Chapter 158
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: Paths Divide
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Kang Seol was flustered but kept his cool as he turned his gaze toward Prannen.
'...Why me?'
Prannen had just tossed him the prestigious status of being a saint's disciple, but it still didn't make any sense.
Kang Seol knew how the world worked, so he'd already guessed Prannen wouldn't actually teach him magic.
So why was he volunteering to be the Transmigrator's master?
'Does he plan to drag me along no matter what?'
In truth, if he clashed with the Iron Lion Chieftain here, it would spell trouble for Kang Seol's position.
The Iron Lion Chieftain clearly had backing from a major faction, while Kang Seol did not.
He'd probably exploited that well-known fact to provoke a conflict on purpose.
Once a fight broke out, it would make things awkward as hell for the Transmigrator Kang Seol to join the expedition.
Kang Seol figured everyone present had at least a rough idea of these ulterior motives.
But sometimes, even obvious traps could blind you if the stakes were high enough.
One of the Balance Saints, Cartejin, spoke up.
"A-Are you finally taking a disciple?"
The other saint, Ridwen, was just as shocked, though his reaction differed slightly from Cartejin's.
"But... a Transmigrator? Of all people, a Transmigrator?"
"Y-Yeah. Is there some reason you have to take a Transmigrator as your disciple? If you're set on it, why not pick one of the Balance's own kids..."
Prannen cut off Cartejin's addendum sharply.
"Cut it out. I'll live my life my way. I don't care if he's a Transmigrator or one of the Balance's kids—the label doesn't matter to me."
Cartejin nodded vigorously, switching attitudes.
"Right you are. Even if he's a Transmigrator, the fact that you've taken him under your wing counts for something. From the Tower's perspective, the biggest risk is losing your personal achievements."
"Hahaha! Finally passing on your teachings to the next generation—what could be better?"
"Yeah, after what happened with Yurin, I thought you'd sworn off it entirely..."
Cartejin's mood had lightened, but as soon as he mentioned Yurin, Prannen shut down the conversation.
"Enough. It's best not to bring her up in a place like this."
"Mm, yeah..."
As the saints' chatter stalled out the discussion, one of the mercenary leaders seized the lull to change the subject.
"Anyway, so how exactly are we getting into that Alcatron place? I get that we have to cross one more border..."
The dwarf Yopimba replied.
"That's right. Let me be clear upfront—this is a race against time, and it's dangerous enough to risk your life. If anyone here isn't prepared for that, you can't come with us to Alcatron."
"What? That serious? Why? Didn't the Relic Society clear the path already? We just pass through there and hit Alcatron, right?"
Yopimba scratched his thick neck, looking troubled.
"Well... Our elite scouting team checked recently, and a landslide wrecked all the paths we'd prepped. So we have to start from scratch, step by step."
"What? ...Which means while we're crawling along nice and slow, the Balance will already be watching us from the skies."
"Watch your mouth. This is Balance territory."
"Hey, facts are facts. Our problem isn't lack of firepower. You think there's another group around here friendly to the Balance with this kind of strength? Everyone rushed here at the call of the Balance's crisis. The issue is... even with all this power gathered, we're probably still short on time."
Yopimba's face twisted oddly at those words.
Like he was debating whether to say it or not.
"Uh... Speaking of which... There's actually one more problem."
"What is it? Spit it out—we're short on time."
"We're splitting the search teams in two."
"What?"
"Why?"
"We don't even know how long it'll take to clear a detour, and even if it works, there's a limit to how many can move through per day. Bottom line: If everyone heads that way, the rest are just gonna twiddle their thumbs. So we're forming another search team for an alternate route with potential. Good thing we've got some spare manpower."
"How? Splitting up doesn't make two roads."
"No, there were always two paths from the start. We just conveniently forgot about it."
"...No way."
"It's not that one!"
The seated crowd buzzed with shock.
As everyone guessed, Yopimba dropped the bombshell.
"We're using the path held by the Black Thunder Tribe."
