Chapter 72
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 072
Chapter Title: Roundtable Conference (2)
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After the collapse of the Second Expeditionary Force, the Church Alliance once again realized just how difficult conquering the north would be.
There were far too many issues holding them back.
The Demonic Realm itself was an environment far too harsh for humanity, and they had to endure constant night raids from beasts throughout the northward march, leading to heavy casualties. Supply disruptions were par for the course.
‘Blindly marching north is practically suicide.’
The Church Alliance had firmly recognized this fact, so they naturally fell into deep contemplation.
How should they proceed with the northern conquest?
Someone suggested building multiple pioneer cities like in the first expedition, stabilizing the regions first, then dispatching the expeditionary force to subjugate the beasts. But that was realistically impossible.
The southern regions had weaker beasts in smaller numbers, allowing pioneer cities to be established. But the further north you went, the danger spiked dramatically.
To defend cities, they'd need large garrisons stationed there, which would expand the territory they had to protect endlessly.
‘Building a broader front line in even more dangerous lands is too burdensome.’
But there were no better alternatives.
Thus, the Church Alliance shelved the grand task of northern conquest for later and focused on securing the newly gained lands.
The Second Barrier.
Enclose all pioneer cities within the Church Alliance's protective fold. They planned to revisit northern conquest plans afterward.
In short, no real solutions existed, and the stalemate dragged on without progress...
“...This report you submitted offers an entirely new perspective.”
Ally with the Demonic Realm's natives.
That single premise resolved multiple problems. The Noll tribe's territory was safe from beasts, so establishing outposts there would secure both supply lines and garrisons simultaneously.
The Noll tribe's lands would substitute for pioneer cities. Humanity could traverse the Demonic Realm's central regions simply, advancing deep inside without casualties.
“So, forging this alliance is undoubtedly the right choice. Even just tasking the Noll tribe with terrain scouting would provide massive aid to the Church Alliance.”
A Holy Knight seated at the roundtable declared.
A shortcut solving the Church Alliance's dilemmas at once. No reason to refuse it.
“...That's certainly sound, but dispelling concerns about this alliance is easier said than done.”
An elderly priest began his counterargument. The notion of allying with beasts sounded utterly far-fetched.
Even if a beast alliance formed, unease would persist. If the Noll tribe betrayed them and struck from behind, the Church Alliance would lose all vital forward-deployed forces.
“Easy, appealing choices can hide traps. The report's contents are enticing, but entrusting our backs to those hyenas worries me.”
As the old priest spoke, murmurs of agreement arose here and there. Just as Woojin opened his mouth to rebut...
“...What are they talking about? I'm curious.”
Jaka, standing beside him, asked. Hearing the Noll speak suddenly piqued the priest's curiosity too.
“What did that being just say?”
“He asked what you said, Priest. The tense atmosphere seems to have sparked his interest.”
“Then, can you relay what I said earlier to the Noll? I'd like to hear his response.”
The old priest seemed keener on direct dialogue with the Noll than Woojin's defense.
Mutual curiosity about each other's words. Honoring the request, Woojin cleared his throat once, then translated the priest's words via sign language and Noll tongue.
Jaka responded simply.
“No need to worry about betrayal. We'll honor the deal. Tell him that.”
“Got it.”
Woojin relayed it verbatim.
“He says no need to worry about betrayal. The Noll tribe will definitely keep their promise.”
“How do you prove that? Ask if he can provide evidence.”
“Understood.”
Relaying the old priest's words again, Jaka tilted his head in bewilderment.
“That's confusing... A promise should suffice. What more proof does he want?”
“Because you could break it deliberately.”
“...Such irreverent nonsense?”
The Noll tribe held deals sacred. The priest's demand sounded downright bizarre to them.
Jaka eyed the priest and asked.
“Does your tribe often break promises?”
“What does that mean?”
Woojin translated.
“He's asking if humans often break promises.”
“...Hard to deny.”
The old priest nodded as he spoke. Jaka narrowed his eyes at the sight.
“Then, I'd like to counter-ask... If you don't hold deals sacred, why should we ally with you? You could betray the tribe and seize our territory.”
As Jaka spoke, he tugged at the iron chain coiled around his neck.
“I don't want this dog collar either. Is this how you treat envoys?”
“Translate it.”
The old priest demanded. Woojin hesitated, not replying promptly. Jaka's words might come off hostile.
The priest's gaze turned his way. That look pierced Woojin's inner thoughts.
‘...No choice.’
He translated Jaka's recent words. Silence descended immediately. The audience and high priests stared mutely at Jaka.
Jaka shrugged, as if wondering what the stare was for. Soon, the old priest rose.
Thud, thud...
