Chapter 111

Chapter 111

The northern nights were long, and even the sun seemed pushed away by winter.

"It's still dark."

Urich woke up in his bed. It was still pitch black outside. Those accustomed to the northern weather hadn't risen yet. Even Sven, who had grown familiar with the empire over the years, was still sound asleep, exhausted.

Creak.

Urich grabbed his weapons and carefully slipped out to the backyard.

"Hoo."

Urich’s chest swelled with the night air.

The darkness unsettled him. Before, he was never afraid of the dark. He often stared right into it even in his childhood.

‘When I gaze into the flickering darkness, it feels like they are watching me.’

The wandering evil spirits roamed aimlessly. Urich blinked several times.

He had lost the blessing of god. Evil spirits eagerly awaited his death. They were those like Urich, who had lost their afterlife. Perhaps they were his brethren or ancestors.

"Do you think I destroyed your world?" Urich spoke into the darkness.

He had crossed the Sky Mountains, witnessing the world of humans, not spirits. The souls who crossed the mountains in search of the afterlife became wandering evil spirits because of Urich.

"Hmph."

Urich chuckled, twirling his axe. His muscles warmed up, and pale steam rose from his body.

‘The Owl Stance.’

He set down the axe and drew his sword. Then, he got himself into the stance he learned from the Sword Demon Ferzen.

It was a high-raised sword stance that was named after a hunting owl. It was also the most common in a knight’s swordsmanship. The attacks from the Owl Stance were flashy and aggressive.

"Hupp."

Urich breathed in and out. As he steadied his breath, he slowly swung the sword.

Daybreak approached. No matter how deep the darkness, the sun always came up. Urich watched the sunrise as he wiped his sweat away.

Morning in Marldalen began. The hostess, Irene, was busy preparing breakfast in the kitchen.

The breakfast she prepared was mainly bread and meat soup. Durigand ate quickly as if he was in a rush and left with his axe.

"Looks like lumbering is busy," Sven said as he watched Durigand leave. Irene replied while clearing the empty plates.

"We make just enough to get by with his job selling wood. We have to work hard."

Urich and Sven were practically idle in this village. Marldalen was a place without fights. Without battles, warriors existed with no purpose. Like countless northern warriors who lost their purpose, Urich and Sven spent their time aimlessly.

"Yawn."

After breakfast, sleepiness overwhelmed Urich. He watched Sven and Karha in the backyard.

Sven was teaching Karha combat skills.

"I'll have to have a word with Durigand when he returns. A nine-year-old boy not yet taught combat skills..."

Sven handed Karha an axe. It was a hand axe normally used to chop firewood, but it looked like a battle axe in his small hands.

"C-can I really swing this at you, Grandpa? This is a real axe."

Karha questioned as he looked at the axe in his hands. Sven laughed heartily, drawing his hand-axe and shield.

"Swing at this old man all you want. Is there someone you don’t like?"

Karha thought for a moment, then spoke.

"Torjan. He always makes himself the leader when we play."

"Then imagine you’re attacking Torjan. Pour your anger into it. A warrior's attack should be filled with anger and hatred. That's the source of power. Alright, come on, Karha!"

Sven tapped his shield with the axe, but Karha still hesitated.

"Karha, come on!"

Sven urged, almost scolding the boy.

'He’s petrified as he’s swinging the axe.'

Urich yawned, watching Karha. Not only were his attacks lacking any rage, they were nervous and almost feeble because of Sven’s intimidation.

"How do you expect to kill someone with such an attack?"

Sven waited outside for Durigand to return. Returning from work, Durigand greeted Sven with a broad smile. "Sven, let's get wasted again tonight."

"There's something I want to talk to you about, Durigand," Sven replied, sitting on a log. He was resting his chin on his hand supported by his axe rooted in the ground.

"It’s getting late. Let’s chat inside."

"No, we have to talk out here. Grab these weapons, Durigand. I must see if you're still a warrior."

Sven tossed a hand axe and shield to Durigand and took up a two-handed axe himself.

"What did my wife say to you?" Durigand asked awkwardly as he scratched his head to show his hesitation. He bent down clumsily to pick up the axe and shield.

Woosh!

Sven swung his axe, the force stirring Durigand's hair.

"Act like a warrior. You might be going to the Field of Swords tonight."

Upon hearing Sven’s words, Durigand closed and then opened his eyes to show a chill in his gaze. He stomped on the axe handle and shield.

Boom!

The weapons bounced up from the impact, and Durigand caught them stylishly.

"I can't go to the Field anymore, so I’m afraid I can't die here, Sven."

"Have you really abandoned Ulgaro? You are a warrior at heart! You can't leave Ulgaro behind!"

Sven roared. He'd met Durigand several times before handing his daughter over to him. Durigand was hearty and a great warrior, and most importantly, he was responsible, which was an essential trait for a husband. Sven wouldn't have let his daughter marry him if that weren’t the case.

"No matter what anyone says, I am still a warrior, just don't believe in Ulgaro. I have no intention of abandoning my family just so I can die in battle, to be crow's feed. Test me if you doubt me."

Durigand widened his stance, raising the shield.

"Hmm."

Urich watched the duel between Sven and Durigand unfold.

'Stable stance. Shows how much blood he's shed.'

Durigand was a lumberjack and warrior, and his words were no empty words. As soon as he held his weapons, he transformed into a fighter.

Sven swung his two-handed axe.

Clang!

Durigand blocked Sven’s attack with his shield and swiftly counterattacked with the hand axe.

"You've aged, Sven! Haha!"

He charged into Sven’s side immediately, using the momentum to push Sven with his shield.

Boom!

Sven stumbled backward. Durigand aimed a kick at his groin.

"You probably have no use for these anymore, so I’ll just pop them right now!"

Durigand, who was now a Solarist, fought like a true northern warrior in battle.

"Krgh!"

Sven barely blocked the kick with his shin.

Crack!

Durigand's attacks were relentless. His hand axe was pressed hard on Sven's axe, showing the prowess of his lumberjack muscles that were formidable in battle.

"Now you see I'm a warrior."

Durigand threw down his weapons after dominating Sven.

"Why did you turn your back on Ulgaro?"

Sven said as he gasped for air. He was quite weakened by the illness in his lungs.

"There is no place for warriors in the north now. Carrying a weapon only makes one a thug. I'll talk to Irene, Sven."

Durigand went into his house.

Urich, after staring at Sven on the ground for a bit, helped him to his feet.

"Everyone's forgetting their roots," Sven muttered.

"Yes, yes. Can't forget the roots," Urich replied nonchalantly, smiling.