Chapter 115
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Uninvited Guests (3)
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5.
This was the village of Eare, located in the southernmost part of the Southern Great Forest.
Unlike the bustling Gallard, this place, known for its pastoral atmosphere, had received unexpected guests.
Barad, the elder of Eare village, was in the middle of greeting them.
The guests had not come empty-handed.
They arrived bearing news that would turn the entire village upside down.
The pirates and the Naga have formed a temporary alliance It is truly a difficult story to believe. If not for Earins testimony, I might have doubted your words.
Barads face was etched with deep worry.
It was only natural.
The news brought by one giant and three humans was that the pirates and the Naga had joined forces to attack the Great Forest.
This is not good.
Barad said in a low voice.
The southern waters of the Great Forest are protected by a barrier set up by spiritists to guard against Naga invasions. Normally, it stops them without issue, but a total lunar eclipse is expected in three days. With the high tide that accompanies the lunar eclipse, the Nagas mana is at its most powerful.
At Barads explanation, Karron furrowed his brow. He asked in a calm voice.
What happens then?
The sea route weve sealed with the barrier will temporarily open. The Naga population isnt very large, so ordinarily, the patrol units remaining in the village would be enough to handle them. But if the pirates join in I cannot guarantee the outcome.
Barad took a sip of the herbal tea placed before him.
His hand, holding the teacup, was wrinkled, a testament to the years he had spent here.
Karron silently watched his hand.
Barads hand was trembling, likely from immense tension.
There is only one place where over a thousand pirates would choose as a landing point. The Silent Shore. It is located about a two-hour walk from here.
A map of the area lay on the table.
One fortunate thing was that the village was well out of range of the pirate ships cannons.
Karron let out a small sigh, then slowly looked at Barad.
What are the current numbers of forces you can mobilize?
One hundred fifty patrol members. Even if we mobilize the villagers, the number we can commit to actual combat will be less than three hundred.
Thats certainly not a small number, but it pales in comparison to their forces.
All the young ones head to Gallard. Only the young elves and the retired remain in the village.
Heading to the city In that, elves are similar to humans.
He understood the situation at once.
There was a simple way to describe the current state of affairs without any fancy expressions.
-Were screwed.
It was just as Guillotine had said.
Screwed.
This was unstoppable.
Requesting reinforcements from Gallard was also impossible. By the time they arrived, the pirates would have already attacked the village.
Moreover, the bigger problem was that they still didnt know the pirates objective.
If they knew the specific target, they could at least form a response, but the information they had gathered was extremely limited.
The only information hed gotten through Pluto was the armament status of the pirate ships.
But just then, a hopeful word came from Barad, who had somehow regained his composure.
Of course its not as if we are unprepared for such events.
Ah, you should have said that sooner.
My apologies. Our village has installed various defensive facilities in preparation for situations like this.
Then why did you have the look of a man whod lost everything just a moment ago?
It seems that growing old makes one more fearful.
Barad informed Karron about the defensive facilities installed in the village.
To summarize the villages defenses, they were as follows:
1. Defensive Barrier
2. Turrets powered by spirits
3. Underground evacuation route for emergencies
After confirming all the villages defenses, Guillotine muttered once more.
-Hmm, not screwed yet.
This was a village where the roots of the World Tree reached.
It was unlikely they would have no measures in place when the Naga periodically invaded.
It would have been better if we had just a few more troops.
Karron smacked his lips in disappointment.
The pirates were numerous, but they were still just pirates.
No matter how elite they were, they were not accustomed to land battles.
On the other hand, the elves used spirit arts and magic, making them what humans would consider very valuable, high-end combatants.
If we fight with the village at our backs, we might have a chance.
Simply considering the pirates, that seemed to be the case.
Excluding the variable that is the Naga.
The Naga were an unknown enemy to Karron.
He only vaguely knew that they primarily used magic.
I think Im going to need an explanation about the Naga.
They use something called Abyss Magic through the power of the deep sea. While their magical abilities are strong, their physical abilities are surprisingly unimpressive. This physical weakness is particularly pronounced on land.
And yet, this Abyss Magic they use is dangerous enough to periodically threaten the elves?
It is a power akin to a curse. You will likely understand why I describe it this way when you see it for yourself.
Naga and pirates. This combination might be far more dangerous than he thought.
What pirates lacked were high-end forces like mages. What if the Naga filled that gap?
It could create an unexpected synergistic effect.
Especially since their side had two of those champions, said to have combat power on par with a 7-Star Knight.
A powerhouse of that level was already a huge variable just by existing.
No matter how optimistically he viewed the situation, the fact remained that they were at a disadvantage.
Thus, Karron came to a single conclusion.
In the end, there was only one card to play to overcome this situation.
Having finished his thoughts, he rose from his seat and spoke.
It has been a good time, Elder.
At that, Barad smiled faintly and nodded.
Please give my regards to our kin in Gallard. Tell them we defended the village to the very last moment. That will be enough.
At the sudden farewell, Karrons eyes widened as he asked back.
Pardon? What are you talking about?
