“It’s ambiguous.”
Lucian muttered with an unconvinced expression. Being the son of the chief clearly didn’t mean a low status.
For a foreigner, gaining status right from the start wasn’t a bad thing either. The problem was that Lucian’s goal was far too ambitious.
“I came here to bring the entire tribe under my command. I didn’t come to serve under the chief. Rather than being placed on the same level as the chief’s son for something like this, I’d prefer to be treated as a foreign ruler.”
Even after this, Lucian would still have several chances to prove himself.
But, as always, first impressions were the most important. Had he just arrived, and was already being given treatment just below the chief?
Instead of that—even if it meant being regarded with suspicion as a foreigner and having to shed blood—it was better to conquer a proper position.
However, upon hearing this, Helen shook her head.
“My lord, it’s the opposite.”
“The opposite? Are you saying it’s better to accept that proposal and be on the same level as the chief’s son?”
“What someone gains by subduing a warrior isn’t just preferential treatment. They obtain all the rights that warrior possessed. From command authority to the right of succession—everything.”
“…!?”
At those unexpected words, Lucian’s eyes widened. If that were true, Lucian could become their ruler in place of Gunstein.
No matter how great his achievements were, as an outsider, he’d always carry the label of a conqueror.
But to be recognized as a legitimate ruler by tradition—not as an invader?
“Does a rule like that really exist? It’s not some theoretical rule that’s never actually applied, is it?”
“It’s a blood rule that all the tribes of the glacier respect. Regardless of His Majesty’s origin, not a single member would oppose it.”
“Then that’s a relief though it’s still absurd. To surrender and hand everything over to the enemy just like that.”
At Lucian’s doubt, Helen gently smiled and explained.
“My lord, this is a land where the population is extremely scarce. In a place like this, if they killed everyone just for being enemies once, the losses would be enormous. On the contrary, even if they want to forgive, if the enemy won’t surrender, there’s no choice.”
Then Lucian understood why that rule existed. The population a ruler controls is the source of taxes, labor, and military strength.
The more people, the greater the benefit to the ruler and their entire faction. But unlike the Empire, here they couldn’t bring in new people from the outside.
‘Whether enemies or allies, in the end, they’re all just fighting among a fixed population. If they reduce that population by calling them enemies, the entire exchange network collapses.’
A bitter smile appeared on Lucian’s lips. If there were population available to resettle the empty lands, it would be different—but as it stood, even winning gained you nothing.
On the contrary, losing the trade network would worsen quality of life.
That’s why, as the victor, the ideal was to eliminate only the leaders and absorb the enemy’s population.
But if the former enemies would rather die than surrender, there was no other option.
“It’s a kind of pact. In exchange for recognizing the victor as the legitimate ruler, life and equal treatment are guaranteed.”
“Exactly.”
“I see. In that case, there’s nothing to worry about.”
It wasn’t an empty formality, but a rule created to prevent the complete extinction of the tribe.
Because it was directly tied to survival, no one would dare break it lightly.
“Very well, I accept.”
***
As planned, Lucian’s group decided to spend the night at the last rest stop before setting out.
More time had passed than expected, and in a glacier like this, conserving strength was just as important as anything else.
The only difference now was the increase in the number of people—and thus, a change in the food.
Sizzle.
The aroma of roasting meat spread throughout the cabin. While everyone swallowed hard at the scent that stirred their senses, Gunstein cut a piece of meat and chewed it.
“Hmm.”
With a satisfied expression, Gunstein took the meat and carefully placed it on a plate.
Then he held it with both hands and offered it to Lucian as if it were an offering.
“It’s ready, my lord.”
Lucian silently accepted the plate and brought a well-cut piece to his mouth.
Unlike the bland taste from before, this now had a sharp tang that stimulated the tongue. Not bad at all.
“The flavor is unique. What spice did you use?”
“Spice? I don’t know what that is, but it’s dried and ground black weasel liver. If you add it to any food, the flavor improves a lot.”
“Not bad.”
“Come on, everyone else eat too.”
Gunstein also cut meat and personally handed it to the others. There was no trace left of his previous arrogance; now, he was impeccably respectful.
The group accepted the plates with astonished expressions.
One of the subordinates, uneasy at seeing Gunstein like this, stepped forward.
“Chief, we can serve.”
“No need. It’s my duty.”
Despite the subordinate’s thoughtfulness, Gunstein didn’t budge.
In the Empire, personally serving food was already a high mark of respect, but here it seemed to carry an even deeper meaning.
Helen silently watched Gunstein and only after receiving the plate he offered did she speak.
“Gunstein, it’s time you explained.”
“Explain? Explain what?”
“Don’t play dumb. Why did you ignore my mediation earlier?”
Helen’s sharp gaze pierced through the confused Gunstein.
“The Gunstein I knew wasn’t someone so reckless. You knew right from wrong, and even showed respect to my master.”
