Chapter 35 Equivalent exchange

The sight of the deserted village entered their eyes as Magnus rushed to his village to find familiar faces on the ground with other unknown faces.

" BJORN!"

He roared out his enemy's name, demanding an explanation for this slaughter but what awaited him was an awkward silence. He couldn't see the silhouettes of the remaining enemies and he couldn't find his best friend.

" Jarn! LOOK!"

One of the men pointed at the house where they found Erik who was peacefully leaning on the wall with his sword hilt in both hands to symbolize his dedication.

The awful-looking wound in his chest told his misfortune before his inevitable demise, yet the expression on his face was serene like always.

" Oh, my friend. Why? Why would Valhalla claim you?"

Magnus knelt beside him and touched his warm face with his rough hand. He could still see the reassuring smile on his face and his sparring with him in the past.

" Erik!"

Ingrid saw her beloved husband on the ground, crying out with pain in her voice. Her heart felt like it was being ripped into a million pieces. She always believed he would live and become one of the greatest warriors among her people, but he was just a dead body now. No amount of regret and guilt could allow her to return to his embrace which was forever lost in the time.

Freyja and Bryn remained silent yet their faces were filled with sorrow and rage for him. Tove and Bo lifted his body up while opening the door. They placed him on the bed with a gentle motion, not daring to disrupt his eternal slumber.

" Let's head to the river. That is the last place for them. We will probably meet them there, so hurry."

Magnus gritted his teeth until his gums bled, he wasn't letting them go easily and surely he would let them pay for what they did here.

" Let's head out."

Freyja didn't say much but her eyes were glowing dangerously under the sunlight. Her hands were itching for revenge and her arrows would find their target even though she was far away. No one should remain alive under her fury of arrows and that was her virtue.

Meanwhile near the river

Halfdan was clutching his dagger while looking at Bjorn who was standing before him with an icy cold face.

" Son of Magnus, I admit you are a brave and strong boy but you are being foolish to sacrifice yourself here. As long as you give up, I can assure you that I will show mercy on your people. I am not a slaughterer and I don't seek any blood with my fellow kin."

Bjorn was done with this bloodshed and further kills would certainly destroy both sides which meant they would have no power against surrounding nobles and countries.

" Yet you dare to hold your sword. I know you lived as a plunderer and I won't believe an ounce of your words."

Halfdan was ready to sacrifice himself to his people even for a minute. However, the reality was harsh as Bjorn swiftly circled around him.

Halfdan who saw that, plunged his dagger toward him but how a mere child could defeat a grown man, much less a warrior like Bjorn. He slapped away his dagger with ease, throwing him on the ground. He then motioned his men to tie him up as he looked at the remaining people with a calm face.

" Listen up. I have had enough blood today. I won't touch a single thread of your hair if you surrender now. Otherwise, I will make sure that this river would be tainted with red."

The normal folks who were holding tools to defend themselves, hesitated for a minute because it wasn't just them. It was their families and friends that he was threatening.

" What about our Jarn and men? Would you kill them?"

One of the women asked with a calm tone, thinking no sane men would allow their enemies to live.

" As long as you agree to leave this land and never come back. I will leave them intact."

Despite Yandal's plea, Bjorn decided to leave this as it this. Certainly, more feuds would be the worst thing for them.