Being a Viking Isn’t Fun – Chapter 35

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Shio
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As the harvest and grain storage were coming to an end, the heat of people eagerly playing and drinking while still at work faded a little over a week later.

Although it was a somber occasion, when we laid our father’s body to rest, we gathered the spirits of our fallen warriors, buried together in the land beside him, mourning and rejoicing through this festival.

We knew they would reach Valhalla, where we could meet again when this life ended.

How long had we yearned for such thrilling revenge since that Frank, Charles, burned the Saxon lands and the sacred tree? Many great kings and lords had challenged him, but they had always been thwarted by those who stood under the cross and their impenetrable walls.

The arrival of Helgi Ragnarsson, who defeated the two Konungrs of Northumbria and seized their lands, was shocking even to the battle-hardened Norsemen.

A father disgracefully murdered in a wretched way by a dishonorable man, and a son who achieved perfect revenge.

This alone would be enough to earn sympathy, but when rumors spread that he wielded the grace of the goddess Hel, like a demigod?

Aros, already effectively his territory, and even Uppsala, the city of the most honorable Norsemen, appointed him as their Konungr, without considering his own will at all(!).

They offered him a famous sword engraved with the word [Courage] as a gift.

In the minds of the Norsemen, who had gained such a heaven-sent Konungr, something greater than farming, herding, trading, and plundering began to take root…a greater goal.

Where that final destination would be was now solely in the hands of Helgi Ragnarsson.

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Leaving behind the frenzy of the festival in Uppsala, after quickly wrapping up the return of the troops, the distribution of the spoils, and the praise for my hard-working comrades, I entrusted everything else to Bjorn and set out on the road to Aros.

As the lord of Munsö Island, just south of Uppsala, for many years, Bjorn could govern Uppsala without much difficulty.

Moreover, Uppsala was now the spiritual holy land of the Norsemen, but the true political, economic, and military center is Aros. This city, which grows larger by the day, would one day completely overshadow Uppsala.

“You seem to be in good spirits, my king,”

Hrolf casually remarked as I rode my black horse along the road, lined with nothing but green.

“Of course, Hrolf. How long has it been since I’ve come home?”

It was now late summer. The days were shortening, and a cold wind blew from the snow-covered mountains to the north.

Winter here was long and harsh, so we had to make every possible preparation. Checking the health of the livestock, stacking firewood, sorting the harvested grain, urging merchants to buy and sell what was needed for the winter…

Whenever my entourage passed along a well-paved road, the peasants, who paused their work to bow hurriedly, were covered in sweat, yet none showed fear. All were smiling brightly.

A good sign.

“Since you are pleased, my Konungr, even this old body feels like it could fly. The weather is indeed fine, isn’t it?”

Hrolf’s words, spoken with his gaze cast far into the distance, held a subtle meaning.

‘This old man…What is he scheming?’

Whenever he acted coy like this, something troublesome was usually on the horizon.

Just as I was about to question him directly, I caught sight of a very familiar figure near the palisade, which had expanded since I last saw it, in the far distance.

“…We’ll talk later, Hrolf. Hyah!”

Whatever Hrolf was plotting didn’t matter. Mother was out there.

I quickly spurred my black horse forward, a childlike smile spreading across my lips.

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Perhaps because I had recently led a fleet across every corner of the North Sea, the vast city of Aros, now stretching its influence all the way to the distant ridges, appeared to me as if numerous ships had been turned upside down.

The population was already estimated at 30,000.

For the Norsemen, who had no cities before Aros, this was a significant change.

The settlements stretched along the coastline, and people who had once lived in small groups of 1,000 to 2,000 began to gather together.

Naturally, the local lords—though it would be more accurate to call them village chiefs, they are still called Jarls—would be unsettled.

The prosperity of Aros would continue to attract more people, and the population would inevitably increase.

The Jarls of the provinces would eventually have to choose.

Would they oppose me to protect their petty vested interests, or would they come under my rule, enjoying wealth and glory previously unimaginable, even at the cost of losing some autonomy?

Without any particular intention, I was achieving the centralization of the Norsemen—something no one had anticipated—simply due to the effects of the various traits I possessed.

If this continued for another 10 years? And then another 10 years after that?

People would no longer want to return to the days when everyone was at war with each other. There were already enough enemies outside our borders, and their threat remained.

Of course, none of this was important to me at the moment.

“Have you been well, my two mothers?”

“Yes, Helgi. Hearing news of you gave me strength I didn’t know I had. You’ve worked hard. Thank you, Helgi. I don’t know what else to say—just, thank you.”

Mother Aslaug wiped my hand, her eyes full of pride.

I hadn’t seen her at the festival in Uppsala, and I didn’t expect her to be here instead of her hometown of Gotland.

Until just before our departure, she had the appearance of a strong Norse woman, urging the wavering Jarls, but now…that strength seemed to have faded.

In just over a year, she seemed to have aged significantly, which made me uneasy.

“Thank you for your gratitude. I merely did what I had to do. Bjorn and Ivarr worked the hardest.”

Despite my sincere words, Aslaug simply shook her head quietly.

“Now that I’ve seen your face, I should withdraw. Asta will have more to say than I…”

My birth mother, Asta, and I helped Aslaug to her feet.

