Azderos, Northern Glaciers, Hvítreiðr.
Sven cast a brief glance at the sun he couldn't feel the warmth of. Then, he turned back to watch the clan soldiers busy reinforcing the walls. Nearly half of the 1,200 raiders and many of the clan soldiers that Lord Ülgen had ordered them to manage were working here. The next day, they would switch with those in the training grounds.
After discussing it with Udin, they had devised this rotational construction and training cycle. It was working well. With Erik and Gray joining them to help integrate the raiders, things were running almost seamlessly.
He scrutinized Erik below the walls, who was dealing with the raiders. After accepting their lord's offer, he too had been blessed with dragon blood. Moreover, he was the only one in Hvítreiðr who could rival Sven in military and administrative matters. As someone who had received Lord Ülgen's teachings, Sven didn't think he could be defeated by anyone, but he was starting to realize that his position wasn't unshakable.
Even though their lord had yet to reveal his true intentions fully, Sven had a good sense of what was coming. The former inhabitants of Tu'bask wouldn't be the last northern group to submit to them. Over time, more clans and stronger, more talented individuals would join the Whitefang.
Sven knew that if he didn't hone his skills and strive to improve himself, he could soon lose his influence and authority. Meanwhile, Erik had noticed Sven's gaze and turned to face him.
The two northerners exchanged a glance filled with burning competitiveness. Shortly after, they nodded and returned to their work. With two days left until the end of the second week, completing the walls was of vital importance.
After hours of labor, a horn blast signaled the time for rest. The Whitefang warriors stopped their work and lined up in front of the nearby mess tent. Interestingly, almost all the workers were southern female slaves, directed by Linda Voner and her daughter.
The change among the southern women was noticeable, with their semi-naked slave attire replaced by warm, normal northern clothing. In fact, this mess tent initiative had started just a few days ago. Lord Ülgen had created an opportunity to keep the women occupied and allow them to earn some money before Vinumregnum arrived. Linda, hearing of the opportunity, had accepted it without hesitation and organized the women. As a result, three mess tents had been set up near the training grounds, the tower construction site, and the walls.
After all, if they returned to Vinumregnum without any money, they would have no choice but to sell their bodies for food, which was the last thing Linda wanted. As long as her daughter was not in danger, she had no intention of resorting to that.
While ensuring the northerners stood in line, she noticed two imposing figures joining the queue. Erik and Sven, who were discussing the soldiers' status and construction work, had also noticed Linda. However, they didn't cut the line to talk to her. Ülgen had not made any exceptions for the strong when he set the rules for the mess tent.
Knowing that breaking Ülgen's rules would be foolish, they waited their turn. Ten minutes later, they took their food bowls and, while eating, approached Linda.
"Hello, Baroness, the food is as good as always!" Sven grinned after taking a bite of wolf meat. Erik nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, Master Sven and Master Erik," Linda greeted politely. "Is Lord Ülgen still at the tower construction?" she asked, her tone respectful, reflecting the impression the young Fatih had left on her.
After a moment of thought, Sven replied, "No, by now he should have returned to the chieftain's hall to rest." Then, curiosity piqued, he added, "Is there a special reason for the baroness's interest in our lord?" His sly grin added a rather suggestive undertone to his words.
Linda smiled, "No, but my daughter Vindy might have one." The young woman, who had been standing nearby listening to the conversation with curiosity, blushed furiously and quickly retreated into the mess tent. Her actions caused all three to laugh.
After Vindy left, Linda's expression became a bit more serious. "Master Sven, may I ask if Lord Ülgen holds any prejudice against the southern people?"
Sven looked puzzled for a moment, then his expression turned serious as well. "The art of politics is one where there are no absolute friends, baroness," he paused briefly to gauge her reaction. "But I don't think that's what you're asking about."
After recovering from the initial surprise caused by Sven's words, Linda quickly nodded. "Yes, Master Sven, my question was about staying here. Even though we hold noble titles, our lands have already been burned and destroyed, and while we are not there, they may have been taken over by others. The common women have no problem with this because they have no lands to lose." She took a small breath before continuing. "But for me and my daughter, the situation is different. Could you help me speak with Lord Ülgen about entering his protection?"
The young commander of the Whitefang clan thought seriously. Baroness Linda's administrative skills were decent, and being a southern noble, she should be good at diplomacy too. Her presence would be quite useful for establishing relations with southerners. "Very well, I will inform Lord Ülgen of your request this evening. Be ready when you are summoned," he said, then began eating large spoonfuls of his meal quickly, realizing their break was almost over.
Linda gave a small bow in response. She didn't want to distract Sven by talking since the break was nearly over.
Meanwhile, Erik had already finished his meal and had left the conversation without saying anything to talk with other clan members. As he was still considered a new member of the clan, he didn't hold as much authority as Sven, so there wasn't much for him to do in such conversations.
