Being a Viking Isn’t Fun – Chapter 41

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Shio
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One who brought peace.

That was the meaning of the name ‘Mirosław.’

Wasn’t it a meaningful and noble name?

The problem was that Mirosław, whom the people of Polotsk had appointed as Knyaz, did not enjoy peace at all.

“Konungr Helgi! You may not know this as you rule a great city across the sea, but here, it’s difficult to achieve anything without a steady supply of slaves!”

After calming the Polotsk warriors, who had been baring their fangs, Mirosław and I engaged in a heated discussion.

Each of us led our retinues and guards, standing in a neutral zone set up between the two forces.

Of course, for some reason, it was mostly Mirosław denouncing Rurik’s incompetence to me…

“But look at that Rurik of Novgorod! In this land, if you don’t strike first, you’ll be targeted by other wolf-like bastards! Yet he does nothing…!”

If I had heard these words without any prior knowledge, I might have thought, ‘Oh, is that so?’

But having already been briefed by Rurik and Oleg in Novgorod, I let Mirosław’s words go in one ear and out the other.

‘That’s not true, Mirosław. You’re not irritated about the nearby plundering. Rather, you’re fearful of falling behind in your competition with the Khazar Khaganate. When I put a brake on the slave market, you needed another steady supply of slaves.’

A competition to see who could capture the most slaves. In reality, it was ultimately about who could make the most money.

If we only considered their provisions, the Rus territories centered around Novgorod and Polotsk were productive.

Actually, it’d be more accurate to say that they were overflowing with produce because the land’s productivity exceeded what the small population could consume.

However, that only applied to the farmers and civilians.

For Mirosław, a renowned slave broker, profits were gradually declining.

I had dabbled in stocks in my previous life so I understood, when you entered a bear market, you lost sight of everything. You ended up hating everyone, wondering when you’d ever reach your goals.

A desperate feeling of wanting to snuff out every thorn in your path would consume you.

In such a situation, a stranger suddenly barged into your neighborhood, constantly hindering your plans?

The only option left would be for blood to be spilled.

‘I understand from an investor’s standpoint…’

But my personal beliefs and state affairs were completely unrelated.

It didn’t matter to me how much he lost or how much he earned.

All that mattered now was if he was willing to return under Novgorod’s rule and give up the southern waterway.

“So I ask the high Konungr to reconsider once more and burn down the insignificant plains of those arrogant horse-riding bastards!”

“Knyaz Mirosław of Polotsk.”

I stopped Mirosław as he continued spewing nonsensical words, pretending to be very excited.

Beneath his reddened face, I could see an extremely calculating gaze. Well, someone who dominated the local slave trade couldn’t be completely stupid.

Despite clearly being flustered by my appearance, his efforts to find a way to survive were admirable.

So I decided to give him a chance.

“I understand your position well. However, there is no reason why the people of Novgorod should move for the sake of your measly silver coin.”

“Konungr Helgi…!”

“Listen further, Knyaz Mirosław. Like the people of Novgorod, I too will not move for your silver coins.”

“Konungr…! I’m absolutely not doing this for my personal gain!”

“Instead—”

The merchant’s eyes, which had sensed things had gone awry the moment I, an unexpected presence, intervened, were tearfully pitiful but didn’t lose their initial calculating gaze.

If he wasn’t sincere about slaves but about money, then I just had to create another opportunity for him to make that money.

“—let’s re-establish the trade route to Miklagard together.”

At my sudden proposition, not only Mirosław but also Refil, Rurik, and even Oleg began to roll their eyes.

Of course, Storolf, who was loyal but somewhat slow in using his head, just stood by my side as always.

“…Konungr Helgi, with all due respect, I say this carefully, but Rus is already trading with Tsarigrad (Constantinople).”

“That might have been the case once, but it’s likely blocked now, with the Khazars, Magyars, and Bulgars interfering, and Kiev (Kyiv) taking its cut in the middle.”

“That’s… true.”

“Let’s put aside the slave trade, where you have to capture people, educate them, and sell them with massive fees attached, Mirosław. That’s not something people should do for long. Instead, isn’t it more profitable to create a great trade route with me that moves without rest for six summers and six winters, from across that sea all the way to Miklagard?”

Mirosław’s eyes, which had initially sought to bargain with me moderately and secure guarantees of trade goods, silver coins, or territorial safety, now lost their calculating light and were filled with distrust and suspicion.

“The Konungr’s words are sweeter than honey. But how can we believe that?”

His way with words was truly impressive.

When it came to a situation he should be responsible for, he skillfully dispersed responsibility by using the wording ‘we.’ But the proposal I was waving in front of this money demon’s face hadn’t come about overnight.

It had been on my mind since the moment the Jarl of Gotland suggested an eastern expedition to me.

I needed the advanced goods of Constantinople, and Aros could provide them with cheap—very, very cheap and high-quality—grains, wool, and furs.

Anyone who could do simple arithmetic would know that the size of the crumbs that would fall to Polotsk and Novgorod, which could be considered the two entrances of this trade route, would not be small at all.

That was why Mirosław, Rurik, and Oleg’s eyes were trembling now.

“Trust, is it? Is it not enough that I haven’t yet punished the one who bared his bottom to me?”

At my mischievous question, recalling the shocking scene from earlier, Mirosław immediately bowed his waist 90 degrees and offered a grand apology.

