Chapter 188: Leaving Laprarosa
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 188: Leaving Laprarosa
Following his induction as a brother of the Pluto Tribe, Jin had only two weeks remaining.
He spent four of those days training under the Fighting Kings, sparring with sixty-four warriors daily to hone his hand-to-hand and weapon skills. As his departure from Laprarosa loomed, so did the moment he would have to execute the operation to retrieve the Compass with his companions.
His anxiety was mounting.
This mission promised to be more perilous than any battle he had faced alongside his comrades thus far. It was an operation where they would have to contend with both Zipple and Kinzelo simultaneously. Elite figures from each faction were certain to be present at the recovery site, yet Jin’s group had decided to brazenly strike them and seize the item.
While the Patriarch or the Leader won't attend a secret recovery in person, they certainly won't send weaklings.
Of course, Jin’s party was also composed of formidable individuals: Jin, Murakan, Quicantel, Casimir, and Alisa. Looking at these five, they were a force most organizations wouldn't dare provoke.
But what if a large number of Zipple’s White Night or Tower Masters appeared in the Bellado Principality?
Kinzelo was also a significant problem. The Seven-Colored Bird had confirmed the presence of at least three 9-star mages, and there was no telling how many warriors on par with or stronger than Goltep were among their ranks.
We agreed to withdraw quietly if we judge that the experts from Zipple and Kinzelo are too much to handle on the day of the operation... but if we don't take the Compass now, I don't know when we'll get another chance.
The fact that Yona had obtained such information from Bubar’s sculpture workshop was a stroke of luck that was unlikely to happen twice. He had to succeed. That was why he had walked through the hell of the Mitra Desert to train here.
"You look more troubled than usual, Brother Jin."
Just as he was about to head to the training ground to meet the Fighting Kings, a familiar voice reached him.
"Brother Ban."
"Would you care to tell me what is on your mind?"
"It’s about matters in the outside world. I have to carry out an operation with my comrades, and I wonder if my strength is sufficient."
"How absurd."
"What is?"
"Brother, you stood in the main hall of the Fighting God Temple and faced the aura of myself and the Fighting King brothers without showing a hint of fear. The enemies you must face outside cannot possibly be stronger than us."
The Pluto Tribe had shown a somewhat loose and foolish side at times. However, if they could ever leave Laprarosa, the power balance of the outside world would shift in an instant—even with only seventy-seven of them remaining from their fallen race. Jin felt this even more keenly after becoming their brother. Among them, the Fighting God and the Fighting Kings were beings on a different level. He felt as though the entirety of Zipple could not kill them even if they attacked all at once.
"I am not afraid of getting hurt. But I worry about what might happen to my comrades. Some of them are weaker than I am."
Ban stared at Jin. Something was flickering within her dark, deep blue eyes—the past. The long days before she became the Fighting God, when she had the same worries as Jin. The agonizing questions that had haunted her incessantly even after their destruction by the gods.
"I want to tell you that it is still too early."
"To have these worries?"
"Yes. Unlike the other brothers, Brother Jin, you are not simple or foolish. You are likely choosing to fight because the enemies are ones you can handle. It is not too late to start worrying when you must fight an enemy you absolutely cannot overcome. For now, you are only increasing your mental clutter."
"But it is true that the Zipple and Kinzelo are not to be underestimated."
At that, Ban smiled.
"Brother, you still do not know yourself well."
Jin pondered the words. I don't know myself well. What did that mean? Did it mean he was stronger than he thought, and therefore Zipple and Kinzelo were not worth worrying about? Ban did not know Zipple or Kinzelo. Even if she did, from her perspective, they couldn't be as threatening as Jin felt they were.
While various thoughts flashed through Jin's mind, Ban spoke again.
"From today until you leave, it would be best to spend your time with me."
"Are you saying you will personally guide me, Brother Fighting God? I haven't finished my training with the Fighting King brothers yet."
"You are the only human who can save us. Therefore, if you waver, the entire Pluto Tribe wavers."
"What do you mean by..."
"I will hold you, lighten your burden, and polish you. Your heart, that is. So that you may see yourself clearly."
What Ban held out was a sword.
"The Sealed Lightning Sword Sigmund. It is my sword. Boras hammered it so that you could use it."
*
Clang!
Jin and Ban’s swords collided.
For Jin, this was the first time he had seen Sigmund’s blade, nine days after receiving the sword. The pale blue blade, looking as if it were forged from molten sapphire, was exactly the same size as Bradamante.
For nine days, Ban had killed Jin over ninety thousand times. During that time, Ban had demanded only one thing: if he felt that he would not die instantly the moment he drew his sword before her, then he should draw it. In that sense, Jin had essentially been killed by her that many times. He had only just drawn it because he finally felt he wouldn't die instantly.
"Phew...!"
Anyone could draw a sword against Ban while she was just standing there, but 'properly' exchanging a clash of offense and defense with her was not something permitted to just anyone.
"A good strike."
Ban smiled as she sheathed her sword.
"How does it feel to have died ninety thousand times in vain, Brother Jin? When you were capable of doing this all along."
Ninety thousand deaths in vain. That was how Ban described the past nine days when Jin had been sweating profusely, unable to draw his sword before her.
"...I don't think I can manage a second exchange."
"Even before our time stopped, there were not many who could exchange two blows with me."
Over the nine days, his actual swordsmanship skills had not improved at all. It was only natural, as he had done nothing but stand still.
