Chapter 89

It was a huge shock to learn that Amukan was someone's subordinate.

'Just who is this guy?'

'Amukan's lord?'

Helmut's soldiers, the Margrave Kingdom's army, and the Kerait tribe's warriors were confused, unable to even guess at the situation.

But even that shock was nothing compared to what the Konyrat tribe felt.

"Ch, Chief!"

"Chief! What are you doing?"

The Konyrat tribe's warriors were not just shocked by Amukan's sudden actions; they were appalled.

"Chief! Why are you kneeling to a continental person!"

"Explain yourself! Chief!"

The Konyrat tribe's warriors, swarming like bees, demanded an explanation from Amukan.

"Everyone, be quiet!"

Amukan shouted.

"I know you're all confused! But accept it! I was defeated by this person on the continent and have been granted the honor of becoming his subordinate due to his grace!"

Amukan's shocking revelation left the Konyrat tribe's warriors speechless, their mouths agape.

"Our lord heard that our Konyrat tribe was in crisis and personally came to our aid! What was the result? He moved the surrounding forces with his ingenious strategy and destroyed Togril with his superior military prowess! We, the Konyrat tribe, must recognize our lord's grace!"

At first, the Konyrat tribe's warriors were bewildered and struggled to understand Amukan's words.

But that was only for a moment.

"Listen, warriors of the Konyrat tribe!"

Amukan's mother, Merkit, stepped forward.

"This person has made my son, the former chief, his subordinate and has saved our tribe from crisis! Therefore, isn't he the true chief of the Konyrat tribe?"

The Konyrat tribe's warriors began to nod in agreement with Merkit's words, one by one.

Merkit, a woman of iron, had led the tribe after the death of Amukan's father, the former chief. Now, she was the spiritual pillar and a wise figure in the Konyrat tribe, so her words carried immense weight.

As a result,

"Chief, we greet you!"

"Chief, we greet you!"

"Chief, we greet you!"

The Konyrat tribe's warriors bowed deeply to Otto.

"Ch, Chief? Suddenly?"

Otto, who had not even considered absorbing the Konyrat tribe, was slightly taken aback by being suddenly hailed as chief.

'I just came here to take revenge because I was angry about the trade route incident…'

At that moment,

"My soldiers!"

Helmut stepped forward.

"The reason we were able to regain our freedom is the same as the Konyrat tribe! We were able to destroy the Margrave Kingdom's army and escape colonial status only because of this person! We must not forget his grace!"

Helmut shouted and then approached Otto, kneeling on one knee.

"If you will accept me, I will serve you with all my loyalty."

"Y-Yes…?"

"Please give me the chance to repay your grace."

"Um… that…."

"Surely not."

Helmut's expression darkened.

"Are you hesitant because I once betrayed my loyalty? Of course, that's understandable. It's not easy to trust someone who has once betrayed their loyalty…."

"No, no! That's not it!"

Otto was startled and waved his hands.

"I'm just surprised! Surprised! Because you suddenly said that…."

"Then… will you accept me?"

"Of course."

Otto smiled.

'This works?'

Helmut was a very difficult character to take as a subordinate.

His rebellion was triggered by the Margrave Kingdom's exploitative treatment, making it almost impossible to make him a vassal.

However, if Helmut were to become a vassal, it would be no exaggeration to say that there would be no more reliable commander.

If Otto were to give Helmut the artifact, the "Resolution of the Border Baron," and entrust him with defensive duties, the area would become an impregnable fortress.

"The territory you once ruled has lost its role as a border. Do you understand?"

Otto asked Helmut.

"Yes, I understand."

"There is no longer any reason to fight the nomads or protect the Margrave Kingdom from them. Therefore, it is possible to develop the barren land that has always been at war into a fertile one."

"Y-Your words…."

"I will grant you the territory you once owned as a fief and give you the authority to govern it."

"…!"

"The title of Border Baron no longer exists. I am now only a noble and a general of the Iota Kingdom."

"Your servant, Helmut de Valdemar."

Helmut bowed to Otto.

"I will serve you with all my loyalty from now on."

Then, a notification window appeared.

[Notification: You have successfully recruited <Helmut de Valdemar>!]

[Notification: Helmut's potential has been weakened!]

[Notification: Helmut's scenario has been deleted!]

[Notification: Your experience has increased!]

[Notification: Level 107 achieved!]

(Interlude)

[Notification: Level 110 achieved!]

Helmut was one of the main characters, so when he was successfully recruited, a massive amount of experience was granted, raising Otto's level.

'Good.'

Thus, Otto not only ascended to the position of chief of the Konyrat tribe but also welcomed Helmut, one of the 100 ruler characters, as a subordinate, enjoying a double celebration.

* * *

The arrival of Togril's warriors completely changed the power dynamics in the Haber steppe.

The most significant change was the collapse of the Kerait tribe.

About two-thirds of the tribe's members immediately surrendered to the Konyrat tribe.

The remaining one-third splintered into several small factions.

As a result, the Konyrat tribe suddenly became the largest and most dominant force in the Haber steppe, effectively gaining control over the region.

Subjugating and pacifying the remaining large and small tribes was only a matter of time, making the unification of the Haber steppe a foregone conclusion.

"Amukan."

After the battle, at a banquet, Otto gave Amukan an order.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Stay here for a while and fully secure control over the Haber steppe. It's not a difficult task, so I trust you with it, okay?"

"Of course!"

"Good."

"And, ah…."

Amukan signaled to his subordinates, who brought a giant stone statue, the size of a real horse, and presented it to Otto.

"This is a statue that has been passed down through generations in the Kerait tribe."

"Oh."

Otto immediately recognized the statue.

[Priamos Terra Cotta]

Description: A horse statue passed down through generations in the Kerait tribe, one of the nomadic tribes of the Haber steppe.

It's not just a little… but very awkwardly shaped.

Grade: ★★

Effects:

- Horse breeding rate +200%

- Horse growth rate +20%

- Horse size +20%

- Horses born in the pasture where the statue is installed are immune to disease

Special Note: This artifact can be moved, so you can install it wherever you want.

Caution: Horses living in the area where this artifact is installed are in heat year-round, 365 days a year, so be very careful as they can be extremely aggressive.