308
Chapter 308
The low voice and gloomy eyes of the Song of the Crouching Flame instantly dampened the atmosphere.
Zeke looked at him and spoke calmly.
"Look, I'm just grilling the meat carefully."
Then the Song of the Crouching Flame raised his feathers stiffly and said,
"Don't you humans have the basic common sense that you shouldn't eat monster meat?"
Zeke shook his head.
"Originally, of course not. But isn't that because of the toxicity? If you remove the toxicity, you can eat it, so don't worry."
With those words, the Song of the Crouching Flame tried to strike down the stone grill cooking the meat with the heavy iron rod in its hand.
WHOOOOSH!
At that moment, Helen, who was behind him, pulled out the Dragon Buster and struck up the iron rod.
BOOM!
The Song of the Crouching Flame stepped back.
Then the Black Wing Warriors behind him raised their feathers and pointed their iron rods.
The Song of the Crouching Flame glared at Zeke and Helen and said,
"Stupid humans! The toxicity of monster meat cannot be removed like that! Even if you don't know now, those who eat the meat will soon fall! Your wrong actions will kill all of our allies!"
Zeke pondered how to explain in response to the Song of the Crouching Flame's fierce criticism.
After thinking, Zeke said to the knight,
"Go and bring a bowl of dirty water."
The knight immediately went to the well and drew a bowl of water.
Although they had discovered an old well, the water was contaminated, so they were only drinking a little of the clear upper water after settling the sediment.
Zeke pointed to the dirty water and said,
"Everyone, watch carefully."
He used a purification skill on the water.
A golden aura seeped into the water, and the contaminated water changed unbelievably clear.
Not only the beastkins’ but also the Black Wing Tribe warriors behind were shocked by the miracle Zeke created.
"H-How?"
"Did he create a miracle? A human?"
The Song of the Crouching Flame stared at the purified water and asked Zeke,
"...Are you a human mage?"
"Even a passing orc would know that I'm not a mage."
"How is this possible for a knight?"
Zeke thought for a moment and then spoke slowly,
"I recently visited the Fairy Lake. I met the Fairy King there and received this ability through his blessing."
At the mention of receiving the Fairy King's blessing, not only the Beastkins and bird tribes but even the knights were left with their mouths wide open.
Everyone looked like they couldn't believe his words.
"The Fairy King..."
"Isn't that something only in storybooks?"
Since no one seemed to believe him, Zeke decided to show some evidence.
Although Zeke was more inclined to hide his powers, trust-building was most important now, so he had no choice.
Just as he was about to take out the blessed fairy stone he received from the Fairy King, the Phoenix who had been hiding in the dimensional crack revealed itself.
WOOOOO!
As the Phoenix spread its brilliant wings on Zeke's shoulder and let out a phoenix cry, the bird tribes instantly panicked and stepped back.
"Oh my god! That... that is...!"
"I-It's a Phoenix, the Phoenix!"
"A legendary divine beast has appeared!"
Zeke was bewildered by the Black Wing Tribe warriors shouting in the Bird tribe's language.
'Why are these guys suddenly doing this?'
The Black Wing Tribe warriors, notorious for fearlessly charging at the imperial knight order while making a clear cry, were now making a huge commotion at the sight of the Phoenix.
The Song of the Crouching Flame also looked visibly flustered.
"...Human, is it really the Phoenix?"
Zeke, surprised by the unexpected reaction, nodded.
"Yes, it was born at the Fairy Lake. But why are you all reacting like this?"
The Song of the Crouching Flame swallowed and slowly spoke,
"There was a prophecy."
"What prophecy?"
He looked at Zeke with a displeased expression and said,
"A prophecy that when the divine beast, the Phoenix, reveals itself, the Bird tribe will regain their freedom."
Zeke looked at the Phoenix sitting on Helen's shoulder, singing and fluttering, with an unbelieving expression.
'Does it have some power I don't know about?'
