Chapter 135
Chapter 135
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: Storm of Koral Sahar 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Azadin thought Sion had a terribly peculiar personality.
Were all of the Etar Bloodline like this?
‘I secretly agree that it should’ve been Aleph of the Winds summoning the storm rather than Dimia of the Flowers... but saying that out loud would just be ridiculous, wouldn’t it? Is now the time to worry about that? Looks like they came rushing out after their main base got raided.’
On top of that, hadn’t they seen Dimia after that at Count Lantariq’s castle?
“Do you think this is her doing?”
“Exactly. Because after that, a huge number of New King Scripture copies manifested. Dimia of the Flowers and Jenis collected those New King Scriptures.”
“......”
Just as Scott had told him, it seemed that inflicting suffering on the common folk caused their screams and cries to manifest copies of the New King Scripture.
But to think they’d orchestrate something like this just to manifest copies of the New King Scripture?
‘No, but how the hell do you make it rain nonstop in the king’s city?’
Azadin decided to ask about that point.
“Do you know what method they used to make it rain?”
“No idea on that. Honestly, I came out here myself when the rain first started falling on Koral Sahar...”
“Aren’t you the head of the Kora Sar Peddlers’ Guild?”
“Yeah, I am the head of the Kora Sar Peddlers’ Guild. But the real power’s with my uncle. You know Elder Sevali Etar of the council, right?”
“Ah. So the elder’s inside the city?”
When Azadin asked about the elder’s movements, Sion turned to Midiam.
“Midiam. Can we really trust this guy? He’s Arael’s little brother.”
“We can trust him.”
“You there, the little servant kid. What about you?”
“He’s not on Arael’s side. Who knows about later, but right now, at least, he’s genuinely hostile toward her.”
“Got it. If you say so, I’ll trust him.”
Sion said that and puffed out his chest.
“Herald Azadin. Rejoice. I’ll even give a low-rank herald like you a chance to earn great merit.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’ll let you join the mission to rescue Elder Sevali. It’s helping the Etar Bloodline. A glory beyond you and your servants... Hm?”
As he spoke, Sion’s gaze stopped on Zivek.
“That guy over there’s dressed like a holy knight of the King’s Church.”
“I am Zivek of Scalraves, knight of the King’s Church.”
“Ah.... What?!”
Sion jumped in surprise at those words.
“I-It’ll be fine. Probably.”
Midiam held Sion back.
“This one’s an orc necromancer.”
“Scott Macgreen.”
“And this one’s a naga.”
“Wait, why’s it suddenly self-introduction time? I’m not doing it.”
Shati refused to introduce herself, but thanks to Midiam introducing Scott and Shati, the suspicious stares aimed at Zivek, the holy knight of the King’s Church, were dispersed.
“Why are people like this here?”
“Great ambitions attract allies.”
That was all Azadin could say in response.
*********
Ismail was originally a servant of the Etar family, so he was already acquainted with the servants Sion Etar traveled with.
From talking with them, it turned out Sion Etar had already clashed with Jenis once and lost, sacrificing many Kora Sar Peddlers’ Guild members to escape.
Even so, Etar was Etar. Sion Etar had twenty servants with him.
“We’d originally planned to confront Arael’s followers around here. But if Midiam vouches for you, that changes things.”
“Sounds like you were too scared to enter Koral Sahar.”
“No, that’s not it. The details are confidential, so I can’t say.”
“What kind of confidential info?”
“I said I can’t tell.”
Sion shook his head at Azadin’s question.
“Anyway, we’re trying to rescue Elder Sevali. What do you say? You in?”
“...Of course. I’m in.”
“Good. Glory awaits us.”
Sion Etar was extremely excited.
“The way you say it makes me uneasy.”
“Glory always follows hardship. I won’t say this’ll be easy.”
Sion boasted as he spoke.
*********
As they entered the Koral Sahar region, the rain and wind blowing from far away could indeed be felt.
The river had swelled, overflowing its banks, and in the distance, black clouds towered into the sky like a mythical giant god, with lightning flashing and casting light and shadow across the plains.
“Whoa, what is that...”
“It’s still raining...”
The servants with Sion were aghast.
“We still have three days to reach Koral Sahar.”
“Rain for two weeks straight.”
“What do we do?”
Even the imperial highway built by the emperor was flooded in low-lying areas, making it hard to approach. They could go around, but with rain pouring everywhere, it was hard to gauge how long it would take.
“There’s a boat nearby that we left for repairs, luckily.”
Sion pointed to a nearby barn.
“It can’t carry many. We’ll have to leave the horses and goats here and thin out the numbers too.”
“We’ll need to pick the elites. No telling what’s going on inside.”
“Exactly.”
Sion said that and looked over his servants.
“Any volunteers?”
