Chapter 95
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Counterattack
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Kael Hara.
The Hara clan, masters of the Twisted Woods Estate.
He was the eldest son of Chavera, one of its two leaders and a candidate for the next lordship.
He had shown promise even before his coming-of-age ceremony, renowned as a prodigy of the Kobold Leader tribe.
Though he might not have ranked among the Paljongyungma, he believed he wouldn't fall short of any decent noble prodigy.
He was confident.
And proud.
…Until his granduncle, Ras Hara, the previous master of the Twisted Woods Estate, died suddenly.
*‘I was just a worm in the Labyrinth.’*
And only then.
Did Kael realize.
Just how ordinary and insignificant he was.
It wasn't just because of the helplessness he felt, adrift with his entire domain in the middle of the Labyrinth, able to do nothing but hold out against the flood of monsters.
It was because he had come to know a certain boy.
*‘So this is what a true genius is like.’*
The White-Masked Young Master.
The boy he had thought was just lucky to have won the Calamity Princess's bridal contest and gained a domain.
But that boy had defeated the dungeon boss, ending the entire situation.
And had taken his own father, Chavera.
And his grandaunt, Lea.
Witnessing and experiencing the process of him taking them both as vassals and bringing the Twisted Woods Estate under his control, Kael realized with painful clarity.
That a true prodigy destined to make a name for himself in Odobaekryeong was on a completely different level from a commoner like him.
“Should we rest here for today?”
“Leave the sleeping arrangements to me, my lord! I, Kael, son of Chavera, will take full responsibility for preparing them!”
“Isn't it a bit much for you to handle it every time?”
“Just being able to serve you fills me with energy, my lord!”
“Hmm, then I'll leave it to you.”
That was why.
Kael had volunteered to be dispatched to Waryongjang as part of the workforce to care for the blood-seals.
And why he had chosen to accompany them on the dangerous mission to attack the Dogwiryeon.
And why he spared no effort in flattery and hard work whenever the opportunity arose.
It wasn't just because getting on the White-Masked Young Master's good side was more important than his sixth cousin, Laira, for making his father the next lord of the Twisted Woods Estate.
He wanted to know just how incredible a true genius was, to understand the genuine talent and depth he could never fathom.
And his wish came true.
To an almost excessive degree.
*‘Attacking a domain by crossing the Labyrinth without a Divine Beast… What an insane plan.’*
In the middle of the [Arid Wasteland]☆, using familiars to gather tumbleweeds and build a campsite.
Kael was astounded.
The Labyrinth was an otherworldly demonic realm, filled with all sorts of monsters and corrupted mana.
No matter how high-ranking an Awakened One was… no, in fact, it was a living hell that was even more dangerous for them.
Even setting aside the threat of monsters, one would be corrupted by mana in less than two days without the purified water produced by a Divine Beast.
Yet here they were, deep in the Labyrinth without a Divine Beast.
It was an atrocity that would horrify not just the life-or-death caravans, but even the crawlers who had given up on life.
Thanks to this, they had avoided detection by drivers and moved several times faster than usual, allowing them to succeed in their raid.
“The spot right next to Master is mine. Don't get it wrong this time.”
“…Why do I have to prepare your sleeping spot too?”
“Hmph, isn't it only natural for Master's retainer to serve me, his first vassal, who contributed the most to this endeavor?”
…The slave girl's triumphant attitude, as if the achievement were all hers, was disconcerting.
Kael didn't bother pointing it out.
In reality, they had been able to traverse the Labyrinth so quickly because of the Vault Keeper, who could store all sorts of luggage—from food and weapons to camping gear—in her shadow and retrieve them at will, and could also preserve the power of the purified water for days.
It was a phenomenal unique trait, reminiscent of a divine authority, that had left him speechless when he first saw it.
Without her, this raid would not have even been possible.
*Grumble.*
“Is my little lucky charm hungry?”
*Nod, nod.*
“Alright, just wait a little longer. I'll grill you lots of delicious meat.”
*Flap, flap!*
Of course, if they were counting contributions, the girl from the Hunter Tribe was also indispensable.
No matter how abundant their supplies were.
If she, their driver, hadn't told them the location of the Divine Beast, it would have been difficult to pinpoint the domain in the vast and complex Labyrinth.
But the one who truly astounded Kael was someone else entirely.
*‘What in the world is the White-Masked Young Master?’*
Luring monsters with bait.
Deceiving eyes with invisibility magic.
Erasing their scent with pollen sacks.
Seeing through the wasteland's maze using clues like droppings and footprints.
His skill in navigating the Labyrinth, as if he were a crawler who had spent a decade crawling through it, was truly admirable.
Being familiar with hunting festivals, Kael knew just how difficult it was to find a path while avoiding monsters in the Labyrinth.
