CH-23

In most instances, Lagertha's rage was not the type to build up gradually; instead, it showed itself to the outside slowly and dignifiedly, despite her shameless ways.

She looked surprised, unprepared, but not desperately embarrassed, and instead of directly responding to Scarlet, despite her growing angry scowl, she said to Rollo,

"I didn't think you enjoyed gossiping with servants about useless matters from the past... Don't you think you should teach her how to control her tongue before she starts gibbering about things that are not her business?"

Her politeness toward Scarlet clearly and naturally faded after the question.

Her slow and unusually well-controlled tone, rather than her face, even suggested that she was almost eager to draw out her shield and sword to teach Scarlet a lesson she would never forget.

It would be a huge mistake if she tried to do that…

Rollo didn't mind witnessing this type of mistake, so he was ready to fan the flames in amusement. His mood was not as patient or magnanimous as before, possibly due to Scarlet's own mood.

He and she were connected, and she considered herself his woman, so he was naturally inclined to please her.

He remained unconcerned about Lagertha's dissatisfaction and hardships, stating, 

"Does the truth hurt that much?"

"Despite what you might believe, I don't open up about our past to other people... I don't really even bother thinking about it anymore. Scarlet was born gods-gifted with unusual intuitive powers, and can make her own judgments based on a few observable hints alone. She would not have found anything to criticize if we had nothing to mask."

"She is also my woman, not just a servant. If you do not want me to let her teach you a lesson, you should be the one to hold onto your tongue... She is not who you think she is. In a spar, I believe she will make your face eat dirt instead of hers."

Lagertha did not believe, and with her growing anger, it seemed like she didn't want to.

She said,

"Are you saying she discovered what happened solely through some sort of transcendent power she inherited since birth? What kind of power would that even be?"

"Also, did you just imply that she is stronger than I?"

"..."

Rollo didn't respond or explain.

He let Scarlet handle the rest because he was only here to fan the flames, as Scarlet could tell based on their shared emotions.

Scarlet chuckled mockingly and provocatively, not pausing to eat and drink the delicious food and ale brought out by the discontented, irritable host, 

"My master does not need to weave lies, unlike you… Have you never seen a woman stronger than yourself? I can show you."

Lagertha chuckled back, not to be outdone by the beautiful creature's haughtiness or self-assurance, saying, 

"I don't know about your so-called clairvoyant-like abilities, but I've never lost a fight to a woman. Are you sure that you want to challenge me? I will not hold back my strength and skills..."

Scarlet responded, unconcerned and unafraid, 

"Yes, gladly. Let's have a spar after I finish eating."

Rollo interrupted the conversation, not suggesting, but ordering, 

"You two are free to settle your differences in a fight, but you will not use real iron swords. This time around, a shield and practice sword will suffice."

He was not leaving room for discussion on this. Although Lagertha was a bit of an ambitious and ungrateful, shameless woman, he was going to make her his woman later. Probably sooner than expected…

He did not want to see her die. 

He had no ability to bring her back to life, even among the odd passive skills he had thus far.

Scarlet was the first to respond, her tone completely different from when she spoke with Lagertha, 

"Yes, master."

She sounded like a cute cat to her master, a new and very affectionate girlfriend to a handsome boyfriend.

Lagertha only snorted and went to change her clothes and shoes in preparation for the fight.

She was fighting for her honor here, just as men would when words had become ineffective.

After giving her daughter Gyda an early meal and telling her to stay inside and eat well, they all went outside.

XX

Seconds later.

Rollo spoke when the gorgeous blonde women confronted each other with weapons and shields. One appeared upset and convulsed from simmering rage and enmity, whereas the other smiled unconcernedly and unabashedly.

Very confidently and rudely.

Scarlet was already faster and more agile than normal humans, so she had this fight won.

Lagertha lacked the strength and endurance of Ragnar, so she had no chance.

Rollo murmured aloud, while sighing internally at Scarlet's lack of respect,

"Fighting like this is a bit tasteless... Let's stake a wager over this."

Lagertha inquired with annoyance and a frown, 

"What kind of wager do you want to place on this now, Rollo? This is not your battle."

She was indignant and irate and impatient to begin.

Scarlet knew what her man wanted, what he lusted for, from his emotions, so she didn't ask.

She and Rollo didn't have to communicate for many things, especially emotional and desire-driven ones, because they could understand each other without words, no matter how far apart they were.