Both Linda and Sven didn't care much about Erik's departure. Linda viewed him coldly since he was an associate of the person who had enslaved her in the past, while Sven saw him as a potential rival. A few minutes later, the sound of a horn was heard, and the warriors who had finished their meals returned to their task of fortifying the walls.
...
Later that evening, Sven kept his word and visited Ülgen. Upon gaining permission and entering, he saw parchments and animal skins floating and arranging themselves in Ülgen's aura.
The young northerner was speechless at the aura's power. "Sixth degree mid-stage!" Of course, he didn't voice his thoughts aloud and distract his lord.
Once all the parchments had finished arranging, Ülgen took a light breath and opened his eyes. "Welcome, Sven. I've read today's reports, and I am pleased to see that the work continues to be above average. At this rate, the fortifications might even be completed a day early."
"Yes, my lord," Sven responded, not forgetting to bow his head respectfully. Then, raising his head, he continued, "My lord, today I spoke with Baroness Linda. She is concerned about her future in Vinumregnum and wonders if you would take her under your protection."
"I see," Ülgen replied, with a wave of his hand, sending a small wave of aura to open the door. "Summon Baroness Linda to my presence," he instructed, and one of the guards at the door quickly set off. Then, with another wave of aura, the door closed again.
"I'm glad you're here, Sven. It's not important for the others to know, but you need to understand the truth about the body of Olpar, who stands guard at the tower under construction."
The lord's words made Sven's heart race with excitement. Even though he had rivals, he was still maintaining his foremost position! Despite his excitement, he looked at Ülgen seriously. "You had mentioned you turned him into something called the City Guard, my lord."
"Yes, while the truth is more complex, it can be simply explained that his function is similar to that of city guards. He is a tool that will defend Hvítreiðr and our people at all costs." Ülgen, noticing the gleam in his most capable subordinate's eyes, continued. "The tower being constructed has a special structure that will strengthen my control over Hvítreiðr. This structure has three functions. First, it collects a mystical energy that you wouldn't understand even if I explained it. Second, it strengthens the werewolf body I turned into an incarnation and allows it to move freely within a large area surrounding Hvítreiðr. Finally, third, it can mark an individual who will then be empowered similarly to the werewolf body acting as my incarnation."
Sven's eyes widened in shock at the depth of the information he had just learned. "My lord, you mean this-!"
"Yes, Sven, as long as you don't lose your drive to improve, you will be the one to benefit from the third function. However, we will perform this ritual before I leave. What is truly important is the second blood blessing that I will bestow upon you, Udin, and the other thirty-nine blessed warriors." Ülgen's voice was imposing and commanding. "This blessing will significantly strengthen you, but as I said, you must not neglect your training. I don't tolerate laziness from someone I consider my student." His threatening gaze made the young northerner swallow hard, but knowing these words were for his own good, he nodded obediently.
Satisfied with his subordinate's reaction, Ülgen turned his attention to the door. "It seems the Baroness has arrived. You may leave now, and don't forget to inform the others about the blood blessing on Sunday."
"Understood, my lord." Sven knelt on one knee to signify his acceptance of the order and then left the room. As he exited, he passed by Linda, giving her a slight nod of acknowledgment.
Once the doors closed, Linda looked at Ülgen with a complex glint in her eyes. However, she quickly composed herself and knelt respectfully. "I am grateful for receiving me, Lord Ülgen."
"You may rise, Baroness Linda."
"The nobles in my homeland must have already seized my lands, my lord. If you accept me, I no longer wish to be known by the outdated title of baroness." Rising to her feet, Linda walked towards Ülgen with deliberate steps, her hands ready to shed her clothes in one swift motion.
"We understand," said Ülgen, raising his hand to stop Linda from approaching further with an aura wave. "While your daughter attends to us, I see that you are willing to offer your body. Interesting, but we are more interested in your skills than your body. Neither your nor your daughter's physical desires will be fulfilled, so I advise you not to harbor unnecessary hopes." Seeing Linda standing there with disappointed eyes, he withdrew the aura wave. "Now, tell us, what can you contribute as a member of the Whitefang clan?"
This question transformed Linda's demeanor from disappointment to excitement. She had been accepted into the clan! "Diplomacy and politics are my areas of expertise, my lord. Besides that, I am quite good at organizing tasks and managing people." Though she managed to keep her voice steady, her smile betrayed her emotions.
Ülgen nodded. "Good, we've been lacking someone who understands diplomacy and can navigate the political landscape." He then extended his hand toward the former baroness, and as a drop of blood emanated from his palm, he continued, "Accept this blood blessing; it will bring you closer to the core of the Whitefang."
Feeling the dragon aura emanating from the blood, Linda knew she had made the right decision. The founder of Hvítreiðr was no ordinary northerner but a powerful dragon! Yet, she wondered, weren't dragons supposed to be lustful? Her instincts told her to keep this question to herself. She stepped forward and accepted the blood blessing.
By the end of the evening, Linda left the hall no longer the former baroness. With her body enhanced and beautified by the dragon's blood, she walked home with a proud smile on her face, filled with newfound confidence.