Chapter 14
The great chieftain, Eirik, was unquestionably the greatest warrior in the North apart from Valdor.
In his youth, he had been formidable, and the passing years had only made him more seasoned.
He had never suffered a single defeat in his life, and he believed he never would.
Was that still the case?
After a brief deliberation, the great chieftain reached his conclusion. His chances of winning were slim.
What the young monster had accomplished today far surpassed what Eirik himself had achieved in his youth, and Ivan was still hiding his reserves.
It was always much harder to keep someone alive than to kill them.
The warriors of the North did not fear dying in the coming-of-age ceremony; far from it, they considered it an honor.
Yet today, there had not been a single death—not even one person had suffered a serious injury.
He could not even guess how much strength Ivan had concealed. Where had such a monster suddenly sprung from?
As a warrior, Eirik felt a competitive thrill, but as the great chieftain, he was reminded of his duty and felt a small pang of regret.
Having taken his place here, he could never afford to lose to anyone. At least not now.
“So, why did you call me?”
Displeasure colored Ivan’s voice.
He had come because the great chieftain had summoned him, only to be stared at in silence. Why call someone over just to pull this sort of stunt?
Only then did the great chieftain speak slowly.
“Why didn’t you kill him?”
“Huh?”
Ivan was briefly at a loss for words. What kind of bullshit was this?
“The coming-of-age ceremony is where one puts everything one has into the fight. Yet you not only held back your full strength, you also showed mercy. Why did you tarnish the warriors’ honor?”
The atmosphere was tense. Was he being serious, or was this some kind of test?
Ivan did not bother reading the room. He had no reason to anymore.
“Because I felt like it. I didn’t particularly feel like killing them, so I let them live. Is that a problem?”
Ivan stared straight into the great chieftain’s eyes, as if challenging him to say whatever he had to say.
Watching that attitude, arrogant to the point of insolence, the great chieftain smiled faintly.
“You’re right. However you choose to use the rights given to you, losers have no grounds to say anything.”
If Ivan had possessed some weak reason, such as an aversion to killing, Eirik would have been deeply disappointed.
But Ivan had merely acted as he pleased. Would a lion need to consider a sheep’s feelings?
“If you’re done saying what you have to say, I’d like to ask one thing too.”
“Go ahead. If it’s something I can do, I’ll answer anything.”
“Three years ago, you asked me a question, but I never got to give you an answer. Now I’ll ask you in return. Which of us is the more valuable person, me or the priest?”
The great chieftain answered immediately, without even a moment’s hesitation.
“You are far more valuable. Do you want his head? If you do, I can bring it to you.”
“No need. What meaning is there in someone else taking revenge for me? Just don’t get in my way later.”
“I promise. Is there anything else?”
“I’ve said all I have to say.”
Ivan gave a slight bow, then left without even looking back.
Left alone, the great chieftain became certain of one thing.
Before long, the master of this place would change.
***
“Damn it! Damn it!”
The priest angrily grabbed and threw everything within reach.
After completing the coming-of-age ceremony, Ivan had risen to a position utterly beyond the priest’s reach.
Now, even if Ivan killed the priest in broad daylight before everyone’s eyes, it would no longer be a problem.
Why had he not been born with talent like that? How could the heavens be so cruel?
The priest went berserk, consumed by fear, self-loathing, and deep inferiority.
Elena watched him in silence. The priest grew angry at the sight of her.
“How can you be so calm?! Have you forgotten that when I die, you die too?!”
“How could I forget? It’s the restriction you placed on me yourself.”
“Then don’t just stand there! Do something!! If you don’t want to die like this!!”
The priest had been backed completely into a corner. Elena offered him a false hope to cling to.
“Then I’ll marry him.”
“···What?”
“He seemed to like me. He won’t refuse.”
Elena was extraordinarily beautiful, and young love could come without warning.
Perhaps there was a way for him to survive after all. A spark returned to the priest’s eyes.
“Are you really···certain? Your life is at stake too.”
“I’m sure. He’ll never refuse.”
Though he had taken her in three years ago, the two of them were formally father and daughter.
If Ivan and Elena were to marry, there would be no need to kill the priest.