Rollo, like his servant, was in a bit of a crazy mood too and had lost interest in some things. For example, such as the fact that he was standing on the land of his brother or that Lagertha was still his wife.

Or even the fact that Ragnar was on his way and could show up home at any moment.

He said, 

"This is not a wager that I will allow you to renege or discuss, unless you want Ragnar to learn about us."

Lagertha scowled. 

"You dare?"

Rollo laughed, 

"There is nothing I wouldn't dare tonight, woman. I've had enough of this nonsense called your marriage to my brother. First and foremost, I suspect your son is mine."

"..."

Lagertha looked speechless, and her expression changed dramatically as her mouth hesitated but did not speak.

Rollo said, scowling,

"It seems as though my suspicions are correct... Anyway, I will tell you what the bet is after the fight is over. There will be no room for discussion. You have nothing to gain, only things to prove or lose here. If you want to fight Scarlet, that is your only option."

"Take this as punishment for hiding the fact that Bjorn is my son..."

He knew Lagertha was arrogant and would never accept or suspect that another woman could be stronger than her, so he made an unfair bet here.

He'd given Lagertha enough.

There was no need to give anymore.

The only thing she could gain from this impossible-to-win fight was more pride. Naturally, she was about to lose.

Scarlet, in her prime rudeness, commented in an intimate tone, clearly intending to upset, frustrate Lagertha even more, 

"Master is endearingly mean-spirited and charmingly overbearing; I hope he teaches me a valuable lesson in our bed tonight too... However, if I get a full belly with a son for him, I will not keep him hidden naturally..."

Apparently, she wasn't doing it for no reason.

Rollo could tell from Scarlet's womanly intuition that Lagertha still had many hidden feelings for him. Those seemed to be resurfacing with strength as he got nastier with her.

She was angry not only at Scarlet for her rudeness, but also because of her superior beauty.

"What a shameless woman,"

Lagertha scoffed and glared, trembling even more.

But it was the hospital disdaining the pharmacy because they had a stench of medication.

XX

Over at Floki's place.

Perhaps fate intervened, but Ragnar and Bjorn decided to stay the night and leave the next day.

The walk back home was long and impractical at night, and Floki had a feeling it would rain all night tonight, beginning in an hour or two.

As a boat enthusiast, he was a skilled, tested navigator. He was also good at predicting and guessing cloud-related things.

The three men had finished eating over a campfire, and Bjorn had fallen asleep.

Ragnar and Floki were talking, particularly about Rollo and his recent changes, when an interesting topic arose.

Floki had previously sided with Ragnar in terms of friendship and gods-related hopes. However, in the last two weeks or so, he had experienced numerous strange events and signs.

He even had a strong suspicion, speculated that Rollo could use magic to appear and vanish at convenient times.

He had a strong feeling that Ragnar was no longer the chosen one, as did Ragnar himself.

Ragnar sat in front of the fire, hands around his shins, and spoke thoughtfully,

"Floki, I think that I have lived a large part of my life as a lie… I don't hate my brother and never will, even for this, but I had a very vivid dream yesterday, which I believe was a friendly warning from the gods."

"I believe my wife and marriage are not who and what they purport to be."

His gaze was fixed on the boy whom he had always assumed to be his son, Bjorn. After seeing Odin in a dream, now he wasn't so sure anymore…

He didn't want to be here and suddenly felt like he wished, was very tempted to immediately leave these lands for a while, away from his wife and even his family.

He wanted to sail west and see what was there.

Whatever illusory, nonexistent king's position his brother had mentioned was no longer of interest to him. It had never truly been, and now it was even less so.

Ambition was one thing, but Ragnar suddenly figured out, remembered that he was more of an explorer who wanted to leave his mark on all ages and generations.

Ragnar desired freedom.

Not responsibilities with lies hidden behind them.

XX

Author Note:

I'm using this throne-relinquishing stuff to give Ragnar character development. He isn't to blame for Lagertha's antics because he didn't know.

That king stuff isn't particularly important to Ragnar; it was simply a result of the story's plot. Ragnar seeks adventure, friendship, and recognition. It makes no difference whether he is king or not, for that.

In fact, Rollo provides security and power to make this happen for him easier. Ragnar can become friends with the entire world and discover it.

I will not, however, make him live any longer than his normal lifespan. He will not take drugs here, so he will most likely be healthier for a longer period of time.

He died, gave himself up to be executed in England, bitten by snakes, so it's difficult to predict how old he can be. I think it's at least 60.