The Second Parachute
We arrived back in Valegard to participate in the Thing that would be held in the summer. However, perhaps due to the aftermath of the war, various places were damaged.
"The damage to other places seems greater than I thought."
"Honestly, we can consider ourselves lucky. If we had only suffered this much damage, we'd still be repairing the tribe's territory."
Ugh... that must have been a really boring and pedantic time. Anyway, as we entered the city, smiles filled the faces of my father and the huskarls.
"Jarls, our tribe has grown to this extent now."
"It feels like a dream."
"Hahaha, so now let's become even more confident."
Now our Bear Claw tribe is more prosperous than the city. Since we'll continue to grow, I'm looking forward to the future of an even stronger tribe.
Since there was time until the assembly, we tried to rest in the building assigned to us as before. But my father made a suggestion.
"Son, let's go to the slave market together."
"There?"
"You should experience it at least once."
Indeed, as my father said, even if the jarl's retainers and thegns handle internal affairs, I need to check how things are run on site. Since he said he'd buy slaves in bulk, I should take a look this time.
My impression upon arriving at the slave market was very concise.
"The slaves seem to be eating and living too well...?"
"Would merchants treat their merchandise so roughly?"
No joke, the market was as clean as a high-end prison for millionaires. The slaves' conditions were sparkling too. Of course, knowing their situation, they all looked sullen, but—
"Being captured by us instead of the Kanfr is a stroke of luck."
"Tsk tsk tsk... If they were taken by those guys, it'd be the end. They'd be exploited like beasts until they die."
We Vikings have the freed slave class called the Læsingi, so we treat slaves relatively well. Perhaps the slave market looks like this due to this cultural influence.
After looking around the slave market to some extent, my father started flexing with the money I'd earned.
"I'll buy everything from here to here."
"Thank you very much, Jarl!"
"By any chance... do you need any special slaves? I'll give you a big discount."
"A discount? Son, do you need anything?"
"If anything, perhaps the skilled slaves you mentioned before?"
It would be nice if there were dwarf slaves or something. The slave merchants looked greatly troubled upon hearing this.
"Those stubborn dwarves try to die as soon as they become slaves..."
"I'm truly sorry to disappoint you!"
"It was just a saying. Are there any slaves with casting skills?"
"Right this way!"
Perhaps thanks to the slave merchants giving a really big discount afterward, we were able to do very satisfying slave shopping.
***
The next morning. While eating, my father and the huskarls started sighing at me.
"What?"
"Just lamenting, you brat."
"Suddenly worried about the successor."
"Why did you have to get skilled slaves instead of something else..."
It was really driving me crazy. Even these old men looked very serious now.
"There's so much work to do, do I really have to waste time on such things?"
"Still, son, at least you should build up skills while embracing prostitutes."
"Ulfrik, the Jarl's words are correct."
"Think of it as training for your future wife."
While we were spending time with men's talk like that, suddenly an unexpected guest came to us.
"Ma!! How's everyone been!!"
"Liman! It's been a while!"
"Liman ajusshi, have you been well too?"
"Jeha ha ha ha ha! I'm healthy, don't worry!"
It's a Viking assembly where almost all jarls participate. Since the jarl of the White Wolf tribe, who became close with us in the last war, came to us, a drinking party started from the morning.
"Skål!!"
"""Skål!!"""
The sound of Skål, meaning cheers, echoed in the city's large tavern. The huskarls clinked glasses with warriors from other tribes and had a good time. We three got a separate room so the other warriors could eat comfortably.
Gulp gulp...
Thud!!
"Kuh!! There were many situations like this when I was young, but it's a shame."
"Since we're all busy, it can't be helped... More than that, Liman, what brings you here?"
"Ah, nothing else... I'd like to exchange some information, is that okay?"
There's still some time until the Thing opens. During that time, Liman ajusshi seemed to be preparing more diligently for the war. We had no reason to refuse, so we shared information first.
Liman ajusshi showed great interest in the story about Velos.
"Jeha ha ha ha! There were guys trying to get scraps from the war we're going to wage!!"
"Instead, I don't know if independence will succeed or not."
"Seeing this, the Empire really is in its end times, isn't it? Then Liman, now tell us what you know."
"Our tribe paid a lot of attention to outside the Empire."
"Outside?"
"Ulfrik, Ragnar... do you know about the Greenskins by any chance?"
