Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Bad Deeds Should Always Be Meticulous by Nature.
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It was a single clash.
But its aftermath was no different from a tactical bomb exploding right in the middle of the plain.
Centered on the spot where the silvery-white aura and blood-red fighting spirit unleashed by the two monsters collided head-on, a ferocious shockwave erupted in concentric circles, blasting outward in all directions.
"Gaaargh!!"
"Take cover! Don't get caught in it!!"
Dozens of leather tents nearby were shredded into rags in an instant and shot high into the sky.
The unlucky soldiers from both sides within range were flung into the air like falling leaves, without even time to scream.
The solid ground cracked open like a spiderweb, forming a massive crater,
and the kicked-up dust rose like a giant curtain, blocking all vision.
From within the dust cloud came sharp metallic clashes—clang! Clang!—exploding like fireworks in rapid succession.
Proof that they were exchanging sword strikes aimed at each other's throats at superhuman speeds too fast for the naked eye to follow.
'Perfect. Those two are locked in now, no turning back.'
I watched the majestic scene of destruction unfold with a satisfied smile.
To Araktu, these guys were nothing but Central Continent invaders,
and to Hart, those were ruthless savages trying to kidnap the lady for a human sacrifice.
The truth didn't matter.
Once their blades had crossed, all that was left was a war of annihilation, crushing each other underfoot.
"All troops, annihilate them! Rescue the lady and uphold the kingdom's dignity!"
"Warriors of Rokturan! Flay the skin from those pathetic fools and offer it on the altar!"
The two massive forces, unable to reason with each other, slammed into one another head-on.
Screams, the clash of metal, and the thick, nose-stinging scent of fresh blood dyed the plain into a hellscape.
Watching that overwhelming scene of destruction from afar, I unconsciously pursed my lips into an O.
Whoosh—
A light whistle escaped me unbidden.
"Wow, that's no joke. Is that really the kind of firepower humans can unleash?"
I prided myself on having seen every street brawl imaginable while rolling in the slums, but this was on another level.
A fight between high experts was a natural disaster in itself.
Anyone caught in the middle would've been pulverized without a trace, bones and all.
I'd set the stage myself, but damn, it was a satisfying—and terrifying—clusterfuck.
'Fighting spirit, huh...'
Watching that overwhelming spectacle, I vowed to make it my own someday.
While the two monsters frantically went for each other's throats, I'd already slipped out of the battlefield's line of sight.
But Hart Helm, that shrewd knight commander, wasn't about to let my escape go completely unchecked.
'Right on cue.'
Glancing back, I saw a few heavily armored knights breaking away from the chaos to pursue us.
Lilian chewed on some jerky with a relaxed expression.
"They've got bigger things to worry about than us right now. Hehe."
"You just gonna brush that off?"
"This stuff's seriously good. Grom Kel jerky is the best in the world!"
Was she just that chill... or just gutsy...?
"Anyway, I was shocked. Your plan's seriously meticulous."
I grinned at Lilian.
"Bad deeds should always be meticulous by nature."
"Hahaha! Totally. Back in the academy, I was the most serious about pulling off pranks."
Our conversation was casual, but things weren't going entirely smoothly.
A pursuit squad from the Rokturans had veered off to chase us too.
Probably figured the knights might try something shady.
That's why I'd picked only the fastest dromas from our tribe.
Let's see 'em keep up.
I gripped the reins tight and urged on the speed.
Phase one of my plan: success.
But I hadn't gone through all that hell just to bait them with a hostage stunt.
That was just the opener. My real goal lay elsewhere.
Like Lilian said, they really shouldn't be wasting time on us right now.
"Lilian, hold on tight! The road gets rough from here!"
I yanked the dromas sharply toward a narrow canyon lined with jagged rocks.
"Halt, you savage! Stop, and I'll kill you painlessly!"
You think I'd actually stop for that crap?
Idiots.
The knights' shouts echoed from behind, but I ignored them, sticking my fingers in my mouth and letting out a long whistle instead.
Whiiist—!
That was the signal.
Massive shadows waiting behind the canyon's boulders poured out.
"Anyone blocking Kel Bark's path gets their skull smashed!!"
It was Karack and part of the Assault Division.
They swung their massive axes as they leaped straight off the cliffs, smashing down onto the lead knight's horse head.
Boom—!
The horse screamed and toppled, and the narrow path caused the following knights to tangle up in a chain crash.
Delker's Spear Division emerged from the rock crevices, seizing the opening to attack.
"Now! Spear them!"
For brainless cavalry charging in, a narrow canyon and ambush was a guaranteed win.
Plus, knights fresh off their horses were just spear fodder.
I shouted back as screams filled the canyon.
"Karack! Delker! Wrap it up in five minutes and follow!"
"Got it! Kel Bark!"
I wheeled the dromas around and bolted again.
So busy, so busy!
At the same time, Belvat Fortress was pure pandemonium.
