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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Shio
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The tour of northern Northumbria, specifically Bernicia, continued to the city of Edinburgh, located west of Bamburgh.
Unlike Bamburgh, which was a mix of stone and wood, Edinburgh featured an impressive wooden castle with a cozy, traditional scent. However, both northern strongholds were similar in that they perched atop large hills.
If there was a difference, it would be the composition of the residents here. The population included Scots, Picts, Angles, and Saxons, distinguishable by their different languages. It seemed they had been living together for more than just a year or two, as they accepted my rule without any resistance.
Even the religious practices rooted here were similar.
Native beliefs seemed to persist, and the influence of the cross was also evident… It once again confirmed that the ruling class were the ones who truly dedicated their lives to religion.
The faith of the common people, too busy with day-to-day survival, differed as greatly from that of the nobles as their origins did.
Despite this, there seemed to be no hope of the Norse faith squeezing into that gap.
But, time was on my side.
‘Not even long. Just give me 10 years.’
After experiencing the visible miracle of abundance, many people’s thoughts would change.
“King Helgi, word has arrived that Jarl Bjorn and Ivarr have finished preparing to depart.”
Swish-
After completing the consolation activities for the northern lords and subjects, I left the pleasant late summer (autumn) wind behind me.
And as I headed south, Refil, Bjorn’s second son, my adjutant, and the youngest member of the new Garm Brotherhood, handed me a wooden plank with runes carved on it.
“I see.”
These were runes.
Njord was the god of the sea. Runes were read phonetically, like the alphabet, they were characters based on sounds. However, they were also ideograms like Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Why was this important you ask?
It meant that in order to understand runic letters, one had to fully understand the events that led to the person writing the letter.
They were very beautiful letters.
Typically, people carved runes onto wooden planks or sticks using a knife. However, with my more refined tastes, I always ordered high-quality parchment, pens, and ink from the Eastern Roman Empire through merchants who traveled far to the east.
Paper did exist in this world, but I hadn’t come across it yet.
I had to reluctantly use parchment because making paper wasn’t a part of my curriculum in my previous life, but others still preferred traditional methods.
Like these wooden planks, or branches, or even the ground and flat stones.
“Then shall we hurry a bit! We can’t keep the brothers waiting!”
“Understood, my king. Everyone, increase speed!”
“Increase speed!”
Refil, who had taken the position of adjutant, raised his voice, and Storolf, who had taken the position of standard-bearer, shouted vigorously.
Hrolf, whom I left in Jórvík, would be diligently carrying out the king’s proxy duties.
Even my vassals seemed to be undergoing a generational shift to some extent.
“Now, let’s ride! My warriors!”
[Snort- Snort-]
The elite warriors of the Norsemen and Northumbrians, who had built strong camaraderie while touring the north, hunting together, sleeping rough in the rain, uniformly increased their speed at my words.
Seeing them all becoming more and more skilled at handling their horses, my heart felt satisfied.
‘Although there are only 100 now, if they give me just 10 years…’
I would create an invincible cavalry.
But the horses they were riding were a bit smaller than I expected, were horses originally such small animals?
[Snort- Snort!]
Scratching the neck of the black horse that neighed vigorously as if in a good mood, our modest cavalry headed towards Jórvík.
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Entering the brightly lit castle of Jórvík after an exhilarating ride, I quickly unpacked and satisfied my hunger.
Today’s menu was well-roasted fish, bread, and some fresh vegetables.
This meal was incredibly satisfying. If honey wine from Aros were added, it would have a heavenly taste like no other.
Even in my previous life, I didn’t particularly enjoy cola, hamburgers, or stimulating spices, so as long as there was enough meat, I could enjoy anything.
Afterwards, I would thoroughly clean my teeth with a linen cloth and rinse my mouth with clean water, and that was the end of brushing my teeth.
I would have also held water infused with fragrant herbs and flowers in my mouth, but there was no time. So, I omitted it and greeted my two brothers, who clearly showed signs of having rested well for several days.
“Konungr Helgi.”