Greenskins. It refers to the legions mainly composed of orcs and goblins with green skin. The reason Liman ajusshi mentioned this was probably...
"The information is that those guys are hitting the southern part of the Empire."
"Oh."
"Oh."
Then the Empire might not have the capacity to help the north? We could also hear stories about other races.
"The relationship between the Horned Ones in the west and the Earred Ones isn't looking good either..."
"Plus, those stubborn dwarves have completely cut off their external activities, I wonder what's going on."
The demons, Kanfr, and dwarves are all acting strangely now. Could something similar to Velos be happening?
"It seems likely that the followers of chaos are causing chaos, just like our son said."
"Father, does that mean cowards are moving even in the Holy Land?"
If things go wrong, the tribe could be raided during the war. Liman ajusshi asserted not to worry about the cowards in the Holy Land during the war.
"This time Reydal, that bastard will step up."
"The Raven tribe is doing internal crackdowns?"
"Instead, they put forward the condition of not participating in this Thing and the war, but they're already moving with the Grand Shaman."
"If Grandma Helga has stepped in, that's fortunate."
They specialize in bows, but in fact, they weren't flashy. Rather, they were the mystical Raven tribe.
Wait a minute, but isn't something strange?
"What about the Dragon Horn tribe?"
"That's what I'm saying!!"
"Tsk, did we beat them too much back then?"
Now the Raven tribe is practically doing the royal family's work. Considering the huskarl who challenged me to a duel last time, it seems the royal family still has some power left. It's a truly disappointing move.
"It would be good if the royal family doesn't oppose the war at this Thing."
"Jeha ha ha ha! No matter what, would they do such crazy things?"
"Those guys will do anything to regain their authority and power. And this war will be an opportunity for them."
After the information exchange was over, while we were comfortably listening to various stories from my father and Liman ajusshi.
"Um... Ulfrik?"
"Why are you suddenly acting girly?"
"Well, that is... could you perhaps take in our youngest?"
Suddenly, Liman ajusshi was sending a parachute to me.
***
Anyway, warriors from other tribes were scheduled to be dispatched to our tribe to acquire Marine spirit. So it didn't really matter. But Liman ajusshi asked for something more direct.
"You want me to include ajusshi's youngest as a fixed member in my raid party?"
"Liman, did you perhaps hear the rumor that the Grand Shaman's youngest disciple hangs out regularly with our son?"
"J-Jeha ha ha ha ha... This is really embarrassing."
Ah... now that I think about it, Hacon who came in as a parachute was almost always with me. Especially since we were together when we got the rune hammer. Like following a friend to Gangnam, Liman ajusshi probably wants to insert his family into my journey.
"I didn't know they wanted family honor that much."
"No, that's not it!"
"Ajusshi, let's be honest."
"That's not it!!"
Seeing a grown man embarrassed gives me goosebumps. But Liman ajusshi had his reasons too.
"Our youngest keeps being weak~ weak~ and has some rebellious streak."
"Liman, what does that have to do with fixing your youngest in our son's raid party."
"Well, to be honest, our kid admires Ulfrik."
"Me? Hmm..."
Honestly speaking, a warrior who handles rune magic will be participating regularly in my raid party. Moreover, he's about the same age as me and Hacon. Liman ajusshi begged me to treat his youngest roughly.
Even if it looks like a really good proposal, I can't just let him in like last time!
"Liman ajusshi, did you come with that youngest now by any chance?"
"That's why I'm asking like this."
"Let's see his skills."
"Ooooh! Thank you so much!!"
Liman ajusshi seemed in such a hurry that as soon as I gave the OK sign, he immediately called his youngest.
"This guy is our youngest. Hey! Lucas!! Quickly introduce yourself!"
"Nice to meet you! I'm Lucas Limanson!"
"Pleased to meet you like this."
Even though his build is a bit small, he's a young warrior with a face full of mischief. Also, since he truly admires me, his eyes are sparkling brightly.
"To think I can directly face the rumored Drenggar!! It's truly an honor!"
"More than that, can I ask something?"
"Of course!"
"Do you really want to come to my raid party?"
Just like how Hacon actually came to our tribe to escape from the division commander. Even if Liman ajusshi asked, I need to hear it from the person himself. But as expected, Lucas had a very clear reason for wanting to come to me!
"No, I just want to fight, but I have to keep sitting and studying!!"
"Ma!! Then what if the Jarl's son can't use rune magic!!"
The guy was a young man who hated studying.