Chapter 325
Chapter 325
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 325
>Chapter Title: The 31st Horse Overturns the Game Board
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Uwaaaaaah!”
“Uoooooh!”
The beasts’ roars showed no sign of stopping.
Glacier Maw, covered head to toe in frozen bloodstains, bellowed in triumph.
Everyone celebrated the victory.
Everyone except Kang Seol.
‘…Practically speaking, the Emon side hasn’t lost much in this fight. It’s too early to celebrate.’
Thanks to Kang Seol and Bron’s efforts, they had slain the hordes of moles that charged at Glacier Maw, and in the process, took down three giant variant moles as well.
‘Not enough.’
To secure a definitive victory, they needed greater achievements. Leaving the moles be would only lead to their numbers swelling endlessly, turning the war into a grueling war of attrition—which favored the enemy.
It was a victory, but they needed a bigger one.
‘Still, reclaiming the fortress is worth celebrating.’
With proper defenses, the ice fortress could easily hold off the moles’ numerical charges.
The moles’ lack of intelligence and unfamiliarity with the fortress terrain had been key factors in deciding this battle.
[Force: Glacier Maw’s stronghold changes to Ice Fortress Gargrea.]
The fortress had a name, of course.
Gargrea now belonged to Glacier Maw.
Thud…
Thud…
Burtul stood before the true great chieftain, Bron.
“What in the world… happened to you, Father?”
“Keuk… Would you believe me if I told you?”
“I’ve seen with my own eyes that you returned from death. There’s nothing you could say that I wouldn’t believe.”
“Hahaha… Good. Then I’ll explain everything.”
Bron recounted every event in Mansang from his perspective, leaving nothing out.
One day, he awoke to find Branca, his Glacier Maw tribe, and himself and his subordinates all in the same place.
Surrounded by nothing but books, he couldn’t comprehend it, but to survive, they had no choice but to move.
Not only trolls had awakened.
A massive black wolf attacked the trolls, and before they could grasp the situation, they dared not confront it and headed upward.
The rest unfolded exactly as Kang Seol knew.
“So… Branca awoke as well?”
“Yes. The Mansang here… no, the Great Earth Lord personally slew him.”
“How… why…”
“Branca was diseased, Burtul. His overreaching ambition nearly ruined everything.”
Bron laughed heartily.
“Kraahaha! I almost didn’t make it back here myself, didn’t I?”
Then, he explained how Kang Seol had become Mansang himself and granted life to the false existence that was Bron and Glacier Maw.
Yeva and Ishii, who had listened via the shaman’s relay, were stunned.
“My god… That’s possible?”
“Resurrection… by Kang Seol?”
The more Kang Seol shone, the more distance Ishii and Yeva kept from him. It was only natural. No one wanted to get close to someone who could crush them with a flick of a finger.
Their dispositions kept it subconscious, so outwardly, it didn’t seem like aversion. They simply avoided getting too close.
“I see… Everyone…”
“Do you believe it?”
“I must. It’s the miracle that saved our tribe—disbelieving would be blasphemy.”
“Hahaha! That’s right… Quite so.”
Swish…
Burtul unclasped his necklace with a stern expression and held it out.
“…What is this?”
“Do you remember this necklace?”
“I do.”
“Father gave it to me before his final expedition. It’s the symbol of Glacier Maw… the great chieftain’s token.”
“…”
“I failed in my duty. Please take it back.”
“Duty?”
“I… wasn’t the son you believed in and expected. I kept disappointing you, even when you were underground. I always felt guilty.”
“Is that your judgment?”
Thud…
Burtul bowed his head to the ground.
“Punish my shortcomings.”
“Bring me the token.”
At those words, Burtul handed the necklace to Bron.
It was a declaration.
Your rule was wrong, and now it will be taken back.
“You did well.”
“…Pardon?”
“Before I left on expedition, do you remember what I said when I gave you this?”
“That…”
Burtul thought deeply, then replied.
“You said… you’d return.”
“Hahaha! Yes… that’s right.”
Bron grinned.