And after arriving at the Rembhai family estate in the noble residential district of Ogong Fortress.
Destroying half the mansion with a single spell.
The majesty with which he single-handedly overwhelmed three high-ranking Awakened Ones, including the [Completer]-class head of the Rembhai family….
…was enough to inspire not just admiration, but a sense of mystery.
Especially since he wasn't even a Transcendent Awakened One yet could accomplish such a feat.
*‘Why has a prodigy like this remained unknown in Odobaekryeong until now?’*
Odobaekryeong was both vast and small.
Like a nail in a pocket that eventually pokes through.
A standout talent would inevitably become famous.
A young Triple Awakened One, no less. Rumors should have spread far and wide, no matter how quietly he lived.
The fact that there had been no rumors until now was just as bizarre.
Above all…
*‘No, is this really something a mere prodigy can do?’*
No matter how famous, a prodigy was still just a prodigy.
They were beings with promising futures, not ones who wielded great influence in the present.
Even for the heir of one of the Hundred Great Families, there were limits to what a young person could do.
…with the exception of a very small number. The ‘exceptions’ who numbered just over a dozen throughout the entire Magus Dominion.
“Young Master, the campsite is ready.”
“Is it? Good work.”
“Hohoho, it's my duty as a vassal.”
“...!”
*‘That wench, Laira!’*
Perhaps because he was lost in thought.
His sixth cousin from the Kobold Leader tribe had seized the opportunity when his hands slowed, quickly finishing up and scurrying over to report.
Kael's eyes widened as he looked at Laira.
After all, getting on the White-Masked Young Master's good side was essential to becoming the next lord of the Twisted Woods Estate after his father.
He'd lost his chance to Laira because he'd been distracted.
“I'll prepare dinner today as well!”
“What are you talking about, Brother Kael? Cooking is a woman's job.”
“Hah, how shameless. Since when have you ever cooked?”
“I've certainly done it more than you, brother, who never even sets foot in the kitchen.”
“You two can just do it together.”
“…”
“…”
“Don't want to?”
“Ho, hohoho. Of course not.”
“A brilliant idea. I, Kael, son of Chavera, am in awe.”
A draw, perhaps.
Or mutual destruction.
In the end, forced to work with their rival, they prepared the meal diligently while glaring at each other.
And so, a short while later.
“It lacks refinement, but its simple taste isn't bad.”
“Hmm, you think so? I think it's good enough to pay for, even if it's not from a high-end restaurant.”
“For a dish made by clueless beginners who just started learning to cook, arguing over whether it was too salty, bland, burnt, or undercooked, it's passable.”
*Nom, nom, munch, munch.*
He wouldn't mind if it were the White-Masked Young Master.
But why did their cooking have to be judged by a slave girl, a freeloader from the Myoto Tribe, and an elf maid?
The only one eating without complaint, the Hunter Tribe girl stuffing her face, seemed almost endearing.
Kael forcibly suppressed the vein that was about to pop on his forehead as he watched the rude servants.
And after a short cough.
He cautiously asked the White-Masked Young Master, who was feeding meat to the Hunter Tribe girl.
“My lord, shouldn't we be heading back soon?”
“We should. The purified water is about to expire.”
“…Not to a nearby domain, but to Waryongjang.”
“Why?”
“Well… if the Dogwiryeon makes a move now, our domain could be in danger.”
“That's right. The Dogwiryeon will definitely retaliate.”
Laira, who usually contradicted him, readily agreed with Kael this time.
Nothing was more dangerous than a wounded monster.
A mere scratch would be one thing.
But the damage they had inflicted so far was enough to bring down one of the pillars of the Dogwiryeon.
They couldn't help but worry about their home base.
If Waryongjang were attacked, the Twisted Woods Estate, its fiefdom, would surely not be safe.
“It's fine. As long as Pandora is there, our domain won't be in danger.”
“…You mean Lady Calamity Princess?”
“Yes. Having Pandora protect the domain while ‘we’ were away was one of the two key parts of this operation.”
“…”
“Why? Still anxious?”
“It's not that I'm anxious… I just think we need to prepare for the unexpected.”
“So you're anxious.”
That was why.
Hearing the White-Masked Young Master's question, Kael and Laira exchanged glances.
After a fierce staring contest, Kael was ultimately left with the task of answering and cautiously spoke up.
“I'm not underestimating Lady Calamity Princess, but… one hand can't block ten, can it?”
“Hmm, so you're saying a few of them might tie Pandora down while the others destroy the domain.”
As if he understood.
After nodding.
The White-Masked Young Master asked casually.
“You don't know why Pandora is one of the Paljongyungma, do you?”
“What? Of course I know.”
“That's why I say you don't. If you truly knew, you wouldn't be able to answer so calmly.”
“...?”
“You'll find out someday.”
