WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Oblivious
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Prince of Rage ◈
Chapter 94
──────
* * *
The late-autumn wind blowing in from the west was chilly. Yet it carried more than just cold.
Rumors rode the wind to reach the people, and people gathered here and there to whisper, regardless of status, wealth, age, or gender.
Valerie the dragon-slayer.
An epithet followed a person according to their traits, habits, or achievements. Red Axe, Iron Head, Groin-Ripper, Fatty, Berserker Slayer, Avenger, Friend of Children, and the like.
Among them, dragon-slayer referred to one who had proven supreme courage and strength. It also carried religious meaning.
Only one person in history had earned the epithet dragon-slayer, and he was famous for having died for all Norsemen. He was Sigurd, Fafnir's Bane, Fáfnisbani.
But now, another had been born. Valerie, Húginnis the Fire Dragon's Bane, Hügnisbani.
People did not know why a dragon-slayer had appeared in this age, or what it meant. They were simply excited for some reason, believing that someone important had emerged.
Someone who, like Sigurd, might perhaps become a savior.
While most people were moved for vague reasons, some considered the matter in more practical terms. They were commonly called the Antler Alliance.
They had formed and expanded a power base around the Third Prince, with the aim of claiming the throne in the future. Their name came from the image on a banner they had used long ago.
It depicted a white stag's head against a black background, with one antler branching into five points.
That banner had once symbolized the King of Edelia, before Astria was conquered by the Norsemen.
Did they dream of restoration? That did not seem to be the case. If they did, they would not be supporting a prince.
Nor was it a crest or banner they could officially use if they did not wish to offend the King.
Still, the feeling it quietly evoked was meant solely to unite Edelia.
Unlike other duchies, which governed only five or six countships at most, Edelia had hundreds of large and small lords.
Thus, while the Duke of Edelia formally held all those lords as vassals, the Duke could not truly exert influence over them all. They did not listen in the first place.
This situation had arisen because the Norsemen had not reorganized the administrative districts after their conquest. They had simply abolished the throne.
Therefore, the Five-Man Council did not now dream of a glorious past. They merely wanted power. The power to grasp all of Edelia in one hand.
In that sense, the Prince could serve as an excellent focal point.
If they could unite Edelia around that focal point, or even extend their sphere of influence over half of it, they would gain an overwhelming advantage in the future war of succession.
They would create a prevailing tide, solidify it, and finally make the Prince king. That was the grand strategy of the Antler Alliance, or the Five-Man Council.
Of course, they had failed to see the blind spot that their actual combat strength could prove inadequate as they focused solely on winning support and expanding their influence.
As could be seen from how they had been crushed by the small suicide corps Valerie led before his regression.
"A dragon-slayer... Could this just be a story the gossips have exaggerated?"
Count Gareth, one of the Five-Man Council, voiced doubt.
"Are you saying it needs to be verified?"
"Well, isn't it too absurd to believe outright?"
"Did Lady Eldwin not see it herself?"
Hesmunde, Duke of Edelia, looked at Eldwin as the Duke spoke.
Eldwin seemed lost in thought. Then, realizing belatedly that she had been addressed, she answered at once.
"I did not personally see whether he killed a real dragon. However, as I said before, I personally witnessed him kill two Einheri, each with a single blow. And he wore red scale armor that looked extraordinary even at a glance."
"Two killed with one blow..."
Silence fell over the meeting room.
They had long known that the Kingmakers were their enemies. They knew that the Kingmakers were quietly keeping them in check, and that they had been behind the three Einheri who robbed the tax convoy.
The Five-Man Council's task was to build its power while enduring and repelling that pressure.
But this time, the Kingmakers had taken a harder line. The tax convoy robbery was intended to weaken the alliance's unity and measure the Five-Man Council's ability to respond.
There had been no open war, but beneath the surface, the mutual hostility was nearly indistinguishable from war.
"What is clear is that he is so strong, he is difficult even to estimate."
"Isn't the point whether he will take our side or not?"
"Before that, we must learn what he wants."
"He said he wishes to see the Prince."
Eldwin spoke, and Duke Hesmunde nodded as if in understanding.
"I see..."
"Why do you say that?"
"It seems this dragon-slayer does not seek a few coins or a title. He wants to become one of the pillars. A future pillar of the Kingmakers."