“Now, at last, I can say I’ve returned. It was a longer road than expected, and I didn’t achieve my goal, but… Son, it was I who broke the promise.”
“…”
“Before your era comes, my greed to conquer Whigel Tung may have caused all this. It’s all my fault.”
“No…”
“I’ll be your shadow.”
Bron nodded.
“Before your era arrives, Glacier Maw will prosper again.”
“That means…”
“Very well. I’ll hold the great chieftain’s token for now.”
[Force: Glacier Maw’s leader Burtul steps down from the throne.]
[Force: Glacier Maw’s new leader is ‘Bron of the Great Sea.’]
Burtul trembled as he spoke.
“I’ve always dreamed of this day, even in my sleep.”
Everyone has their own circumstances.
“That you’d return someday… and set everything right.”
“Kraahaha! Good. Let’s get to work. Return to your seat—there are still vital matters for the tribe’s future.”
“Yes.”
Burtul quietly returned to his place.
No one questioned or mocked it.
Trolls were a straightforward race that revered wisdom and strength.
The great chieftain position naturally belonged to the strongest and wisest.
Bron was more fitting than Burtul.
Swish…
Bron surveyed the gathered trolls, then looked at Kang Seol standing beside him.
He knew Kang Seol was Jamad.
The Bron who had just exuded great chieftain authority withdrew his aura and adopted a humble posture.
“Mansang… no, Great Earth Lord. Hear my words.”
Bron stepped down from the throne and walked slowly.
The trolls parted, making space for him.
“Glacier Maw ruled Whigel Tung as overlords for ages. But my arrogant, reckless judgment brought us to the brink of ruin overnight.”
Bron addressed the surrounding trolls.
“It shames me. Yet I believe there’s still a chance. With you here, a new opportunity has come to Glacier Maw…”
His eyes met Kang Seol’s.
“I believe it without doubt.”
“Bron.”
“Our alliance frays with exhaustion, while emboldened enemies multiply. Even with my return, I lack the strength to fix it.”
He extended his hand.
“I beseech you… lend me your power, Great Earth Lord.”
“I’ve already made a deal with Madria.”
Bron paused briefly, then shook his head.
“A deal is just a deal—it offers no certainty. The fight with Lizad will be all-or-nothing. What I need now… is certainty.”
Kang Seol and Jamad were one.
He conveyed his will.
“I’ll ask: Did you know of Lizad’s existence long ago?”
“Emon’s unrest and Lizad’s corruption happened in my era. The struggle is old.”
“Then… do you think you can defeat Lizad—even in her weakened state—against a shard of an Origin God?”
The question was valid, its implications heavy.
Any answer but one would be unsatisfactory.
But Bron wouldn’t give such an answer.
Without hesitation, Bron laughed and replied.
His speech returned to his old self.
“Kraahaha! Of course! With your help, it’s possible!”
[Glacier Maw’s new leader Bron asks for your aid. Bron seeks to defeat Lizad, shard of the Origin God. How will you respond?]
1. A shard of the Origin God is still an Origin God. We can’t win.
2. I’ll consider it seriously.
3. I’ll maintain our deal. An Origin God changes little.
4. I have conditions.
…
Kang Seol smirked.
Jamad’s voice flowed from within him to the outside.
“I’ll join your desire.”
Bron laughed and shouted.
“Liquor! Bring the liquor!”
Liquor poured into a beast’s skull.
“I, Bron, swear to take you as my sworn brother and stand by your side through any hardship.”
“Likewise.”
Bron infused the liquor with sorcery and shared it.
Gulp… Gulp…
[Ally ‘Bron of the Great Sea’ pays you respect.]
[Ally ‘Bron of the Great Sea’ becomes your sworn brother.]
[Origins resonate.]
[Your sworn brother will heed your news and stand by your side, forsaking all else.]
[Trust him. He will not betray you.]
* * *
In the depths of the fortress, in Origin God Madria’s chambers prepared for her.
After she was moved to the grand hall, the fortress repairs restored vitality to the mole-ravaged snowfield.
Kang Seol and Jamad compacted the snowfield soil, sealing every possible mole infiltration route.
