Chapter 164: Thunder (4)
Chapter 164: Thunder (4)
How did it come to this?
Fine, let’s break it down.
The moment I found the treasure in the Storm River, a sense of unease washed over me. My intuition has never been wrong, so I was certain something terrible was about to happen and tried to leave immediately. I swear, I wasn't being lazy. I practically had to drag Elizabeth away as she stubbornly insisted on admiring the brilliant form of "Thunder" for just a little longer.
Elizabeth had been adamant. She claimed there was no way a warrior of "Sirion"—the elite of the elite among the beastmen of the Armand Alliance—would be lurking in the Great Forest. She compared my concern to someone whining about dragons while going up a hill to pick wild greens.
Her analogy wasn't entirely wrong. It’s exhausting to consider every single variable, and excessive suspicion can become a poison. However, the "anxiety" I feel isn't just some animalistic instinct; it’s a warning born from the vast amount of information my suspicion has already processed.
‘Based only on the information she has, she’d be right. But this ominous feeling is a warning sent by my suspicion, weaving together data points and inferring hidden relationships.’
The Crevelin Great Forest is vast.
While the primary power here is the elves, the forest is so large that numerous other races call it home. And as Elizabeth mentioned, the Great Forest has recently faced several attacks that threatened its very existence. Though they narrowly managed to repel them, the long-standing peace has been shattered, leaving every resident of the forest on edge—the elves and every other race within its borders alike.
‘The primary power in the Crevelin Great Forest is the elves, but there is a second power as well.’
The beastmen.
The beastmen are the second-largest force in the Crevelin Great Forest. Furthermore, they have much in common with the elves; both live in harmony with nature and are beloved by the World Tree. The two races are friendly and occasionally come to each other's aid.
So, let’s look at the facts again.
It wasn't just the elves who were attacked recently; it was the entire Great Forest. Would those who raided the forest have targeted only the elves? War is a battle of attrition. The invaders would have seized anything they could find to offset their losses. If they couldn't burn the elven lands, they would have burned others; if they couldn't kidnap elves, they would have taken members of other races. In that case, would the beastmen—the second-largest force in the forest—really have escaped unscathed?
‘There’s a high probability that the elves and beastmen formed an alliance to protect their shared home. If so, who would the beastmen of the Great Forest—who aren't particularly skilled in combat and have lost their wild edge—turn to for help?’
The Armand Alliance.
It is the only place on the continent where beastmen are not looked down upon. The beastmen there would have wanted to help their kin suffering in their ancestral home. Even if they lacked affection for their kin or homeland, they would have sent support regardless. Why? Elizabeth had already explained that part herself.
‘Because there is much to be gained from the elves. The Great Forest is a land of immense resources. And opportunities to put the elves in one's debt are rare.’
Whether out of racial affinity or practical gain, the benefits for the Armand Alliance to seize this connection and send support were crystal clear. Analyzing it in detail, I finally understood why my anxiety had flared. My obsessive suspicion had skipped the step-by-step deduction and sent a warning in the form of pure "dread."
Of course, even so, the distance between the Storm River and the exit of the Great Forest was short. If we moved as fast as possible, there was a high chance we could escape without issue. That was why I hadn't idled and had hurried our pace.
However.
‘That annoying old woman.’
I didn't expect her to be waiting right at the exit.
*
"You did well, Antonio. Thanks to you, we didn't miss the intruders."
"Don't mention it. You hired me for a fair price, so I simply did what was expected of a warrior of the Alliance. No need for trivial thanks."
"I requested aid from the Alliance to guard against those who disturb the peace of the forest and threaten the children of the World Tree... but I didn't expect to catch such a big fish."
Antonio, the wolf-like beastman, snorted.
Nadine slowly turned her head toward us.
"The Last Caravan, and the First Witch, Elizabeth. What an interesting combination. To think such an incompatible man and woman would be together."
Elizabeth stepped forward to respond.
"…O Ancient High Elf, I apologize for trespassing in the Great Forest without permission. I swear by the Father of the Sky, we had no intention of threatening the Crevelin Great Forest. This was a personal matter for the witches—"
"—You came to find a long-lost treasure, did you not?"
The moment the word 'treasure' was mentioned, Elizabeth froze.
"First Witch, that object in your hand. Is that not 'Thunder,' the artifact that made the witches great in ancient times? The gift bestowed by the Father of the Sky to protect his ladies."
"…How do you, who are not even a witch, know that?"
"Because I was alive when the Father of the Sky was forging 'Thunder,' and I was alive the moment it fell from the heavens and the witches first claimed it. First Witch, this old elf has lived much longer than you think."
Elizabeth was momentarily speechless. Nadine chuckled softly.
"I know you didn't come to threaten the forest. However, daring to deceive the eyes of the World Tree and setting foot in the forest without permission during such chaotic times is an unforgivable sin."
"We will provide ample compensation for that part..."
