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Chapter 128: That’s Enough (3)
Chapter 128: That’s Enough (3)
Chapter 128: That’s Enough (3)
?Hey, are you sure it’s alright to come here like this??
?Visiting another tribe’s village without prior notice is definitely rude… but since we’re allies, I think we can manage somehow.?
?Even though you’re thinking of abandoning that alliance??
?We have no other choice. We were betrayed first.?
Not long after the Thief and the Fighter set off, the Jatav suddenly withdrew. Thanks to that, they were able to head into the Vigabol territory…
White Wind was currently moving with the Serhan chief.
?This isn’t just anything. It’s something that concerns the Mountain Lord.?
The reason? Well, it was due to White Wind’s inquiry about the regulations around meeting the Mountain Lord, which appeared to have deepened this issue.
?If he was just lying about contacting the priests of the swamp, then I will apologize, but it’ll give us some peace of mind. However, if he’s truly able to contact them… Yes. As soon as it happens, all the tribes of the Great Forest will point their swords at the Vigabol Tribe. Since we have an alliance with them, our tribe might also suffer, so I can’t just stand by and let that happen.?
?I see. But is meeting the Mountain Lord during the Katina period really such a sensitive issue???Whoever is chosen by the Mountain Lord will become the warchief regardless of the results of Katina.?
?If it’s someone chosen by the Mountain Lord, shouldn’t you respect that??
?Yes, you’re right. In the past, the tribes of the Great Forest thought that, as well. However, 80 years ago, someone unable to win Katina manipulated the priests of the swamp and falsely claimed to be chosen by the Mountain Lord, making him the warchief. They exploited the fact that the Mountain Lord rarely shows himself.?
?Ah, so that’s why??
?Yes. Since then, unless the Mountain Lord makes his choice known before everyone, such claims are considered lies. Naturally, the priests of the swamp have also started avoiding contact to escape any suspicion.?
Having understood the background, White Wind could now see why the Serhan chief was reacting like this. He pouted his lips, thinking the tribes had so many strange rules.
?We’ll see the Vigabol’s village once we get over this hill.?
?I see.?
But it somehow seemed unusually noisy…
White Wind felt his breath becoming shorter as he took the final steps up the hill. The view beyond came into sight.
?A fight??
?…Oh no.?
It seemed the Jatav had withdrawn in preparation for this.
Clicking their tongues, they watched the Jatav and the Vigabol engage in battle. At this rate, they’d be unable to enter the Vigabol’s territory. Even if they could, they shouldn’t, lest they get caught up in this fight.
?We should go back—?
“Wait.”
At that moment, the Hero, who had been in the rear to support the wizards, stepped forward. Her hair, which was starting to cover her neck, swayed in the wind.
“I can sense a curse.”
“What?”
“I’ll go ahead!”
What in the world? Why so suddenly? How come?
White Wind blinked in surprise and hurriedly focused his Arcane Power. While it wasn’t really his specialty, he had a basic knowledge of detection spells, so he spread his energy in all directions.
“…You’re right!”
?Erm, what’s happening? Is it okay to let her go ahead…??
“That’s not…. ?That’s not the issue right now! A curse appeared over there!?”
Given this now involved Demons, they could no longer avoid getting involved. White Wind screamed internally about how the situation had escalated so quickly as he hurriedly followed the Hero.
?W-Wait.?
?Chief, what should we do??
?…If it’s a curse, it’s likely related to Demons. There shouldn’t be any Demons in the forest guarded by the Mountain Lord. Let’s go!?
?Yes!!?
Without knowing the details, the Serhan people followed behind them. An unexpected three-way confrontation among these three tribes was about to unfold.
* * *
?S-Save us!!?
?A curse! It’s a curse!!?
?Those insane Jatav bastards, what did they throw?!!?
?Death is coming!!?
?C-Commander! Commander, please save me!?
?Wh-What is this? What on earth did those outsiders give us—!?
Deb had a natural talent for killing people, so I had planned on using that to free the hostages.
But why did the situation turn out like this?
I looked at the black liquid spreading from the middle of the village. It smelled of death and decay.
My right arm itched.
?Retreat, retreat now!?
“Run away!”
We couldn't ignore this. I plunged into the midst of those dying helplessly. From my experience, it would be fine so long as it didn’t touch bare skin, so I didn’t hesitate.
?Uwargh!?
Whoosh!
I quickly rescued people from the spreading black liquid. More precisely, I grabbed those about to be swallowed by it and threw them behind me.
“Wizard, raise a barrier!”
“O earth, rise and harden.”
The Archmage seemed better suited as a supporter than a dealer. In any case, the earthen wall that rose from the ground blocked the black liquid. I continued throwing people over it.
Vigabol, Jatav. There was no need for me to distinguish between them. In the face of this damn plague, fighting was meaningless.
?Th-The children!?
Ah, shit.
I glared at the liquid approaching where the children were being held hostage. The ones hanging were somewhat safer, but the problem was with the kids huddled together, kneeling on the ground.