He had heard it was a precious omen, but having just hatched, it didn't seem to have any special abilities yet.
At that moment, the Phoenix spread its wings, fluttered, and suddenly snatched and ate the meat on the stone grill.
The Bird tribe was startled by this sight.
"T-The Phoenix has eaten that meat!"
"Is that really okay?"
The Song of the Crouching Flame made a complicated expression and then approached the stone grill, picked up a piece of meat, and put it in his mouth. He chewed and swallowed the meat, then he stared intently.
After a moment, he turned his head and nodded to the other Black Wing Tribe warriors.
Suddenly, the Black Wing Tribe warriors rushed to the grill and stuffed meat into their mouths.
"Wow, it's been so long since we've had meat!"
"It's delicious. So delicious."
Zeke made a dumbfounded expression watching the bird tribe warriors who had just been acting like they were being poisoned, now eating the meat more enthusiastically than the Beastkins.
After cleanly finishing the meat, the bird tribe warriors stood upright again with tension in their brows.
However, grease remained glossy around their beaks.
As expected, the Song of the Crouching Flame, who had eaten plenty of meat, suddenly picked up the iron rod and let out a clear cry.
"ARARARARARARA!"
Then other bird members behind him also began to cry out.
"ARARARARARARA!"
"KIYOOOOT!"
As the clear cry echoed, the Phoenix also got excited and let out a phoenix cry from Helen's shoulder.
WOOOOO!
The Phoenix's cry had the power to drive away evil energy and bring good fortune.
As the Phoenix sang, life began to flow back into the fortress that had been drooping.
After letting out the clear cry, the Song of the Crouching Flame suddenly led the warriors out of the fortress.
Those left in the fortress could only be bewildered.
"What, are they crazy?"
The beastkins clicked their tongues, lying sideways and patting their full bellies, watching the bird tribe members run out of the fortress.
And shortly after, the bird tribe returned to the fortress with several minotaurs.
BOOM!
The Song of the Crouching Flame, who had placed the minotaurs in front of Zeke, spoke with a sharp gaze,
"The Black Wing Tribe warriors never eat for free."
Then he and the other Black Wing Tribe warriors stared at Zeke.
'Ultimately, they're asking me to cook more.'
Zeke inwardly laughed at their hidden intention, but he knew they needed to eat well to regain their strength.
Zeke dismantled and purified the minotaurs brought by the Black Wing Tribe and grilled the meat again.
Bigjo, understanding the situation, ordered his subordinates to catch some delicious-looking monsters.
Eventually, thanks to Zeke's efforts, the people in the fortress were able to eat well and recover their strength.
The tiger beast person who had been knocked down while guarding the door also ate the minotaur meat and was walking around perfectly fine with their miraculous recovery.
Zeke nodded at this sight. The Beastkins's unique recovery power was formidable on the battlefield.
It wasn't for nothing that mercenary groups considered Beastkins to be top-tier.
However, most predatory Beastkins were hot-tempered and often caused trouble, so quite a few mercenary groups avoided them.
The reason Beastkins couldn't integrate into central continent society like dwarves or other races was also due to this unique ferocity.
After solving their hunger and regaining their energy, Zeke resumed negotiations with the Song of the Crouching Flame and Bigjo.
"The bird tribe will accept Kali's conditions."
Surprisingly, the Song of the Crouching Flame, who had been rigid earlier, took the initiative to accept the proposal.
'Could it really be because of the Phoenix?'
The joint tribe was one of the most mysterious races along with the Naga.
Their priests often received revelations and made prophecies about the future.
The priest's prophecies were incredibly important revelations to the joint tribe, so the Phoenix's appearance seemed to have great significance for them.
Bigjo nodded after hearing the Song of the Crouching Flame's words.
"The Phoenix is certainly a good omen that can provide legitimacy for the alliance."
Even Bigjo seemed to welcome the Phoenix's appearance.
The Phoenix, which had nothing but pretty feathers, had apparently accomplished something quite significant.