"Puhahaha! They're insane—the whole Relic Society's lost it? I'd rather fall off a cliff than get eaten by monsters."
"Couldn't agree more. Black Thunder trolls are some of the toughest, aren't they?"
"You're nuts to crawl in there?"
Yopimba looked distressed. He'd expected pushback from the expedition, but not this intense.
"Trolls are monsters. Even if we get a promise to let us pass unharmed, who knows when they'll turn and toss us in a stewpot."
"Can't argue with that."
The Iron Lion Chieftain's expression shifted slyly as he dragged Mael into it.
"Hey, what do you think?"
"...Me, sir?"
"Yeah, you. Same species as them, right?"
"If I may: Not all trolls are the same. Most are aggressive by nature, but there are exceptions. And often, that aggression is kept in check by their leader's temperament."
"Oh? What about Black Thunder's leaders?"
"Brothers... or so I've heard. Nothing more."
"Hahaha! A total blank slate!"
"I'm no leader, and I've had no contact with them."
As Mael spoke, he glanced at Kang Seol. Kang Seol caught something in that look and conversed with someone in his Shadow Space.
The one with ties to the Black Thunder chieftain: Great Chieftain Jamad of the Rock Fang Tribe.
'You heard that? Know the Black Thunder leaders?'
- Yeah, Unggora and Unggus brothers. Decent guys.
'Think they'd talk and let the expedition through safely?'
- Hard to say... Been ages since I saw them. But they're smart enough to reason with, so maybe?
'Hm... Alright.'
The Iron Lion Chieftain spoke.
"Sounds more realistic than going in unarmed against monsters..."
Yopimba swallowed his anger and responded.
"Fair point. That's why we're only taking volunteers for that route."
"Suicide volunteers, huh. Where you headed, dwarf?"
"Me? Detour side. Not many in the Relic Society remember the original terrain there. I'm one of 'em."
"Fine, me too. And I'll add a condition."
"...Condition? What condition?"
"That troll and the Transmigrator stay off the detour. They sit out the expedition or join the Black Thunder suicide squad. I don't work with untrustworthies, no matter the pay. Reject it if you want—the Iron Lions are out."
"That's ridiculous..."
"Best I can offer. I've got lives to protect too."
Kyaaah! If they saw monster cuisine, they'd change their tune lololol
Look at Mael cook those monsters—he crushes 'em lololol
Rejecting Mael lololol It's basically jumping out a breaking a moving bus window lololol
Bus driver Mael totally baffled;;
The unexpected proposal left everyone stunned, eyes flicking between Kang Seol and Mael. Their decision would determine if the Iron Lions joined the expedition.
Yet Kang Seol and Mael exchanged glances and grinned.
Their answers came in unison.
"Sounds good."
"We accept."
The room gawked in surprise.
"W-Wait, really?"
"Black Thunder? Don't risk your lives over pride."
"Yeah, Iron Lion Chieftain, don't rush into this..."
"It's fine. We'll head to Black Thunder."
Kang Seol hadn't made the call because of the Iron Lion's terms. Either path worked for him from the start.
He just had a criterion for choosing.
'The path with Mael—that's gotta be way safer.'
Mael wasn't your average troll.
Kang Seol had witnessed his mystical power back in Yog'natun, so there was no hesitation here.
A dangerous duo just got formed!
Hey! Pandea cool with this? This duo might wreck you!
Pandea: Kugh... Of all people, those two...
The Iron Lion Chieftain stared at them in disbelief before turning to Carmeli.
"Pilgrims will split in half since things could go wrong... Where will you be heading, Diocese Leader?"
"I..."
Everyone assumed she'd go with the Iron Lion Chieftain—the detour side's forces looked overwhelmingly stronger.
Carmeli glanced pitifully around before speaking.
"I'm going to the Black Thunder side."
"...No way."
Crunch...
The Iron Lion Chieftain forced a response.
"Uh... Understood."
Others busied themselves dividing into factions based on loyalties.
