The Turtle's Gambit
Who are the Turtle tribe?
To put it simply, they are beastmen who carry heavy turtle shells on their backs. Aside from the patches of reptilian skin that evoke the image of a turtle, they are not much different from humans.
Because they are always lugging those shells around, their disadvantage is that they are slower on their feet than other beastmen. However, they possess one advantage that renders that drawback completely irrelevant.
That is, they are excellent swimmers.
*I’ve heard the phrase "they’re good at swimming" a lot in the game, but...*
It is said that the Turtle tribe learns to swim from the moment they are born.
The reason is to ensure they never forget that they are the descendants of ancestors who once ruled the seas. Consequently, their early education in swimming is rigorous; among the countless beastmen, there is not a single one as proficient in the water as the Turtle tribe. The same goes for diving—no one can best them there, either.
And it was these turtles who had captured Kang-rim and his party.
*To think I’d get caught like this.*
The lifeboat had been seized by the Turtle tribe. With no way to escape, Kang-rim and his group had no choice but to raise their hands and signal their surrender.
Having captured a multitude of prisoners without shedding a single drop of blood, the Turtle tribe dragged the lifeboat toward their home: Turtle Island.
They weren't just towing the boat; they were using their own physical strength to pull it.
Seeing the numerous turtles swimming with ropes tied to the boat, it looked as if Kang-rim was sailing while using the Turtle tribe as his horses.
In reality, however, he was nothing more than a captive being dragged away by turtles.
*What should I do now?*
Immediately after solving the food issue and learning that the captain’s real name was Cardian, they had been surrounded by the Turtle tribe.
Normally, they should have resisted, but it was impossible.
They had thrown away all their weapons when they escaped on the lifeboat. They had to discard anything with weight out of fear that the lifeboat would sink. In fact, even with everyone on board and no cargo, the boat had been wobbling; if they had brought weapons, they would have all been sent to a watery grave together.
Even if they had weapons and could resist, if the turtles simply punched holes in the hull, they would have sunk to the bottom of the sea along with the boat. If they resisted too hard, the boat might have capsized, leading to a catastrophe.
Either choice led to defeat. That was why Kang-rim had no choice but to raise the white flag.
*It’s a given that I’ll be treated poorly once I’m dragged there...*
That was only natural. Considering the atrocities Grid had committed until now, the fact that they were even taking him as a prisoner was a miracle. If the leader of the Turtle tribe had been someone burning with vengeance, they would have killed everyone, claiming they had no need for prisoners.
It was a huge relief that such a thing hadn't happened, but he couldn't be completely at ease. The moment they arrived on the island, a gruesome end might be waiting for Kang-rim. They were certainly capable of it.
Kang-rim thought this was only natural, as Grid had committed far too many evil deeds.
"Excuse me, Master."
At that moment, a woman with navy-blue hair approached Kang-rim. It was the captain, who had revealed her real name was Cardian. Since her original personality had been sealed again immediately after she spoke her name, she didn't suddenly go on a rampage. Wearing a dry white uniform, she voiced her opinion to her master.
"Something is strange."
"Strange?"
"Why are they dragging us to Turtle Island instead of Tiger Island? That would be a better place to lock us up..."
Tiger Island currently serves as the headquarters for the Beastman Union. As the headquarters, the security is tight. It goes without saying that it is guarded by the Union’s elite soldiers. Although their combat power was halved after the disastrous failure of the invasion of Rabbit Island, it still boasted ironclad defenses.
Knowing this well, it wasn't for nothing that Iris used the strategy of isolating Tiger Island by occupying the surrounding islands.
If they were locked up on Tiger Island, even the most legendary pirates would have no choice but to pace in frustration.
It should be that way, so why were the turtles dragging them to their own home? Cardian found this point suspicious.
Had the Beastman Union’s strategy changed due to their weakened forces? Or perhaps...
"Isn't it just because they want to rest? It's too far to go straight to Tiger Island from here."
Kang-rim speculated as much, but—
"Judging by what those guys are saying, that doesn't seem to be the case."
Cardian immediately denied it.
"I heard them whispering earlier, talking about how we have to become the Master's slaves."
"Become my slaves? Not take me as a slave?"
"Did you mishear?"
Sua, the brown-haired Gumiho who had been listening quietly from the side, retorted.
"Akelon would never offer her own kin to this guy. Even if she is a bit of a weirdo, she treasures her kin."
It was impossible. The leader of the Turtle tribe surrendering? If she had been broken after endless torment like herself, that would be one thing, but she wasn't the type to be scared and bow her head on her own. Sua dismissed Cardian’s words as nonsense.
"Even if she treasures them, there are plenty of people who surrender."
Cardian replied in a tone that suggested she was the one talking nonsense.
"That person named Akelon might have realized the tide has turned and decided to surrender. It’s a fact even a child knows that the Union is falling apart."
Just as Cardian said, countless beastmen had knelt before Kang-rim, and many of the leaders who commanded them had bowed their heads. There had been those who resisted, but without exception, they were tormented until their spirits were broken. Those who were tormented in such a way devolved into madmen who only looked at Kang-rim.
Thanks to this, Kang-rim’s power had grown immeasurably, and the Beastman Union’s power was so precarious that it wouldn't be strange if it were extinguished at any moment, like a candle in the wind.
Of course, there was a way for the Union to turn the tables.
