Chapter 148

Chapter 148

Where did the child of the plains come from?

Urich was a child found and picked up by warriors returning from a hunt. It wasn't a common occurrence, but it wasn't unheard of either. In the west, many wandered as families. If they couldn't afford it, they sometimes abandoned their children.

The abandoned Urich was a child so scrawny he was hardly comparable to his present self. His emaciated body was as thin as a twig. His long hair covered his face, and his lips were cracked like the arid wastelands of a drought.

'They named him Urich after a warrior who died the day before. Urich of the Stone Axe.'

Gizzle remembered the day Urich arrived. The details were murky like looking through cloudy water, but Urich's appearance was still vivid in his memory. The scrawny little Urich.

Urich grew up alongside other children of his age. The tribe had plenty of resources at the time, so even an orphan like Urich had enough food, and he grew quickly, no longer the skinny child he once was. The tribe practiced communal child-rearing, and orphans were common, so Urich easily blended in with his peers.

Whoosh.

The wind descending from the mountains hit Gizzle's cheeks. He shivered and wrapped his fur cloak around himself.

'Urich quickly grew in stature and absorbed all the combat lessons like a sponge. The adults found teaching him fun and took a liking to him in no time.' Fôll0w current novÊls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

Urich was expected to become a great warrior. Indeed, he proved his skills. When other children his age hunted deer or rabbits, Urich returned with a man’s head.

More and more children began to follow Urich. Even adults were saying he had the makings of a tribal leader under their breaths. Despite Gizzle being the confirmed next chief, people vaguely thought Urich would become the chief.

‘Bullshit. I am the chief.'

Gizzle worked tirelessly. The position of chief wasn't necessarily hereditary. But if the timing was right and one had sufficient qualities, it often followed the bloodline. Gizzle wasn't lacking in skills, but he wasn't an outstanding candidate either.

Because of the exceptional warrior Urich, Gizzle constantly faced tests from the adults. Even his father, Stezo, compared him to Urich and pushed him hard.

"I hate you, Urich."

The reputation and strength that Gizzle had spent his entire life building meant nothing in front of Urich.

Whoosh.

Gizzle climbed the Sky Mountain. He broke the taboo and headed upward.

'Do not cross the Sky Mountains.'

It was an ancient taboo. The Sky Mountains were where the dead went. Beyond it lay the world of spirits.

A living person stepping into the world of the dead. Gizzle felt chills down his spine. It was more a psychological barrier that was holding him back than a physical challenge.

"You broke the taboo like it was nothing..."

Scolding Urich for breaking the taboo was only momentary. The Stone Axe people liked Urich.

'I know. Urich is a dedicated warrior. He'd throw his life away for the Stone Axe Tribe.'

Gizzle looked up. The white snowy peaks were visible in the distance.

'If I hadn't been the chief's son, maybe I would have liked you too, just like the others did.'

Gizzle was destined to compete with Urich, whether he liked it or not.

'What a harsh fate.'

There was no other choice. In tribal society, showing weakness was a sin. Men of the tribe must always be strong. Fear of competition and battle meant no respect.

Gizzle faithfully carried out his duties. He didn't run away or reject his destiny.

"Father! What have I done wrong?"

Gizzle cried out in the mountains. His voice echoed and faded away.

'Urich, if you crossed the mountains and gained wisdom, then I’ll do just that.'

The mountains were harsh. Were there truly no warriors in the long, verbally passed-down history who tried to cross it? It was human nature to dream and seek adventure. Humans fear the unknown, yet conquering it is also human.

Samikan was weighed down by the fatigue that’s been accumulating. While the warriors took turns going on expeditions, Samikan continued to lead them without rest.

Eight large and small tribes had kneeled under the Blue Mist. It was an impressive conquest, something no one had achieved before. Controlling eight tribes simultaneously was a miraculous feat at the administrative level of a single tribe.

'I need loyal followers. Someone to watch over and manage other tribes on my behalf, warriors competent enough to wage wars in my place.'

There was a limit to handling everything alone.

'I should have kept someone by my side to nurture into my right hand.'

He had recently identified promising warriors to keep close, but none were reliable enough to be trusted as a deputy tribal chief.

'Without that kind of man, there is no expansion.'

The challenges Samikan faced were unheard of for previous tribal chiefs. The wisdom of his ancestors was of no use.

'I must think for myself, and I must find my own solution.'

Samikan called for Noah to consult him. Noah was always a reliable advisor.

Listening to Samikan's concerns, Noah nodded and began to speak calmly.

"Ruling everything alone is tough. In lands where the ruler's hand doesn't quite reach, his influence fades. People don't fear or follow what they can't see. That's why kings in our world distribute lands and people to 'nobles' and take oaths of allegiance, solemnly sworn before the sun god Lou. Breaking an oath without a cause brings contempt among nobles and leads to the loss of followers. The nobles, having received the lands, represent the king in those areas and exert influence."

"So, a noble is someone exceptional enough to be entrusted with the land by the king?"

"Nobles are high-quality talents who are well-educated from a young age to govern lands. Not all nobles are excellent, but it's still better than entrusting it to just anyone. Nobles have long-serving retainers who are experts in various fields. Even an incompetent noble can govern the territory easily with their help. It's a safety net built over many years. Sometimes, even a completely idiotic noble receives land."

As Samikan listened, he leaned on his chin and tilted his head.

"I don't have such talented people like nobles. I didn't even think to nurture them for a time like this."

"Same goes for me. I was also a knight, a warrior, basically, so I was ignorant of such matters. Conquering isn't just about military force."

Noah laughed. Samikan let out a faint groan.

"If I had to compare, the tribal chiefs are closest to nobles. Most tribal chiefs are either exceptionally capable individuals who ascended to their position or have been educated by a previous chief since childhood. They have the ability to lead and govern a group."

Not just anyone could be a tribal chief. They had to be outstanding warriors respected by their peers, fair and unbiased in all matters. Most importantly, they needed to protect their tribe and look after its interests.

Samikan was a chief who had brought immense benefits to the Blue Mist Tribe. The tribespeople respected and loved him.

"But other tribal chiefs will betray you at the slightest sign of trouble. What's certain is... if you, Samikan, die, the tribes you've subdued will rise up and strike the Blue Mist from behind. It’s a very delicate and unstable governing structure."

Noah was a noble with basic education, possessing some knowledge of history. The northern tribes, strong opponents of the empire, failed to unite even against a common enemy and fought the empire in a fragmented state.

'Until Mijorn the Great of the north appeared, the north never truly united.'

For barbarian tribes to unite, a hero must emerge. An exceptional hero whom all warriors can acknowledge and respect.

'That hero is you, Samikan.'

Noah had resolved to make his benefactor, Samikan, a king. Even if Samikan became a formidable enemy of the empire in the future, a knight following the sun god Lou must adhere to his duty.

"If you weren't an outsider, I would have entrusted you with various tasks. What a pity."

"If I weren't an outsider, I couldn't have shared such knowledge."

Samikan and Noah began to engage in trivial chatter. As true friends, they enjoyed even the smallest of talks.

Creak.

The chatter ceased. A warrior peeked into the tent.

"Samikan, Urich has arrived."

Samikan nodded as if this was a moment he had been expecting.