Chapter 90
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Infiltrating the Altar
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Yumira was flustered, unable to tell for sure whether the troll was somehow speaking human language or if a human had turned into a troll.
"Snowman? Is that you?"
"Yes, Yumira."
If it had truly been a troll, she would've bound it hand and foot and dragged it straight to the altar without a word.
So, this troll really was the Snowman she knew.
"H-how did you become a troll? What did they do to you?"
Kang Seol chuckled softly.
"I guess this form startled you. It wasn't the Sulfur Skulls' doing—I chose to become like this."
"Why! Why would you want to become such a repulsive troll?"
He scratched his chin.
"Because this is the only way they'll let me inside."
"...What?"
"Because this is the only way the trolls will let me into the altar."
She felt like she'd been struck hard on the head with a hammer and couldn't speak for a moment, but then something more urgent came to mind, and she changed the subject.
"Uh, could you tell them to let go of this? My wrist feels like it's going to snap."
"Oh, sorry. Did I grab too tight? Just in case you caused a scene."
The troll-disguised Karen cautiously stepped back.
Yumira cleared her throat lightly and asked Kang Seol,
"You... why are you here?"
"Why are you here, Yumira?"
"I... to save Kibo..."
"Same here. I came because of Hawmun."
"So you're planning to take on the Sulfur Skulls too?"
"Yes."
"...With just four of you?"
"Yes."
She shook her head as if she'd heard something ridiculous.
"Look, that's impossible."
"Weren't you planning to charge straight to the altar with just the two of you?"
"That's..."
Her voice deflated as the words slipped out.
"I had no choice... It was the only way..."
"To save Kibo, right."
"Yeah."
"On the way here, I saw a man who looked like he was with your group."
"H-he survived?"
"He's dead."
"......"
Zirmo's and Yumira's faces darkened at once.
"It's my fault. If I hadn't dragged everyone here... this wouldn't have happened. I should've just died alone..."
Zirmo countered Yumira's self-deprecating words.
"Yumira, why is this your fault? We chose to come here to repay Kibo's kindness. Don't trample on the honor of our fallen comrades on your own. You can't do that."
"Zirmo..."
Zirmo turned to Kang Seol.
"We were chasing them to save Kibo and thought we'd nearly caught up. But... they noticed and sent trolls after us."
"Hm... how many?"
"Just... two. Two of them wiped out our hunting party of twenty. We fought to protect the others, but even Mira got pushed back by their combined assault."
Yumira nodded.
"They're strong. Especially those two. They didn't seem ordinary."
"And those two seemed to be under someone's command."
Jamad perked up at that.
"Someone? Did you see them?"
"No. They were draped in ornate clothes, so we couldn't make out other details."
"Hmph. Anyway, what did those two who ambushed you look like?"
"One had long claw-like weapons, the other a massive axe."
"Hmph, Jojay and Kanggo. Both heavy hitters in the Sulfur Skulls."
Kang Seol, who'd been listening, asked Jamad,
"You know them?"
"Decent fighters, but nothing to lose sleep over. Just foul-tempered brutes. We should worry more about whoever they serve."
"Their master... Anyone come to mind?"
"Zando springs to mind. He was the one pushing this insane plan."
"Strong?"
"So-so. Never fought him, so I wouldn't know. But if we had, I'd have crushed him."
With a rough grasp of the situation, Kang Seol asked Yumira,
"Yumira, what now?"
"What do you mean, what now?"
"We're heading inside. What about you?"
A surge of emotion welled up in Yumira's chest.
Since crossing Nebania's border, it had been one horrific ordeal after another.
Her comrades had been torn apart by troll weapons or fled into the unknown. She hadn't stopped the wheeled wooden cage carrying Kibo even once as it headed for the volcano.
The world seemed determined to drag her into a pit of despair.
Just when she thought she couldn't go on, Kang Seol appeared.
And now he was asking her,
"Do you want to fight again?"
Yumira rose, steadying her trembling legs with her handaxe.
Her last hope had extended a hand, so she gripped it tightly, refusing to let go.
"Take me with you. To the volcano."
Kang Seol grinned.
"Then we'll need some prep work first."
"...What?"
"Close your eyes."
"Uh... huh?"
The countless chains supporting the Altar of Fire weren't ordinary ones.
They'd been enchanted to bear immense weight, and their sheer size was staggering.
Few knew their origins, but it was said they came from the Tribal Alliance's main headquarters.
Now, a group was walking along one such massive chain.
Kang Seol's party.
As they neared the altar, the border guards shouted,
"What're you lot!"
You have reached the entrance to the Altar of Fire. But the border guards are blocking you. What will you do?
1. Eliminate the guards before command learns of this.
2. Ignore them and press forward.
3. [Req: Sleep Magic] Put them to sleep instantly.
4. [Req: Prisoner] Say you're escorting a prisoner.
...
Kang Seol raised the ropes binding Yumira's and Zirmo's arms.
"Escorting prisoners! Make way!"
"What? Is that true? Why aren't you with Lord Zando?"
Ooh, close call? Busted?
I see—guard shut down!
Objection!
Kang Seol didn't flinch at all.
"Some prisoners escaped en route, so we killed them and caught up late."
"Hmmm..."
When the guard didn't fully drop his suspicion, Kang Seol improvised.