Even with all the power and skills I possessed, there wasn’t a way for me to save everyone securely.
“O God!!”
Damn it. If I couldn’t save them all, then I should at least save as many as I could carry—
“Cleanse this corruption!!”
In that instant, a massive storm of light struck down on us. Although my HP took a hit, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Not bad.”
“…! Demon Knight!”
Wooow! Our dumpling timed that perfectly! As expected of a Hero! Our dumpling really was the best!!
I glanced at her flushed cheeks before tearing apart the ropes binding the children.
The guards watching the kids had already fled, so no one interfered with us.
“Free the others.”
?Th-Thank you.?
I handed a dagger to the children I’d freed and pointed to the ones still hanging. The children were surprised by my clear show of intent, then quickly nodded.
It seemed they’d caught on.
“Ah! More importantly, Demon Knight, why is there a curse…?”
Then, I should handle this, huh?
Ignoring the Inquisitor’s question, I started to ponder. I’d seen the Jatav guys throw it, but I didn’t exactly know why they had it. But that was something to think about later.
First, I needed to assess the situation. I quickly scanned over the now somewhat forcibly calmer scene.
Many of the Vigabol had suffered from a direct hit, but the Jatav also suffered significant damage. Most of the warriors clashing with others had either died or were now suffering from the curse.
The Inquisitor was infusing the area with her Divine Power so there wouldn’t be any more deaths, but they would obviously suffer from great pain until fully healed.
“Who threw it?”
But they had brought this upon themselves. I doubt the lower-ranking guys knew about its effects, though…
Were they kids? No, they weren't. Why should I sympathize with grown-ass men who came here to wage war??
I could feel sorry for their deaths later, but right now, the ones I should truly pity were the innocents nearly sacrificed because of them.
“I asked, who threw it…!”
And to top it off, these curse bombs related to Demons had appeared here! My character would never tolerate that, right?
These goddamn bastards. One side abandoned their humanity completely, while the other chose to join hands with those who did. And one of these damn scum was seriously going to become the next warchief?
How revolting.
?What is happening here?!?
Meanwhile, another force had joined us. I raised my eyebrows upon seeing people from the Magic Tower and the Serhan chief coming through a gap in the wall.
“Just what is going on?”
White Wind came rushing toward me, clutching his pointed hat to keep it from flying off. Faced with this chaotic scene, he covered his mouth.
“I want to take one of them as a test subject, but I suppose that won’t be allowed?”
…I pretended not to hear that.
?You’re…!?
?Chief of Serhan! You’ve come at the right time! As an ally, please lend us your aid…!?
Atarte, who was reorganizing the frontline after repositioning his warriors, urgently called out. The Serhan chief glanced at Atarte, his expression hardening.
It was the kind of expression I would often make when meeting someone I really didn’t want to see. You know, smiling on the outside while cursing them out on the inside.
?I’m not here as an ally. I came because a guest informed me of the presence of Demonic Energy, and I volunteered to investigate.?
?Yes! Right! It was the Jatav who did it!?
?Is that really—?
Ruuuumble!!
Just as Atarte and the Serhan chief exchanged a few words, the ground suddenly began to shake.
* * *
* * *
“Wh-What?”
The Inquisitor seemed rather startled, but I was still fairly nonchalant about it. Ever since coming to this region, the unexpected had somehow become almost routine.
By now, I wasn’t even fazed anymore. I was just curious about how many surprising events this region still had in store.
?The Mountain Lord!?
I took that back. I was actually shocked. Jörmungandr had shown up in the sky.
?Th-The Mountain Lord…!?
I squinted at the white serpent in the sky. Its round, snake-like eyes weren’t particularly scary, just incredibly massive!!
It wasn’t just a big snake; it was a colossal, enormous snake!
> [Wow, seriously, these guys are crazy.]
At that moment, the serpent’s mouth opened slightly, and a sound like a ship’s horn came out. Somehow, it felt like that sound resonated deeply in my ears.
> [You’re not the only ones living in this forest. Why are you committing suicide in my forest? If you want to die, don’t drag others down with you and just croak on your own.]
Why did it sound so oddly folksy…?
> [Ah.]
Just then, the snake and I made eye contact. Its eyes blinked twice before it subtly shifted its gaze.
> [Did those guys offend you… Is that why you’re angry…?]
Wait a second. Why was this massive creature being so polite to me?
> [I’ll apologize on their behalf, so please, just leave the forest alone…]
…I felt like a gangster despite not having done anything. Huh?? Excuse me???
?You are in the presence of the Mountain Lord! Everyone, show your respect!!?
Then people riding on snakes… No, lizards? Came rushing over the walls and buildings. Their attire was unmistakable that of priests, making their identity very clear.
The gigantic snake couldn’t be just some ordinary creature, and seeing how everyone bowed their head the moment it appeared, this was surely the “Mountain Lord”. That would make those priests the ones who served the Mountain Lord, the priests of the swamp.
?O great Mountain Lord!?
?Great Mountain Lord!?
?Please forgive us!?
?Show us the forest’s judgment!?
