Chapter 166
Chapter 166
Ch. 166 .｡.:✧ Chapter 166 ✧:.｡.
—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Crazy bastards.”
Prina Lineta didn’t hide her fury.
“Lunatics. They’ve thrown all sense of decorum out the window. Do they think they can just run wild?”
It was a level of anger she had never displayed before.
“Compose yourself, my lady.”
“Sir Atrok, how can I not be furious? They’ve undermined my authority. They used a cheap trick to distract me and assess my fiancé’s strength. And I fell for it.”
She didn’t hide her anger, even with me present. In fact, she seemed even more enraged because I was there.
“They will pay the price. I will immediately report the Goddess Religion’s outrageous actions to the royal family and expel their negotiating team from the territory. I would like to execute them all, but…”
“That’s not possible.”
“I know. Even tearing them to shreds wouldn’t be enough, but it’s not feasible at the moment. However, I will make them pay dearly.”
“The royal family will assist you.”
“Indeed. While I’ve been humiliated, this will benefit the royal family. They can use this incident to pressure the nobles who favor the Goddess Religion and smoothly establish temples of the Earth Mother Religion in their territories.”
Even amidst her fury, Prina’s mind worked quickly.
She was certainly competent. While she had been tricked and her assessment of the situation was delayed, considering the clash between Doriem and Jutus, it was understandable.
‘She was powerless because she couldn’t do anything, not because she was incompetent.’
Of course, her past actions had already proven her competence, but this further solidified it.
“I’ve never been so frustrated by the weakness of my territory. Those filthy creatures. And they call themselves priests.”
After venting her anger and cursing the Goddess Religion, Prina finally calmed down and addressed me.
“I apologize for that display.”
“It’s alright. I understand your anger.”
“I’m worried they might have been disrespectful to you.”
“They didn’t do anything overtly disrespectful. They seemed focused on keeping me here.”
Besides the High Priest, Philed, the other priests and paladins had given me unpleasant looks, but that was all.
They hadn’t actually done anything to me.
“I’m glad to hear that. If they had, I would have pursued their carriages, regardless of the consequences.”
“By the way, I heard about the clash between Doriem and Jutus…”
“Most of the mercenaries we hired returned to Doriem. Doriem nearly fell completely. They managed to overcome the crisis thanks to a mercenary group that defected from Jutus.”
“Defected… you say?”
“Yes. A man named Eryan, I believe.”
He was someone I had hired once. I remembered him handling the request efficiently.
It seemed he had officially defected.
“It was still a dangerous situation, so most of the mercenaries had to return to Doriem. We received a large sum as compensation, but… we’re currently short-handed, so reclaiming the other castles besides Desert Shield will be difficult.”
Still, she said it was fortunate they now had funds to train regular soldiers and knights, which they needed to maintain the castles anyway.
It would simply take a little longer.
“Fortunately, we’ve mostly cleared the monsters within the territory, and thanks to the rumors of work, mercenaries from outside are starting to arrive, so maintaining the current situation isn’t difficult.”
“However, I don’t see the envoy from the Demihuman Alliance.”
“…They’ve taken refuge in the Barren Lands.”
“The Barren Lands… well, you are the only one holding that place…”
Honestly, I didn’t want to show my territory, practically my domain, to outsiders, but it couldn’t be helped.
‘It’s better than letting the Goddess Religion find out.’
Besides, they were favorably disposed towards me…
“I heard they had planned for a longer stay, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
“Even if they are delayed, they’ll understand… though I’ll be even more humiliated.”
Her brow furrowed again, her anger towards the Goddess Religion resurfacing.
However, it was fleeting. She quickly composed herself and asked,
“So, you’ll be staying here until the envoy departs?”
“Most likely.”
“Then you’ll meet the bishop from the Earth Mother Religion. If you’re uncomfortable with that, I can postpone the visit.”
The bishop of the Earth Mother Religion… Honestly, I wasn’t thrilled about it.
It was natural for them to be wary of me, a necromancer and dark magic user.
Sensing my hesitation, Prina looked at me expectantly.
I eventually nodded.
“Alright. I’ll meet him.”
He might not be so welcoming after actually meeting me.
However, even if that were the case, he wouldn’t show it. Considering Prina’s anger over the Goddess Religion incident and my relationship with the royal family, I wouldn’t face any repercussions.
Conversely, if he remained favorably disposed towards me and it was genuine, it would be an ideal outcome.
He could heal my companions in emergencies, and having a connection to a bishop could lead to a good relationship with the Earth Mother Religion.
The risk of failure was low, and the potential reward was high, so there was no reason not to meet him.
“That’s a good choice. He’s different from the priests of the Goddess Religion.”
“I hope so.”
I smiled faintly, and Prina, seemingly thinking it was a blessing in disguise, brightened and continued our conversation.
Kayla looked displeased but didn’t interrupt. She likely felt she hadn’t achieved the level of strength she desired.
Moreover, Prina was the lord. Even with the extensive rights I had negotiated, a lord’s authority within their territory was absolute.
“Accepting the engagement so quickly was a wise decision. It allows us to pressure those Goddess Religion bastards more effectively.”
Perhaps because I was now her fiancé, her demeanor towards me was even softer than before.
“Indeed. Even if they claim ignorance, meddling with a lord’s fiancé is a bigger issue than simply using a dark magic user.”
“Exactly. They’ll be in a much more difficult position now.”
Prina was eager to use this to her advantage.
“By the way, about that bishop from the Earth Mother Religion…”
Click.
