Vikings: Lords of the Ice Sea

Chapter 407 Vig (The Finale)

In December 875 AD, Frode and Ineu formally signed a peace agreement.

Ineu is not considering a transition to a settled lifestyle for the time being, and Frode did not force him. The Güt Khanate will eventually make its choice once it realizes the advantages of agriculture.

Thus, the Empire established its eastern border, east of the Visegard Mountains, as the first line of defense, consisting of eight semi-nomadic, semi-settled vassal tribes.

The Visegard Mountains form the second line of defense, with fortresses controlling mountain passes and under the command of the Pannonia Border Guard.

The plains on the west side of the mountains, where the previously built camps were distributed to minor nobles, served as the third line of defense.

The crown prince ordered a construction team to build a stone fortress inside the camp, with stone walls seven meters high and four meters thick. If the nomads crossed the first two lines of defense, these minor nobles would certainly hold the inner fortress and fight the enemy to the last man in order to protect their own property.

To the west of the third line of defense lies the true heart of Pannonia: Brno and Vendobona (Vienna).

Having done so much, Frode felt he had done everything he could to be kind and righteous.

Before returning, Frode drafted a list of those who had rendered meritorious service. Although Grek was the nominal King of Pannonia, he had not yet been crowned, and the power to bestow titles rested with the Emperor. As long as this list was submitted, there was a 90% chance it would be approved.

At that moment, Leif delivered a report and discovered that his own name was on the list.

Are you sure you want to give me a count's title?

Frode nodded. “Pannonia has plenty of land, so giving more won’t hurt. Other mid- to high-ranking officers will also get their share, including earls and barons. Father often says that the mountains of Central Europe contain mineral veins. If you’re lucky, you might even find a coal mine, an iron mine, or a copper mine within your territory.”

Leif, being wealthy, didn't pay much attention to information about the new territories. With the Canary Islands, the territory of West Francia, and the new lands in Pannonia, he owned a total of three earls, far too many to manage. He could only delegate the oversight to his lower-ranking vassals, and thus didn't reap much profit.

In April 876 AD, the three lines of defense were largely completed. Frode left a portion of his troops to guard the border and led the main force back home.

A year later, East Francia had not changed much. The banks of the Elbe River were covered with dense forests, and occasionally a settlement would appear, with the banner of a noble family flying above the watchtower.

The river fleet sailed downstream and eventually reached Hamburg on the lower Elbe River, where the expeditionary army transferred to ocean-going vessels and then proceeded westward along the coastline.

In early May, the fleet arrived in Calais. During a brief stop, the Crown Prince inquired about the local conditions from the district governor.

Calais County is strategically located and receives close attention from the Cabinet, resulting in a better security situation than the other nineteen counties.

Since last year, there has been almost no rebellion in the county, and the public’s attitude has gradually changed from hostility to indifference. In another ten years, it may reach the level of the British mainland.

Having long been involved in government affairs, the Crown Prince understood that this was a long and arduous task. He carefully reviewed the reports from the various towns under his jurisdiction and found that they generally met the requirements.

On May 10, the fleet returned to the Thames River docks, where the cabinet gave the expeditionary force a triumphant welcome.

A golden chariot carrying the crown prince passed through the recently completed Arc de Triomphe. The main body of the building is made of white marble, and the top is a bronze chariot statue driven by the emperor. The exterior of the building is covered with reliefs that record every war the emperor experienced.

Behind the golden chariot were rows of soldiers, various spoils of war, and Borshaw's wives and children—who, according to the emperor and cabinet, would be housed in a temple. If the new Khan violated the agreement, the Viking Empire would support a different heir, igniting a new civil war within the Khanate.

The golden carriage then toured the city's main thoroughfare. Lentinium's urban area has expanded rapidly, with a permanent population exceeding 80,000 and still growing; it is the second largest city in Europe, second only to Constantinople.

After the ceremony, the Crown Prince returned to the palace and, unsurprisingly, was summoned to the study.

Vig briefly inquired about the details of the decisive battle and was satisfied with the handling of his eldest son and nephew.

"The worst thing you can do when leading an army is to overestimate your command abilities. It's enough that you and Leif have been able to remain rational. The Empire's military strength surpasses that of other countries. As long as we act prudently, the enemy won't be able to turn the tide."

He continued, "What are your views on the empire over the next twenty years?"

Frode looked solemn, walked to the window and thought for a long time before giving his judgment: "Maintain peace and develop the British mainland and the twenty counties on the south coast of the Channel."

