Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Blood Soaks the Sand (5)
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Black crystals blanketed the cave walls and ceiling. They were the Dainhar Mountain mana stones everyone had been scouring for. Ronan's eyes widened at a scale he'd never witnessed before in his life.
'I could buy a decent castle or fief with this.'
It was more than enough to feed him for a thousand lifetimes. Snagging just one chunk would let him live leisurely forever.
But that wasn't what mattered right now. Suddenly, a hulking young man stepped forward from the natives.
"Cough... Outsider. Why have you come all this way?"
He towered a full head above Ronan. His rugged face bore an uncanny resemblance to Thunder's, whether intended or not.
Muscles rippled across his upper body, etched with the distinctive tattoos of the Dainhar natives. A dagger was gripped in his burly hand. Ronan instantly pegged him as the one who'd kidnapped Thunder.
"Didn't Thunder tell you? I'm here to help."
"What a liar. To say that after seeing that hell... Cough. I know your real goal is the black stones anyway."
"You that gullible? It's not entirely wrong, though..."
Ronan trailed off. Cough! The man hacked deeply again and growled low.
"I know you saved Dreaming Thunder. As thanks, take as many stones as you want and go. But never come back."
"Now that's more like the Dainhar monkeys. So damn willful."
"If you won't listen..."
Suddenly, the man seized his dagger hilt. Click. With the grind of metal, the blade tripled in length. He aimed the extended tip at Ronan and intoned,
"I'll kill you."
"Cut the bluffing, man. If I just run, you'll drop first."
"...What?"
"You're hurt. Saw it during the chase."
Ronan stated matter-of-factly. He'd noticed the man's unnatural state from the pursuit.
"Grrrr... How dare you..."
The man gnashed his teeth, exposed. Sure enough, fist-sized metal shards were embedded in his back—two or three. Mana shimmered on them, remnants from his clash with Nebula Klazie.
The stench from the festering wounds spoke of their severity. Ronan glanced around and let out an incredulous chuckle.
"You saved these people in that condition? Impressive."
"Cough... Shut up...!"
The people huddled in the cave were mostly women, children, or the injured. From the looks of it, Thunder wasn't the only one this man had rescued. Ronan continued,
"Leave that alone, and you'll die. I'll fix you up, so hold still."
"Grr... Don't interfere! Get out!"
"Brother! Don't!"
The man raised his arm. Thunder, watching, screamed. Whoosh! In that instant, a shadow slid down the incline Ronan had descended.
"Who goes there!"
The man whipped his head around. The tense natives loosed their crossbows reflexively. Clang! Sparks flew midair as the bolts were severed and clattered to the ground.
"Blocked again!"
Shocked cries erupted. The shadow, having deflected five bolts in one go, charged the man.
"That speed...!"
His movements were no joke. The startled man swung his blade—a solid strike, but the shadow dodged effortlessly and closed in. As their forms overlapped—
"Don't kill him."
Ronan muttered like a sigh. The shadow froze. Thud. The dagger slipped from the man's hand. Cold sweat trickled down his temple.
"Huff... huff... What... what the hell..."
He couldn't even grasp what happened. Swallowing hard, he looked down slowly. A bluish blade hovered at his throat. Schlieffen spoke without withdrawing his killing intent.
"Ronan. What the hell's going on?"
"Tch. Tried to keep it peaceful."
Ronan spat on the ground. He'd hoped to talk it out with these pitiful folks, but that seemed ruined. The natives, crushed by Schlieffen's aura, stood rigid, not even thinking of resisting.
Always so cold-blooded yet reckless. No choice—back to business as usual. Ronan sighed again.
"Just stay put. Where's Sita?"
"Pwee!"
Sita swooped in and landed on Ronan's shoulder as if on cue. Nodding, Ronan circled behind the man. Surveying the natives, he said,
"Alright, everyone stay still. The second you try anything, this sturdy young man's head flies."
"Wh-what are you... Aaaargh!"
A agonized scream burst from the man. In Ronan's hand was one of the Nebula Klazie shards. Pus and congealed blood dripped steadily.
"Ugh, nasty."
"Groooar!"
Ronan yanked out the rest. Schlieffen pressed his blade to keep the thrashing man in check. Confirming no more shards, Ronan stroked Sita and said,
"There. Sita, one more go."
"Pwee!"
Sita ascended, wings unfurling. Red light bathed the man and natives alike.
"Wh-what's this?"
"My wounds... they're healing...!"
The crowd gasped at the miracle. Wounds enveloped in light mended—bruises, scrapes, even festering rot sprouted fresh flesh. Witnessing it, the man stammered,
"You... what are you...?"
"Told you. Here to help."
Ronan patted his back. No pain—just smooth new skin where the wounds had been.
Suddenly, tears welled in the man's eyes. Looking at his healed tribesfolk, he declared,
"...You're benefactors. Lower your weapons."
"Pweee..."
"Good job. You're better than people."
Treatment done, Sita landed on Ronan's shoulder, exhausted from healing so many at once. Ronan dripped two drops of potion into her panting beak.
"Baren's special. Drink up and recharge."
"Pwong!"
Sita perked up and took flight again. What a potion. Ronan scanned the bustling cavern.
"All better. No more pain."
"Look, Furious Gale—my leg moves!"
"Don't overdo it. You'll hurt yourself again."
The healed natives rejoiced. A bittersweet yet proud sight. Having checked each one, Furious Gale returned to Ronan.
"Confirmed—all healed. I'll repay this debt."
