Barbarian Quest

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.'

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.

'I can barely breathe. My head is getting blurry.'

The reason the mountain was taboo was simple. The Sky Mountains, a subject of faith, was also a monster that devoured many challengers. Brave ancestors had experienced and warned about it. Do not cross the mountains, for there is only death.

"... even Urich did it."

Gizzle breathed heavily, pulling himself up the rocks.

"Forefathers of the Stone Axe, grant me the power to gaze upon the heavens."

Gizzle took out a talisman from his pocket. It was a necklace with a rabbit's foot. The old lady shaman made it, warning him of the evil spirits of the mountain.

* * *

"Samikan won't send you into battle anymore. This is serious."

Vald said inside Urich's tent. He slightly opened the tent's leather door, checking if anyone was listening, and then came back in.

"It must be because if he releases any more hostages, he'll lose the power to suppress the Stone Axe Tribe. Samikan is clever."

"While we're sitting around here doing nothing, Samikan is leading warriors and conquering the surrounding tribes. Recently, the Flame Ear Tribe even voluntarily submitted to him. After gaining more power, Samikan will surely strike both Red Sand and Stone Axe at once."

"Yeah, probably."

"Samikan trusts you. That's why you can get close to him. Maybe we should...ugh!"

Urich quickly covered Vald's mouth. He shook his head and placed his finger on his lips.

Urich whispered lowly.

"We can’t do that. And even if we manage to take out Samikan secretly, anyone who's not a fool would know it was us. Where would the spears of the Blue Mist warriors, who lost a respected chief, point to? First, our tribesmen held as hostages would be massacred. That's for sure. Killing Samikan will only make things worse."

Urich looked at the situation coolly. Vald's eyes widened at Urich's calm words. Urich already had a political sense. Having experienced the complex world of the noble society, Urich’s political thinking was on a different level than anyone else on this side of the mountains.

'Sometimes killing an enemy only creates more enemies.'

Killing the enemy didn’t always solve everything.

"But Urich, I can't just watch my brothers and sisters suffer like this. They are my family."

"I know that. I know I've been away for three years, but that doesn’t make me an outsider! We are family."

Urich placed his palm over the fire. He closed his eyes and felt the warmth of the flame. The warmth turned into heat, with the fire charring even his calloused palm, which started to sting and blister from the burn.

"Urich, there are many in the tribe who will support you."

Vald had checked the tribe's situation each time he brought the hostages back home. Chief Gizzle was losing his influence, and the tribespeople believed Urich would somehow help them.

Urich grinned bitterly.

"Gizzle is my brother too."

"Urich, let's do what we need to do. I will follow you to the end of my life. It's natural for a strong warrior to become the chief. Wolves don't follow a leader weaker than themselves, even if he's a brother from the same womb."

Vald looked at Urich with heavy eyes. Urich licked his lips, finding it hard to speak rashly.

"Fine, I'll become chief."

Even as he spoke, Urich frowned and clenched his fist tightly.

"Urich, this isn't betrayal or humiliation. It's courage for the sake of our family."

"Don't dress it up grandly. I am going to betray Gizzle and bow down to Samikan."

Urich stood up and left the tent. His decision was made, and there was no hesitation in his steps.

* * *

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.

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