Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Guard Captain of the Ironwood Forest Zone
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Ruby stayed ready for battle at any moment, checking the elves' positions.
"I'm the guard captain of the western Ironwood Forest sector, Byuren."
Jade and Saf craned their necks, squinting to catch even a glimpse of the elves shrouded in mist.
But if they looked blurry even to Ruby's eyes, there was no chance for the two of them.
Their appearance differed slightly from the wood elves like Sage. They were shorter than Sage despite being male, with ears drooping sideways. Their skin was close to brown.
Ruby had never encountered this race during her previous visit to Elpoforest.
Meruld kept his low stance, greeting them without fully revealing himself amid the darkness and fog.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Meruld from the Darkwood."
"It's an honor. Guardian of the sleepless eyes of the Darkwood, protector of Elpoforest. If you show yourself fully, we'll lower our defenses."
"My appearance might shift your defenses to an attack stance."
"If Dune, my predecessor, spoke true, you're an orc with black fur. If someone claiming to be an elf sentinel denies it, they'll pay the price for the lie."
Meruld paused briefly before stepping forward first. Standing before him, Byuren looked like a child.
Byuren seemed momentarily intimidated.
But he extended his hand first, and Meruld gently gripped the elf guard captain's small hand for a brief shake.
"It's a shame we meet in times like these. In different circumstances, we could have shared a long talk in more comfortable surroundings."
Byuren spoke in a tense voice.
"Where's the western captain Dune, and why have you stepped forward?"
"Dune was killed by Watercon a year ago. I'm his successor."
"……May the forest's peace be with Dune."
"May the forest's peace watch over him."
The two bowed their heads briefly to each other. Though unseen, the elf soldiers who never emerged from the forest bowed and raised their heads in unison.
"Dune isn't the only fallen soldier."
Byuren's low tone was muffled by the heavy fog, rumbling softly.
"The eastern and southern captains have returned to the forest's embrace, along with hundreds of soldiers. We're short on forces now, not even dreaming of rescuing the kidnapped children."
"Kidnapped? Are they abducting children? For what purpose?"
Meruld asked sharply.
"We don't know the purpose."
"Is it that Watercon bastard's doing?"
"Watercon and the Komora he leads."
Sorrow filled Byuren's voice.
"We requested reinforcements from various sectors to save the children, but all refused. It's hard to spare troops when there's no way to kill Komora, but still……"
"Though late, I'll help."
Meruld said.
Byuren gazed into the distance, singing a song so faint it was barely audible.
"The sentinel's oath to the forest shall be kept in the forest's name. Those who harm the forest shall fear, and those who protect it shall be praised."
Byuren looked up at Meruld again.
"Captain Dune said before dying that if anything happened to him, we should seek the sentinel. But I couldn't leave my post."
"Even if he'd come, I couldn't have helped. The Darkwood has too many Komora for me to leave as well."
"Has that matter been resolved?"
"It has."
Meruld replied curtly.
"You killed the Komora? What magic did you use?"
Byuren, who had spoken quietly until now, asked excitedly.
"It's magic, and it's not."
"Tell us the method, and we'll join you."
"It's something you can't assist with. It's not that I don't trust you, but if the Komora catch on, they might act first. So pretend you never met me today."
Ruby thought Meruld was right to refuse their help.
'Maybe he's just using that as an excuse because other elves would be a hassle.'
Byuren let out a deep sigh.
"They say the sentinel always moves alone—just like Captain Dune said."
"It's long been my way, and especially necessary this time."
"For someone like that, tonight……"
Byuren turned toward Jade, Saf, and Ruby.
"I have companions due to circumstances. I'd appreciate it if you didn't ask."
"Understood. I'll share what might help you and take my leave."
Byuren pointed beyond the forest with his finger.
"Watercon and his Komora forces are spotted near the swamp lake. There might be no Cowking, but there are plenty of other monstrous fiends with terrifying power."
"Tell me."
"First is Faz."
Ruby listened carefully to the name.
"Among us, we call him the water-controlling mage. Because of that one mage, we know the ruins in the swamp are their base but can't attack. I'm not underestimating the sentinel's power, but if you're entering the swamp ruins, it would be wise to bring Sage the Wise."
"Second?"
"No name known, but we call him 'Black Axe.' He takes the form of a spotted bull, and when he swings his axe, he unleashes devastating power beyond words. Beware the axe he wields—it can crumble city walls with absurd might. Some ancient immense magic…… Our mages tried to discern the special enchantment on Black Axe's weapon, but to no avail."
Ruby had to filter fear and exaggeration from Byuren's description.
From old memories, Ruby could smash elf walls barehanded. Some city walls were as formidable as those built by angels, so it varied.
"Got it. Any more?"
"They have special Komora units. One made of fish-like Komora, another of living skeletons. Each seems led by its own captain, but we haven't learned their names."
Meruld, like Ruby, nodded without asking more, deeming further info unnecessary.
Byuren continued.
"Toroshimo has suffered worse than us. They've lost more children and more elves to the forest's embrace. So they likely have more information, even unintentionally. If you need someone familiar with the terrain, seek Prince Naster of Toroshimo."
