Chapter 305 - Kailiens (1)
"Haa... this is making far less progress than I expected."
Disciple of the Bohemirn Magic Tower's master, Rayshen slumped weakly.
"Master even opened a spatial teleportation array for me, and gave me this location-tracking staff, so what is this? Why isn't the distance closing at all!"
He flicked the short staff in his hand.
Its body was engraved with a strange magic circle, an invention of Balrog Bessias that allowed registration of the blood of one marked with a coercion magic circle, thus revealing their life and location.
Once the staff was activated, its duration was precisely one hour.
During that time, if pointed in the target's direction, it would glow and react, yet ever since their departure it had continuously pointed only south.
"Even during the cooldown it kept indicating south, so why hasn't the direction shifted...? Could this thing be broken? Or maybe it was just poorly designed in the first place."
"That is impossible."
Rayshen's personal Guard Captain, Sarokan, spoke bluntly with his solemn, humorless face.
"His magic circles are more flawless than any other. The possibility of it breaking is none. As proof, the registered blood of number eighty-nine has completely vanished, has it not?"
For the blood to vanish meant that the coercion had dissipated.
Naturally, a coercion magic circle could not be undone by anyone other than its caster, thus death was the only means of release.
Number eighty-nine, Adrian Chambers.
It had become fact that the experimental subject marked for disposal had annihilated Bohemirn Tower's hostile force and perished.
Rayshen answered with a weary tone.
"Ah, well, that's true... but still, this makes no sense. Do you know how far we've flown...!"
As the target drew closer, even slightly, the direction should have shifted a little.
Yet it remained exactly the same.
If it wasn't a problem with the magic circle, then there was only one answer.
The distance between Rayshen's starting point and the target was simply unfathomably vast.
Sarokan shrugged indifferently.
"This is the central continent, the widest of them all, so it is not strange. It is simply that your luck is poor, Rayshen-nim."
"Just my luck, huh... mm, phrased like that, I guess I can't argue."
With a long sigh, he reactivated the staff.
Then he tried enabling the function to remotely manipulate the coercion circle, but of course, there was not the slightest movement.
The target had to be within a certain range first.
He wracked his brain, but there was no shortcut here.
Which meant Rayshen would have to cross the entire central continent, from the north to the south.
'That's really not it.'
Rayshen lowered his head with a groan.
"...Should I just return to the magic tower and ask Master to open another spatial magic circle for me?"
"Whether you return to the tower in the western continent, or fly across the central continent, the time will not differ much. And if you abandon the task out of inconvenience, the tower master will be enraged."
"Ugh, that I don't want."
The fury of the tower master, Balrog Bessias, was etched into him as fear.
After the runaway of a power source left the interior of the tower nearly in ruins, the transcendental one's rage had persisted for weeks.
That oppressive force, impossible to defy, and the violent magic power that tore into his body as if shredding it, was unforgettable.
"If I had known, I would've just stayed behind to finish my research at the tower."
"I understand Rayshen-nim's devotion to the tower, but this is a mission directly assigned by the tower master. Above all, you must regard it with utmost importance."
"I was just complaining a little, so stop nagging..."
"Tch," Rayshen clicked his tongue.
Grumbling got him nowhere.
"The person we're pursuing, her name was Isabella, right?"
"Her full name is Isabella Argyle."
"Right, Isabella Argyle. Considering she resisted the coercion circle, and even such a thorough executioner let her slip right before his eyes... it won't be easy to capture her with just this staff, will it?"
"The possibility of resistance cannot be ruled out. There should be no real problem, but it will likely not be simple."
"At this point, I'd actually prefer it that way. Anything is better than this boredom, I'd rather enjoy it."
He stretched his shoulders as he rose to his feet.
"An immortal experimental subject that cannot die... just as Master said, I wonder if she can withstand my experiments."
Rayshen licked his lips.
In his deep green eyes, ecstasy glimmered.
***
The Principality of Riviant, the Kingdom of Estiria, the Republic of Beldirn.
And in addition, occupying the heart of the eastern continent, one of the four nations, Kailiens.
It had once been seven separate city-states, united into a single city federation.
No king was established, rather, each city's mayor also served as a national representative, forming the foundation of governance.
It was not a particularly outstanding nation.
