Chapter 212 – The Frosttooth Tribe
Back in time, a few days ago.
After successfully intercepting Astrid, who was threatening him with a strange javelin technique.
After landing at the right spot, Wolfgang and his party immediately put their infiltration plan into action.
The original planned destination was the Icetusk tribe.
They are one of the few tribes that welcome strangers hospitably.
“It feels like we’re starting in earnest now. From now on, your role is important, Sister Uriel.”
“Yes! I know, Lady Louise.”
Before departing, Ophelia and Scarlett once again reviewed each other’s roles.
The superficial purpose of their group is missionary work.
The northern immigrants have their own beliefs, but it feels like the indigenous beliefs are naturally incorporated into daily life rather than one religion itself showing off a huge influence like the Celestial Church.
There were even a significant number of people who denied the existence of an absolute godhead.
Of this, Ophelia had been very zealous even before the start of her mission.
She cried, crossing herself in the air.
“Deus vult! I will definitely save the lambs of this land!”
“What, are you serious?”
Scarlett’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Of course. In the first place, I had no intention of neglecting missionary work.”
“Hehe, the saintess was a saintess after all.”
“What…? That unpleasant reaction?”
Even if you see the miracle of the heavenly god right in front of your eyes, it’s just to the point of treating it as a kind of magic.
Religion is still just a superstition for the northern immigrants.
Wolfgang and his party decided to dig into that very point in this operation.
As was the case with the former subjugation of the South to the Empire, there was no cause more effective than religion for contacting unknown powers.
I came to heal the pain and deliver some good words, but who will say anything?
Of course, he could have put the knife in first, but at least it was more effective than going blindly and putting his face into it.
The fact that there was almost no language barrier was a great strength.
The official language of the empire and the language of the northern immigrants used very similar vocabulary and grammar, so there was only a slight difference in dialect level.
As for the appearance, the appearance of the northern immigrants was almost similar to that of the northerners of the empire, so there was no sense of difference.
At this point, it was to the point of doubting whether the two countries were actually the same from the root.
That is a problem that cultural anthropologists need to uncover.
“Kazu. Your role is to ease your guard. Be as calm and friendly as possible.”
“Kuheu, don’t worry. Dragons are originally mimicking their daily routine.”
“Your tone is still old-timer’s?”
If there are women and children in the party, the vigilance will be greatly reduced.
Somehow, Lazarus’ mimicry was aimed at precisely that point.
I was a little worried about whether I would be able to properly play the role of a child because he was Lazarus, an old man.
“Don’t worry! Damian bro!”
“…Okay.”
I just have to trust him.
Wolfgang smiled bitterly and nodded his head.
He and Scarlett are ambitious northern nobles who are interested in trade with the north.
I wonder if this would adversely affect the mission, but it is surprisingly effective.
Waldheim is dominated by a closed atmosphere, but it was not to the point of implementing a policy of seclusion at all.
Since the tribal unit has autonomy rather than a centralized system, the inclination among the tribes is also very different.
In terms of an empire, each territory was no different from serving as a nation.
That’s why some tribes have limited interactions with the Empire.
It would have been impossible if Kagan was active, but now he is in a state of suspended animation.
Since Waltheim is clearly a place where people live, they have come to prioritize practical gains over beliefs.
Reeling from the aftermath of the war was the same as the Empire or the Northern Immigration Alliance.
However, the current Northern Immigrant Union is literally choking on grapes.
Although the material damage was less as the main battlefield was the imperial land.
The Northern Immigration Alliance, which is relatively low in weight, had to spend a longer time and effort than the Empire to repair the damage caused by the war.
The original land was barren, and most of the tribes who had nothing in their hands immediately complained of extreme material shortages and food shortages in return for investing all their leeway in the war of conquest.
In the end, Geary even attempted to contact the Empire, who died and killed them not long ago.
“How are the griffons?”
“It’s better than I thought. But everyone has injured their wings, so I don’t think they’ll be able to fly for a while.”
“Uriel. Can you heal me?”
“Eh… That didn’t work. No matter how well gryphons listen, they are monsters after all. It seems that divine magic only serves to recover from fatigue or tonic.”
“I see. In that case, we can’t help it. We walk to the Icetusk tribe.”
Before the war, the Empire and the Northern Alliance did not know each other existed.
As soon as I knew it, I was naturally interested.
Of course, the huge barriers of the limit line and the great snowfields did not cause massive trade disturbances.
The ruler of the north, the Duke of Winterhearts, also did not look favorably on the invaders.
Even among the northerners who suffered the aftermath of the war, hatred toward the northern immigrants is still dominant.
However, the trend of the times cannot be avoided.
Discovering a new land means that you are given a new opportunity.
After the war. A number of imperial citizens have already appeared who are secretly attempting exchanges or smuggling with the northern immigrants in order to set aside personal feelings and aim for a quick fortune.
In fact, it was only possible because the Empire won a decision victory over the Northern Immigrant Alliance.
The flames of hatred for the failed invaders were consumed by the much larger flames of desire.
The Solarium Empire is called the Golden Empire for nothing.