"Brother Jin, you already had the skill to exchange a blow with me nine days ago. Your faith and skill were sufficient, but because you did not know your own martial prowess, you were defeated ninety thousand times."
Ban had spent nine days to prove that fact to Jin.
"Mental clutter blurs one's own image. Now that your head is clear, you should know. This is the level of martial prowess Brother Jin possesses. One that can share a clash with me."
Wiping his forehead, Jin couldn't help but think. Of the warriors I know, how many could actually exchange a blow with Brother Ban? Aside from a few people who immediately came to mind, there were none. Just as there were few who could exchange a proper blow with Cyron.
"If you had failed to know yourself and had not drawn Sigmund in the end, I intended to take it back."
"Now, no matter how many times I try, I feel I can exchange a blow with you, Brother Ban."
"It is only natural, since we have confirmed what was possible from the start."
Jin gave an awkward smile. Accurately knowing one's own strength is sometimes more wondrous than growth itself. Jin was no longer worried about the upcoming June 1st.
"Now I can send you outside with a peaceful mind. Next time we meet, I shall look forward to you being able to exchange two blows with me. Greet the brothers, and you can return tomorrow morning."
Just as Jin was about to bow his head, Ban gently caught his chin.
"Between brothers, we do not keep a tally of favors and debts."
That night, all the Pluto Tribe gathered for a farewell banquet. The cups went around until the jewel liquor ran out, and Jin felt that he must one day give a great gift to this strong and innocent race. After all, a gift can be given even if it isn't in return for a favor.
"Safe travels, Brother. We shall remember the deeds you have achieved."
*
May 17, 1797.
Upon exiting Laprarosa, he was met once again by the ivory desert stretching endlessly. Black Light, Laprarosa. The warmth he had experienced there felt like a dream, as the desert sun was nothing but harsh. Wearing the clothes and robe Boras had newly fashioned for him, Jin moved forward through the desert once more.
After walking for two days, an oasis appeared, and after another day of walking, a forest path came into view. It was the same forest path he had found with the Dogfolk guide to reach the Great Desert.
It seems I've ended up coming back the way I came rather than crossing the Great Desert.
It was actually for the best. If word got out that he had crossed it, rumors might spread across the world that a great adventurer had been born. After all, more than a few beastmen had seen Jin in the Land of the Beastmen.
"Oh, Human! Great Desert! Went!"
"Dark Flame, friend!"
It was just as he was exiting the forest path that he encountered the Water Tail beastmen, who were returning to the Yuka Yuka Market after finishing their trade with the western Gold Snow Tribe.
"Not dead, Human. Relief!"
"Worried, everyone, did."
"Heartbreak, pain, was it? Overcome."
It was May 25th; he still had five days to spare. It would be fine to take it easy and chat with them for three or four hours.
"Human, but, cannot, to Yuka Yuka, go."
"Why?"
"A few days ago, Red Tiger Tribe, came."
"Evil, guys, all, violence, do!"
"A little, detour, Mekameka, Market side, path, use."
To detour to the Mekameka Market would take another three or four days. That would make things too tight, and he might even be late.
"I can't. That would be too late. There's a place I must be by the end of May. Are there no secret passages of yours around here?"
"None, this way."
"Then let's just go."
"Trouble, they pick, those guys, might kill, you, Human."
All the way to the Yuka Yuka Market, the Water Tail Tribe kept expressing their worries. They even pulled at Jin with their dainty hands, begging him to turn back, but it was a matter Jin couldn't give up on. Therefore, it was a predictable outcome when Jin encountered two Red Tiger beastmen at the entrance of the Yuka Yuka Market.
"Ugh, happened, big trouble."
"Human, what, to do."
"We, money, pay, then okay. You, not okay. Probably."
"For now, pretend you don't know me and go on your way. Got it?"
The Water Tail Tribe looked back anxiously even as they passed Jin. The Red Tiger beastmen took money from them and gave each of them a smack on the back of the head before letting them through.
If you took the money, just let them go. Why hit them? Those little guys.
If the White Wolf Tribe were foul-tempered and eccentric warriors, the Red Tiger Tribe were thugs who were as strong as warriors. The two Red Tigers, who had been glaring at Jin for a while, provocatively picked a fight.
"Hey, hey, you human there, come here. Stand right here and hand over everything you have, and take off all your clothes! Let’s see that backside."
"Oh, he looks pretty decent. Should we bring him to the females?"
"Keke, they’ll love it..."
However, as Jin drew closer, for some reason, the Red Tiger beastmen found themselves unable to speak.
W-what... is this human? What on earth is this aura?!
Not only did their words cut off, but their legs also trembled uncontrollably, regardless of their will. Thin saliva dripped from their mouths, the fur all over their bodies stood on end, and they felt a sensation as if their insides were melting away.
Such was the fear engraved in instinct.
The aura of a great race that used to tear and trample them at every turn was completely enveloping Jin. Though five thousand years had already passed since they disappeared, and though these two young Red Tigers had never even heard their name, they were trembling in terror.
A beast fears its natural enemy even if no one teaches it to.
"U-uuuh, ki-kihak...!"
"Kyahaak! Kree-ak!"
The Red Tigers instinctively bared their claws and let out grotesque shrieks.
"Begone."
But even when Jin said that, instead of attacking, the Red Tigers collapsed and urinated until the ground was soaked.
"S-spare... please spare us... please."
They couldn't even dare to look up at Jin.