Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Arrival at the Oro Basin
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Under Reglurus's earnest (?), semi-forced urging, Ian's group wrapped up their brief rest and immediately prepared to set off for his territory.
They had just returned from the Twenty-Seven Valleys, so the squad members were naturally itching for at least a full day of proper downtime.
But with the potential for massive upheavals in the Great Floods from the cataclysm, they had no time to leisurely pass the days fishing.
"Whoa..."
Moreover, from the moment they laid eyes on the massive scale of Reglurus's ship, the Goreland, docked at Western Heaven, the Latent Dragon Squad forgot all about their fatigue.
"Set sail!"
"Kerruk! Goreland! Departing!"
Splash!
Foam surged violently as the scenery whipped by.
The speed rivaled a clipper ship riding the wind, while the mechanical precision of its maneuvers made it painfully clear why the Mudskippers dominated most of the Great Floods' river basins.
"No wonder they overran Western Heaven in a flash..."
After all, weren't the Mudskippers the ones who extended their raids all the way to the Oscella Basin in the Western Continent?
Scaling a minor river like this upstream was probably easier for them than falling off a log.
How much time had passed since leaving Western Heaven?
"Keruruk! Entering the Oro Basin now!!"
The moment they plunged into the Mudskippers' fifth major tributary amid Reglurus's shout...
"Whoaaa...!!"
The Latent Dragon Squad felt their exhaustion vanish at the sight of scenery they'd never dreamed of.
Having exited the narrow channel leading to Western Heaven, the Goreland opened up to a vast river ahead.
Its width was so immense it barely fit in their view, almost like standing in the middle of the ocean.
To think this colossal basin was just one of eight massive tributaries, not even the main river.
It gave a real sense of the Amatres River's staggering scale.
"Hah...! You live and learn. Never thought I'd set foot in Mudskipper territory—let alone one of the Four Dragon Fiends' domains."
Ralph's awe was no exaggeration.
Historically, even the tributaries of the Amatres—let alone the main stem—were rarely trod by outsiders besides the Mudskippers. You could count those instances on one hand.
Most intruders lost their lives before even reaching a tributary.
"Kerruk! Consider it an honor. This is the first time since I took charge of Oro that a non-Lizardman—a human, no less—has been permitted to tread this fifth tributary's soil."
Reglurus, who had come to stand by Rasna amid the squad, shot a gruff reply at the Latent Dragon Squad, who were gawking endlessly at the Oro sights.
"Lady Rasna, we'll reach our village soon. Time's flown by already—how about a short rest before we move on?"
His tone was worlds apart from the one he used with the squad—gentle and deferential. Rasna slowly shook her head.
"Uncle Reglurus, I'm fine. Time's of the essence right now; we need to hurry..."
Her impatience led her to turn down the offer, but Reglurus pressed on without yielding.
"How could I not understand your urgency, Lady Rasna? But seeing your daughter return safe yet so worn out... it wounds my pride. Please, just a little consideration for my position."
"Worn out...?"
Only then did Rasna check her own state.
Relentless pursuit by monsters and Great Curtain trolls had left her filthy, unwashed and unfed. She hadn't recovered from the hasty departure from Western Heaven either, her face gaunt and haggard.
On top of that, wounds where scales had been torn off dotted her body, still oozing without even scabs fully formed.
"Ah... you're right. Then let's rest just a bit before going."
"A wise decision, Lady Rasna."
Reglurus flashed a light smile at Rasna for upholding his dignity, then ordered his subordinates to dock the ship.
"We're taking a short break! Everyone, disembark!"
Splash!
Was it because they'd reached their village?
The ship, which had picked up even more speed, glided smoothly to shore, and the Lizardmen passengers began filing off one by one.
As if watching from afar, tiny dots were rapidly approaching.
"...Kerruk! Lord Reglurus!! Welcome back!!"
The cheerful callers were none other than young Lizardmen children.
"Hahaha!! Have you all been good?"
Reglurus scooped up the first child to dash up, greeting the kids warmly.
"Kerruk, Kerruk! Did your trip go well?!!"
Like children welcoming home their parents, the young Lizardmen chattered excitedly in unison.
"Keruruk! Of course! Don't you know who I am?"
Swoosh!
Reglurus, brimming with pride, casually extended a hand backward.
"Now! Today, I've brought a very special guest."
"Kerruk! A guest...?"
The children's eyes followed his gesture in unison.
"Kerruk! It's none other than our great king, Sea King Zacura's one and only daughter—Lady Rasna!"
"Whoaaaa...!!"
At Reglurus's grand introduction, the young Lizardmen's eyes sparkled with wonder.
Perhaps overwhelmed by those pure, unfiltered gazes...
Rasna, suddenly the center of attention, floundered awkwardly and shot Reglurus a plea for help.
But...
"Kerruk! Lady Rasna needs treatment and food right now. Want to take on that important task?"
"Kerurururuk!!"
The children roared with enthusiastic cheers at his question.
"Kerruk, Kerruk! Of course! We'll guide you great!"
"Lady Rasna, Lady Rasna! Can the Sea King really part the seas?!!"
It was utter chaos, enough to make one's spirit flee.
"Ah, no... that's not..."
