"You...you know?" People looked stunned, their lips moved but they didn't speak.
They wanted to ask Olaf why, knowing this, he didn't organize the Viking warriors to fight, but instead stayed in the palace.
Is Olaf really afraid of Eric?
“I know what you’re thinking.” Olaf’s eyes were filled with sadness as he slowly turned around.
“I, Olaf, am not a coward!” he said in a deep voice.
"However, I do not want to clash with Eric, nor do I want Norway to descend into civil war."
Everyone was startled by this, and one person said cautiously, "But, Your Majesty, Eric has already attacked, and you cannot avoid it."
Olaf's face showed a helpless expression: "Eric's men are also warriors of my Vikings."
"If we ever seek revenge against Holy Egypt, they will also be our valiant warriors."
“I always remember the sacrifice of the King in the North. It was his death that saved the Viking warriors. I cannot bear to let them perish in the civil war…”
People were stunned, and some shed tears: "Your Majesty, you are truly... truly too kind."
"That damned Eric is only concerned with seizing the throne, abandoning the late king's will, while you are still thinking about protecting the Viking warriors and preserving our fighting strength."
"You are the new king we should truly respect and love!" he shouted, then knelt down with a thud.
Then, the others knelt down as well: "Merciful Olaf, please tell us what we can do for you, we will do anything for you."
"Compared to that damned Eric, you are the throne for which we are willing to give our lives."
“We will support you in avenging the dead King of the North.”
Olaf quickly said, "Get up! We Viking warriors will prove with our actions what courage and honor truly mean."
“You can go to other city-states and awaken more people who share your thoughts. Use the will of the people to wake up the Viking warriors who follow Eric. We are the ones chosen by the former king and the people.”
"Yes, we understand." Several humans stood up and walked out of the palace with firm steps.
They will go and incite the people of several other cities to persuade the Viking warriors who have been bewitched by Erik.
These warriors are the backbone of the effort to avenge the late king; it would be best if they could win without a fight.
After the humans left, the Dark Archmage slowly walked out: "Olav, Eric's men are gathered outside Bergen, and it seems they are waiting for reinforcements from other city-states."
Olaf frowned. "Other city-states? You mean, the other city lords also listened to Eric and rebelled with him?"
The great mage said, "I'm afraid it's like this: the lords of Muscat and Oslo seem to have made some moves. This was told to us by the people in the cities themselves."
"They said that the late king had just died, and they only wanted to avenge him, and did not want to see Norway, which had suffered heavy losses, fall into civil war again."
Upon hearing this, Olaf couldn't help but slam his fist into the wall. With this fierce blow, small cracks immediately appeared in the wood and stone wall, and even the whole room shook with his movement.
Several Viking warriors immediately knelt down, saying in horror, "Your Majesty, please do not be angry."
Olaf shook his head, saying with great distress, "Even ordinary people understand this principle, so why can't Eric understand it?"
"We have lost nearly half of our forces to Holy Egypt this time, and we simply cannot afford another loss."
“I know that the King of the North drove him out of the Viking pirate group back then, and he harbored resentment in his heart. I never expected that he would be so unrepentant.”
"The fact that he was able to join forces with the lords of other city-states to rebel so soon after the death of the King of the North shows that he had planned this all along."
Several dark magicians were all shocked: "So, Eric is indeed treacherous. While we are fighting battles everywhere, he is hiding in Norway plotting a rebellion and doing these dark things."
A Viking warrior stepped forward and said, “My lord, we will defend Norway to the death and uphold the dignity of our late king.”
Olaf gave a wry smile: "But I don't want to have any conflict with Eric."
The Viking warrior instinctively said, "Then tell me, what should we do?"
"We will follow your arrangements without hesitation, as long as it is in Norway's best interest."
Olaf slowly spoke: "Since Eric wants to occupy this place, we will do as he wishes and withdraw from the palace and from Nidaros City."
The Viking warriors looked up abruptly, their faces filled with disbelief.
Olaf's intention was actually to escape?
However, as Olaf's followers, they certainly understood that Olaf was not as cowardly and incompetent as Eric had slandered him, nor was he a tyrannical brute.
Olaf is not only Norway's top fighting force, but he is also calm and intelligent.
So a Viking warrior couldn't help but ask, "My lord, what are your deepest plans? Please tell us everything in detail."
Olaf laughed: "Isn't Eric fond of gold and silver treasures? Then let him come. All the gold and silver treasures of Nidaros City will be left here for him to use."
The Viking warriors still looked puzzled, but the eyes of several dark mages gradually brightened.
“We understand, Olaf.”
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