Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Teymon
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(83) Teymon
"How much farther to Teymon?" Jade asked.
"3 schiphons."
Merald replied curtly.
Jade did a quick conversion using the familiar units.
'A bit over a mile.'
At that moment, Merald reined in his Champion. He glared off into a spot where Jade could see nothing but trees.
"For some reason, Heldra's army has stopped."
Merald muttered.
Sage asked quickly.
"Distance?"
"2 schiphons from here, and about 2 schiphons from Teymon."
"Can you see Heldra?"
"Not from here."
"That's a relief. At least they haven't started their attack yet."
"I figured they wouldn't... but..."
Merald muttered in an uneasy voice.
Jade asked.
"What's the problem? Doesn't Heldra only move during the day and stay still at night? So it shouldn't be strange for them to be stopped there all night."
"They tire quickly at night, but they can still move. Up until now, they've only traveled during the day for marching efficiency, but if it's for an attack, they might boldly move regardless."
"So they can move aggressively, but it's better to do it at night without sentries, even if it's less efficient than during the day with sentries?"
Jade asked.
Merald nodded.
"Heldra is a monster that attacks just by moving."
Merald seemed bothered, so he said to Sage.
"Take Jade and head toward Teymon, old lady."
"What about you?"
"I need to go check the situation."
Sage nodded without lengthy questions and urged her forest grouse forward first.
Jade said.
"Be careful."
"Who are you saying that to?"
"To Merald, Jade."
Merald chuckled and whistled. The Champion carrying Jade reacted to the sound and chased after Sage's forest grouse.
Merald watched Jade until the last moment, then dismounted and leaped up into the trees.
Jade watched him disappear, then turned her gaze forward. Soon, his Champion caught up to the one Sage was riding.
Jade, now riding alongside Sage, said.
"Merald always glares at me."
"It's not glaring. He's worried. You're just not used to orc expressions."
"I see."
"It's tough, isn't it?"
"No problem."
"You don't have to lie to me."
"...I'm a bit tired and worn out. Funny thing in the middle of all this, but I'm sleepy too."
"I can see that. It must be even clearer in Merald's eyes. That's why he doesn't fully trust you."
"I thought I hid it, but it didn't hide well... Wait, then he was glaring!"
"Eh, it was a complicated expression." Sage continued with a smile.
"Understand. Merald's lived alone fighting for centuries. He's not used to fighting with someone's help."
"That doesn't mean I want to show false confidence. In truth, my experience actually annihilating demons barely fills ten fingers."
"Oh my, I thought you didn't have much experience, but that little?"
"So I want to make thorough plans and rehearse first. I'm not sure if a demon that size will really vanish in my small hands."
"I don't know much, but doesn't light magic have nothing to do with the opponent's size?"
"In theory, yes, but I'm worried it won't go according to theory."
"Don't tell Merald what you just said. He's already like jumping off a cliff entrusting a lifeline to a child. If he sees you so anxious, he'll trust you even less."
As the Champion and forest grouse emerged from the dense woods, a massive wall came into view. Beyond the high wall, even taller towers and buildings gleaming emerald peeked out.
Upon closer look, even the wall was made of densely packed trees. The other buildings were probably hidden behind that tree wall.
"That's Teymon."
"Right. The largest elf city in the great oak forest region."
"And that tree wall?"
"In human terms, it's the rampart."
"It looks alive."
"It is alive. Three times tougher than stacked stone walls, and it heals itself in days even if damaged."
Sage explained proudly. It was simple enough, but the height surpassed any human architecture Jade knew.
"That's about 2 phons high, right?"
"Spot on. Probably the tallest rampart among elf cities."
Sage added bitterly.
"But Heldra's legs alone are about 2 phons. To it, that's just a tree fence."
A sound came from behind, and Merald's Champion was catching up quickly.
"Find anything?"
Sage asked.
Merald pulled up alongside them and replied.
"Buffalord is commanding. That explains everything."
Sage nodded as if understanding immediately.
Jade asked.
"What's Buffalord commanding have to do with Heldra not attacking Teymon?"
"Buffalord fears me. With Teymon right in front of them and me not showing up, he thinks it's a trap."
Merald answered while checking Teymon's ramparts.
"Too many guards."
Jade narrowed her eyes and spotted hundreds of archers and spearmen on the oak wall. Instead of usual battlements or watchtowers, there were branches and tree hollows.
Jade asked.
"Why is too many a problem? To counter the Komora army, shouldn't there be even more?"
"That's the right response for small Komora. But against Heldra, it'll just increase casualties. I need to tell them."
The three rode closer and reached the great oak rampart of Teymon. Trees several armspans thick were intertwined so tightly not even a needle could pass.
No gate was visible.
"You two wait here."
Merald went ahead alone, looked up at the tree rampart, and shouted.
"I am the Watcher of the Darkwood. I seek General Taragon."
The elves showed no reaction. A slightly threatening air hung. Crossbows peeked from holes in the tree wall.
Jade cautiously asked Sage.
"Why are they like that? Isn't the Watcher of the Darkwood an ally to elves?"
"It's his appearance. Young soldiers under fifty often don't know the Watcher looks like an orc, so they might mistake him for an enemy. Even older ones don't like the Watcher."
