Triumphal Return
We'd just looted a massive port this time. Honestly, I figured a few guys would've shipped off to the other world....
"No casualties?"
"Just some scratches at worst."
"Hoo boy..."
My ancestors from my past life wouldn't even spot me a warm-up weight. But these folks here raised their kids like flowers in a greenhouse. Still, good's good, so I'd just roll with it.
And with results this overwhelming, the Vikings' gazes toward me had totally shifted.
"Freaking awesome!! The one and only Drengr!!"
"We can't help but worship you, Lord Ulfrik!!"
"Glory in battle awaits us from here on out!"
"""Hell yeah!!"""
Everyone was hooked on the next-level combat high, worlds apart from before.
Of course, we couldn't get complacent. If the Empire's heavy knights showed up, the tide would turn for sure—!
"What about these knights?"
"They're all one breath from death."
"Wait, there were knights?"
"Didn't you shred 'em all, Lord Ulfrik?"
Oh, for real? Way weaker than the stories back home suggested. Guess the Empire's been around so long, they're handing out knighthoods for politics and cash now.
After that, I sent the near-dead ones off to the other world with a clean conscience. The real headache was the rest.
"Any empty spots left on the longships or the other ships in the harbor?"
"Nah, can't even fit all the loot as is."
"Heh... you say that after taking stock?"
"B-but it's seriously too much!"
These prisoners were worth a fortune in ransom, but no room on our ships. Letting them go felt like a waste, though. As I pondered this unexpected windfall,
"You cowardly barbarians—!!!"
"Shut it!"
"Who asked a pretend knight bitch to yap at a Drengr?"
A shrill voice suddenly cut through from somewhere. I'd wondered why we'd dragged along a female knight, but the Vikings around started winking.
"A tribute for you, Lord Ulfrik."
"Pretty little thing, ain't she?"
"Ahh..."
So that's how it was? But her Marine spirit left me stunned.
"Urgh! Kill me!!"
"That's the spirit!!!"
Aaah... was this the chivalry I'd only heard about? Had to respect that.
"Better to die with honor now than live like a coward!!"
Crunch!!!
The female knight's head split from her body like firewood. Everyone froze for a second, but the mood shifted to approval quick.
"Honor is a big deal, yeah."
"Mm-hmm! Fine woman she was!"
"Bet she's satisfied."
We'd honored her wish. That settled how to handle the overflowing prisoners. No discrimination—all headed to paradise or the other world.
But yeah, I was green after all.
"Hmm... let's ransom who we can, release who we can to rebuild?"
"Sounds better, right?"
"Loot's overflowing anyway; a bit wandering around won't hurt."
Vikings even knew about investing. Why hadn't I thought of releasing them on purpose to raid multiple times? Sure, they might bail instead of rebuilding, but with this much loot, who cared.
But still...
"Why aren't you guys touching the Empire women?"
"Hahaha... w-well, you know."
"After seeing you in action, Drengr, we figured we'd hold off."
They guarded their honor weirdly hard.
Even if more Empire troops showed, no room left on the ships for loot. So we prepped for immediate departure once done, then flexed on nearby nobles for ransom. But word of our mega-port raid must've spread—every noble hunkered down in their forts, not budging.
Just as I worried about wasting time,
"Wooden palisade? Wanna just smash through?"
"Brilliant idea!"
"Heh heh... body's still itching for a warmup. Perfect."
Low-tier Empire nobles couldn't fortify worth a damn. And we had a proven new tactic.
"Launch 'em!!"
"""Ha!"""
Thus, the lesser nobles faced Flying Vikings soaring effortlessly over their high walls. Everywhere we went, we scored prisoner ransoms and noble heads.
"Kya~ that's the tax life."
"Now I get how kings live fat."
"Just circling nets silver rain!"
Prisoners all dealt with, nobles fleeced good. We boarded the longships carefree.
"Personnel check."