"We can't waste time here! If the offering's late because of this and Lord Zando blames me, I'll make sure to mention you lot."
"F-fine! Come through!"
Phew...
Snowman got real balls lol
Vibes from pure experience...
Karen, Jamad, Mael, Kang Seol, plus Zirmo and Yumira.
The six of them reached the chain's end. They just needed to pass the altar entrance, but with it right in front of them, a guard eyed them suspiciously.
His target was Jamad.
"Hmmm... Was there a guy this huge?"
"Kekeke... That bulk looks just like Jamad of the Rock Fangs."
"Why bring up a dead guy?"
Veins bulged on Jamad's face in rage, but he held back. Slaughtering the guard now would derail the plan from the start.
Even disguised as a Sulfur Skull, Jamad's massive frame drew eyes.
"Anyway, didn't you see anything on the way?"
"See what?"
"Oh, you haven't heard? Lord Magra's forces are heading to the altar. To receive Lord Purgia's blessing. They're almost here—guess you missed them."
At that moment, Jamad's pupils shook violently.
"Huh? You, something wrong?"
"No, nothing."
"Anyway, with Lord Magra here to assist the ritual, things are a bit chaotic. Lord Zando's on edge over the primordial god sacrifice, so best tread carefully."
"Thanks. We're off."
"Kekeke... Hurry up. Looks like the fun's already started."
"...They touching the prisoners?"
"Only the feisty ones. Etching terror deep into them."
The Sulfur Skulls' brutality was infamous even in nearby kingdoms. They specialized in torturing defiant prisoners into submission.
Of course, in cases like this, it was probably for amusement or show.
Yumira couldn't understand the other trolls—only Jamad, Kang Seol's shadow, or the linguistically adept Mael—so she kept her composure.
"Alright, good luck."
"Yeah. Open up!"
Drudrudru...
The altar's south gate swung open.
It only closed after Kang Seol's group had safely entered.
Thud...
Jamad confirmed no one was patrolling nearby and spoke as he walked slowly.
"Hey, we've got a problem."
"Yeah, this is bad..."
"Extra forces are one thing, but Magra being here is the real issue. Know Magra?"
"...Tribal Alliance elder."
"You know your stuff. Then you get what that means."
Troll Tribal Alliance.
A group with ancient traditions.
Among its many organizations, the most prominent was the Elder Council.
Former elders from each tribe, monstrous in ability, representing their kin.
They existed to safeguard the alliance's peace over individual tribes' prosperity—symbols of the alliance's might.
'...Magra, of all people.'
Magra was a famed sorcerer from the Sulfur Skulls, now on the Elder Council.
"Fail, and we die."
"Kehhehe... Saying it like that changes nothing. Let's start. Mael, the central axis is in the lowest level."
"Got it. I'll find it quick and head to the altar."
Once inside, Kang Seol's group split three ways.
Jamad kept up the prisoner escort act, taking Yumira and Zirmo off one way; Mael went alone somewhere.
Kang Seol and Karen slipped ahead, avoiding eyes.
The plan: While Jamad's group freed the prisoners, Mael would sabotage the central axis for chaos, then join Kang Seol.
Kang Seol and Karen would clear a path to the ritual site for the primordial god sacrifice.
Simple, but any slip-up spelled disaster.
Yet Karen casually chatted with Kang Seol.
"You know, Master? You look really ugly right now."
"Same to you, Karen."
"Whoa, first time anyone's called me ugly. Feels weird. Suddenly feel bad for Jamad."
Poor Jamad catching strays lol
Jamad's a hunk by troll standards!
Even hotter than me!
...Yeah? Keep going.
Karen and Kang Seol chatted step by step up the stairs.
Trolls talking among themselves was common in the altar, so it looked natural.
"Hey, remember that talk from before?"
"You talk so much, hard to remember everything."
"Ugh... whatever. Back then. With the Mist Wraith."
The snow battle in Mistveil Village. She was bringing that up.
"I remember."
"That... seems real."
"...What?"
"You're not someone who acts to save the world, Master."
It wasn't wrong.
Kang Seol's group wasn't here to save Nebania's corrupt capital or poor Nobira villagers.
Only Hawmun.
Risking it all for someone useful to him.
"Funny part is, your actions make the world better anyway."
If he succeeded, he'd unwittingly stop the Sulfur Skulls' invasion of Nebania and free all of Nobira's captives.
He didn't act for the world, but his actions improved it. The path ahead would likely be the same.
"So? What's your point?"
"Well..."
That was when it happened.
Kugugung...
The central axis of the Altar of Fire has been disrupted.
"He did it! Mael succeeded!"
Mael, who'd infiltrated the control room alone and twisted the central axis, had earned Kang Seol's trust.
He'd shown the prowess of Kang Seol's first ally.
Rumble...
Armed trolls poured down like an avalanche.
To find who'd tampered with the axis, but they wouldn't catch Mael.
He was confident in his mission.
After the storm of troll soldiers rushed past, a following troll eyed Kang Seol's group oddly.
"What're you doing? Didn't hear Lord Zando's orders? Why're you loitering?"
"Well..."
Shing—
[Karen's Disguise Potion effect has ended.]
[Your Disguise Potion effect has ended.]
Karen swung her sword with a grin.
"'Cause we're going up."
In the Altar of Fire, where horrors loomed, a tiny crack had formed.
For now, it was but a faint fissure.