More importantly, they really revered this snake. Whether it was the Serhan, the Jatav, or the Vigabol, they all seemed to have forgotten what had happened not too long ago as they bowed deeply and pleaded to the giant snake.
?You there! Immediately show your respect!?
> [Are you out of your mind? It’s not him who should be bowing, but you guys. Hurry up and show some proper manners.]
?…I’m pleased to be in the presence of one acknowledged by the Mountain Lord!?
Meanwhile, the priests of the swamp overwhelmingly deferred to me, and I received a deep bow from them.
The Inquisitor, standing right behind me and equally clueless about the situation, also slightly bowed.
“Erm, Demon Knight. What exactly is going on here?”
Good question… I’d like to know that myself…
> […You’re not angry, are you?]
“…Are you kidding me, snake?”
> [Oh my, it looks like you really are angry. All because of these fools…]
The Mountain Lord scratched its head with the tip of its tail.
“Demon Knight? Were you talking to me?”
The Inquisitor tilted her head as if she didn’t just hear the serpent’s words.
> [Just forgive them this once. I promise to educate them properly later.]
How was I supposed to respond to this? Sometimes, I was a bit confused about how my character would act in some situations, but I’d never been as conflicted as I was now. I was mentally sweating, trying hard to determine what to do in this situation.
?O great Mountain Lord!?
Ironically, the one who saved me was Atarte, whom I desperately wanted to tear apart.
?The Jatav dared to bring Demonic artifacts into this land! Please deliver a rightful judgment upon them! Punish them!!?
> [And who’s this guy now?]
The snake’s gaze turned toward him. Where had his previous puzzlement gone? Looking down at Atarte, the snake’s golden eyes were extremely cold.
?Great Mountain Lord!!?
> [Aah, what a mess, a right mess. Jeez. Doesn’t think about his own wrongdoings and just whines for others to be judged first.]
From the Mountain Lord’s words, I could guess what Atarte must have said. It was probably something like, “The Jatav are in the wrong here. Please punish them!”. Whining, basically.
> [Yeah, well, he’s not wrong, though… Alright? Get them. Let’s give the Jatav a proper once over today.]
?The Mountain Lord has commanded the Jatav Tribe to prove their loyalty to the Great Forest.?
> [And tell the Vigabol to stand by, as well. They almost caused the forest’s destruction today.]
?…The Vigabol tribe will also face judgment.?
?Wait, why?!?
?That is the will of the Mountain Lord.?
In any case, the serpent sure had the Vigabol and the Jatav tightly in its grip. There would be no escaping punishment now for those two tribes.
If that serpent was indeed very wary of my presence… their punishment wouldn’t be light, either.
> [And…]
The Mountain Lord’s golden eyes swept over the ground and soon fixed on one particular spot.
> [This kid’s smart, doesn’t go against our guests, and gets things done well. Let’s make him the next warchief.]
?…Chief of the Serhan, Ekuah!?
?Yes, those who follow the Mountain Lord’s will.?
?The Mountain Lord has chosen you as the next Warchief. Please bring glory to this forest.?
?…I, this is a presumptuous question, but… is it true that the Mountain Lord has chosen me??
?Yes, it is.?
?Wait a second, this is unfair!?
?Chief of the Vigabol, Atarte! You dare question the will of the Mountain Lord?!?
Was it just me, or had the warchief who was supposed to be selected during the Katina or something get chosen quite suddenly?
?I cannot accept this!?
?You dare!!?
> [Hah, that guy’s real amusing.]
The situation suddenly became a lot more interesting. No more people would be dying as the snake would handle everything.
While pretending to be angry, I watched Atarte’s downfall, regretting I had no popcorn to munch on. Just from the look on his face, it was clear his life was definitely going to fall apart now.
?The position of warchief should go to the one deserving—!?
But the real fun came right after.
Claaaank!
? —! How dare a mere priest!?
White chains shot out to bind Atarte. He narrowly avoided them before a massive halberd came rushing at him immediately after.
“Wahaha! They say you’re the strongest warrior here!! Fight Berserk!”
Atarte grabbed it with four of his arms. He had to use four arms just to block the halberd properly, which made his attacker use even more force.
?Who are you?!?
“Gotcha.”
And right when Atarte had to use most of his arms to block.
“I’ll be taking the child.”
A presence that even I hadn’t noticed took away the child from Atarte’s remaining hands. A perfect team play.
“I.”
At that moment, my opportunity had come.
“Told you.”
With the child no longer in Atarte’s grasp, there were no more reasons for me not to aim my sword at him. The remaining hostages had also been freed already.
“The children’s lives are your life.”
?…!!?
“Wait, hold on, that’s Berserk’s prey—”
Slash!
With a single swift motion, I closed in on Atarte. One strike of my sword severed three of his arms.
?Urgh!?
I didn’t give him any time to issue orders or for anyone around him to react.
Before he could lose his balance, I kicked his chest, driving him to the ground. As he hit the ground, I drove my sword into his shoulder.
“I’ll send you to hell.”
Refreshing retribution wasn’t far off.