Chapter 143
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Great Chieftain Charhela
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To be honest, Kubel's Soul Totem was an incredibly useful relic in so many ways that I had no desire to return it.
However, if I didn't give it back, the barbarian warriors would band together and march on the Empire... so to avoid the hassle, it was probably best to just hand it over.
Of course, riffraff like barbarian warriors could be annihilated in an instant if Urtega stepped in.
That's just how extraordinary the Demi God realm was.
The problem was Starnassila Lindel.
Her presence, operating under the guise of Great Chieftain Charhela, served as a breakwater protecting the barbarian warriors in and of itself.
In other words... the unbreakable bond of family ties.
It was hardly a term that suited Urtega, so it was probably the influence of the lady of the house, Starnassila Pitra.
"Hoo..."
In any case, whether to call it fortunate or not, we encountered the barbarians before even reaching the massive tribe of the Northern barbarians, 'Kubel's Claw'.
"F-Found them! Thieves of the sacred! Thieves who stole the warriors' pride!"
"You damn bastards! I'll kill you all!"
"Hand over the warrior's honor!"
It wasn't mere coincidence; we'd been spotted by those who'd set up a temporary outpost to monitor the wasteland.
"Hmm..."
To be honest, given the momentum with which they'd chased us back then, I'd thought they'd pursue us all the way into the Great Forest, but apparently not.
Wiser than expected?
Or rather, was it Starnassila Lindel, the one leading them, who was so shrewd?
"Surround them! Don't let them escape!"
"The enemy has a great warrior! Don't rush in recklessly—throw your axes!"
I smirked as I watched them move with bloodshot eyes and murderous intent.
Oh, by the way, a 'great warrior' in their terms meant master-level.
"Insolent humans... Incarnation. May I handle this?"
Ratipi, seething with rage, grabbed her bow and asked for permission, but I shook my head.
"No need. More importantly, you—I'm human too, so calling me that feels a bit off, doesn't it?"
"Pardon? No, the Incarnation isn't human..."
"What do you mean? No matter what anyone says, I'm human. Remember that."
"...Yes. Understood."
She drooped her head dejectedly, looking utterly pitiful and forlorn.
Even as a master, her appearance was that of a petite young girl, making it seem like I'd bullied her.
"......"
I couldn't help but stroke her radiant golden hair, and her face brightened instantly as she broke into a beaming smile.
She really was like a large, affectionate dog.
"Hey, stop flirting and deal with this situation first."
"Sister Weller, you're always so... Why are you so petty? You just can't stand seeing others happy."
"...Cut the crap. What are we going to do about those guys?"
Weller gritted her teeth and pointed out the window of the carriage.
Kaang! Kridduk!
Ax and arrows flying from afar were repelled spectacularly by Murel, Rebecca, and the others' defenses, scattering harmlessly.
More barbarian warriors kept arriving after hearing the news, their numbers swelling with time.
"Haa, fine. I'll do it. I'll handle it."
I pulled Kubel's Soul Totem from my bosom, yawned leisurely, and stepped out of the carriage.
Kakak! Kiiing!
Thrown weapons hurtled straight toward me, but they were effortlessly deflected by Nemes and Wendy's swords.
They seemed imbued with considerable aura... but as expected, they were no match for a master's Aura Blade.
"Kuuung~"
Stretching languidly and scratching the side of my head, I waved Kubel's Soul Totem teasingly at the barbarians.
"Th-That's...!"
"The sacred relic! Our sacred relic!"
"Cease attack! Cease fire!"
Thinking I was threatening them with it, they urgently halted their assault and glared daggers at me.
"...What do you want, frail civilized one."
"Oh, 'frail civilized one'... That's a new insult; kinda refreshing."
I chuckled, took a swig of liquor, and sized up the barbarian warrior who seemed to be their spokesman from head to toe.
Towering stature, gleaming bald head under the sunlight, a bear-shaped shamanic tattoo starting from the right side of his face and covering half his body, and muscles bulging like they might burst.
I recognized him.
Charhela's right-hand man.
"Bygelman, right?"
"!? How do you know my name...?"
"Who knows. Guess."
Teasing him like that made his face flush red like a boiled octopus.
"Whatever. Not important. Bygelman. Want the totem back?"
"...Hand it over nicely, and we'll let you go."
"Oh, really? That's exactly what I wanted. Here."
"Hm!?"
I tossed the totem lightly, and the flustered Bygelman caught it with hasty gestures.
"Your totem's pretty badass. Used it well. So, business done? We're leaving?"
"...Warriors! At last, the sacred relic returns to us!"
Ignoring me, Bygelman raised his voice, eyes blazing as he glared at us.
"Now, all that's left is to punish these damn scum who mocked the warriors!!"
"Woooooo!!"
"Kill them! Damn Empire scum!!"
"We'll slaughter you!!"
I shrugged at the barbarian warriors roaring so loudly the wasteland shook, weapons at the ready.
"Bygelman. Not keeping your word? That's not very manly. And you call yourself a proud warrior?"
"Shut up! Shameless thieves! You think returning it erases your crime? You'll pay for it before leaving this wasteland!"
"Well, fair point."
I nodded, lit a cigar, and took a deep drag.
"Phew... But hey, Bygelman. Can you actually do it?"
Guuuuuung!
"Ugh!?"
"Kuh...!"
"Gr-Great warrior's... presence...!"
As my words ended, six masters unleashed their auras, instantly crushing the barbarians' momentum and paling their faces.
...I hadn't planned for this level of theatrics, but it felt pretty satisfying now that it happened.
Everyone's quick on the uptake, that's for sure.
