Chapter 112 The Winter Orcs and Spiders are coming

Chapter 112 The Winter Orcs and Spiders are coming

"Chilling as always..." - Henry muttered, taking a deep breath. The hot air escaping his nostrils resembled coiling snakes, pushing the icy air away from his cheeks, forcing it to maintain its distance.

A wooden wall loomed on the horizon, at least three times the size of Henry and high enough to block the charge of a Winter Orc. The logs were tightly bound together and stuck deep into the snowy ground, leaving no room for prying eyes and erecting a sturdy barrier against any external threat.

The faint sunlight and the thin blanket of snow falling from the sky served as messengers of the morning, signaling the start of a new day within the Outer Layer of the Frozen Forest. The morning was accompanied by a deafening and dangerous silence as the beasts awaited patiently for their preys, the first one to make a noise was in a disadvantage.

Orsus contrasted greatly with the silence spreading across the forest, bustling with activity and life. Living in the Outer Layer was way easier and safer compared to the Inner Layer, where staying alert was crucial to avoid being wiped out of existence, and a single pack of beasts could destroy their village.

Inside the Outer Layer, their routines revolved around cutting down trees, hunting for food, and selling the surplus to the capital for gold and other goods. However, although it was safer, the barbarians still preferred to stick together in groups of five to ten, enough to protect themselves from unforeseen dangers.

"King!" "King"

Every barbarian he encountered on his way to Orsus called out the word 'king', their speech carried a distinct and strong accent. Their eyes held a mix of different emotions, fear, respect and anxiety were woven inside them. And, despite their discomfort, the barbarians still bowed their heads, an uneasy action for those who hated being lower than others. However, the last leader had repeatedly told them to bow their heads as a sign of respect, demonstrating their allegiance and will to remain peacefully under the throne.

This layout served as an indirect and subtle method to peacefully integrate the barbarians into Stahl without resorting to forceful actions. It avoided the need to eliminate them all, preventing the birth of vengeful sentiments. By controlling the most influential person and the sites that represented the culture of the community, Henry could sway over the entire community, influencing their culture and their favor. It was a slow but effective way to control them, and the layout was only the manifestation of such will in the physical world, serving as a reinforcement together with the power in his hands.

The blend of military strength and strategic governance could be found in many empires on Earth such as the British Empire and the Mongol Empire. The Mongols effectively utilized their military prowess to assert control over subordinate regions, allowing certain khanates and local leaders to maintain their autonomy if they proved to be loyal to the Great Khan. This approach proved to be a great method for exploiting the diversity within the communities, with weaker figures aligning themselves under the wings of the Great Khan. Of course, the loyalty only existed if the military might of the Mongol Empire persisted.

In summary, seizing control of the leader ensured that Henry could maintain authority over the barbarians without the need for extensive bloodshed, while also using their knowledge and cultural differences to advance his kingdom. He had already taken advantage of their technique of Tribal Tattoo and their knowledge on medical plants. At this moment, it was better to use their differences than resort to a homogeneous culture.

Henry walked towards the center of Orsus, passing by the simple huts, with everyone continuously bowing their heads and addressing him as 'king.' They were all occupied, carrying prey on their backs or holding hatchets. Some women even carried children as they ventured out to chop wood for the winter, disregarding the chilly winds. However, they all took their time to bow their heads.

Upon reaching the center of the village, Henry noticed a large man who, unlike the others, had no necklace around his neck and wore no furred clothes, leaving his robust body almost entirely exposed to the wind. This individual was hastily tossing snow into the giant bonfire at the center, suffocating the flames that were supposed to remain lit throughout the entire year.

There was a sense of unease in the man's actions, as if he was trying to suffocate a great enemy.

"Gedhe!" Henry shouted, causing the man to turn his head. In that moment, Henry caught a glimpse of anxiety in the barbarian's blue eyes.

Without a second to hesitate, Gedhe rushed towards Henry, his voice trembling with fear - "King Henry!!" - His strong accent filled the air, but he was understandable - "The Winter Orcs and the Spiders are coming!! I saw it! I saw it!"- he shouted desperately.