Volume 8 Chapter 2 Part 3

「Do you have any ideas in mind? 」

「It’s not really an idea, but would you like to go to Halusia together? 」

Siluca made a suggestion.

「I don’t mind, but the Artuk Treaty is independent from the Fantasia Union, remember? And besides, from the other side’s perspective, we might as well be considered traitors. 」

「Yes, I realize that, but right now we have no choice but to put our trust in Lord Alexis. 」

Although they’ve already made an inquiry about maintaining a cooperative relationship, they’ve received no official response from the Fantasia Union just yet. That is because the Lord’s Conference that would discuss that matter has not been held yet.

「I think the Marquis of Halusia is feeling very depressed due to the continued stream of bad news coming his way. Lord Theo, you are his friend, so you just might be able to encourage him to take action again. 」

「Encourage? 」

「I don’t mind if you end up scolding him. I just want you to visit him and talk to him. 」

Although Siluca appreciates Alexis’ appearance, demeanor, personality, and artistic talent, she had serious doubts about his qualifications to be a ruler of a faction as big as the Fantasia Union.

“The Artuk Treaty is currently the only faction capable of dealing with Waldrind. The forces of the Factory Alliance, which are currently focused around the Nords, are invading the territories of the Fantasia Union from the north, so now the Union doesn’t have any other choice but to go and do something about them. Now that the Earl of Leclerc, who was doing a reliable job of keeping the Alliance pinned in place, has been killed in battle, Lord Alexis is the only one who can save his people. If he decides to stand up against the Alliance when the situation is as grave as it is now, the other Lords from the fantasia Union will surely follow him. But if he still chooses to remain passive despite the danger that’s getting closer and closer to his doorstep, then not only the Fantasia Union but the Artuk Treaty as well will be as good as finished. 」

「Okay, I understand. We’ll go meet with Lord Alexis, and I will tell him my honest feelings. 」

「Thank you, Lord Theo. Well then, since that has been decided, let’s leave right away. Fortunately, we have a fast boat that was given to us by the Mages Association, so we should be there in no time. 」

「Is it really okay for us to go by sea? 」

「To be perfectly honest, it’s not an optimal solution, but right now we don’t have any other choice. 」

Siluca sighed. She hated travelling by ships. They’re shaking, you’ll get wet easily, and then you’ll drown.

* * *

Slom, the capital city of the Nords. It is a metropolis with a population of 200,000 people located at the innermost part of a gorge carved by water and rivers. From this port city, the Norse people set out on the North Sea for trade and plunder.

In the past, the Norse people had fierce conflicts between their many clans.

The person who put it to an end was King Geas the Conqueror, who appeared about 120 years ago. From then on, the Geas clan became the king clan of the Nords and ruled over all the clans without anyone daring to question their right to do so. It is said that during the time of Extreme Chaos, giants appeared and a fierce battle took place there. The giants were powerful, but the gods of Valhalla saved the Nords from certain extinction.

It is said that the reason the Norse people are physically superior to the other inhabitants of the continent is because they have blood from the gods of Valhalla flowing through their veins. However, those who despise the barbarism of the Nords say it’s because they have the filthy blood of giants flowing through their veins instead.

Bretland was first settled about a hundred years ago. After that, Norse raids and settlements against that country continued intermittently, but the true conquest of Bretland was finally completed the other day. And The Ocean King Eric came back to the city of Slom as the ultimate victor.

Erik’s daughter Ulrika was also present at the Council of Chiefs that was convened, but her purpose for being there was to be judged for losing the colony of Stark, a blame for which was put solely on her and her lack of leadership abilities. The charges were read out to her at length, and Ulrika admitted to them all without even trying to defend herself. She knew that the people who came to Stark with her trusted her, and she ended up betraying them, risking all of their fortunes and everything they managed to accomplish, and she fully expected that the punishment for her committing such a grave crime was going to be severe.

However, the chiefs of the clans were at a loss as to what kind of judgement should be passed down upon her.

She obviously cannot be acquitted, but if she is found guilty, then the only option for the punishment would be the death penalty or banishment. In Nord judgment, there is only one other punishment: her body. However, since the sinner in question was the daughter of the Ocean King Eric, no one wanted to even mention that possibility. If they did, the Ocean King would most certainly be displeased, and it would be their heads that would end up being put to the axe instead of Ulrika’s.

Right now, Ulrika’s father Erik was sitting on a huge but simple throne, listening to the words of the chieftains with a displeased expression on his face. He didn’t look at his daughter even once ever since he got there.

Ulrika was active as a child, and she often played with the men. She knew she couldn’t win against them in a contest of pure strength, so instead she chose to hone her agility, which allowed her to become an exceptional axe thrower. She was only using light axes, but even so, she was second to none among the other children of her age. Her mother, who could not bear to see her like that decided to send her to Waldrind, hoping that she could learn some proper manners there. It seems that when that plan failed, her mother was thinking of marrying Ulrika off to a Nord chieftain or another Lord.

However, Ulrika had other plans for her future. She started travelling with the Nord warriors by boats and went with them to the battlefields, where she was leading them to battle.
When she was asked by Marine to help with the capture of Castle Unicorn in return for providing Stark as a settlement for the Nords, she volunteered to help her with it without even a second of hesitation. Her father was reluctant about that whole idea, but thanks to Marine’s support, he finally accepted it and allowed Ulrika to go.

However, Ulrika ultimately failed. What happened in Stark was her irreparable failure. She thought she could be like her father and Marlne and succeed, but she was just being arrogant.

Although the deliberations did not proceed, the decision was eventually reached.

「Can we all agree that she should be sentenced to exile? 」

When the chairman of the meeting asked the question, the other leaders all raised their hands in unison. They hesitated with giving her a death sentence.

(Even though they should know it’s going to be the same either way…)

Ulrika thought to herself.

Now that she was no longer considered to be one of the Norse people, she’d need to leave the Nord-controlled territory, effective immediately.

「I reject that resolution. 」

Erik then spoke slowly, surprising everyone in the room. A sense of tension ran through the hall where the chiefs of the clans were gathered.

(What do you mean by that, father?)

Even Ulrika couldn’t fathom her father’s intentions.

「For what reason? 」

The chairman of the meeting looked at Erik as if he was looking at a madman.

「Because I am the king of the Nords, and overruling the sentences of the Council of Chiefs is my right, if I deem it necessary. 」

Erik answered arrogantly.

「As long as it doesn’t violate the Norse law. 」

The chairman reminded him. Apparently, the chiefs seem to think that the king is trying to exonerate his daughter.

「Of course. 」

Erik nodded his head in agreement with the chairman’s words. And then, for the first time since the meeting began, he looked at Ulrika.

「Cancel the criminal’s banishment sentence and give her a flogging sentence instead. 」

The hall became noisy at Erik’s words. The punishment of banishment is less severe than flogging. Moreover, that punishment was customarily given to slaves.