The Duke was completely off the mark. Still, someone who lived for power could not help judging others by those standards. It was the natural assumption.
"You mean he intends to negotiate directly with the Prince?"
"Most likely. He wishes to stand as our equal."
It would have been better if he had wanted great wealth or a high position. But if he joined as a sixth member of the Five-Man Council, they would be advancing together toward the throne.
That would complicate matters. Conflict might arise along the way, discord might break out, and there could be problems of every kind.
Every member of the Five-Man Council had devoted their life and fate, their house and wealth, everything, to gaining future power.
They knew he was powerful, but they could not simply accept him.
"But what worries me is this."
One person raised a hand slightly and began to speak. Everyone looked at them.
"What if the man is disappointed after meeting the Prince...?"
The Third Prince was sickly and never appeared on the front lines. There was truly nothing he stepped forward to do himself.
They worried that the dragon-slayer might see the Prince, be disappointed, and leave.
"A man we can neither readily accept nor afford to lose."
Whether because of the weight of the title dragon-slayer or his personal strength, those attending the meeting were deeply troubled.
Then Eldwin spoke.
"Just as we cannot be certain whether he killed a dragon, we cannot be certain what he wants. I believe the proper course is to let him meet the Prince first, then learn what he truly desires."
It was unlike Eldwin to say such a thing. Strictly speaking, she was not part of the Five-Man Council. She only attended the meetings and conveyed words as the Third Prince's closest attendant.
"Eldwin, if we do that, something irreversible may happen. For better or worse."
"What would the worse outcome be?"
"That he parts ways with us forever. Worse still, someone who can kill two Einheri, each with a single blow, might turn toward the Kingmakers."
"No. Since he has already killed two Einheri, he has made enemies of the Kingmakers. I do not know how confident he may be, but even a dragon-slayer would find it difficult to seek their protection in the present situation."
"Hm. That is true, but... Does anyone have another opinion?"
No one answered. It seemed to be silent agreement.
And so, without knowing it, Valerie went through this process and gained the chance to meet Ivar, the Third Prince.
Could he say it had been a while? Valerie wore a northern-style tunic and the gambeson Lady Sybild had made for him.
They had originally been fine clothes, but after sleeping rough and adventuring in them, they had become somewhat worn.
The leather boots made by a shoemaker from the Lokir Merchant Company were also a little worn, as were his well-broken-in leather belt and scabbard.
Nothing he wore was new. His attire bore the traces of time, yet it was clean at the same time.
Elik was like a small city that had formed around a single manor. It was not actually so, but that was the city's overall appearance.
The manor stood by the river, with almost no other buildings around it, as though it wished to keep its surroundings clear. Yet every road led to the manor.
Guided inside, Valerie passed through the main gate on Snow. The courtyard was so vast that he had to remain on horseback until they reached the manor.
Near the manor stood Eldwin, whom he had seen before.
When he dismounted, she spoke.
"Welcome, Dragon-slayer. We have been waiting for you."
Her manner of speaking had become respectful. Though she was the daughter of a ruined noble house, she did not even know Valerie's true identity.
Valerie looked over the manor once. Was it strange to say it had been a long time? He had once stormed this place while leading a suicide corps.
After looking around the manor, he looked back at Eldwin. Seeing the place had reminded him that when he came to kill the Third Prince, Eldwin had suddenly attacked him. He had stabbed her in the stomach and killed her.
Seeing her alive again gave him a strange feeling.
"Did you say your name was Eldwin? Of Baron Grosner's house?"
"Yes."
"Hm... Was the Prince not also raised in Baron Grosner's house? I believe I heard something to that effect."
"...That is correct."
"I see. So that was how it was."
"Pardon?"
"Never mind. Please lead the way."
"There is something I must tell you first. If the Prince tells you to leave, you must do so at once. His health is not good."
"I understand."
"Then I will show you in. Please follow me."
Valerie followed Eldwin into the manor, which was familiar in its own way, and walked down the corridor. They climbed the stairs and stopped before a large door.
Knock, knock.
"Your Highness, the dragon-slayer I told you about has arrived."
There was no reply from within. Still, Eldwin carefully opened the door and gestured inside.
It was a spacious bedroom, and Valerie stepped in. The door shut with a click.
