Barbarian Quest

Chapter 115

Urich swung his sword boldly, precisely slicing the throat of an oncoming northern warrior. He protected Duke Langster and slayed the enemies one by one. Imperial soldiers had already crowded into the tent and surrounded the northerners.

Schluck!

The northern warriors did not go down easily. The imperial soldiers feared death, unlike the northerners, who embraced it. The soldiers hesitated to approach the northerners directly and only managed to circle them.

Their determination is overwhelming the numerical disadvantage.

The soldiers were reluctant to make the first move, and each of them hesitated in order to save their own lives.

Urich clicked his tongue, watching the scene. Duke Langster had already been moved to a safe location.

The surrounded five northern warriors menacingly swung their weapons in the air and maintained a tense standoff.

"Archers!"

The imperial archers had gotten into their positions during the standoff. The soldiers kneeled, clearing a path for the arrows.

"Fire!" contemporary romance

The archers released their bowstrings. The northerners huddled and overlapped their shields on top of each other.

"Argh!"

Even with the shields, it was hard to protect every part of their bodies. There were gaps. Northerners hit by arrows in the legs or shoulders groaned.

"Stab them!

The spear-wielding soldiers attacked the northerners. The spearmen cautiously poked at the northerners while maintaining a safe distance, killing them slowly. Desperate northerners charged at the soldiers but were quickly cut down by the other soldiers who were waiting for them to pounce.

This is more like hunting some animals, not a battle between humans.'

The Imperial Army killed the northerners with efficiency. Despite their numerical advantage, they avoided direct confrontation. This was why they were considered the mightiest army.

This isnt the way I like to do things, but... the Imperial army is undeniably formidable.'

Urich retrieved his axe, pondering. Each northern warrior was formidable as individuals, but as a group, they were no better than a pack of beasts. In contrast, each imperial soldier performed the role given to them, moving as one entity.

"You saved my life," Duke Langster said to Urich, looking at the northerner's corpse. He was unscathed, thanks to Urich.

"Do you trust me now?" Urich grinned. Duke Langster felt a chill at his smile but didn't show it.

"You might not realize it, but your axe just brought peace to the entire north. If I had died, anti-barbarian nobles would have used my death as an excuse to push for policy changes. Even the good northerners who dont make any trouble would have been oppressed and enslaved."

Urich shrugged. He didn't care for such politics.

"I don't want to be held up here. I can leave whenever I want, right?"

"Of course."

Duke Langster nodded. His suspicions about Urich were fully resolved. If Urich had been a spy for Mulin, Duke Langster would already be dead.

Urich felt the soldiers' gaze on him turn favorable. He had saved the viceroys life. If he had died, many would have been held accountable with their lives.

"You've saved countless lives today, both barbarian and civilized."

The knight who had guided Urich earlier spoke, wiping the blood from the battle from his face. He too had fought the northerners to save Duke Langster.

"I didnt do it to be praised, but it doesn't feel bad. Haha."

Urich laughed, sheathing his weapons. He washed off the blood and then returned to the tent where Sven lay.

"Was there some commotion outside? I heard some noises," Sven asked, lying prone. He seemed groggy, perhaps just awakened from sleep.

"Nah, it turned out to be nothing. Also, I got permission from the viceroy to leave."

"Ah, that's good. Did your name do the trick?"

"Obviously, they were like, 'Ah, Sir Urich! We'll let you be on your way right away!'"

Urich didn't tell Sven about the attack by the northerners. It would surely sadden him.

'No need to add to his worries when he's already weak.'

Sven struggled and managed to sit up with the little energy he had.

"Let's leave as soon as possible, maybe even tomorrow, if possible."

Urich nodded. Sven was injured from the arrow and usually, they would have waited for his recovery. But time was pressing. They didn't know when the Imperial army would attack Mulin... and Sven didn't seem to have much time left.

Sven knew time was of the essence and rushed Urich.

* * *

Urich and Sven left the Imperial army's camp the next day.

"Got a good amount here." Urich, sitting on Kylios, jingled the gold coins. While money wasn't lacking, it was never bad to have more.

"There are a few things to keep in mind before we arrive in Mulin," Sven, with shadows under his eyes, said in a weak and raspy voice.

"Huh?"

"You're not fluent in Northern. Men in Mulin will quickly realize you're not from the north. They won't be very willing to show the remains of the dragon to someone who isn't a northerner."

Urich frowned.

"Then what? Im assuming youre taking me there because you have another way."

"I am going to introduce you as my son. You're unfamiliar with the north because you spent your childhood in civilization. No one would suspect a father taking his son on a pilgrimage to Mulin.

Urich listened, then nodded.

"Thats not a bad idea."

"It's customary for northern men to visit Mulin before adulthood. They won't stop someone from keeping our tradition."

Sven reminisced about the past. Northern men brought their sons to Mulin before they came of age. Sven's father did the same, and Sven had also gone with his son before he died.

Urich and Sven traveled further north. The barren, snowy landscape stretched endlessly. It seemed impossible for life to thrive there. The road to Mulin was harsh.

Thud.

Suddenly, Sven fell off his horse. He lay in the snow, gasping for air, seemingly losing consciousness.

"Hey, Sven. Come on, get up."

Urich tapped Sven's cheek, but he didnt seem to come around.

