The Third Son of a Medieval Knight Family Chapter 36 - Tribal Conflict

Inside the destroyed and burned village, a massive leather war tent had been set up.

It was the dwelling of the Grand Chief, the leader of the dozens, even hundreds of tribes across the vast steppe, decorated with various elaborate patterns.

The Grand Chief’s war tent was normally bustling with many people coming and going daily, creating a lively atmosphere, but strangely, right now it was as tense as walking on thin ice.

Warriors of relatively high standing in the steppe, important enough to be summoned by the Grand Chief, were standing silently without even daring to open their mouths, while the tribal chiefs who were permitted to be seated were anxiously watching the man sitting in the highest seat.

That man was simply sitting quietly with his arms crossed and eyes closed, saying nothing.

Nevertheless, the charisma emanating from his entire body completely dominated everyone present.

Though his muscular body was covered with fat, he still had such a robust physique that it was hard to believe he was an old man with a head full of white hair.

This was Yugrichi, the ruler of the steppe, the Grand Chief.

Yugrichi tightened his grip on the wine cup he was holding and spoke in a low voice.

“Is that what you call an excuse?”

“I’m, I’m sorry… I have nothing to say.”

A man in a wretched state, covered in blood and sweat, prostrated himself at the Grand Chief’s feet and cried out.

It was Ibuti, the warrior leader who had once threatened Permikoff, the most prosperous city in the northeastern part of the principality, with his relentless advance.

Ibuti’s remarkably swift advance had ended in failure.

The Grand Chief was furious about this fact.

His anger wasn’t simply because they had been forced to retreat in the face of the principality’s counterattack.

That would have been better.

Ibuti’s report was so absurd and stirred such anger and disappointment in people.

“You’re saying you were defeated and retreated because of a single knight? Are you telling me to believe this nonsense?”

At the Grand Chief’s cold voice, Ibuti trembled violently as he barely managed to open his mouth.

For Ibuti, who had been enjoying the Grand Chief’s favor and success after success, this was an extremely frightening signal.

“Th-that knight was truly a monster. While we were distracted by him, the principality dogs began attacking from behind, and we had no choice but to retreat… Please forgive me!”

False reports were impossible.

The Grand Chief before him was not someone to be trifled with.

This was especially true when dealing with warriors who had fled in defeat.

He would surely begin questioning each of the warriors under Ibuti’s command to verify whether his words were true or not.

If lies were discovered during this process, it would be better to simply die.

As soon as Ibuti finished speaking, the Grand Chief threw the wine cup he was holding.

Thud!

The cup crumpled as it struck Ibuti’s face, and the warrior leader’s face was stained with blood and wine.

However, Ibuti didn’t move at all, merely remaining prostrate.

‘Damn it, damn it… because of that dog of a knight…’

Ibuti’s mind was filled with nothing but that monstrous knight.

‘If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have had to suffer such humiliation…’

Perhaps he could have captured that massive city and stood at the Grand Chief’s right hand.

It was all a ruined dream now.

The Grand Chief expressed his anger quietly in a phlegmy voice.

“You stupid fool. Why didn’t you regroup your warriors and return to the battlefield? Why did you run all the way here with your tail between your legs? Defeat can happen. But I cannot forgive that you simply ran away without even thinking of making amends.”

At Yugrichi’s words, the warrior leader could only remain silent.

Seeing this, Yugrichi clicked his tongue.

“Withdraw. Reflect on yourself until I summon you again.”

Ibuti quietly bowed his head and slowly left the war tent.

Watching his pathetic figure, people unconsciously swallowed.

It was a bitter exit for someone who had once been the Grand Chief’s most cherished warrior leader.

And amidst all this, there was still one person whose eyes were gleaming.

‘The Grand Chief won’t be able to dismiss the warrior leader in the end. He’s his own supporter… but at least the Grand Chief’s faction is likely to be weakened for a while.’

It was Bohdan, a tribal chief seated in a position that was neither at the back nor at the front.

Among the prominent tribes of the steppe, he wasn’t a particularly high-ranking chief.

After all, his tribe could barely hold its head up in the Uley region, a corner of the steppe’s periphery, and was lacking compared to the central steppe tribes led by the Grand Chief.

However, with this expedition, his position had risen considerably.

He had not only provided the justification for invading the principality, but was also highly praised for successfully repelling the principality’s attacks several times without suffering much loss among his warriors.

‘Of course. Our tribe’s bloodline is second to none!’

Bohdan had an immense pride in his roots.

No matter what anyone said, there weren’t many tribes that had inherited the blood of the great ancestral wolf across this vast steppe.

Bohdan glanced furtively above the Grand Chief’s head.

He could see curved horns protruding from both sides of his head.

He clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction and lowered his head again.

Originally, the position of the steppe’s ruler could only be ascended by those who inherited the blood of the glorious first two tribes.

Of course, that tradition had been broken for well over 100 years, but still…

‘Someday… without fail!’

Bohdan’s ambition was still burning fiercely like a flame.

At that moment, the Grand Chief, unable to hide his discomfort, addressed everyone.

“Setting aside that half-wit… is there anyone here who has heard of this knight?”

The warriors and chiefs began to murmur.

“Ibuti wasn’t originally such a coward… at least if this knight could display even half the valor reported, he would already be a famous knight known throughout the principality…”

As the Grand Chief muttered, a man sitting beside him spoke up.

