Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Chapter 7 #8
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[Boss: Drake Ogre Mustafa has been defeated.]
[Title Acquired: Drake Ogre Slayer.]
It was a declaration of victory as certain as a level up.
“Hoo.”
Juingong let out a long breath. Thanks to the level-up bonus, his health was fully restored, but the mental toll was immense, much like when he had used Under the King's Flag.
*Thank goodness I leveled up. I almost collapsed completely.*
Gigantic Piston had consumed a tremendous amount of aura, matching its incredible power.
*But this isn't an ultimate skill, is it?*
To use the ultimate skills embedded in various armaments, the Ultimate Skill Control skill was essential. However, Juingong currently lacked that skill, which meant Gigantic Piston wasn't Earthquaker's ultimate skill.
There was another level above it. Perhaps not just one, but several.
*The armaments of the six Elder Dragons, indeed.*
Juingong, newly impressed, lightly clenched his right fist. Perhaps because the Dragon Blood skill had been deactivated, Earthquaker had also returned to its original form.
*For now, I should think of Gigantic Piston as a one-time-use move. My main skill for now is Fist of Explosion, I guess... I hope I can meet Chris or Caitlin again soon. There are so many techniques I need to learn.*
The Beast God Fist had various techniques besides Fist of Explosion. Just like in *Knight Saga*, it was crucial to use a variety of skills in the right situations.
*Right, like psychokinesis.*
What had created an opening in Mustafa's defense right before the final blow was none other than psychokinesis. Even he had to admit it was a brilliant application, and a smile crept onto his face.
“You done with your thoughts?”
At the slightly sullen voice, Juingong snapped his head up. He saw Karak, a dwarven axe resting on his shoulder.
“Karak!”
As Juingong called out happily, Karak shook his head, then let out a hearty laugh as if he couldn't help it.
“Prince, didn't you tell me to look after the temple?”
He certainly had. And only ten minutes ago.
“My bad. I love you. You're the best.”
As Juingong said this with an awkward smile, Karak took a step back, waving his hand.
“Enough of that. I like women. You just make sure you come back in one piece, Prince.”
“Right. I'm counting on you with the temple again.”
“Got it. And, though the timing might be a bit off, congratulations on your great achievement.”
Having said that, Karak immediately turned and started running toward the small temple in the distance.
*He's so reliable.*
After watching Karak's broad back for a moment, Juingong quickly opened his mini-map. He had wasted too much time lost in thought.
The defeat of Mustafa brought about a great change. The Drake Ogres who witnessed Mustafa's fall began to look for escape routes rather than fight aggressively, and they were helplessly pushed back by the Trients, who were devoid of emotional turmoil.
The fact that Juingong could even exchange a bit of nonsense with Karak was, in hindsight, thanks to the rapidly changing tide of battle.
The situation with the Cassius horde was not much different from that of the Drake Ogres. Once the violet miasma that had paralyzed their reason vanished, they began to feel fear and terror once more. Reckless attacks that ignored death were no longer possible.
Moreover, that wasn't the only problem. The Cassius horde had lost its cohesion. The leader Cassiuses, each commanding anywhere from a dozen to several dozen subordinates, were all making different decisions.
Normally, a Cassius horde appearing on the Anger Plains would have a leader of leaders who commanded the others. This time, however, perhaps because Mustafa had been filling that role, there was no overall leader for the Cassius horde.
Some leader Cassiuses chose to flee. Others chose to fight the Centaurs right in front of them.
With each group of Cassiuses moving as they pleased, there was no way for them to fight effectively. In the midst of the terrible chaos, the Cassiuses couldn't display their true combat strength.
The tide of battle had turned. But that didn't mean the battle was over. There were many kinds of victory, and now was the time to focus on minimizing allied casualties.
Just then, Green Wind's voice reached him.
*My temporary master. I am in awe of your valor. If you have any strength remaining, could you exert yourself a little more for my children? I ask this of you.*
In short, she was asking him to help the Centaurs.
Juingong nodded and then whistled on a whim. Just as he'd hoped, Draco came running toward him.
“You're so smart.”
Had Felicia used magic to raise its intelligence?
Juingong gently touched the Dark Elf's Tear hanging around his neck before climbing onto Draco's back.
The Centaurs were pushing back the Cassiuses. Despite the considerable distance, Juingong could spot where Fierce Eye was fighting at a glance. Befitting the great chieftain of the Centaurs, he was literally sweeping away the Cassius hordes.
Fierce Eye's bright blue aura, which had been so irritating in *Knight Saga*, now looked magnificent.
Green Wind whispered again.
*My temporary master. There is something that can be done now that Ainkel's magic has been activated. I shall convey your deeds to my children on the battlefield. Your presence alone is certain to greatly boost their morale. My children, like me, will engrave your achievements deep in their hearts.*
Juingong gave his permission. At that, the green light enveloping him naturally dispersed. Juingong felt Green Wind leave his side and move toward the Centaurs.
And before long, he knew she had kept her word.
“The Ninth Prince!”
“The agent of Green Wind!”
“His Highness the Ninth Prince is with us!”
The Centaurs shouted at the top of their lungs. Their different cries mingled into a single roar, a roar of victory that shook the entire battlefield.
Juingong felt Fierce Eye's gaze on him. Certain that the Centaur with his incredible eyesight could see him, he raised his fist high and urged Draco forward.
