Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: The Border Encampment
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Crossing the gorge had been surprisingly easy.
There were hardly any magic beasts beyond the gateway fortress, and dealing with the occasional plunderers was about all there was to it.
When someone voiced unease about this, Bazkal provided an answer.
“That lord guy was enormous, wasn’t he? And he had a ton of underlings. Probably ate up all the magic beasts around here, right?”
It was a surprisingly reasonable take, making Arsen briefly wonder if Bazkal had gained some wisdom to match his singed hair.
After passing through the gorge and continuing onward, the group finally reached the boundary dividing the east from the west.
Beyond the line, coppery weeds that gave off an oddly unpleasant vibe gleamed in the sunlight.
“This is the west from here on. Welcome, I suppose.”
No sooner had Karik spoken than they crossed the boundary, and a thick, metallic stench began rising from the ground.
Arsen subtly pinched his nose at the unfamiliar, nauseating smell that evoked blood, then glanced around at the others.
Everyone was in a similar state, but Karik alone grinned as if savoring it, drawing in a deep breath.
“Ah... this smell really makes it sink in that I’m back home. Bit late to say it now, but the east’s scent never sat right with me.”
“The opposite for me. I can’t stand the western smell right now.”
Anun whined in a nasal voice, prompting Karik to chuckle good-naturedly.
“You’ll probably get used to it. You’re going to be smelling it plenty whether you like it or not.”
The group marched silently across the coppery plains.
Sheer cliffs rose on either side, blocking the way and giving the sensation of traversing an enormously wide corridor.
A few magic beasts appeared, but they were such insignificant low-grade ones that they posed no threat to the current group.
Looking at a magic beast carcass oozing blood, Arsen remarked,
“I wonder if the magic beasts here swarm at the smell of blood. Their usual stench and blood smell all blend together for me.”
“In truth, western magic beasts aren’t all that sensitive to blood compared to those in the east. One of the west’s advantages.”
Karik boasted.
Arsen had never found much advantage in the east’s distinctive rot of garbage and decay, so he had nothing to say to that.
After advancing a bit further, Bazkal spoke up.
“Brother, something’s up ahead.”
Squinting at Bazkal’s words, Arsen spotted a herd of magic beasts milling about in the distance.
“Sheep Horn Wolf pack... They’ll spot us if we get closer, so we’ll take them out then.”
Far off, massive wolves with goat-like horns moved in a group.
They might have been terrifying once, but ever since properly learning martial arts, Arsen had never felt fear toward such weak magic beasts.
Suddenly, though, the Sheep Horn Wolves sniffed toward the west as if drawn by something and bolted off.
“No need to fight after all. They just left.”
“Lucky break. We’ve got plenty of meat for rations anyway.”
Bazkal said, glancing at the magic beast meat loaded on the wagons.
Their advance lasted only a short while longer before Arsen, scouting ahead at the front, furrowed his brow.
He turned to Karik with a question.
“Sir Karik, you said the plains beyond the gorge are neutral territory, right?”
“That’s right. There are only three estates around here that trade with Exekia, so none dare claim it. No fortress nearby to begin with.”
“Any idea what that is? No, let’s get a bit closer first.”
Soon after, the other knights also fell silent before the bizarre scene unfolding ahead.
A crudely built wooden palisade as if freshly erected, colorful tents, and tall flags bearing ornate crests.
It resembled a massive nomadic village, planted right in the middle of the plains.
Not an estate or fortress—just smack in the open plain.
“Any idea what that is?”
“No clue. This is just ordinary plains... though a few flags look familiar. Probably from nearby estates. No Manaar banner, though.”
Even Karik, a local from the west, didn’t know, suggesting it hadn’t been there before.
With no clue who they were dealing with or their attitude, there was no need to make contact. Sometimes people were scarier than magic beasts or plunderers.
But the situation didn’t allow for such a clean decision.
“Can we go around?”
“Doesn’t look like it.”
Rino answered Arsen’s question in a gloomy tone.
The village sat precisely at the end of the corridor, where the plains began to open up—blocking the way.
As if determined not to miss anything emerging from the east.
Barring flight, bypassing it would be tough.
“How about we take a look? Manaar isn’t on great terms with neighboring estates, but they’re civilized enough to know manners. They won’t attack out of the blue.”
“What about the mages?”
“Should be fine. Manaar’s the one around here that hates mages the most—others might shun them but won’t flip out just seeing one.”
“No, I mean for you, Sir Karik. Won’t rumors of you traveling with mages cause issues?”
Karik chuckled and shook his head at Arsen’s concern.
“Appreciate the worry, but I’m fine. Even in Manaar, I’m something of a big shot.”
In the end, following Karik’s suggestion, the group approached the village slowly, taking care not to appear threatening.
Sure enough, as soon as they were spotted, several riders charged out on mounts.
One was a knight.
“Halt! Stop...”
The soldier’s command trailed off as he tried to bar Arsen’s group.
