Chapter 139
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 139
The rumors Turan had sown among the survivors of Arabion months ago were bearing fruit far more effectively than he had anticipated.
"White Elves have taken over the upper echelons of Arabion? What kind of utter nonsense is that?"
"Don't just dismiss it. Think about it seriously. Take Elder Lin, for instance. Doesn't he seem like a completely different person compared to his youth? It wasn't a natural change, either—it happened abruptly, about a hundred and fifty years ago."
"Hmm, now that you mention it..."
"I thought it was ridiculous at first, too, but the more I look back on old memories, the more suspicious things I find."
These were the elders of vassal families or those from the main branch who, despite their age, lacked the capability to lead and remained on the fringes of power. Having grown up alongside some of the Possessed Vessels, they took the rumors Turan had planted quite seriously.
As they noted, there were indeed cases where people had changed so drastically and strangely that it defied explanation. In truth, a lie is far more effective when subtly woven into the truth rather than being fabricated from scratch.
Naturally, with such internal strife simmering, it was difficult to mobilize an army. Furthermore, since Kadram—the Family Head’s most active confidant—had fallen in battle, Arabion had effectively become a headless giant. The situation had deteriorated to the point where civil war seemed inevitable.
Had Turan’s body been whole, and had he been aware of this chaos, he might have intervened to trigger a full-scale conflict. If he had put Meisa forward, her legitimacy would have been second to none.
Unfortunately, Turan had no way of knowing the internal state of the Arabion camp. A mere vassal family like the Berks couldn't possibly maintain spies capable of such a mission, and if Turan were to infiltrate Arabion himself, he wouldn't be able to defend against attacks from other factions.
As the vassals openly rebelled against an Arabion that lacked a focal point, a single transcendent figure emerged.
"F-Family Head."
"Yes. Do I still look like a White Elf to you?"
Badal Arabion.
The eyes of the old man, now over four hundred years old and with death looming, gleamed fiercely. His posture made his recent frailty seem like a lie. The man lying amidst the ruins pleaded toward the lord looking down at him.
"I... I harbored foolish thoughts. Please..."
Before he could finish, lightning erupted from Badal’s hand and incinerated his body. After the blinding flash passed, only a pile of ash remained.
"There shall be no more traitors in this land."
At the Family Head’s declaration, everyone bowed their heads fervently, praising Arabion and the descendants of the great Thunder Lord. Whatever they thought inwardly, they showed outward submission to that overwhelming power.
*
It took about three weeks for the Family Head to personally suppress the rebellion.
Just as the Dakein Plains were beginning to stabilize, Arabion sent an envoy to Carmine, which had been preparing for war until recently. Thanks to the envoy riding the family’s fastest magical beast without rest, it took less than five days to arrive.
"A peace treaty?"
"Indeed."
"I heard things weren't going well for you lately, but is there any reason we should do you a favor?"
Rodor Carmine, the Head of the Carmine family, lightly incinerated the letter he had been handed with an incredulous expression.
Until just a moment ago, Arabion had been picking fights and acting as if they were ready for war. Now that their own circumstances had soured, they wanted to call it off? War wasn't child's play.
Of course, having lived for so long, they had long since come to view politics and war as a form of entertainment, but that didn't mean they would simply let things slide. Faced with Rodor’s attitude, the envoy, Elder Lin Arabion, spoke with a solemn face.
"Aside from the document I just gave you, I have something else to say. May I request a private audience?"
"Fine. I'll allow it. Everyone, withdraw."
"Will you be alright, my lord?"
"As if a brat like him could do anything to harm me."
Lin Arabion was one of the strongest among Arabion’s elders and a veteran of war, but he was an old man over three hundred years old. In contrast, Rodor possessed the immense mana befitting a Family Head, and his physical age was still in the mid-thirties. Considering that age and physical health were crucial factors even in battles between mages due to reflexes and stamina, there was absolutely no chance of anything happening.