"Longship One: all present!"
"Longship Two: all present!"
"Longship Three: all present!"
Not a single loss—still blew my mind. Proved morale conquers all. I ordered departure.
Cutting crisp sea wind, but ships rode so heavy with loot, speed lagged. Worried about naval clashes, but sea stayed eerily clear.
"How far's word of us spread?"
"We hit that huge port and all those nobles—kinda expected."
Viking infamy ran deeper than I thought. Soon after slicing through waves,
We sailed boldly home, displaying mountains of loot.
"Freaking hell!! Ulfrik!! I believed in you!!"
"Nah, Father. This is all thanks to true warriors."
"Warriors you forged!"
"""Hahaha!!"""
Dad beamed at the haul, threw a massive feast right away. We chilled easy at home.
But this zero-loss jackpot might've hyped things too much?
"Ulfrik!! I'll be your warrior!!"
"True Drengr! Let me be your shield!!"
"Take me to glorious battle, please!"
Word drew volunteers in droves.
Small clans starstruck by my rep flowed into us naturally.
"Gonna need to expand the camp."
"Father, training grounds too."
As Dad and I sketched the tribe's future,
Word came of a messenger from another tribe. Unexpected, so Dad pondered briefly before speaking.
"Send him in."
Moments later, a sea-reeking brute strode in, thumped his chest in salute.
"I see Jarl Ragna Bearhandson of the Bearclaw Tribe."
"So, what?"
"The Thing convenes soon."
Viking council kicking off early. Regular one's later, though? Dad asked why.
"A coward sold his soul to chaos spawn."
"Hah... explains the rush."
The Thing judges sinners too. Some major coward bumped it up. Dad confirmed attendance, handed our clan seal. Messenger bowed out polite.
Chaos dealer, huh...
"Curious?"
"Wanna see a soul-seller once."
"Won't be pretty. But experience matters."
"Huh? I can come?"
"You'll be Jarl someday. Gotta start."
Dad got me. Issue: Mom'd handle home front fine, but newbies'd drag heels. So...
Only one way. I asked Dad for red cloth.
"What's that for?"
"For warriors taking over newbie training in my stead."
"Ah... assistant instructors?"
Spot on—drill instructors.
Bearclaw men lived bliss daily. Raids with Ulfrik ballooned clan wealth. They'd tasted true glorious battle.
"Damn, wanna raid again..."
"Oi, hold it."
"Hit the road, you'd face Empire goons poisoned with rage."
One raid hooked 'em forever. Plus, entertainment overflowed.
"At attention!!"
"Shit..."
"Ugh..."
"Stop!! Would you whine like this if a brother took an arrow and hit the dirt?!"
"""""N-no, sir!!""""
"No my ass! Kiyol!!!"
Newbie rollouts alone lifted every lip. Epic fails? Joyful beatdown time.
"We deserve this fun?"
"Haha! Good's good!"
"Time's up—gym for iron time."
Vikings wrapped happy training when—
"Selecting drill instructors to assist head instructor now."
"""!!!!!"""
Roll newbies ourselves?! Vikings' brains melted, faces flushed.
"Perfect form drillers get this red scarf of authority. Volunteers?"
"Me me meeee!!"
"Pick me and I'll rewire every newbie skull!!"
All drooling Vikings charged. They'd all mastered drills, so...
Ulfrik pondered picks. Then struck on fairest, Marine-true method.
"Maggora for drill instructor selection—begin!!!"
"""""Hell yeah!!!!"""""
Fistfights erupted for the spots. But Thing loomed, so no tourney—
Battle royale it was.
"Kill each other!!"
Friends turned foes overnight? Vikings itched to test bros anyway. All-out brawl crowned winners fast.
"Didn't expect exactly three. Here."
"Yesssss!!"
"Whoa!!"
"Waited for this glory!!"
Red-scarved drill instructors grinned maniacally at the newbies.