Chapter 324
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 324
Chapter Title: This Place is Africa
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"Chief, we have a problem."
"I told you not to call me chief—call me General!"
"S-sorry. General."
"Anyway, what is it?"
"We've lost contact with 2nd Company."
"What? Why the hell would those guys sent to crush a puny tribe like the Maasai go dark?"
"Well... I don't really..."
"Are those bastards off getting drunk and laid somewhere?"
"We checked the nearby villages. No one said 2nd Company showed up or requisitioned any booze or women."
"Who knows, damn it. They might've hit some hidden village."
Lukuma's chief clicked his tongue.
The 2nd Company commander was his cousin, after all.
Among his relatives, the guy had decent levels and command skills, so he'd handed him the company—but that was it.
Relying on his family ties to slack off? The chief had zero faith in that.
"Should we just wait it out?"
"Yeah... Give it a few days. If no word, tell the major to check it out."
"The major's off occupying somewhere else."
"He's probably done there and kicking back. Maasai might've hired some high-level players, for all we know."
"Understood."
Once the subordinate left,
Lukuma's chief pulled in the trembling woman he'd plundered from another tribe.
'Stupid Maasai bastards. If they'd surrendered sooner, their tribe might've survived...'
If the major got involved, his brutal nature would wipe out most of them.
But Lukuma's chief didn't care.
This was Africa.
The victor made the rules, and weakness was the ultimate sin.
Conquering the Maasai would finally elevate him beyond tribal chief—to a player in the continental power game.
Dreaming of that golden future, he drifted off with a sleazy grin, lost in his desires.
Umbaru was deep in thought.
What to do with the Lukuma prisoners?
It was important, sure.
They wouldn't quit after one failure.
Their next assault would be fiercer, and with most warriors injured, the Maasai could barely fight back.
Abandon the village and flee?
Or negotiate using the prisoners?
As chief, these were dilemmas he had to face.
But the Lukuma tribe barely factored into his real worries.
He had bigger problems—and no authority to deal with the prisoners anyway.
"Chief Umbaru."
"...What is it, woman?"
"I have a few questions."
"I'm busy. Ask someone else."
"Some things are hard to ask others. If you just answer, I'll make it worth your while..."
"Don't care. Get lost."
"..."
Even dealing with Rose—the blue-haired woman holding full authority over the prisoners—was a hassle.
A foreigner, and a woman like her, constantly approaching him?
Normally, he'd be outraged.
But he held back.
He'd seen her take down Lukuma soldiers. He knew he was no match.
'...This is tricky.'
Rose felt just as frustrated.
The ridiculous part? Umbaru was one of the better ones.
Most tribesmen scowled or ignored her the moment she spoke—pretending not to hear.
How to quietly bury this mess?
Gathering local intel from the Maasai was her plan, but it was proving impossible.
True to her Azure Dragon Clan roots, she hadn't resorted to force—and days later, she still had no answers.
That explained it.
Why Rose lost her words at the sight unfolding before her.
"Ch-chief."
"What?"
"Caught some birds on the way back. Figured the kids could eat and the injured could recover a bit."
"Thanks, guest!"
"No big deal. Just think of it as rent."
"..."
He'd ignored the gold-and-jewel ornaments she'd offered.
Yet Umbaru happily accepted a few birds and walked off.
Rose stared in silence as her companion looked puzzled.
"Why the slingshot-to-the-face look, sis?"
"...Seems you've gotten close to the chief."
"Close? He's finally stopped shaking at the sight of me."
'And that's what you call close.'
The golden-tanned boy.
Rose gave a wry smile at Rimon's innocent reply.
Just days ago, Umbaru had cowered like a mouse before a tiger at Rimon's voice.
Now accepting gifts with joy? Clear sign his guard was down.
It wasn't just Umbaru.
Whether from daily game hauls
or playing endlessly with the kids,
the Maasai's attitude toward Rimon had noticeably warmed these past few days.
'...Maybe I should've hunted too.'
Same group, yet treated worlds apart. Why?
She shook off the thought.
"Any leads on the seven-colored bird?"
"Nah, unfortunately. Doesn't seem to be any live ones around Kilimanjaro."
"I see..."