Our weakness is that our core population is too small to sustain too much land. For example, the Pannonia Plain is suitable for agriculture. If we could relocate millions of Viking inhabitants, we wouldn't need to negotiate with the Magyars; we could simply push all the way to the edge of the Carpathian Mountains.” Vig: “Twenty years of recuperation, and the native population grows. Then what?”

Frode: "If there is unrest within the enemy's ranks or if the empire is invaded by other forces, it can consider expanding, attacking with several times the number of troops, leaving no room for resistance, and then granting fiefdoms to nobles to indirectly rule the new territories."

This answer was within Vigé's expectations. Now that his energy was waning, and since the Crown Prince was capable enough, he could entrust most of the government affairs to him.

After more than thirty years of hard work, Vigé grew weary of this burden and went into seclusion, spending most of his time fishing and organizing his notes, rarely appearing in public.

One day, Vig suddenly had a whim and took a boat back to his hometown.

At the Gothenburg docks, the emperor received a warm welcome from the residents. After many years, the town had become a prosperous and wealthy coastal town, complete with public baths, an arena, a hospital, temples, and stone walls.

Hafdan rushed over upon hearing the news. In recent years, he had been engaged in the fur and amber trade, spending his days drinking and socializing with merchants. His former menacing aura had dissipated with the passage of time. "Your Majesty," he said, "why didn't you give us any advance notice? We weren't prepared at all."

"No need, you continue with your work, I'll just wander around."

Riding Grey Wind IV, Vig led a contingent of guards away from Gothenburg. He gazed at the farmland and pastures on either side, pondering for a long time before hesitating and choosing a direction. "This should be it."

Following the familiar yet unfamiliar path, Vig returned to the fjord where he had lived years ago, only to find a brand-new, tall building standing in the same spot.

Did I look for the wrong person?
Vig found a temple not far away and gently knocked on the door. Soon, a shaman came out, glanced at the unfamiliar old man and the group of armored soldiers following behind, and guessed that this man was a nobleman who had come to visit the former residence of the emperor.

The shaman spoke up, “That farmhouse is His Majesty’s house. The original one collapsed long ago, and the temple spent money to rebuild it. By the way, there are many rune stones high up on the cliff, right there.”

After speaking, the shaman revealed an expectant expression. Vig knew what he wanted and instructed his guards to donate some gold and silver coins.

"My lord, thank you for your generosity. May you have a pleasant journey." The shaman put the coins into the donation box. Interestingly, the portrait on the front of the gold coin bore a slight resemblance to the nobleman from before. Perhaps he was seeing things.

Leaving the temple, Vig carefully examined the building. Both its exterior and interior furnishings clearly exceeded the specifications of a farmhouse and were nothing like his former residence. Disappointed, Vig walked away.

High up on the cliff stood many runic stones, their carvings seemingly depicting mythological stories. Vig observed them repeatedly. Suddenly, he noticed a shepherd boy below and ordered his guards to bring him over.

Do these patterns have any special meaning?

The child, accustomed to explaining things to guests, reached out for a silver coin and fluently explained, "The runestone records events from the emperor's youth, such as this: Guided by Odin, he traveled to a lake near Uppsala, where Valkyrie presented him with a destined weapon—the Dragon's Breath Sword. With this divine weapon, the young emperor returned home, slaying the cruel and tyrannical Hydra, and his legendary story began."

Artifact?

Vig was deeply shocked. He looked down at the sword at his waist, a strange sense of absurdity washing over him. "You really believe these things?"

The child said, “Of course. My grandfather was present when His Majesty slew the Hydra. He passed a scale to my father, which was said to have fallen from the Hydra.”

Vig was utterly speechless. He abandoned the runestones and continued wandering around the area. By chance, he discovered a tomb with the inscription "Duke of Gascon, former Admiral Jorren".

Vig realized that Yolen had passed away last year. He recalled his farming days from long ago, but those memories were hazy, and he couldn't distinguish the specific times and places.

It seems I really am getting old.

The next place to visit is Ragnar's grave. Before his death, Ragnar requested that his coffin be moved back to Gothenburg and buried with Lagsa.

The grave was chosen in a secluded spot. A raven perched quietly atop the tombstone. A cold wind howled, and wild grass grew lushly. The seawater below the cliff repeatedly washed over the rocks. Time seemed to stand still at this moment, never changing.

Vig stood there for a long time, then sighed, "This is for the best, at least there is peace and freedom."

Returning to Landeneum, Vig continued his reclusive life, gradually fading from public view. Until one evening, a servant went to the riverbank and found the emperor asleep in his chaise longue, unable to be awakened. The servant frantically relayed the news to others, and soon it spread throughout Landene, Britain, and then the entire empire.
An era is over.

(End of this chapter)