SWNOVELXO Ch. 9
Chapter 9: The Life of a Warrior (7)
Four people gathered in the great hall of the main body of the Snowy King’s army.
The giant man wearing the skull of a white tiger on his head exuded a fierce, animalistic intimidation; he was none other than the Snowy King himself.
In contrast, the three others wore clean, pristine attire and exuded a completely different aura; they were generals of the Snowy King’s army.
Their appearances were so different that one would hardly think they belonged to the same faction.
If strangers had seen them, they would have thought it was a meeting between the Snowy King and a noble of the Parno family.
The stark difference in their appearances reflected their places of origin.
Unlike the Snowy King, who had been born and raised on the Great Snowfields, the three generals had come from the continent.
That difference became apparent even in the discussions about the missing Blood Bear.
“After all, it was nothing but an animal. Surely it didn’t die of old age somewhere,” said Grand General Dardiom, the eldest among them.
His tone toward the king was somewhat disrespectful, yet the Snowy King did not take issue with his attitude.
“The Blood Bear was some creature whose lifespan was unknown. A monster that overcame natural limits and simply died of old age? I wouldn’t trust such nonsense even from a dog.”
“Heh. I can’t understand trembling before that so-called beast. And Parno calling on us because they couldn’t handle it themselves is ridiculous.”
General Bel, the most belligerent of the three, sneered contemptuously.
“Hahaha! Do you think Parno hid away because they feared that beast? I don’t know why they’re suddenly sulking.”
“Sulking? Really, do I need to explain? I dislike this situation where even we are being forced into action over a single beast.”
Dardiom snapped irritably.
“We have already gained enough power to be considered a pillar of the Great Snowfields. How long must we clean up Parno’s messes?”
“My master is right. Snowy King, you grew up here and perhaps you overvalue Parno. But from a continental perspective, they’re just madmen obsessed with past glory.”
Bel voiced his displeasure even more harshly.
Bel typically spoke harshly about the Snowy King’s conduct, resenting how they now seemed submissive to those barbarians.
He had always thought Dardiom, their master and Grand General, was more fitting to be the king.
“So then, General Bel, what is it you propose? Do you wish for war with the Parno family immediately?”
“Hmph. War? None of these nobodies here could accomplish that.”
“Then?”
“In our kind of fights, only a few masters decide the outcome. It’s simple: send a letter to summon them. They are nobles, after all. Hurt their pride and they will show up.”
“Hahaha, simple and clear.”
The Snowy King spoke with enthusiasm, but Bel’s face flushed red as he sensed mockery beneath the words.
“What is so amusing?”
“You generals have been part of the Snowy King’s army for some time, yet you haven’t shed continental thinking. How many times have I said it? Viewing Parno and the Great Snowfields with a continental perspective is folly.”
“What is it that you fear?”
“I do not fear. I wait for an opportunity. I am the one who wishes more than anyone to destroy Parno—and I know Parno’s strength better than any of you.”
Bel General fell silent before the tyrannical energy that surged from the Snowy King.
“This meeting was not to hear your complaints. It was to discuss the missing Blood Bear and issue orders.”
Their expressions stiffened at the Snowy King’s words.
“Perhaps this crisis will become the spark of change. When that time comes, you may rampage for wealth and honor as you wish. But for that, we must know for certain. If the Blood Bear is dead, we must confirm the body; if he fled, we must locate his hiding place. Parno will react in some way.”
The heavy atmosphere weighed on the three.
None had faced the Snowy King in battle, but the bizarre intimidation drained their courage.
“General Bel, I entrust you with inspection of the Blood Bear surveillance bases. Thoroughly check whether they followed orders and whether they concealed any traces of the Blood Bear.”
Bel glared at the Snowy King without a word.
Dardiom did the same.
The tension between them felt as if a fight could break out at any moment…
“There is that man in Choranchai, so it should provide some entertainment.”
“Tsk.”
Bel clicked his tongue and looked away, and Dardiom’s gaze drifted to the ceiling.
Their attempts to find a flaw failed once again, and the Snowy King smiled faintly at their appearance.
But one person remained silent.
General Moritz watched the Snowy King calmly with unchanging expression and steady eyes.
The Snowy King glanced at her briefly, then averted his gaze.
A large dog sled cut across the snow‑field.
Duarr and a member of the Choranchai sat side by side in the front, while Hindir occupied the rear alone.
The front seat was narrow for two, and Hindir’s size made it difficult for two to share the rear either.
They could not entrust the reins to Hindir, so there was no choice.
“Brother, are we really going just for the booze?”
Hindir nodded toward Duarr who felt the wind with eyes closed.
“Really?”
“Do you not want a drink? I heard supplies for Hurakche were cut off long ago?”
“You like drink. But it isn’t worth risking your life.”
“You’re too young. If a time comes when you must risk your life, you’ll miss the drink you didn’t have now.”
Duarr felt half of the awe he had for Hindir over the past days drained away.
That solid, boisterous person suddenly drank alcohol and insisted on going nutty chasing booze…
“Why risk life? You’re just going for a drink. Do you not trust the Snowy King’s army?”
“No… why do you say that?”
“Of course there’s another purpose too.”
“Thought so. What is it?”
“They’re raiding supplies at Choranchai. Even a chaotic group needs some power to pull that off. The other clan heads wouldn’t just stand by.”