"Forget it. What's your name?"
"Furious Gale. Brother to Dreaming Thunder. Thanks for saving him too."
"Figured you two looked alike—brothers, huh. Ronan."
Ronan offered a handshake. Furious Gale clasped it. As Ronan pumped vigorously, he chuckled.
'Never thought I'd live to hear that from Dainhar natives.'
Lighting a cigarette, Ronan asked,
"These all the survivors?"
"As far as I know. Scattered, so maybe more... but probably not."
Furious Gale grimaced. After a silence, he pointed to the extracted shards.
"A guy in weird clothes led those shard-shooting monsters. He and the beasts did the killing. The other man did nothing."
"Monsters?"
"Yeah. They got stronger swallowing the black stones."
Gale recounted the events three days prior. As Thunder said, two Nebula Klazie followers had invaded Dainhar. Only one massacred.
Unseen monsters trailed him, firing shards everywhere. All Dainhar warriors fought, but a barrier repelled every attack—they fell helplessly.
'Barrier's Star's Grace... Monsters again. Handling beasts this time too.'
Graver than thought. Monster identity unknown, but Star's Grace meant branch leader level at least.
The idle man nagged too. Ronan clicked his tongue, exhaling smoke.
"Thanks for the info. Know where those bastards went?"
"Why ask? You planning to hunt them?"
"Yep. That's why I came."
"No!"
Furious Gale shouted suddenly. Startled Thunder blocked him.
"Brother, calm down."
"Dangerous. Not opponents you can beat. Can't let benefactors die."
"No, brother—they're all strong. Near-chief level warriors."
"Dreaming Thunder...!"
"No, stronger. That blue-haired one summons storms with a swing. Ronan's twice as strong, he says."
Thunder persuaded desperately. Dying men fretting over others' lives—amusing. Ronan scratched his head.
"Sorry, but gonna hunt 'em regardless."
"...You."
"Don't wanna waste effort—spill it quick. No one knows where?"
Ronan eyed the natives. Heavy silence fell. After a minute, Gale spoke.
"I do."
"Oh."
Heads turned. Even Thunder gaped up at him. Ronan quirked a brow.
"Why not say sooner? Just the location."
"Can't. You must come with me. Outsiders can't reach there."
"What?"
"They went toward the Heart."
Thunder's face hardened. Natives murmured agitatedly. Calming, Thunder's voice trembled.
"...Brother. True?"
"Won't lie to benefactors. Saw it myself."
"Impossible. Why there...?"
Reactions off. Ronan tilted his head.
"What's the Heart?"
"...Holy site. Sworn to protect for generations. Our reason for being."
"Holy site?"
"Yes. All black stones come from there."
Ronan's eyes widened. Unheard even in his past life. Gale snatched his fallen dagger.
"Let's go. I'll guide you."
"Careful. Fall, and it's over."
"What kinda rock mountain has paths like this...?"
Ronan shook his head. He got why Gale insisted outsiders couldn't go. Without guidance, he'd never call this a path.
Clinging frog-like to the wall, he inched along. A sheer drop yawned beside the toehold-wide ledge. Kicked pebbles echoed minutes later.
"Paths to the Heart are all like this. Anyone can go, but not everyone can."
Furious Gale said. He traversed the narrow way in the same pose.
Ronan and Schlieffen followed Gale to the "Heart," leaving Sita guarding the natives. Schlieffen, frog-stuck, muttered lowly,
"...Humiliating."
"Almost there. Hang on."
A lie, ultimately. The narrow path ended, but worse terrain awaited. Seeing liquid bubbling below stepping stones, Ronan cursed.
"Damn, lava?"
"No. Red water. Burns on touch—careful."
"Lava, fuck."
A walkable path emerged after two hours. The vast tunnel could host thirty racing horses. Silent Gale finally spoke.
"...Thanks."
"Huh?"
"Kept nagging me, ignoring despite seeing. You saved and protected them, so I could come here. Thought all outsiders bad... guess not."
"Drop it. When we reach the Heart or whatever, bolt without looking back. Remember the deal?"
"Got it. I'll keep my word."
Gale nodded. Ronan's terms: let them handle Nebula Klazie—no interference. Thunder, likely to meddle, was tied up.
Soon, the tunnel opened to a vast chamber. Ronan and Schlieffen's eyes bulged at the unprecedented sight.
"Here. The Heart."
Nearly as wide as New Gran Cappadocia. No grand ecosystem like there, but other features overwhelmed.
Unknown lighting illuminated everything. Walls, floor, ceiling—all sheathed in pristine white metal.
Unseen architecture, yet reminiscent of that odd building's exterior from midterms.
"Pillars...?"
Ronan's gaze hit massive hexagonal pillars spaced evenly to the far end, thick as Phileon's spires, reaching the ceiling.
"Never dreamed of this..."
Ronan murmured dazedly. Unreal scenery. At its center floated the mother lode of all Dainhar mana stones—a colossal black crystal, dwarfing farmhouses, warping space with mana.
Before it stood a man, hands behind back. Ronan raised an arm swiftly.
"Hold."
The group halted. Ronan eyed the man. Flickering mana rose like flames from slumped shoulders. Definitely one of the invading Nebula Klazie.
'Just one? What power...'
Ronan sneered. Stronger aura than any follower yet—even the old rider on Brigia or wyvern paled.
As Ronan reached for his hilt, the man—without turning—spoke.
"Welcome. First time meeting face-to-face."