Or perhaps he could aim for something even greater···.
The priest’s eyes darkened.
“Just to be sure, are you in love with that man?”
“···Of course not.”
Her answer had come a little late, but the priest did not find it suspicious.
From what he had observed, she was not the sort of person who would easily give her heart to anyone.
“I thought not. Then···could you kill Ivan?”
“If that’s what you want, gladly.”
The perfect stage had been set.
For the first time, Elena felt grateful for the priest’s bottomless greed.
***
“···You want to get married?”
“Why, don’t you like the idea?”
Killing intent radiated from her. Ivan hurriedly shook his head.
“Of course I like the idea!! ···Don’t tell me this is the plan you mentioned at first?”
“That’s right. I have to give him a little hope of survival so he’ll at least struggle.”
That wasn’t the only reason, though. A faint blush colored Elena’s cheeks.
“Even so, would he really try something in this situation? Even a madman has to know where to draw the line.”
“Apparently he would. He told me to kill you right away.”
“······?”
“That’s just the kind of person he is. Don’t try to understand him.”
The priest lacked any notable talent, but as a shaman, he had risen to the most honored position available in his profession.
That achievement was not the result of backbreaking effort, but of dragging down every rival.
He had merely given up for a moment because he could not see an opportunity. Someone who had lived his entire life that way was not about to change now.
Even if he had repented, Elena would not have forgiven him. It was all the karma he had built up himself, after all.
“When should we get married? We need to choose a suitable date.”
“Why bother? We can just do it as soon as possible.”
His mind reeled, and Ivan broke into a cold sweat.
“···I only just heard you say you want to get married. Isn’t this too sudden? Surely there are some formalities···.”
“Neither of us has a family, so what formalities are there? Besides, with things like this, the sooner you decide, the better.”
“···Is that so?”
“Yeah.”
The more he listened, the more convincing it sounded.
Seeing Ivan caught in the net without realizing it, Elena smiled faintly.
“···Sister-in-law, you certainly have a refreshingly straightforward personality. Anyway, congratulations, Ivan.”
She was a terrifying woman. Havel looked a little taken aback, but did not show it.
Whatever the process, a good result was all that mattered. If the two of them loved each other, wasn’t that enough?
The wedding preparations proceeded quickly, with only the bare minimum of formalities.
Quite a few people gathered out of curiosity.
He had suddenly returned to the tribe, then completed the coming-of-age ceremony, and now he was getting married? Ivan’s recent actions had been outrageously bold.
The priest, whose complexion had improved considerably over the past few days, officiated.
“Do you both swear to love one another for the rest of your lives?”
“I swear.”
“I swear.”
Elena painstakingly maintained an impassive expression, while Ivan acted like a youngster who had fallen in love at first sight.
In truth, it wasn’t even an act. At this moment, revenge was the furthest thing from his mind.
Feeling the intensity of his gaze, Elena’s ears turned slightly red.
‘He really seems head over heels. I can’t believe things are going this smoothly.’
The priest laughed viciously to himself.
“Ahem, then I hereby declare that the two of you are joined as husband and wife.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Ivan scooped Elena into his arms.
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
The girls pretending to be demure covered their eyes and peeked through their fingers, while mischievous young men even whistled.
“······!!”
This had not been discussed beforehand. Elena’s mind went completely blank.
Elena covered her face with her palms. At this moment, whether it was an act or not, she was so embarrassed she felt as though she might lose consciousness.
Havel smiled warmly and said,
“Congratulations on your marriage, brother. If anyone tries to eavesdrop or peep, I’ll keep them away, so relax and enjoy yourselves.”
“Thanks, Havel. You really are the best brother.”
Ivan proudly walked all the way home with Elena in his arms, enjoying the attention showered on them.
Elena’s face was flushed down to her neck, and she glared reproachfully at Ivan.
"···Are you crazy? What if someone finds out···."
“No one found out. That’s all that matters. Now that no one’s watching, what do you want to do?”
“You’re really crazy···.”
Elena shyly wrapped her arms around Ivan’s neck and pressed their lips together.
They were newlyweds in the prime of their youth.