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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Shio
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The road paved by the ancient Romans, built with the labor of local legionaries and Britons, stretched endlessly upward.
The power held by a single line drawn beyond the horizon was immense. Now that I sat on the throne, whether it turned to porridge or rice, I had to grasp this power in my hands.
“That is Bamburgh, my king. It was the den of the old kings of Bernicia and Northumbria.”
Following Uhtred’s words and gaze, filled with a peculiar sense of pride, I stared into the distance, and indeed, a castle worthy of pride flaunted its beautiful appearance.
“A magnificent place, Uhtred.”
“Thank you, my king.”
Leaving Uhtred, who bowed his head, behind me, I spurred my horse to see the castle’s scenery in more detail.
[Snort- Snort- Clop- Clop-]
As my loyal steed, heeding my wish with a quick gait, advanced further, the castle’s outline became distinctly revealed.
Due to the low land and beaches surrounding the castle, it seemed to float in the middle of the sea when viewed from afar, sitting alone on a solitary hill, serenely overlooking its surroundings.
“Beautiful.”
The ‘long wall built by demons’ that Sigurd had fussed about on the way here was indeed impressive, but to my taste, that castle was even more beautiful. That wall was probably also a remnant of ancient Rome. Now that Northumbria was in my hands, wouldn’t it be good to leave just enough for cultural heritage later and use its materials elsewhere?
Many people were gathered at the castle entrance as we approached closer.
There were probably influential families of the city, heirs with various names from certain clans, and even envoys from the Picts and Scots further north and Strathclyde to the west.
However, more than all those people dressed in their finest attire, an elderly monk in a loose brown robe, gazing this way with a worried expression, stood out even more.
“Whoa- Whoa-”
[Snort-]
Finally, after calming my black horse, reluctant to stop after eagerly running, I gently dismounted and stood before the people who had all knelt and bowed their heads.
“Rise, people of Bamburgh.”
At my words, the people hurriedly stood up, each spouting words like “Bamburgh will respond to the king’s voice!” or “Long live King Helgi! Long live his kingdom!” as they swore loyalty, but only the elderly monk quietly observed my face with anxious eyes and gestures.
And those around me all knew, but I liked the courageous.
“What is your name, monk?”
“My name is Alcuin, the bishop of Lindisfarne (Holy Island).”
“Ah- I see.”
Lindisfarne.
The first great expedition against the cross in retaliation for Frankish Emperor Charlemagne’s Saxon massacre, and the first victim as a result.
“That’s right, Alcuin. I am Helgi Ragnarsson, the king.”
“I know well, King Helgi.”
I raised his shoulders, revealing his balding head as he politely bowed.
“I do not seek to receive greetings. You seem to have something to say, so let us enter first.”
“I will do so.”
With each step I took, I saw people who could not hide their anxious eyes despite cheering.
On this day, Bamburgh welcomed their new king.
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‘Saint Aidan, Saint Cuthbert. Please, give strength to this unworthy one…’
The Lord and His son Jesus Christ. Even summoning all the old saints of Lindisfarne was not enough, Alcuin’s heart felt like it was burning away.
“Sit comfortably, Bishop Alcuin. There is no need for humility before me.”
The hand offering the seat was exactly like a bear’s paw he had only heard about in rumors, and if he was accidentally hit by that hand, his old body would surely not be able to endure its strength. But he had to overcome it. This fear, this pressure.
“Thank you, King Helgi.”
Moving his body, which was unusually disobedient today, he somehow managed to sit in the seat offered by this king before his eyes, creaking as he did so.
“So, I heard a brief explanation from Uhtred. I called you because I wanted to hear it directly from you. Is there something for you and me to discuss?”
The voice filling the space resembled the thunder he had heard on a stormy day, but it carried a soft power that calmed the listener and eased the tension.
Yet his body trembled because this man’s innate energy was too strong.
‘I’ve seen Aethelwulf of Wessex, and those two rascals Aella and Osberht, but this is the first time seeing someone like this.’
Alcuin, who usually lamented the Norsemen, their misguided faith, customs, and culture, felt his worldview crumble due to this suddenly appearing Norse king, and struggled to find his words.
“That’s right, King Helgi. After your legendary victory, the foolish and powerless ones wander here and there, fearing your wrath.”
He tried to maintain an indifferent expression, but his voice trembled involuntarily. The young king before him appeared strong, but would that physical strength also translate to mental strength?
Would this one have the mercy and benevolence possessed by wise kings and emperors of old? Could such beautiful virtues be expected from pagans?
Although it was essentially offering his neck, Alcuin firmly grasped his trembling heart.
“Lindisfarne is a small island, but many people are already flocking there, so this problem will only worsen with time and will not subside on its own. Thus, with lacking wisdom, I have brought this old body to seek the king’s mercy.”
“Oh dear.”
Contrary to his worries about whether his neck would be cut immediately, the giant did not burst into flames of anger or silently raise an axe.
He just furrowed his brow and gently rubbed his temples, like most people facing a headache-inducing problem.
After pondering various matters for a while, the king of the Norsemen let out a light sigh and raised his beast-like eyes to gaze at Alcuin.