"Back then, I spared you as much as possible thinking of the way back, but now there's no need. I could slaughter you all and bolt to the Empire—no more worries after that. This situation proves my efforts paid off. See? Your great warrior 'Charhela' hasn't even shown her face."
If I'd killed even one barbarian warrior, that woman who cherished her tribesmen so dearly, Starnassila Lindel, wouldn't have stayed hidden this long.
Hell, she might've stormed into the depths of the Great Forest and confronted us already.
"Hoo—last warning, Bygelman. Clear the way. Or we kill you all."
"K-Kuh...! We can't...!"
"Seeking death when there's a path to live isn't a warrior's way, is it?"
"D-Damn...!"
Face beet red, Bygelman gripped his battle axe crushingly and began emanating a blazing energy from his bear-shaped shamanic tattoo.
"How dare you lecture on a warrior's life! Empire fop who knows nothing of battle! Stealing our sacred relic and now threatening us! We won't back down! We'll show you what a warrior is!"
"...Fine. Your choice."
Not bothering with the Absolute Ring Set, I shook my liquor bottle and jerked my chin.
"Kill them. All."
The moment I spoke, Nemes, Wendy, and Lira dashed toward the enemy ranks.
Murel, Rebecca, and Kachiolla stayed by my side to protect me.
"......"
The barbarians numbered in the hundreds now, but I wasn't worried.
Masters were asymmetrical forces that only equals could counter.
It probably wouldn't even take minutes to wipe them out.
"Ha—hahaha! These idiots are ridiculous! It's so absurd watching them that I can't help but laugh!!"
"...What?"
Just before the masters' Aura Blades could claim lives, a booming voice overwhelmed the wasteland, ringing in our heads.
Pajijijik!
At the same time, a brilliant blue flash pierced between us and the barbarians, savagely searing the space.
"Kuh!?"
"Ugh!"
"What...!"
In an instant, Nemes, Wendy, and Lira were enveloped in the flash and flung back toward us.
"...Damn it."
Was this a self-fulfilling prophecy?
Or not quite?
Either way, seeing my worst-case scenario unfold before my eyes made curses spill out naturally.
"I was really hoping to avoid facing you..."
As the dazzling lightning that zigzagged through the air dimmed, a beauty with snow-white skin, clad in barbarian traditional garb that exposed it, and dark crimson hair emerged.
Though now, considerably smaller.
"...Eh? Lady Vivian...?"
The first to react was Lira, who turned to me with a highly flustered expression.
"Lord Alzen. Th-That woman..."
"Haa... You'll know soon enough. Be quiet."
Scratching my head in annoyance, I stepped forward.
"Chieftain of the 'Kubel's Claw' tribe, Charhela. Right?"
"Hm? You know me and still did that? Guts sticking out your... ass...?"
She, who had been oozing arrogance, leaking aura, and crackling lightning from her shamanic tattoo, suddenly went blank.
"...You... Have we met... somewhere...?"
"Ha, that's hurtful. Forgot your little brother's face after a few years?"
"...Little brother? No way..."
"Long time no see, sis. Starnassila Alzen, at your service."
I nodded casually and waved my bottle; she snapped out of her daze and broke into a radiant smile.
"Wahahahaha! No way! Who's this? My little brother from back in the day!? I was shocked hearing rumors about you! How are you here!? Wait, first off—you're the one who stole the totem!?"
"Yep. Long time no see, sis. Yeah, borrowed the totem for a bit. As you can see, returned it now."
I pointed at the totem in Bygelman's hands, and she glanced at it sidelong.
"I know! I've been watching the situation for a bit!"
"Figured...? Hoo, so, I'd appreciate if you let us go... Think you can manage that, sis?"
"Hmm~"
I let my lips droop as she crossed her arms and tilted her head thoughtfully.
I knew her personality well enough.
"Nah, can't do that! That's one thing, this is another!"
Yeah, of course it'd be like this.
"Really? Hmm... Well, no helping it then."
The moment I consciously activated the Absolute Ring Set, the carriage door burst open, and a figure with voluminous, flower-like contours tumbled out.
Weller, always in her expansive, ornate dress.
"Sister Lindel!? Is it really you!?"
"Eh... Weller? You're here too? What's going on... Why are you all here together when you don't get along?"
"Is that important right now!? You damn sister!"
Weller shrieked sharply, and Charhela flinched, shoulders hunching.
"Wh-Why...?"
"Why!? Why~!? You seriously just said 'why'!?! You damn sister! Do you have any idea what the Duke's family went through after you just up and left!? Do you know how much we suffered!?"
"Ahem, uh... Weller. Don't misunderstand. I thought this was my path. It was my fate to live like this. So..."
"Shut up!"
"Eek!"
Charhela yelped softly and stepped back under Weller's icy aura.
"...Great Chieftain...?"
"Great Chieftain... What's your relation to them...?"
"Ah! N-No! That is... Ahem! Anyway! You stole our sacred relic! So you have to pay for it!"
Clenching her small fists tightly, she exuded a feral aura.
Anyone could see she was changing the subject, but even knowing that, ignoring a master's aura wasn't easy.
"So first! We'll fight and subdue you! Talk after! Don't worry! I won't kill you!"
Pajijik!
Lightning shaped from her shamanic tattoo spewed frigid blue light as she charged straight at us.
Despite seeing how many masters we had, she rushed in without hesitation—man, her guts were something else.
Couldn't cure that battle maniac.
"...Yeah, whatever you want, sis."
Abandoning the Absolute Ring Set idea, I patted Weller's shoulder and stepped back.
Soon, the masters clashed, sending shockwaves that rocked the area.