"Dammit."

Urich hoisted Sven onto the horse and looked for a place to camp.

Crunch.

As Urich led the horse, he had to stop in his tracks. He noticed three men emerging from a densely wooded coniferous forest.

"Who the hell are these guys?"

Urich dismounted as he complained. His feet sunk into the snow up to his ankles.

The men were clad in layers of leather and had almost skull-like faces. They drew their weapons and approached Urich. They made it clear that they were not friendly.

"Give us everything you have and walk away, and we'll spare your life.

The three men said to Urich in Northern. Urich didn't understand everything, but he got the gist of it. No worded response was necessary for a robbery threat.

Schring.

Drawing his weapon was his response to their threat. The men, understanding, nodded.

The men were warriors staying in Mulin. But Mulin was a land with no capability to produce food on its own. The isolated warriors starved and were driven to plunder nearby villages and travelers.

"If you want it, take it, like a true northerner."

Urich said to the men in Imperial, crossing his sword and axe. He decided that three was a manageable number.

'They're starved.'

Urich noticed their poor nutrition status. On the other hand, Urich, even though he was traveling, was well-nourished. His muscles were tight, and his face was full.

The men couldn't let Urich get away. Urich and Sven were travelers with two horses even in such harsh conditions. They surely had plenty of food.

'He seems pretty strong, but we need those horses and food.

The men circled Urich with their weapons drawn.

Whoosh!

Urich threw one of his axes. A northerner deflected it with his sword.

'Huh, not bad.'

Urich had hoped to start off by killing one with a surprise throw, but the man deflected it well.

Zap.

The man who deflected the axe widened his eyes. Even after the deflection, the axe was heavier than expected, numbing his hand with its impact.

'He's no ordinary man.'

The men exchanged glances, signaling each other. They simultaneously attacked Urich from all sides. Urich had to leave his position to dodge the simultaneous attacks.

Urich rolled to the side to avoid their combined assault and quickly stood up, swinging his sword. The men relentlessly followed.

Clang! Clang!

Urich tirelessly swung his sword. He was managing to block the men's attacks but he was unable to find an opening for a counterattack.

The harsh sound of clashing steel echoed across the snowy landscape. Urich, with patience, retreated, looking for an opening in the men's defenses.

I mean, if you really think about it, three isnt a joke, dammit!'

It seemed he had become complacent due to recent victories in uneven battles. Urich regrasped his focus and raised his sword high, assuming the Owl stance. It was a technique from knightly swordsmanship.

"Die, you sons of bitches!"

Urich swung his sword powerfully in a diagonal slash from above. It was a simple but potent move known as the Owl's Fury in knightly techniques.

Clang!

One of the men raised his sword to block Urich's attack, but he failed to withstand the force. Urich overpowered him, slicing deeply into his shoulder.

"Argh!

The man screamed. His wound extended from his collarbone to his heart. Staggering, he collapsed in the snow, gasping his last breaths as he faded away.

He definitely blocked his sword. He simply overwhelmed him with his strength alone.'

The two other men flinched, shocked by Urich's brute strength and the effectiveness of his sword.

"Huff..."

Urich exhaled and shined his yellow eyes. He quickly wiped the blood off his sword before it froze.

"Come at me quick before I forget how to slash. I'll send you all to Ulgaro. Im quite an expert in that area. I even have a waitlist."

Urich chuckled, glancing at Sven, who was lying across the saddle.

"Sven! Wake up! The fight you've longed for is here! How long are you gonna lie there?"

The northerners already knew there was another person lying on the saddle. They had just ignored him since he seemed unresponsive.

Swoosh.

Sven reacted to Urichs words. The dying old man picked up his axe and got off his horse. His steps were unsteady, but his will to fight was clear.

"Cough."

Sven coughed up blood and opened his eyes, looking at Urich who was already fighting. Though he was a bit lost, he saw Urich engaged in combat.

"Ulgaro...!"

Dying in battle was the end of it. His body was ill but he had no fear. He brandished his double axe and charged.

"What do you think youre doing, you sick old man!"

Two men stood before Urich and Sven. They raised their weapons and rushed toward the thin line between life and death. Soon, half of them would be dead. At the crossroads of life and death, the warriors called out to their gods.

Urich had no god to call out to. He was struggling to simply avoid becoming an evil spirit.

Thump!

Sven swung his axe. His feverish brain was blank, but he fought on the instinct that was ingrained in his body. His innate combat skills cunningly aimed for the enemy's vitals.

Crack!

Sven's axe split open one of the mens chests. Hot blood splattered on his face.

"Youve still got some move left. I wont have to worry about you dying on me too soon, old man," Urich shouted, fiercely decapitating the remaining man.

"I can't die until I repay the debt to you," Sven muttered, smiling faintly at the fallen men.

'Looks like Mulin is in pretty bad shape.'

Mulin was a sacred place. Even the harsh northerners refrained from raiding and killing in its vicinity.

Guhhhhh!

The fierce blizzard gradually cleared. Urich's eyes widened. As the view cleared, they saw a mountain. On top of it were the clustered houses and a large temple.

"That is Mulin, Urich."

Sven closed his eyes. This was his third visit. First with his father as a child, then with his son as a grown man, and now with a friend from far away.

'And there won't be a fourth time.'

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