“I understand your concern well, wise Bishop Alcuin. It was a proper and timely concern that brought you to me. I will immediately send my people to proclaim forgiveness to all who have fled to Lindisfarne and its surroundings, fearing retaliation for the recent battle, and have that fact announced in crowded crossroads and cities.”
“Ye… Yes? Thank you, my king.”
He agreed so easily?
‘Shamefully, I was prepared to empty the church’s hidden funds kept for secular matters.’
Alcuin suddenly thought, what if the situation was reversed? If it were Aella and Osberht… No, even if any other lord was seated, could they show mercy like this Norse king Helgi?
In a situation where the enemy’s army had been completely shattered?
They would not.
Then on what basis does this man make such a decision?
“Storolf! Are you outside?”
“I am, my king.”
“You’ll have to take on some trouble. Find Uhtred, the Ealdorman of Bamburgh, and my brother Sigurd and tell them I need them now.”
“It will be done, my king!”
[Thud- Thud- Thud-]
He placed his left hand on his temple and tapped the armrest of the chair with his right fingers, producing a sound as loud as an ordinary person pounding with a fist, likely due to his innate strength.
Alcuin, who had been staring blankly into the air to avoid Helgi’s frightening gaze, shrank back even more when Helgi suddenly turned to look at him, but he listened intently to the king’s question.
“Look, Alcuin. I know nothing about your religion except that the son of the god you believe in was crucified and killed by the trickery of the wicked. So I ask, is there a way for those who believe in your god and mine to coexist without fighting each other?”
“Pardon?”
For a moment, Alcuin was so surprised that he raised his head and stared at Helgi’s face with wide eyes.
“I already know the strictness of your doctrine. But in my kingdom, the law of man must be upheld higher than the doctrine of god. Because this is the kingdom of men, not the kingdom of god.”
‘Infidel…!’
For a moment, the word ‘infidel’ almost slipped out, but Alcuin quickly realized that the king before him was indeed an infidel and a pagan, and strangely, a corner of his heart felt at ease.
Was it really betrayal? This person was an innate infidel, a Norseman.
“This foolish one finds it difficult to understand those words…”
“Is that so? Then I will tell you what you must do. I don’t care if you call us pagans or infidels, but stop all unnecessary bloodshed. I will not interfere with the faith of those who believe in the cross, so gather among yourselves and live quietly. Whether people believe in the cross or the old gods, I desire only one thing from them, to follow my words. Do you understand?”
‘This one thinks of the gods as his chess pieces…!’
A dangerous man.
All of Alcuin’s instincts frantically rang alarm bells, but there was little he could do. He could only think that he now understood the king before him a bit better.
The new king (konungr) of Northumbria, Helgi Ragnarsson, seemed to have the shadow of great conquerors of old on his face. Those who made others worship them wherever they set foot.
Not a follower, but a wielder.
“If…”
Perhaps because he saw the reality behind the mask, the cold reason hidden beyond the wild beast’s eyes. Gathering his no longer trembling body, Alcuin asked.
“If, devastatingly, there are those who go against the king’s will, what should be done?”
“Hmm.”
The brow furrowed and a dangerous light dwelled in the king’s eyes. His expression and voice, as if smiling, even seemed to be in a good mood.
“You need not do anything. I will find them.”
“…I understand well.”
Although he succeeded in saving the monastery and the flock that had flocked there, Alcuin’s steps were heavy as he deeply bowed his head to the king and left.
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‘Harmony… Harmony. Will it be possible?’
The bishop named Alcuin who had just left my room was truly a brave one. To the point where I wanted to tell everyone around to watch and learn from him.
A true clergyman who stood up for the weak? Even if he were a shaman believing in some African Zulu faith, he would have fully earned my admiration.
But individual and group matters were different.
Hadn’t history proven the strength of the doctrine of the cross? Of course, I was certainly greatly ruining that history now…
‘Rather than preventing rebellion, it is better to focus on beating down the rebellion that will someday arise.’
I cannot control the thoughts and emotions of all humans.
Even if the productivity of this land rose and it gradually became a better place to live, there would surely be those who thought differently, and religion could serve as a perfect pretext.
Whether it integrated smoothly or caused great conflict, the clear outcome could only be known after some time passed.
I couldn’t possibly catch and kill all those who fled to Lindisfarne or hid in forests, wetlands, and swamps here and there, so for now I had to leave it like this.
‘Of course, if there is no intention to completely convert to the cross, the old faith must be greatly overturned.’
Come to think of it, haven’t they said that orders for Hel’s symbol at the temple in Aros have been skyrocketing lately? Many Angle warriors, especially those present on the day the dragon appeared, particularly around Uhtred, were rapidly becoming followers of Hel.
‘Odin, Thor, Frey…’
Gods did the work of gods, and humans did the work of humans.
‘When I return to Aros, there will be a lot to do.’
Religious reformation. A religious reformation to my taste.
“King Helgi, I heard you were looking for me.”
“Ah, come in.”
Uhtred’s voice from outside the door pulled me out of my thoughts, but my mind was already filled with thoughts of the gods.
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[Alright, I’m calling a crusade soon. Bucket helm warriors (even though that’s about 230-430 years in the future) here we come!]
We gotta invent time travel first to join them
Free to believe within reason…