The petite man had grown a goatee and had horns on his head, giving him quite a cunning impression.

“No matter how extraordinary this knight may be, it would be difficult for him to handle our warriors. The principality people are infinitely weak. While Ibuti’s defeat is unfortunate, he will grow from this experience. Ah, youth…”

At his words, the Grand Chief smirked.

“Indeed… youth is a privilege. Especially in that one can be forgiven for failures.”

The verbal maneuvering that transformed the warrior leader’s failure into a youthful mistake with just a few words, lightening Ibuti’s responsibility, was remarkable.

‘They’re in it together, that’s what this is… damned bastard.’

Bohdan ground his teeth inwardly.

That man who was flattering and wriggling like the tongue in Yugrichi’s mouth was also a tribal chief from the Grand Chief’s faction.

It wasn’t news that they discriminated against tribes from other factions, but seeing it happen right in front of him was enough to make his insides twist.

While he was trying to calm himself, a tribal chief at the back quietly raised his hand.

“Oh, do you know something?”

At the Grand Chief’s question, the chief cautiously began to speak.

“Well… I’m not entirely certain… but according to the warrior leader, the knight’s name was definitely Viktor Kobarov, wasn’t it?”

“Hmm… so? Do you know him?”

Looking at the Grand Chief’s curt reply, he continued even more cautiously.

“The family name Kobarov… it sounded somewhat familiar, and I believe I heard that the Kobarov family ruled that small village that first attacked the Uley tribes.”

At those words, everyone began turning their heads toward Bohdan.

As Bohdan was flustered by those gazes, the Grand Chief also sent him an intrigued look and addressed him.

“Is that so? Actually, I had forgotten about that village since it wasn’t particularly important. Bohdan of Uley, is what he says true?”

Bohdan quickly turned over his thoughts.

‘Certainly… if it’s the Kobarov family, they are indeed those bastards. How could I forget the ones who did that to my daughter… But Viktor? Viktor… I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere…’

The problem was that no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t recall a knight named Viktor being in such a village.

‘Why would such an extraordinary knight who could defeat the warrior leader’s forces be in such a remote village…’

Someone with such outstanding combat abilities would have made a name for himself throughout the principality long ago.

While Bohdan was pondering deeply, the man with the goatee snapped at him.

“Excuse me, doesn’t the wolf tribal chief of Uley hear the Grand Chief’s words?”

‘This son of a bitch…’

Reluctantly, Bohdan opened his mouth.

“Indeed… the family name matches that of my enemies. However, I find it hard to believe that a knight powerful enough to defeat the warrior leader’s forces would come from that backwater village. Perhaps it’s someone from a different family with the same name?”

At his subtly mocking words, the Grand Chief’s brow furrowed slightly, but he couldn’t say much.

“Is that so…? Then, you know nothing at all about a knight named Viktor?”

“Yes, I apologize.”

“I see. Then, let’s gather more information about this knight. And everyone, listen to me for a moment.”

As the warriors and chiefs straightened themselves, the Grand Chief solemnly proclaimed.

“Though we’ve been riding high since our great victory, we must still remain vigilant. From now on, I will not forgive those who lose due to carelessness or mistakes. I plan to negotiate with their leaders once this plundering is over, so everyone do your best until then.”

“Yes, Grand Chief!”

After his words, people began to disperse busily.

Though Ibuti’s defeat was painful, their advantage was still clear.

The festival of plunder was not yet over.

As Bohdan was slowly rising from his seat, preparing to return, a warrior with a pale complexion approached him.

“Chief, I have something urgent to tell you.”

The old warrior, Kulak, was waiting for him.

****

Quite some time had passed since the victory celebration had ended.

People had enjoyed themselves to the fullest and returned to their daily lives.

Now that the threat from the barbarian forces had diminished, trade, which had been cautiously halted, resumed, and the city was once again filled with vitality.

And while the city folk were wearing worry-free, joyful expressions for the first time in a while, Viktor was receiving the man before him with a somewhat ambiguous expression.

“Sir Knight, are you saying…?”

At Viktor’s question, the man offered a faint smile.

“Though a slight misunderstanding has been keeping us apart until now, it seems the time has come to discuss things with a more forward-looking attitude.”

With his eloquent speech, the man elegantly lifted his tea and began to drink.

It was a refined movement that contrasted with his rough hands.

“However, I am not as great a knight as you think.”

Viktor scratched his chin as he continued.

“To be frank, I haven’t been properly trained as a knight, and I’m ignorant of tactics and strategy. It seems absurd to me that someone like me would be a commander.”

“How modest of you.”

The man, Mikhail, put down his teacup and spoke carefully.

“If someone like you claims not to have been properly trained as a knight, how many people in the principality could truly call themselves knights? Even if there are aspects you lack, don’t worry. I’ll prepare everything.”

“Hmm…”

“Sir Knight, honestly speaking, reclaiming the territory that belonged to your family is merely an additional achievement. Of course, the importance of family territory goes without saying, but shouldn’t you be aiming higher?”

At Mikhail’s words, Viktor stopped scratching his chin.

“If you wish, the Count is willing to grant you not only the new lands in the east, but even some of the existing territories.”

Viktor stared at him intently.

“The Count wouldn’t have such authority, would he?”

No matter how great the Count might be, a lord from the west couldn’t possibly have a say over the rights to eastern lands.

“Well… what do you think?”

Mikhail suddenly began to smile mysteriously.