Even compared to the Principality of Riviant, its territory was small.
Moreover, with many individuals leading the nation, political authority was dispersed. The independent character unique to city-states remained intact.
And though the mayors' positions were nominally equal, reality was otherwise.
A city's strength was a mayor's strength.
The more a city developed and the stronger its forces, the greater the mayor's voice within Kailiens.
Thus competition between the cities intensified.
When national-level matters arose, the mayors gathered in assembly to deliberate, with major decisions settled by vote.
Rational for the majority, yet ill-suited for urgent matters. This system had been influenced by the Republic of Beldirn.
In practice, the disadvantages were many.
But it was inevitable.
This form had been created for survival.
Independent city-states ruling their own lands had banded together into Kailiens to avoid being devoured or pushed aside by the surrounding great powers.
"Though it seems they've been troubled lately, because of the sudden surge of demi-humans over the past few months."
Not in the sky but through the forest, a silent carriage was moving.
Inside, Adrian answered while reading the newspaper Verden had given him.
"The situation seems quite dire, I hear they even speak of war with the demi-humans. It is indeed abnormal for so many kinds of demi-humans to form into a horde."
"You seem to know a lot about demi-humans?"
"Hunting demi-humans pays well, doesn't it? So whenever I found a high-risk one, I'd catch it and sell it to the guild. Over time, I became almost as much of an expert as an adventurer."
"Yet you never joined the guild? The taxes must've been steep."
"At first they took nearly half, but since I steadily delivered demi-human materials, they eventually lowered it somewhat."
Recalling the past, he shared various cases regarding demi-humans. With the journey growing long, it was decent conversation to pass the time.
'It was a good decision to descend to the ground.'
Compared to when they had traveled by sky, Adrian now appeared far more at ease. It seemed he disliked heights.
Well, he had said he had never flown before.
It had been a lack of consideration.
Since they were planning to establish a force, acting unilaterally as before had to be avoided.
Conflict could lead to dissolution.
Verden gained an understanding.
"..."
Just then, presences were detected all around.
Unrefined killing intent and guttural roars aimed straight at the carriage.
"Demi-humans. We've reached Kailiens's border. Hold onto something, it's going to shake."
Verden summoned Orient.
"We'll break through as we are."
"Understood, my lord."
***
Near the border of Kailiens.
Behind them, a battle was raging.
"Multiple Goblins and Orcs approaching from the front! Higher variants among them, be cautious!"
A voice carried from the skies, spreading with the wind in every direction.
Adventurers battling demi-humans within the forest gritted their teeth as they struggled.
"Damn it, again?! Just how many of them are there, Peck!"
"At least it's not Ogres! Ranged party, engage immediately!"
The commander was Gold-rank adventurer, Peck.
At his command, the waiting adventurers unleashed a volley of fire.
Kwa-jik! Puu-ung!
The mindlessly charging Goblins and Orcs collapsed helplessly.
[Grra, rrk...!]
Those higher variants that survived by luck were swiftly decapitated by Peck and other adventurers in melee. Their movements were disciplined and aggressive.
The demi-humans, unable to form proper formations, could not possibly stand against them.
"Haa, haa... i-is it, over now...?"
"It's not certain yet, but for now it seems safe. I'll keep watch, so catch your breath."
Bronze-rank and Silver-rank adventurers steadied their breathing.
The battle had lasted longer than expected, but fortunately, there were no deaths.
A few in the subjugation squad were injured, but even the lowest-grade potion could heal them instantly.
Peck looked around.
The corpses of demi-humans, which once looked like money, now filled the area. Honestly, he found them disgusting, even sickening, rather than profitable.
"For demi-humans to swarm like cockroaches, at this rate we'll all be buried alive."
"Exactly. Sure, the money is good, but I think we'll collapse from overwork. How many times have we run into demi-humans just today...."
"Still, we've had it easy. All we deal with are the stragglers that break off from the main horde."
The party under Peck's command was, literally, tasked with the remnants.
Platinum-rank or Mithril-rank adventurers and their parties focused on hunting much stronger demi-humans.
Even then, it was said casualties were constant.
Priests had even been dispatched... one could scarcely imagine how fierce the main battlefield was.
"If things continue like this, wouldn't it be better for Kailiens to send its army and wipe them all out?"
