Chapter 137: The Border Zone (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 137: The Border Zone (5)
“…If you’re referring to Rikrakakmur, do you mean the Abomination that exists to the north of the Border Zone?”
“That is correct.”
Alon replied to Yuman while lost in thought.
‘I have to take that thing out.’
The Forest Hungry Ghost, Rikrakakmur, was an Abomination that players in Psychedelia eventually had to hunt down.
Standing taller than most buildings, the monster resided north of the border and didn't actually cause much harm under normal circumstances—at least, not until the Five Great Sins descended. Since it stayed outside the kingdom's territory, there was usually no reason to go out of one's way to deal with it.
However, the reason the protagonist of Psychedelia—and now Alon—intended to eliminate Rikrakakmur was simple.
It was because of the Artifact the Abomination possessed.
An Artifact of the Five Great Sins.
These were essentially exclusive items for the Five Great Sins who would descend in the future; if they managed to obtain these Artifacts, their power would be multiplied.
In other words, now that he knew the Five Great Sins were coming, Alon had to deal with Rikrakakmur no matter what.
Besides, there was something in it for him as well.
“Then, was the destruction of the wall yesterday also due to Rikrakakmur’s ability?”
Alon, who had been thinking about the potential loot, nodded at Kiriana’s question.
“Correct.”
“…I thought for sure there were no clues left behind. How did you figure it out?”
“There was black slime vaporizing on the destroyed section of the wall.”
“…Slime?”
“Yes. That black slime disrupts all mana arrays upon contact. The wall likely collapsed because Rikrakakmur’s slime neutralized the structure of the magic circles embedded within it.”
“…I see.”
Kiriana nodded, but soon, a look of confusion crossed her face.
“…But if what you say is true, Marquis, are we to assume that Rikrakakmur intentionally coated other monsters in its slime to attack us with a specific motive?”
“I can’t say for certain, but it’s not an impossible theory. As an Abomination, Rikrakakmur possesses the authority to command other monsters.”
“…Then the reason the monster waves have been hitting us isn't because the gates that repel monsters are malfunctioning, but because of Rikrakakmur…?”
As Kiriana voiced her suspicion, Yuman, who had been listening quietly, joined the conversation.
“I was actually going to mention this, but we spent about a day inspecting all five installed gates, and we found no signs of damage or tampering.”
“…Then?”
“It most likely means the Marquis is correct.”
“But why on earth would Rikrakakmur do such a thing?”
Kiriana muttered, sounding even more perplexed.
“To be honest, I’m not sure why it attacked the wall either.”
Alon was equally puzzled. Even in the game, Rikrakakmur had never attacked the wall in this manner.
‘…I’m fairly certain that thing wasn't the type to move around much at any point in the story.’
Alon pondered for a moment before shaking the thought away. Regardless of the reason, his task right now wasn't to agonize over the enemy's motives, but to eliminate the enemy itself—Rikrakakmur.
Therefore.
“I believe I will need some assistance in dealing with it.”
He moved straight to the point.
“I was actually going to ask the same of you. If that creature can continue to send monster waves—especially ones that can neutralize the wall—then it absolutely must die.”
Kiriana’s eyes burned with fighting spirit.
Alon smiled inwardly. To take down Rikrakakmur, he needed her help—or more accurately, the help of the Allied Forces.
“Then, let us depart immediately.”
There was no reason to delay.
* * *
An expedition force was organized.
They couldn't mobilize the entire strength of the Allied Forces, as it was essential to leave more than half the troops behind to guard the wall. If they took everyone for the subjugation and the monsters of the wasteland managed to break through and run wild inside the border, it would be a catastrophe.
Kiriana split the Allied Forces in a 7:3 ratio. 70% remained as the wall defense force, while 30% formed the expedition.
Alon felt it was a bit small, but he accepted it, knowing it would be enough.
Saint Yuman also decided to stay at the border. Someone needed to lead the Allied Forces while Kiriana was away, and although Yuman was a priest, the weight of his title as a Saint was immense. It was a position that commanded more than enough respect to lead the troops.
“…This is disappointing.”
Yuman looked somewhat dissatisfied. His gaze shifted toward Yutia, who was wearing a bright, beaming smile.
“I believe you will do a wonderful job encouraging the troops, Saint,” she said.
“Why don't you do it instead, Cardinal?”
“How can a Cardinal be compared to a Saint? I’m sure those staying behind would much rather have you here, Saint.”
“…”
“I’m truly sad about this as well.”
For someone who was "truly sad," the corners of Yutia’s mouth were turned up about a centimeter higher than her usual smile. The Saint frowned slightly.
“I suppose it can’t be helped.”
He let out a sigh and leaned in close to Alon to whisper.
“Marquis, do not trust her under any circumstances. As I have told you many times, she is not the type of person to be trusted.”
“…”
“I mean it.”
Alon felt a strange sensation. It wasn't because of the content of the warning; he had heard it before, so it wasn't surprising. The problem was the delivery.
‘…If you’re going to say that, why bother whispering?’
His voice was so careless that everyone nearby could clearly hear him. It was an unnaturally blatant act.
Alon glanced at Yutia. Fortunately, she seemed unfazed, maintaining the same expression as before. Her subtly glowing red eyes were fixed on the Saint, looking down on him like a victor gazing at a loser.
‘…Why do those two hate each other so much?’
Well, he didn't need to know that right now. Alon turned around and gave an order to Evan.
“Evan, you stay behind too.”
“Yes, sir!”
Evan replied vigorously, as if he had been waiting for those words.
“…Aren't you going to ask why I’m not taking you?”
“What’s there to ask? If the Marquis says so, I follow.”
“You didn't just answer that fast because you didn't want to go, did you?”
