Chapter 173
Chapter 173
Due to coordinate interference, Yuwon and his companions were scattered in all directions. Some fell right into the heart of the desert, while a few fortunate ones, like Yuwon, ended up in small forested areas where drinking water could be secured.
“This really does seem like… the situation the Third Prince mentioned might possibly happen.”
“...It does. For now, it seems like it’s just you and me around here, Terrien.”
Terrien and Renania. The two young people who formed a pair had fallen in the northern part of the desert, relatively closest to Valaris compared to the rest of the group.
“...That seems to be the case. We’ve spent quite a bit of time already, but all we see is sand and cacti. We must be quite far from the others.”
“Then… how about we stop looking for the others here and head straight to the destination? That would probably be more reliable.”
At Renania’s words, Terrien nodded in agreement and replied.
“I was just about to suggest the same. There’s nothing to gain by wasting more time here. It would be better to reunite with the others at Valaris. I’m sure they’re all thinking along similar lines. I recall the Third Prince saying, almost in passing, that if something like this happened, that would be the best course of action.”
“Then let’s go.”
“Please go ahead. I’ll match your pace and follow.”
The two of them also stopped searching and turned their steps toward Valaris.
On the opposite side of the northeastern desert where Terrien and Renania stood—on the western side—Marquis Carson and Herran, two old veterans, had formed a pair.
“...Chief Herran. It seems we were rather fortunate. Looks like we fell into one of the sparse forested areas scattered across the desert.”
“Just as you say. Being separated as a pair of old men doesn’t mean we’re being told to die. Ah, and since we’re both getting on in years, there’s no need to be so formal with me. Our ages aren’t that far apart, so please speak more comfortably.”
“Would that truly be all right?”
“We have a long road ahead. If we’re going to at least have some conversation along the way, it’s better if speaking feels comfortable, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Then… let’s do that.”
“Good. In that case, let’s follow the sound of running water over there, replenish our drinking supply first, and then head out immediately. If old men like us fall behind, we’ll end up feeling self-conscious around the youngsters. Hahaha!”
At Herran’s hearty laughter, Marquis Carson also smiled warmly. Although Marquis Carson’s combat strength could not compare to that of the other companions, this pair likewise seemed unlikely to face any trouble on the way to Valaris.
The problem lay elsewhere—down in the very center of the desert.
“Tch. The Magic Tower brats really put in some effort. It’s probably the same situation everywhere up here, so there’s no choice but to walk.”
Kahaad complained as he found himself dropped squarely in the middle of the desert. Beside him, Mukwiam rolled his large eyes about, clearly having no idea what was going on.
“Krrr-?”
“Sigh… Just my luck. Of all people, I had to be stranded with an idiot like you…”
Mukwiam was not someone who would simply accept being treated like a fool. He snorted sharply through his nose in warning.
Kuhoo-!
“Ugh… forget it. Why am I even talking to you? Let’s just move. If we head up toward Valaris, our destination, we’re bound to run into someone eventually. We’ll meet them when we do.”
Though they usually bickered, Kahaad was not foolish enough to keep it up in a situation like this. Contrary to the others’ worries, instead of provoking Mukwiam as usual, Kahaad merely quickened his pace.
“When we get back, I’ll deal with you as much as you want. But not now. For now, we move. That comes first.”
“Rr…?”
Even Mukwiam was surprised by Kahaad’s reaction. However, the situation around them soon halted both of their steps.
In an instant, the sand dune they were standing on began to tremble. Sensing it immediately, Kahaad realized he had gotten himself entangled in something troublesome and spat out a curse.
“Ha, damn it…”
Soon, massive wolves cloaked in sand-colored hides emerged from beneath the shifting dune. They were not ordinary wolves, but creatures classified as monstrous beasts.
Kgrrrr-!
Bodies as large as bulls, with grotesque fangs jutting out from their mouths.
They were infamous monstrous beasts of the southern desert, known for hiding beneath the sand and ambushing desert merchants to devour people—Sand Wolves.
Of course, they were not true threats to Kahaad and Mukwiam, who had once stood at the apex of the Great Jungle. They were merely a nuisance.
“Mukwiam. Damn it… this is because of that stench of yours. With you reeking like that, we’ll end up meeting every desert monstrous beast that’s supposedly hard to encounter before we even reach the destination. Move aside. I’ll burn these things first and get rid of that smell—”
“Kuooooo-!”
Before Kahaad could finish speaking, Mukwiam let out a roar and charged straight at the beasts. Despite Kahaad’s efforts, Mukwiam and Kahaad were clearly not a good combination.
At the same time, in the forested area of the desert where Yuwon had fallen.
In the forest, where only the occasional chirping of insects could be heard, the steady chopping sounds of Jack the woodcutter echoed rhythmically as he split wood.
“Hoo…”
Jack, who had been swinging his axe without pause, planted it upright for a moment and straightened his back.
“At this pace, I won’t make it back before sunset… Talking to that suspicious guy earlier just muddled my head for nothing. What do you mean the evacuation route is blocked? Who does he think he is? Tch.”
Unaware of who the person he had spoken to earlier truly was, Jack grumbled to himself. After briefly stretching his back, he grabbed his axe again and was about to resume his work.
Rustle—
“Huh?”
A suspicious presence stirred in the nearby bushes, drawing Jack’s attention.
‘An animal?’
The forests scattered throughout the southern desert were no different from oases, and seeing wild animals there was not uncommon. Of course, if it was a fox or a rabbit, that would be one thing—but if it was a wolf or a monstrous beast, that would be an entirely different matter.
