< 95. De’Karaz Swarm >
*
Fernandez stretched as he extinguished the embers of the campfire. It wasn’t the most comfortable sleep, but the tension from last night’s drinking session had eased, making it quite pleasant.
– Swoooosh…
Nearby, the sound of a waterfall could be heard. How long would it take for Abel and Kirhas to finish washing and return? Fernandez covered the ashes with dirt, tidying up the area while lightly flexing his fingers.
Index, thumb, middle, ring, pinky. The five fingers quickly intertwined and spread out, completing five beastmen in an instant. Of course, he hadn’t awakened the magic circuit or summoned magic, but this was a kind of warm-up.
“Huuu…”
Fernandez closed his eyes and took a deep breath, his fingers still bent. It was time for a simple functionality check.
– Kiiing…
The Bronze Throne flickered with a dark green light, trembling at his wrist. Natural magic seeped into the magic circuit, activating it. Fernandez flicked his fingers lightly, touching the beastmen.
– Whoosh.
A black halo ignited behind his head. His dark, curly hair cascaded down, and his blue eyes sparkled. In an instant, three beastmen formed in the air.
First, [Creation]. Then, [Signal Fire]. Finally, [Bird]. The magic quickly traced a trajectory in the air, and soon, an arrow made of magic appeared at his fingertips.
‘1.3 seconds?’
– Yeah. Your reaction speed has gotten a bit faster.
‘Why’s that?’
– The hesitation in your fingertips is gone. Probably Kadán’s doing.
‘Haha. Faijashi. We’ve never hesitated when it comes to magic.’
Even when taking the life of his own child. To him, magic was as natural as breathing.
Fernandez chuckled softly and released the arrow into the air. It traced a long arc before disappearing.
Now, the time had come.
*
The Great Wilderness at noon was surprisingly scorching. The blazing heat caused mirages to rise, distorting the horizon.
Abel awkwardly climbed onto the back of a swaying camel and opened a canteen. She glanced sideways at Fernandez, who was studying a map.
“Uh, isn’t there a city just a bit south of here?”
“That city is now Kirzat’s forward base. From here to here. A frontline has formed across this vast area.”
Fernandez explained to Abel, who was scrutinizing his face, with his usual calm expression.
“It’s the frontline between the Apotazar Dynasty and Kirzat. It encircles a large part of the southern region. If we enter that city and get inspected, it could turn into a diplomatic issue.”
“Why?”
“My temporary alliance with Shaksisi is a secret, and I don’t have a public identity that Kirzat would accept.”
The disguised identity he received when dispatched from the Inquisition Office to Iron Side was that of a knight from the Eastern Kingdom Federation.
Given that the Eastern Kingdom Federation was allied with the Leviathan Empire, he lacked the justification to enter a city of the Kirzat Sultanate in broad daylight. In this fierce battlefield, there would be no room for excuses if he were detained.
Especially since Kirzat’s frontline, already tense from the exhausting multi-front war, was something to be avoided at all costs.
“So, we’ll head to the Federation of Nobles. About a day and a half to the west… Hmm, maybe a day and a half.”
“What about flying? It’d be more spacious and comfortable than this dumb beast’s back. Didn’t you try it once before?”
“Abel.”
“Ugh!”
Fernandez chuckled and ruffled Abel’s hair. Abel blushed and shrunk back. She wasn’t used to such treatment, but Fernandez was too skilled at reaching out.
“Cherish your life.”
“…Coward.”
Fernandez didn’t respond and instead urged the camel forward. Clip-clop, clip-clop. The sound of the camel slowly treading the sandy ground echoed.
Kirhas watched them for a moment, her lips twitching. Soon, she bowed her head deeply and followed Fernandez.
Her hand brushed against the golden mask placed on the saddle. A strange voice echoed in her mind.
– Serve me.
‘No.’
Fernandez must have had a reason for giving her this cursed relic. Whatever it was, her lord never acted without purpose.
So, this must be some kind of test. A test she could handle. Kirhas gazed at Fernandez’s back.
From behind him to her, a blue path stretched out, shimmering. A beautiful, warm path. A path leading to her lord.
– Serve me.
‘Absolutely not.’
Whatever he desired, she would surely achieve it. Kirhas’s turquoise eyes gleamed as she stared at Fernandez’s broad back.
*
At dusk, the gate guards were dozing off beside the torch stand. It would be unfair to call this laziness.
At the border of the Great Wilderness Federation of Nobles, especially during this time when various factions were vying for power, it was unlikely that anyone would dare to launch a preemptive attack on the Federation.
That’s why the guards failed to notice the approaching group until they were well within the light of the watchtower, still clutching their spears tightly as they dozed.
“Hey.”
“…Huh? Huh?!”
A cloaked figure…
A shabby young man approached the guards, and the two guards stood up, sweating nervously. The young man, Fernandez, sighed at the sight.
Discipline had completely collapsed. They occupied a relatively safe area amidst the chaos of the wasteland. Being a small to medium-sized tribal alliance, there was no immediate reason or need for the powerful factions currently in sharp conflict to bother them.
