The 1st Princess’s Domain.
Bzzz…
The northern warriors were busy scratching their heads.
“Was the prey the man the 1st Princess spoke of?”
Hmm… “Should we take this as a joyful occasion?”
“I support it if it’s the 1st Princess’s wish! That’s what a warrior does!”
Initially, voices of support began to emerge, including Brolgar, after learning about the prey’s background. Does the North not know love?
But of course, not everyone thinks the same way.
“This whole thing makes no sense.”
A massive warrior opened his mouth.
He was Brolgar, the warrior with a huge frame, covered in blue tattoos from head to toe, and wearing a necklace made of beast bones.
The most striking feature was the eye patch over one eye.
He spoke while fiddling with his huge axe.
“I hope the warriors don’t take my words lightly. I speak for the whole North.”
The messenger, who had been quietly listening, thought to himself.
‘For the whole North, you say.’
The North thrives on power and order.
In other words, it means that someone weak must hold back their desires and words.
Brolgar has never liked the 1st Princess’s ways and had wished for his own rise to the top. Hence, he brings this up now.
“I want to hear the reason. Why did we hunt that man?”
“Because the 1st Princess desires him.”
“She desires him?”
“Yes.”
The messenger replied calmly.
“The 1st Princess has emotions too. She chose the man very carefully, and that’s the inspector.”
“Then that means the man…”
“Of course, she must be considering marriage as well.”
Suddenly, the surroundings stirred.
“The 1st Princess has feelings for someone?”
“The 1st Princess? That 1st Princess!”
In the North, power reigns supreme over common sense. So, the term ‘love’ spoken here is not the same as what the citizens of the Empire refer to.
Sure, they enjoy romance and marriage, but…
The elements of attraction are different. Generally, they are drawn to someone stronger than themselves and train harder to protect and support that person.
“The 1st Princess has acknowledged that man!”
“The acknowledgment of the 1st Princess! A non-native!”
The fact that the 1st Princess acknowledged the strength of that man surprised them all.
“I can’t comprehend this. I just can’t.”
Seeing Brolgar shake his head while flashing his axe, the messenger furrowed his brows.
‘Brolgar had feelings for the 1st Princess before.’
He once requested a proposal duel against the 1st Princess and lost an eye.
There’s no direct mention, but the messenger could feel that Brolgar was clearly jealous.
The messenger asked.
“Isn’t the inspector qualified enough?”
Brolgar shook his head firmly.
“That’s nonsense. Based on what?”
“The inspector is…”
“Sure, the inspector may be great. But!”
Brolgar barked.
“Judging by direct combat is the tradition and way of the North. Did you forget that?”
“The circumstances are different.”
“Is that man brought by the 1st Princess really that different?”
“Yes.”
“If so…”
Brolgar smiled slyly.
“Shouldn’t he be evaluated even more by the ways of the North? Who could be fairer than me? I won’t question the inspector’s background or status!”
The messenger gulped.
Of course, there was a point there.
‘Judging without regard to background and status’ is indeed a very fair way in the North. But Brolgar was trying to exploit it.
Clearly, he intends to cause trouble for the inspector.
…However, it was hard to deny the traditions of the North.
“Anyone wishing to become part of the North will be evaluated by the ways of the North. Indeed… such traditions do exist.”
“Your brain isn’t completely rotted after all. Good, you’re not a traitor. I certify that!”
Brolgar grinned and patted the messenger’s shoulder.
But the messenger understood well. This wasn’t genuine praise.
“Then, if the inspector falls short of the North’s standards, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for us to throw him out, right?”
Finally, Brolgar revealed his true intentions.
“That inspector is currently stuck here, isn’t he?”
“…Yes.”
“Then there’s no reason to hesitate. Whether he deserves to be a part of the North is something to be evaluated by the North’s standards!”
“Ha…”
The messenger let out a hollow laugh.
It’s rare for warriors to mock each other during critical discussions, but this time the messenger couldn’t hold back his laughter.
“…Are you laughing? Are you mocking me right now?”
“You’ve mistaken me, Warrior Brolgar.”
The messenger shook his head.