Werent you planning to leave the village?
My, what do you take me for?
The situation was difficult, but if things went according to plan, it was entirely manageable.
Kerua.
That man, who should have reached 8-Star by now, would be more than enough to offset all variables.
I am not the kind of man who abandons his friends, Elder.
This was a golden opportunity to put the elves in his debt.
Whats more, it was a chance to solve this problem without lifting a finger.
Why on earth would he give that up?
Trust me.
A sly smile appeared on Karrons lips.
6.
Fortunately, the communication device in the elders house was connected to Gallard.
Thanks to that, Karron was able to contact Orion in Gallard without difficulty, and Orion, upon hearing the situation from Karron, could not hide his anger.
I never imagined that pirate scum, lower than vermin, would join forces with the damn Naga.
His voice was laced with intense fury from start to finish.
However, contrary to his enraged tone, his judgment was cold and rational.
Karron, take the remaining villagers and get out of there. There is no need to risk yourselves to defend the village.
This is where the roots of the World Tree are. Is it alright to give it up so easily?
They cannot easily corrupt Mothers roots. That is a task that requires a very long time. Even if we give it up for a while, we can simply take it back. I will lead the troops myself, so I want you to rendezvous with us at a midpoint.
It was a calm assessment of the situation.
A judgment that looked further ahead than the immediate present.
In a way, Orions decision could be seen as the safer one.
So youre saying its okay to abandon this village?
Yes.
Well choose to evacuate in the worst-case scenario. Good. Thats enough for me.
You seem to have a plan.
Its not much of a plan Ill contact you within two days. Lets talk about the evacuation again then.
Understood.
After ending the short communication, Karron immediately stepped outside the elders house.
As he opened the door, he saw his companions waiting for him.
So, did you all have any luck?
Before meeting with Barad, he had instructed his companions to gather information related to Kerua.
The location the regent had marked on the map was only about an hours walk from Eare village, so he had judged that the residents here might know something.
And indeed, Karrons prediction was correct.
A small mountain to the southeast. They say theres an area there that not even spirits can enter. A few hunters testified to it.
Rion had gathered some very useful information.
Since when has it been like that?
Seems like its been a while. About three months? Even the monsters avoid that place.
It was peculiar information.
A place that even monsters shunned.
It was certainly a place that smelled fishy. In other words, it was the perfect place for Kerua to hide.
Come to think of it, they had passed by a similar place.
A lair.
The lair of the evil dragon Etaron. That too was a place other monsters dared not approach.
But the situation was different now.
Back then, they could have detoured, but this time, a detour was impossible.
No matter what dangers lurked there, they had to break through.
Ill say this in advance, we dont have much time. Three days. The pirates and the Naga will attack this place in three days.
At Karrons words, the party nodded gravely.
What we have to do is simple. Find Kerua, and with Kerua, we wipe out the Naga and the pirates. The end. Easy, right?
It was almost embarrassing to call it a plan.
Rion frowned slightly and said.
Kerua Akte. Will that man really help us willingly? When you think about it, hes a man who fled from our surveillance. The reason he escaped our watch is still unclear
Well naturally find out the reason when we get to our destination.
He was a knight of the Evil Emperor. Theres a high possibility he harbors seditious thoughts.
Rions point was valid.
To those who didnt know the backstory, Kerua could indeed seem like a villain.
Moreover, even Karron held a thought in a corner of his mind that Kerua might have changed.
After all, a period of nearly fifty years was more than enough time to change a person.
Nevertheless, the reason he was confident that Kerua would willingly lend a hand was singular.
Because thats just the kind of guy he is.
A man full of affection and foolishness.
A man who chose to die together rather than survive alone.
That was the Kerua that Karron remembered.
He will definitely help us.
At Karrons words, Rion asked no more questions.
She simply nodded.
If you say so, then it must be so.
No more questions, sis?
I can feel the conviction in your words. Is there any reason more important than that?
The other companions, besides Rion, also nodded in agreement with her opinion.
If I try to question everything, youll just raise your fist again, wont you? I dont want to get hit, Karron. Just do whatever you want.
Kerua Akte. I remember him as a very honorable warrior. The thought of facing a legend makes my heart pound!
He could feel their deep trust in him.
Karron looked at his companions and smirked.
Lets move out immediately.
There was no reason to dawdle and waste time.
And so, they headed straight for Keruas hideout.
7.
One hour later.
On a small mountain located southeast of Eare village.
Karron. Are you sure this is it?
Leo said to Karron, gripping his sword, Sylphid.
In response, Karron clicked his tongue and replied.
Ah, I didnt expect this either.
You said it would be easy.
If you think its easy, its Sis? Why are you suddenly pointing your sword at me?
I guess its my fault for trusting you. Lets just call it even with one good stab, no more, no less.
He thought it would be a cakewalk of a mission, where all they had to do was find Kerua.
Ha, thats my life for you.
Karron sighed softly and looked ahead.
Whirrrrrr!
Dozens of golems that had suddenly appeared were aiming for the necks of Karrons party.