✦ Chapter 110 – Wedding Night(?) (4) ✦
「Translator – Creator」
𒋝
The 1st Princess’s domain.
The Northern warriors were confused.
“So the prey the 1st Princess mentioned was a man?”
“Hmm… Should we take it as a joyful occasion?”
“If it’s the First Princess’s will, I support it! That’s what being a warrior is about!”
Many warriors, including Brolka, voiced their support once they learned the true nature of the prey. Even in the North, they understood love.
“I don’t understand this at all,” a deep voice boomed.
The speaker was Brogar, a massive warrior, his entire body, including his face, covered in intricate blue tattoos. His thick neck was adorned with a necklace of animal bones, and a menacing-looking axe was strapped to his back.
His most striking feature, however, was the eyepatch covering his right eye.
He hefted his axe, his gaze sweeping across the assembled warriors.
“I hope my words won’t be taken the wrong way. I speak for the good of the North.”
The herald, listening attentively, thought to himself, ‘For the good of the North? Don’t make me laugh.’
The North was a land where strength dictated order.
In other words, those who were weaker had to keep their thoughts and desires to themselves.
Brogar had always resented the First Princess’s leadership, and had aspired to claim her position. He was using this opportunity to challenge her authority.
“I want to know the reason. Why hunt that man?”
“It’s because the First Princess desires that man.”
“Desires him?”
“Yes.”
The herald replied calmly, his voice unwavering.
“The First Princess also has feelings. She very carefully chose that man, and he is our Inspector.”
“So, she’s considering marrying that man….”
“Of course, she is considering marriage as well.”
This caused a stir among those present.
“The First Princess has feelings for someone?”
“Our 1st Princess? Our 1st Princess?!”
In the North, where power takes precedence over common sense, ‘love’ had a different connotation compared to how other regions of the empire might describe it.
They too enjoyed romance and marriage, but…
…their criteria for attraction were different. They were drawn to those who were stronger than themselves, and their love often manifested as a desire to protect and support their chosen partner.
“So the 1st Princess acknowledges this man’s strength?!”
“Her acknowledgment? But he’s not even from the North!”
The fact that the First Princess had acknowledged that man’s strength shocked them.
“I can’t understand this. I simply can’t understand it.”
The herald frowned as he watched Brogar shake his head, the blade of his axe glinting menacingly in the flickering torchlight.
‘Brogar used to admire the First Princess.’
He had once challenged the First Princess to a duel for marriage and lost an eye in the process; though nothing was stated outright, the herald sensed it was jealousy driving Brogar’s actions.
The herald asked,
“Isn’t the inspector qualified enough?”
But Brogar shook his head vehemently.
“Preposterous! What makes you think so?”
“The Inspector…”
“Of course, the inspector might be exceptional. However!”
Brogar’s voice boomed.
“Evaluating through physical confrontation is the tradition and way of the North. Have you completely forgotten that, herald?”
“The circumstances are different.”
“The man the First Princess brought differs that much?”
“Yes.”
“Then…”
A sly smile appeared on Brogar’s face.
“Doesn’t that make it all the more necessary to evaluate him by the North’s standards? Is there anyone fairer than I? I don’t care about the inspector’s origin or status!”
The herald swallowed nervously.
There was some truth in his words.
The Northern way – judging a person’s worth based on their strength and abilities, regardless of their background – was inherently fair. But Brogar’s intentions were less than honorable.
Clearly, he aimed to harm the inspector.
…However, it was difficult to outright deny the Northern tradition.
“Anyone wishing to become a member of the North must be evaluated by Northern standards. There is indeed such a tradition.”
“So your mind isn’t completely addled. Good, Herald. You’re no traitor. I’ll attest to that!”
Brogar grinned and patted the herald’s shoulder.
Yet the herald understood well. This was no genuine compliment.
“I trust you won’t object if we reject the Inspector should he fail to meet our standards?”
Brogar finally revealed his true intentions.
“The inspector is already here, isn’t he?”
“…Yes.”
“Then there’s even less reason to hesitate or delay. Does he qualify to be a member of the North? That should be assessed by Northern methods!”