With four or five obvious knights and over ten mages behind them, it was a natural reaction.
Flustered, the soldiers faltered without another word.
Fortunately, a knight who seemed a bit more composed—though not by much—stepped forward to ask,
“Wh-where... no, how did you get here?”
They had eyes; they couldn’t miss where Arsen’s group had come from.
Having spotted the mages at the rear, the knight’s pupils trembled like there was an earthquake.
“I’m Arsen of Belluan. From far in the east. We crossed the gorge via Exekia just now.”
“You’re saying you crossed the Viju Mountains? Through that gateway, of all places?”
“That’s right. And you are?”
The knight cleared his throat and scratched his head at Arsen’s response.
“I’m Sabban of Bazra Estate. I’d heard the Exekia-side gateway fortress was taken by a band of plunderers.”
“It was.”
“Was?”
“We subjugated them not long ago. That’s how we crossed.”
The knight gaped at Arsen, expression slack.
* * *
“So, lord... you mean everyone stuck here couldn’t pass the gorge because of that Ma-in and his plunderers—along with those trying to subjugate them?”
“That’s right. Not just locals—people from farther estates got held up too.”
They were already walking through the heart of the camp, so there was no need to doubt the claim.
Heavily armed soldiers in metal plate, merchants in somewhat worn leather armor with their escorts, people in cloth robes like pilgrims.
A motley assortment of humanity had gathered.
Passing through them, they reached the largest tent, where several knights awaited.
The foremost, a middle-aged knight with a drooping beard, extended a hand.
“Welcome. I’m Huran of Bazra. In charge of this camp’s security.”
“Arsen of Belluan.”
“I hear you crossed the Viju Mountains?”
“Yes.”
“I see. So the plunderers are dealt with?”
“Not all dead, but the band’s broken up. Most of the leading Ma-in too.”
“I see.”
Huran sighed, looking deflated.
Then Karik stepped forward from behind.
“Good to see you, Huran.”
“Karik?”
They knew each other.
Fortunately, their tone suggested no bad blood, so Arsen tactfully stepped back to give them space.
“Didn’t expect you alive. Heard you went silent crossing the mountains.”
“Good luck. Or bad, depending.”
Karik summarized recent events.
Ambushed by the plunderer lord while crossing the mountains, lost all his men and son, survived alone, joined Exekia’s subjugation force, and got his revenge.
At the end, Huran clapped Karik’s shoulder with a mix of admiration and pity.
“I’ll pray for your son and men. So this young knight here pierced that ‘lord’s’ heart?”
“Indeed. Sharp skills.”
“Would love to cross blades sometime.”
Huran grinned.
That was when Arsen noticed a few knights behind eyeing him oddly.
Anger, rivalry, or greed.
Before he could parse it, Karik questioned Huran.
“So, what are you doing here? Building such a fine palisade and all.”
“Obviously, rooting out plunderers. Waiting on reinforcements from other estates—some lazy ones haven’t shown. The fence is for long stays, and to protect folks waiting here because of the plunderers. Not much wood nearby, so it was a pain.”
“Thought a new fortress had popped up at first glance.”
“Luckily, merchants with food for Exekia kept us fed.”
Huran chuckled ruefully, then shook his head.
“Anyway, stay the night? Sun’s setting soon.”
Karik glanced at Arsen and stepped back.
Huran smiled awkwardly.
“Ah, my apologies. Karik usually takes charge, so...”
“No issue. Mind if we camp here tonight?”
“By all means. You’re welcome.”
* * *
With Huran’s permission, Arsen’s unit set up a simple camp alongside the fortress.
Even if makeshift, being inside walls offered comfort worlds apart from the wilds.
Raiders were the fort’s soldiers’ watch—Bazra and others—so night watches only needed to guard against thieves.
“Those knights earlier didn’t look too happy.”
Karik gave a wry smile at Arsen’s comment.
“Jealousy, probably. East might differ, but west values proving yourself against strong magic beasts or Ma-in. Elta’s the same, no?”
“True. It’s honor.”
“Might even get a challenge tonight. Beat the guy who slew the lord, and they make a name.”
“Just thinking about it tires me.”
Arsen sighed, deeming it childish.
Karik laughed heartily.
“Think positive. Crush every challenger here, and the fame’s yours. Reputation’s worth a fortune sometimes.”
After their talk, Arsen stepped out and called Rino, who was overseeing the soldiers.
“Rino.”
“Yes, Captain!”
“Gather intel from the merchants here. Local situation, anything unusual. Buy some food too.”
Rino had proven his trading chops selling relics in Narvik.
In Exekia, Arsen handled the lord directly, but using subordinates’ talents wisely was leadership.
Rino nodded vigorously.
“Yes, Captain! I’ll get the full scoop!”
“I trust you. Take Bazkal just in case.”
Shortly after sending Rino off, a group approached the camp.
Towering over the locals in height, clad in armor.
Knights, unmistakably.