"Seeking someone who doesn't know me will only cause misunderstandings."
"Prince Naster knows you're an orc. Captain Dune told him—and me—about you countless times. You can expect a friendly reception."
"He blabbed unnecessarily."
Meruld muttered as if resenting Dune.
"Even if I can't accompany you, is there anything I can do to help?"
Byuren asked.
"In three days, form a team of your fastest soldiers and head to the ancient swamp ruins. If Watercon or Komora are still there after three days, it means I failed—warn every city then. And if possible, go to Sage in the Darkwood and inform him of my failure."
"I've always wanted to meet Sage the Wise. But please, don't make me bear such news."
Meruld nodded, and Byuren vanished into the fog as quietly as he'd come.
Jade, who had listened silently to their conversation, asked.
"Gone?"
Meruld slowly returned to the group.
"Not yet."
Meruld crouched slightly beside Jade. He attuned his ears to the forest sounds.
Ruby thumbed behind her back.
"You hear it too? They don't fully trust our existence. They're debating whether to tail us."
"Expected. Most, including Byuren, are seeing my orc form for the first time. Byuren knew from Dune, but the other elves must be rattled……"
Meruld trailed off.
"You're an orc—why are you in the Darkwood?"
Ruby asked.
Jade was more shocked than Meruld.
"Ruby, how can you just ask that……"
"……Is even this rude by your standards?"
When Ruby asked, Jade shook his head.
"No, I was admiring how refreshingly direct you are."
Jade looked up at Meruld, as if demanding an answer.
Meruld replied coldly.
"No need to know. Once this is over, you won't see me again, so curb your curiosity."
"Not a big question, but you hide it well."
Ruby muttered discontentedly.
Jade, conversely satisfied, said.
"Good enough to confirm that. Everyone has a past they don't want to share."
"You too?"
Ruby asked.
"Yeah. Me, you, Saf—all of us."
Jade summed up.
"Hmph, an orc sentinel in an elves-only forest isn't as dramatic a past as that."
At Ruby's words, Meruld sneered.
"Forget it—there's no grand tale like you're hoping for. I came to explain why Cowking is being treated as absent, but no need now."
"What? Sulking?"
Ruby asked.
"No, I just realized there's no need to discuss. Buffalord confessed Cowking's existence and location in soul form. So Cowking's almost certainly in the swamp ruins. Yet Byuren spoke as if clueless."
"Maybe Cowking never shows his face outside?"
"You've got combat experience, so you'll grasp it quick—'kings' always flaunt their titles. Acting absent is likely strategy."
"What strategy?"
Ruby asked.
Jade understood first and said.
"Cowking…… whether by his orders or Rhinod's loyalty, made the Komora worship him. And worship's end is always divinity itself."
Ruby nodded vigorously.
"Cowking wants to seem transcendent to the elves?"
"Greed or strategy—we'll see. Mortals fear the unknown more than the real. If Byuren reacts like that, other elves' terror is greater."
"Then I'll drag Cowking down to reality."
Ruby muttered to herself.
"How?"
Jade asked.
"Kill him. What's more certain than death?"
Ruby answered simply.
Meruld climbed onto a protruding massive tree root, staring into the darkness.
"Everyone, rest. I'll wake you at dawn."
Ruby scanned for a tree to leap into for vigilance.
Jade spoke in a weary voice.
"No idea when we'll arrive."
"Tomorrow."
Ruby replied.
"Huh? How do you know? Remembering the Darkwood terrain from 500 years ago?"
Jade asked.
"No, smell. Damp moss, water plants, mud—that stuff."
Ruby wrinkled her nose, gauging the exact distance.
Then Saf, who had been quiet, spoke.
"The stench is getting worse—reminded me since you mentioned smell."
"Stench…… that stench?"
Jade asked.
Saf had consistently pointed to the same direction as the stench's source since the Kuman Plains.
Ruby initially thought Saf smelled demons. But even after Krawks and Buffalord vanished, she stuck to that direction.
After entering the forest, she briefly lost it, but now regained it.
So Ruby figured the stench came from a hellgate.
Saf had special senses for demons, instantly knowing their weaknesses and names, so pinpointing a hellgate by stench was plausible.
But by that logic, Saf should have sensed it from Krawks' hellgate onward.
Thus, something else.
"Which direction now?"
Jade asked.
"The way Meruld's leading."
Saf raised her finger. It was the path they'd followed so far, the way ahead, and where Ruby smelled water.
'She's tracked the same scent without her nose going numb. What Saf smells isn't really a scent—just perceived as one.'
Ruby leaped onto a tree, staring in Saf's pointed direction, mulling her words.
Whatever it was, Saf had tracked this stench from Kuman Plains here.
'She's homing in on a specific demon or item.'
Losing direction midway added credibility—overwhelmed by similar smells in a demon-packed space.
Eventually adapting, narrowing back to the original.
Ruby had no clue what Saf tracked, but the distance made it absurd magic. No mage she knew could track this far, this long.