Chapter 8: The World Around Us
In the northern lands, the greatest difficulty is food.
But Haldor did not expect to face a food problem on the first day he arrived in his own territory, even before starting to think about how to exploit his own people for mutual benefit.
As a good leader, he has to find a way to fill the stomachs of all his people if he wants to start growing on the right path.
That is truly the path he must take first; after all, he had chosen this place for the polar bears and their own benefits. It is normal that there are problems that need to be resolved as soon as possible.
Of course, he does not know if the possibility of allying with the celestial polar bears would bring them any food benefits. They could help with food, but he did not know to what extent it would solve their initial problems.
In this place, there were about three hundred people and around twenty new villagers who had arrived with him. Haldor understood how beneficial it would be to have these people on his side, but he also had to face the consequences.
There are twenty warriors who need the food of two to three men, and two wizards who probably need more sophisticated food.
A single person must have at least three meals a day if they move little, two meals for those who move very little, and one meal for the children.
According to his memories, in the far north, there were some vegetables similar to raw potatoes, sweet potatoes, or some very nutritious food source that could solve the hunger problem.
The biggest inconvenience of not being able to get that food is due to the celestial polar bears that control most of the extreme cold and who indeed have a big problem with humans, whom they consider invaders.
Haldor still doubts whether it is possible to establish a relationship with them, but there is no doubt that if they do, all their problems will be solved.
"Gather all the villagers of the Shadow Tower."
No matter what this village was called, after Haldor's arrival, he would name it as he wished.
On the other hand, Baba Voss stepped forward. To the eyes of these villagers, his strong and powerful appearance was almost like that of a wild bear.
The group of villagers that were gathered quickly dispersed in search of the other villagers in this town.
Soon, in the center of the village, a much larger group than three hundred villagers appeared, which puzzled some.
Haldor saw all these people who would now be under his care. Each was well covered with large coats, but they were not beautiful as the fabric seemed very shabby.
Only a few people can wear clothing woven with beast skins, and their status is obviously different from that of those around them.
Poor and cold, Haldor finally realized what his territory was like.
Fortunately, seeing the eyes of those people, he realized that there was still hope to grow and become much better.
"Everyone has had a hard life in this place. I cannot deny that, in the short term, I will not make a big change. But if you give me enough time, I will bring you great changes. Everyone will be able to enjoy their meals, and no family will suffer from hunger."
"As you may know, you will not see me every day. I will rarely present myself before you, but you can send a spokesperson to me whenever a problem arises. Who do you want to send as your spokesperson?" asked Haldor, trying to make things much calmer.
An old man came out with the help of a man and kneeled before Haldor with difficulty. "I am Toad, at your service, my prince."
"You should speak standing up. Everyone in the far north is equal, so leave formalities for another time. By the way, is that your son?" asked Haldor, looking at a man very identical to the old man but much younger.
"Yes, this is my son, Toad the Second."
"From today, he is the chief of the village under the Shadow Tower. Toad, second with his name, guardian, and spokesperson of this village."
"Huh?"
Haldor's eyebrows furrowed at the surprise of some people. He may have set aside formalities and education, but he would not allow doubt about his orders.
"Thank you for your titles. My son will do a good job."
Haldor did not think the sick old man, who might not survive this winter, was capable, so he simply replaced him with his son.
This kind of thing is no big deal. As lord of the Shadow Tower, he has absolute rights. It is not an exaggeration to say that these villagers are private property.
After dismissing the villagers from their surroundings, Haldor only left his most loyal people, and together they headed towards the distant tower.
On the way, Haldor, as he had been thinking before, asked his advisor Lucian, "How much food could we give the villagers from my own private supply?"
"It is not advisable to spoil the citizens of this place. They would lose their way if some things were easier to get with your arrival."
Crack! Crack! Crack!
But at that moment, four elk were thrown from a not-so-distant height by Azazel, who was full after eating dozens of human corpses.
Lucian's eyes trembled a bit. He could not believe the connection between Haldor and his dragon was so great.
"Food should not be a problem. If I achieve what I commit to with the celestial polar bears, we will have access to the silver mountains, and we could harvest the fruits that land provides." Haldor depended on his alliance with the celestial bears.
Lucian had heard Haldor's plan and asked, "Do you know that although the polar bears speak the human language, they would not deal with us?"
"I am aware. I have a way to earn their favor and thus have their support to grow an incredible city at this point." Haldor was confident he could achieve it.
Ravyn remained silent. He had heard the whole story of what awaited Haldor, and now what he was witnessing were the signs.
"I trust my Lord; he will achieve it."
