Quicksand Desert (1)
Wayne had just absorbed the Necroseeker's memories and experiences. That's why he stared at Sabina with even greater surprise.
At least I didn't absorb it myself...
Black mana, in its pure state, wasn't much different from other Odd. There were no issues when converting life force within a Necroseeker's body into black Odd. But the moment they pulled it out to revive dead monsters and turn them into black monsters, a mutation occurred, altering the beasts' temperaments.
The changes varied slightly among black monsters, but the most common were excessive aggression and violence, along with heightened excitement and impulsiveness. That made black monsters far more ferocious than their original counterparts, as if unleashing every suppressed urge deep within.
"Uh... Lady Sabina?"
"Fuck! I'm telling you, I feel great—why do you keep calling me?"
Sabina whipped her head around and glared at Wayne. In that instant, her black Odd eyes flared open.
"Gasp!"
Sabina, startled by her own reaction, covered her mouth with her hand as she spoke.
"S-sorry! How could I swear at you, Lord Wayne?!"
"Ah! It's fine. More importantly, is there anywhere else that feels off?"
Sabina checked the Odd flowing through her body at Wayne's question, then cautiously lowered her hand.
"No. No pain, and my Odd reserves haven't decreased."
"Phew! That's a relief."
She finally seemed back to normal. But her skin and hair hadn't reverted to their original state. And upon closer inspection, she appeared a bit taller, with more muscle—enough to shed some of her girlish innocence.
He was slightly concerned, but aside from her bolder, more active personality, there didn't seem to be any major issues.
"If you want, I can extract the black Odd from your body."
"No need. I feel stronger, and it's a good sensation. I'll hold onto it for now—let me know if you need it."
"Yes, thank you."
To transfer the black Odd now infused in her body, they'd need a separate vessel. The curved black scythe that had held it moments ago was already corroding away and unusable.
To contain black Odd, they needed bones from colorless transparent-Odd monsters, which only inhabited the Abyss west of the Great Forest. But reaching the Abyss meant crossing far from here through S-rank monster territory—not a place for a 2nd class Gigant pilot.
And they couldn't gather more black Odd now. From the Necroseeker's memories in his head, their race had likely gone extinct. The dragons were the ones who wiped them out.
This time, he knew the reason too. Dragons were at the pinnacle of Odd mastery, their entire bodies practically made of it. That was how their massive forms could soar through the skies. Among weapons that could harm such dragons, those infused with black Odd—like the Necroseekers' Dark Souls—were the most potent.
Dragons feared Dark Souls, especially when wielded by magic war machines like 1st class Gigants. Their power could slay dragons outright. That's why the dragons attacked, scattering the Necroseeker race with near-total annihilation.
This black Odd's owner had barely escaped by sea to the southern continent, but with fatal wounds, it had scraped together its last life force to forge this sword.
This might be the last black Odd around. It could prove vital for crafting weapons to fight dragons someday. He had a feeling it would come to that.
So he couldn't just discard it from her body now.
"Captain!"
Yan, riding Eleven, rushed toward Wayne.
"What's up?"
"Captain Wayne, Eleven senses something big approaching from the western oasis!"
"What?"
Wayne had retracted his red Odd to absorb the black Odd, missing the approach. After receiving the queen ant's Odd, Eleven's detection range had doubled his own—he could scan several kilometers passively, or dozens if focused. A walking infrared radar, essentially.
Wayne unleashed red Odd westward.
"A 5-meter scorpion!"
What approached was a magic beast from the Quicksand Desert. Magic beasts were generally smaller than Great Forest monsters, but never to be underestimated. Each had a unique ability.
This B-rank scorpion fired venom from its tail. If it seeped into a Gigant or Steel Golem, it could cause malfunctions. Inside a cockpit, it might poison and kill the pilot. Extra caution was needed.
Wayne glanced at his subordinates cleaning up. Exhausted from the hard fight, it was best if he handled it personally.
"I'll go!"
Sabina stepped forward.
"Pardon?"
"I'll kill the monster and come back!"
"But you've never fought magic beasts before, have you?"
"Doesn't matter. I can handle it with my bow from afar!"
"True, but..."
Before Wayne finished, Sabina mounted Artemis.
"Wait! Can she even pilot a Gigant with black Odd...?"
Artemis's hatch sealed. Black Odd eyes flashed, and the Gigant moved.
"...She can!"
Even Wayne hadn't known that. Just as humans on the eastern continent knew nothing of Necroseekers, they knew nothing of human-made Gigants—no records existed.
Western continent human kingdoms had advanced civilization differently, without humanoid magic war machines.
She'll be fine, right?
Wayne watched Sabina with worry. Artemis was 2nd class—more than enough for a B-rank beast. But something felt off.
[Fuck! This pisses me off! That monster bastard dares interrupt my talk with Lord Wayne? I'll rip it to shreds and grind it into dust!]
"Gah! What was that?"
"Wasn't that Lady Sabina's voice?"
Her frenzied voice leaked from the Gigant, startling the working pilots and soldiers. Normally demure and composed, with a petite, pure beauty that made her a beloved mascot, their shock was palpable.
"Damn! Guess I should follow her..."
Wayne shook his head and trailed behind.
The scorpion fell after six arrows. The problem? Even after it died, Artemis charged, hacking off all legs and mangling the body.
Thanks to that, they found a magic stone usable for Steel Golems.
"Lord Wayne, sorry. I swore again..."
At least normally she was just bolder. Only when her black Odd eyes opened did she turn ultra-aggressive. And no matter how excited, she always recognized Wayne.
***
[Phew! Home sweet home!]