How could he lead these people through war? It was clear that the tribal alliance was in a more serious situation than expected.
“Who, who are you?”
“A wanderer with business with Partak Blackfang. In the spirit of Chars’ goodwill, could you spare a tent to warm up for a bit?”
“From the Hundred Horse Tribes? You look a bit pale for that.”
“Mixed blood.”
“Huh… Well, it’s troublesome to make enemies with the demon folks. Come in!”
The western region of the Great Wilderness is Kirzat’s territory, and the wasteland further south is held by the tribal alliance. But further down, the vast plains belong to the demons.
The so-called Hundred Horse Tribes. A massive nomadic nation ruled by Karadskar, master of five thousand great tents. Their skill with horses makes them seem as one with their steeds, hence they are called the Horse Tribes.
They call their land Lewiweinyar, the land of barbarian warriors. Fernandez thought about the great scars they had inflicted.
About twenty years from now, as the so-called Hundred Years’ War intensifies, a calamity approaches. The demons march, carving great scars into the tribes of the western Great Wilderness, the Sultanate of Kirzat, and even the High Council of Aseas.
Following the northern invasion led by the pitch-black Erik, Karadskar’s five thousand great tents burn through the southern regions, and civilization crumbles.
At the end, five great demons descend into the Material World. That is the prophesied end. The end of a previous life.
“Why has a wanderer from the Hundred Horse Tribes come to the alliance?”
“I came to find my godfather, Partak Blackfang.”
“…Your lineage is quite complicated!”
The guard laughed heartily and slapped Fernandez on the back. Fernandez shrugged. Too easy. The guards, seemingly wanting to hide their negligence, treated him even more favorably.
The guard looked at the two women following him.
“Who are they?”
“My two wives.”
“Typical of demon folks. If you want to meet Partak, look for the military flag of Pifptus. He’s under the protection of Pifptus’ military camp.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
The guard snickered and pushed the gate’s wooden bar aside. Fernandez nodded to Abel and Kirhas, who were blushing and bowing their heads, and stepped inside.
*
In the chaotic encampment of the tribal alliance, Pifptus’ military flag was relatively easy to find. The closer to the center, the stronger the forces, due to the structure of the encampment.
Having fought numerous battles with the tribal alliances in a previous life, identifying their military flags was second nature to him.
The red boar emblem, the Zakatus clan. The burning tiger emblem, the Krikarak clan. And next to them, a tent with the roaring bear emblem. That was the emblem of the Pifptus clan.
Fernandez walked among them, feeling nostalgic. Every time he saw the clans that had birthed heroes, he remembered. That warrior from that tribe died like this. Or that hero from that tribe was killed like that. It was like that.
“Your Excellency.”
“Ah, yes.”
Kirhas cleared her throat, drawing Fernandez’s attention. Fernandez led his camel through the Pifptus warriors who were eyeing him warily.
Among them, an old beastman with long, dangling earrings was drinking.
“Nice to meet you, Partak.”
“Do I know you?”
“Partak Blackfang. The military leader of the Pifptus tribe, aren’t you?”
“I’ve never seen you before.”
-Thud.
Fernandez jumped off the camel and landed in front of him. The surrounding tribal warriors glared at him with uneasy expressions.
“Don’t come any closer, stranger. Our leader says he doesn’t know you.”
Fernandez smiled awkwardly at Partak. He quietly made the sign of the cross. The tribal warriors who were glaring at him flinched, and Partak’s eyes sparkled with interest.
“Ah, now I remember. Young men, could you give us a moment?”
“…Sir?”
“Don’t worry.”
Partak slowly walked towards his tent and gestured for Fernandez to follow.
*
“Where are you from?”
As soon as they entered the tent, Partak looked at him gently and spoke. Despite his warm tone, his fingers were intricately intertwined, and a flow of magic could be felt.
“I was a disciple of Al’fersit. Great Shaman.”
“…Hmm. Is that woman doing well?”
“Thanks to the Great Shaman’s favor, she is.”
At Fernandez’s words, Partak slowly untangled his hands and laughed. He poured Fernandez a cup of tea and offered him a seat.
“Sit down, brother stranger.”
An organization that smuggles beastman slaves from the Gloridaine city slave market and the most secretive demon-worshipping group infiltrated within the Federation of Beastman Nobles.
[De’karaz Swarm]
Fernandez smiled at the herbal scent from the tea Partak handed him. Their methods hadn’t changed a bit.
They mixed Maksancho into the tea leaves. Fernandez drank the tea nonchalantly. Maksancho was one of the most potent truth serums in the Material World, but Diemonica’s liver was one of the most potent anti-toxin organs in the Material World.
Partak’s black teeth spread wide as he grinned grotesquely. Fernandez felt a sense of familiarity seeing that.
One of the fifteen villains who destroyed the world. Partak Blackfang of the De’karaz Swarm. My old friend.
Fernandez thought with a smile. He usually didn’t let friends live.
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