Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Chapter 3-1. Black Tree Tribe
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Seeing the black smoke rising high into the sky, Isabelle returned faster than expected. She was panting heavily, catching her breath in a hurry, and frowning as she tried to figure out what was going on. Her appearance was completely different from what she'd imagined, and irritation flashed in her eyes. Judah flinched at the sight of her furrowed brow.
"What is this? I came running thinking something big had happened, and you're just playing with fire?"
"It's not exactly playing with fire."
"Then what?"
She looked at Judah with an incredulous stare. In the middle of the forest—or what was left of it after the battle between the previous Spirit Sword owners. Still, to her, it looked like nothing more than a prank. Flames shot up 2-3 meters high, belching thick black smoke like some festival or ritual bonfire. There was no risk of the fire spreading, but the smoke was plenty enough to draw the attention of monsters or people.
"I was seeing a friend off."
"…A friend?"
Not understanding, she repeated the word and glanced at the burning pile of logs. The flames greedily devoured what lay within. Faintly visible through the fire were bones. Jeanne and Arhil—the women Judah claimed were his wives—stood unharmed nearby.
So, this must be someone else's body?
Did he have a friend here?
She tilted her head in confusion. Then it hit her: the only corpse worth burning here was that ragged-armored knight who'd been receiving a fragment from Quake.
'So that knight was his friend?'
Hah—what a tall tale. It was already miraculous that strangers had crossed paths and fought in this vast, complicated Regen.
And for them to be friends? Unbelievable. It felt more like a legend passed down through generations.
"Did you only realize after killing him?"
Judah shook his head. No, came his reply, and her head snapped toward him.
He stared at the flames with what seemed like calm emptiness.
"From the start."
She rolled her eyes at his immediate, unhesitating answer. Now that he'd spoken, she had no idea what words of comfort to offer. Well, he had charged in like a madman intent on dying—Judah couldn't just let him live. Regrettable, but if he hadn't killed, he'd have been the one dead. Isabelle placed a hand lightly on Judah's shoulder.
"Enemy or friend— you've paid your respects. No point dwelling further; the dead have already ascended Mount Everpeak, crossing the sea of clouds by now."
"Mount Everpeak?"
Arhil, standing behind them, murmured curiously. Hearing it, Isabelle pointed to the tallest mountain visible even here in Regen, standing out sharply against the sky.
"See that mountain over there?"
"Yes? Yes."
Arhil turned her head at Isabelle's sudden question and answered. It was a peak visible no matter where you went.
"We call that Mount Everpeak. The souls of the dead—be they monsters, humans, or any race—climb to its summit. On days when the sea of clouds blankets it, they cross over."
"Where do they go?"
"Wherever they wish. That's what we believe."
Arhil, being religious herself, seemed intrigued by such matters. She looked ready to ask more, but Isabelle cut it off.
"Enough talk. Let's head back. Lingering here and catching eyes isn't wise."
Before leaving, she gathered all her arrows and erased as many traces as possible. But she deliberately left some subtle signs that could be found. It wasn't likely, but if another tribe sent scouts to investigate what happened here, they'd spot these and come questioning.
She could say: While scouting, the Red Bear Tribe's chieftain showed up out of nowhere, picked a fight, we battled, and fled.
Quake's dismembered corpse was already in some monster's belly, traces gone. Mixing truth and lies like that would blur what was real.
Afterward, she led Judah's group back to the tribe as swiftly as possible.
They returned two days later. They'd stop at dusk's approach in the forest, setting camp. Whether from the battle's aftermath or sheer exhaustion, they rested deeply, sprawled out.
Even so, fatigue didn't fully lift, making the trek back grueling. Facing death dozens of times against Spirit Sword owner Quake, it was only natural. Physically, he felt no weariness at all—but mentally, it dragged on him. Sighing subtly without showing it, Judah trudged on when Isabelle slowed to walk beside him.
"?
"Why'd you come here again?"
"Hm. I think I mentioned before… Nothing special. My dream's world travel, so Regen was just one stop. Curious about festivals, how people live, that sort of thing."
In truth, the fragment was his goal, but he couldn't admit getting it so easily. Having used the excuse once, it now flowed naturally, like truth.
"Sightseeing, huh… Then how about a little festival tonight?"
"A reward for killing Quake?"
Isabelle grinned and nodded.
"Part of it—and our tribe's festivals are fun enough. Haven't had one lately, so why not? Something modest… Right, a spirit welcome ceremony?"
"Ah, haha."
Welcome ceremony. Judah laughed awkwardly. The Black Tree Tribe folk, seeing his pure black hair and eyes, innocently believed him a spirit. Wandering the village earlier, even kids had run up shouting "Spirit!" and adults showed unfounded kindness. They truly saw him as one.
Their purity was nice, but a bit burdensome.
Surely they wouldn't demand a show of spirit powers at the festival.
Lost in such odd thoughts, they reached the tribe. First, he was told to rest. Judah took Arhil and Jeanne back to their borrowed lodging, pulled a proper meal from <Bag> for the first time in ages, ate, then relaxed leisurely. Thanks to the Baekje envoy's house—with its soft silk bedding from their exchanges—he lounged in luxury.
It was leisurely.
Around mid-afternoon, when sunlight blazed, noise stirred outside. Waking, he stepped out to see tribesfolk hauling logs, busily preparing something.
"Hm?"
Looking closer, Jeanne was among those moving wood. Arhil was absent from the house too—likely helping with festival prep like Jeanne. Couldn't just lounge now. Judah stretched, loosened up, and rolled up his sleeves.
Looks could deceive—he had strength beyond the village men. Exceptions existed, sure, but lifting what two of them strained with was easy. Once he pitched in, tasks piled up. Hauling firewood for a campfire, carrying game for the feast as hunters brought it nonstop—he even helped butcher.
Busy at it, Judah sensed someone before him. So many came and went, he figured they'd pass—but they lingered.
'Annoying. Can't finish butchering like this.'
Wiping sweat from his brow, he straightened from his crouch. And saw an unexpected figure.
"Huh?"
It was Isabelle. With a look like, What are you doing here?
"What're you doing? Here."
She eyed Judah with clear confusion.
"You're the one—why're you here, Isabelle?"
"Forgot I'm chieftain?"
Ah, right. Checking on festival prep. Usually you'd delegate that. Didn't expect her hands-on. Realizing he hadn't answered, Judah continued.
"As you see, helping out."
"Why?"
"Well. Felt bad just watching."
"Felt bad? …Hah. You're the guest of honor—no need for this."
"What? Helping each other out is good. Watching idly felt off."
"Felt off, huh. Haha. Not used to being pampered?"
Judah gave a wry smile. True. Even in this world, one habit from the old wouldn't fade: consideration.
They're throwing a festival for me.
Jeanne and Arhil left me resting to help them—I couldn't just spectate.
Being hailed as a spirit was fun and novel, but joining prep wasn't bad.
"Guess so. Plus, it's easy work."
"…Fine. No forcing you to stop then. Since you're at it—how about those sandwiches from before? Butchering's something others can handle without you."
Saying so, her cheeks flushed slightly. She leaned in, glancing around, and whispered.
"And make mine separate. Th-the last one was delicious."
Hm. That was store-bought with money. A chain from merchant guilds—available in bigger cities. He agreed readily. It must've impressed her, so he'd vary it this time. Then it dawned: not enough for the whole tribe.
"No. That might be tough."
Judah replied, noting her falling expression.
"Why?"
"Sandwiches sound good, but no ingredients now, takes too long to make, and handing one to everyone…"
"Get to the point."
"Sandwiches just for you, Isabelle."