"Kerruk! This way, Lady Rasna!"
The pack of young Lizardmen grabbed the dazed Rasna's hand and dragged her off somewhere.
"Heh..."
"What's up, Dane?"
Dane, who had watched the whole scene with a tongue-click of surprise, prompted Ian to ask.
"Nah, just... the monsters we've met in the Great Floods so far feel kinda different from these guys."
He'd never seen young monsters like that before, but more than anything...
Their unabashed curiosity, simply because she was the daughter of someone famous, reminded him of kids in Shurton idolizing the Martial Clan.
"And look at this place. It's almost like..."
"Kerruk! You're saying it looks just like a human village?"
Reglurus cut into Dane and Ian's conversation, having overheard.
"Oops... didn't mean to offend. My apologies."
Ian offered a light apology to Reglurus on Dane's behalf.
No matter that the Lichtenauer Martial Clan viewed the Mudskippers and Golden Heaven monsters as enemies, calling them monsters to their faces was another matter entirely.
"Kerruk! Forget it. It's not like we haven't been treated that way by humans before."
Reglurus waved it off dismissively.
Then, out of nowhere, he turned to Ian.
"Kerruk! Do you think I went too far?"
The question came from left field, but Ian easily grasped its underlying meaning.
"No, I don't. No matter how conciliatory the attitude, we're enemies at heart. Who could blame you for sacrificing foes to ensure your own survival?"
"...Kukuku! Kerruk, you're definitely an interesting human."
Whether pleased or incredulous with Ian's response...
Reglurus chuckled and continued.
"Not quite repayment for your solid answer, but as a token... here's a little heads-up."
Confirming Rasna was far enough away, Reglurus whispered cautiously.
"I've accommodated you as best I could in my territory so far... but to reach Haspel, you'll have to pass through the 육귀 Septimus's domain one more time. When you do."
A flicker of emotion crossed Reglurus's eyes as he gazed west.
"Be extra wary of Septimus. Among the Fiends, that one's a special kind of lunatic who doesn't talk things out."
Along with hatred, it was the look one gave an enemy.
"...Something feels off about that."
Ian tilted his head, puzzled.
"We're not sneaking into Mudskipper turf on our own. We're escorting Sea King's daughter Rasna to Haspel to protect her. What's to worry about?"
Attacking with the Sea King's daughter present would be tantamount to outright rebellion against him.
No matter how belligerent a Fiend among the Four Dragon Fiends might be, could they really pull off something that insane?
"Of course Lady Rasna has nothing to fear."
Reglurus dispelled Ian's doubts.
"They're more comfortable with blades than words, but the Fiends are still loyal vassals to Lord Zacura. They wouldn't dare lay a finger on her."
Swoosh!
"But you lot? That's different."
Reglurus's thick, rough finger pressed firmly into Ian's chest.
"As that friend of yours said, our village looks nothing like the rest of the Great Floods. There's one reason for that. I'm not your average monster."
"......?"
"I believe for the Mudskippers to advance further... even if they're enemies, we must learn from human ways. That conviction hasn't wavered once."
"......!"
The Latent Dragon Squad's eyes went wide at Reglurus's unexpected words.
Who'd have dreamed an executive of the Great Floods' premier megafaction, the Mudskippers, would advocate adopting human lifestyles?
"What's with the shock?"
Amused by their reactions, Reglurus shrugged.
"Kerruk! Think about it—it's obvious. Humans are the only single race dominating the vastest territories in Agera—most of it, even. While countless species here claw and fight over scraps. If the strong have lessons to teach, shouldn't we learn them?"
'...Makes sense.'
Rumor had it Reglurus had been quite cooperative in establishing Western Heaven in Oro. He was clearly no ordinary Lizardman.
"I hear even Ironface in Golden Heaven shares my views, unlike other orcs. If our rivals think that way... we can't lag behind."
'No wonder Golden Heaven and the Mudskippers rose to the Great Floods' top powers. Not coincidence.'
Those who adapt themselves to their environment can advance endlessly.
"That's why Lord Zacura turns a blind eye to my covert dealings with Western Heaven. But... the brutish Fiends are different."
Vigilance welled in Reglurus's eyes.
"The Fiends believe we should ditch pointless nonsense and hone only our Lizardman fighting spirit. They think Lord Zacura and the Mudskippers alone can crush any foe."
Indeed. The simplistic folly only blade-loving brutes could dream up.
"They'd never tolerate humans setting foot in their domain. Spot you moving, and without fail, they'll try to wipe out every last one of you—Rasna excepted."
Thus, Ian being Martial Clan direct lineage... meant nothing to Septimus.
"They'll see it as a golden chance to rack up merits by taking you out."
Succeed in eliminating a Martial Clan heir, and the Mudskippers' fame and influence would soar.
They wouldn't spare a thought for crumbling ties with the Clan.
To the Fiends, to Septimus, the Mudskippers were the world's strongest—answerable to no one.
"...Reglurus, you're a wise Lizardman. You adapt human customs, even apologize for missteps. I doubt you'd raise this without a plan."
Ian, having quietly heard the warning, asked.
"You know a way around it, right? A path skirting that mad dog Septimus."