Chapter 210
Chapter 210
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 210
>Chapter Title: The 31st Horse Overturns the Game Board
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Rumble rumble rumble—!
The collapse of the smugglers' tunnel had begun.
The destruction that started right in the center spread to both the direction the pursuers were flooding in from and the way Kang Seol was fleeing.
"Evacuateee!"
"R-Run awaaay!"
Rumble rumble rumble!
Kang Seol spotted a collapse even larger than expected and shot Devrik a glance.
"Whoa whoa, no. The collapse will stop soon."
Rumble rumble rumble…
Soon, screams of pandemonium intertwined with the crashing noises of the tunnel's collapse, filling the air. But fortunately, the screams and collapse sounds gradually faded into the distance.
"You see that?"
Kang Seol had no idea if the Transferors on the opposite side were safe, but since the shaking had stopped, there probably weren't many casualties.
"Puhahaha! So long, you Transferor bastards! If I'd known, I would've smashed it to smithereens from the start!"
"Kihahaha!"
"Did you see those guys freeze up in shock, boss?"
"Of course! The skills of those bugs charging in the moment they think they have a chance are predictable!"
The smugglers mocked the Transferors' actions. They must have been lured by Hein 4th's scheme all the way into the smugglers' tunnel.
'The broker must've leaked our position.'
Did they recognize Princess Liona?
There hadn't been any sign of that, so he'd let his guard down, but now the situation had gotten a bit tricky.
'We've bought some time for now… but they might pinpoint our location.'
With this one move, the horde of Transferors pushing down from Nevenia could be considered fully blocked.
It would take them quite a while to turn back to the border and regroup.
By then, Kang Seol's group would have crossed more than halfway through Adelin.
Clop clop clop….
"Hey, you."
Devrik spoke to Kang Seol, who was deep in thought.
"Feels like I've gotten dragged into your mess… but that was pretty good back there?"
"Your ingenuity made it work."
"Ha! You've got an eye for it!"
- *Sniffle…*
- Y-Yeah, you're the impressive one!
- Not bad, 'partner.'
Clop clop…
The group exited the smugglers' tunnel.
Devrik asked Kang Seol.
"Hey! Where are you lot headed?"
"Can't disclose that."
"Hmph, just checking in case our paths crossed. Anyway, I'll collect on this debt later, so prepare yourself."
"Do as you like. I'll express my own thanks in kind then."
Devrik snorted at Kang Seol's reply.
"Can't even talk straight… Let's go, lads."
"Where to?"
"Anywhere. Nevenia's done for. Let's cross before we get caught up in the rebellion ourselves."
Clop…
Devrik's group turned their horses around.
Then, as if remembering something, Devrik looked back.
"And the Liona Princess, was it?"
"……"
"It won't be easy struggling like that. Try to survive out there, heh heh… Though from what I see, you don't have a chance."
Brispin and Chadolf bristled in anger at his words, but the smugglers had already ridden off, laughing heartily.
"Don't mind them, Your Highness. Just lowlifes talking."
Liona responded to the comfort with a smile.
"I'm fine. Because… it's the truth, isn't it?"
"Your Highness…."
"Crow, where do we go now?"
Kang Seol pointed to the mountain range ahead.
"We'll cross the mountains."
"The Nogurs range is infamous for its ruggedness… Can we make it on horseback?"
"We can't use maintained paths. We're too conspicuous a group. And it's not impassable for horses."
"Ah! That's a relief, at least."
"Then, let's depart."
"Haha… Yes."
As the princess forced some cheer in her response, Chadolf fretted.
"Lina, are you alright?"
"Yes. Completely! No problem at all."
"If it gets too much, tell me! I'll adjust the schedule."
"Yes, thank you just for saying that."
"Chadolf isn't just a man of words! You know that, right?"
"Hehe…."
"Your Highness…."
Kang Seol's words were half right and half wrong.
The Nogurs Mountains weren't completely impassable for horses, as he said.
However, there were sections where they had to dismount midway—like steep crawls upward or precarious spots where a fall was a real risk.
"Huff… huff…."
"Haaa… haaa…."
Everyone except Kang Seol was exhausted.
Brispin due to his age, Chadolf because of his heavy plate armor, and Liona because she'd never done a forced march like this before.
In Chadolf's case, even when advised to switch to lighter gear, he stubbornly insisted he couldn't let his guard down protecting the princess even for a moment.
Thanks to that, the otherwise fine Kang Seol ended up leading all four horses.
"Huff… huff…."
Kang Seol took a moment to survey the terrain, then said.
"At this pace, we won't make it over the mountain today."
"Then…."
"Let's rest a bit. But not for too long."
"Haa… haa… Yes."
Relief bloomed on everyone's faces.
They were eager to flee as fast as possible, but their stamina couldn't keep up.
"……."
Kang Seol stared intently at Liona. She'd been through so much in such a short time.
Chadolf laughed energetically.
"Hahaha! Leave the bedding to me, Your Highness."
"You can handle this too?"
"That's what training's for."
Chadolf diligently gathered bedding supplies from somewhere.
But they were all useless.
