Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Sons of the Wilderness (2)
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The subjugation force consisted of 15 infantrymen, 10 crossbowmen, 12 Atalain warriors, and 1 Atalain mercenary.
"You stay back at the camp, Duncan."
"Yes, sir."
...
Since no one knew how many demons might be lurking in wait, the merchant had been excluded from the group.
The infantry's role was closer to combat support than actual fighting. They carried spare weapons and rations like pack mules, positioned at the rear of the formation. The crossbowmen in the center served a similar auxiliary function and weren't the core strength either. The number of arrows they'd brought was far too few for prolonged engagements.
The true core of the subjugation force was the 12 warriors at the vanguard—Atalains directly under the Galentana Tribal Council.
Some soldiers had harbored doubts before laying eyes on them. How could a mere dozen or so handle mighty demons? But those doubts evaporated the moment they got a close look at the warriors.
Furious muscles, sharp features, and an eerie intimidation bordering on bloodlust. Topped off with the severed heads of countless demons carried as trophies. These weren't just ordinary mercenaries—they were something else entirely. It even made one wonder if the tales of a "Demon Slayer" weren't the distorted legends of this very band.
But as the saying goes, there's always a sky above the sky.
The warriors' fierce presence paled in comparison to the Atalain mercenary who'd joined late.
Since setting out, the soldiers' eyes—and even those of the other Atalain warriors—had been glued to the hulking mercenary at the forefront.
"Such incredible strength, brother! Lord Tundal is the finest warrior among us, yet I've never seen him stagger like that!"
"And his swordsmanship is downright ghostly! Even the lord of that distant land of endless war and revelry must have been impressed!"
"Brother, how did you end up here? How many demons have you slain so far? Where will you head after the subjugation?"
"..."
After the tent incident, the warriors had swarmed Kadim with endless curiosity. Kadim, however, met them with utter indifference. He let their words flow in one ear and out the other, lost in thought.
Excluding the clay warriors from the ruins, this was his first encounter with Atalains in the second playthrough. Yet it stirred no great emotion in him. Having originally been a modern man, he felt little kinship with this battle-loving race.
Besides, Kadim had already crossed paths with plenty of Atalains in the game and his first playthrough. His experiences taught him they were best kept at arm's length.
Atalains who left the wilderness fell into two broad categories: the lone wanderers and the packs.
The "lone wanderers" were somewhat like Kadim himself.
Warriors who lived by their own code, roaming solitarily in pursuit of struggle. The continent's strong prejudice against barbarians made life hard for them, but they were honest and true to their word. Encounters usually meant aid, not harm.
The "packs" were a different breed entirely.
Groups bound by the wilderness code, roving in search of blood and battle. Their ferocity and combat prowess made them favorites among kings and lords facing conflict. But their wild ways and battle-madness meant getting tangled with them often led to headaches nine times out of ten.
That was why Kadim never flaunted his strength or revealed his status as Atala's Great Warrior in front of such packs.
They'd either swear unwanted loyalty with a fuss or pester him for a fight.
But it seemed too late for that now.
"Brother, if the chance arises, would you spar with me too?"
"No, teach me a move first! I'll give it my all so you won't be disappointed!"
"..."
Kadim glanced at the warriors' eyes. Beneath a veneer of camaraderie burned fierce rivalry. Three hundred years had passed, and he'd hoped for some change, but the Atalains' thirst to clash with the strong remained unchanged.
Fortunately, he wouldn't have to waste energy fending them off. The man who'd swung the spear at him stepped forward and ordered the others.
"Back to your places, all of you! This brother has already proven himself by withstanding my spear. Now is not the time for us to test each other—it's time to focus on slaying demons. Anyone stirring internal strife will face the wilderness code's strict judgment!"
His booming voice carried undeniable authority. The warriors obeyed without a hint of protest. At least they maintained solid discipline—a silver lining.
Kadim eyed the man left alone beside him. He flashed a subtle smile, twisting the long scar across his face.
"Forgive the late introduction. I'm Tundal, leader of this subjugation force. I won't apologize for swinging my spear on sight, but as a fellow Atalain, you surely understand the meaning of that test."
"..."
Kadim barely suppressed the urge to swing his axe and retort, "No idea, punk."
"Ah, and I still haven't asked your name. What is it?"
"...Kadim."
"Right, Kadim! Welcome aboard the subjugation force once more. Since you're with us now, you should know how we operate."
Tundal then outlined the subjugation plan.
The first target was the nearest village, Borden. With their small elite force, they'd avoid clashes with hordes of beasts and focus on eliminating the demons at their source. The ultimate goal: hunt down and slay the "central demon" believed to be rallying the others...
It was more or less what Kadim had expected, but he listened quietly. He nearly snorted at the final caveat, though.
"I can tell you're no ordinary fighter. But this subjugation will be far more dangerous than you imagine. You might face more beasts than you've ever seen in your life—and demons far beyond reckoning."
"..."
"If someone acts recklessly in that chaos, it could endanger us all. For now, think of yourself as one of us and cooperate. Your personal prowess may surpass mine, but I have more experience leading warriors and facing demons."
"..."
"Can you swear on Atala's name to follow my orders during this subjugation?"
Tundal's eyes gleamed solemnly as he awaited a response.
Atala's Great Warrior—who had slain thousands of demons, faced armies that blackened the horizon day and night, and personally lopped off a great demon's head with his axe—didn't mock this warrior's comparatively childish experience.
He merely stifled a chuckle and replied.
"If the orders are sound, then yes."
*
Less than an hour into the march, the subjugation force encountered demons.
- Kirrrk, kirrrrk...
- Krrrk, kengkeng, kengkengkeng!!