“…”
“And yet today, you not only ignored my words, but disrespected my master’s guests. Why did you do it?”
It was a direct question that bordered on cold.
Gunstein hesitated for a long time, and in the end, let out a sigh as if giving up.
No matter how he thought about it, no excuse came to mind that didn’t sound pathetic, so he decided to speak the truth.
“I wanted to bring the Guide to my side so I could become chief.”
“What are you saying?”
“My father is already very old. He’s not immobile, but he’s at the point where he can no longer call himself a warrior with pride.”
When a chief can no longer fulfill their duties as a warrior, tradition dictates that a new one must be chosen.
Everyone knew that a contest between the brothers was coming.
Gunstein, as the chief’s son, also had the right to compete—and the ambition.
“But unlike my brothers, my base is far too weak. The history they’ve built, the time they’ve spent leading—it’s all different. They’ve led their groups for over ten years and built up prestige.”
If the contest were a simple one-on-one, Gunstein might’ve had a chance.
But it wasn’t just about personal strength—it was also about reputation and the factions under each candidate’s control.
Maybe in ten more years—but if the contest started now, there was no way he could win.
“My brothers don’t even consider me a rival. And honestly, they’re right. But there was one person who could reverse all those disadvantages at once.”
“You’re talking about my master.”
“That’s right. If the Guide sided with me, I could compete on equal footing. But there was no sign he would, so…”
“So you tried to use us—the ones you stumbled across by chance. You planned to invoke tradition, claim us as your property, then free us in exchange for our support. Right?”
At Lucian’s blunt interrogation, Gunstein nodded with a reddened face.
He seemed ashamed to recall how his own scheme had backfired.
“…Even so, now that I serve my lord, I think this is better. Among my brothers, there’s not one with the caliber to be chief.”
He preferred to serve Lucian over any of his brothers.
It didn’t sound like a forced excuse—Gunstein’s expression was oddly relieved.
“Well, if that’s how you see it, all the better. By the way, that contest—is it really going to happen soon?”
“Huh? Ah… yes. At the latest, in three or four days. My father has already hinted at it.”
“Then…”
Lucian set down his plate and smirked boldly.
“Can I participate in the contest in your place?”
“…!?”
***
The next day, Lucian’s group left the cabin and headed toward their destination.
This time, Helen didn’t have to rely on memories from years ago.
Gunstein and his men, natives of the area, served as guides.
“If we keep this pace, we’ll arrive before afternoon.”
“Good. I was getting tired of walking on nothing but snow.”
“My lord… do you truly intend to participate in the contest?”
Lucian answered only with a smile and quickened his pace.
Gunstein, about to ask more, shut his mouth. It wasn’t his place to press his lord for answers.
“The blizzard’s easing up.”
Lucian looked around while following Gunstein.
Until now, outside of the path opened by magic, the terrain had been impossible for a human to endure.
But from this point on, the farther they advanced, the calmer the blizzard became.
Soon, the snow completely settled and the surroundings turned uniform.
“This is where our tribe lives. We call it the Dragon’s Jaw.”
Gunstein pointed downward from a hill.
Lucian followed him up and let out an exclamation.
“It’s impressive.”
Beyond the frozen wasteland, at the edge of the land of eternal cold, there truly was a settlement.
It wasn’t just any village.
All the inhabitants were giants, two or three heads taller than imperial citizens.
Clad in furs, they repaired damaged homes and skinned hunted beasts—each one busy with their own tasks.
Everyday life wasn’t all that different, but the sight was far too strange to ignore.
“…That guy just carried two massive logs—one in each hand?”
“And the beasts they’re skinning are all predators.”
A physical strength that let them effortlessly lift weights an imperial of the same height could barely budge.
The skill to handle giant beasts like rabbits.
And the villagers passed by it all as if it were perfectly normal.
Any one of them could crush an elite imperial soldier like a child.
“My lord, before going down, please wear this.”
While everyone was still captivated, Gunstein removed his outer coat and handed it to Lucian.
It was an overly large, thick leather garment, causing Lucian to frown slightly.
“Do I really have to wear this? It’s huge. I’ll look like a clown.”
“It’s the proof that all my rights have been passed to you. At least the first time you enter, you must wear it.”
“Sigh no choice then.”
Lucian put on the coat.
Luckily, it didn’t drag on the ground, so he could preserve at least some dignity.
Then, the moment the group descended and encountered the villagers, it happened.
“Hngh!?”
“D-Dear gods!”
“It can’t be!”
“Oh… at last!”
Shouts erupted from all around as soon as they saw Lucian.
Stunned by the unexpected reaction, Lucian blinked.
‘What the hell is going on now?’
He had expected hostility, but this wasn’t hostility—it was shock and fear.
And still, among the crowd, there were also those who looked at him with hope and joy.
As Lucian tilted his head in confusion, one villager shouted.
“Our king has arrived!”
“…!?”
____
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