“My people of Polotsk and I are ignorant folks who have only dug the earth all our lives, with no eyes to recognize great figures, and have lived our whole lives looking at each other’s bottoms like that. What could we possibly know properly? However, if we can resolve the great Konungr’s anger, I will strip those fellows naked right now, put shackles and collars on them, and offer them as gifts to the Konungr.”

“…”

Look at that mentality—conveniently omitting his own insults and trying to sell off the peasants under him who had merely diligently provoked the enemy as ordered.

Today I learned one more thing. Shift responsibility…sacrifice the weak…as an offering…memo…

“There’s no need for that. It was such an impressive bottom that I merely jested. Well, I think I’ve given you enough time to organize your thoughts now… Have you made your decision?”

“Of course, Konungr.”

Mirosław, who had been spewing all sorts of curses like a chatterbox just an hour ago, had now become so calm and composed it was hard to believe.

He even wore a business smile as he exalted me.

“I solemnly swear before Perun’s name that from this moment on, the loyalty of the humble city of Polotsk and its representative, I, Mirosław, belongs to the great warrior and Konungr of all Norsemen and Rus people, Helgi Ragnarsson. Perun! Strike lightning on the heads of all who break this oath!”

“…Thank you, Mirosław.”

“Please speak comfortably, my Konungr!”

Thus, on a small field between Polotsk and Novgorod, I gained control over two of the main cities of Rus.

Although it wasn’t intended, wasn’t it fine as long as the result was good?

…

I’m not sure if I’ve just increased my unnecessary burdens.

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There was a saying, “riding a tiger” (騎虎之勢, qí hǔ zhī shì).

It meant being in a situation where you couldn’t dismount once you started.

It wasn’t my intention for things to unfold this way, but now that I was on, I couldn’t get off. I had to see it through to the end.

In my case, I could actually turn back anytime if things went wrong.

Simply put, there was no one here who could fight better than me right now. If I were to say, “Ah! I’m too annoyed to continue!” and cause a scene, who could stop me?

But, once you became the Konungrof two nations (Danes, Svear)—no, was it three now (Rus)? Including the Angles, it was four—once you became the Konungr of four nations, things didn’t flow as you wanted, and you couldn’t stop a snowball that was already rolling.

All the constituents of this world moved for their own desires, and if you showed even a moment’s weakness, there were many who would immediately strike.

Therefore, I had no choice but to shoulder everything and move forward.

This must’ve been why Father said a Konungr was one who leads…

I was starting to understand a bit why he said one must eventually take up the sword.

The people of Polotsk, who showed such a quick change of attitude that it was hard to believe they were the same people who had hurled insults and bared their bottoms at first sight, seemed used to this kind of thing.

That was, having their Knyaz (king) change overnight.

“Hey—friends from the west, what kind of food does our new Knyaz—no, Konungr like?”

“How many winters has our Konungr, who’s bigger than our bears, seen? What? Eighteen? Hahaha! Well, I thought these fellows were just gruff, but now I see they have quite a funny side!”

“That Her-la? Hel-a? What does that god do? Rules over death? Oh my, we better show proper respect! So, where and what should we offer? Nothing to offer? Then how do we show reverence?”

Curious about so many things, they constantly hovered around my warriors who had come with me from Aros, asking this and that.

At some point, they naturally started carving Hel’s symbol to carry in their bosoms, engraving lightning next to it in a fusion of faiths.

They even loitered around my tent, claiming to be my guards, making Storolf uncomfortable.

“Konungr! These fellows have no discipline! They’re like beasts, even giving off an unclean smell as if they don’t wash! Lice fall from their heads with every shake!”

‘Actually, lack of discipline is normal. Storolf…we’re the strange ones.’

Storolf, who started his military life under me, might not know, but he doesn’t realize how much Hrolf struggled when Aros was still just a fishing village, leading the innovation of the army through my constant gaslighting.

“For now, let’s be satisfied if they go when told to go, and stop when told to stop, Storolf. As for the washing issue… keep telling those who dislike it about the coolness of washing and combing their hair. So they can wash and comb their hair on their own. It’ll work well if you tell them women like it.”

“To think we have to live with such fellows! I pity the women here! I want to save them! I understand, Konungr!”

Storolf, the ‘flag bearer’ of the Garm Brotherhood, who had particularly strong pride even among the people of Aros who were overly charged with national pride, snorted, revealing a strange sense of cultural superiority.

If I remember correctly, didn’t this friend even have that kind of relationship with a woman from East Anglia…

‘He might be physically clean, but mentally he’s the embodiment of corruption. When will we secure mental cleanliness?’

I didn’t even hope for monogamy, but seeing such free-spirited love affairs made a corner of my head feel like it was breaking down.

What was it they said?

Weren’t the old times supposed to be stricter? Why were male-female relationships so intense during this era?

“Over there, in the distance, that’s Polotsk, Konungr!”

If Egbert of York was an open flatterer with no intention of hiding his heart, Mirosław was a slightly more sinister flatterer.

Of course, I could see right through him, but as long as our goals aligned, I would keep him alive and use him. After all, not just anyone could dominate the slave trade in an area. It meant that he was skilled.

“I see, then let’s go in. Knyaz Rurik.”

“Hehe—Yes, understood, Konungr.”

Leading Rurik, who gave a dejected laugh at the sight of his old comrade Mirosław showing a 180-degree different attitude towards him compared to how he treated me, I entered Polotsk, situated beside a river flowing west.

And it was around this time that a person sent from Miklagard arrived in Novgorod.

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[Shio here~!

How many places is Helgi going to become the Konungr of at this rate LOL?]