Chapter 159

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Translator: Ryuma

Chapter: 159

Chapter Title: The Alkatron Expedition

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The search for the Scales had to be conducted with utmost urgency, more than any other matter.

As soon as the schedule, method, and individual teams were decided, the search parties sprang into action, preparing for the expedition with perfect discipline.

"Quartermaster, where do the rations go...?"

"Over there! Yeah, load them onto that wagon!"

"Here?"

"No, not there! The wagons heading to the Mist Hills are already fully loaded."

"Ah, got it..."

The Magic Tower was an ecosystem unto itself.

There was no need to pull in extra supplies for the expedition; the stockpiled goods alone could cover everything required.

Food, clothing, weapons, and all sorts of miscellaneous daily necessities.

They even had dozens of horses to spare.

Kang Seol asked Frannan.

"Do all Magic Towers possess this level of wealth?"

"Hm? Oh, you're surprised by that. The Scales are a bit unusual. They specialize more in practical magic for everyday life than combat spells, so they snag a lot of related contracts. And contracts involving magic tend to come with advance payments in much larger denominations."

"I see."

"What, thinking of making some money? Magic's the best way to rake it in. Want me to teach you a spell or two while we're at it?"

"No thanks."

"Figured as much. I was joking anyway."

They chuckled softly as they watched the wagons being loaded. Mael approached them.

"What are you two talking about?"

"Oh, Mael."

"Just idle chatter. More importantly, are you leading our Mist Hills expedition team?"

"The expedition leader is His Holiness, not me."

"True, he's in charge overall. But until we pass through Black Thunder territory and reach Alkatron, you'll effectively be the one guiding us."

"......"

"I'd have no choice but to fight if trolls showed up, but you're different."

"Understood."

"Anyway, good luck on this expedition."

Frannan offered his sincere encouragement. Sensing the genuine sentiment, Mael bowed silently and checked for any overlooked supplies.

"All done!"

"Good. We'll depart at dawn, so everyone get some rest. This might be the last comfortable bed for a while."

After Frannan's instructions, a brief rest was granted.

It felt fleeting, like a mere instant.

Ziiiiiing—

The wagon train split into two groups, bustling with preparations even before dawn broke.

Clank...

Clank...

The Iron Lion chieftain kept glancing at his feet as he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠approached the group heading to the Mist Hills.

"Well, no helping it now. Hope everyone makes it on time... if they can."

"Hope your group reaches Alkatron without incident too."

"Hmph, never thought I'd see a former otherworlder worrying about the Iron Lions. Anyway, see you in Alkatron."

The Iron Lion chieftain glared at Mael once more before returning to his spot.

Frannan called out to the wagon train.

"Depart!"

To keep to the schedule, the wagons sped through Adelin's western border. Up to this point, the two groups' speeds hadn't diverged much, and they could even see each other crossing the border.

"They've left... the detour group..."

"They might face even greater hardships."

"Doesn't change that we're in for hardships too, does it?"

"Hm... Didn't you know that when you joined?"

"Knowing doesn't make it any less unpleasant."

Kang Seol nodded at Chameli's words.

The wagon they rode was a special one prepared by the Scales. Not only was it large, but it was magically reinforced to carry several times the weight of a normal wagon.

Perhaps because of that, Mael had left his mount Baku at the Scales and was riding with Kang Seol.

"Don't worry too much, human woman. The Black Thunder tribe is known for knowing their bounds. See this? I recorded it myself."

Mael pulled out a small notebook and showed her the contents. It clearly stated: 'Unlike other troll tribes, Black Thunder is not belligerent.'

"They know their... bounds?"

"Yes, it's said they often just take goods without harming humans directly and spare lives."

"That's... reassuring."

Frannan laughed heartily and chimed in.

"Haha... Exactly. Black Thunder is rare in that regard. They've never hunted humans for sport or raided villages. There's only one case where humans suffered direct harm from them."

"What case? If we avoid that, we're good!"

Chameli urged him on with hopeful eyes.

"Stepping into their territory."

"......"

"Easy to understand, right?"

"Aren't we charging right in? Wait, wheels don't count as feet, do they...?"

"Hoping someone tells you your naivety is charming?"

"A clash... is inevitable?"

"Absolutely. But the timing matters. If we encounter them at the hills' entrance, fighting's unavoidable. If we're spotted just before exiting, we can escape unscathed."

It wasn't an entirely untrustworthy answer, so Chameli nodded in satisfaction.

Kang Seol said.

"Whichever group arrives first waits three days... Not sure if that's efficient."

"We have excess manpower, but half the force couldn't possibly find the Scales in Alkatron. Even with that relic conference, no secrets were uncovered there. Both forces need to unite, so waiting three days is unavoidable."

Meanwhile, Mael listened with a grave expression, poring over some records.