“The 1st Princess made the best decision possible, and no matter how coldly the Northern standards are imposed, the inspector easily passes as a candidate.”
Perhaps it wasn’t enough of an explanation, he hammered it home.
“In the end, it means we can’t stop that inspector.”
“Ha!”
But Brolgar burst into an even larger laugh.
“I heard that you, along with the scouts, made a very significant mistake this time. Apparently, the 1st Princess suffered a defeat because of you?!”
“…”
“How pathetic had your support been for such a blunder to occur? You seem to have lost your judgment as well. Just watch. The North needs a wind of change.”
The messenger clicked his tongue.
“Enough with the personal attacks. What’s the conclusion?”
“I will personally challenge that inspector.”
“…You mean directly?”
“Yeah, could it be fairer than this? If I’m stronger, then I have the right to claim a position in the North.”
The messenger couldn’t hide his disdainful expression.
“You’ve often looked at the 1st Princess with ulterior motives, haven’t you? It seems you’re rather obsessed. Your emotions appear heavily involved.”
“Emotions? What emotions? It’s tradition.”
It disgusted him to even mention traditions.
How many heroic and respected warriors are there in the North? Even if they seem simple, there are cunning and warm-hearted warriors among them…
…Yet, it’s always a warrior like Brolgar who poses a problem.
“You will lose to the inspector.”
“Now that I see it, you seem to be hoping that a North warrior will lose? Is this also treason?”
Sharp words flew back and forth.
“Feel free to push me as much as you want. But.”
The messenger paused for a moment.
In fact, this was the messenger’s own idea. He wasn’t sure if it was fine to say it without the 1st Princess’s permission, but…
…I don’t know. It was what his heart instructed him to do.
“Brolgar, how about we set some conditions?”
“Conditions?”
“The North fundamentally respects the opinions of every warrior. But you wish to go ahead despite the differing opinions, so let’s at least set some conditions.”
The messenger spoke calmly.
“If you win, I will resign from my position as a messenger. I’ll hand over all my authority.”
“…!”
The warriors’ eyes widened in surprise.
The 1st Princess’s messenger held immense privileges.
Not only could he convey the 1st Princess’s wishes and add his own opinion gradually, but he was also her closest aide. If the Princess was absent, he could even serve as a strategist.
He declared he would hand over everything.
“However, if you lose, Brolgar, please leave with all those who share your intentions and the North.”
“Oh?”
“I await your response.”
Thinking it would merely resolve the disagreement, it became a significantly bigger affair than anticipated. The warriors were deeply unsettled.
“Is this alright…?”
“I can’t comprehend it!”
“I only wished for the 1st Princess to be happy… this has escalated too far, I don’t know.”
It was then that Brolgar spoke up.
“Fine. I have no reason to refuse.”
“Brolgar!”
Some warriors gasped, but Brolgar didn’t budge an inch. Neither did the messenger.
“I understand. Then, the duel will be…”
“Let’s do it today.”
“Yes. I’ll go relay the message immediately.”
The messenger quickly departed the scene. Once he disappeared, the warriors hurled questions at Brolgar.
“Brolgar, is this something you can handle?”
“Yeah! After all, it’s the 1st Princess’s choice…”
“Everyone shut up!”
Brolgar shouted.
“…”
“Are you implying I might lose? Or does that mean the North’s standards are flawed?”
“That’s not it, but…”
“Bunch of clueless fools.”
Brolgar clicked his tongue.
“The situation in the Demon Realm is unusual. The 1st Princess might have lost interest in the North. If a warrior like me doesn’t hold the North tightly, who else will? When else will I?”
“Um….”
Brolgar, of course, wasn’t unaware.
‘I can’t guarantee my victory.’
But there are no perfect opportunities in life.
What matters is seizing the chance even if it’s just a slight opening, and he learned that through countless struggles.
‘This is my last chance to win the 1st Princess.’
If he proves to be stronger than the man the 1st Princess is interested in, wouldn’t the Princess finally take notice of him? It was entirely possible.
‘I will definitely win!’
Brolgar repeatedly swore in his heart.
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