim for the vitals."
"Yes."
Rena, perched on the carriage roof, drew her bowstring taut. Her target: the exhibitionist barbarian's crotch.
Realizing he was being sniped, he immediately shielded his vitals with his shield. But as her arrow showed signs of piercing even that, Rakshar's face drained of color.
"W-Wait!"
Probably thinking he'd never function as a man again, he desperately tried to talk. His voice dripped with earnest desperation. I gestured for him to speak, and Rena lowered her bow.
"I want an honorable death! If you're going to take me down, at least aim for my heart, not my manhood!"
"......No."
We weren't warriors—we were assassins and a rogue young master. Rena drew her bowstring tight again, targeting his groin. Rakshar squeezed out another plea.
"A-Alright! I'll let you pass! Just don't touch this precious warrior's seed!"
"You polluted not just our eyes but those of precocious kids with that monstrosity, and now you think you can just slink away? No conscience at all?"
"Shall I shoot?"
"W-Wait just a moment! I've lived naked since birth. This is a misunderstanding born of ignorance about our culture, so let me introduce our warriors to you."
"Hmm......"
Getting recognized as Lunaria's master by the barbarians was the goal of this journey. Resolving it peacefully through talk wasn't a bad idea. Plus, a culture where everyone lived naked? That piqued my interest a bit.
"What about the female warriors?"
"We are one with nature. No one should cover their body with cloth."
"Nude, nude....... Hmm......"
Stroking my chin and glancing around, Rena shook her head like she couldn't believe it. She was tame compared to others—Maribel was puffing her cheeks, shooting jealous glares. Right, I was here as the emperor's envoy, so I should shelve personal desires. Just as I was about to order Rena to fire without compromise, Rakshar pulled out his trump card.
"Our tribe has an elixir we gift to warriors and guests. Consume it, and you'll have stamina and vigor that won't yield to even a grand warrior......"
"Let's go right now!"
Maribel reacted first to Rakshar's words. All eyes turned to her, and only then did she blush and start stammering.
"I-I mean...! Lord Hines is in poor health, so I thought taking the elixir would be good for him."
"Y-Yeah."
Maribel was worried about my stamina, but it was obvious she wanted its effects for herself. The others probably caught on to her intentions too. But sharing deep physical love with a beloved wasn't wrong, so everyone let it slide knowingly. Everyone except one.
"It's an elixir permitted only to warriors or those recognized by them. I can't give it to weaklings."
Maribel's expression turned murderous the moment he finished speaking. She glared at Rakshar with thick rage and resentment for building her hopes only to snatch them away. Frightened by Maribel, Rakshar's voice grew quieter, and he hurriedly offered a sliver of possibility.
"B-But if you get recognition from three warriors in the tribe, by any means..."
"So just two then?"
"I said three."
"Aren't you a warrior too?"
"......"
"Answer."
Not gonna recognize? Let's see what happens if you don't. The pressure said it all. Even I, listening from the side, felt suffocated. How would Rakshar respond?
"Is that man your companion?"
"Something like that."
"In hopes that the child born between you two becomes a warrior, I can recognize him. But only if you defeat me...!"
The moment Rakshar finished, Maribel drew her sword and acted. She cleanly bisected his shield, snapped his spear shaft with a roundhouse kick, and pressed her blade to his throat. Topped off with a killer smile. Anyone could see the fight was over.
"Good enough?"
"Hah, splendid. You have the makings of a female warrior."
By defeating Rakshar, Maribel got me recognized too. It was good, but not entirely pleasing. Maribel clearly wanted fiercer "battles" from me in bed. I had zero talent for it, but for the future, I needed to build stamina.
"This way."
Guided by Rakshar, we entered Lunaria. The ruined city teemed with barbarians, all looking ragged. I'd expected a village on the vast ice plains, but they were living in Lunaria—unexpected. I wasn't particularly bothered, but Warren, the action leader for this escort mission, bellowed.
"How dare you make imperial territory your home without His Majesty's permission...! Do you want war with the Empire?!"