“Konungr Helgi Ragnarsson.”
As soon as we greeted each other by clasping forearms, Ivarr, with his whole body revealing his intention to tease me, said as he sat down.
“When you first crossed this sea, you were the Jarl of Aros. The second time you crossed the sea, you were the Konungr of all Norsemen. Then by the third time you cross the sea, I wonder what you will have become…I am deeply curious, Konungr Helgi!”
“Ha-”
A chuckle escaped me at that brazen expression.
At the same time, a bit of the worry in a corner of my heart disappeared. It was as if the two people who had struggled the most with Father’s funeral had returned to their old selves.
“Stop it, Ivarr. I’m a Konungr now. Above a jarl.”
“Oh- Forgive my rudeness! Great Konungr!”
“Damn…”
If Sigurd was a pure jester, Ivarr was a fox. A fox that played with people.
Bjorn, who had been watching the series of farces with a pleased face, said.
“The fleet is ready.”
This rigid Norseman, even when I told him it was absolutely unnecessary, insisted on treating me as a Konungr even in private settings, saying he needed to get used to it now.
“Then let’s rest for a day and depart immediately. I need to give some rest to the men who moved with me.”
“It will be done.”
Only combat ships came on the way here, but on the way back, numerous merchant ships were scheduled to follow. Since the two lands facing the North Sea had come under my banner, trade between them would flourish.
“Then I’ll have to move today.”
Ivarr, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, interjected with a calm face.
Currently, our fleet comprised 50 ships set to return with Bjorn and Halfdan, and 50 ships bound for Dublin with Ivar, all anchored in a long line along the banks of the River Ouse that ran through Jórvík.
If they left all at once, it would probably take half a day to leave the river estuary.
Ivarr’s words were extremely rational and correct, but I couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed. We had grown quite close during this time.
“I heard Dublin, the island across (Ireland), is also in a complicated situation… If by any chance a problem arises, you must not hesitate to ask Jórvík for help.”
“I will keep that in mind, Helgi. But you don’t have to worry too much. Although Olaf and I may not be warriors of your caliber, we are not pushover people.”
Ivarr’s grin was as refreshing as when I first saw him. Although wrinkles had formed here and there.
“Well, still- I will keep it in mind! My king!”
Ivarr, who got up from his seat with a smiling face, moved to the dock inside the walls of Jórvík to see him off, and Bjorn and I accompanied him.
In the distance by the water, I could see Hrolf and Halfdan engaged in a heated discussion with some merchants, while Egbert was making a fuss beside them.
Sigurd stayed in Bamburgh, claiming he wanted to be of help to me, but from what I could see, he seemed to have developed an interest in Aella’s daughter in Bamburgh Castle.
Uhtred would handle it well.
Ubba, whom I had placed next to Hrolf to learn the work, was diligently sorting out loading issues somewhere. Being a smart brother, he learns quickly, I heard.
“I called for my son too, Helgi. He should be crossing the sea about now.”
If it were Ivarr’s son, it would be Baldr, a year younger than Refil, making him the same age as me. He couldn’t join this expedition due to a nasty illness, but fortunately, his condition seemed to have improved a bit.
“Then this is goodbye for now.”
[Clap-]
We firmly grasped each other’s forearms and invoked the names of various gods, wishing for good fortune.
Likewise, after exchanging farewells with Bjorn, Ivarr boarded the ship and signaled for departure.
[Buuuuuu- uuuuung-]
The sonorous horn resounded powerfully along the riverbank, and amidst the warriors vigorously rowing to pull out the anchored ships, Ivarr, standing proudly, waved his arm towards us.
“See you again! Helgi! Bjorn! Halfdan! Ubba!”
“Brother! You must watch the wind and currents well!”
“Until we meet again, Ivarr!”
Led by Ivarr’s ship, the warriors gradually left the riverbank one by one.
Among them were adventurous warriors from Aros, Ivarr’s lifelong guards, and Angle warriors from Jórvík.
A new opportunity was always thrilling.