After Hart's elite cavalry rolled out under the banner of rescuing the lady, all that remained inside were terrified refugees and the ragtag soldiers Lilian had mentioned.
And at the heart of that chaos, Grom Kel elites had infiltrated.
The west watchtower housing the gate mechanism. Batu slipped in like a shadow and silently slit the guards' throats.
Slice—
"Gurk..."
Batu kicked the mechanism to pieces, then jammed a massive wedge in to ensure the gate couldn't close again.
"Secured... complete......"
With that sluggish drawl, Batu stuck a blade of grass in his mouth.
Squeee—!
'Signal!'
With Batu's sharp whistle, a bloodcurdling scream tore through the central plaza.
"Now's our chance! The gate's open—we gotta get out, or we'll starve in here!!"
The gathered crowd began to murmur.
These were refugees.
They'd clustered in the plaza like the homeless.
They'd made it here somehow, but with soldiers and the sealed gate, they couldn't leave.
Urkan's gravelly voice stoked their anxiety, but no one moved easily.
But Edel’s plan didn't end there.
Moments later, Lunia appeared.
Her hair disheveled, clothes artfully torn, tears welling up—she put on an Oscar-worthy performance.
"Kyaaah! Savages! The savages scaled the walls and got in!! They're looking for sacrifices! Run, everyone! We have to get outside to survive!!"
At the same time, Grom Kel warriors with fake red crocodile tattoos for camouflage appeared, torches in hand.
Crude scribbles, sure, but terror-stricken citizens wouldn't spot the fakes.
"Offer your blood! Sacrifices for the great Araktu!!"
"Woooo! Grab 'em all!"
As the warriors set houses ablaze and menaced the crowd, the already jittery thousands of refugees plunged into full panic.
"R-run!! Real savages!!"
"H-how are savages here!!?"
"Who cares!!? The gate's open! That way!"
"Stay and die! Just get out!"
A human wave of thousands surged terrifyingly toward the open gate.
The infantry atop the walls couldn't even dream of stopping that flood—they just gawked helplessly.
A smile crept onto Lunia's lips.
'Hehe, what a man. Someday...'
Her tongue slyly licked her lips.
About a kilometer outside the gate.
As the terrified refugees spilled out in confusion, a massive, mountain-like figure blocked their path.
"...Eek! S-s-savages here too!"
The crowd screamed to a halt.
But standing before them weren't ferocious Rokturans.
A mountain of a man, but with an oddly innocent smile—Monta and some Grom Kel warriors.
Monta held armfuls of large, steaming bread baskets instead of weapons.
"Hehe! Heyyy! It's Monta! Come this way, everyone!"
Beside him stood Aila in prim shaman robes, her expression kindly.
"Everyone, calm down. We're not here to harm you."
Aila's soothing voice halted their steps.
"That fortress is crawling with 'scary tattooed' cruel Rokturans, but this way is safe. Follow us, and we'll promise food so you won't starve and warm beds. Our chieftain is a merciful man."
"...Really? You won't sacrifice us?"
"Sacrifice!? What a horrible thing to say!!"
'Damn! Acting's harder than I thought!?'
The refugees eased their guard a bit at Aila's awkward performance.
If anything, the stiffness lightened the mood.
"...?"
"Y-you all get captured, and really scary stuff happens!! Tattooed savages are pure evil, I swear!! We're here to stop them, see!?"
Aila's unexpectedly alluring looks—not very savage—and Monta’s guileless face further relaxed the refugees.
Perfect personnel placement.
Then Monta shoved a loaf into someone's hands with a goofy grin.
"This is yummy! Eat! Our chieftain's a real good guy! Work, and he gives meat, even sweet honey sometimes! Hehe."
To these fear-stricken, starving escapees, the fresh bread's aroma and kindness were more potent than any salvation.
Plus, no tattoos—they didn't look that dangerous.
Edel had deliberately picked the more innocent-looking tribesmen.
And so, hundreds, thousands of precious 'laborers' willingly marched toward the Grom Kel camp.
I'd already left all the commotion behind and reached a secluded corner of the garden next to Baron Hound's manor, deep in Belvat Fortress.
After a short wait at the prearranged rendezvous, Karack, Batu, Delker, Urkan, and Lunia gathered, missions complete.
"Good work, everyone. But we've still got the finale left."
I'd heard Baron Hound was lazy and greedy by nature, a pro at squeezing blood from his people.
A guy like that had to have treasure piled up in his manor.
Everyone grinned wickedly at my words.
Plunder was barbarian instinct—and the quickest way to fatten the tribe's coffers.
No matter how busy, gotta grab what's ours!
But Lilian, clinging to my back, had an unexpected reaction.
Her violet eyes sparkled as she jumped in with more enthusiasm than anyone.
"Leave the sniffing to me! I smell some seriously thick money vibes around here!"
"...Shouldn't you be talking me out of this?"
Lilian snorted and shot her hand up.
"Corrupt lords like this who suck their people dry only straighten up after a good shake-down! My dad would totally approve!"
"Huh... alright then."