"That'd be great for us, but impossible. Not just the cost, they still don't know why demi-humans have suddenly surged. If the army were wiped out, it would be irreversible."
"That's why the guild issued an emergency summons. Still, we can't just keep up this endless subjugation. If it goes on, the front will collapse."
Peck did not deny the younger adventurer's complaint.
Even with rest, both physical and mental fatigue accumulated.
'But retreating the lines is impossible.'
If they did, the roads would be blocked, and trade with the territories would be severed once more.
The front against the demi-humans was wide.
Even if it was just clearing stragglers, even if it was a comparatively unimportant position, if breached, the damage could spread in a chain reaction.
That had to be prevented at all costs.
So what should they do?
As he pondered, a foreboding sensation flickered in his mind.
Thunk───! Thunk───! Thunk───!
Tremors came from the front.
A vibration he had felt before. Peck clicked his tongue nervously and shouted at once.
"Ogres approaching from the east! Everyone up!"
The threat of Ogres was great.
With overwhelming strength, even a glancing blow could burst a body apart. Peck might withstand it, but the other adventurers could not.
"Retreat immediately and regroup with the support squad! Esmo, stall them from the sky!"
"Got it───"
Kieeeek!
Suddenly, a piercing shriek ripped down from the sky.
A flock of Harpies.
Demi-humans with reddish feathers, their horrifying song filled the air.
"Ggh, uaaagh!"
Exposed to the soundwaves, Esmo staggered.
His eardrums and head rang, leaving him unable to process spells.
Even maintaining flight was a struggle.
"Damn it, Harpies too...!"
It was a disaster.
If Esmo couldn't stall them, several adventurers who hadn't escaped yet would die brutally at the hands of the Ogres.
Peck drew his sword.
"I'll buy the time."
"Huh? Peck, you'll die!"
"Better me than you! I'll lure them, now go fetch support! Don't get stuck here and chased by the Harpies!"
The adventurers, hesitant, quickly retreated.
Peck calmed his breath and stared ahead.
Soon, trees crashed down as three Ogres emerged. Two of them he recognized, but the last was not.
"Shit, a Twin-Head Ogre, here...?"
Their four eyes met.
A chill ran down his spine.
It was an enemy beyond Gold-rank. Even a glancing strike from its arm would cause grievous wounds at the least.
'These types should've been eliminated at the main front... did the vanguard fall?'
The thought struck, but he soon shook his head.
The Ogres were far too clean for that.
More likely, the sheer surge in demi-humans had led to more of them straying from their hordes.
"Whatever the case, I'm screwed."
It wasn't about buying time anymore, it was survival.
Could he even flee a few dozen steps?
Peck swallowed, cold sweat streaming, when suddenly—
───Kwaaang! Kwaaaang! Kwaaaaaang!
The earth quaked violently.
The tremors dwarfed those of the Ogres' footsteps.
It wasn't just Peck who was startled.
Even the Ogres turned their heads backward, as if sensing something.
While they were distracted, Peck slipped behind a tree and glanced skyward.
The mage Esmo, still confronting the Harpies, was staring blankly at something. Peck followed his gaze.
"...Huh?"
Something was rushing toward them in the distance.
A carriage? A carriage? In a place swarming with demi-humans?
Sure enough, the demi-humans screeched and charged at the sight of it. The Harpies also shrieked, hunting their prey.
At that moment, light flashed.
A searing blue radiance.
Blinded by the sudden flare, he opened his eyes again to find the ground strewn with demi-human corpses.
[Uooohhhhhhh!]
The Twin-Head Ogre charged.
The other two followed.
Immediately, the sound of flesh tearing struck his ears. The Ogres were impaled by massive, sharp stone fragments, torn apart and scattered.
The carriage drew near and stopped.
It was a silent carriage.
On top of it stood a young man with blue eyes shining.
He looked directly at Peck.
"Do you know the direction to Kailiens?"
Kailiens?
"Ah... yes. If you head northwest from here, you'll reach a major city."
Not much farther, then.
The man murmured quietly, gave a small word of thanks, and drove the carriage away.
It felt like a dream.
The forest, filled with demi-humans just moments ago, was silent.
Esmo slowly descended.
"What did we... just witness?"
Peck had no answer.
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