At first, Valerie could not tell where the Third Prince was. Then a tall, thin man emerged from behind the curtains around the large bed.
Surprisingly, he spoke with a faint smile. An incredibly sweet voice flowed from his slender throat.
"A perfect body, a perfect mind, and a perfect soul."
"Is that so?"
"What was the dragon like?"
"It was as large as this manor."
"I cannot imagine it. Such a creature lived and moved? And could be killed?"
"Well, I have already killed it, so I have little to say. I wanted to kill it, and I did."
"A wise answer to a foolish question. So, why did you wish to see me?"
"There is one thing I wished to ask."
"I have spent more than a decade shut away in this little room, struggling against illness. I know nothing, so I cannot say whether I can give an appropriate answer. Ask."
"Then I will ask. Is a taxidermied god dead, or is it still alive?"
Valerie's question was none other than something the Third Prince had said before his regression.
"...What do you mean?"
Ivar's sweet voice trembled slightly. His relaxed smile disappeared.
"Someone once said that kings and princes are no different from taxidermied gods."
"Who? Who said such a thing?"
"Please answer my question."
Valerie looked calmly at Ivar. He was calm, but there was not the slightest wavering in his eyes.
Their eyes were similarly sky-blue.
"...It is still alive, but it is no different from a long suicide."
"If it is suicide, do you mean you taxidermied yourself? That cannot be so."
"Who in this world chooses to be born? You are born and find yourself taxidermied."
"Then is there no way to escape?"
"How?"
"By cutting away everything that binds you."
"Regrettably, I lack such strength."
"What if I did it for you?"
"You?"
"Yes. My name is Valerie. The Fourteenth Prince, Valerie of the Volsung clan. A man born with the same fate as yours, elder brother. If I say I will sever that fate, what will you live for?"
"..."
Ivar stared blankly at Valerie, then swayed and gripped a bedpost as though his head had grown dizzy. Even that seemed too much, and he collapsed onto the bed.
He panted as though he could not catch his breath, but he did not look away from Valerie. He seemed to slowly shake his head, as if denying reality. Then his face twisted as though he were about to cry.
"C-Come closer... Come closer..."
Valerie approached him.
Ivar looked up at Valerie from where he sat, then reached out as though to touch his face. Valerie bent down and placed his face against Ivar's hand.
A bony hand trembled as it traced Valerie's face. Ivar's eyes shook violently as well, and he examined Valerie from head to toe, as if trying to take in every smallest detail.
Then he spoke as though he understood everything.
"How... How hard it must have been for you..."
It was not something Valerie had expected to hear, and suddenly it felt as though his heart had been stabbed.
Ivar withdrew his hand and closed his eyes. Tears flowed over his trembling eyelids and wet his long lashes.
Who in the world could understand the tragic fate of a prince? Only another prince could.
Yet their fate was to kill one another.
Valerie's eyes suddenly reddened too, but he clenched his teeth and endured it. Then he made a promise.
"No one who has incurred the hatred of a man of the Volsung clan has survived. What happened to Baron Grosner's house? Which Einheri came to you? Tell me, and whoever it is, I will kill them. Furthermore, I will bear everything and become king. I will save every prince who wishes to live. So, elder brother, you must live first."
At Valerie's words, Ivar continued to weep with his eyes closed, yet smiled brightly.
Whether those words would come true or not, whether they were sincere or false, whether he wanted them or not, it was as though the words themselves had saved him.
He had believed that not even a handful of happiness had been permitted to him. Yet unexpectedly, he felt that someone completely understood his pain.
No one else in the world could have said those words. Only words heard from a brother born with the same fate could move him so deeply.
Rather than a long suicide, Ivar felt alive for the first time in a long while.
"I wish this moment would stop forever..."
Then he collapsed onto the bed and lost consciousness. His sickly body could not endure the overwhelming emotion.
Valerie lifted him into his arms and laid him properly on the large bed. He felt no weight at all.
Only then did Valerie study the sleeping prince closely, someone born with the same fate as him. When he touched Ivar's arm, it was unbelievably thin compared to his own sturdy body.
Valerie silently remained by his side until he woke again.
Unlike the time he had come here to slit his throat, this time Valerie guarded the defenseless prince at close hand.
Chapter 20: Promise. End.
Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried
