Volume 2 Chapter 7 The Genderbend Female Traveler, Understanding The Situation
"You see this woman? Long ears, dark skin, red eyes—how disgusting can you get?"
Drahomir's voice boiled with rage, his face flushing red. Erika just grinned, calm and silent, which only made him more furious.
"Anyway," she said lightly, "can I speak now?"
"What do you want to tell us?" asked Eleonora, arms crossed.
Everyone went quiet for a moment, thinking. Then Erika started explaining the power structure of the land.
"There are five main tribes. Our tribe, Kaitel, is one of them."
She pointed southeast on a rough map drawn in the dirt.
"The Black Forest's edge belongs to us. It's near Koche's west border, along the Ruebe River. The soil's rich, and the water's clean—it's good for growing food. Our stronghold is called Rendosde. People hunt, gather, and farm there."
"Any other key locations?"
Eleonora asked.
Erika listed them without pause.
"The big one is Rubelin. Then there's Tsiphirai and Kudemburg to the west. And the sea route—Skurot."
"And those are...?"
"Tsiphirai and Kudemburg are both under a dark elf chief we know. We've got ties with them."
"What about Rubelin and Skurot?"
"Elves rule both. Skurot's small—easy to take. But Rubelin? That place is a wall of trouble."
She stood, acting out with her arms.
"They've got high wooden walls and a magic shield. Arrows bounce off. Magic, too. Even if soldiers charge in, they get picked off from above."
She clapped her palms together—smack!—and mimed someone getting shot down with a silly "Oh no!"
"For the last hundred years, no tribe has taken it. Even when someone wins, they leave. Nothing's changed there in a thousand years."
The group paused. A thought floated among them—were they the ones to change that?
Erika dropped into a seat, placing one foot on the chair, chin resting on her knee as she picked at her toes.
"Can the people of Magelun be united?"
"If it's do or die, I'll make them one."
Erika said without blinking.
Eleonora's brows lifted at the answer. Erika stretched out her legs carelessly.
Elodia frowned. "That's indecent."
Erika didn't care. She chuckled.
"You think it's a good thing? Want me to be king?"
"That's not happening," Eleonora said. "We already have a princess."
She finally looked at Elodia, feigning surprise before sneering.
"You won't follow me, will you? Even my own tribe barely listens. That human girl? Even less."
"Then why offer to help?"
"Because you look like someone who might pull it off. That girl doesn't."
Elodia stayed quiet. Even though she wasn't insulted outright, she felt the sting.
"She can be the face of it. The work, though? Someone else will carry it. It's about building a country—with a strong hand behind the curtain."
"And after that?"
Eleonora asked.
"Trade with the dwarves in Koche. Make money. Build strength."
Erika's smile faded slightly. She had expected bold dreams—conquest, maybe. But she got realism instead.
"You're not planning to attack the west?"
"If I gather enough fighters, I'll strike at the East Clan first."
Satisfied for now, Erika rested her spear on the ground.
"So—what's this new country called?"
"Ropsein."
Eleonora answered.
That was the birth of the Ropsein Kingdom—future stronghold of Naroppa. A new military power formed from part of Koche's land. With good wood and strong iron, it would soon build armor and weapons that rivaled the Holy Maro Empire. The breastplate made in Kudemburg would someday become a standard for cavalry and infantry alike—but that's a tale for later.
"For now," Erika said, "get Tsiphirai and Kudemburg on your side."
"Will I need soldiers?"
"It's not ideal, but if I pull a few strings, you might not."
Rubelin remained the biggest problem. Conquer it, and Magelun could be unified.
"It depends on the troops. I can't say anything until I see them."
Eleonora said.
"Then come to Rendosde," Erika told her. "Maybe you'll learn to listen a little better there."
Eleonora watched her closely. Erika was born of the chieftain's line, yet she didn't act like a leader.
"Does she really hold any power?" she asked someone nearby.
"She's the tribe head... but she has no children. In our tribe, the strongest man becomes her husband."
Character Notes:
• Drahomir - A member of the royal palace warrior group, the Steel Breakers. He is short in stature (around 150 cm tall) but fierce and protective of his clan. His appearance includes miner attire, and he is quick to anger, especially when it comes to Victor's decisions. He challenges Eleonora to a duel to test her strength.
• Erika - A dark elf (forest person) with exceptional agility and magical abilities, including silencing and invisibility magic. Her appearance is characterized by dark brown skin, ash-blond hair cut in a short bob, long ears, and red-black eyes resembling dried blood. She has a detached and playful personality, often showing amusement or indifference to conflicts. Her relationship with others is distant, though she seems to have a tribal connection with men like Klaus and Franz.
• Erik - Son of the fallen warrior Danruhav, seeking revenge and a new land, eager to prove his strength in battle.
• Rendosde - A fortress located in the southeastern part of the Black Forest, claimed by the Kaitel tribe. It is where the tribe's people live, engaging in hunting, gathering, and some farming.
• Koche - A location marking the boundary beyond which there are no followers of the Holy Cross. Located in the mountainous region of Tezudenrant, it serves as a transition point into the realm of Magelun.
• Kudemburg - A location governed by the same dark elf chieftain as Tsiphirai. Known for producing high-quality breastplates favored by cavalry and infantry.
• Tsiphirai - A western location governed by the same dark elf chieftain as Kudemburg. Erika has connections here.
• Rubelin - A forest fortress city located in Blackwood (Schwarzwald). It is ruled by the elf king Offran and serves as a strategic stronghold.
• Skurot - The entrance to the Lutba Sea, ruled by elves but with fewer numbers, making it easier to conquer compared to Rubelin.
• Magelun - A dangerous and barbaric land, but a potential refuge from the East Clanf Kingdom.
• Elodia - The second princess of Loriengita. She has shown favor to Georges, who aims to marry her by achieving military merit.
• Ropsein Kingdom - A budding military power located in Naroppa, known for restructuring Kotche territory and functioning as a production base for weapons and armor. It has protected the lives of soldiers from the Holy Maro Empire.
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