“Ayy—what do you take me for?”
Evan let out a hearty laugh.
“In that case, let’s go together.”
“Marquis, now that I think about it, I waited for you so long yesterday that I feel like I’ve come down with heatstroke and a cold at the same time.”
“…”
So much for "just following orders." Evan changed his tune instantly. Alon let out a silent, incredulous laugh.
A few hours later.
“Let’s move out.”
The expedition force departed.
* * *
It would take about three days to reach Rikrakakmur’s location.
Keeping this in mind, Alon thought about the item the Abomination possessed.
‘I’m sure it was the Artifact of the Sin of Wrath.’
He shifted his gaze slightly to look at Yutia, who was walking beside him. Originally, this was an item Yutia was supposed to obtain in the future.
However, in the original story, she hadn't been able to get it even after awakening as the Sin of Wrath. This was because the protagonist, Elivan, had reached the Artifact one step ahead of her and destroyed it. That was the biggest reason Elivan had been able to defeat the Sin of Wrath, both in terms of the plot and the setting.
…Of course, it also helped that Yutia had been under various constraints, the mages of the Magic Tower had unleashed a massive barrage of firepower, the Sword Masters of Calliban had joined the fray, and hidden powerhouses from across the continent had emerged to help.
‘…The more I think about it, the more ridiculous her strength is.’
He felt a renewed sense of distance from Yutia. She was a Sin that could only be killed after the entire world essentially engaged in total war.
Just then.
“Marquis.”
“Yes?”
Kiriana, who was walking alongside him, looked at Alon hesitantly.
“Would it be alright if I… touched the cat for a moment?”
“The cat? Ah, you mean Blackie?”
Blackie was currently peeking his head out of Alon’s chest pocket, looking around at their surroundings. When Alon pointed to him, Kiriana asked, “Is his name Blackie?”
“Yes.”
“That’s a really cute name.”
Kiriana’s fingers twitched as if she were excited. Alon felt a strange sense of pride. It wasn't a big deal, but he was the one who had named him.
Feeling subtly pleased, Alon pulled Blackie out.
“Would you like to try holding him?”
“Oh? Is that really okay?”
“I don't mind.”
“But, well, I wonder if he dislikes being handled by strangers. If he changes like he did yesterday, it might be a bit…”
Alon looked puzzled for a moment before letting out an "Ah." To be fair, even Alon had felt a bit of culture shock yesterday when red eyes had sprouted all over Blackie’s body. However, except for when he was using magic, he generally stayed in his cat form.
“It should be fine.”
“I-is that so? Then, if I may.”
Without much thought, Alon handed Blackie over to Kiriana. Kiriana smiled instinctively as the cat settled onto her hands, but then—
Twitch!
“Oh.”
She froze as blood-red eyes, narrowed in a fierce scowl, began to manifest all over the cat’s body.
Grrrr—!
At the sound of the growl, she hurriedly handed him back to Alon. As soon as he returned to Alon’s arms, Blackie began rubbing his head against him and acting adorable again.
Kiriana watched with a look of disbelief.
“…It seems he only shows that side to you, Marquis.”
“I’m sorry. I didn't know he would react like that.”
Alon looked at Blackie with a complicated expression.
‘…I didn't know he’d be this hostile to others. Is it just Kiriana?’
Tilted his head, Alon looked down at Blackie, who was now looking incredibly cute again. Curious, he tried handing Blackie to other soldiers and knights just in case.
“W-waaaah!!”
“M-Marquis? Could you please take him back?!”
“Gasp!”
Every single time, without fail, the cat would sprout red eyes and growl. Alon finally realized that the creature simply hated being touched by anyone else.
After the commotion settled down, Yutia called out to Alon.
“Teacher.”
“What is it?”
“Could I hold Blackie for a moment as well?”
“Blackie?”
“Yes. He looks so cute.”
“…I don't think he likes being handled by others.”
Had she not just seen the chaos he caused? But Yutia nodded as if it were no problem.
“But he’s just so cute. Please?”
She asked again. Alon, feeling a bit worried despite her calm expression, handed Blackie over to her.
Grrrrr—!
As expected, the moment he was in Yutia’s hands, Blackie began to growl and sprout red eyes all over his body. However, Yutia kept the smile on her lips and looked down quietly at the cat.
“You shouldn't do that, right?”
She whispered softly, her crescent-shaped eyes opening just a sliver.
Suddenly—
Freeze!
The fierce Blackie stopped dead in his tracks, as if time itself had been frozen.
“?”
“?”
Both Alon and Kiriana paused, confused. Blackie, who had been the incarnation of ferocity just a second ago, stared up at Yutia’s half-lidded red eyes. His own eyes went wide.
Tremble, tremble, tremble!
Still held in Yutia’s arms, he began to vibrate with intense shivering. Yutia slowly began to stroke his back.
“You have to listen to your master, don't you?”
Nod, nod!
Blackie nodded his head frantically.
“…”
“…”
Alon and Kiriana could only stare blankly at the bizarre sight.
Then, as if she found the trembling Blackie adorable, Yutia naturally lifted him up to her face.
“Unless you want to be ground into dust right here. Hmm?”
She whispered in a tiny voice that only Blackie could hear. Blackie’s head began to shake up and down even more violently.
A moment later.
“Wow… he really calmed down.”
Kiriana marveled at Blackie, who was now sitting perfectly still in her hands. Alon, however, noticed where Blackie’s eyes were fixed.
Following the cat's gaze, he saw Yutia.
“Oh, is something the matter, Teacher?” she asked with a smile.
“…It’s nothing.”
Alon started to say something but decided to keep his mouth shut. It was a warm afternoon, and the spring sunlight was quite pleasant.