Intentional Passing
While Ulfrik and his crew headed toward the Twin Trees of Discord, the Nords began burning with rage over a certain rumor.
"Th-they succeeded in raiding an imperial small city with just a few hundred men?!"
"And they say there weren't even any casualties…."
"Damn it!! It's Ulfrik again!! We can't help but admire him!!"
The true Drenggr of Bear Claw Tribe. The tale of Ulfrik's invasion of Cardia began spreading far and wide across the cold North Sea.
Thanks to this, Bear Claw Tribe's fame grew day by day. But the majority of Nords fell into a strange delusion.
Just a few hundred took down an imperial small city?
Does that mean the Empire's really on the brink of collapse now?
M-me too!! Me too!!!
Those consumed by lust for glory shouted loudly.
"We can do it!! If it were me!!"
Vikings who dreamed of walking Ulfrik's glorious path set off toward the Empire. But they lacked Bear Claw Tribe's Marine spirit, of course. And most of the raiders weren't even worthy of being called warriors.
The situation in the Empire's north had changed drastically as well.
"Have all the vassals gathered at Alhyeonsil?"
"Yes, they have!!"
"The marquises have already arrived ahead of time."
The highest noble rooted in the north, Nerian Erven Duke, confirmed the incident of Cardia being invaded by Ulfrik. Enraged, he summoned all his vassals at once, turning Alhyeonsil so frigid that the vassals felt like they were on the execution block.
Soon, Duke Nerian's top-down scolding began. Along with countless rebukes, the vassals' oaths of loyalty hung by a thread.
Just as the vassals were about to scramble to regain their lost honor and their lord's trust—
"Numerous northern barbarians have begun raiding!!"
"What?!"
"Is that true?!"
Foolish Nords burning with honor-lust launched invasions. The northern imperial nobles, seeing their chance, swiftly mobilized their troops.
And for the majority of Vikings with terrible timing, the end was utterly pathetic.
Slash!!!
"Knight, sir!! That was the last one!"
"Tch, these barbarians are such a nuisance…."
"Hey, let's head to the next raid site."
Thus, the Empire remained very much intact. However, achievements like these weren't enough to restore their lost honor and lord's trust.
They now had a rough gauge of the barbarians' power, after all.
"Doesn't seem like much from what I've heard."
"These so-called fierce North Sea barbarians are just this level…."
"Except for that Bear Claw Tribe with the barbarian called Ulfrik, the rest should be easy to subjugate."
The Sacred Land beyond the North Sea where Nords lived was a place of murderous cold. It was near-consensus that past imperial subjugation attempts had all failed due to nature's natural fortress.
But now?
With technology and magic at their peak, and all northern nobles united at this perfect timing?
The northern imperial nobles, convinced this was a gift from the heavens, united as one and shouted.
"We can do it!!! If it were us!!"
Those words were laced with a curse.
Ulfrik and the warriors learned of the imperial invasion thanks to Hakon.
"That weak-ass Empire moved first?!"
"Aaah!! The world is aiding us!! Drenggr!!"
"T-to think an honorable battle to defend this land would happen in our generation—!!"
"Waaaaaah!!!"
Ulfrik and the warriors, brimming with Fighting Spirit, were thrilled by the situation.
And just in time, Ulfrik had acquired the Rune Hammer.
Clank! Clank!! Crackle-crackle!!
"Hahaha! Even Mjolnir loves it!"
"Well, it's an ego weapon, so it has a strong sense of self."
Originally named Rymr—meaning "rumble"—but the name Mjolnir Ulfrik added sounded just right. The Rune Hammer was now ready to rampage across battlefields with its new master.
"But if you start using Mjolnir, Ulfrik, several problems will arise."
"Hey, Hakon!! How can you worry when our Drenggr is so full of spirit and power?!"
"Right!! Ulfrik is the strongest warrior of this era!!"
"I won't deny that point. My concern is the symbolism the Rune Hammer carries."
"Ah… you mean."
The Rune Hammer was the treasure of the Nords' first king. And now Ulfrik wielded it—and if used in upcoming battles, all Nords would learn of it.
"Might end up with leeches clinging to me."
"And worse, those factions will meddle."
"The kingless royal house, huh?"
The Nords currently had no king, as powerful Jarls had dealt with the last one. Naturally, the royal house seeking to reclaim past authority would scheme against Ulfrik.
But he found the situation amusing, a grin refusing to leave his face.
"No one can wield this thing but me, so let 'em try to take it."
"Hahaha! As expected of the Drenggr!"
"We'll follow wherever Ulfrik leads!"
"For the glorious Drenggr!"
"For the great Drenggr!! For Ulfrik Ragnarson!!"
Thud thud thud!!