"We had no choice but to take shelter on imperial land due to unavoidable circumstances. I wanted the emperor's permission, but there wasn't even time."
"Your circumstances don't matter! You must pay for insulting His Majesty!"
"Calm down, Sir Warren."
I stepped in front of Warren as he drew his sword, blocking him.
"Step aside, Young Master Hines! Those who invade and occupy imperial land without permission must be judged!"
"Who gave permission for judgment?"
"Do you think we need permission for that? As an imperial sword, for His Majesty—!"
"His Majesty dispatched me here as special envoy with full authority. Here, my word is His Majesty's, and my judgment is the emperor's will. Cool your head and restrain yourself, Sir Warren."
"......My apologies."
I understood Warren's anger. Barbarians living on our land without permission—how could a loyal man like him not rage? But killing Rakshar here would end any chance of negotiating with the barbarians forever. We'd barely opened dialogue; I couldn't let it all go to waste.
"With that in mind, explain in detail what happened and why you're living in Lunaria."
"A tribal war broke out recently. My Frost Fang tribe fled our village and came here."
"From what I know, fleeing isn't just shameful but worse than death for northern warriors, right?"
"True. But that's only for sacred duels."
Rakshar slammed his fist into a nearly crumbled wall. It turned to dust, scattering in the air—his rage was palpable.
"They used traitors within the tribe to raid our village at night! No fair one-on-one duels—just one-sided slaughter. They even dragged in outsiders for a sure victory, the cowards!"
Dying honorably by a warrior's hand was welcome, but not by filthy traitors? Rakshar confessed they'd come to Lunaria with survivors to lick their wounds. He figured imperial territory was safe from invasion. It was a choice for his tribe; he took responsibility and hoped we'd forgive him with his head.
"One more question. Why were you blocking the road to Lunaria?"
"A traveler gave us medicine. But it was poison—many brothers died. We had to restrict outsiders."
Rakshar's story immediately brought something to mind: Nidhog's cultists hiding in Lunaria. Barbarians squatting on the surface probably wasn't ideal for them. Posing as healers, they'd tried poisoning them off.
"So what's your plan now?"
"We've troubled the Empire. In recompense, the Frost Fang tribe fully supports the Empire inheriting this sacred land."
"But other tribes think differently."
The northern barbarians divided into six tribes: Cold Spirit, Frost Bear, Iron Wolf, Ice Eagle, Glacier Hammer, and Frost Fang. Over half's approval was needed to claim Lunaria formally. Securing one tribe wasn't the end.
"Which tribe started the war?"
"Iron Wolf tribe. They've already swallowed Glacier Hammer and Cold Spirit."
"Even majority support from tribal wars won't mean much then."
If Iron Wolf—who'd conquered two—opposed, it was over. My new task: topple Iron Wolf and make all tribes follow me.
"One more thing, while we're at it."
"Ask away."
"The Eternal Ice Crown bestowed on those who pass the Donetoungk Trial. The one who claims it becomes king of the north. Is this legend still valid?"
"......I'm shocked. How does an outsider know our ancient legend?!"
"Answer my question."
"It's valid. We must crown whoever passes as king. But no one's ever succeeded."
Of course not. The Donetoungk Trial was also an ancient dungeon's name. If cleared, it'd be gone by now. Fitting the barbarian north, it tested strength, stamina, endurance, and will to extremes. A solo dungeon so vile it took at least 12 hours per run. But it had one exploit—the developer's cash-grab gimmick.
'Pay to win and it's a breeze!'
The system message before entry. I'd thought the dev was insane at first, but couldn't complain. Donetoungk, the north's worshipped god of winter, storms, and gold, made it lore-friendly.
"Alright, then I'll take the Donetoungk Trial."
The blizzard ceased, and a single beam of light descended from the heavens, shining upon me. The northern ancient dungeon's entry condition began with a declaration. The trial had started the moment I spoke.
"St-Stop! Saying that means...!" If the imperial palace was for stuck-up nobles, the Donetoungk Trial was my stage. Time to spend all the cash I'd scrimped together.