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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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Anyone who had studied Korean history would have undoubtedly heard the names Gunjang and Cheongun. These terms appeared prominently in the ancient history section. Typically, the diligent nature of the Korean people meant they studied this period with the fervor of beginners, poring over their textbooks until the pages were tattered. That was why these words felt so familiar.
Apparently, the translator in my brain, which operated on principles I still couldn’t grasp, interpreted things in that way…
As far as I knew, within a tribal system, the Gunjang held the military role, while the Cheongun focused more on the spiritual well-being and governance of the people.
‘Ah, these guys haven’t integrated their religious and political systems yet.’
The moment I deduced this, I felt my vision darken.
Just days ago, I had fought my way through the political chaos and schemes of the most developed nation in the modern world, only to arrive in a place with a primitive tribal system…
Could this truly be the same world?
“So… Gunjang Arpad…”
My voice trailed off, a result of the dissonance I felt from this enormous cultural gap. Haskuldr, interpreting my hesitation as displeasure, shrank back further.
“So, where is he now? Did he want anything in particular?”
“Usually, those horse riders go hunting before sunrise and return around sunset, Konungr. I will send someone to their village to confirm Arpad’s presence.”
“Alright, then I’ll leave it to you.”
“As you wish, Konungr.”
Lost in thought, I strode forward with long strides. The warriors following behind me began to breathe a bit heavily.
The uphill climb was good exercise for them, so they should be thanking me, I thought brazenly. Beyond that self-satisfied thought, the view of Kyiv from the high hill offered a different kind of amusement.
‘Cao Cao would have composed a poem here.’
The powerfully meandering river and the curious sight of villages layered in different shapes.
Three different cultures coexisting in one place.
‘Coexistence.’
After observing the scene for a moment, I turned and headed back inside the longhouse.
‘Tribal system or not, they’re a group that can transform their entire village into cavalry. Fighting is the worst option; diplomacy is the best.’
We would fight if necessary, but our preparations were still inadequate. The tack given to me by the Emperor, the Roman riding techniques, and the hundred or so horses promised for the summer came to mind, but I swallowed those thoughts down with the mead that was presented to me.
“It is an honor to meet you. Renowned warrior, Konunguru Helgi!”
‘It’s Konungr, not Konunguru… you Arpadu-like fool…’
Arpad was a lord with dignified air and sharp eyes. He gave off the impression of a hawk.
Of moderate build but with a visibly agile physique, this warrior wore a single-edged curved sword at his hip. He carried a helmet adorned with feathers on both sides, making it look like wings, tucked under his arm, and his body was draped in animal hides.
At first glance, he resembled a hunter, but the expensive red robe and shoes he wore beneath the hides indicated his status.
“The honor is all mine. Grand chieftain of the Magyars, Arpad.”
Arpad’s eyes widened at my stature, which was at least three heads taller than his. He stared at my outstretched forearm for a moment before grasping it with a hearty laugh.
[Slap!]
“Hahaha! Rumors don’t even come close to reality…! With this size, even the bears around the Dnieper River wouldn’t be sure of victory against Konunguru!”
‘What kind of rumors are circulating…’
Arpad was proficient in the Rus’ language, though his pronunciation was somewhat awkward, which was unavoidable. Still, it was impressive enough. The fact that the Magyar language didn’t immediately come to mind suggested there were conditions to my translation abilities.
Of course, I was fluent in the Rus’ language, so there were no problems in our communication.
“As I mentioned on my way to Rome, I hoped to get in touch with the leader of the Magyars… I didn’t expect to meet you so soon.”
I subtly broached the subject while raising the cups before us and taking a sip of their contents. Arpad immediately replied.
“Do you think we Magyars are ignorant of the news from the steppes and beyond? We already know that a new master has appeared in the Rus’ lands, so of course we had to meet you! And see, the words of the great Tengri and his Cheongun, my father, were not wrong. We have met a warrior like Konunguru.”
After Arpad drained his cup, his attendant poured a whitish liquid into it. I wondered if that was the fabled kumis.
“Konunguru Helgi, we Magyars don’t desire much. We simply move around, seeking land to feed our horses and children. What else could we possibly need?”
Despite his hearty words, Arpad’s eyes were calculating.
“We want to trade. Furs, horses, slaves, and food…! I hear you are quite close to Rome… Couldn’t we get a foot in that trade?”
So, it’s all about money. It’s all about power.
In essence, Arpad wanted to gain greater profit in a larger market and elevate his status.
What awaited him at the end of that path, however, no one could know…
For now, I decided it was best to conclude this minor conflict with the Magyars.
What we needed was time.
Time for the vast trade route spanning Northern and Eastern Europe to firmly take root, and for Kyiv and Novgorod, situated right in the middle of that route, to flourish.
Unnecessary friction was something we couldn’t afford right now, nor did we need it.
“Rome… Rome. I do have a few friends there… Tell me, would you care to elaborate?”
At my words, Arpad smiled brightly and clapped his hands. My gaze sharpened, as if to pierce into his mind.
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Arpad and his tribe vanished like the wind.
Kyiv’s three villages instantly became two. In the place they vacated were about fifty horses left behind by Arpad as a token of gratitude and trust.
Of course, I also gifted him furs and silver coins.
Merchants from as far as Aarhus were already trading with Cherson through Kyiv, so it wasn’t difficult to slip a few of Arpad’s nomad friends onto the merchant ships.
This also aligned with the intentions of Strategos, Petronas and Damian, who effectively acted as balancers between the Khazars and Magyars…
Things would be quiet for a while. The winter was mild, and food was plentiful.
