Chapter 508: A Message To The Fake King

When Alaric made his appearance, Godwin and Hagen thought of the same thing.

’This is what a Barbarian King should look like.’

Standing at two meters tall, Alaric looked very imposing and intimidating. He was the very image of a Barbarian King the tribes of the Borderlands would follow without hesitation.

If he and Leone were to be described as wood, Alaric would be a trunk, while Leone would only be a twig.

The mere sight of Alaric would inspire anyone to fight at his side. Meanwhile, those who met Leone for the first time would question why someone so fragile-looking had been chosen to lead the barbarian tribes of the Borderlands.

"Yes," Godwin replied after taking in the sight of the man before him. "We are sent here by our King, Leone Frontera. How did you know his name?"

Alaric scoffed at the question. "Let’s just say he is a very distant relative of mine."

Godwin, Hagen, and Lord Azar found this information quite surprising. The Barbarian King of the West recognized Leone as a distant relative, something they couldn’t have seen coming.

"So, what is he like?" Alaric asked. "Does he truly deserve to be called a King compared to me?"

"""He does."""

The answer came quite easily for the three, who had traveled far to meet Alaric.

Even they were surprised that they answered the question so freely, as if it was the most natural thing to do.

"Oh?" Alaric arched an eyebrow. "Are you just saying that because you chose him as your King?"

"No," Hagen replied. "Actually, I am among those who were staunchly against him taking the position. However, he has managed to convince me that he deserves to have that title."

The warriors guarding Alaric smirked, not at all believing Hagen. To begin with, they looked down on the deserters who decided to escape to the Borderlands instead of fighting for the title of Barbarian King.

Seeing that they were being looked down upon, Godwin decided to get straight to the point and inform the Barbarian King of their reason for coming.

"Our King has decided to invade Britannia for personal reasons," Godwin stated. "He has sent us to ask if you are willing to form an alliance and coordinate our attacks."

"Hahaha!" Alaric laughed. "He knew that we were attacking Britannia, so he decided to invade because the Britannian Army is focused on defending against my advance. Maybe he thinks he will be able to gain territories because no one is defending them."

"What a loser," an Elder of the Azura Tribe chided. "Not fit to be a King."

"A leech!" another Elder commented. "He only knows how to take advantage of others."

The other warriors also voiced their complaints, while the Beastkins only listened by the side with amused looks on their faces.

The only Barbarian King they recognized was Alaric, so they refused to take whoever called himself the Barbarian King of the Borderlands seriously.

"So the answer is no?" Godwin asked, undeterred by the sneers and ridicule of those around him.

"I am the one and only Barbarian King," Alaric declared. "Anyone else who calls themselves a Barbarian King is a fake. How about the two of you join me instead? Both of you look like capable warriors."

Alaric could tell at a glance that the two men in front of him were stronger than some of the warriors serving under him. He thought it was a waste to have these people serve his distant relative, whom he still hadn’t met.

"No, thank you," Godwin replied. "Since we have already said what we have to say, we will now be taking our leave."

"Do you really think you can do that?" Alaric asked in a teasing tone.

"Of course," Godwin replied with a smile. "Just so you know, our army is a hundred thousand strong. We just got back from a war against the Aurelion Empire two days ago, where we emerged victorious. If you think we are pushovers, then think again."

Alaric eyed Godwin calmly. Although not many people knew about the war between the Borderlands and the Aurelion Empire, he knew it very well.

In fact, Lugh had told him to attack a few days after the Britannian Army began their march towards the Borderlands.

The reason they could invade the lands of Britannia without too much resistance was thanks to Leone and his people delaying the two generals from returning to the capital city in time.

He might look down on Leone, but he wouldn’t look down on an army that was a hundred thousand strong.

Plus, Alaric could tell that Godwin wasn’t lying because his stance didn’t make him look like a schemer or a liar.

To him, such men were worthy of respect. Although this was his first time meeting the Chieftain of the Warclaw Tribe, Alaric could recognize a true warrior the moment he saw them.

"Fine, you may go," Alaric said. "However, pass this message to that fake King of yours. Tell him I am the only Barbarian King of the continent."

"I’ll pass your words without fail." Godwin nodded. "May the Earth Mother bless you."

He didn’t even wait for Alaric’s reply as he turned around to leave. Hagen and Lord Azar followed behind him without speaking a word.

Leone had already told them that there was a possibility that the Barbarian King would react this way.

In the end, this meeting was simply a formality to inform Alaric that another force was about to make their move.

Whether he used this information to his advantage or not was all up to him.

A few minutes later, when they had traveled a good distance away from the barbarian camp, Godwin finally heaved a sigh.

"He sure is something, isn’t he?" Hagen said as he flew beside his previous rival.

"Sure is," Godwin acknowledged. "He looks like a true Barbarian King."

"But would you like to serve under him?" Hagen inquired.

"If I hadn’t met Leone, then sure," Godwin answered without hesitation. "But now, I don’t feel like following anyone else. How about you, Hagen?"

Hagen didn’t answer right away, as if choosing his next words carefully. Lord Azar also wanted to know his answer, but he didn’t press the Chieftain of the Grimhowl Tribe.

A few minutes later, Hagen finally answered.

"Frankly, I think Leone has many shortcomings," Hagen replied. "He doesn’t look like a true Barbarian King. At least for now."

"For now?" Godwin arched an eyebrow.

"Yes. For now." Hagen nodded. "But having shortcomings is also a good thing. That means he can put people in the right positions to make up for those shortcomings. If he has as much potential as I believe him to be, then he could surpass the Barbarian King of the West in a year or two."

"If only Leone could hear your words right now, I’m sure he will either be happy or be disgusted by your praise." Godwin chuckled.

"Make sure you don’t tell him," Hagen warned. "I only answered because you asked."

The two then continued their journey in silence.

Although neither of them wanted to admit it, they were both looking forward to seeing how Leone would react upon hearing Alaric’s declaration.

After all, the Barbarian King of the West had openly dismissed him as a fake King, refusing to acknowledge that someone like Leone deserved to share the same title as him.

They couldn’t help but wonder what their young King would do after hearing such an insult.

But deep in their hearts, they already knew the answer.

Leone might look undependable.

He might not look like a King or a warrior.

Still, after seeing Alaric and comparing him to the young man, both Godwin and Hagen would rather fight Alaric to the death than face Leone on the battlefield.

With the Earth Mother fighting by his side, how could their fragile and twig-like King possibly lose to the Barbarian King of the West, who dared to call the Earth Mother’s chosen ?a Fake King?