"Is everyone here?"
"All gathered, Chieftain."
...So I'm not the chieftain, I keep telling you.
I'd explained it dozens of times now, to the point of exhaustion, but they still called me that.
Overwhelmed by their astonishing forgetfulness—agreeing to my face only to ignore it behind my back—I'd given up.
Right now, every warrior from the Frost Giant Tribe stationed in the territory was assembled before me.
It wasn't about putting on a show or anything.
Before leaving this damn territory for the academy—the main stage of The Glory—with only three days left.
To make the most efficient use of that time, the first thing that came to mind was these guys.
For now, the family head and the territory's people couldn't touch them because of me and Imir.
But once we left? No one would protect them.
At minimum, I had to address that before departing, so I'd called them together.
I could have ignored them, pretended not to know.
But when these barbarians—known as the terror of the north—looked at me with their innocently wide eyes that belied their massive frames...
Turning a blind eye would make for some uncomfortable nights.
Once I confirmed everyone was present, I cleared my throat and slowly spoke.
"Everyone, return to the mountains."
The completely unexpected order left bewilderment on their faces—faces accustomed to this life far softer than the mountains.
"Chieftain! Are you abandoning us?"
"Frost Giant warriors will stand with the Chieftain! Take us with you!"
I hadn't expected easy acceptance, but the backlash was stronger than anticipated.
I understood. If told to go back to those mountains with nonstop blizzards, even I'd refuse.
Hell, I'd probably just kill them and leave.
Though if I actually pressed a blade to their throats, that might change.
So I needed a convincing reason.
A clear one these simple folk would believe.
"I'm not abandoning you."
I continued softly toward their visibly confused faces.
"Grow stronger. Unite the scattered tribe and become the sole masters of the mountains."
"Be strong enough when I call for you soon."
Strength.
For these warriors who worshipped overwhelming might, this command was impossible to refuse.
"...Do we really have to go back?"
"We've been here a while. Won't the tribesfolk left behind be worried?"
"He said he'll call when we've grown strong. Chin up."
The warriors murmured for a moment before nodding one by one, resolute.
No matter how accustomed to life here, they were mountain warriors at heart.
Absolute obedience to the strong.
That was their way.
"We shall obey the great Chieftain's command!"
The initially hesitant warriors soon steeled themselves and knelt in unison.
"Mm."
I nodded lightly with a satisfied expression, then shifted my gaze to Borin at their forefront.
I hadn't originally planned to leave him behind.
I'd even considered Tundra for the job, but...
The image of that lout spitting and lounging made me drop the idea immediately.
Trustworthy was this one.
"Borin. You stay here and lead them."
"As my lord commands."
[Hey. Why not me? I could do it just fine.]
I ignored Tundra's grumbling from the shadows.
I gave a slight nod to Borin, who met my gaze while kneeling and patting his chest lightly.
"Then, consult Borin for the rest."
With goal and leader set.
No need to worry about the tribe anymore.
As long as Borin led them, they wouldn't rashly invade House Dreadnote either.
As I wandered aimlessly, pondering how to spend the remaining days,
a tug on my clothes drew my eyes sideways.
There stood Imir, lips pressed tight, looking up at me with an odd expression.
"What is it?"
"Master... um..."
Her uncharacteristically hesitant, tense face made me tense up too.
Considering her straightforward nature, maybe something had happened that I didn't know about.
Some major screw-up?
She hadn't uprooted a mansion pillar instead of a plate like usual, had she?
Or lost her temper and pummeled the family head?
She swallowed, then cautiously spoke.
"That... academy thing? Still some time before we go, right?"
"Yeah."
...Why bring that up suddenly?
As she said, not much leeway, but a few days remained.
What was she beating around the bush for? Staring at her,
Imir fidgeted with her fingers before speaking again.
"Overheard something. Festival in town tomorrow. You knew, Master?"
Festival?
Nothing came to mind at first, but then a memory flashed.
Something about servants chatting in the hall.
A spring commemorative festival, I think.
'But why bring it up?'
No way.
I didn't want to believe it, but the words slipped out naturally.
"...Want to go together?"
"Don't care if you don't want to! Just... never seen anything like it in the mountains."
Her trailing words carried a shyness and anticipation I'd never seen.
Makes sense. For her, whose life was endless war and survival, a peaceful festival was unknown territory.
"..."
I pondered, meeting her glowing red eyes.
Going together wasn't hard, but crowds weren't my thing.
Still.
'Might be the last time.'
Part of me thought viewing the festival one last time before leaving the family wouldn't be bad.
Besides, her sparkling, expectant face right there.
This much wasn't too much to grant.
"Got it. We'll go together tomorrow."
"Really?! No take-backs, Master? I'll kill you for real?"
At my approval, her face lit up like a child's.
Unable to contain her joy, she bounced in place and clung to my arm.
"...Don't cling."
"Thanks, Master!"
Her pure delight drew an involuntary chuckle from me.
Loosening up like this once in a while wasn't bad.
+ + +
The next evening.
The territory's central square, usually plain, was packed to bursting.
Streets glowed with colorful lanterns, lively music riding the night air.
"...Whoa, insane."
Imir, pressed close beside me, kept gasping in awe.
Overwhelmed by the novel sights, her red eyes darted everywhere.
"Lizard tail skewers! Fresh and delicious!"
"Miss over there! Our food's the best!"
Street vendors everywhere wafted savory smoke,
while a traveling band in the square center played upbeat tunes to hype the festival.
"Master! Look at that! That!"
"Yeah, I see it."
"Next to it! The shiny one!"
Imir yanked my sleeve like an excited kid.
The foul-mouthed, battle-mad fighter was gone;
she looked like a country girl fresh in the city.
"Can you buy just that one?"
"Buy it with your money. I pay your wages."
"Ugh... stingy jerk..."
After drifting through the crowds, arms full of snacks, we settled on a quiet nearby bench.
"Man... this is living."
Imir chomped greedily on a greasy chicken leg, sighing in bliss.
Oil gleaming on her lips unnoticed, she focused solely on eating—hilariously so.
As if someone might snatch it, she inhaled without breathing.
Tearing my eyes from her, I took in the lantern-lit sky and festival din.
Strange feeling.
This scenery I'd always wanted to escape felt oddly regrettable now that it was ending.
Not that I wanted to stay.
Or come back.
Just memories flashing by like a montage.
"Master, why aren't you eating?"
"Not really feeling it."
"Passing up this? What a wasted life."
She tsked and tossed me a skewer.
Pitying me, eat this at least—that expression.
I chuckled and took a bite.
How much time passed?
As festival fervor peaked and I gazed endlessly at the night sky,
"Thanks for today, Master."
Imir blurted something embarrassingly sincere.
"...For what?"
"Everything. Honestly, first time for this."
She toed the ground, head down.
Her flushed ears glowed vivid in the lantern light.
"In the mountains, every day was kill or be killed."
Her voice held unusual sincerity.
I watched her profile silently.
"So, just... thanks. For hanging out with me."
Finishing, she looked up at the starry sky.
Stars reflected in her red eyes sparkled like flames.