The old priest approached. His footsteps echoed unusually loud. The priest soon extended a hand toward the Holy Knight, demanding something.
The perceptive knight grasped the gesture's intent. He hastily snatched the keyring from his belt. It was a bundle of keys.
“Your Eminence, it's dangerous. Let me handle it.”
“Never mind. Hand it over.”
The cardinal seized the keys half-forcibly. He then strode toward the Noll.
...Click.
The cardinal unlocked the shackles himself. The chains binding Jaka clattered down, ringing with harsh metal clamor repeatedly.
The three Noll now free-bodied. The cardinal stood defenseless before them.
“Indeed... Treating foreign envoys this way is improper. I apologize.”
The cardinal bowed to the Nolls. Jaka grinned in satisfaction.
“Kekeke! I won the argument... Ow!”
Logar suddenly smacked Jaka's nape. As Jaka tried to curse, Logar jerked his chin sideways.
Jaka turned. Woojin glared daggers their way.
“...Sorry!”
Jaka hastily prostrated on the floor. The cardinal voiced puzzlement.
“What does that gesture mean?”
“It's a posture showing respect to the opponent. Seems impressed by Your Eminence's character.”
“Huh... Strange fellows.”
The cardinal nodded in amazement. Woojin sighed inwardly in relief.
‘...Dodged a bullet.’
A cardinal represented an entire church.
Woojin had panicked at Jaka's tactless behavior toward such a power broker, but Logar smoothed it over nicely.
Woojin sidelong-glanced the cardinal's robe. Colors and patterns symbolizing the Church of Struggle.
‘Cardinal Horace of the Church of Struggle.’
The Church of Struggle was the largest extant church. Meaning Horace ranked just below the Pope among clerics.
‘Why is he here?’
He'd heard high-ranking priests would attend the roundtable, but cardinals rarely appeared at such venues.
As Woojin puzzled, the cardinal held up the report in hand.
“Our priests barged into my office, shoving your creation under my nose... Frankly, it intrigued me. Brimming with dreamer fantasies, yet oddly hard to nitpick.”
The priests reacted fanatically after reading the report. Thus, Horace read it too and embraced its contents positively.
“A proposal worth attempting. So, we should dispatch an envoy delegation to the Noll tribe—proper courtesy demands it.”
Horace regarded him.
“Beast Hunter Jin... Would you serve as advisor for that delegation?”
No reason to refuse the request.
“I will.”
After successfully wrapping up the roundtable conference, Woojin thanked those who'd lent support.
“Thanks to everyone's help, we pulled it off smoothly. You all worked hard.”
Bow smirked.
“Worked hard? We did next to nothing. Embarrassing to even get thanks.”
Bow, Rolang, and Cecilia had separately approached the Church Alliance to bolster Woojin's stance, but it proved unnecessary.
“Frankly, you overprepared beyond need.”
Scarred from the Second Expedition's brass perhaps, Woojin obsessed over preparations excessively. Yet the Church Alliance was half-swayed before the talks even began.
Back when Woojin mediated the deal between Conrad, Edwin, and Noll great warrior Braknak, the captured Holy Knights had witnessed him.
Saving a defeated army via beast negotiations. That achievement alone warranted the Church Alliance's attention.
“You'll be busy.”
“Yeah... Already swamped.”
Advisor duties entailed more work than anticipated. Even before dispatching the delegation, the Church Alliance peppered him with relentless questions.
Demonic Realm ecosystem details, Noll tribe culture, communication methods, and more. Dragging it all from memory left no breather.
“...Speaking of that, I should head over.”
Woojin rose stealthily. Rolang looked baffled.
“No need to rush? Was thinking tavern for beers.”
“Sorry, prior engagement... Want to wrap advisor work ASAP.”
Woojin hurried off like a man chased. Watching his retreating figure, Rolang voiced curiosity.
“Prior engagement? With who?”
Woojin already had plans set.
Roughly two months passed.
Working around the clock, Woojin finished his tasks ahead of others. Thus, time remained before the delegation's departure.
‘Time for a short vacation.’
Reporting thus to the Church Alliance, he stepped out. One-week leave granted. He planned to complete the trip and return within.
Woojin mounted the wolf.
“South.”
Rex tilted his head curiously at the command. Heading further south from barrier city Yurgis was a first.
“No time. Hurry.”
Woojin patted the wolf's flank to urge it. Obeying, Rex and the wolves bolted south.
Wolf beasts outpaced horses easily and rarely tired. The inner pellets fed paid off handsomely.
After a half-day sprint...
Far ahead, a massive city and its central tower came into view.
‘Magic Tower.’
First time seeing it for real. One companion had loved chatting about the place. Her voice echoed fresh as yesterday.
‘...Claire.’
He was off to meet her.