Chapter 170 : Chapter 170

Chapter 170 : Who is the King of the Inoe (2)

Although the coronation was still a long way off, a considerable number of people had already flocked to Kipaso.

Those who were watching the coronation preparations had their attention stolen by the Barbarians who were entering Kipaso while causing a commotion.

“Let us become the King of the Inoe!”

“Become the King of the Inoe!”

Not a few people looked at them with displeasure as they sang loud enough to make the forest ring.

In particular, Urseca, who had shown me immense loyalty since we destroyed the Altar of the Sea together, was enraged.

“Those people. Mouths. Shut them. Will do. And come back.”

“It's alright, just leave them be.”

“But.”

“In any case, I promised I'd have a go with the Barbarian chieftain.”

A promise was a promise, so I had the thought of dancing with my blade once as the Barbarian chieftain wished.

But it was also true that their march was too loud.

‘I should at least quiet them down for now.’

I thought they would tire themselves out if I left them alone, but the Barbarians seemed to be a people who didn't know moderation.

I approached the Barbarians.

I was also curious if they could say they would kill the King of the Inoe to my face.

Kwaaang!

But a commotion broke out before I could even ask them.

A light arrow flew from a distance and struck the Barbarian in the lead.

It seemed that Bea, who had said she was going to look at mushrooms with the others, had shot an arrow.

The one who was hit by Bea's arrow at the front was the Barbarian chieftain.

The chieftain was by no means an easy opponent.

He had nimbly swung a hammer as huge as a boulder to deflect the fast-flying light arrow.

Kung kung kung kung!

Then he began to run quickly in the direction the arrow had flown from.

“Ahahahaha!”

The Barbarians followed behind the chieftain.

The singing had stopped, but instead of getting quieter, a laughter even louder than that echoed through the forests of Kipaso.

Since different races had gathered in one place, conflicts big and small could occur.

But I had to move before a ‘bigger incident,’ one that went beyond a simple conflict, occurred.

I used Rush in succession to move forward.

Thanks to the power of Dragon Speech, I was able to quickly catch up with the group of Barbarians.

In the end, I succeeded in blocking the path of the chieftain who was running at the front.

Steam was rising from his bulging muscles.

“Oh, are you the King of the Inoe?”

“I'm the King of the Beastkin for now. If I receive the acknowledgement of you and the Dwarf King, I will become the King of the Inoe.”

“I heard you're already preparing for the coronation to ascend to the throne of the King of the Inoe?”

“Yes, because I'm going to beat you.”

“Khaha! This is fun! Fun!”

The Barbarian chieftain, Dvalik, laughed heartily.

Soon, Bea, who was riding Nihel, Everchen, and Keldric appeared from the forest.

All three of them looked extremely displeased.

“Are those your companions? They're strong! To the point where I'd like to have a go with them!”

“Let's fight! Let's fight!”

Before I knew it, the Barbarians had surrounded me and my companions.

They were all excited, and it seemed as if they would draw their weapons and attack at any moment.

But not a single one of us, including me, Keldric, Everchen, and Bea, was intimidated by their spirit.

“Who dares to cause a disturbance in Kipaso.”

Bea said coldly.

The excited look she had just a moment ago at the thought of showing her hometown to her party was gone, replaced by a tone dripping with the dignity of an Elf Commander as she pressured Dvalik and the Barbarians.

Krrrr──.

Nihel also growled lowly, pressuring the Barbarians.

But Dvalik was not fazed in the slightest and just answered cheerfully.

“Hahaha, it's the Elf Commander Bea! I've heard the rumors. I am the great warrior, Dvalik.”

“Do not cause a disturbance.”

“Hahaha! It's because we don't know how to speak quietly.”

The war of nerves between Bea and Dvalik continued.

Everchen and Keldric were also ready to jump out at a moment's notice in case of an emergency.

The other Barbarians were also fiddling with their weapons, looking as if they were about to start a war.

“Lord Dvalik, you're supposed to be sparring with me.”

In the end, I had no choice but to intervene.

The Barbarians were also a group I had to win over.

I could tell how brave they were without even seeing their skills.

It would be better for me to defeat Dvalik before the emotional rift deepened or someone got seriously hurt.

“Sparring? We don't do things like sparring. Let's stake our warrior's honor and fight until one of us dies!”

Even the good-natured Keldric couldn't hold back anymore.

Huu, Keldric let out a deep sigh and glared at Dvalik.

“There's no reasoning with you. Is it important for us to fight amongst ourselves right now?”

“Of course! What in the world is more important than fighting! I am ready. King of the Beastkin, what about you? Let's fight here, staking our warrior's honor!”

Dvalik was truly like a man mad for a fight.

But I had no intention of giving him everything he wanted.

“No, you said it's a fight for a warrior's honor. We should fight where more people can watch.”

“Having a lot of onlookers doesn't mean you'll fight well, does it?”

“It's because I want to show everyone who the stronger warrior is.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Khaha!

It was Dvalik, laughing heartily again.

“Then let's do that!”

***

A place for me and Dvalik to fight was quickly prepared.

On the ground where all the trees had been burnt down from the fierce battle between the Fairy tribe and the Elf tribe, the workers quickly built a fence.