Curtis raised his Gigant's arm triumphantly passing through the gate. Sara and the squad followed, then golem masters and dwarf warriors reunited with families.
The Sailon Occupation Zone battle was a resounding victory. No injuries among Wayne's pilots made it a perfect expedition, and opening the Valhalla Gate to the Quicksand Desert meant magic beast hunts anytime.
Bastian's squad headed to Kallung Grand Territory with former captain Rakins to fetch refugees and return.
[Fuck! This sandstorm's annoying!]
Artemis entered chattering, startling pilots.
[What're you staring at?]
[Uh? Nothing, ma'am!]
[Watch it! I'll gouge your eyes out!]
"Lady Sabina!"
Wayne, entering behind, called her.
[Yes! Lord Wayne!]
[You're tired—go bathe and rest. The squad will handle cleanup.]
[Yes! I'm itchy as fuck anyway; gonna wash up.]
Artemis strode off. Curtis, dismounting, shook his head at the receding Gigant.
"Whoa, fuck—nearly got my eyes popped! How does a person change overnight like that?"
"Her elf blood, maybe?"
Glen looked disappointed too. Sabina had captivated the squad with her ethereal beauty and calm demeanor.
"Why? I like it. Swearing with that pretty, innocent face? So sexy and charming!"
"What? Sexy?!"
Men shook heads, but Sara Raudi approved. Wayne preferred her lively side over the timid one—minus the excessive profanity.
"Grrrng! Grrrng!"
"Oooork!"
Yan, Eleven, Bardetu, and orcs entered last. Bardetu approached Wayne immediately.
"Wayne, promise kept!"
"Ah, yes. You worked hard—time for rewards."
Wayne scanned around.
"Yan Bauman!"
"Yes?"
Called suddenly, Yan felt ominous.
"You called, Captain?!"
"From now on, go to the Sky Mountains with Eleven and Bardetu."
"Th-the Sky Mountains?!"
Yan's eyes tripled in size.
"It's fine. Bardetu knows the way, and Eleven will protect you."
"What do I do there?"
"Simple: Bring back Bardetu's orc tribes and wait in the Lava Cave. I'll reopen the gate in three months. See you then."
"Three months?"
"Yeah, round trip to Sky Mountains takes that long. Handle the eggs carefully."
"Eggs too?!"
"Of course. They're your responsibility."
"Yes..."
Yan replied weakly. Bardetu approached, fist to chest, bowing. Other orcs followed.
"Orc! Thanks! Trust Wayne!"
"Kuook! Kuook!"
Orcs had learned human greetings.
"Orc future opens! Bardetu cooperates with Wayne!"
"Good thinking. Keep it up, and I'll reward you maximally."
Wayne opened the Lava Cave gate. Yan and Eleven departed with Bardetu to Sky Mountains.
***
When Bastian returns, I need to reorganize the units.
Curtis's squad had healed their black Odd wounds and regained past Odd. Bastian's would too upon return.
Not many pilots, but with 2nd class Gigant riders emerging, redeployment was needed.
Knock knock!
"Squad Leader Curtis here."
"Come in."
Curtis brought three men into Wayne's office.
"Introduce yourselves."
"We meet Captain Wayne Stein!"
The three bowed.
"Welcome. Who might you be?"
"Remember I mentioned them? My old squadmates: Lomberg, Oden, and Scott. Took three months from Dresden to get here."
"Ah, yes. Tough journey. You're the last ones?"
"Yes."
They were Curtis's squad from the Sailon battle six years ago—the final black Odd casualties. They hadn't joined Wayne and Curtis's Dresden trip with Bastian, starting late.
Lomberg spoke.
"Sorry for the delay. Much to settle in the territory."
"No worries. You're lucky ones."
"Pardon?"
"We found a way to heal your wounds."
"Ah! We just heard. Shamelessly, heal us—we'll never forget the grace."
"Of course. But there are conditions."
"We heard from Squad Leader Curtis. Already brought our families. And we'll defend the territory as pilots."
"Right. That means cutting ties with Dresden Territory. Can you?"
"Absolutely. We resolved it leaving. We pledge loyalty."
Wayne nodded pleased. Their clothes and expressions showed the mental toll.
Per Curtis, squad leader pilots reassigned as officers, but regulars became NCOs or left service. Pensions covered living, but Odd impotence bred deeper despair and idleness-fueled illness.
"Good! Settle in with families first. Treatment starts next month."
"Thank you!"
They left. Curtis bowed.
"Thanks for taking them."
"They were your men once. Only right."
"Grateful."
Curtis beamed emotionally.
"And, uh, from the Westline Fortress battle..."
"...?"
"Talked to Grand Territory pilots. Quite a few from other territories crippled by those black Magic Knights."
"Really?"
"Yes! Many asked how I healed my Odd."
The Sailon battle spanned Ratan Desert with dozens of oases. Besides Dresden, other territories had black Magic Knight casualties.
"Why not fetch them? They're desperate."
Wayne pondered.
"No need to seek them. Rumors spread in Dresden and neighbors—others soon. Truly desperate will come on their own."
"Ah, true."
"Now we select pilots carefully."
"Haha! Yes. I'll go."
Curtis paused at the door.
"Oh! Dwarves gathering in the hall earlier."
"Dwarves?"
"Yes, Chief Yulih, priests, golem masters—all."
"Got it."
After Curtis left, Wayne pondered. Golem masters and dwarf Odd trainees should be training. No assignments from him, no reason for leadership to meet now. Curious.
Maybe eavesdrop a bit?
Wayne focused his red Odd.