Chapter 337: The Defector
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 337: The Defector
This is how Wingrin, a milkmaid from a southern village, came to defect from the North.
The North Continent was largely divided into a northern and southern region. The north was ruled by the undead, while the south was where the Chinese had settled and lived. A war had been raging for a very long time, and the humans of the south had fought desperately against the undead.
Wingrin, having virtually no talent to speak of, lived a life far removed from the war. After living in a small city, she moved to a tiny village and kept a low profile, fearing she might get caught up in the conflict.
Then, from a certain day onward, the undead began to expand their influence. The Chinese collapsed as if their resistance until then had been a miracle. Most of the large and small cities fell, and the entire North Continent became a paradise for the undead. Of course, the aftermath reached even the small villages in an instant.
The undead suddenly descended upon her peaceful, everyday life as a milkmaid.
The strange thing was that the undead, who had previously killed indiscriminately, began to raise humans like livestock. She figured they were probably being used as sacrifices for magic.
“I… I wasn’t in my right mind back then. I just thought I had to survive, somehow, so…”
“So?”
“After blindly fleeing into the mountains, I dug a hole and hid in it. I survived by eating things like leaves… The last thing I saw was a black light erupting from the village where I lived.”
“Hmm…”
That must have been the process of converting the sacrifices into magical energy.
Her continued journey south was anything but smooth. The tale of how she hid in a place teeming with magical beasts was quite thrilling, but due to time constraints, I decided to hear it later. In any case, when Wingrin reached the edge of the continent, she said she couldn't advance because of a hazy barrier.
Thinking it would be better to hide there than to turn back, Wingrin once again dug a hole and started living off leaves and such. In the meantime, a war broke out.
Realizing there was an ice wall in front of her and the undead legion behind her, Wingrin desperately moved before the two forces clashed, relocating to a place where the battle's aftermath wouldn't reach. Then, she once again dug a hole to watch the situation unfold.
After the undead retreated, she quickly got up and climbed the wall with a hoe and sickle she had brought with her. That was the final chapter of Wingrin's grand adventure—a story that could sell if made into a movie.
“I… I never meant to trespass. Excuse me… Hello…? I called out, but no one answered… Sob… My voice was a little quiet, but…”
The reactions to Wingrin's adventure were quite varied, ranging from utter disbelief to suspicion. It was impossible to believe she had breached this wall with a hoe and a sickle. But the elves who brought her in nodded as if to confirm everything was true, and the suspicious gazes gradually began to fade.
It was also amazing that she hadn't been caught by the guards.
No, on second thought, it wasn't entirely nonsensical. Choi Hee-chul is a fairly high-level magician. It was highly likely he was maintaining the front line with magic that detected the enemy's mana.
It was certainly not unreasonable that he failed to detect Wingrin, who had a minuscule amount of mana. She had less mana than even the lowest-ranking undead.
The ice wall surrounding the entire continent is immense. If it had been the Green Skins' territory instead of Choi Hee-chul's, she would have been discovered immediately.
“That must have been dangerous…”
“It’s… it’s not much, but I awakened a unique ability while I was on the run…”
“…”
“It’s a unique ability called S-Survival Expert.”
Even if I were the god managing this land, I probably would have given her the same trait. By the way, her mention of being a milkmaid made the two large mounds on her chest quite distracting. Just as I was thinking they easily overwhelmed Jung Hayeon's and Choi Eunju's, I felt a sharp pinch on my thigh.
What I saw was Choi Seulgi, her eyes burning. I took it as a warning not to let my eyes wander, so I quietly averted my gaze.
“That’s a shame…”
“Pardon?”
“Your story seems to be true, but it means the information you can give us is extremely limited.”
“I… I do know a few things. There were many stories going around…”
“Let’s hear them.”
“Ah… well… um…”
She was flustered, with an expression that said she didn't know where to begin. And she was quite desperate. It was only natural that she had a rough grasp of the atmosphere. For instance, she must think of herself as an unwelcome guest. She clearly thinks she might be thrown back outside the wall if she's not useful. More importantly, every time she moved, her chest kept drawing my attention. Strangely, I had a feeling bruises were starting to form on my thigh and my side.
“How about you start by telling us about the enemy’s members or any famous undead you know.”
“Ah… yes. First, I heard there are about five famous undead in the northern part of our continent. They are the strongest undead. They’re called the Fallen Prince, the Queen of Death, the Lord of Ruin, the Black Knight, and the Red One, but as for what abilities they have… Ah. Although, I heard the Lord of Ruin died during a major battle.”