It is called that because it can do anything for gold.
“First of all, we should avoid the territory of the Frosttooth tribe located in the middle as much as possible.”
“Yeah, that’s how it should be. Earlier she was that woman, she was clearly written on the list of key people that she was a super-dangerous person. As soon as she came in, she ran into her right away, but she wasn’t very lucky.”
“Okay. In 5 minutes, let’s take a break and go on the road again. Everyone get ready.”
It was Wolfgang and his party who set out on their way to the Icetusk tribe.
“Get out of here! Stranger!”
“Hmm?”
For some reason, the Icetusk tribe, who were said to be friendly to strangers, pointed their swords at Wolfgang and his friends and shut them down.
“Hey, what now?”
“…We change our destination. We go further inland to the Ironheart tribe. We have no choice but to pass the lands of the Frosttooth tribe on the way, but we can’t help it.”
In the end, it was a special force that carefully passed the territory of the Frosttooth tribe while using stealth magic to head to the second destination.
“There, come out. I can feel the warmth of a person in the air.”
“This.”
On the way, he was caught by Bjorn, the Frosttooth Chief, who was walking around the border with his tribe members.
“Hmm. Are you strangers?”
Instant, worst-case scenario.
The Frosttooth tribe was particularly badly damaged in the war with the Empire.
Right away, the chief himself had his legs cut off by the first prince, and his wife was burned to death by the commander-in-chief.
Beyond that, the losses suffered by the Frosttooth tribe are enormous.
That’s why I thought I’d never be able to get over it safely.
“Well, since this is a fate, why not stay overnight. The nights in the Land of Frost are cold.”
“What… Chief?! They are Imperial bastards who will freeze to death!”
“Calm down. I know all about you guys. But well, isn’t it all in the past?”
Unexpectedly, Wolfgang and his party were treated as guests rather than prisoners.
Of course, from Wolfgang’s point of view, he couldn’t blindly trust him.
First of all, the other side is doing favors first, so I can’t openly pamper them there.
“Damian, what should I do…?”
“What the heck.”
It was possible to break through the current situation by force, but that was against the goal of the mission.
Their mission is to infiltrate one of the tribes and discover the true purpose of the alien coalition.
Furthermore, if it can be conciliated, it is to make the tribe on the side of the empire.
By the way, what if the Frosttooth tribe were openly hostile?
The fight with Astrid was clearly for self-defence.
Also, since he didn’t take her life after she was incapacitated, it was somehow manageable.
If the relationship is broken beyond that, there is no turning back.
No matter how much the Northern Immigration Alliance is currently living on its own, their political solidarity is still the same.
If you oppose the Frosttooth tribe, you become an enemy of the entire Confederacy.
Thinking so, Wolfgang decided that it would be best to bow down and enter.
In the Land of Frost, it is extremely rude to refuse an invitation, so you should stay at least one night.
If possible, don’t run into Astrid, and if you do, just give her a few hits.
It’s going to hurt my pride, but my duty takes precedence over pride.
‘I also lost a lot of my temper.’
Wolfgang remembered Alicia’s face.
She could have endured that much of her shame for herself and her empire.
Wolfgang descended from the griffon’s back, clasped his hands together and bowed his head towards the chieftain.
It was a sign of courtesy to elders in Waldheim.
“I will gratefully accept your invitation.”
“Hmm. You’re a very strong warrior even when you look at it. You have a very handsome face, and you’re tall and have a strong body. You’re sure to be a noble in the Empire, right? That’s even better.”
“…?”
It was Wolfgang who led the party and decided to stay in the territory of the Frosttooth tribe.
However, the hospitality is much more generous than he thought.
“Now. This is the heart of our Frosttooth tribe.”
“That’s great.”
“Oh, that’s great. The arms business around here is monopolized by my tribe.”
“Oh oh…”
“Next is a textile mill. This is something I’m investing in recently…”
Of course, he gave a stranger a tour of the businesses and factories of the Frosttooth tribe.
The lodging provided to Wolfgang was also a large tent next to the lodgings where the chiefs and tribal chiefs stayed.
All the other party stays in a normal tent.
It was strange.
“Hmmmm. With this enough, I showed you all the things I could show you. I’ll talk about the rest in my tent.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Even a private meeting with the chief.
Thinking that perhaps the primary objective of his mission might be achieved much sooner than expected, Wolfgang exclaimed inwardly.
“Okay. You’re polite. Come to think of it, what’s your name?”
“This is Damian. Chief Bjorn.”
“Yes, Damien. Drink a glass of raspberry wine and listen.
In the midst of that, I was enjoying the warm and friendly hospitality in the middle of the day.
“Dad!”
“Hmm…?”
Suddenly, I met eyes with Astrid, who broke into the chief’s tent.
After a moment of suffocating silence,
“You bastard!”
He came face-to-face with her blade, which was shining blue.
‘Damn it, was it a trap? Where the hell did they get it from?’
It was Wolfgang who had no idea what it was.
—Shuaaaaagh!
First, I had to survive.
He hastily drew his sword.