Lucian nodded. Everyone reached the tower, while half of the men took charge of preparing the elk for consumption.
Meanwhile, the crypts of this tower could be used for Azazel to sleep and go hunting when it suits him best. Certainly, he is forbidden to breed in the extreme cold, and Haldor was very strict with this, as he did not plan to have a war with the polar bears just because of his dragon's mistake.
"Well, the tower looks better than we thought." Baba Voss looked at the huge tower that had been prepared by the villagers.
As for the food, Haldor, as a gift, will send two of the four elves that his dragon Azazel had brought him as a gift. However, depending too much on his dragon could be a mistake, as it would scare the animals around, making hunting for the villagers much more difficult.
Kofun stepped forward, his appearance looking much better, and said, "My Lord, I will take care of properly distributing the guards we have. When the other half of the slaves arrive, prepare the best ones to work in the tower."
"I will trust your judgment, Kofun." Haldor had no choice but to trust unknown people to improve the points he did not fully control.
He did not know if these people, who seemed to be descendants of the Vikings, knew anything about loyalty, but certainly from where Haldor came, loyalty was not the strong point of the Nordics. If he is calm now, it is because of Azazel. Many considered him a god for having that connection with a huge dragon that is now in its rapid growth phase.
"My Lord, I have the weapons your father sent." Baba Voss approached with a large wooden box containing two black axes, each different in size, weight, and shape.
Haldor moved closer to inspect the contents, admiring the beautiful dual weapons.
"Viking War Axe, Broad Dane Axe." Haldor read the name of the first peculiar axe, which stood out more than the others.
The Viking war axe, typically with a broad blade, also known as the "Dane Axe," is an imposing tool with a wide, curved blade. The axe head is made of iron or steel and measures approximately 20–30 cm in width. The blade is thin but robust, designed to deliver deep and effective cuts. The handle, usually made of hardwood like ash, is long, measuring between 90 cm and 150 cm, allowing for greater reach and force in the strike.
"I didn't think he would like such a rough fighting style." Baba Voss said, appreciating the design of the weapon.
Haldor looked at him and asked, "Do you recognize the fighting style of each axe?"
"The use of the Dane Axe focuses on power and reach. Warriors wielding this axe are often on the front lines of combat, using the length of the handle to keep enemies at bay. Attacks are executed with large, sweeping movements and downward cuts, aiming to penetrate armor and cause severe injuries. The technique requires a combination of strength and precision, with broad movements that leverage the axe's weight to deliver a devastating impact."
Upon saying this, Baba Voss looked at Haldor and said, "You must be very strong to use it."
The other weapon had a different name, the Viking Hand Axe. The Viking hand axe is smaller and more manageable than the Dane axe, designed for close combat and throwing. The axe head measures between 10 and 15 cm in width, with a sharp blade and a pointed tip that can be used for stabbing. The handle is short, around 30–60 cm in length, making it easy to handle with one hand. This type of axe is lightweight, allowing for quick and precise movements.
The fighting style with the hand axe focuses on agility and speed. Viking warriors used this axe for both quick, precise attacks and long-distance throws. In close combat, the hand axe is used for quick cuts and stabs, taking advantage of its compact size to maneuver in tight spaces. Warriors could also carry several of these axes and throw them at enemies before engaging in direct combat, creating confusion and opening gaps in enemy lines.
Haldor did attend his history classes; at least this was the most interesting thing to know.
"Wielding two axes in combat is a display of skill and bravery, allowing for a lethal combination of offensive and defensive attacks. Warriors using this style often combine a hand axe with a lighter one or a pair of hand axes, optimizing the balance between reach and speed." Baba Voss spoke confidently, given his extensive experience with weapons.
Haldor nodded, looked at both axes, and said, "Among all the fighting styles, this one intrigued me the most."
Combat with two axes is characterized by its fluidity and aggression. Warriors employ double-attack techniques, using both axes to strike simultaneously from different angles. One axe can block or deflect enemy attacks, while the other delivers an offensive blow. This style requires exceptional coordination and great skill to quickly change positions, maintain pressure on the opponent, and exploit any openings in their defense.
The use of two axes also allows for greater adaptability on the battlefield. Warriors can quickly switch between attack and defense, and their ability to strike with both hands simultaneously makes it difficult for enemies to anticipate and block their movements. This fighting style is especially effective in close-quarters combat and situations where speed and agility are crucial for survival.
Undoubtedly, when Baba Voss spoke to him about this fighting style, Haldor was completely captivated. He believed it would be great to master this style of combat.
But for now, he could only use the smaller axe. It would be much better to use just one while he continues to grow.
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