Besides, weren’t their real rivals the Khazars? The Bulgars under them wouldn’t remain solely focused on conversion forever.
Of course, the political instability of nomadic peoples was well-known, so it was uncertain how long this peace would last.
In any case, when I asked Haskuldr about Kyiv’s future, he had a fit and swore his loyalty once again.
‘I asked him sincerely… Did he take it as a threat?’
No matter how I thought about it, the territories under my control were now too vast and dispersed. It had happened this way by chance, but… from Northumbria in the west to Kyiv here, practically the edge of Europe…
Hadn’t I witnessed the Empire’s dilemma firsthand in Constantinople? A two-front war was nothing short of madness.
I had absolutely no desire to end up in that situation, so whether Kyiv wanted it or not, I planned to grant them independence someday. However, with Haskuldr and Djur practically prostrating themselves before me, I didn’t press the issue further.
As history had proven, when they felt their heads grow bigger and their strength increase, they would break away on their own… I intended to let them go gracefully then. By that time, the trade route would be firmly established, transcending the whims of any individual.
‘Yes… That’s good enough…’
But why did I have this lingering unease…?
In any case, the tense first meeting with the Magyars passed peacefully. With the increasingly frequent warm breezes of the fourth month of winter, now just a few days away from ending, we once again embarked on the river.
Meanwhile, Constantinos, who was gradually getting used to my imposing presence, was now quite attached to me. This spirited eight-year-old was bravely enduring the drastically changed environment.
He learned theology and engineering from Leon, my chief engineer, who had taken pity on him. From Storolf, who was surprisingly soft with children, he learned various exercises, Norse customs, and horsemanship.
Perhaps due to his unusual lineage, Constantinos was intelligent.
Of course, he was still just a child who occasionally wept secretly on nights when the stars were bright. But I had a feeling this child would continue to improve.
And so, amidst this peaceful journey, despite personally scouting ahead and choosing the relatively calmer sections of the river…
With the ice beginning to melt, as we diligently navigated the rapids, which seemed even stronger than before, we encountered one of the “Dnieper bears” Arpad had mentioned.
The bear, which seemed to have awakened from hibernation early, appeared somewhat dazed. It made eye contact with me and suddenly stood up, trying to make itself look bigger.
[Roar- Roaaar-! …]
“…”
I didn’t have a hobby of engaging in staring contests with animals, but its appearance was somehow both cute and intriguing. I continued to stare, and eventually, the bear slowly turned its head and cautiously moved away in the opposite direction of our fleet, which was busy navigating the river and land.
‘What, did I just win a staring contest against a bear?’
It was smaller than the grizzlies I’d seen in documentaries, but still a considerably large bear.
Djur, who had chosen to join my ranks rather than remain in Kyiv, was particularly amazed. The other warriors from Aarhus were already accepting it as a matter of course, with expressions that said, “Konungr has won again.”
Thus, we traveled for another week.
The season now distinctly hinted at the arrival of spring.
867 AD. The fifth month of winter. February 16th by the Julian calendar.
After approximately two months, our fleet, now significantly larger than when we departed, arrived at the lake city of Novgorod.
“Konungr Helgi! Oleg! … Djur…! We sincerely welcome you all! Please, come inside! Novgorod is yours!”
Compared to two months prior, Novgorod was bustling with activity.
Despite it still being winter, the intrepid merchants of Aarhus had continuously sailed the Baltic Sea along the unfrozen waterways. This was the primary reason.
Thanks to them, the elderly worried less about food, and the provocations from the western tribes, which had seemed like an annual event, had also disappeared. It was a happy ending.
However, there was something peculiar. Throughout the city, adults and children alike were throwing wooden sticks and stones, or swimming in the still-cold water with sheer willpower…
Everyone seemed intensely focused on physical activities.
The women blushed as they watched the men. The elderly gathered, cheering on various names and enjoying the winter.
“Ah, they are preparing for the next competition, Konungr. Many are determined to claim victory this time! Polotsk will taste defeat in this competition…!”
‘But I haven’t made any plans yet…’
The people were enthusiastic, but Rurik, who seemed the most enthusiastic of all, exclaimed with even better color in his face and overflowing energy. Upon hearing his words, the people of Novgorod, who had been milling around us, observing me and the warriors, responded enthusiastically.
“Of course-! We will definitely kick those Polotsk fellows’ butts this time!”
“Novgorod! Novgorod! Vic-to-ry-! Hail Hel! Hail Perun!”
The warriors from Aarhus, including Storolf, inwardly scoffed, but there was a sense of… slight apprehension in their eyes.
‘Hmm… should I hold these competitions regularly? Hold regional qualifiers too… involve Bamburgh, Jorvik, Kyiv, and maybe even Cherson… hold a big competition once a year, rotating between the cities?’
Of course, I only painted the big picture. My competent advisors would have to take charge of the actual implementation.
I subtly turned my head to look at Refil and Oleg. The two capable administrators desperately avoided my gaze while simultaneously glaring at Rurik, showcasing a remarkable feat of multitasking.
“Now, please come inside first, Konungr! As the sowing season approaches, we happen to be preparing a festival!”
Rurik invited me into the longhouse with a beaming face.
Seeing the faces of the people smiling brightly as they shouted my name and the title of Konungr, I felt a sense of satisfaction, as if my efforts during the past winter hadn’t been in vain.
“Alright, let’s.”
And so, with a relaxed mind, I enjoyed Novgorod’s hospitality for two more days.
Just as I was indulging in the mead and comfort of this newfound peace…
A sudden roar tore through the night sky, accompanied by a shining something that streaked across the heavens and landed beyond Novgorod, toward the Baltic Sea and the lands beyond.
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