Chapter 438: The Continental Front
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 438: The Continental Front
Honestly, I was more curious about the massive wall erected on the opposing side than our own. They, too, had built their fortifications from enormous stones. It was clearly magically treated, perhaps inspired by our own mages. No, it was even sturdier than that. Focusing mana into my eyes to gaze at the distant structure, I couldn't help but look a little surprised.
‘Dwarves.’
Their technology was a bit more advanced than I'd expected. A wall built with that kind of density would be difficult to breach for anyone less than a mage with the firepower of Isaac, Jung Hayeon, or Choi Eunju.
“I see why the Wilderness Forward Base hasn't been breached.”
“Ah. You mean that wall? It's decent enough.”
Sieges and defensive battles aren't won by the sturdiness of the walls alone. That was likely what Jang Ye Ri was implying.
I turned my gaze again. Contrary to my expectation that the ice wall would be quiet, it was bustling with activity. Channeling mana into my ears, I began to get a rough idea of the situation around us.
“Move it, move it!”
“Are the armaments properly sorted?”
“Yes, sir!”
“What about supply management?”
“No issues, sir.”
To make an analogy, it was like the three supreme dignitaries of a nation visiting a military base together. Of course, I had no intention of checking things like supply status or weapon organization, but they seemed to be prepared for any eventuality.
This was especially true for the sector managed by the East. They were clearly tense at the news that the notoriously meticulous Jang Ye Ri was visiting in person. It was a bit of a contrast to the elves managed by Alisha; they, on the other hand, seemed a little nervous about my arrival.
“Let's start with the sector managed by the East.”
I nodded at Jang Ye Ri's words. Park Han Cheol and the others from the East were stationed on the left side of the wall. Jang Ye Ri, glancing back at me as I walked with Han So-Hye, urged me to hurry. The moment I stepped forward, the left side of the wall came into full view.
‘Immaculate.’
“Immaculate.”
It was so pristine it was hard to believe this was a place where a war was about to begin. The soldiers were disciplined, and their eyes shone with loyalty to their queen.
She was the queen who had transformed the hellish East. It was only natural they would look at her that way. What was a little burdensome was the way they looked at me, standing beside her. Their expressions seemed to be filled with immense envy.
“What do you think?”
“Just what I said. It's immaculate.”
The management of their military supplies was probably just as thorough. I looked around the warehouse inside the wall and then began to inspect the barracks where they lived. I looked for anything to criticize, but there was nothing that stood out.
“Impressive. I'm not lying. Your methods are different from us Green Skins, but I can feel how Garia operates its forces.”
They were even more organized and advanced than when we fought together before. Naturally, a smile bloomed on Jang Ye Ri's face. Han So-Hye's expression, in contrast, darkened slightly.
“Ah!”
Just then, a voice cried out. A man who looked like a new recruit, perhaps out of nervousness, had dropped his spear. A momentary silence fell over the area, but Jang Ye Ri handled it with considerable composure. She slowly picked up the spear, patted his shoulder, and offered a word of encouragement—a gesture that seemed somewhat unlike her.
“Keep up the good work.”
“Th-thank you!”
The clan and guild representatives watching nervously were also agape at the rare sight. I wasn't sure if it was because I was with her, but they were surely thinking this was a very different side of the usual Jang Ye Ri. As proof, a few of the humans were sending me grateful looks.
Finishing the tour with a satisfied expression, Jang Ye Ri nodded and spoke.
“Well then, let's head to the central sector.”
“…”
Something was off about Han So-Hye's expression. It took only a moment to realize this wasn't the kind of tour she wanted. The North had a much freer atmosphere than the East. Its warriors were rough, loved to drink, and had a vibe more similar to the Green Skins than the East. I could guess what the situation was like without even seeing it. Han So-Hye had probably realized it too, just a moment too late.
That she was about to be compared.
Green Skins don't manage supplies this way in the first place. Han So-Hye knew that, so she probably hadn't given it much thought, but she had overlooked just how meticulous Jang Ye Ri was.
My continued praise must have gotten to her. Han So-Hye, who had been quiet, nodded.
“C-come to think of it, I forgot I had something to prepare. C-could you wait just a moment?”
“There's no need to prepare. For this sort of thing, isn't it more important to see things as they usually are?”
“B-but still…”
Somehow, it felt like a girl who wasn't used to men inviting her boyfriend into her room for the first time. A situation where you're waiting outside her house for the room to be cleaned. The problem was, the ‘room’ in question was an entire military barracks. I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.
As the corners of my mouth lifted, Han So-Hye's face naturally flushed with embarrassment. At the unexpected situation, Jang Ye Ri's expression also soured a little.
“It doesn't matter if we see it as it is, so let's go.”