Looking at the puzzled Kael and Laira.
The White-Masked Young Master said with a gentle smile.
“Why the Paljongyungma are called monsters who have surpassed the level of prodigies.”
***
*Sssshhh.*
Slowly.
She raised her hand.
To put her blindfold back on.
Carefully, securely, and meticulously, so that it wouldn't come off by accident.
As if checking the seal on something terrifying, only after her eyes were completely wrapped in bandages.
Did Pandora slowly turn around.
And with a soft step.
She began to walk, murmuring.
“—I am glad it ended before the tea grew cold.”
The Daughter of Three Fathers.
Originally a commoner.
She was adopted as a daughter into a noble house.
Due to her extraordinary talent.
She has had three adoptive fathers to date.
And each time, she brought immense wealth, success, and glory to her adoptive father and his family.
But in the end, she brought ruin to two of her adoptive fathers and destroyed two families.
The cursed witch who claimed a spot among the Paljongyungma as one of the Evil Sects.
The Calamity Princess, Pandora, quietly re-entered Waryongjang to finish her refreshments.
…Leaving behind the bodies of Laka and some twenty other high-ranking Awakened Ones, who had come confidently to attack Waryongjang, only to be horrified, to despair, to feel revulsion, and to tremble in fear, before ultimately becoming masses of blood and flesh, their original forms unrecognizable, with no chance to even escape.
***
“See? I told you.”
“…”
“The Paljongyungma are monsters.”
“…Yes. I, Kael, son of Chavera, finally understand.”
“Me too…”
After hearing from Naru, who had stopped by a nearby domain and learned through the Guild about the fate of the rogue nobles who attacked Waryongjang.
The sixth cousins of the Kobold Leader tribe.
Kael and Laira wore appalled expressions.
They had barely survived facing the fourteen high-ranking Awakened Ones gathered at the Rembhai estate.
And that was only possible because they had eliminated four of them in a surprise attack first.
They had been utterly shocked by the White-Masked Young Master's prowess in taking on three high-ranking Awakened Ones during that fight….
…but to think she had single-handedly annihilated twenty of them.
It was a fact that made them feel to their very bones why Pandora was one of the Paljongyungma.
There was just one thing they didn't understand.
“Hmm. Looks like you're finally wondering why Pandora stood by during the Twisted Woods Estate tragedy.”
“…That's right.”
“With Lady Calamity Princess's power, wouldn't she have been able to handle that many monsters easily?”
“Yes, she could have.”
“In that case…”
Was it because they had accused the Calamity Princess of murdering Ras Hara, so she hadn't cooperated?
Seeing the dark expressions on Kael and Laira's faces.
The White-Masked Young Master chuckled.
“But you all would have died too.”
“What?”
“Pandora didn't become the Daughter of Three Fathers for no reason.”
“…?”
Leaving the two cousins looking disconcerted by his words, which only became more confusing the more they heard.
Dion popped a piece of jerky into Orr Kai's mouth and spoke.
“Anyway, it looks like the Dogwiryeon is reaching its limit.”
“Because they wouldn't have come to Waryongjang unless they were idiots?”
“Yes. Whether it was a rogue action or not, they must have reached a point where they can't hold on any longer.”
The Dogwiryeon was, by name, a large organization operating in the shadows of the Deformed City.
One or two idiots might be understandable.
But it was impossible that several families would come to Waryongjang without knowing how dangerous it was with Pandora there.
In other words, the Dogwiryeon was so shaken that they had to take such a risk.
The impact of having seven of their families taken down by a mere prodigy was that great.
With the failure of this raid causing even more families to collapse, the shaking would have intensified, leaving the Dogwiryeon's situation precarious, like a candle in the wind.
*‘It's about time.’*
And so, with that brief thought.
Dion turned his head.
He casually asked the boy from the Myoto Tribe, who was diligently pouring fresh purified water into the Vault Keeper's shadow.
“Bluffer. Are the preparations made?”
“Uh… I heard they were finished.”
“Just heard?”
“Well, the location makes it a bit hard to confirm in person.”
“Any chance the information leaked?”
“Don't worry about that. It was delivered via a predetermined ciphertext, so an outsider couldn't possibly know.”
“That's a relief, then.”
After nodding in satisfaction.
Dion said.
“We can begin now.”
“…Are you really going to go through with it?”
“That's why we came all this way, isn't it?”
“Ugh, well, yes, but…”
As Naru groaned, Kael and Laira's faces stiffened, Parsha remained expressionless as always, Orr Kai was busy licking Dion's fingers, and only the Vault Keeper looked pleased, thinking it was just like the King's successor.
Dion spoke with an expression of pure joy, like a child planning a trip to an amusement park.
“Alright, let's plan how we're going to raid the Dogwiryeon's base.”