Chapter 67
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: The Rock God's Decree
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Northern Great Plains. The northern warriors, on the verge of marching to war against the Empire, suddenly halted their advance. It was because of the shaman's death.
The shaman, who was practically the spiritual pillar of the northern people, had died—a shocking event in itself. But the northerners weren't mourning his passing. There was something even more shocking.
-Shaman Moolunda was actually not human, but a demon!
The sense of betrayal from being deceived by a demon, combined with the self-loathing of having revered it as an elder of the tribe, tormented the tribesmen. Great Chieftain Bolgrom gathered them all and sternly rebuked them.
"Northerners! I know this is shocking to you. It's shocking to me too. But does that mean you should sink into despair like this? Is that what a northern warrior does?"
"……."
"Think about it. We've lost countless comrades in battle and endured each time. Yet we're crumbling because some demon that's not even human died?"
"……."
"Northerners! Do not cower—rise up! And look behind you!"
The warriors turned. A rock giant stood there.
"It is the great Karak! Our rock god, who lay dormant in the northern plains, has awakened from his long slumber and descended to our side."
All eyes instantly fixed on Ddol Ddoli. Feeling awkward, he scratched his head. Over a thousand eyeballs staring at once felt strangely off-putting.
'Why are they looking at Ddol Ddoli so weirdly?'
Their gazes mixed awe and rapture, but Ddol Ddoli, oblivious to such complex emotions, just found it bizarre.
"I've been thinking. Why has Karak come to our side?"
"……."
"I believe it's to awaken us from our delusion."
Silence fell. The warriors focused intently. Bolgrom continued.
"How did the shaman—no, the demon—deceive us?"
"……."
"He said evil lay to the south, that we must eradicate it. He claimed Karak lay in the plains, cheering us on against the Empire, so we had nothing to fear. But was that true?"
"……."
"Karak has descended in person. And he declared that evil lies to the north."
"……."
"And finally, he vanquished evil himself, proving his words. He showed us that the one claiming evil was in the south was evil incarnate."
"……."
"So, warriors! Northerners! What is the truth? Are we, marching on the Empire, in the right?"
The warriors murmured. Doubt flickered in their eyes. They'd only considered the shaman being a demon before, not scrutinizing his words.
But now, the chieftain's words rang true.
The shaman had insisted daily that evil was in the south, that they must sweep away the Empire, its minions.
Yet that evil was himself.
So, were the shaman's words correct?
Did they have to heed a demon's lies?
"I don't know the truth. Nor do you. But that's no problem. For the great rock god stands here with us."
All eyes turned to Ddol Ddoli again.
"Karak! Great rock god! Enlighten us fools with the answer."
"……."
"What is the truth? What must we do?"
Over a thousand eyes fixed on him once more, but Ddol Ddoli didn't panic. He clearly remembered those final words.
-Stop the war. Don't fight the Empire. Ddol Ddoli doesn't want you hurt.
That was all Ddol Ddoli said. But it was enough. Utterly clear guidance.
"You heard him! Warriors! The great rock god says this war is wrong! He cherishes us too much to see us hurt!"
Boom!
Bolgrom stomped. Mana surged from his foot, sending shockwaves rippling outward in a circle.
"I, warrior of the Frost Fang Tribe and great chieftain of the northerners, Bolgrom, heed the great Karak's will and declare here: we cancel our march on the Empire!"
"……Waaaaah!"
"Great Chieftain! Great Chieftain!"
"Karak! Karak!"
"Ddol Ddoli! Ddol Ddoli!"
Cheers erupted. The great plains echoed with the men's roars. Watching, Ddol Ddoli smiled contentedly.
Because the humans listened to him? No—because his master praised him.
-Ddol Ddoli, you did great! You're the best, Ddol Ddoli! Haha!
What did he care what humans did? His master's praise meant far more.
Around the same time, the Imperial Capital felt like walking on thin ice—tense and perilous.
War loomed. Even for the mighty Empire, fear of war was inescapable.
No matter how invincible, the terror of death couldn't be ignored.
The northern border was abuzz with war preparations, and the capital was no exception.
Knights and battle mages streamed north amid endless emergency meetings at the palace. Then, one urgent report arrived.
-The northern barbarians have halted war preparations!
The shocking news stirred the capital anew. Why stop after gearing up to invade?
"See? I told you. No war."