Two days later, the wagons, which had been racing smoothly, came to a halt.

Kwaaaaang—!

The lead wagon's crew shouted.

"Enemies ahead!"

"Trolls?"

"No! Massive beast! Looks like a cozalkebr!"

Cozalkebr.

It was like a gigantic mountain goat, with horns and charging power that were overwhelmingly formidable.

If a cozalkebr rammed a wagon, it would vanish without a trace.

"Annoying... Can we shake it off by sacrificing a few horses?"

"No! It's heading straight for us. We've been spotted! Probably too late already."

"Stop the wagons! We'll peel it off here!"

"Yes!"

Hiiing!

The wagons halted in the middle of the hills.

Plip... Plip...

As Kang Seol's group dismounted, a drizzling rain began. Frannan scowled fiercely.

"We're in a rush, and now rain... Irritating. Hey, disciple."

"Me?"

Kang Seol asked with an unaccustomed look, prompting Frannan to chuckle.

"Can you handle that too?"

He meant whether cozalkebr was edible. Kang Seol replied exactly as Toki had taught him.

"Never tried it, but do it until it works."

"I like that answer. Got me motivated."

Kyaaaak—!

As if advertising itself as a monster, the cozalkebr screeched and charged.

Thwack—!

Ziiiiiing...

Whoosh—!

Kyaaaak!

The cozalkebr tumbled with a screech.

"Then I'll..."

Clap—!

Mael clasped his hands and chanted a sorcery.

Papapapapak—!

Kraaaak!

The cozalkebr writhed, rocks embedding in its body. Suddenly, it sprang up and lunged toward Frannan.

Kyaa!

"I-it's up!"

"Watch out! F-Frannan!"

Woooong...

At that moment, black energy erupted from Kang Seol's hand.

Whirl—!

"Bell?"

"Yeah."

Karen and Karuna leaped out simultaneously, drawing their swords.

Shing—!

Spuuuurt—!

Its front legs were neatly severed by their blades.

"My god... The c-cozalkebr..."

"Frannan's disciple..."

Frannan snorted.

"Not bad at all."

Kang Seol shrugged and approached the cozalkebr, but Karen grabbed his shoulder.

"Hm?"

"Stop, Master. Something's off."

"...That."

"Yeah, a spear. It's been there since it charged."

A spear was lodged in the cozalkebr's thick hind leg.

Kang Seol looked at Frannan.

"Damn... It was their hunting prey. Everyone, back to the wagons!"

That was when it happened.

Dududududu...

"G-gripto pack!"

"No! Trolls!"

Gripto were ferocious bipedal reptilian beasts.

What made gripto terrifying wasn't just their strength and speed fitting a monster, but that they served as mounts for even fiercer trolls.

In other words, that gripto pack was carrying a horde of trolls straight toward them.

"Too... late."

"What now? Prepare counter-spells?"

Frannan would decide, but Kang Seol could offer advice.

But before he could offer suitable advice, the situation worsened.

Dududu...

"Fr-from all sides."

"Too late, then. Don't attack first—fight back the moment they do. Everyone, brace yourselves."

"Yes!"

Du... Dudu...

Kyaa!

The gripto pack stopped at a distance from the wagons. A massive troll at the front dismounted and approached.

Chameli whispered to Mael.

"Burn scar... on his face?"

"Black Thunder trait. Definitely them."

The troll waved its arms and said something.

Frannan picked at his ear.

"Anyone speak troll?"

Raise...

Kang Seol and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Mael quietly raised their hands.

"What'd it say?"

Mael volunteered to translate.

"Asking why we invaded their territory. Also, why we touched their tribute hunt, the cozalkebr."

"Tell them we just borrowed the road, we're guests, not intruders. Had no idea about their tribute hunt."

"Please wait a moment."

Mael conversed again and relayed the response.

"They decide if we're guests or intruders."

"And?"

"These hills are Black Thunder land. No one's ever opposed our will and lived to leave."

"That's true enough. Conclusion?"

"Come quietly."

"Or?"

"Into the cauldron."

"Let's go, then. Rainy day like this is perfect. No one wants the cauldron."

It was a rational choice.

Fighting Black Thunder here meant facing pursuit all the way to the hills' end.

'Odds are fifty-fifty... But trolls knowing the terrain have the edge.'

As Mael conveyed Frannan's intent, trolls surrounded the wagons. Suddenly, they were under troll escort.

Chameli said to Mael.

"Not belligerent, huh?"

"Yeah."

Mael pulled out his notebook and edited the line from 'Unlike other troll tribes, Black Thunder is not belligerent' to 'Unlike other troll tribes, Black Thunder wasn't belligerent.'

Chameli stared at him in disbelief.

Then, a booming voice rang out loud enough for Kang Seol to hear.

"Is there a human summoner here who commands a massive troll subordinate?"