At that moment, Bigjo said to Zeke,
"If the Western Alliance is formed, I'd like to hear the specific details of what help Lady Kali's side will provide."
Zeke definitely felt that Bigjo was not to be taken lightly.
'In terms of forming an alliance, it's good to be this clear.'
Zeke handed Bigjo a list he had prepared separately. It was a list of support items he had intended to reveal if the alliance proceeded positively.
Bigjo looked through the list and gave a satisfied smile.
"Are you really okay with these conditions? They're certainly advantageous to us."
"Lady Kali is not trying to demand anything from you. He simply wishes to support the Beastkins alliance and help the Ghetto region stand as an independent area."
Of course, it wasn't just out of goodwill that they were supporting the Beastkins and bird tribe alliance. By doing this, they could use the Western Alliance as a breakwater to prevent the Imperial Army from advancing, which would help Kali and Zeke check the Abel faction.
Bigjo nodded at those words.
"Hmm, Crosstel indeed responds to Lady Kali's proposal. However, I have a condition."
Zeke looked at Bigjo and asked,
"What is it?"
Bigjo smiled and said,
"We hope that Zeke Draker will continue to participate as the messenger and mediator of the alliance. What do you think?"
The Song of the Crouching Flame next to him also nodded in agreement.
"Does this mean you trust me to form the treaty?"
Bigjo laughed and answered,
"Of course. A human carrying a divine beast is certainly trustworthy, isn't he?"
The Song of the Crouching Flame also silently expressed his agreement by looking at Zeke.
Thanks to the bird tribe and Beastkins's absolute belief in divine beasts, the treaty was successfully concluded.
After fine-tuning the treaty details, Zeke proceeded with the next plan.
"We can't keep catching and eating monsters here forever, so we need to move towards the autonomous district."
Both group leaders agreed with Zeke's words.
However, they had already eaten all the horses they rode in on, so they couldn't ride.
Zeke asked the Song of the Crouching Flame,
"Is there a faster route besides that canyon?"
The Song of the Crouching Flame shook his head. "The canyon is the fastest route from here."
Zeke had no choice but to pass through the canyon he had come through to head towards the autonomous district.
He decided to first move to the autonomous district, secure safety, and then report the alliance treaty to Kali's side.
If there was an alliance treaty, Kali's army could enter the Ghetto region to exterminate monsters without issue.
'No matter what happens, I must protect the Song of the Crouching Flame and Bigjo, form the Western Alliance, and announce it.'
With these forces holding the western side, they could pressure the Imperial side and look for gaps.
The next day, Zeke and his group packed dried minotaur meat and water supplies and left the fortress.
As they all went out, monsters smelled them and rushed in groups.
Zeke raised the Giant hunter from the side and let out a lion's roar.
GRRRRRR!
The monsters stepped back at Zeke's roar.
Immediately, Zeke threw solar orbs at the monsters.
The solar orbs burst, creating a flash that robbed the monsters of their sight.
"Move quickly in this moment!"
The Song of the Crouching Flame and Helen took the lead, breaking through the monsters blocking their path.
The bird tribe and Beastkins warriors followed behind.
Some Beastkins warriors ran quickly, even carrying Bigjo on a palanquin despite his inconvenient legs.
GRRRRR!
Suddenly, enraged monsters blocked the side and charged at Zeke.
Wearing Hershion, Zeke swung Bahamut, transformed into a participant demon sword, at the monsters.
SWOOOOSH!
With one sword strike, dozens of monsters fell.
Zeke immediately used his absorption skill, and shadows rippled, swallowing the dead monsters.
By replenishing strength right after fighting, he could continue swinging his sword without tiring.
But suddenly, he noticed the monsters slowly retreating.
'Why are they doing that?'
And a moment later, a sound that shook the entire wasteland was heard.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Looking where the sound came from, Zeke saw something massive approaching.
'What is that?'
KRAAAA!
Three barbarians from the other side of the wasteland roared and charged towards Zeke.