“Hah…”
The herald couldn’t help but laugh.
It was unusual for warriors to mock each other during a serious discussion, but he couldn’t contain his amusement.
“…Laughing? Are you mocking me, herald?”
“Warrior Brogar, you’re mistaken.”
The herald shook his head.
“The First Princess has made the best possible decision, and regardless of how harsh Northern standards are, the inspector will easily meet them.”
As if this explanation wasn’t sufficient, he drove the point home.
“Which means you can’t stop him.”
“Hah!”
But Brogar just laughed even louder.
“I heard that you scouts including the herald made a grave mistake recently. You led the 1st Princess to defeat.”
“How inept your support must have been for that to happen. It seems your judgment has also become clouded. But keep watching. The North needs a change.”
The herald clicked his tongue.
“Spare me the insults. What’s your point?”
“I will personally duel the inspector.”
“…You… personally?”
“Yes, could there be anything fairer? If he’s stronger than me, he deserves a place in the North.”
The herald couldn’t hide his disdain.
“It seems your unrequited feelings for the 1st Princess have turned into an obsession. You’re letting your emotions cloud your judgment.”
“Emotions? What emotions? This is about tradition.”
His use of the word ‘tradition’ disgusted the herald.
How many gallant and respectful warriors were in the North? Many appeared gentle yet intelligent, fierce yet compassionate…
…but it was always warriors like Brogar that posed a problem.
“You will lose to the Inspector.”
“Now it seems the herald wishes for a northern warrior to be defeated? Could this too be betrayal?”
Sharp words, like daggers, flung back and forth.
“You can push your narrative all you want. However.”
The herald paused.
In truth, what he was about to say was his own decision. He didn’t know if he should even mention it without the First Princess’s permission….
…But he didn’t care. His heart compelled him to act.
“Brogar, how about we add a condition to this duel?”
“A condition?”
“In the North, we respect every warrior’s opinion. But since you want to push through despite differing opinions, let’s at least set some conditions.”
He took a deep breath, then continued.
“If you win, I will resign from my position as herald. And I will transfer all my authority to you.”
The warriors gasped, their eyes widening in disbelief.
The First Princess’s herald held immense privileges.
Not only did he convey the 1st Princess’s will, but he could also add his own thoughts and suggestions. He was her closest advisor, and in her absence, he acted as her strategist.
He was offering to give all that up.
“But if you lose, Brogar, you and all who support you will leave the North.”
“Hmm?”
“I await your answer.”
What had started as a simple disagreement had escalated into something much bigger. The warriors exchanged uneasy glances, murmuring amongst themselves.
“Is this really okay…?”
“It’s too complicated for my mind!”
“I just wanted the First Princess to be happy… Has this gotten too big? I’m not sure.”
It was at that moment that Brogar spoke.
“Very well. I accept.”
“Brogar!”
Several warriors gasped in shock, but Brogar’s resolve was unshakeable. As was the Herald’s.
“Understood. Then the duel…”
“Will happen today.”
“Today? Very well. I’ll inform the 1st Princess immediately.”
The herald turned and hurried away. As he disappeared from sight, the warriors turned to Brogar.
“Brogar, are you sure about this?”
“Yes! Regardless, it’s the First Princess’s choice…”
“Everyone, shut up!”
Brogar roared, his voice silencing their concerns.
“Do you think I’ll lose? Or are you saying the northern evaluation method is flawed?”
“…That’s not it, but…”
“You brain-dead fools.”
He clicked his tongue, his expression scornful.
“The situation in the Demon Realm is unstable. The 1st Princess’s heart may no longer be with the North. In times like these, who else but a warrior like me will step up and protect our people? When will we seize this opportunity if not now?”
“Hmm…”
Brogar was aware, of course.
‘I can’t guarantee my victory.’
But life’s perfect opportunities were nonexistent.
He had learned through experience that what’s crucial is the desperation to seize even the slightest chance and make something happen.
‘This is my last chance to claim the First Princess.’
If he could prove he was stronger than the man the First Princess had her eye on, wouldn’t she finally take an interest in him? It was a distinct possibility.
‘I must win!’
Brogar silently vowed to himself again and again.