Astheon spoke, slouched in the conference chair, leg jiggling as he picked his nose.
Utter disrespect in a meeting with the Emperor present, yet no one challenged the crown prince's behavior. It wasn't the priority.
"I said don't waste troops north for nothing, but no one listened. Tch."
The ministers gazed at Astheon's grumbling with reverent eyes, clucking their tongues.
"Noble lords of the proud Empire, see? The barbarians aren't coming. The chieftain ordered a retreat himself. Thoughts?"
"Y-Your Highness's foresight is truly remarkable."
The ministers' faces and voices were begrudging. Astheon griped, the Emperor smiled enigmatically, and Ian watched from the corner.
The stiff ministers fawning over the prince was amusing, but Ian understood their feelings. War had seemed inevitable.
In that context, the prince's lone cry of "No war, save the money and manpower" seemed mad.
Astheon had argued fervently. But follow the crown prince? Absurd.
No war, so no defenses? Nonsense.
Ian thought the same. Precautions were wise, even if no war came.
What if they attacked? All signs pointed to war.
'But no war.'
Everyone had dismissed Astheon as crazy, but results proved him right. No one dared contradict him now, only staring in awe.
This single event flipped Astheon's poor standing 180 degrees. Or at least 100.
'Astheon, you're something. He really believed no war and stuck to it?'
Ian tsked softly. Not just believed—shouted it everywhere.
Ian hadn't expected that. Full conviction, pushing "Don't bolster arms needlessly!"
'What a madman.'
But maybe only madmen became emperors.
The Emperor's smile said it. Unfazed, as if expected.
Who knew his thoughts, but likely pride in his son.
He favored his eldest among many.
'Wait. Did he pretend ignorance to boost Astheon deliberately?'
The Emperor believed but feigned doubt?
True or not, that'd make him formidable.
"Quiet, everyone."
The Emperor raised a hand, silencing the murmurs.
"War averted is fortunate, no? What say you?"
"Your Majesty's words are most wise."
"The people spared suffering—what fortune!"
"The savage barbarians recognized Your Majesty's greatness and fled in fear."
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Empire!"
One started, and all chanted. The Emperor let it go, then raised a hand again.
"Enough 'long lives.' What have I done? I'm just impressed by the crown prince's insight. Excellent, Astheon. Haha."
"Tch. Father, you didn't listen to me."
The ministers' eyes widened. Praised by the Emperor, yet whining childishly!
But the Emperor just chuckled indulgently, the doting father.
"True. Forgive me, Astheon. I didn't know your insight was so keen and ignored you. My failing."
"No, not that far. Just regrettable. Money for arms could've gone elsewhere. Like the western border—monster incursions are rough there."
"Haha. Indeed. With such love for the people, you'll be a fine ruler."
Thus praised, Astheon stopped griping.
The hall quieted. The Emperor surveyed the ministers sternly.
"The prince is impressive, but another matches him. Know who?"
"……."
"Lord Ian."
"……?"
'Me?'
Ian, lurking quietly in the corner, panicked. Why call on him?
'Me?'
Why?
"Lord Ian, stand."
"P-Pardon? Oh, yes."
Ian rose awkwardly, as if he'd soiled himself. All eyes turned to him.
"I trusted your abilities—that's why I appointed you court mage. But this time, I doubted your view. It seemed absurd."
'What? I never advised you.'
Except that word to Astheon.
'Ah, did Astheon mention me?'
Like "Ian said no war!"?
"Frankly... I'm astonished. How did you foresee no war when northern experts predicted it? What did you read to advise the prince thus?"
"Pardon?"
Advise?
'Just lucky guess.'
Pure fortune...
Thanks to Ddol Ddoli, technically?
At the same time.
Ddol Ddoli felt utterly bewildered.
"Move faster!"
"What are you standing around for!"
"The great Karak watches! No time to rest!"
"Carry stones! Stack one more brick! For Karak's repose!"
Humans bustled about. Building a massive structure—the "Karak Temple," they called it.
A house... for him?
Ddol Ddoli was at a loss.
House? What house?
'Ddol Ddoli no house. No need. Ddol Ddoli walks.'
But their zeal was too much to refuse. Refuse and leave? They'd wail.
-Waaah! Karak abandons us!
-Forsaken by god, no need to live!
Recalling their recent sobs, Ddol Ddoli just scratched his head.