Suddenly, Bjorn’s words that Ivarr wandered outside because he had a hollow hole in his heart came to mind.
But then I had a sudden thought that perhaps Ivarr simply enjoyed the voyage, battle, and adventure itself.
“Then it would be best to meet again tomorrow. I should take a bath with my son, as it’s been a while.”
Bjorn, shrugging his shoulders, pointed to Refil and spoke, and Refil also smiled.
“Let’s do that, brother. I’ll go in first, so see you tomorrow. Refil, see you tomorrow too.”
“I will do so, Konungr Helgi.”
“Have a safe trip.”
Leaving instructions for Refil to immediately follow his father, I left the dock crowded with people seeing off the departing ships and returned to the tallest building in this city, my office.
Now that I’d finished my brother’s business, it was time to do my part as Konungr.
‘If I don’t want to get an earful from Hrolf, I should at least definitely finish the southern defense plan.’
Thanks to my tireless body and mind, the lamp in my office showed no sign of going out.
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866 AD, the fifth month of summer, Sun’s Day (Sunday), Northumbria, Jórvík.
Touring the north and south of Northumbria, I was able to meet all the Ealdormen of this new land.
I didn’t have the ability to read minds or see status windows above people’s heads, but I didn’t sense any immediate threat of rebellion.
Uhtred of Bamburgh seemed very capable, provided he could be trusted. (Although he converted, shouldn’t we keep a closer watch on him? I’ve heard kings were naturally suspicious.)
And the people of Jórvík seemed to genuinely like me, so I felt comfortable leaving Ubba with Egbert.
With the political and economic focus completed in southern Deira at Jórvík and northern Bernicia at Bamburgh, I boarded a ship to return to my hometown for the first time in about a year.
“The sea is calm and the wind is refreshing, it will be a very pleasant voyage.”
Hrolf, who excelled at his assigned tasks despite his apparent dislike for them, grinned from ear to ear at the rare outing.
“It really is, Hrolf.”
Come to think of it, whenever I set out to sea, I had never been fearful of things like storms or surging waves like normal people.
Of course, my career as a Viking was short, but I had a reasonable suspicion that something else might be at work.
“Sigeberht of Beodericsworth and Rendlesham was very excited, even though it was you, Konungr, who caught and executed Aella and Osberht, he seemed to be the happiest about it.”
Hrolf, recalling the message from Sigeberht, my vassal in East Anglia, that arrived a few days ago through a merchant, smiled slightly.
Come to think of it, the Angle who bet his entire fortune on our victory wasn’t just Egbert, who was now waving fervently at me from the dock of Jórvík in the distance. Before him, there was Sigeberht of East Anglia.
I had already bid farewell to Ubba, who stood beside Egbert, looking as if he might even shed tears, raising his right arm in farewell.
In my bosom, the letter Ubba was sending to our two mothers rested peacefully.
Sigurd… he seemed indifferent to my departure, his attention entirely focused on a woman. Wait, wasn’t she the daughter of our enemy? We would be enemies to her as well. Was this some kind of Romeo and Juliet situation?
What was he going to do about Roskilde? Sometimes, I just couldn’t understand Sigurd.
Anyway, in a way, Sigeberht of East Anglia was the one who bet everything he had on our victory. It was fortunate that we won, if this war had dragged on even a little or failed, he would have been in a very difficult situation.
Of course, now that I had completely subdued Northumbria, such what-ifs were no longer relevant.
“Sigeberht may be happy, but I wonder about King Edmund.”
“That one, he might be shedding tears somewhere right now. Do you intend to let him live?”
Although he spoke calmly, Hrolf’s eyes discussing Edmund’s life and death were as cold as could be.
“Let’s observe a bit more, Hrolf. Haste always loses the rabbit.”
“I will do so, my Konungr.”
Of course, my eyes were probably no different.
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[Sigurd is outrageous LMAO gunning for the enemy Konungr (king)’s daughter iS WILD. He’s definitely my favorite character!]
Well, Sigurd is a bard(a poor one at that) and some like him are total womanizers…