Territorial Dispute (2)
The evil dragon of Salamanca regarded the humans who had begun encroaching on its territory with extreme displeasure. The operation it had meticulously planned over long years might all go up in smoke. Dragons were commonly known as a race of endurance and patience, but Salamanca's evil dragon lacked that patience compared to others. It wanted to unleash a storm of punishment directly.
But the lich blocked the impatient dragoness.
"It's true the humans are rampaging freely, but it's not enough to disrupt the operation. If you go berserk, there's a risk of unexpectedly shocking the central axes we've set up at the four points."
"It's just killing puny ants called humans. No need to be that cautious, right?"
"We're on the verge of the grand undertaking. We have no choice but to be cautious about everything."
Lich Cordoba felt strong doubts about the humans rampaging around. Suddenly appearing humans. As Sabnack's kin and a high-ranking lich called the "Necromancer," he harbored intense suspicion toward these humans who asserted their presence like sharp awls. The infamous monsters inhabiting the area had all been wiped out. It was as if they held some grudge against the monsters, tearing them apart indiscriminately and degrading the quality of the monster forces meant for the operation.
But Cordoba confidently declared that once the ritual activated, he could drop thousands of monsters into the elf kingdom's capital, Maherith.
"Lord Cordoba."
"What is it?"
The demons approached. The demons assigned to reconnaissance in the nearby area had lost two comrades to the lich's hand and had been reluctant to come to the evil dragon's lair out of fear of Cordoba. He knew that too. The fact that these demons, who had been hesitant, came to the lair on their own meant they had spotted something during recon.
They looked anxious, wondering if some new variable had arisen amid the madly rampaging humans.
"It's the elves."
"...Elves?"
Have they noticed us coming? That was highly likely. The elf forces guarding the border must have detected their movements. But he hadn't expected them to send an interception unit. This land had been abandoned by both the elves and the Demon King Army. Sending troops to guard an area swarming with ferocious monsters? It seemed like they intended to feed the monsters.
"So, what's the elves' situation?" Cordoba asked.
At his question, the demons whispered among themselves, compiling their opinions before answering.
"It looked like they were searching for something. They seemed lost, wandering in confusion, and now they're surrounded by monsters, struggling desperately."
"Good. No need for me to step in. We should avoid revealing our presence as much as possible..."
Sabnack's lich was extremely cautious, to the point where those around him felt frustrated. He avoided any action that could expose their identity. So he stopped the demons who wanted to step up and cut off the elves' lifeline for sure.
"Elves who entered this land without any information can only die miserably. The ravenous monsters will devour them without leaving a scrap of flesh. The monsters here are tenacious and cunning. Hundreds of them will slowly torment the intruding elves before finishing the hunt."
But to prepare for any contingency, Cordoba sent scouts to monitor the elves. He instructed them to report back on the elves being eaten alive. He wanted confirmation that their lifeline was truly severed. Cordoba was so meticulous it bordered on obsessive-compulsive.
* * *
Yushin was rampaging so fiercely in the unexplored zone that he ruffled the feathers of the evil dragon that had made its lair there. He felled the sinister serpent. He ripped open the belly of the ferocious beast and even hunted the black drake armored in exoskeleton-like plating all over its body, achieving an undefeated record.
"Good work."
Kalen approached Yushin, who returned covered in blood each time. She always greeted him warmly. Radiating the rich allure of an older woman, she expressed her gratitude for his efforts in subjugating the infamous monsters. With a damp cloth, she gently wiped the blood from his face. Her touch was delicate and thorough—not the work of someone who had done it just once or twice. Probably something she had done for her late husband. The widow who had lost her husband blushed faintly as she cleaned Yushin's face spotless.
"All the monsters around here are gone now. Thanks to you, Yushin. Thank you."
"No need to say that."
"With you here, I feel so much more secure..."
The dark elf widow trailed off. It was a slip of her inner thoughts; she clamped her lips shut. It wasn't something shameless to say. Kalen berated herself harshly for blurting out her heartfelt desire.He had already spent three straight days subjugating monsters—an act of kindness she could never fully repay—and yet here she was, subtly asking him to stay longer. She thought Yushin wouldn't be wrong to call her a "shameless wench" and leave, feeling deeply ashamed of her actions.
"I don't even know when I'll leave myself. I have no idea what's going on outside."
Kalen knew Yushin still had lingering attachments to the outside world. Precious people must be waiting for him. Though it had only been three short days, to Kalen, this human named Yushin Gilliard was an exceptionally good man. A man like that couldn't possibly lack women. He didn't seem married yet, but she was sure some wonderful lover was waiting for him. So Kalen suppressed the feelings budding in her heart as best she could.