To Kang Seol's eyes, they were all crude. Sleeping on those could ruin their hard-earned brief rest.
Chadolf seemed to realize it too, smiling sheepishly.
"Sorry, Your Highness. Roughing it in the wilds is uncomfortable, but for now…."
"I'm fine, Chadolf. I'm grateful for the thought."
"Thank you. Then…."
Ignoring their pitiful exchange, Kang Seol unpacked his own bedding items.
Pouches filled with warming stones.
No fire allowed, so warming stone pouches to maintain body heat.
Especially for Princess Liona, whose clothes were all thin.
Kang Seol handed them out to everyone.
Brispin marveled.
"Hoo… You can use them like this?"
Chadolf was inwardly shocked too, not expecting such expensive warming stones carried in bulk.
"W-Warming stones? And so many… Where does this much money come from…."
"I never said I was poor."
"B-But…."
"If you don't need them, I will…."
"It's not that! Just, do you have more?"
With this many warming stones, the bedding would be nice and toasty.
Chadolf's face lit up.
Princess Liona was delighted too.
"Wow… This is really warm."
"Hehe… Warming stones are adventurer favorites. Knight orders carry them for night training sometimes."
Kang Seol didn't stop there.
Rustle…
Pillows and mats stuffed plump with high-quality kukuru feathers.
"Sleeping on these won't make you sweat."
"All this…."
"No need?"
"I'm saying, got extras? I'm big, so it might not cover me."
Thanks to Kang Seol, smiles bloomed around the bedding.
- Jingu: Doraemon… Sorry, I met someone better.
- Jinguuu…
- Tired of the bamboo copter now…
While at it, Kang Seol prepared snacks.
Crack.
Sizzle sizzzzle…
Kang Seol overheated warming stones to cook.
As everyone watched him bustle about, the food was done.
[The dish is complete.]
[Smoked Wild Boar Tenderloin with Young Leaves is complete.]
[A pleasant aroma rises. The cooking was successful.]
[The dish is complete.]
[Truffle Stew is complete.]
[A pleasant aroma rises. The cooking was successful.]
Kang Seol served food to everyone.
"Let's just fill our stomachs lightly."
"Y-Yes? Lightly?"
"Hmm… Smells good. This okay?"
"Sprayed scent-blocker earlier."
"Th-Then, safely…."
Everyone took a bite of Kang Seol's food.
Liona's eyes went wide.
As if in response, everyone's eyes widened in mutual shock.
"Th-The taste…."
"Not good?"
"It's too delicious! I was shocked!"
"Good to hear."
Chadolf smiled warmly at the princess munching like a squirrel, then nodded to Kang Seol.
A gesture of thanks.
In the midst of hardship, such small joys held immense power.
The memory of this moment would surely fuel Princess Liona on her path ahead.
"Hehe… Escaping stuffy castle life helps here. Almost missed this, right?"
Chadolf smiled wryly.
Warm food filled them, making their bodies languid.
Everyone but the night watch Kang Seol fell asleep like that.
* * *
"Mmm…"
Princess Liona woke, rubbing her eyes, glancing around uncomfortably.
"Um… What's wrong?"
Chadolf noticed and tended to her discomfort.
"Well…."
Liona whispered something to Chadolf.
His face changed upon hearing it, and he nodded.
Kang Seol asked them.
"Need to relieve yourself?"
"Eek…."
Liona startled, stammering.
"H-How could the princess do that in the wilds?"
Chadolf chimed in.
"Exactly! Such an insulting thing to say!"
"Then where are you going now?"
"N-Night air's nice, so taking a short walk with Her Highness!"
"Shall I come?"
As Kang Seol stood, Chadolf waved him off.
"N-No, stay put! Even if not exactly, hearing royal privy sounds means death by Nevenia law! Wanna die?"
"Chadolf!"
Liona looked mortified at Chadolf. Kang Seol chuckled helplessly.
"If there's a law for it, Nevenia must have lots of perverts chasing royal sounds?"
"Of course! That's why the law exists."
"Scary law. Got it, I'll wait here. Don't go far."
"No can do! Her Highness has active bowels, the sound's kinda lou—."
"Chadolf! Shut your mouth… please…."
"Ahem… Be back."
Kang Seol sent them off and dozed lightly with senses heightened.
Coo coo…
Birds' cries late at night.
All the birds stared at Kang Seol.
* * *
Despite warnings not to go far, Chadolf and Liona had ventured quite a distance.
Whoosh…
"Sh-Shall I sing for you?"
"Chadolf, why say that?"
"That crow bastard clings to Her Highness even with me here?"
"……."
"Liona, you have something to say?"
From the bushes, Princess Liona's voice returned.
"…Chadolf, can we escape?"
"Steel your heart."
"I'm… so scared. Everything's unfamiliar…."
"I know."
"Everyone's an enemy. The whole world… Do they all hate me?"
"Bring five carriages of those scum, and I'll take them all down."
"……."
"With the late king gone, you're Nevenia's mother now. We're retreating from vile snakes now, but you'll return to Nevenia someday. Will you… do that?"
"Chadolf…."
