Barbarian Quest

Chapter 146

"He’s insane. Running out there all by himself."

The warriors of Blue Mist followed Urich, but they had no intention of matching his impulsive actions. They maintained their formation, advancing calmly step by step.

'Charging alone is practically a suicide. I know that.'

Urich halted about twenty steps from the Wind Blade warriors. They looked at him, puzzled.

Whoosh!

Urich swiftly threw his axe in a lightning-like motion. A Wind Blade warrior hit by the surprise throw collapsed, blood spurting from his head.

"You son of a bitch!"

Other Wind Blade warriors simultaneously rushed toward Urich, hurling their spears and axes at him.

"Hmph."

Urich extended his arm backward to grab his shield. He held it up as a fierce spear pierced it but couldn't penetrate his steel breastplate and gauntlets.

Whisk!

Urich caught a flying spear out of the air and hurled it back at his enemies.

Crunch!

A warrior impaled by Urich's spear collapsed to the ground.

'That’s two.'

Urich counted as he stepped back. The enraged Wind Blade warriors chased him with the sole intention of killing him.

'See, this is the problem. They fight without discipline, all emotionally.'

Close combat was the fighting style of tribal warriors. Bows were seen more as hunting tools, and warriors were scorned by their peers if they didn’t bravely charge into battle. They fought purely on heightened emotions. Such tactics were not going to be enough against the imperial army.

'I need to fight smarter than the civilized people.'

Urich eyed an incoming spear and purposely exposed his side to invite an attack. The warriors, unfamiliar with steel armor, were greatly shocked by Urich's armor.

Clang!

A sound came from Urich's side as the spear's blade bounced off. It would have eviscerated his insides if it weren’t for the armor.

"Iron armor! Ahhhhh!"

The Wind Blade warrior, after failing his thrust, threw away his spear and grabbed an axe, roaring as he aimed for Urich's face.

Urich clenched his fist and swung it powerfully. His fist, wrapped up to the forearm by the steel armor, was practically a hammer.

Crunch!

Urich's punch landed right on the warrior’s face, shattering his skull and squeezing his brain. Blood and brain matter seeped into the metal seams of his armor. Urich, feeling the warm brain under his grip, kicked the corpse away and drew his sword, ready for the next warrior.

‘I can’t let them surround me.'

Urich continued to slay off the attacking Wind Blade warriors.

No matter how strong the armor, Urich's wasn't in full plate armor. Even full body armor had vulnerabilities when surrounded. Ultimately, human-made objects were bound to have weaknesses. Even knights in full plate armor covered each other's gaps and weaknesses by standing with their backs against each other.

'He's humiliating them all by himself.'

The others watching Urich fight from a distance marveled at his prowess.

Urich provoked and drew out enemies, killing them one by one while skillfully retreating to avoid encirclement. His fighting strategy was built upon his strength to take down an enemy with a single blow along with his unending stamina.

"Bows! Bring the bows!"

The warriors, frustrated, finally pulled out their bows. Warriors from the rear moved forward with bows.

'That is some extraordinary courage, Urich.'

Samikan smiled, watching Urich's retreat.

Even while fighting, Urich kept his ears open, continuously observing his surroundings. Seeing the bows, he raised his shield and backed away.

"Show how many battlefields you've survived. Not just anyone can cross the mountains!"

As Urich bought time, the Blue Mist warriors approached. They advanced in formation, shields up and spears thrust forward.

Buuuup!

The horn signaled a charge. The Blue Mist warriors, well-coordinated from numerous real-life battles, mercilessly pierced the heart of the Wind Blade tribe.

"Oooohhhh! Samikaaaaan!"

The warriors shouted their chief's name. The Wind Blade warriors, disarrayed by Urich, were easily defeated by the charging Blue Mist formation.

"Second row! Forward!"

The second line of warriors replaced the first, continuing the relentless assault. Their timed attacks were flawless with no room to counter. The result was a fully one-sided exchange. Dozens of Wind Blade warriors fell to their deaths for only a few injuries among the Blue Mist warriors.

"Urich! Are you going to keep doing your crazy stuff? You scared me, you bastard!"

Vald came up to Urich, scolding but with a smile on his face.

"I just wanted to set the right tone."

Urich caught his breath inside the formation, looking back at Samikan, who was standing at the very back of the line.

'Samikan is different from ordinary chiefs.'

Chiefs gain warriors' trust by fighting at the front. But Samikan commanded from the rear and still earned their respect and trust.

'He behaves like a noble or king from the civilized world.'

After catching his breath, Urich, with Vald, charged back into battle. He fought for his tribe.

The Wind Blade tribe suffered a brutal defeat. The Wind Blade didn’t have the large size of other dominant tribes, but they were a tribe known for their tenacity and strength over vast lands. They had more casualties than any other before they knelt in surrender. It was almost a complete annihilation.

'The Wind Blade tribe will fade away.'

There weren't enough warriors left to sustain the tribe. They were going to be absorbed by the surrounding tribes or end up as wanderers of the plains and wastelands.

“Urich, I trust you... but the Blue Mist is strong.”

Vald grinned bitterly as he wiped away the spots of blood all over his face and body. Even among the piles of bodies on the ground, only a few were warriors of Blue Mist.

“I know, but the imperial army is much stronger. This isn’t going to be enough.”

“What?”