"Are you hungry? I'd like to treat the village's savior to a meal."
"Sure, thanks."
Kalen beamed at Yushin readily accepting her offer. She invited the man into her home. A space of loneliness and solitude. The place where she had lived alone as a widow for so long now welcomed a human man under the pretext of serving him a meal. If Allen knew about this, she would drop everything and charge over ready to demolish the entire house. Unfortunately, Allen was fast asleep in her lodging after pulling an all-nighter subjugating monsters.
"If you're okay with it, you could leave this unexplored zone with us. It'd be risky, but if Allen and I escort you with all we've got, it might be possible."
Yushin suggested it. He explained that using three wagons, they could safely evacuate the elderly and children. But Kalen shook her head, politely declining his kind offer. There were over 300 people in the village alone. The chances of evacuating that many successfully were slim. A large group on the move would surely draw swarms of starving monsters, putting not just Yushin but his subordinates' lives at risk too. Kalen said she couldn't transfer that danger onto Yushin and his group because of them.
"But thank you. For saying that. You're doing it for us, right? As the village chief representing everyone, I offer my thanks."
Kalen Dae was a very mature woman. Dependable, perhaps—her words and gestures exuded the charm of a grown woman. With her white apron on as she plated the food, she looked just like a wife preparing a meal for her husband. Humming a tune while serving, Kalen appeared happier than ever.
"You said you don't like monster meat, right? I caught a dinde from the yard. You'll like the taste."
Kalen said with a bright smile. Dinde was a monster similar to a turkey. Like a turkey but much larger. Though a monster, it was close to livestock, so humans and elves alike enjoyed eating it. For Yushin, whom she had invited home, Kalen had slaughtered the dinde she had raised like family. It had hurt too much to butcher it herself, so she asked a relative. Thanks to that, Yushin got to enjoy the drumstick of a whole roasted dinde.
"I'm grateful for the kindness, but you don't need to go this far. I'm leaving anyway."
"It's just to show thanks for fighting so hard. Don't feel burdened."
That's what's burdensome. Slaughtering livestock raised like family to serve him, showing wifely affection with such devotion... It was overly hospitable. If she were a demon, he'd suspect a honey trap; he'd wonder if the food was poisoned. Yushin, unused to such devoted kindness from a woman in such a short time, couldn't help feeling flustered.
"Hehe, you've got some on your cheek."
Kalen smiled slyly and wiped the sauce from Yushin's cheek with a napkin. As she did, she naturally leaned forward. Right before Yushin's eyes, her G-cup breasts swayed heavily. Even in loose clothing, their immense presence was undeniable. The warm, kind older widow possessed fatally alluring charm. The kind of softness that could corrupt a man. He felt an impulse to forget everything and lay his head in her lap.
"Hold on, I'll get the wine you gave us."
"It's fine."
"I want to treat you."
Kalen smiled at Yushin devouring the food and briefly left the room. Wine would go well with the meat. She had planned to drink it alone at night. But suddenly, she wanted to share it with Yushin. It was broad daylight for naughty thoughts, but if their hearts aligned, why not? She secretly flashed a lewd smile.
-Break through, somehow!
-Damn it! Why are there so many monsters!
They're swarming from all sides!
The "eyes" detected an anomaly. Kalen's body swayed at the sudden shouts and screams echoing through. Kalen Dae, who commanded the earth spirits living in the parched land, was monitoring various parts of the unexplored zone via the spirits. To anticipate dangers by detecting monster movements in advance. The earth spirit warned of kin surrounded by monsters.
-Everyone, get behind me!
Liana Linehold shouted, exerting herself to break through the monsters!
The elf woman yelled. She dispatched over ten monsters at once, but already exhausted, she teetered on the brink of being overwhelmed. A petite golden-haired high elf stepped forward. The red-haired high elf woman swung her sword, slashing monsters aside. Though young high elves, they continued fighting fiercely against the savage monsters.
They came looking for Yushin. To take him away...
Kalen surmised the elf group under attack by countless monsters had come searching for Yushin. Because the little high elf girl kept crying out "Master!" toward her surroundings. It was a call for someone. But it didn't seem like calling out to anyone nearby. For some unknown reason, Kalen vaguely sensed her desperate cries were directed at Yushin.
"Yushin!!"
Kalen shouted loudly. Hearing her desperate cry, Yushin jumped up from his seat and approached her. He had loosened his sword but now buckled it back on. Sensing an emergency from her urgent shout, Kalen felt relieved at his armed, imposing figure and relayed what she had seen and heard.