The battle continued until nightfall. It was an undeniable, resounding victory.
&
Between the night sky and the blue plains, great bonfires blazed.
The Centaurs of the Fierce Flame Tribe had piled firewood high around the small temple and set it alight. It was to celebrate their victory and to honor the spirits of those who had died in the battle.
The chieftains of the three other tribes, having heard the news and rushed over, had brought plenty of meat and drink, so there was no shortage of food. The warriors of the Fierce Flame Tribe, as if trying to cool their battle-heated blood with alcohol, drank heavily, one and all.
“His Highness the Ninth Prince looked at me!”
“No, he looked at me!”
Two thoroughly drunk female Centaur warriors bickered, their voices rising. And it wasn't just the two of them. Nearly every warrior of the Fierce Flame Tribe grew greatly excited and happy just from exchanging a glance with Juingong.
It wasn't because he was a prince. Nor was it solely because he had played a decisive role in the victory.
Juingong was the agent of Green Wind and, at the same time, the guardian of the Anger Plains.
Green Wind had chosen him. With him, she had performed the miracle of making the trees rise from the earth to fight the enemy.
It was only natural that the goodwill they held for Green Wind was transferred directly to Juingong. To the warriors of the Fierce Flame Tribe, Juingong was as good as an incarnation of Green Wind.
“I respect you. This is a look of sincere admiration.”
Karma, also drunk with flushed cheeks, grinned foolishly before Juingong. As someone with the disposition of a druid, she seemed deeply moved by all that had happened today.
Perhaps because of her usually stern impression, her completely relaxed face as she giggled in front of the fire was incredibly cute. Karak chuckled and nudged Juingong's arm lightly.
“Prince, you're quite popular.”
“The Ninth Prince did something incredible. This is a natural reaction.”
The one who replied was Fierce Eye. His gaze was so soft and gentle that it was hard to believe he was the same man who used to glare daggers at Zephyr in *Knight Saga*.
This transformation in the great chieftain seemed to be quite a shock to the other chieftains as well. The chieftains of the Fierce Wind, Fierce Rain, and Rough Night tribes couldn't take their eyes off Fierce Eye's face.
“No one has ever completed the Cassius subjugation mission this quickly. It must be a new record.”
Karma, who had just drained another cup, said with her hands clasped. This wasn't just empty talk; there was clear evidence to back it up.
Juingong had arrived for the subjugation mission yesterday, and he had essentially completed it today. He had finished the mission in just two days.
Considering it was originally expected to take three days just for the warriors of the four tribes to gather and set out, it was undoubtedly a grand record no one had ever set before.
For a moment, Juingong pictured Caitlin showering him with praise and Isabella making a fuss with a bright smile. A smile naturally formed on his face as well.
“Karak, I'm going to rest for a bit.”
As he spoke quietly and rose from his seat, Karma and the other Centaurs all looked at him with startled expressions. Fierce Eye also looked quite disappointed. —And the three chieftains were startled by the fact that Fierce Eye had made such an expression.—
Karak, the only one maintaining his composure, nodded in response.
“You worked hard today, so get a good night's sleep. Deep sleep is essential for a growing boy.”
To think he'd bring up 'growing boy' now. Juingong let out an involuntary chuckle and patted Karak's shoulder.
“Right. You grow well too.”
“Rest well.”
“Good night.”
Fierce Eye and Karma added their own farewells. Juingong gave a brief farewell to the two of them and the other Centaurs who were sad to see him go, then headed for the small temple that would serve as his lodging for the night.
Inside the temple, it was incredibly quiet. Just a few steps away, the boisterous laughter of the drunken and merry Centaurs could be heard, making the silence feel almost out of place.
But Juingong knew the reason for the quiet, so instead of feeling a sense of unease, he felt comfortable. A wind stirred by Green Wind was enveloping the entire temple, blocking out the surrounding noise.
Juingong sat on the edge of the collapsible bed Karak had set up and looked at the tree trunks in the center of the temple.
“Lady Green Wind.”
“Would it not be better to speak tomorrow? You seem very tired.”
He had called out softly, and Green Wind's voice came from right beside him. Green Wind was now sitting next to him.
“I'm fine. There are a few things I wanted to ask you, Lady Green Wind.”
He hadn't left the celebration simply because he wanted to rest. Although she had been reborn as a nature spirit, there were many things he wanted to ask Green Wind, a fragment of Ainkel.
Green Wind looked at Juingong for a moment, then slowly nodded.
“Very well, my temporary master. Then, before we talk, would you release your dominion over me?”
To aid him in today's battle, Green Wind had willingly accepted Juingong's conquest. Since he couldn't just take the nature spirit of the Anger Plains with him, Juingong nodded.
“Of course. Just give me a moment... Huh?”
“My temporary master, what is the matter? You seem quite flustered.”
She saw it clearly. Juingong was, indeed, flustered.
Juingong had definitely conquered Green Wind. While he couldn't clearly define what 'conquest' was, it was a fact that he had brought Green Wind under his dominion in a way similar to how he had conquered the Anvil that Births Thunder or Earthquaker. Since Green Wind had accepted the conquest willingly, there had been no difficulty.
The problem came after.
“How... do I release the dominion?”
At the question that slipped out of Juingong's mouth, Green Wind blinked. She stared blankly at him.
&
“My seemingly-permanent temporary master! We must find a way!”