“B-but…”
“Besides, we're not visiting your room. It's a place where troops are stationed and a war is being fought, so you don't need to worry so much.”
“Ah…”
Her face turned bright red. I realized I had made a mistake.
“Th-that… that thing you just said…”
“A slip of the tongue.”
I had spoken as if I were actually going into her room. I reflexively turned to look at Jang Ye Ri and saw the corners of her mouth twitching in amusement. At a glance, she just looked like she was smiling, but I knew that expression held many emotions.
It was an awkward moment. Just as I was praying for it to pass, help came from an unexpected source: the Western continent's camp before us. A loud voice began to ring out. Unsurprisingly, it wasn't a welcome one.
- We condemn the Queen of Garia, who tramples on human rights alongside monsters!
“What…”
- Can you call a woman who bears a monster's child and lives with monsters the leader of a nation? Even now, countless people are suffering under their rule. If you have fought them before, you know what those beasts are like. Can you truly trust them? Queen of the North, Han So-Hye, and Queen of the Elves, Alisha. Can you truly trust those monsters? The Western continent's gates are always open.
“Looks like they've started.”
Jang Ye Ri muttered as soon as the voice rang out. Her reaction was one of familiarity. When I looked at her as if asking for an explanation, she spoke nonchalantly.
“It happens about three times a day. It's just nonsense, so you don't need to pay it any mind. I don't know if they think such outdated propaganda will work, but we don't care at all. In fact, it's actually more helpful for boosting morale.”
At her words, I looked around. Just as she'd said, the soldiers of the East were all glaring at the other side with burning eyes. It was an insult to the queen who had changed their lives. It was no wonder their morale was fired up.
“We can simply repay this humiliation later. I have no desire to respond to every piece of bullshit they spew.”
That was Jang Ye Ri's nature. It was just like the woman who had hidden her blade for so long to take revenge on her father, but from my perspective, it was quite infuriating.
“So we're not responding at all?”
Han So-Hye shook her head at my question.
“There's no point in such actions.”
For someone who was supposedly brushing it off, Han So-Hye's eyes were also cold. To them, it might seem like the desperate cries of men about to die, but frankly, their bullshit was getting on my nerves.
- We know that many of you other humans are innocent. We also welcome those who have doubts about what they are doing and what crimes they are committing. Even those who believe they are guilty can be given a chance. Our continent's gates are always open.
“Hah…”
These two might be able to endure it, but there was no way I could tolerate such a provocation. I slowly infused mana into my eyes. The entire situation in the Western continent's camp began to come into view.
First, the woman running her mouth on the wall. The mages casting voice amplification magic on her, the people who prepared the script, and the faces of those standing below the wall slowly became visible.
[ Target - Katie ]
[ Status - Excited, Agitated, Tense, Hungry ]
“…”
[ Target - Steiner ]
[ Status - Bored, Annoyed, Hungry ]
“Puhahaha…”
[ Target - Aria ]
[ Status - Tense, Hungry ]
“What is it, my mate?”
“It's nothing. I just laughed because their situation seems a little more dire than I thought.”
I'd thought they might have supply problems, but the situation was more serious than I'd anticipated. With all their supply routes cut off, it would be a challenge just to maintain such a large force. They were probably trying to get by with what they had left, but the status messages floating above their faces explained the severity of the current situation.
Jang Ye Ri and Han So-Hye were absolutely right. There was no need to respond to every piece of bullshit. They were dead men walking anyway, and answering every single thing they said would be a headache. However…
“We have to give it right back to them.”
“Do you have something in mind?”
“Of course. Is Lee Wanyong here?”
“I believe he arrived around yesterday. His and his daughter's abilities aren't restricted by location, after all… Come to think of it, he did mention he wanted to greet you.”
I nodded, amused. If we were in the East, I would have gone to get him with Choi Eunju. If what I was thinking was correct, the warriors of the East and North would surely have a great reaction. I raised one corner of my mouth and spoke, and an answer came back immediately.
“By the way, when is mealtime?”
“It's soon.”
“Perfect. The timing is just right.”
I immediately made my way up to a higher position, and the entire Western camp came into view. The reason I bothered to come up here was simple: I wanted to observe their expressions more closely from a better vantage point. Their useless bullshit continued to echo, and Lee Wanyong, whom I hadn't seen in a while, was climbing onto the wall with a solemn expression, having apparently received my message.
I gave him a slight nod, and the way he responded as if to say ‘leave it to me’ was quite a sight.
He's perfect for this kind of role.
- You have committed an unforgivable sin.
Just as the usual, incessant voice once again spewed from their mouths,
a loud voice began to ring out from atop the ice wall.
- Oh yeah! This steak just melts in your mouth!
- …………………………
From their perspective, it must have been a completely unexpected remark.