“Go in carefully, Mother. Sigurd and Ubba will return soon, so if you feel lonely, please come find me anytime.”

“How can you come and go so easily now that you’ve taken the seat of a Konungr? You must be mindful of your position…”

Though she admonished me sternly, the smile on her lips suggested she wasn’t too displeased. However, when she mentioned Sigurd, her beautiful brows furrowed.

“Ubba sends too many updates—it’s troublesome, but I haven’t heard a word from Sigurd. The last I heard, he met some woman and lost his heart entirely, but since then, not a single letter.”

That rascal, as hot-blooded as a young colt…

There was anger in her voice, tinged with irritation. At times like this, it’s best to stay silent.

“Come to think of it, Helgi, you too…Ah, it’s better if Asta tells you herself. I’ll go in first; let’s meet at the feast tonight.”

“Yes, Mother. I’ll see you this evening.”

As I saw off Aslaug, who seemed about to say something but then stopped, my birth mother, Asta, took my hand and led me toward a small table.

Of course, no matter how much she pulls, this powerful body won’t budge at all…But family matters aren’t resolved with strength alone. Like a mouse before a cat, I allowed myself to be led by my mother.

We had already shared a moving reunion at the city gate, with me embracing her and saying, “Mother, your son has returned!” and her replying, “I’m proud of you, my son. You’ve returned safely.” Now came the nagging—something no son in this world could escape.

However, there was no avoiding it. I could only raise my chin and take it.

“Goodness, Helgi. I didn’t notice it outside, but you’ve lost so much weight over the past year…! Were you going hungry in Britain?”

“…”

My mother, who looked at me with deep concern, asked about everything related to my well-being. She finally seemed satisfied after I promised to eat well, sleep well, and take care of myself from now on.

Then she dropped a bomb.

“So, Helgi. Now that you’ve taken the seat of a Konungr, isn’t it time you got married?”

“…”

Unable to respond with a firm “I will,” I desperately averted my gaze.

My mother sighed softly and took my hand in hers, speaking as if admonishing me.

“Helgi, you can’t keep avoiding this forever. I don’t know why you’re hesitating, but think it over carefully. Look closely at the women who pass by, try talking to them… Of course, you have your own thoughts, but remember, for a Konungr, a Dróttning (queen) is not just a simple partner. You really need to think seriously about it.”

“Yes, Mother.”

My mother’s words were right. I couldn’t avoid this forever. I really did need to think seriously about it, but for some reason, I felt relieved to have dodged the topic for now.

“You really…”

My mother, who knew all my inner thoughts, smiled as if she couldn’t help it. The symbol of Hel, hanging from her necklace, sparkled in the light.

‘Come to think of it, I need to carry out a religious reformation.’

Saying “religious reformation” might sound grand, as if flames would burst forth from here and there…But in reality, it wasn’t like that at all.

It was more about establishing a doctrine that no one had ever written before. The native religion of the Norsemen now had different beliefs in village A, village B, and village C, where good and evil were often reversed…

As the identity of our people is formed around Aros, the first large city of the Norsemen, unifying religious doctrine isn’t just an option—it was a necessity.

If it failed, the cross would eventually become unstoppable.

That wouldn’t be so bad either, but as someone who vaguely knows the difficult path of blood and suffering that the cross will tread in the future, I wanted to create a religious view that prioritizes human intellect for our people.

Wasn’t it worth trying? If I had been afraid of failure and didn’t try, I wouldn’t have taken up the [Sword of Courage] that Bjorn offered me in the first place.

“You must be tired. I’ve kept you too long. Go rest a bit. Skilled hunters have caught plenty of rabbits and deer for you.”

“Thank you, Mother. I’ll visit you before the evening feast.”

“Yes, do that.”

Deer and rabbits? With honey wine too? Hmm.

The others at the feast (especially Hrolf) better not even think about touching the meat today. I’d eat it all.

Swallowing the sudden drool that formed, I bid farewell to my mother and left the cozy room, heading toward my own quarters one floor above.

Although I couldn’t build stone walls because the elders of Aros tearfully pleaded with me, my house was constructed by mixing stone and wood, giving it a somewhat avant-garde beauty that could be seen in every corner of the building.

‘That damned tradition…Just wait, I’ll definitely raise stone walls…’

I was already secretly making plans with skilled craftsmen, without the knowledge of the old men of the Thing. Now, all that remained was to create a prototype and persuade them. It would be even better if I could learn more advanced fortification techniques…

To do that, I had to go to Constantinople, the greatest city of this era. The knowledge I need will be there.

‘That’s why I’m in no rush to get married.’

“Konungr Helgi. Storolf has informed me that a guest has come to see you.”

Usually, on the top floor where my mother and I stay, all visitors were refused except for the guards, but Refil—Bjorn’s son, my adjutant, and someone in a position similar to a secretary—could deliver news to me without interruption.

“Storolf did? It must be someone important. Who is it?”

As I asked, tapping Refil’s shoulder, which had stiffened with nervousness, he answered.

“He said it’s Harald. Harald Halfdansson.”

Huh…

The loser of western Scandinavia had arrived.

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[Shio here~!

What type of title is “The loser of western Scandinavia” LOL? Also, Helgi is not avoiding this marriage. We’re finally getting our waifu soon! ]