Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Chapter 38 - The Windy Plains
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The Ashanta Continent, the main stage for the eastern arc, was a place where the Holy Empire's influence wasn't particularly strong.
Unlike the independent powerhouse that was the Malkuth Kingdom, it didn't have a single massive nation, but dozens of tribal nations formed by various clans dotted the land.
Among them, the Windy Plains were lands dominated by nomadic centaur tribes.
[But Master, what's a centaur?]
'Half-human, half-horse race. Upper body human, lower body horse... Why the face?'
[No, it's just... isn't that super creepy?]
Integra, furrowing her brow with a troubled expression, projected an image into the air of the centaur she'd imagined.
'Indeed.'
The image showed a human upper body standing on all fours, with a massive horse lower half attached behind it—complete with hindquarters and rear legs. It was grotesquely bizarre.
[Wouldn't that be super inconvenient for everyday life?]
'No, it's not like that. More like... this vibe?'
Luther quickly replied, asking Black Xuanwu for a moment's leave before flicking his fingers to sketch in the air.
It was visible only to Integra, but surprisingly detailed and viewable for something finger-drawn.
[Ah, that shape.]
[But Master, for that form, you should've said it's a race with a human head and upper body, and the rest horse.]
[Anyway, fascinating race. How do their internal organs work? Separate guts for the human part and horse part?]
[If the heart's only in one side, it'd have to be insanely strong. Tough structure for circulating blood through the whole body.]
Was this what they called science-brain?
Luther fell silent at Integra's earnest pondering, then resumed.
'Anyway, centaurs are the dominant race on the Windy Plains. Other races live there too, but they're the most numerous.'
Integra tilted her head at Luther's words.
[What other races?]
'Like wild elves, for starters.'
[Name sounds kinda lazy but makes sense. Wild elves?]
'Well... not exactly ferocious beasts clinging to savagery. More nature-attuned elves? Anyway, the great plains house a wild elf branch called wind elves... uh... tricky folk, all around.'
[What do you mean?]
[Tricky how?]
'It's... nah. We'll talk when you see them later.'
Luther visibly balked at explaining now, narrowing Integra's brows further with curiosity—but only briefly.
She nodded as if understanding, glancing toward Black Xuanwu. Luther turned back.
"Finished with the spirit?"
"Yes, thank you for waiting."
"No trouble. The important talks were mostly done anyway."
Black Xuanwu closed her eyes wearily after that. Luther glanced at Mina, then cautiously asked.
"Black Xuanwu, any other safe spots to hide besides here?"
The submarine tunnel platform was well-hidden—even Anes had given up and left—but not ideal for long stays.
[Anes might've pinpointed the location.]
She'd likely turned back without finding the entrance, but she'd probably grasped where Black Xuanwu vanished.
She could return later with dragonkin or earth dragons for a search and uncover it.
"For now... planning to head inland via heavenly waterways. The previous Black Xuanwu left a crystal palace nearby, so we can hide there awhile."
Silver lining.
[Seems Black Xuanwu tradition: secret bases called crystal palaces.]
'Yeah. Maybe prepped as safehouses for crises like this.'
Either way, key was Black Xuanwu and Doju had a hideout.
[Tough dragging Black Xuanwu and Doju while hunting the Yellow Dragon's Shrine Maiden. Drop them at the palace, then hit the Windy Plains.]
'Right, plan.'
That was when Luther answered.
"Luther, you alright? Need rest?"
Black Xuanwu eyed him worriedly.
As a divine beast, she saw not just his appearance, but his very vitality.
Luther looked fine outwardly, but body and mind were ragged.
Before getting Einherjar for counterattack, it'd been a desperate flight—mental wear severe. Physically, accumulated damage from blocking Calliot's assaults was dire.
Plus Dragon Burst Spiral drain. He could collapse any second.
[Black Xuanwu's right.]
[Master needs recovery time.]
[Anes'll be busy with Calliot cleanup, so three hours—no, two hours sleep.]
[I'll scout the platform for the submarine train meanwhile.]
Integra urged worriedly. Luther nodded readily.
"Got it. Two hours rest, then."
"...Want to say rest more, but you know your body best. Fine. Depart in two."
Black Xuanwu's face mixed apology and thanks, then turned to Mina.
Likely signaling her to guide Luther.
"Luther, this way please."
Mina bowed demurely, leading him next door.
Identical to Black Xuanwu's room: lone bed, but oddly homey.
"Call if you need anything."
"Thanks. Appreciate it."
Luther smiled warmly; Mina blushed shyly, bowed, and left.
