Chapter 92
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 092
Chapter Title: Request for Aid
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Having caught on to the enemy's little scheme, the key now was turning it against them.
He came up with a simple stratagem.
A plan so straightforward it was almost embarrassing to call it a stratagem. The method was none other than...
'Do nothing.'
Whether to ally with the nagas or not—he dragged his feet, refusing to decide right away.
He needed something to kill time anyway. Woojin joined the others in idle card games, lounging around like a bunch of layabouts. Plain games were boring without stakes, so they wagered jerky instead of money.
—I win again.
Cecilia revealed her hand, then swept all the chips from the table. Woojin, Rolang, and Jaka blinked like idiots.
'...Why is she so good?'
Cecilia was a recent newcomer to card games, yet her skill was no joke.
With her face fully veiled, her expression was impossible to read—like a poker player in shades. And was it luck? She always seemed to draw top-tier hands in the big pots.
'No way she's cheating... Is it just talent?'
That was the only conclusion.
Over the past ten days, she'd monopolized every pot. Woojin had barely broken even, while Rolang and Jaka lost consistently.
...One more hand, please.
—Shall we?
Rolang begged, and Cecilia picked up the cards again. Winner of the last game became the dealer.
The saintess shuffled.
Click, click, click...
Woojin watched her mechanical movements, then tilted his head toward the door. He heard footsteps outside.
Like sweeping with a broom. The sound nagas made when slithering.
A knock followed.
'...Earlier than expected.'
Woojin stood, thinking that. He opened the door to face the naga envoy from their prior three-way talks.
Got a moment?
The envoy spoke, his attendant signing the translation.
Woojin nodded readily.
—Please, come in and sit.
He signed back. The naga slithered inside. Cecilia and Rolang smartly rose to greet the guest.
Rolang fetched a chair... then froze. The naga's lower body was a serpent's.
'Can it even sit in a chair?'
Tough call. Cecilia thought the same and laid her cushion on the floor. The envoy settled onto it gratefully.
A plush cotton pillow. He bobbed his head in approval.
You know how to host... Far more clever than those dull hyenas.
The attendant skipped translating. Jaka, the idle warrior, was there too.
'Pretty arrogant tone.'
Woojin had noticed it eavesdropping last time. This envoy carried himself with haughty arrogance. He knew why.
'Royal blood.'
Those deep navy scales marked him as kin to the naga king.
This envoy was a prince of the tribe. Not someone to trifle with. But no need to overdo the courtesy either.
'Naga royal blood's surprisingly common.'
The naga king kept many concubines—not for lust, but to sire multiple strong warriors of his line.
These royals often served as envoys, signaling the king's personal interest.
—What brings you here?
Cecilia signed politely. The envoy cut straight to it.
I need to know when the Norr Queen will decide on the alliance... Anything you can share?
Queen Knartash was stalling on the alliance. To gather intel, the envoy visited the Norrs' allies for advice.
Just as Woojin anticipated. He signed back without hesitation.
—At least three months, I'd say.
...That long?
—It's a choice that decides their fate. Can't rush it.
Abomination attacks had ramped up lately. Better to watch the situation before deciding on the northern campaign.
The envoy bristled.
The king awaits word. You must decide sooner.
—Telling us won't help. The Norrs hold the decision.
Woojin paused, then added,
—Truth is... it's a tough spot. The Norrs have half-given up on retaking their lands.
The envoy's eyes flashed fiercely.
...Those wretched hyenas abandoned reclaiming their territory? Why?
—Mutant abominations keep multiplying. Warriors are tired of fighting them.
Even with naga aid to win back the north, holding it was another matter.
Settling here was wiser. Walls for easier defense, no rival factions competing for food nearby.
—The queen's lingering attachment to old lands is dragging it out. No clue what she'll choose.
...
After the long explanation, the envoy sank into thought. Then, noticing the eyes on him, he rose.
Enlightening talk. Info like that deserves reward.
He nodded to his attendant, who rummaged in a bag and produced two daggers—ground from beast fangs.
The envoy handed them over.
May these fangs serve you well.
—Thank you.
Woojin took them. The nagas slithered out.
Rolang approached.
What'd you get?
Daggers, looks like.
Woojin offered one. Rolang inspected it.
Beast bone, fang, and hide. Primitive but sturdy, razor-sharp.
Huh, not bad at all.
Like it? Take one.
You sure?
Yeah. Not my style.
Woojin preferred throwing knives. These curved fang blades were too long for that.
'Better off with a machete.'
He handed one each to Rolang and Cecilia without regret. Cecilia glanced around warily.
Only two daggers—Jaka got none, and it bugged her. Jaka caught on and grinned.
I don't need one. Got better fangs right here.
He bared his own. Cecilia couldn't understand Norr speech but got the gist and relaxed.
She signed a question.
—Why tell the envoy that? What's your angle?
The Norrs half-abandoned the north, agonizing over the naga offer.
Simple reason for the lie.
Make 'em desperate.
They're the ones in a hurry, not us.
The dragon abomination was hammering the nagas. They wanted the Norrs to launch north ASAP, drawing its attention.
'Lending a thousand troops? Just to rush the alliance and campaign.'
Seal the deal quick, dispatch warriors, prod the northbound push.
But the Norrs went opposite—dragging deliberations, hinting at scrapping the north altogether.
Confirmed, the envoy's panic would spike.
'Head must be spinning right now.'
Woojin watched the nagas from afar.
Their movements turned frantic. Half the delegation left the gate, heading home. Messengers to report the crisis, no doubt.
How to respond?
No good ideas would come. Norrs were a major force, and reasonable ones.
No substitutes. One path left.
'Request aid.'
The needy always bend.
About a month later...
The naga envoys visited Queen Knartash, heads bowed low.
...Lend us your warriors.
A humble plea. Knartash feigned ignorance.
What's this sudden talk? You offered troops before—now you want ours? Why the flip?
Well...
They hesitated, then spilled their plight.
...A fallen dragon and its minions invaded our lands. Thus, the King of the Scaled Ones seeks alliance with the Norr tribe.
The dragon abomination struck the nagas. Woojin's hunch confirmed.
Knartash smirked.
What do we gain from your 'alliance'? Can't see it. Relief aid—that's the word for it.
The nagas tried duping Norrs with "northern support."
The queen harbored deep grudge.
Beg for help with tribute. Then maybe I'll consider.
...Give us time.
The envoy eyed his attendant, who dashed out.
Dull thuds echoed soon after. Like a giant's steps. The noise grew, halting before the queen's chambers.
The envoy spoke cautiously.
Tribute's here. Too big for indoors—may we finish outside?
Fine... Let's see it.
Knartash rose. Woojin and crew followed. They faced a massive creature.
A yellowish-green bipedal lizard. Protruding fangs like honed blades, spiked back like a carnivorous dinosaur.
Woojin recognized it easily.
'Drake.'
A beast from the Demonic Realm's depths, the naga king's favored mount.
Nagas hauled large chests—eight total—to Knartash's feet. Packed with rare treasures and weapons.
All this is yours... Please aid our tribe.
Thud.
The envoys prostrated flat. The Norr gesture of utmost respect. They honored the queen thus.
Knartash laughed heartily, turning to Woojin.
Guardian. Good enough?
Not bad.
A satisfying outcome.