"Compensation? With what?" Nadine’s eyes flashed sharply. "Gold coins? I’m sorry, but I don't believe witches are wealthier than elves. Witches could never offer enough gold to satisfy an elf. Precious jewels or rare magical tools crafted by witches? Jewels are scattered all over this forest until they're an eyesore, and a hundred rare magical tools are worth less than a single branch of the World Tree. Therefore, I shall choose the compensation for this sin myself."
"Name it."
"Thunder. Hand over that which the Father of the Sky carved from a part of himself."
The corners of the wrinkled elf's mouth curled upward.
"I am not saying we will keep it forever. We shall merely borrow it until this chaotic war is over. As you know, many enemies have been threatening the Great Forest lately. Filthy greed has blinded them. But even those blinded by greed will flee when faced with the wrath of the heavens, will they not? Humans know all too well how terrifying the wrath sung by the 'Father of the Sky' is, thanks to the ancient history recorded in their dusty books."
"…That is impossible."
"That is not for you to decide, witch. This is the forest, and everything that exists within the forest belongs to the forest. As the representative of the World Tree, this old elf has the right to seize what belongs to the forest."
Elizabeth trembled at Nadine’s words. "Can you even handle it?"
"Why wouldn't I be able to? I can certainly handle a foul woman who has bedded a descendant of Steel—one who lacks the ability to prevent his own God from losing His brilliance."
"What did you just—"
"I didn't expect a witch, of all people, to accept help from a Caravan. Have you forgotten the sins the First Caravan committed against the Seven Chief Gods and the Nine Goddesses? Has the witch also forgotten the moment the world forgot its history? Or… did the Heavens hide what happened that day because He didn't want His beloved ladies to see such an ugly sight?"
Nadine’s gaze shifted toward me.
"Ah, even if you hand over Thunder, you are the only one who will live. I can never let the descendant of Steel leave alive. The descendant of a being that should never have been born, a twisted existence that will bring ruin to the continent. Caravan, you shall die here."
Dammit.
"Descendant of Caravan. I’ve lost sleep since hearing your warning the other day. You said we should meet again after you've grown stronger? I can think of nothing more terrifying than becoming an enemy of a 'Caravan,' even compared to other Great Families. This old elf vividly remembers the horrific things your ancestor did."
Ancestor.
Master, is it you again? What kind of sin did you commit this time?
「Petty old fossil.」
“…”
「Is he still holding a grudge just because I trimmed a few branches off the World Tree? He was blustering about how even a Caravan couldn't cut the World Tree, so I gave it a clean cut to show him. To think he hasn't forgotten after all this time. He’s old as dirt, yet his memory is far too good.」
Good grief.
「Don't grow old like that, young descendant.」
“…”
「Still harping on such a trivial matter.」
I watched my Master shake his head and etched his words deep into my heart. No matter how hard my life became or how much I aged, I would never grow old like him.
「Don't think such impious thoughts.」
As expected, he’s always quick on the uptake.
"Elizabeth."
In any case, negotiations had failed.
"Do you have a plan?"
"…You said you could buy time, right?"
"Yes, I can."
"Then buy me time. As much as possible."
It seemed the option of handing "Thunder" over didn't exist for Elizabeth. What on earth was that wooden stick that everyone was making such a fuss over? Curiosity surged, but I didn't have the luxury to ask. Elizabeth spoke, biting her lip hard.
"From now on, I’m going to draw out the true power of 'Thunder.' The moment Thunder awakens, none of them will be able to stop us. So buy me time until then, Descendant of Steel."
Buy time until then.
"Understood."
Request received.
"Whew."
I drew my sword.
At that moment.
"Fire! There is no need to take him alive!"
"Yes!"
The elves released their bowstrings. With a series of sharp twangs, arrows poured down like rain. Arrows imbued with spirits surged like a storm.
However.
『You were like a breath of wind in my life.』
That won't work.
『I sang of the free life you gifted me.』
The sword within me awakened. "Gale," which had reclaimed its broken half.
『Somewhere over the rainbow.』
『In a place very high.』
The wind began to howl.
『Let us fly.』
『Casting off the shackles of gravity.』
A very, very powerful wind.
*
"Wh-?!"
Without warning, a gale erupted. The swirling vortex deflected the incoming arrows, and any additional arrows fired collided with each other, falling helplessly to the ground with dull thuds. Another storm surged, and in the next instant, Arhan vanished from the elves' sight. Like smoke.
"What in the..."
"Children, look up!"
At Nadine’s shout, the elves looked up to see Arhan floating in mid-air. He held his sword high, as if poised to split a log. The sword traced a straight line downward. As the tip of the blade pointed toward the earth, a heavy impact swept through the elves with a resounding crack. With short screams, the elves were blown in every direction.
"Spirits, aid us—"
The elves who barely managed to avoid the impact hurriedly regained their stances and called upon the spirits. Imbued with the mystery of the spirits, the elves became like gusts of wind, lunging at Arhan with jagged daggers. It was a perfect ambush, devoid of any presence.
However.
‘…An illusion?’
The moment they closed in on Arhan, the elves witnessed a strange sight. Arhan’s form wavered, and his appearance as a blonde noble blurred. In his place stood a Ronin wrapped in worn cloth—a man shrouded in an aura of emptiness and freedom as sharp as a blade. Beside the man stood an old woman with hair as white as snow. This was "Gale," finally completed after long years of being broken. It was a mystery born from the fusion of two souls that had been split in half.