[Hmm, seems she's catching feelings.]
[All 'cause Master flashes needless kind smiles everywhere.]
"If you say so."
Brushing it off lazily, Luther lay on the bed and shut his eyes reflexively.
Fatigue crashed once horizontal.
[Sleep well, Master.]
[Activating sleep mode.]
Luther nodded instead of replying, sinking into deep slumber seconds later.
Two hours later.
[Good afternoon, Master.]
Luther woke to Integra's beaming face, stretched hugely, and sat up.
Thanks to her tweaks while he slept, he felt refreshed despite just two hours.
[Hacked platform controls while you slept, gathered data.]
[Submarine tunnel map centered on platform.]
Blink, and Ashanta Continent map appeared.
White lines marked the tunnels.
"Three paths inland."
[Yes, but some platforms sealed. Only this one's usable.]
One path glowed blue in sync.
Luther nodded slowly, asking Integra.
"Train?"
[Yes. On another platform; hacked and brought it here while you slept. Good job, right? Huh?]
Her praise-fishing drew chuckles; he nodded.
"Yeah, great work. Computational boost real, huh?"
[Totally.]
[Hacking's leagues beyond before.]
[No time yet, but Clairheim Morr and Schwarz analysis'll surge. Expect it, okay?]
"Yep, counting on you."
Luther smiled fondly at her proud shoulder-shimmy.
Integra was growing, as she claimed.
Boosted compute let her handle more efficiently; Luther far stronger with Einherjar.
So,
maybe delay telling her about the other Integra?
Foolish, he knew best.
Einherjar gave breathing room—literally just that.
For fights ahead, grab Ultimate Cube ASAP to unleash Eight Divine Weapons' true power.
Yet he couldn't voice it.
Fear.
Speaking might make this Integra vanish like mist.
Baseless fancy, sure.
But it kept his mouth shut.
Who even was the other Integra?
Why two? One real, one fake?
If so, which?
Luther knew.
If distinguishing, other Integra likelier real.
Closer to Star Savior's Integra—not this warm one.
And her feats.
Things this Integra couldn't, other could.
What happened?
Why two? Why the gap?
[Master?]
Integra's face close snapped him back; eyes widened.
Worried eyes reflected in his.
[Need more rest...?]
[Physical data normal, but mental fatigue maybe.]
She placed hand on his forehead like checking fever.
Warm.
Tender, gentle touch.
[Master?]
"Nah, just spaced out. Fine now."
Smiling reassuringly, he softly grasped her hand from his forehead, stood.
"Time to go."
[Understood.]
Integra eyed him dubiously but nodded.
Wanted to ask, held back.
Luther same.
But both smiled warmly, stepping out.
Reassuring each other.
'Just a bit longer. Wait a little more.'
At least till sure this Integra safe.
Resolved, Luther exhaled deeply, exited; Integra watched his back worriedly.
* * *
"So that's how you use it."
Aboard the submarine train, Black Xuanwu admired the interior. Doju and Mina gawked at blurring scenery outside.
They knew of the tunnel but first ride for all three.
[2 hours, 31 minutes, 17 seconds to destination.]
[Plenty time left—rest more?]
Integra spoke softly, still mulling the room incident.
Fatigue gone, really, but Luther leaned back against Schwarz's body in a corner seat, half-reclining.
To ease her.
[Awarding shop point for obedient master listening to maid.]
Her grin coaxed his; eyes closing, he asked.
'Don't you need rest, Integra?'
[Heavens, is this the Master who said since I don't sleep, full-time guard duty?]
Yeah, said something like that—but dragging it up now was foul.
Luther flustered; she giggled, sitting primly beside.
[Fine. Planning to restock missiles while you sleep.]
[Found good materials at platform.]
Excited, she huffed a laugh, projecting images.
Missile parts, probably.
'Handle it.'
[Yes, Master.]
[Trust only me, like always.]
'Yeah, you're my only one.'
Integra flinched suddenly, averting eyes, lips pursed.
Face, ears, neck flushing.
'What now, all sudden.'
Guessed why, but it embarrassed him too; he coughed awkwardly.
She echoed the cough.
[Oh, right! After crystal palace, Windy Plains next, yeah?]
'Y-yeah?'
[Then... um, right! Earlier, you said wild elves tricky. Why?]
'Oh, that...'
Good topic pivot, but still hard to broach.
Wild elves truly tricky.
[How so?]
[Weird personalities?]
[Full of villains?]
'Nah, not that.'
[Not that?]
'Well...'
[Well?]
Her head-tilts wore him; long sigh, reluctant face—he began.