She wasn't surprised, even if it sounded like he'd scoured the continent's highest peak in days.
A Sword Master with superhuman senses like Rimon? Totally feasible.
That's why he'd come personally.
The issue? Even his search turned up nothing.
And one more thing.
"So, what's the play now? Your plan's busted."
Days ago,
Rimon grinned mischievously, just like when she'd promised to follow his lead. Rose sighed.
No quick fix: snag the bird before Hasneti noticed and bail.
"Per the backup plan, we inquire around for traces."
"Won't that tip off those Lukuma or whatever goons?"
"We captured all the soldiers who saw us. Should be fine for now."
"Sure, but once it leaks, they'll flip every village we hit. Rumors about us will spread like wildfire."
Back to square one.
Find the bird fast to contain this.
But hunting it aggressively makes containment impossible.
A paradox.
Rimon chuckled at Rose's troubled frown.
"No solution yet, huh?"
"...I'm considering negotiating with the Lukuma to hush our involvement."
"Doubt that'll fly."
"Even invoking Jormungandr's name?"
"This is Africa, not Europe."
Rimon shrugged.
In Europe, her Azure Dragon princess status was leverage enough to silence anyone.
But Africa?
It could backfire hard.
Any hint of dodging the Crimson Dragon Clan's eyes, and they'd snitch in a heartbeat.
Lukuma or even Maasai.
Jormungandr's pressure was scary, but a clan wipeout was worse.
'Never needed advice this badly.'
Rose sighed.
She'd kill for input from Lucas, the elders—even Li Chingwei.
Couldn't risk it.
If the Azure Dragon Clan learned she'd taken a rocket launcher hit, they'd swarm and massacre the Lukuma.
Chingwei might have clever ideas, but she'd twist it all to her advantage.
Luckily,
local wisdom was available.
"Want a tip?"
"...I'd appreciate your insight."
The catch? It was Rimon.
Days ago, she'd boldly claimed she'd handle the search.
Now begging him for advice? Mortifying.
But personal pride couldn't botch the mission.
Blushing, she humbled herself. Rimon smirked.
"Not exactly insight. You're just thinking too linearly."
"What do you mean?"
"We can't strut around, but no need to skulk like thieves either."
To hide a tree, plant it in the forest.
Rose looked puzzled at the cryptic words.
Then both heads snapped the same way.
Commotion at the village entrance.
Umbaru burst in right after.
"B-big trouble!"
Feathers stuck everywhere—he'd been prepping Rimon's birds.
His dark face pale as a ghost, he yelled.
"The Lukuma are attacking!"
Maasai village entrance.
A simple fence on a low hill.
Fine against beasts, useless against bullets.
Around it lay warriors, including Shu—crumpled heaps.
All by one man.
Piercings dangling from his face, jaw like a horse's.
"No long talk."
Lukuma's infamous high-level player,
who'd merged tribes and plundered relentlessly.
Major Eunko sneered.
"Spill where our tribesmen are. I'll show mercy."
"Mercy, my ass! You plan to enslave us all—you think we don't know?"
"Smart girl."
He laughed at furious Shu.
Then stomped her back with a crunch,
cheerfully adding,
"Fine. You'll be my special 12th concubine."
"Kuh... You horny rabbit bastard...!"
Shu ground her teeth against the crushing pressure.
A voice cut through.
"Eunko—lift that foot now!"
Shu whipped her head around.
Rose, Rimon, and Umbaru charging from the village.
Her face lit up.
"Hey, you idiot! Took you long enough!"
"Was prepping game. Grabbed the chief the second I got word. Came as fast as I could."
"That's why leave the prepping to the wives!"
"Guest's special game. Chief's duty."
Backup arrived—her tension eased.
Shu ribbed Umbaru.
Meanwhile, Rose eyed Eunko atop her, brow furrowed.
"From the Lukuma?"
"..."
"Here for the prisoners? Release her first. Then we can..."
"Shut your mouth, wench."
Rose blinked.
Couldn't process what she'd just heard.
Eunko ignored it.
Lusting over her beauty, eyes dripping contempt and scorn,
he snapped,
"Filthy white trash dares speak to me? Act like the slave you are—strip and greet your new master."