"Gah!"
The world turned upside down for the approaching elves. Before they could even see how the blade was swung, their bodies were slammed into the ground. It was a mystical power whose process remained unknown. A storm, far more free and irresistible than any wind spirit, cast them aside.
"An opponent too much for elves to handle."
Antonio, the warrior of "Sirion" who had been watching from a distance, stepped forward.
"I shall assist."
Antonio’s pitch-black tail flicked. Simultaneously, with claws bared, he appeared behind Arhan. This was the martial prowess he had built through countless battles in the Armand Alliance. It was time to showcase the unique combat arts of a beastman that ordinary martial artists could never replicate—
"…?!"
Antonio, about to swing his claws, froze instantly.
His body wouldn't move. While his pupils dilated like a beast in the dark, a foul stench stinging his nose grew intense. The smell of blood. An overwhelming scent of blood that felt like it would paralyze his sense of smell wafted from Arhan. At the same time, Antonio saw a crisis reflected in his eyes. This was the "Path of Blood," developed to a level incomparable to ordinary beastmen. The world currently reflected in Antonio’s eyes was entirely red. Every inch of space surrounding Arhan spoke of death.
"Hah!"
Antonio retreated hastily. Standing far from Arhan, he gasped for breath and looked down at his body. There was a shallow sword mark on his chest, and dark red blood was oozing from it. It was a wound he hadn't even realized he'd received. One step. If he had taken just one more step, he would have died right then and there. Without even knowing how.
‘What the hell is this?’
He had fought countless opponents in the Armand Alliance. He had participated and excelled in various conflicts. Although the primary role of the "Sirion" warriors was that of sentries monitoring enemy intrusions rather than front-line fighters... he had still dueled and defeated many knights, and fought bravely to secure valuable victories when necessary.
Combat ability was essential for a warrior of "Sirion." It meant they needed strength that wouldn't be found wanting anywhere. Indeed, Antonio had been an excellent combatant as well as a scout on every battlefield.
However.
‘An overwhelming difference.’
This human swordsman was on a different level. A path to victory? He couldn't even see one. The best he could do was find a way to barely survive in a world of blood filled with death.
Furthermore, the scent of blood pouring from the human swordsman was bizarrely varied. Swordsmanship that female swordsmen might use, techniques that assassins of the Free Cities might wield, stiff movements that a straight and loyal knight might employ—so many different paths of death were gathered into one. It was as if not one soul, but countless souls were gathered within that body.
"Just what is that monster...?"
"Is a Caravan truly a Caravan after all?"
While Antonio was reeling in shock, Nadine clicked her tongue.
"None of you step forward from now on. It will only be dangerous."
With those words, all the elves retreated behind Nadine. Taking a long breath, Nadine glared at Arhan.
"You’ve become a completely different person in such a short time."
Nadine walked forward, her aura surging. The being before her was a Caravan. Using the "World Tree" to manifest the authority of nature, as she had done in the City of Blades, would not work. The Heart of Steel possessed by a Caravan rejected all forms of authority that utilized the energy of nature. This was due to the unpleasant rule that 'Iron conquers Wood.'
"A Caravan indeed."
Of course, there were many other ways. However, as far as Nadine knew, the Caravan’s Authority of Steel was insanely effective at countering "mysteries." There was a reason why the Caravan’s territory had been called the 'Wizards' Tomb' in the past. Steel blood was the natural enemy of mystery.
"But it is too early for you to challenge me."
Thus, Nadine employed a mystery that a Caravan would be unable to deal with. A mystery that not only a Caravan but any swordsman would loathe to face. The natural enemy of all swordsmen.
"Despair."
With a heavy thud, the vines and rocks scattered around Nadine began to gather. Simultaneously, a giant made of natural byproducts was formed. A Golem. It was a golem raised by borrowing the sacred energy of the Great Forest itself. It was so sturdy that no blade could pierce it, and even if a blade were to strike it, the iron-natured sword would inevitably shatter against the 'energy of the earth.' A swordsman without a sword is a powerless being. Even for a Caravan, defeating this golem was an impossible task.
Furthermore, the core of this golem was composed of her own power, granted by her contract with Gaia, the Earth Spirit King. A golem that would never be destroyed and would infinitely regenerate as long as its feet touched the ground. A faithful and powerful natural enemy of swordsmen, imbued with the energy of Gaia. Nadine looked down loftily at Arhan.
"The grass and soil of the forest are like another mother who cares for the elves. Our mother, who always embraces us—the warm earth itself—shall crush you."
However.
"…?"
Strangely, the completed golem seemed unable to focus, turning its head this way and that. It blinked its eyes as it looked back and forth between Arhan and Nadine. It looked confused.
Watching this, Arhan spoke.
"A mother failing to recognize her own son."
That one casual remark from Arhan snapped the last thread of sanity in Nadine, who had been speaking with such dignified grace.
"You little—!!!"