No matter how adept they were at burrowing, they’d now have to enter through the gates.
“Bron! I can’t believe it!”
“Hahaha! Get off—back up a bit.”
“Is it really you, Bron? Really, truly back? You transcended death?”
“Lucky, that’s all. I overcame death and regained my youth, heh…”
Madria leaped with joy at the mighty troll Bron’s return.
“I’m thrilled! But… Lizad’s power grows stronger… while mine weakens… I can’t beat Lizad.”
“Hm? You, holed up in this fortress from the start—how would you handle Lizad? You wouldn’t last ten seconds.”
“What? That’s mean!”
Madria pouted.
Kang Seol felt a strange emotion seeing Bron tease an Origin God.
It felt odd seeing him so casual with one.
Jamad thought negatively of Origin Gods. When they met Purgia, the emotion had made even Kang Seol shiver.
Yet Bron and Madria got along without any such negativity.
- There are odd ones among Origin Gods. Or… now just Madria? The cloud one’s inscrutable.
Sensing Kang Seol’s doubt, Jamad explained.
As they chatted, voices rose sharply nearby.
“…Are you insane, Bron!?”
“I’m always sane. No time—we must move faster than they expect.”
“Even if your assumption’s true… that method’s too dangerous!”
“My mind’s set. Betting against Lizad? That’s the only way. No—even that’s not enough. There’s a more radical step left.”
“There… there must be another way. Some other way to defeat Lizad…”
“Madria.”
Bron stared straight into Madria’s eyes.
“Trust me.”
“…”
“I won’t lose again. Ever.”
“You plan to go alone?”
“…”
“…Lizad’ll know. That you’re coming there. She’ll send hordes of moles.”
“I know.”
“You know and still go? You’ll die!”
“Keuk… Think that’ll stop me? Right now, I have…”
Bron turned to Kang Seol.
“…luck on my side.”
“Bron’s stubborn, won’t listen… Fine! Here’s sorcery to wake the cuties. Take it.”
“Quick as ever. As expected…”
Bron pocketed the blue crystal.
As he left the grand hall, he said.
“Let’s go. A stroll, and we’re back.”
Striding out, Madria grabbed Kang Seol.
“Child…”
Rustle…
“I see the potential dwelling in you. Protect… protect Bron.”
Swoosh…
Jamad’s form half-turned toward Madria in response.
“Hmph… With me here, no issue.”
“…Please.”
Less than a day after parting with Madria, Kang Seol and Bron slipped out of the snowfield alone.
Without a single soldier.
Opposition was fierce, but they all knew success meant protecting the fortress and Madria too.
It was grueling, requiring everyone’s full effort.
Soldiers would help, but depleting forces risked exposing the fortress and Madria.
A battle to defend while reclaiming.
This was the only way.
* * *
With Kang Seol and Bron gone, the fortress was vulnerable to mole attacks. Hiding their absence was crucial.
That’s why the two strongest Earth Lords left on a secret mission. Fresh from battle, the enemy couldn’t react swiftly.
Kang Seol now headed to the Tomb of Breath, guided by Bron.
“Heading to the Tomb of Breath guarantees success?”
“Keuk… Who knows… If Lizad’s power exceeds my expectations, all this is futile. Those sleeping there would be beyond hope.”
“…What exactly happened at the Tomb of Breath?”
“You asked if we knew Lizad long ago? Yes, we knew of her and tried to suppress her.”
Bron spoke gravely.
“And we lost once. Sensing defeat, before she took everything, I used alchemy.”
“Alchemy?”
“…Yes, I froze the entire expedition. If their souls fell to Lizad, Glacier Maw was done.”
“…What was the alchemical price?”
Alchemy’s power varied wildly by cost. Even something an Origin God couldn’t touch might exist.
Especially since Lizad wasn’t a full Origin God.
“The price… was my life.”
Life.
Bron’s final alchemy had likely succeeded.
Then…
“If my sorcery took hold before death…”
His deputies who fought Lizad that day would still slumber there.
In the Tomb of Breath.
Frozen solid.