Vald looked at Urich with wide-open eyes. His question meant to ask Urich how he was going to regain the Stone Axe Tribe’s freedom from the Blue Mist, but Urich responded with something completely different.

“The Blue Mist has to grow much stronger than this.”

Urich stared at the Wind Blade village as he sheathed his sword. The Blue Mist warriors had started the plundering and raping, and shortly after, the village was filled with the screams of the women.

“What do you mean the Blue Mist has to grow stronger? What is this nonsense, Urich? Have you actually lost your mind?”

“At the very least, we have to unite all the tribes around the foot of the Sky Mountains within a year. Samikan is the right person for that.”

Vald’s eyes showed his visible confusion. He couldn’t see what Urich was seeing.

‘What the hell are you looking at, Urich?’

* * *

"Ironclad Urich, your contribution was remarkable. Honestly, I was inspired," Samikan called Urich aside to talk. They shared a drink in the ruins of Wind Blade village.

The wails of weeping women occasionally pierced the air. The Blue Mist warriors went from house to house, killing all the male children.

"Kill all the boys. It will be troublesome if they seek revenge later."

Samikan knew that the Wind Blade tribe was doomed. There was no reason to take hostages from a tribe that couldn't even pay tribute.

Sitting by the campfire, Urich salted and grilled dried deer meat. He took a sip of goat's milk liquor.

"Inspired? I'm flattered."

Urich brushed his sweat-soaked hair back.

"As promised, I will release thirty people."

"That's generous. I remember killing only about twenty."

That number itself was impressive. Urich cleaned the blood off his sword with hot water. The clean blade was then coated with animal grease to prevent rust.

"I'm a generous man, Urich."

Hearing this, Urich burst into laughter.

"Yeah, very generous. Extremely so."

Samikan coveted Urich's armor but didn't take it. No matter how good the armor, it was only meant for one person. Urich was a warrior of much greater value.

Urich sheathed his sword after the brief maintenance.

"The threat from beyond the mountains is coming, Samikan."

"So what? I asked Noah about it. I haven't taken your warnings lightly. But Noah said it's nearly impossible for an army to cross the mountains."

"Noah is a man from beyond the mountains."

"But now he is mine."

"People don't change at the core that easily. Noah longs for his homeland and will return as soon as he is given the chance to do so."

Urich didn't want to speak ill of Noah. He understood Noah's heart better than anyone. But to Urich, Noah was a latent threat.

"Noah Arten will honor the friendship that we have. Sowing discord is not befitting of a warrior, Urich. You've even earned the nickname 'Ironclad Urich,' don't act so petty."

Samikan reprimanded Urich. Urich tilted his head, chuckling.

"I have friends beyond those mountains too. There is even a person who promised me wealth and fame. Samikan, no matter how grand you are on this side of the mountains, beyond it, on the other side, you're just a rowdy bunch."

"Now it feels like you're just taking advantage of my generosity and kindness."

Samikan frowned, and the surrounding warriors glared at Urich.

"...I left everything and crossed those mountains. Neither Gizzle nor you can understand the sacrifices I've made. But my soul was drawn here, to this land's rough soil and its damn capricious skies."

Samikan followed Urich's gaze eastward.

'Urich is not a liar.'

The rugged and sincere words of Urich fully resonated with Samikan.

'Should I also be prepared?'

Samikan quietly turned his gaze back to the campfire.

Gizzle was blinded by jealousy and overlooked Urich, which led to his defeat to Samikan. If Gizzle had sought advice and help from Urich, things might not have gone this way.

'Could Urich have truly crossed the mountains purely to protect his brothers?'

A surge of emotion welled up in Samikan's chest. Noah had mentioned that Urich most likely held a significant position beyond the mountains. Urich's and Noah's words matched seamlessly.

The Blue Mist warriors left the ruined Wind Blade village after staying for a day. They returned with loot and female slaves. The Blue Mist tribe had grown significantly, which made them reliant on plunder and tributes for sustenance.

"Wind Blade tribe had plenty of pastures. Bring the livestock over before the dry season. We should let them get fat."

Samikan immediately began issuing various orders upon returning to the village.

Urich went to meet the captives from the Stone Axe Tribe. They recognized him and widened their eyes. They were crammed into a large tent, dozens of them living cramped together. The boys toiled in the mines upon waking, and the young women were burdened with various chores.

"Look, it's Urich! It's Urich!"

The captives exclaimed upon seeing Urich. He smiled bitterly. The children were emaciated from the harsh labor, barely kept alive with just enough food.

"...Only thirty of you can go home. You have to decide who amongst yourselves."

Urich explained the situation. The boys who had just started to grow some hair discussed among themselves.

"Urich, we'll send the women first. Come forward, pregnant ones first."

The boys looked at each other and nodded. They decided to send back the pregnant and weakened women first.

"Good, that's how men should be."

Urich patted a boy's head and smiled.

"Urich, can we ever go home?"

The boy held back his own desire to return first. The Stone Axe was short on childbearing women. Despite their young age, the boys chose to send the women back first for the future of their tribe.

"...Trust me."

Urich pursed his lips. He had crossed the mountains to save his people and brothers, but that was a future yet to come. The suffering people right in front of his eyes were his family.

'Who the hell do I think I am saying I’m going to save the people of this side if I can't even save these guys...'

Clarity. He saw exactly what he needed to do.

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