These must be the ones classified as ‘Named’ on the North Continent. The important thing is what abilities they have. And assuming they’ve been fighting for a long time, the Chinese leaders who have already become undead are also a threat.
I casually opened my mouth.
“Do you happen to know what they were planning to do with the humans they captured?”
“Not exactly…”
Of course she wouldn't know. I lowered my head. One positive thing was that there might be more survivors on the North Continent. And, though it was just grasping at straws, the magic the enemies cast had a greater penalty than I’d thought.
We talked for quite a while after that, but there was nothing particularly noteworthy to be gained. However, it wasn't entirely unhelpful. It gave more certainty to things we had already confirmed on our side.
They also have a nation and obey the words of their king. I thought this was the most important point. They are not just simple enemies.
There was one more thing I became certain of. From their perspective as well, the magic that swept our continent came with significant sacrifices and penalties.
“There was never a time when a black wind suddenly swept across the continent or anything like that. Their method was for liches to raise the dead after the undead invaded a city and the battle was over.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve never seen it myself, but…”
In the middle of the meeting, Goff muttered.
“I see why they didn’t just pound the wall with magic. In other words, isn’t now the perfect time to strike?”
It could be seen that way. No, now was definitely the right time. But first, we needed to visit the village where she lived. I thought we might be able to find traces of the sacrifices or other magic. I'd be able to believe it if I saw it with my own eyes. While I was lost in thought for a moment, several humans were exchanging their opinions. It was the Knight of the North and the master of the Frost Dragon Guild.
“If they are in the process of gathering strength to replenish their mana, now would be the most opportune time. If I had my way, I’d want to just blast the entire continent with holy magic, but…”
“That’s impossible. The reason they were able to spread that kind of magic across our entire continent was because they specialize in it and had ample time. Unless angels truly exist and our race is angelic, dropping holy power on an entire continent is impossible.”
“Urgh… If the magicians gather their power…”
“We might need even more time than they did. And it wouldn’t be enough even if we sacrificed all the humans in the southwest. Not to mention the sacrifice of our own high-ranking magicians.”
Either way, it was a dilemma. I turned away from the men who were debating and spoke directly to Wingrin.
“Do you happen to know where the undead city is?”
“I’m not sure exactly, but…”
I thought she might know. It would be absurd not to know the enemy’s capital despite fighting for so long. Of course, she was just a milkmaid, but she must have overheard something.
The center of the map she had drawn earlier. It was a crude map, but I was starting to get a rough idea. All the while, I could still hear the magicians and warriors arguing with each other.
“The idea of pouring magic over the continent is ridiculous, but dealing a blow would require immense magical power. Even if we gather that mana, we have to think of a way to deliver it directly. As for how much time that would take…”
“Ahem…”
“Magic is more complicated than you warriors think. It would be easier to just make a mana bomb and drop it. Though that’s not something that can be done in a short time either.”
Just as I was thinking that chipping away at them was our best option, the words ‘mana bomb’ echoed in my ears.
“Hmm…”
“Do you have something in mind, Blood Dagger?”
“No… but suppose there was something made of a giant mass of mana. Would it be possible to drop it?”
“I can’t be certain of anything. Moving an object is magic on par with teleportation. If we received help, led by your magician who can use teleportation… it might just be possible…”
Seeing everyone looking at me, it seemed they thought I had some kind of trump card up my sleeve. I couldn't be sure either. But I at least knew of something made of immense mana. No, to be precise, I have it.
‘Isaac’s Secret Magic Tower.’
Right now, it was simply being used as an adventurer’s guild, but in truth, Isaac’s Magic Tower was a crystallization of mana, built over an immense period. If it was possible to drop this tower, made from the very essence of mana, and make it explode, we might be able to reduce the potentially despair-inducing difference in our forces. No, before that, if they truly couldn't recover their mana, we could send them all to meet their maker together.
‘Dropping the Magic Tower.’
If it came to pass, it would be more than enough revenge for what we’d received.
“Umm… s-sorry, but can I have some more of this?”
At Wingrin’s words, I gave a rough nod and the corners of my mouth lifted. Because somehow, it felt possible.
*
- Achoo… Is someone talking about me?
“Grrrrrrowl.”
- Ah… No, Lord Ibar. It’s not because of you, Lord Ibar. We are going the right way, aren’t we?
“Grrrrrrowl…”
- N-No, how could I possibly doubt you, Lord Ibar? I-It’s just, if you could run while biting the staff a little more gently… Hic… No, I’m sorry. Please don’t clench so hard. W-We’re almost there? Yes… Yes! I’ll be quiet.