“Now that I think about it, we’ve also complained extensively about the clan heads. We couldn’t understand why they stayed still. Maybe that man is just cowardly.”
Duarr nodded, having roughly grasped the situation.
“So you mean it might help to go straight to the main base because the man there has some muscle.”
“Exactly.”
“I didn’t expect things to go like this, but I got some info from the Choranchai yesterday.”
Hindir nodded and said,
“Tell me.”
“The leader is called Ubol? Gubol? Anyway, that man rumored to be sent from the main base. He’s not an ordinary thug, and even the lower ranks of Choranchai are in great hardship.”
“Did he cause trouble? Enough to be sent here in disgrace?”
“…Well, probably. But they didn’t say it was disgrace.”
“Aren’t your words enough answer by now?”
Duarr had thought so too.
“In any case, Choranchai also sent subordinates to protest. They reportedly returned having been beaten almost to death by that clan head. His disposition is certainly fierce. He might just be venting because of his own fate.”
“Hmm.”
“Some say a clan head from another group visited personally and got beaten up, so he must be pretty capable. If a guy like that sees you…”
“He’ll try to fight. That’s not a bad thing.”
“Exactly. He’s already targeting the Snowy King anyway.”
A member of the Choranchai who was listening to the conversation cut in with a nervous voice.
“Uh… do I really have to go with you? I’m really scared.”
“Don’t you need to bring the liquor back to Choranchai?”
“Aren’t you taking it back yourself?”
“I’ve got a long road ahead.”
He continued steering the sled with a distressed face, and after half a day’s ride, they arrived at Choranchai.
It seemed the people of Choranchai had noticed their approach early and had already gathered in a large group.
Hindir was wearing a glaring red leather outfit that made him stand out even from afar.
“Halt!”
They shouted threateningly.
“Hm. Still, this is the best first impression so far.”
“They’re all drawing their blades though.”
“At least they’re speaking politely. That’s something.”
“Hmm… yeah, I guess so.”
The sled stopped at a proper distance from them.
Hindir got off and strode confidently toward them.
“H-halt!”
“I’m Hindir from Choranchai.”
“…Choranchai? Again…?”
“There’s no booze and it’s killing me. So give me some liquor. I’m not asking for all of it.”
Their faces took on a troubled look.
“Well… we’d like to share too, honestly, but the thing is…”
It was clear that the actions of the Choranchai clan head were making things difficult for his subordinates.
“I’ll talk to the clan head myself.”
“Uh… we’ll just sneak you a bit ourselves. We suggest not meeting the clan head. His personality is kinda…”
“You bastards! You think our boss has a nice personality?”
At that moment, Duarr suddenly shouted from behind.
When Hindir glanced back, Duarr gave a composed wink.
It was clear he had already accepted a fight would break out.
Hindir shook his head and spoke again to the Choranchai members.
“It’ll be better for you if I speak with him directly. Doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who’ll just let things go if something goes wrong because you siphoned off supplies.”
“…Sigh. Yeah, you’re right. Then, would you wait a moment?”
As they turned away, they sneaked glances at Hindir.
‘Was the Choranchai clan head this powerful?’
‘He’s not the Blood Bear, is he?’
They silently hoped the trouble wouldn’t spread and went to find the clan head.
“Clan Head Ubol, the Choranchai clan head is here about the supply issue.”
Ubol, the clan head of Choranchai, sat lazily on a massive, plush seat that looked somewhere between a bed and a chair.
His cloudy eyes stared at Hindir, who stood opposite him.
Hindir also quietly examined Ubol.
Skin pale and white like ice.
Hair unkempt and tangled from long neglect, yet somehow enhancing his aura as a handsome man.
“You said it’s about supplies?”
Ubol slurred as he spoke.
“I heard you took all the liquor from here.”
“Heh… yeah, that’s right. So what?”
“You won’t be able to drink all that strong liquor by yourself anyway. Share a little. There’s nothing more foolish than greed over booze.”
“Young brat, talking about booze like you know anything? Get lost with that nonsense. I didn’t think some clan head would barge in here and start spouting this crap.”
He turned away and stuck the bottle back to his lips.
Hindir, watching him calmly, spoke again.
“But do you know what’s even more foolish?”
“What? You’re still here?”
Hindir, staring into his weakly trembling eyes, spoke again.
“Pretending to be drunk and continuing to drink even when you’re not drunk.”
“…”
“You’re just wasting the liquor. What’s the point?”
“Who the hell are you?”
Suddenly, a sharp light returned to Ubol’s cloudy eyes.
“…You’re not the Choranchai clan head. These idiot bastards let someone into the clan head’s quarters without even verifying their identity?”
His voice lost all its drunken slur, now brimming with chill.
“How did you know?”
“You keep your sword close enough to draw at any time. That’s too cautious for a drunkard.”
“…Hehehe, funny bastard. Where are you from? The main base?”
“I came from Snow Dragon Valley. I’m heading to the Snowy King’s main base but didn’t know the way, so I stopped by.”
“So you don’t want to talk?”
But really, there wasn’t much more to say.
He couldn’t exactly tell him he was from 500 years ago.
Just saying he came from Snow Dragon Valley was already the best Hindir could do.
Of course, the other wouldn’t take it that way.
Slaaash—
Ubol quickly grabbed a blade nearby and swung it at Hindir.