Once the forces were roughly split, Yopimba grumbled.
"Hm... Black Thunder side's a bit light on muscle..."
"Can't be helped—you said volunteers only."
"Fine, it'll work out somehow. Next up... the big one."
Yopimba eyed the Balance Saints.
"Who's taking charge of this expedition?"
With the Tower Lord missing, all three saints couldn't leave their posts.
If the next generation's leaders all died, the Balance would plunge into darkness.
"Me."
The answer came quick—from Prannen.
"What? Prannen! You stepping up..."
"Urp..."
Pop-!
Suddenly, someone dry-heaved and bolted from the meeting hall.
'...Prin?'
Kang Seol confirmed it was the woman who'd just left.
Her master Blaine followed, saying,
"Apologies—my disciple seems ill. I need to check on her right away."
"Go ahead."
Creeeak...
'What's her deal?'
Prin had been fine entering the Tower—even bouncing around excitedly while sightseeing.
As Kang Seol pondered, the debate over the expedition leader continued.
"It's time I steeled myself. Thanks for calling me in the Balance's hour of need."
"...You really mean to go?"
"I do."
"Not running away?"
"......"
"Not fleeing what happened to Yurin? Ever since that day... trying to die running away..."
Prannen smiled faintly.
"If I wanted to run, I wouldn't have come."
"......"
"I'm here to confirm. Let me go."
Saints Ridwen and Cartejin nodded cautiously.
"Alright, then..."
"No need to ask. I'll go with my disciple."
"Hm..."
"Yopimba, Iron Lion Chieftain—you'll lead the detour then."
Yopimba laughed heartily.
"Who else? Hahaha!"
"Hmph, everything's settled. I'm heading out—been getting a headache sharing space with a troll and a Transmigrator."
"N-No need for that..."
Drag...
The Iron Lion Chieftain rose and headed for the door.
But then.
【Peep... Peep... Peep... Peep...】
Lament synced babyish sound effects to his every step, making him look utterly ridiculous.
"Th-This... Hoo... See you later."
Creeeak...
The Iron Lion Chieftain was so flabbergasted he lacked even the energy to rage, vanishing through the door without another word.
Kang Seol patted the lantern.
His way of praising it.
Lament murmured softly.
Thud thud thud...
Blaine dashed through the Tower searching for Prin. He'd thought it'd be quick, but it took longer than expected.
Still, he found her eventually.
Tucked in a dim corner, knees hugged to her chest.
"Prin... There you are."
"...Master."
Blaine peered into Prin's eyes.
Whoooosh...
Eyes emanating a hazy aura.
"You saw it, didn't you?"
"Yes... I saw. Didn't want to... but I did."
She could glimpse the future.
Or rather, hazy visions she took for the future. They weren't clear or easy to interpret, but they usually rang true.
After seeing ominous futures, she always hid away like this.
"What... did you see?"
"Don't wanna say... Can't say... You'd think I'm weird. I'm not cursed."
To Prin, this ability was traumatic.
Before Aquarius Spire took her in, she'd been called the curse prophet kid.
"It's okay, it's okay. We won't interfere in their affairs. It's for them to bear. We'll just... watch."
"Sob... Sob..."
"Tell me what lies beyond the veil that you saw..."
Prin opened her mouth.
"Blood and corpses... Everyone dying."
"......"
"So many involved... will die. It's a horrific future..."
Blaine clamped his lips shut, letting her speak freely.
"Alcatron... isn't just any ruin, is it? This whole chain of events is too weird... Too... scary, Master."
"Prin, what do we do with terrible nightmares?"
"Put them in a room... Imagine locking the door tight."
"Right. And find a grown-up. Kids can't do anything—that's normal. Right?"
"Yes... I'm... a kid."
"Tell me—who's the grown-up who can clean up this nightmare room?"
"It's..."
Whooooosh...
Prin's eyes hazed over again.
And she named someone.
"He's the grown-up. I saw a faint light around him."
Blaine beamed at the answer.
"Knew I had the right read on him."