Chadolf crossed his arms.
"Luckily, the guy Brispin Count requested has skill. You saw it too, Your Highness?"
"You felt it too? That man…."
"Yes, not ordinary."
"Are all Transferors like that?"
He shook his head.
"No. Lucky for us anyway. And…"
Rustle.
Chadolf looked into the darkness beyond.
"You there. Don't come closer."
"Huh? Chadolf? Who's there?"
"Princess, done?"
"Yes, coming now…."
"No, stay put."
From the darkness emerged a boy far younger-looking than Liona. Tearfully, he said.
"M-Mister. Got lost in the mountains. So hungry…."
"Stop. No charming me. Come closer, I'll kill you."
The boy from the shadows was Shuro.
His tearful face changed instantly. He cocked his head.
"Weird, no pity?"
"No room for it. So, you're after the princess too?"
"Yeah, been waiting. Gonna resist?"
Liona cried out.
"Chadolf!"
"It's fine, Your Highness. Luckily brought weapons."
A kite-shaped shield covering half his body and a spiked iron ball on a limp flail.
Chadolf tensed, awaiting the foe's move.
And.
Whoosh…
The boy's underdeveloped fist rushed at him.
'Fast!'
He raised the shield to the perfect spot.
Deflect slightly per textbook, but steel vs. fist meant defense was offense.
'When he hesitates, then….'
But Shuro's fist crumpled steel easily.
Crunch—!
"Urk?"
Shield caved in, sending Chadolf flying.
Boom!
Smashed into a tree.
His bulk shook it.
Chadolf barely clung to consciousness. An opponent he absolutely couldn't beat.
What to do. Body already heavy.
Think. Way for Liona to survive.
Grind…
From Chadolf's mouth burst a furious roar.
"Your Highness! Run! To the crow!"
Head bowed as he shouted.
Crunch—!
Shuro's fist hit where his head had been.
Crack crack crack!
The whole tree toppled.
Shuro tilted his head.
"Crow? Who's that?"
"You don't need to know, you bastard!"
Thud—!
Low tackle.
Chadolf charged, dragging Shuro toward another tree.
Thud—!
Tackle landed, but power feeble.
"Huff… huff…."
"Not bad."
Splat!
Shuro's kick blasted Chadolf's chest.
"Ugh…."
"Lie."
Weapons discarded, Chadolf fought barehanded.
Eyes whites overly visible.
"Raaagh!"
Whoosh…
Swinging rotten wood like a match burning for purpose.
But a match flame couldn't burn a lion.
Splat—!
Shuro blocked with one arm.
Bang—!
Urk—!
"Cough hack…."
Shuro kicked Chadolf away annoyedly.
"Knights are such a pain… But…."
Psshk—!
A blade from behind pierced Shuro's chest.
"What's this? Your Highness?"
"Y-You vile fiend!"
"Ow."
Schlup…
Shuro pulled the blade out and dropped it.
Clang…
"L-Lie… How…."
Ssshh…
Shadows filled the hole in his chest.
"Yeah, the pain was a lie!"
Thwack—!
"Aaack!"
Shuro grabbed the princess's throat, pinning her back to a tree, lifting her.
"Guh… hack…."
"Statue, where?"
"What… are you…."
"Again. Not after your life, Your Highness. Just find statue and go. Yeah? Won't hit."
Ptoo—!
Liona spat in Shuro's face.
"Kill me then."
Splat—!
"Uuugh… It huuuurts…."
Shuro punched her gut. Controlled force—no ruptured organs. Just excruciating pain.
"Sorry, that was a lie too. So, statue? I'll take it and go."
"Heh heh heh… Another lie?"
"Huh? How'd you know? Won't tell?"
"N-No…."
"Hmm, hitting's risky. Gotta cut off a piece then."
Oddly, no fear in her at those words.
'Do your worst.'
She'd fought beyond her limits.
Monster opponent, no counter for her.
"Arm! Arm'll do!"
Slice—!
Chop sound.
"…Huh?"
Liona's feet suddenly hit ground.
"Cough… cough cough…."
Freedom reclaimed, tears welled in her big eyes.
Fresh air flooding lungs.
Handprints on her neck proved it real.
And her arms intact.
'Then that sound earlier….'
Looking up, she saw Shuro's arm. Severed, tossed on ground.
"It hurts…."
"Kyaaah!"
Ssshh…
Someone scooped her up. Familiar scent, familiar bulk.
Voice from behind crow mask.
"Pervert after princess's privy sounds in these mountains too? Chadolf was right? Sorry, Chadolf. Thought it was a lie."
Shuro picked up his severed arm.
"You're the crow?"
"Pervert doesn't need to know."
Shring…
Karuna, who'd cut Shuro's arm, stepped in front of Kang Seol.
Liona stared at his back in shock.
Heart calming as if safe now. Just Karuna standing there made her feel protected from the world.
Kang Seol set down Princess Liona.
"You. By Nevenia law, death penalty."
"Lie, right? No such thing."
"Yeah, I didn't believe it either. You neither."
Golden eyes behind mask pinned Shuro.
"Summary execution."