"D-Demons! Demons and beasts over there!"
Two hornless demons and blade wolves with glowing red eyes. The council soldiers panicked, but the Atalains did not. Under their leader's command, they swiftly assumed battle formation.
"Sons of the wilderness, take up arms! Javelin throwers to the front, other warriors behind! Throw spears first, then close in and finish the rest!"
Whoosh—thunk! Whoosh—thunk!
Sharp javelins sliced through the air. Tips pierced wolf bellies and guts, shattered skulls, and shredded brains. Bleeding corpses crumpled, and the remaining wolves and demons charged over them.
- Kirrrk, kirrrk!
- Kengkengkeng!!!
Kadim kicked off the ground simultaneously. He'd scented the demons early and was ready to fight. The other warriors dashed after him, not to be outdone.
"For Atala!!"
"Ataaaaaala!!"
Kwachak, jee-crack!
- Kyaeng, kyeng!
- Krrrk, krrrk!
Glinting fangs and steel clashed amid sprays of blood and screams.
The fight was short. The blade wolves fell to the Atalain warriors' line, and the two demons each lost their heads—one to a salmon, the other to a mosquito.
The warriors thumped their chests in respect to Kadim, who had slain two demons alone. Then they raised their weapons high, roaring Atala's name.
"Glory to the brother who bravely severed the demons' breath!"
"Glory to Atala, who grants us battlefields of blood and sweat!"
"..."
Kadim took in the demon blood while watching their antics.
They acted like raving savages, but their skills were solid. Individual feats were impressive, and their coordination flowed naturally. Nothing like the council soldiers, who crumbled before demons.
Still, something felt off.
Their swings were oddly exaggerated, yet their movements and formation were strangely confined. Ill-suited for open plains combat. Kadim narrowed his eyes, pondering the reason.
Tundal's praise snapped him out of it.
"Fine work! I never dreamed you'd take down both demons solo... You might be even better than I thought. Those demons' bounties are yours alone."
"..."
"Where'd you get that sword and axe, though? They don't look ordinary..."
Kadim shook off stray thoughts. No time to dawdle.
Amid the tangled auras, one strand still stabbed his skin like a needle—demonic energy. Surely from the "central demon" drawing the others. He had to reach it before the magic tower mages or other groups claimed the corpse.
"Talk later. Better clean up and move before more stragglers show."
"...Wise words. Soldiers, sever the demons' heads and burn the rest! We leave the moment they're ash!"
After that, the force ran into scattered small groups of demons and beasts. All fell mercilessly to Kadim and the warriors' combined assaults.
The infantry and crossbowmen never needed to lift a finger. Ordinary soldiers tired after one skirmish, but these Atalains seemed ignorant of fatigue. If anything, they grew fiercer with each fight, as if loosening up.
- Krrrk, krrrr!!
"Ataaaaaala!!"
"Blood and death to the filthy demons and their thralls!!"
"The Lord of Plagues fights with us!!"
"..."
Jee-crack!
The soldiers could only gape at the warriors' prowess. Insuperhuman stamina and combat ability, especially the mercenary Kadim's feats, which bordered on surreal.
The other warriors were excellent in tandem, but Kadim outshone them. His solo kills matched the rest combined. The soldiers didn't voice it, but they half-believed he was the famed "Demon Slayer."
As the impure blood soaked the earth red, the sun dipped low. Borden, the first target, was now just an hour away—twice the expected pace.
Nightfall hindered visibility and emboldened demons and beasts. The force would camp here and resume at dawn.
No fires in beast-infested lands, so dinner was rations. Huddled in brush, they chewed softened hardtack and jerky— all eyes fixed on Kadim.
"..."
"..."
The soldiers' gazes mixed fear and awe. The warriors' meant something else: raw, undisguised battle lust. Already eager for a bout, Kadim's beast-slaying display had fanned it into an inferno.
But none stepped up. They heeded Tundal's no-infighting order. A leader's command in battle was as absolute as a war god's decree. They bided their time post-subjugation, debating who would challenge first.
"Perun, you're the strongest, so last..."
"Nonsense—I should go first..."
"We spar among ourselves fairly to decide..."
...
Kadim, who had zero intention of indulging them, found it absurd.
After eating, soldiers stood watch while warriors tended gear. Kadim oiled his axe blade with a rag and sharpened the dulled sword on a whetstone. Tundal sidled up and sat beside him.
"Brother, you felled five demons alone today. The council pays 10,000 luden per lesser demon, so your pay's already doubled! At this rate, you'll be one of the alliance's richest by the end, haha!"
"..."
Kadim eyed Tundal through slitted lids. His gaze leaned more toward the "Mosquito" in Kadim's hand than Kadim himself. A disagreeable intent prickled.
"You didn't come to chat pay. Spit it out if you have something to say."
Kadim set down the whetstone and gripped the sword hilt naturally. Tundal's smile faded, shoulders tensing.
"...That sword and axe aren't ordinary. I saw everything. The sword drank your foes' blood, and the axe returned to your hand. And those runes on the blades... They look like the ancient script of our wilderness shamans and ancestors."
Kadim subtly angled the sword tip upward. The red runes on the blade glowed faintly. It seemed like mere inspection, but the stance hid a sharp threat.
Tundal's face hardened like a copper mask. Kadim met his unfathomable dark pupils steadily.
"Sharp eyes—I get it. So, what do you want?"
Tundal wrestled inwardly, then asked gravely.
"Straight to it: where and how did you get those weapons?"
"..."
"To me, they look exactly like... the weapons wielded by Atala's Great Warrior."
Silence seeped into the evening shadows.
Kadim stared at Tundal, at a loss for where to even begin.