Level up with swords (142)
The next morning, Leon had to greet a guest who came to see him as soon as the sun rose.
It was Hans, a senior employee of the Nuwas Guild.
He must have stayed up all night after the duel between Jahar and Hati, and dark circles around his eyes stretched all the way down to his cheekbones. Looking literally exhausted, Hans handed Leon the wad of paper he held in both hands.
“These are the materials that Leon requested. “We have organized in as much detail as possible the points of conflict between the two forces, the rights that were claimed, and the personal details of the people in charge.”
“ah! You did a really good job.”
“We also reviewed the trade records for the last two months and recorded the locations of caravans and tribes that have been lost. I was embarrassed because there were more than I expected… “This is proof that this situation can spread to such a serious extent.”
Hans reported in a serious voice that the sight that had been spreading lazily since broad daylight was everywhere.
“The movements of the warriors are also unusual. “The Bedouin tribe’s regular patrols have not changed over the past 30 years, but it appears that not only the frequency but also the number and quality of patrols has increased.”
Leon knew that the purpose of the patrol was an ‘unidentified monster,’ but to those who did not know that, it was clearly the actions of a scout ahead of war.
It was noticeable that Lahmu, the 18th son of the Bedouin chieftain, was walking around as the representative of a patrol unit.
At this point, only Leon and Hans know, but if the beast people found out, it would definitely cause a big misunderstanding.
“The route taken by the Bedouin patrol… ”
“It is included in the materials I handed over. “The merchants say they are several times more picky than usual.”
“Unless it is unavoidable, it would be better to avoid it.”
Leon memorized the Bedouin patrol route with a few glances and made a request to Hans while putting the stack of paper in his arms.
If this story spreads before they can persuade the Beastmen, a war between the two powers will become inevitable.
“Yes, that’s why I didn’t leave any browsing records. Until Leon completes his mission, Hans, I will remain completely silent even if I receive a call from headquarters.”
“Thank you, Mr. Hans. “Your contribution will not be forgotten.”
“I just did what I had to do. “Please, good luck.”
After wishing Leon success in his work, Hans walked back the way he came with a half-stumbling gait.
Then El Cid spoke to the back of his head.
[This guy is more special than I thought. The first impression was not good.]
‘Yeah, I was a little surprised too.’
It was a performance that exceeded expectations.
The data that was compiled in one night was organized quite well, and I could not even imagine that reviewing two months of travel records one by one would yield meaningful results.
I had planned to stay for three or four more days if things didn’t work out, but thanks to Hans’ dedicated help, I was able to save that time.
Leon went back inside the dorm and talked to his group.
“Good!”
Hearing that it would be okay to leave right away, Hati smiled and put her palms together.
She said, sniffing her sharp nose.
“I came here because of the duel, but the desert is so stuffy. Since there is nothing but sand, the smell is the worst. “If I keep smelling the dirt all day long, I’ll be confused as to whether I’m a wolf or an earthworm.”
“The beast people can’t live in the desert.”
“I can never survive.”
Hathi was disgusted by those words and stormed off.
“I don’t know if there is such a thing as a camel beastman, but the beastmen of the prairie are unreasonable. “This is also the reason why we do not attack the desert even though we are much more powerful than humans.”
“Is there nothing to be gained even if you win?”
“Yes. Even if we occupy this sandy plain, will there be food or water?”
It was enough for the beastmen to simply stay in the steppe.
The conflict with the nomads came because they invaded, not because the beastmen targeted the Great Desert first. We are already eating well and living well, so why do we have to go to a rough land and shed meaningless blood?
After the Beast King Harkapel signed a non-aggression pact with neighboring countries, the Beast People have never fought a ‘war’ in the true sense of the word.
“… “Recently, there are some different opinions.”
As Hathi mumbled in a heavy voice, Ellahan carefully asked what she said.
“Any other opinions?”
“The main battle group has appeared.”
The idea was to annihilate the opponent with all our might, rather than sparring with each other like before.
In fact, it was a shame because they were a beast-human race that was aloof from the struggle for survival. If it had been between humans, this would have happened a long time ago. What country would allow its neighbors to invade its borders several times each year and steal its food and drink for hundreds of years?
“They are led by my twin brother and sister, Squall. I want bloody war rather than peace. “It is supported by tribes that are naturally warlike.”
“Fry the jujeon…” .”
Leon thought for a moment and then asked again.
“Could the main wave be able to move the entire beastman tribe?”
“It won’t work for now. There is no way my father would allow it. Even if the tribes are highly aggressive, they make up less than 30% of the prairie, so they do not even constitute a majority.”
But, Hathi explained.
“If Skoll takes the position of next chieftain, he can make suggestions at the tribal chiefs’ meeting. The current chief cannot agree or disagree with the words of the next chief, so if only a few tribal chiefs who oppose the war are defeated in a duel… .”