Hakon, confirming Ulfrik and the warriors' resolve, wore an expression of resignation. Of course, his own heart raced too.
How far will you go?
The first line of the new saga Hakon would record was complete. Whether it would end as mere gossip or become a myth passed down through distant ages—no one knew.
"Heh, so that's why Master sent me to Ulfrik."
"Alright, Hakon!! You're coming too, then!"
"We've been in the same boat for a while now, Ulfrik."
"Good!! Everyone ready?!"
"Ha!"
"Now we march to defend the land watched over by our ancestors and spirits!"
The Empire's greatest foe took a massive step forward.
Who would've thought the Empire would actually invade?!
My heart's pounding like crazy!
I'd love to rush straight to the battlefield, but headcount and supplies are an issue right now. To check the royal house, I need Father's help, so tribe first.
"An excellent decision. Not just Bear Claw's Yarl, but other Jarls will move too."
"Other Jarls?"
"The weaker the center, the stronger the fringes become."
"Might as well wipe out the royal house then…."
"Unless they cross the line badly, old oaths and honor make it hard. And anyway, we need a center."
"I know. Civil war, right?"
If the royal house vanished completely, tribes would fend for themselves, leading to endless civil war and pointless power waste.
"Honestly, honor and oaths feel like excuses for why Jarls keep them around."
"An interesting perspective. Well, or… finding a new focal point solves everything."
"Hey, Hakon, you telling me to become this land's king?"
"I said nothing of the sort."
"Cheeky… but I'll think about it."
"Hm? More proactive than expected?"
"You think I'd run from fate? I'll carve my own path instead."
Chatting with Hakon about the future, they soon reached the tribe. Honestly, I expected imperial corpses everywhere….
"Too peaceful?"
"Y-yeah…."
"Something's off."
Father must've gotten intel on the invasion, as defenses were solid. But why no sign of imperial troops?!
Facing this bizarre situation, one instructor jokingly hypothesized.
"Maybe the imperials are so scared of the Drenggr's fame they're deliberately avoiding our tribe?"
"I think so too."
"Nah, no way? A toothless beast is still a beast."
…Or so I thought!!!
In the end, the impossible happened.
"They're not even looking at our tribe?!"
"Reports say so, yes."
No way we're being skipped in this huge event!! Rage boiled up, making my neck throb.
Yeah, time for bloody revenge!!!
"They dare pass us over?!"
This humiliation! I'll repay it on the battlefield!
The imperial army isn't attacking our tribe. We could enjoy our usual spirited daily life, but everyone thought the same as me.
"Drenggr!! This is no different from scorning us!"
"Attacking weaker spots instead of our mighty tribe—!!"
"That honorless, weak Empire!!"
My warriors were furious at the imperials' deliberate passing too. And if they won't come here, we'll go to them!!!
"We'll start the makgora to select warriors right now!!!"
"Waaaaaah!!"
"But only 50 men!! Kill each other starting now!!"
I'd love to take everyone, but last time I dragged too many to raid the small city, leaving the tribe vulnerable. Never again—only the absolute best elites!
"Son, with shamans as guests now, you could take 100."
"My tactic requires compressing forces as much as possible."
"If you say so… but take these guys on loan."
Click!!!
"By the Yarl's command!"
"Drenggr, use us!"
"You're lending Huscarls now?"
"Old timers who always wanted to roll with you. Let 'em run wild as they wish. Just forgive their stiffness."
"No worries. Huscarls may lack Fighting Spirit, but they're the strongest warriors honed to the limit with mana. Ten who can match three Berserkrs each joining? Widens my tactical options hugely! Need to adapt them first, so I previewed the upcoming tactics.
"Eh… y-you're doing that?"
"W-well, ahem…."
"Worried Ulfrik's body will hold up."
Conservative Huscarls can't grasp my MZ tactics, huh. But what do I have? I drew Mjolnir from my belt.
Rumble!!!
"Th-that's?!"
"Ancestors preserve us…."
The first king's authority bridged the generation gap. The Huscarls now obeyed my orders without question.
"Hah, Master's words came true after all."
"Huh? Dad, what'd Helga granny say?"
"Just hinted you'd bring something amazing. Thanks to you, things'll get busy here."
"Count on you this time, Father."
"A father's duty is to shield his child. Don't worry about here—go have fun again."
With Father's encouragement, as I tested the Huscarls—
Thanks to heavy recruitment this time, the battle royale ended quick.
"Glad I skipped that round…."
"Tch, Hakon, you should've joined—such a shame."
"Then who'd handle comms?"
A bit regrettable that irreplaceable Hakon sat it out, but preparations were finally complete. Now, time for the Empire to pay for passing over our tribe!!