“Hold on.”
Azadin stopped Sion.
“If it’s elites, my companions would be better.”
“Better than Araga? Aren’t you looking down on the Etar family too much? They may be servants, but there are plenty with skills rivaling heralds. That’s the power of the storied Etar Bloodline.”
“That sounds less like something the Etar family should boast about and more like something to be ashamed of. It’s like you’re admitting you’re blocking talented people’s paths.”
“Nobly born people naturally attract followers.”
“Sounds like a twisted version of something I’ve heard before.”
“Truth be told, you should be honored just to stand face-to-face with me, a rootless nobody like you. But since Arael proved her worth, your value’s gone up as her brother.”
“I should be mad, but you’re so out of touch it’s not even anger-inducing.”
Azadin found Sion Etar’s rudeness more baffling than infuriating.
“So why should I pick my companions over yours?”
“Taking too many Araga means burning through arrows too fast. We’re taking a boat, so no horses or goats—that’s awkward. Plus, we still need the Kora Sar Peddlers’ Guild. Your servants all have peddler guild member status, right? If they travel as merchants, even Arael’s faction won’t touch them.”
“Ah?”
Sion finally seemed to understand Azadin’s point.
“I see. Fine, we’ll take your companions. They’re itching to save my uncle too. The nobility of the Etar Bloodline must be renowned even outside Araga.”
‘As if.’
Azadin thought that but didn’t say it.
“Alright. By the way, you hid a boat here? What if soldiers or refugees requisitioned it?”
“It’ll still be there. Locked with a magic seal. No way anyone breaks my magic that easily.”
“Scott.”
“Yeah.”
Scott stopped his wheelchair before the uphill path, and Shati, fed up, pushed it from behind. As soon as Scott approached the barn, the chains clicked open, and the barn door swung ajar on its own.
“Hmm. An orc, as expected.”
Orcs were known as a clever race skilled in magic, so Sion didn’t feel his pride wounded at all when Scott, an orc, undid the spell.
*********
The boat in the barn was a small cargo vessel, not very large. Considering they needed to carry food, drinking water, weapons, and more, it was impossible for everyone to board.
“To think we have to enter Koral Sahar’s raging storm with this...”
Sir Zivek felt uneasy.
The swollen river was extremely turbulent, likely due to seawater flowing backward. Seeing village debris swept up and swirling in the current, it was clear anyone falling in would never be found, not even their corpse.
“The rain leaves us no choice. We should be grateful for this at least. Sir Zivek, you’ll need to remove your armor. No telling when the boat might capsize in the storm.”
“But over there.”
Some of the Etar servants stepped forward.
“We volunteer to rescue the elder. You know our skills, don’t you, Branch Chief Sion?”
“Yes.”
“Meanwhile, this herald fellow and his lackeys...”
“Shouldn’t the kid like Ismail sit this one out?”
“Lady Midiam is too noble for such dangerous work.”
They opposed Azadin’s group accompanying them for various reasons. They genuinely seemed eager to earn merit by rescuing the elder this time.
‘I thought Arael’s claims would appeal to servant bloodlines, but apparently not.’
Arael’s assertion to change the Araga system dominated by the Five Great Bloodlines and other noble houses seemed like it would win support from the subjugated classes at first glance, but the people involved saw opportunities like this as a chance to impress their masters.
‘On the flip side, the Etar Bloodline’s wealth means they think it’s better to gain recognition from them.’
That was when Azadin was thinking that.
“So, I challenge you to a duel. Azadin.”
“Hm? Me?”
At some point, the servants’ distrust had spread to Azadin himself.
“You were spacing out, but things have already progressed that far? Why challenge me to a duel, exactly?”
“Even if you haven’t betrayed the council, you’re still the brother of the traitor Arael.”
“And, if I may be so bold, I’ve heard your skills as a herald are lacking.”
“I heard Elder Kazasa forced it through. If someone like you takes a spot we could use, and it causes issues with the elder rescue, what then?”
“And if we beat you, we could take your herald position, right?”
“...So you servants are challenging me, a herald, for my herald spot?”
Azadin asked the disgruntled servants.
“That’s right.”
“Hmm. You know that if you lose after coming at me for my herald position, I take your lives too? No complaints even if I kill you?”
“Of course.”
“You all think I’m a total pushover, huh?”
Azadin didn’t get angry at all. He saw it as a good sign, rather.
‘I thought beating up several had spread rumors of my strength, but it varies by region and class? Useful if I can exploit it.’
As seen with Calypso, who’d let his guard down underestimating him and got taken out in one shot, Azadin preferred people to underestimate him.
“Fine. We’re in a hurry, so let’s do it all at once.”
“Yes?”
“Do it all at once—what...”
In that instant, Azadin struck first.