My jaw suddenly clenched, cutting me off mid-sentence.
“Do Inha-nim?”
“…I think I’ll have to postpone the meeting with the bishop.”
“What? Why so suddenly…?”
“…I need to return to the oasis. My tower… is under attack.”
“Suddenly?”
“My undead have fallen.”
I was directly connected to my undead. If they fell, I would know.
One of the elite Living Armors in Baldur’s party had fallen. Its condition was critical.
Moreover, judging by its location, it seemed to have been fleeing the oasis.
Golun should have been there, but it seemed they hadn’t been able to defend the oasis.
“The envoy from the Demihuman Alliance… might be in danger.”
Prina’s eyes widened in surprise.
And it wasn’t just one undead.
‘Gagar.’
He, too, had fallen while defending the oasis.
The fact that my tower, practically my territory, was under attack and the envoy from the Demihuman Alliance was potentially in danger meant Prina couldn’t stop me from leaving.
“I thought you had secured the Barren Lands…”
“That’s impossible. I’ve simply prevented them from leaving. …This is why I can’t leave my post so easily. It seems I’ll be busy for a while. I’ll do my best to protect the envoy and extract them if possible.”
“…I’m sorry I can’t offer assistance. Our mercenary forces are currently…”
“I know. And this was a contract I agreed to handle alone. I don’t expect assistance.”
I was engaged to Prina, but if I couldn’t defend the Barren Lands, it would effectively be a broken engagement.
That would ruin my plans and put Prina in a difficult position.
Therefore, I had to resolve this myself.
“Be careful.”
“Please tell the bishop I’ll meet him another time.”
“I understand. He’ll be establishing a temple here, so we’ll meet again. I’ll introduce you personally then.”
She intended to be present at our meeting.
After assuring her I would be careful, I asked Kriang for a situation report and then rushed to the Barren Lands with Kayla.
“Shouldn’t we bring Entin?”
“No. I trust Prina, but it’s best to be cautious. Thea needs protection.”
I couldn’t bring Thea with me.
The situation was dire. Gagar had fallen, and Baldur was retreating, even losing some of his party members.
I couldn’t bring Thea, a non-combatant, into such a dangerous situation.
We rode our Skeletal Steeds, galloping across the Barren Lands.
I immediately noticed the change in the Barren Lands.
“…Damn it. The monsters…”
I had slaughtered a massive number of monsters after entering the Barren Lands, significantly reducing their density.
I had noticed this during my recent trips to and from Desert Shield.
However, the monsters had returned.
No, there were even more than when I first arrived.
And there were new types of monsters I hadn’t seen before.
“Is this what Prina was talking about?”
She had mentioned that even after nearly completely clearing the Barren Lands, a large number of monsters had reappeared, inflicting heavy casualties on House Lineta’s forces and forcing their retreat.
I had assumed they were underground monsters.
I had already slaughtered a significant number of monsters, reducing their density, and there hadn’t been any incidents until now.
Moreover, the underground monsters were powerful, so even House Lineta’s main force could suffer heavy casualties if they were slow to react.
But I was wrong. It seemed there was something else.
“I think you’re right. …At this rate, we’ll definitely lose the second and third oases, and even the tower might be in danger.”
The existing monsters, the newly appeared ones, and even entirely new species…
And they were strong.
Judging by the timing, Athena should have reached the tower safely, but I couldn’t be certain.
‘Why now… I hope everything is alright…’
If Athena was alone, it would be less concerning.
However, Annelise and Untinia, the dark elf, were with her.
I was worried about Athena, and considering our relationship with the Demihuman Alliance, the other two also needed to be safe.
“Don’t worry.”
Sensing my anxiety, Kayla spoke.
“That woman isn’t helpless.”
She seemed capable of defending herself, Kayla said.
And at that moment…
Athena, Annelise, and Untinia were fighting against the encroaching monsters.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“What in the world is going on?”
I had been annoyed by the task of escorting Untinia to the tower, but I understood it couldn’t be helped.
Especially since I was the one who frequently traveled between Desert Shield and the Barren Lands, and Kayla, my master, needed to stay by Do Inha’s side, it was logical for me to handle this.
So, cursing the Goddess Religion under my breath, I dutifully led Annelise and Untinia towards the tower. Since the monster density in the Barren Lands had decreased, we didn’t encounter any danger until we neared the tower.
During our journey, Annelise and Untinia continued their conversation from the castle, discussing various topics they hadn’t been able to delve into before. Untinia noticed Annelise’s contentment with her current situation and her profuse praise of Do Inha, bordering on adoration.
It was a bit excessive, but her sincerity was evident, causing Untinia to feel slightly awkward.
‘She wasn’t like this before.’
It was a far cry from the Annelise Untinia remembered.
Before joining the group, Annelise had seemed insincere, subtly flirting with Do Inha while treating her former companions with disdain. Untinia had found her repulsive.
Therefore, when Annelise first joined the group, Untinia had been wary, considering her a potential enemy despite her supposed allegiance.
However, Annelise’s consistent and genuine behavior since joining the group had gradually eased Untinia’s suspicion. After witnessing her conversation with Untinia and her heartfelt praise of Do Inha, Untinia finally felt she could consider Annelise a comrade.
We were nearing the tower when the incident occurred.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
For Illustrations and Release Notifications join our Discord
⚙ System Notification ⚙
› Main Quest [God’s Apprentice] Unlocked!
› You have been granted an opportunity by the Arcane God’s to become a Korean Translator for Arcane Translations.
› Do you accept?
› YES/ NO