Chapter 176 – The 2nd Gaiden Episode 2: Snow White, the Matriarch of the North
The southern part of the Wall, now settled by the Kruys.
The imperial people and the Cruy people were merging with their respective cultures while making concessions to each other.
Of course, there were still a lot of parts to be sealed, but I believed that time would solve that.
Because just a few years ago, they were fighting each other with swords.
You won’t be able to make friends easily.
Even now, there were hardliners within the Cruy tribe who said that they should not give in to the Empire.
I decided to keep even the hardliners inside the wall.
Even if you put the hardliners outside the wall, they will become the old Cruy people again and bother you outside the wall.
For true integration, they had to be prepared to embrace each other.
Snow White was doing the job well.
As the matriarch of the Cruy tribe, she showed more definite charisma than anyone else.
Although the reason why those Crui people who worship her power her follow her well is because of me who defeated their chieftain her.
More than that, he often followed Snow White’s charisma and emotionality of hers.
“To look around the north together with the girl like this is truly admirable.”
Snow White, riding a horse next to me on a visit to the North, said.
“Shouldn’t you take a look around where your wife rules?”
He had to visit often and show himself with Snow White, so he could appeal to the Cruy people that the Empire still cares about them.
It was a moderately necessary process for governance.
It didn’t take too long to get here from the capital because the imperial city and the wall here were now connected by a portal.
“Was there anything difficult? For example, the fierce resistance of hardliners, or the conflict between the imperial people and the Cruy people.”
“There is a small problem, but it is nothing for the West to worry about.”
Her white hair flowed like snow-white snowflakes.
“Is it?”
Even if she had a problem, I had faith that she would take care of it.
As I and Snow White rode past, the citizens we encountered bowed their heads and bent on one knee.
It was a custom of the Krui tribe to be seen by the king.
“I guess they are imperial citizens?”
“Just as we follow the customs of the empire, the people of the empire are also learning the customs of the Kruy people.”
“Wouldn’t it be a bit risky to pay homage to the king?”
Only the emperor can receive such courtesy in the empire.
“The West is already the government secretary and the real power holder. The girl is only the chieftain of a crew, but she isn’t Mr. West the one who controls the ruler of the empire?”
“If anyone else had heard, he would have been accused of treason.”
“Then what about it? The girl was only telling the truth.”
There was a certain trust in Snow White’s eyes looking at me.
The belief that I am the absolute ruler.
“Keuheum, by the way, it’s more distance to the barrier than I thought.”
“If you travel by horse, it will be quite a distance, right?”
The reason he came to the north with Snow White this time was for a political purpose to show the northern Cruy people, but at the same time, he came out to find a way to utilize the barrier.
Until now, it was difficult to use beyond the barrier because of the Cruy and all kinds of monsters, so I left it as a non-jugongsan.
“It will be out in just half a day.”
I asked as I saw Snow White moving beside me.
“Didn’t she think that being a wife was unfair?”
“What do you mean?”
“Unlike the other ladies, I have to come to the north and rule like this.”
“Why is that unfair?”
Snow White said that he did not understand.
“Rather, the chieftain of Cruy was the weapon that allowed me to stand by the West. Rather, I believe that understanding and persuading our people for the sake of the West is your mission. So never mind.”
Snow White laughed.
I thought that smile was a warm smile that did not match the northern part.
“I get it.”
It wasn’t long before a barrier appeared.
The threat from the north had not completely disappeared, but numerous soldiers were still camped on the wall.
“Insect!”
“I’ll take care of you for one night.”
The captain of the wall’s defense decided to leave as soon as possible after seeing Snow White with me and not knowing what to do.
After spending the night at the Wall, we headed further north.
The air gets colder
“From now on, monsters can attack at any time.”
“You can put your mind at ease. I will be by your side.”
In the biting cold, I used the warming magic.
Hot air heated by mana wrapped around us.
“The girl is fine with the murderous cold of the north as long as she is next to the West.”
“I would love to, but it’s still too bright for that.”
The sun hadn’t set yet.
It was pretty bright for a love affair.
There was no one around except us, but you’d better do your job during the day.