“Are you saying it can be passed even without a majority?”
“hmm.”
As the saying goes, the situation is not relaxed.
We had to go to the Fenrir tribe as soon as possible and stop them before the main faction’s opinions could move all the beastmen. If possible, it would be best to place Hathi as the next chieftain.
As soon as Leon and his group finished breakfast, they packed up their belongings and went out of the Nuwas fence.
“Hathi, please give me directions.”
Even though the duel with Zahar was just yesterday, Ellahan’s Holy Law was more than enough to erase the damage.
Hati smiled wickedly as she patted her thighs.
“Leave it to me. “I’ll take you to the meadow before the sun sets.”
It was truly a trustworthy expression.
* * *
Savanna.
If you go up from the desert where nomads live, the sandy fields end and the land where grass grows in abundance begins.
That place is the true territory of the beast people, the steppe.
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Unlike a forest, there is mostly grass rather than trees, so the visibility is very wide, and the yellow and green fields ripple like waves from under your feet to beyond the horizon. The color contrast with the sky stretching above my head was so vivid that it seemed as if my eyes were filled just by looking at it.
And as the sun went down, the scenery changed once again.
‘It feels like the horizon is on fire… .’
Leon stopped without realizing it and looked at the twilight flickering across the meadow.
Although the intensity of the light was slightly less than that of the desert, the sun in the grasslands had its own different flavor. It feels different in many ways because you can clearly see the land that was obscured by the haze.
Hati looked at his expression and spoke triumphantly.
“What do you think? Is it a sight worth seeing?”
“huh.”
“The majesty of the desert may have its own beauty, but it is probably no more beautiful than a grassland overflowing with vitality. “The desert is a land that ultimately leads to death.”
The voice was a mixture of pride as a resident of the prairie, compassion for desert dwellers, and several other emotions.
Ellahan smiled sweetly after reading it.
On the other hand, Karen bit her tongue and grumbled.
“Either way, it’s hot the same. “Do you think it will get a little cooler after the sun goes down?”
“of course. “It’s almost chilly.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to find a place to camp… .”
Karen, who had been scanning the horizon, saw nothing and sat down, bending her knees.
and.
Faaah!
He leapt from the same spot to a height of over 30 meters.
Depending on where you look, the visible distance can increase or decrease. Just as the higher the watchtower, the faster you can spot enemies from a distance, what Karen did was the same principle.
She gently lowered herself to the ground and stretched out her fingers.
“If you go straight that way, you’ll come across a shrubbery forest. What should I do? “If we hurry, we can get there before the sun sets.”
“let’s go.”
With the stamina of four people, it would be no problem to run for three days and nights, but there is no reason to rush like that.
There was still something left to talk about with Hathi.
Leon and his group decided to camp in the shrubbery.
The establishment of the camp was instantaneous.
Without even using a hammer, Ellahan cut the tree trunk with his hand blade to create an empty space, and Karen, who looked around a radius of several kilometers, confirmed the absence of the monster.
All I had to do was start a fire with a few Aurors, so the job was done in just a few minutes.
Crack, crack.
As the firewood burned, it split apart, emitting small sparks and a sound that tickled my ears.
Before I knew it, the sky had turned black.
No, it wasn’t pitch black though.
“You can see the stars clearly in the meadow.”
Karen looked up at the sky and muttered faintly.
It was indeed as he said.
Perhaps because there were no impurities in the atmosphere, the night sky of the grassland was quite bright with stars. If you have good night vision, you can see without the moon.
“Hathi.”
After being mesmerized by the night view of the prairie for a moment, Leon soon turned to Hati and started talking.
“I want to know more about the beast people. Who are the tribes I need to persuade, and how many people make up the tribal leaders’ meeting? “I would like you to give me any information that may be helpful in this situation.”
“i get it.”
It’s a story that shouldn’t be told to outsiders, but he was a warrior. Hathi, who ended up in Baladang by accident, had no intention of hiding information from Leon.
“There are countless tribes of beastmen living on the prairie, but among them, there are only twelve tribes that can participate in the decision-making of the entire prairie.”
“Twelve places.”
“The Fenrir tribe, who inherit the title of warchief, are the decision makers, so I will first teach you about the tribes that have been identified as the main faction.”
There were a total of four tribes that expressed support for Skoll, the one who was said to be the next chief along with her.
The Taurus tribe is a bison beast with a large, muscular body and the head of a bull.
The Tigris are tiger beasts that are small in number but have high fighting power.
The Urus tribe, bear beastmen known for their outrageous strength and stamina.
The Bastet tribe, cat beasts who are excellent at infiltration and assassination.