‘It was strange enough to meet a person in a place like this. My luck’s been off today, so it won’t hurt to be careful.’
With that thought, Jack’s grip on the axe tightened slightly, and a strange tension hung in the air. Then again—
Rustle!
‘It’s coming…!’
Just as Jack’s tension reached its peak—
“What? There really is a person in a place like this.”
A low, heavy voice—rarely beautiful enough to make the listener’s ears perk up—spoke the very words Jack was about to say as the uninvited guest appeared.
“...What now?”
Jack frowned at the unexpected appearance of yet another person. The intruder was dressed similarly to Yuwon, whom Jack had met earlier while gathering wood, with a deeply pulled-down robe concealing his face.
“What now? Was there someone else here besides you and me?”
The suddenly appearing intruder did not miss Jack’s words, and seeing the man’s reaction, Jack mistakenly assumed the two were companions.
‘Ah, is he with that lost man from earlier?’
“Did I not ask you? Was there anyone else here besides me?”
The intruder spoke down to Jack as if it were only natural. Faced with that attitude, Jack immediately changed his tone and responded cautiously.
“Could it be… that you are a noble, sir?”
“That is correct.”
Jack had spent over a decade surviving on reading people’s moods before specializing in trading valuable desert timber. As expected, his guess was right—the other party was a noble.
“For someone so distinguished to come all the way out here… may I ask why…?”
“You still have not answered my question.”
A terrifying anger seeped into the beautiful voice. Jack snapped back to his senses and answered hurriedly.
“Oh! My apologies, my apologies! I mistakenly thought you might be companions with the man I saw earlier. To answer your question, about twenty minutes ago, a man passed through here and asked me for directions.”
If he earned a noble’s displeasure, it wouldn’t matter whether the evacuation route was blocked or not—he would meet a meaningless death on the spot. The unidentified noble seemed to temper his anger at Jack’s answer, but his questioning continued.
“Explain in more detail.”
“In more detail…? I had never seen him before, so…”
Jack didn’t know much to begin with. As his words trailed off, the noble, whose identity was hidden beneath the robe, suddenly seemed to shine his eyes.
“If your life were at stake, would you remember?”
Though more than half his face was concealed by the robe, it felt as if a sharp glare pierced through. Pressed down by the chilling killing intent that sent shivers up his spine, Jack forced himself to answer as best he could.
“N-no, I remember! He, um… like you, sir, he wore his robe pulled low, so it was hard to see his face. His voice didn’t sound very old, and he had a sword at his waist.”
“...So his voice didn’t sound like someone in his sixties or seventies.”
“Yes, yes. That’s correct. I can’t be certain since I didn’t see his face, but judging from his young-sounding voice and straight posture, it was hard to believe he was around that age.”
Perhaps Jack’s desperation, thinking of his wife and children, paid off. The noble’s oppressive presence eased somewhat.
“Then that will do. If he is not an old man, he is not the one I seek. You did not see anyone else here?”
“Yes, sir. As you know, given this location and the timing, it’s not exactly a time when people can wander around freely. Aside from you and the man from earlier, there was no one else.”
“...Very well. I understand. Then attend to your business.”
“Yes. Please take care on your way, sir.”
Having no further business with a mere woodcutter, the unidentified noble brusquely passed by Jack and hastened on his way. Jack glanced sideways at the noble’s retreating figure.
‘People showing up in a place like this at a time like this… Strange. Could there really be a huge war about to break out?’
Jack never imagined that the breath of the god who governed death had brushed past the tip of his nose.
The unidentified noble who had briefly spoken with Jack the woodcutter advanced along a rough forest path with no trail. As he moved, the bushes blocking his way flashed and collapsed in the blink of an eye, opening a path before him.
It looked as if the undergrowth were lying down of its own accord—but the reason lay elsewhere.
“Colbus.”
From the man’s lips slipped the name of Colbus, a peerless swordsman of the age, Gion’s right-hand man, and now a man who had risen to become the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army.
As if responding to the call, the shadow behind the man wavered, and Colbus revealed himself.
“Yes. My lord. Please give your command.”
There was only one person in the world whom Colbus would call his lord. That person was none other than Gion Tindal.
Gion, who had said he would personally head to the battlefield, had appeared here—far below the battlefield itself—for reasons unknown.
“It was a credible report, but it seems the Master of the Nameless Artisan is not here. Well… if he were an old man who could be found this easily, I would have found him long ago.”
“Please do not trouble yourself too much. You will surely find him soon.”
“Yes. I must. In that case, let us return. Even if you are my man, now that you hold the position of Supreme Commander leading the grand army, you must not leave your post for too long.”
“Yes, I shall do so. Then I will escort you at once.”
“Ah, before that… the man that woodcutter mentioned earlier seems suspicious. Go and check briefly.”
“Will you be all right?”
Since Colbus was acting as Gion’s escort, additional guards would only be cumbersome. Thus, only Gion and Colbus were present here.
“Though I am not a transcendent like you, I have not neglected my training to the point of dying senselessly in a place like this. You saw it on the way here as well. There are no monstrous beasts here that could harm me.”
Gion was correct. After hesitating for a moment, Colbus followed his lord’s command and departed.
“Yes. Then… understood. Please wait just a moment. I will return shortly.”
“Very well. I shall rest here, keeping the plants for company.”
Left alone, Gion remained behind.
Colbus should not have left Gion’s side. On the far opposite side of the forest, there was the King of the River—a monster that listened to the voices of every serpent in the world.