fantasy novels 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.
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.