That was to eliminate Kang-rim. If Kang-rim, the center of the pirates, died, the situation might reverse. A group that loses its leader always falls into chaos, and defeating a group in chaos is a piece of cake.
If the pirates the Union was facing had been mere rabble, that common sense would have held true.
"Forget the idea that we will automatically fall into disarray if the Master disappears."
How could they choose such a path when they knew full well what would happen if they split up? Grid had been worried about this point as well, which was why he had left a will stating that if he died, all authority would be handed over to Artria.
Though Kang-rim found it hard to believe that a piece of nuclear waste who committed all sorts of atrocities had prepared for the aftermath.
"By any chance, are you still thinking of running away from the Master? How truly foolish. Especially since you’ve already failed twice. You have absolutely no capacity for learning."
"Who’s running away? I am—!"
"Stop."
Kang-rim, who had been listening silently, reached out with both hands.
"Hrk?"
His left hand kneaded Cardian’s breasts,
"Hieeeek?"
And his right hand kneaded Sua’s breasts.
"Let's not fight and stay calm. Unless you want to become the laughingstock of those guys."
"A-all right."
At the pressure of his fingers squeezing her breasts, Cardian was so happy she didn't know what to do,
"A-all right. I got it, so p-please let go of this... let go of this hand..."
Sua pleaded as if begging him not to do such things.
"No, let's keep doing this."
Naturally, Kang-rim was not the type to listen to that.
"There's nothing else to do anyway."
"Y-y-you bad maaaaan?"
As he gripped her chest tightly, Sua’s waist swayed slightly.
*Something is definitely strange.*
While molesting the two women’s breasts, Kang-rim also felt suspicious.
*It feels like they’re plotting something.*
Like Cardian, Kang-rim had also secretly overheard the conversation the Turtle tribe was having.
They were whispering as if they were betraying the Beastman Union and siding with Kang-rim.
He didn't know the reason, but it seemed the Turtle tribe was also in a difficult position.
It appeared they had chosen the option of joining hands with Kang-rim to resolve that difficulty.
If so, he thought they might receive good treatment even if they were dragged away as prisoners, but Kang-rim immediately shook his head.
*Let's not count our chickens before they hatch.*
If they had intended to become allies from the start, it would have been correct to take them to an island occupied by Iris, not Turtle Island. That way, they could at least appeal, "We are not enemies. We are allies. We want to be your allies," and Kang-rim might have been swayed by that appeal.
The fact that they didn't do that meant they had to be plotting something.
Kang-rim couldn't guess what that was...
*Wait, there was something like this in the game... Ah!*
There was. Something similar. It flashed into Kang-rim’s mind.
"Ugh? M-Master..."
"Why are you grabbing so hard all of a sudden?"
Because he had momentarily put too much strength into the hands gripping their breasts, Cardian and Sua looked at Kang-rim with protesting gazes.
Naturally, Kang-rim had no time to worry about such trivial things.
How could he pay attention to them when a way to overcome this crisis might be emerging?
*If it’s like it was in the game...*
There was a story related to Turtle Island in the game.
Back when the Beastman Union was still intact.
Seol-hwa, under Tie’s instructions, arrives at Turtle Island to seek the cooperation of the Turtle tribe.
The Beastman Union hadn't been united from the start.
While there were hardliners like Tie who insisted on fighting to the death, there were also those who tried to preserve their lives by siding with Grid.
The Turtle tribe had chosen neither side.
It was Seol-hwa’s mission to bring those turtles in as allies.
And, to the request to become allies, Akelon had proposed that if Seol-hwa passed the trial she set, she would fight on Tie’s side, and Seol-hwa had accepted that proposal.
Perhaps he was the one receiving that trial? Kang-rim thought so.
At the same time, a question arose.
*Wait, does this mean Seol-hwa didn't do the job of coaxing the turtles?*
If he organized the path Seol-hwa was supposed to take chronologically, it was as follows:
1. Infiltrate Rabbit Island and attempt to assassinate Queen Levi.
2. Go to Turtle Island and attempt to gain the cooperation of the turtles.
3. Head to the Great Forest where the elves live to receive external support.
In the case of number 1, it had been proven that Seol-hwa did not intervene.
Because she didn't act as a mediator to clear up misunderstandings, Rabbit Island had been attacked by the Beastman Union, and Kang-rim had stopped it. As a result, the Rabbit tribe Queen Levi had become Kang-rim’s reliable ally, not a spy for the anti-Grid alliance.
Then what about number 2? Judging by the conversation the Turtle tribe was having, it seemed she hadn't intervened here either.
If she had intervened, they wouldn't be talking about surrendering out of the blue.
They would have certainly handed them over to Tiger Island.
The only thing Seol-hwa had done according to the original scenario was number 3.
No, it was even questionable whether she had done that one properly.
*It’s strange.*
It’s too strange. Why wasn't Seol-hwa active? Kang-rim was glad he wasn't in trouble because she wasn't active, but he couldn't shake his suspicion.
Could she be plotting something?
No, perhaps the intervention of an outsider had changed Seol-hwa’s path as well?
*Let's think about that later.*
He was curious, but he shouldn't get too hung up on it. Survival was what mattered right now. He had to survive to even think about chasing after Seol-hwa. Since nothing major was happening right away, he decided to put the Seol-hwa issue off for later.
Before he knew it, their destination, Turtle Island, began to come into view.
And...
[If you do not pass, your subordinates will become our dinner.]
Kang-rim was faced with a new trial.