Volume 1 Chapter 5 The Suno People Who Crossed the Northern Sea
"Chief! I see the warm land of Warmland!"
"Keep heading straight!"
We, the Wethen tribe, started from the Snowland, crossed the rough northern sea, and reached the warm, fresh-smelling southern sea.
This is the land where my father died 2 years ago.
But I hold no grudge.
I fought against such a strong warrior; it was a noble death as a Varjag warrior.
The Makden tribe probably holds the grudge; when they learned Danruhav, the 'Red Shirted' warrior, died, they attacked us, who had lost strength.
Everyone fought bravely. They were wonderful warriors.
I sincerely hope they are safely passing through the Gate of Halvara and enjoying eternal feasts and battles.
As a survivor and as Danruhav's child, I have the responsibility to lead everyone, so I decided to go south while I still have the strength to fight.
There are 80 people including Bondi (light armor-wearing sailors), Vigemmen (a 2-person team with a shield and bowmen), and Huskarls (heavily armored warriors with shields).
This is probably the last time the tribe can move without being annihilated; if there are still fighting warriors, we can somehow revive.
When children grow, they become warriors and have children again.
There was sadness in abandoning the land our ancestors opened, but we, the Suno people, are proud adventurers, shrewd merchants, and above all, warriors who live for battle.
We will restart in rich lands, increase our numbers, and once again return to the Snow Land to avenge our grudge.
First, we must seize this lush land; the epic (Saga) of Erik, Danruhav's son, will be loudly sung.
The coast in sight has fishing villages, and on the sandy beach, one woman stood.
No, is she a woman? Her height is similar to Suno warriors, her hair cut short.
Her leather armor is perfect, and her long sword on her waist looks well-used and comfortable.
She is a good warrior. Gender doesn't matter. As long as she is strong, that's enough.
"My name is Eleonora! I am the acting lord of Kamitafira! Suno people, what brings you here this time?"
"I am Erik of the Red Shirted and Danruhav's son. I reject the snow and seek warm land. Eleonora, will you surrender lands to my army?"
"No! This land was fought for by my father during war. It was granted by the king. Surrender without fighting is impossible!"
"Then let's decide which claim is right in a duel!"
He jumps into the sea up to his waist, raising his axe in his right hand and his shield in his left.
He fights as a Huskarls (heavily armored warriors with shields), and I am eager for a battle against a brave warrior!
"When I win, I will take this land!"
"When I win, I will claim you all as mine."
He raises his sword to his face, pointing the tip at me, twisting his body left.
He slowly moves to try to flank me.
I also prepare my shield and shift my stance to face her, keeping a sidestep.
Then he attacks suddenly!
He quickly thrusts, I push him back with my round shield, but he counters insanely fast.
I, who fought many battles and raids as a Huskarls, find myself on the defensive!
But Varjag warriors are masters at handling shields!
I block his long sword slashing inward with my inside and hit his stomach with my battle axe.
However, he anticipated it, jumps back, and points his sword at me again as before.
I see he's about my level in this short exchange; most Warmland soldiers are weak.
They mainly use long spears from horseback, making close combat difficult... I had thought.
To fight strong warriors, you must improve yourself. Nothing nourishes the soul like battle.
"You are an amazing warrior! I decide! I will have your child! The blood of the strong must be passed on!"
"Don't be stupid. I can't marry until I abandon my noble status for inheritance issues."
Once you decide, you must accomplish it. Strength is the pillar of the Suno people's spirit.
As Wethen's leader, I cannot compromise on being a strong warrior.
"Now it's our turn!"
He shouted, raising his battle axe, and struck down from above.
The female knight skillfully deflected the axe with her longsword, but her true move was a shield bash.
She slammed her round shield into his chest, likely stealing his breath for a moment, and he collapsed with a muffled groan, his posture broken.
This is the chance! I'll take the upper hand and end this now!
But by the time he started running, she had already recovered enough to kneel on one knee. Still, he judged he could close the distance faster.
In that instant, the female knight hurled her longsword at him!
He instinctively deflected it with his left shield, but in that moment, she closed the gap and rushed into his personal space!
"Raaaah!!"
Her right fist, likely enhanced with magic, slammed into his gut. Despite his hauberk absorbing some of the impact, the shock was immense, and he vomited stomach acid without pause.
But this might work in his favor—if it splashed her face, it could blind her.
However, the female knight didn't flinch, staring him down as she took the hit. Then she extended her arm toward his neck!
Her muscular arm tightened around his throat, but he channeled magic to his neck to defend.
Astonishingly, his body was lifted off the ground.
The sudden pressure on his neck darkened his vision.
This is bad... I'll be dropped like this!
In that moment, he clenched his right hand into a thumbs-up and swung it toward her eyes without aiming.
But instead of the soft sensation of crushing her eye, searing pain shot through his thumb.
(She bit down to block it!)
Before he could think of his next move, his airway constricted further, and his consciousness plunged into darkness.
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