Among the 12 tribes participating in the tribal leaders’ meeting, these were the tribes with particularly high fighting ability and strong belligerence. To them, the nomads who kept climbing on weak subjects were nothing more than bastards who had to be thoroughly trampled upon.
“… “I don’t think they are people who can be persuaded by a story.”
“It’s just as you said. Next are the tribes that remain neutral.”
A race of horses, beasts, and centaurs whose lower body is a horse and the upper body is human.
The Lepus tribe are rabbit beasts with large numbers and quick movements.
The Renard tribe, fox beasts known for their strange tricks.
Naga family, cunning snake beastmen with excellent magical abilities.
These four places were neutral tribes that had no particular opinion on the war against nomads.
“Could it be the Jujeon faction or the Juhwa faction?”
Although they were neither enemies nor allies, the neutral faction was the weight that could destroy the balance between the two forces.
When opinions are divided into two, what you need to attack is not each other’s forces, but those who do not belong to either party. Gray is what concludes black and white, pros and cons.
Hathi nodded once and cautiously opened her mouth.
“Lastly, these are the tribes that are currently taking my side and have expressed the position of the Juhwa faction… .”
It was then.
Swish.
Ellahan, Karen, and Leon turned in one direction almost at the same time.
Something is coming.
Although it could not be seen or heard, the meaning contained in its presence could not be erased.
‘Living… ‘Isn’t that so?’
Contrary to the vague malicious intent, there is no life.
Does that mean he has no intention of killing me?
However, the intention to cause harm was clear, and Leon’s aurors were reacting to that malicious intent. The malicious figure quickly approached the party’s campfire.
It was a few seconds later.
Whirriririririk!
The shadows surrounding the bonfire swayed mysteriously with the sound of the wind tickling my eardrums.
Even though it is close at hand, you can’t see it at all.
It had to be that way.
“A shadow?!”
Leon, surprised by the unexpected talent, shouted.
Who would have thought that there would be a group that uses the technology seen in Karen in this way? It was a level of stealth ability that any warrior of a certain level had no choice but to keep his eyes open.
The unknown people hid in the shadows and surrounded them, letting out low, eerie laughter.
《Heeheeheehee… !》
It was a sound that sent chills down my spine.
Nevertheless, Hathi opened her eyes fiercely and shouted.
“What rudeness, Bastet! How dare you hide yourself from me and threaten the guests I brought with you!”
《Hehehe, it’s been a while. Miss Hathi.》
A sly voice came from beyond the shadows.
《Did you finish your business successfully? Master Skoll was very worried about his younger brother’s safety.》
“Put it away! “Who is that damn brother?”
Hati growled, truly disgusted by those words.
“This Hathi was the first to emerge from her mother’s womb and the first to successfully hunt! “Mojiri, who is running away from a duel, is going to pretend to be my brother. I’m not praying!”
“well. The king seems to have a tendency to favor the young lady… .》
“How dare you raise your father with that snout!”
Hati looked angry to the end at the Bastet leader’s provocation, but she did not move carelessly.
Even if it’s 1v1, there are a lot of enemies.
One mistake could have resulted in a fatal defeat. The Bastet tribe also knew her superiority and were mocking her. Night is the time when their special ability, ‘photography,’ reaches its peak.
Even Hathi couldn’t overcome all of these numbers.
“Rest assured, Miss Hathi. I have no intention of harming you. All you have to do is hang out with us for a little while until Master Squall takes over as the next chief.》
“Squall, you sneaky bastard… !”
Dozens of shadows wriggle at the same time.
A moment that seems as if it will attack you at any moment. No matter how expert Hati is, the opponent is also Bastet’s elite.
If they clashed like that, the outcome would be as obvious as fire.
but.
“under.”
They weren’t the only ones here.
Unlike Hati, the Bastet tribe did not have enough eyes to recognize Leon and the others, and had lost their senses due to the confidence of the night. If you had met him during the day, he would have turned away without even looking back, so he was acting funny in front of you.
Karen, who took a step forward before anyone else, sighed.
“Shadow, isn’t that how you use it?”
《… You’re c*cky, human. Don’t intervene. Even if you are the young lady’s guest, I have no intention of guaranteeing your lives.》
“That’s stupid, that’s what we’re talking about.”
The Bastet tribe were certainly excellent beasts in infiltration and assassination, but their skills mostly depended on special abilities.
Rebirth is not achieved through proper training and experience.
Compared to her, who has honed her senses and skills since childhood, mastered Roderick’s secret martial arts, and even surpassed the threshold of becoming a master, she is nothing more than a fool.
Karen smiled coolly.
“I’ll teach you a lesson, kitties.”
It was right after that.
The shadow beneath Karen’s feet seemed to wriggle once, and then spewed out in all directions with explosive force.