Countless people had gathered to observe, starting from the chieftains of several Beastkin tribes, to Raldetun and the Fairy King Frude, the Elf King Decaum, and my supporters.

Besides them, I had said that anyone who wished to watch could come.

Thanks to that, all sorts of Elves and Fairies, and even the humans living near Kipaso, flocked over.

“Mister Polarin! Win!”

Narima's older brother, Akson, was one of those who had come to watch.

I waved my hand at the kid.

“It's certainly exciting with so many onlookers!”

“Yes, the same goes for me.”

The reason I had gathered so many people was to clearly show how strong I was on this occasion.

This place would become the stage where I proved I was qualified to ascend to the throne of the King of the Inoe.

“Khahahahat!”

Whether he knew my heart or not, Dvalik laughed cheerfully.

His bursting muscles flexed every time he laughed.

I was contemplating how to deal with this man who wanted to fight until one of them died.

I did not assume defeat.

The very act of telling them to prepare for the coronation meant I was confident I could defeat him.

But it seemed that just defeating Dvalik moderately would not be enough.

At the very least, I had to achieve a victory that he would find acceptable and I also had to clearly imprint my strength upon all the spectators gathered here.

‘Still, an ally is an ally…… so I probably shouldn't beat him up too badly, right? This is a headache.’

“Fourfold Transformation, can you use it?”

“No, I cannot use such a thing. But you use it. I can handle it.”

“I will not refuse.”

“Of course. I too will carve the warrior's sigil.”

Dvalik's entire body was covered in terrifying combat tattoos.

Barbarians can give buffs to their body and warrior's soul by carving combat tattoos.

But Dvalik seemed unsatisfied with the tattoos he had already carved, and he dug deep into the soil of Kipaso to take out some mud and he skillfully applied the mud to his face.

His handiwork quickly painted a demon-like image on his face.

“Then, staking our warrior's honor, let's have a go!”

Dvalik charged, holding a giant hammer.

It was a terrifying speed that didn't match his large frame.

I went into battle without even having sorted out how to deal with Dvalik.

But seeing Dvalik charging with fire in his eyes, I had an idea of how to deal with him.

I waited for him to come into range without even drawing Maron. I had no intention of dragging out the fight.

Dvalik also seemed to notice what I was aiming for from my stance.

Nevertheless, Dvalik approached steadfastly and swung his hammer at an unbelievable speed.

But I was faster.

Sword draw.

The first sword I drew grazed Dvalik's cheek.

The hammer Dvalik was holding came down on me, but I recovered my sword and deflected it.

Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!

Dvalik and I now swung our weapons at each other with our feet planted on the ground.

This fight needed no Fourfold Transformation, no Tunes.

My blood too boiled for a ‘warrior's fight’.

I just exploded my mana and clashed weapons with Dvalik.

Speed for speed, power for power, skill for skill.

We brandished all the experience we had accumulated as warriors, sharpened to a fine edge, at our opponent.

Seogeok!

My sword dug into Dvalik's body several times.

Each time, the combat tattoos shone and healed Dvalik.

I too suffered wounds all over my body.

Each time, Sea's Healing activated.

Each and every attack was one that could kill the opponent, so it was extremely dangerous, but at the same time, it was insanely fun.

But gradually, the tide of victory tilted in my favor.

I had not yet been directly hit by an attack.

On the other hand, Dvalik's body had accumulated so many wounds that even the combat tattoos could not heal them all.

Nevertheless, Dvalik was not intimidated at all.

Dvalik's eyes shone brighter and brighter.

It seemed he too was genuinely enjoying this fight.

Even though he was an opponent I had never had a proper conversation with, I could tell what kind of person he was.

Jjeojeojeok!

Once more, Dvalik's weapon and mine clashed, and my sword succeeded in splitting Dvalik's hammer.

Dvalik immediately threw away the hammer handle and raised his fists.

I too did not delay and tossed my sword aside and just as I was about to swing my fist at Dvalik,

Hwoong!

Dvalik's fast-flying fist stopped right in front of my eyes.

We stared deeply into each other's eyes for a moment.

Dvalik's eyes were engulfed in the madness that battle incites, and at the same time, they were incredibly clear.

“This is the first time I've had a fight like this.”

“The same goes for me.”

“If I travel with you, will I be able to have battles like this often?”

“Of course. If you wish, I'll be your opponent anytime.”

Dvalik nodded his head.

And then he shouted in a loud voice that seemed to burst everyone's eardrums here.

“I, Dvalik, the great warrior of the East, have been defeated by the King of the Inoe, Polarin, today!”

Dvalik, who had suggested they fight until one of them died, staking their warrior's honor.

It seemed he had learned that a warrior's battle could be fought without necessarily staking one's life.

“From now on, the great warriors, the Barbarians, will enter under the command of the King of the Inoe!”

The Barbarians who heard Dvalik's declaration slapped the ground and laughed.

There was even one who was rolling on the ground, gasping for breath as if he was about to die.

“Khahaha! The chieftain lost! We are the King of the Inoe's minions!”

“Minions!”

I was not the only one who had learned a thing or two about a warrior's battle.