The Value of Men

"Things that can't be done... Oh right, when I took Heathel across the tundra, moss grew wherever she stepped, and the flowers and plants she smelled grew very lush..."

Alara's voice grew softer and softer, revealing her increasing lack of confidence.

Because in her opinion, this was even less useful than simply having more strength.

It just helps the flowers and plants grow, what's the big deal...?

"really?!"

However, after a brief moment of stunned silence, Herren suddenly became excited.

"Really?! It can help crops grow?!"

"I think so... What's wrong?"

"God! He really is God!"

This is incredibly useful. In another world, it could easily serve as a supreme god for thousands of years.

God of Craftsmen and God of Storms, all of them can become his left and right protectors.

"Do you know what that means? It means food! A stable, inexhaustible food supply!"

"Hmm... I still don't quite understand."

Aura tilted her head, indicating that she didn't quite understand.

After all, Freljord has been primarily a land of animal husbandry, fishing, and hunting for thousands of years, making agriculture a very niche industry.

But Herren knew all too well the power of this.

"Don't worry about that, just listen to me... We should think of a suitable title for Him, for example..."

Harren thought for a moment, "God of Harvest? Not really, ordinary Freljordians don't understand the significance of a bountiful harvest... God of Food? That's understandable, but it lacks prestige."

After much deliberation, Herren couldn't make a decision yet, but his confident demeanor made Aurora feel somewhat excited.

"You really think this is feasible? Can it really help Heathcliff regain her sanity?"

"Yes, and it can also solve the Winter's Claw's predicament, so it's a win-win situation."

Haestir needs believers, Winter's Claw needs the protection of a demigod, and this demigod can also solve the most pressing food shortage problem... This is not just a win-win situation, it's an absolute stunner.

"Come back to the tribe with me, Aurora. You can become a priestess."

Ara is the only one who can communicate with Haestir; she's practically a chosen priestess.

"Huh? A... priest?!"

……

……

Herren didn't stay a few more days as he had planned. On the one hand, he had two troublesome children with him and felt embarrassed to bother old Orn.

Yes, for some reason, Olaf also lingered, occasionally peeking out like a rat in a sewer, as if looking for a flaw in the old goat.

On the other hand, Heron was eager to prove Haestir's qualifications as a god.

On the eve of his departure, Orn inspected his newly renovated furnace, and surprisingly, the rabbit's "unnecessary" action did not seem to have made things worse.

Of course, it was fine before... but after the furnace room was cleaned up, it seems...

"good……"

After pondering for a long time, Orn only gave this brief evaluation.

But this was enough to make Aurora, who had been busy all night, happy for quite a while.

"Well then, old Orn, we have to go. I can't stay with you any longer..."

When it was finally time to leave, Herren sat down and chatted with Orn for a while.

Most of the time, Herren did the talking, while Ornn listened while he was forging irons.

Harren mentioned his encounters with Ashe and Sejuani, how he joined the Winter's Claws, gained a new tribe, and even showed Ornn the power of entropy and the heartsteel.

Ornn didn't respond much to Herren's incessant chatter, only occasionally letting out a simple "hmm" when he felt he might have been silent for too long.

As for Herren's mediocre work, Orn agreed and gave it a "not bad" rating.

Herren was equally content; he had never heard a higher compliment from Orn.

The man and the god chatted for a while longer, as if having a casual conversation, before Herren stood up to say goodbye.

"Well then, just as I said, old Orn, I now have a group of loyal friends and know many people... Hearthtown will prosper sooner or later, perhaps for you, it will happen as early as tomorrow."

"Um."

Ornn nodded, but didn't show much joy or anticipation, remaining as sullen as ever.

He only spoke softly as Herren finally turned to leave.

"Bon Voyage."

As Herren and Alara walked out of the huge valley halfway up Old Ornn's mountain and stood on the ridge, Olaf followed them in a flurry of activity.

Herren finally had a chance to properly interrogate this idiot.

"What's wrong, Olaf? Why are you following me around like a shadow?"

"Huh? Is that an affectionate nickname for powerful warriors where you're from?"

Olaf laughed and put his arm around Herren's shoulder.

"I'll remember this old goat. I'll come back to avenge myself sooner or later... but without you, I can't even find this place."

"So, you're coming back to the tribe with me too?"

Heron was naturally pleased with this. Olaf was also a formidable fighter, and if he hadn't discovered Haestir's secret, he might have simply kept this guy in check.

But now, Olaf is just an add-on.

"Not necessarily, my friend."

Upon hearing this, Olaf simply smiled nonchalantly.

"While I don't know if I'm included among your so-called loyal friends, I consider you a friend of Olaf. Few can match my skill in a truly satisfying battle... But what about the tribe you speak of? That depends on the situation. Jackals should follow their pack, not stay in the sheepfold."

"Oh... then come on, let Sejuani see what you're made of."

"Sejuani? Your War Mother? Or your Blood Pact?"

"War Mother...you can also meet her and then decide for yourself whether to stay or leave."

Having acquired Haistel, Harren was already quite content, and he was no longer so fixated on whether Olaf could stay.

Moreover, he felt that Olaf would most likely stay... There's no real logic to it, that's just how the backstory is written.

"Could I be your war mother? I'm actually quite interested."

Olaf genuinely considers Helen an equal opponent. If someone like him is subdued by a War Mother, then that War Mother must be even more powerful, right?

Olaf got excited...

He was a homeless man to begin with, so he didn't mind making an extra trip.

"Does the tribe have any fine wine?"

"To be honest, I'm also a master winemaker."

"Really?! We're a match made in heaven... You seem to know how to forge weapons?"

"Yes, if your weapon needs some improvement, you can come to me."

"Haha! I'm liking you more and more, Herren... Your only flaw is that you're too ugly."

"????"

Herren looked at Olaf in astonishment, while Olaf smugly stroked his beard.

"A man's worth can be judged by the length of his beard and the size of his belt buckle... and you happen to lack those."