Sage explained.
Jade couldn't hold back a question she'd had since first meeting Merald.
"Why is an orc guarding the elf forest? Orcs live on the eastern continent, right?"
"Right. But Merald is..."
Sage half-opened her mouth, then stopped.
"Not the time for that story. And it's not mine to tell without permission."
Merald waited a long time, but no response from the rampart.
"Guess I have to step in. Wouldn't want an accidental arrow."
Sage urged her forest grouse next to Merald and shouted upward.
"Is there no mage nearby who knows me? I am Sage, mage of the Darkwood."
One long-bearded elf atop the tree wall shouted joyfully.
"Sage the Wise? Is that you?"
"Yes, it's me!"
"Oh, you've come. Wait there."
Soon, the middle of the tree wall parted left and right like a gate. The seams were nearly invisible, and the material like vines had blended in as camouflage.
To Jade, it looked like a gate appeared from nowhere.
A long-bearded elder came out to greet them.
"For the Wise One of the Darkwood to grace Teymon in person feels like gaining a heavenly host. Please come in and guide our mages."
Sage shook her head.
"That's not why I'm here. First, I'd like to meet General Taragon."
Sage spoke to the white-haired elder like a child.
The elder obeyed like a meek student before Sage.
"Understood. Of course we must summon him at the Wise One's call. Please come inside."
"No, tell Taragon to come here. Heldra will move soon."
As her words fell, Heldra began moving. Jade felt the sound and vibration.
Soldiers atop the tree wall startled and crouched. Some nearly fell but were helped back onto branches by comrades.
"W-We will summon him right away."
The mages rushed back inside the gate.
'A mile—no, 3 schiphons away, and I can still feel it. Hard to believe I was within 1 schiphon of that monster yesterday. But today, I have to get close enough to touch.'
Less than a minute later, a tall blond elf appeared riding a black Champion.
Other soldiers wore elongated helmets covering their rabbit-like ears, but this man wore one with holes letting his ears stick out. Red gem earrings adorned his ears.
"Taragon. Long time."
Sage raised her hand in greeting.
"Wise One! Oh, the Watcher too!"
Taragon welcomed the two more than anyone else there.
"With Heldra's army at our doorstep, why weren't you at the oak wall?"
Sage scolded.
"I was late evacuating Teymon's people to the northern caves."
"Ah, good call. We've come to find a way to eliminate Heldra."
"Really? What ancient magic is it?"
Taragon asked, eyes wide.
Sage pointed at Jade with her thumb.
"That one."
Jade felt extremely embarrassed.
Taragon was shocked. His expression bordered on disappointment.
"A human!"
"Right, a human."
Sage said with a smile.
Taragon chewed his lips, face saying he had too many questions and didn't know where to start. Jade worried she couldn't answer whatever he asked.
Fortunately, Merald interjected.
"I'll explain the plan."
Only then did Taragon shift his burdensome gaze from Jade to Merald.
"Speak. I am always ready to follow the Watcher's orders."
"I'll block Heldra's movements. Jade will eliminate Heldra. Sage will guard Jade. In this process, many Komora will charge straight at Teymon. Hold them off."
Taragon pondered the plan briefly, then asked.
"It sounds like you're telling us to get out of the way since we'll just hinder?"
"After Heldra dies, the rest is Teymon's army. But until then, staying back helps."
"But..."
"Didn't you say you're ready to follow my orders anytime?"
Taragon lowered his voice, mindful of surroundings, so even Jade could barely hear.
"Then confirm one thing. What power does that small human have to eliminate Heldra? Our best mages pour all their magic into killing a palm-sized Komora and lie bedridden for a day."
"Next time you catch a palm-sized Komora, tell them to douse it in a barrel of oil, trap it in the barrel, and burn it for an hour. No need to pour all magic and lie bedridden."
Merald glanced at Jade again before continuing.
"Guard the wall. We'll eliminate Heldra and return."
Taragon glared at Jade.
'He said it, so why look at me?'
Jade swallowed nervously.
Merald rode his Champion next to Jade.
"We go with the plan from before departure. Questions?"
Jade shrugged and said.
"What questions? Follow Sage closely. Stick to Heldra when the chance comes. Annihilate it... That's it."
"The chance might not come multiple times, so act boldly and..."
Sage cut off Merald.
"Enough. Repeating too much can cause mistakes."
"With 30,000 lives and the forest's fate at stake, it's natural."
"You're saying that to a kid already crushed by pressure."
Merald snorted once and dashed into the forest.
Sage glared at his back and said.
"I'll apologize instead. That guy knows no consideration."
"It's fine."
Jade replied.
Sage urged her forest grouse forward first, and Jade's Champion followed knowingly.
Jade noticed her hand gripping the Champion's horn trembling.
'Should've skipped Teymon and charged straight at Heldra. Then if I fail and die, at least it'd be "Died after coming all this way for nothing."'
Jade regretted, but it was too late.
'Even when the Emperor spoke of Rom's fate, it wasn't this bad...'
Now knowing the full situation, her fear grew. The monster that could trample 3 million—not 30,000—in a day slowly revealed its head above the trees.
Not one, but five heads at once.