Mana was clearly felt in the cold.
“Here.”
Among the white snow fields, I found a place that shines whiter than other places.
A mana stone made from the cold energy of the north.
Unlike ordinary mana stones, it was an object with a freezing attribute attached to it. A mana stone with the name Ice Stone, meaning that it freezes the air around it just by existing.
I came all the way here to see if I could collect this.
If only this can be used well, and if the value is sufficient, it will be a reason to send people to fully develop this place.
You can get other ores and raw materials as a bonus.
“Madam, stay away for a while. It will be a pretty rough process.”
“I understand.”
I waved my hands.
A biting wind blow.
The spiraling wind started digging the center of the snowfield like a drill.
Go by go!
The ice shattered and scattered.
Every time the mana was operated, the wind grew stronger and fiercely cut the ice.
And.
“It is beautiful.”
A blue ice stone that was transparent enough to see through appeared.
Fist-sized ice stones were tightly packed.
I took one of them off.
As soon as I held it in my hand, I felt a cold aura as if I would get frostbite.
“You are pure and sincere. Would you like to touch it?”
Snow White nodded and grabbed the ice stone.
“Oh, it’s cold.”
She was started and missed the ice stone. If I hadn’t managed to catch it, it might have fallen to the floor and broken.
“Sorry. Stop because it’s too cold…”
“It’s okay. Because you know that.”
“You’re mischievous.”
It was then.
I could feel the presence of people everywhere.
It is also full of hostility.
“Madam, come here.”
“What…?”
Before she could even question her, I deployed the barrier.
Bang!
The arrow is blocked by the barrier.
It was an arrow unique to the Cruy tribe.
“Hey, what is this… ?”
“I guess they are hardliners.”
As soon as I finished my words, a number of enemies appeared.
He had a mask on his face, but he knew it.
That they are all hardliners of the Cruy tribe.
Those who want war with the Empire rather than peace.
Those who rebel against Snow White, who has joined hands with the empire, as a weak chieftain.
Did you think it was an opportunity?
Quite a few followed.
‘He must have quite a skill.’
As long as you can safely cross the barrier.
“Ma’am.”
“Yes, Mr. West.”
“I’ll put a protection spell on you, so don’t ever come out.”
“Ah yes. I understand.”
It’s time to show those cheeky bastards the might of the Empire.
He snapped his fingers and cast magic.
“I have to show the cheeky barbarians a taste of imperial magic.”
An intense flame roared around me, melting even the ice storm in the north.
I stretched out my hand towards them.
“Quaaaaagh!”
Half of the enemies were engulfed in flames.
The smell of burnt flesh mixed with a terrible scream.
“Who’s next?”
The magic happened once again.
Roaring!
***
By the time the enemies were driven out, the sun had set.
Deciding that I couldn’t work like this, I installed various magics such as detection, defense, surveillance, traps, etc., And set up a tent.
A tent that can comfortably sleep 6 people.
He heated the wide tent with flame magic.
“You are the West, too.”
Snow White admired and hugged me.
“It’s all the girl’s mistakes. I should have inspired them all.”
“My wife did nothing wrong. It’s just that they did it because they were stupid. You knew it would be difficult from the start.”
“But it was the girl who was confident that he would convince them.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. It was my judgment that I did not chase them out. It’s not your wife’s fault.”
“However…”
In this situation where his own people pointed their swords at me, Snow White showed a particularly weak appearance.
She bit her lip and couldn’t stand still.
About to bite her pretty nails, she grabbed her hand her.
“It is nothing to be ashamed of. We already know that it is not easy to change the minds of those who oppose it.”
“Western…”
Is it because of the warm warmth felt in the tent?
Snow White’s face melted.
Her hands were still cold.
I raised mana to her fingertips her and began to melt her cold hands her.
Starting from her fingers her, she massaged her fingers and regained her warmth as quickly as possible.
Her hands warmed up, and her eyes softened as she looked at me.
“Western…”
Snow White’s face moved closer and closer.
Closing her eyes her, I held her head as she approached me and kissed Snow White on her lips her.
And I took off the thick snow-white fur.
She showed off her white flesh as much as her white hair her.