A moment later, once they were alone, Rodor created a sphere of light to illuminate the surroundings and asked, "What are you thinking? Surely you aren't going to appeal to our shared origins all of a sudden."
The conversation starting now was not between a Family Head and an Elder of Great Families, but between strangers from a far-off place. At this, Lin straightened his back and looked Rodor in the eye.
"Our secret has been exposed."
"To whom?"
"A bastard of the Zahar bloodline named Turan. He’s currently building his own power in Kalamaf within the Gray Zone. We must crush him before he grows any further."
"Turan? Ah, I’ve heard that name..."
Rodor pondered for a moment before remembering where he had heard it. Hadn't Jujak—no, Talis—mentioned that the boy was his grandson?
"But isn't that excuse a bit weak? Any one of you could go and crush the resistance of mere natives."
"He isn't at that level. He’s already strong enough that even I would struggle to face him alone. He even has two companions of similar strength, and he can use soul magic. Rom was already captured before he could escape."
Rodor was momentarily speechless at Lin’s explanation. Usually, when Possessed Vessels like them revealed their true power, ordinary nobles were crushed like bugs. And yet, one of them had actually been captured? Unable to believe it, he voiced the first thought that came to mind.
"Did your leader pull some strings to create him? There's no way an individual with that much power could be born naturally."
"I figured you’d think that. Naturally, the answer is 'no.' We already invested all our resources into creating Meisa. That guy is a naturally occurring variable."
Rodor fell into thought, stroking his short beard. A natural mage powerful enough that even Possessed Vessels like them couldn't easily defeat him? The heart he thought had long since died began to throb at the prospect of an unknown entity that hadn't appeared in thousands of years.
"Well, I get the gist of it. So, what’s the price?"
"The price?"
"From what you've said, it seems this guy is only baring his teeth at you and Baraha. It doesn't seem to have much to do with us. Your circumstances are your own, and since you picked the fight first, you should pay the price."
The wrinkles on the Arabion elder’s face contorted at Rodor’s words. He had always been an eyesore with his habit of calling himself a lawyer and acting superior, but Lin hadn't expected him to try to profit like this even in a situation that threatened them all.
"...Are you really going to act like this?"
"Yes, I really am."
After a brief silence and a staring contest, it was Lin who looked away first. It was the result of the difference in their status and the difference in the physical vitality and mana of the bodies they occupied.
"Fine. I will speak to our leader. Separately, I would also like to ask for your help."
"From us? What about Caesar?"
"I already suggested it, but he was quite lukewarm."
"Doesn't he suspect you guys are putting on a show? You’ve done that kind of thing often enough."
Rodor saw Lin’s awkward cough and knew his suspicion was correct. How could someone be so easy to read despite living for thousands of years? There was a reason that guy had chosen Rom—or Kadram, as he was called lately—as his confidant instead of the idiot in front of him.
By the way, so Caesar decided to stay on the sidelines.
He understood the thoughts of Caesar, the ruler of Zahar. Everyone knew how devious that guy was, ruling over both Arabion and Nagin. His personality, which had led to him being constantly called out as a scammer on the forums, wouldn't have changed just because he had reigned as a god for thousands of years.
He sneered inwardly and gave a light wave of his hand.
"Anyway, I’ve heard enough. I’ll put the help on hold, and since you say it’s a matter concerning all of us, I’ll accept a reasonably modest price. You may leave now."
"...Thank you."
"Ahem, where are your manners before a Family Head? You should say, 'Thank you, my lord.'"
"Thank you... my lord."
Lin replied in a tone that sounded like he was spitting out the words in response to the mockery. As he turned and left, Rodor, left alone, whistled softly. It was a melody from a distant memory that did not exist in this world.
To think the problem I was worrying about would be solved like this. What luck.
In truth, the Carmine family was in no position to growl at Arabion, demanding a price for a truce. This was due to the presence of the Great Sea Serpent Merfolk who had been hovering around the North Sea and threatening them for some time. Although they hadn't physically clashed yet, the family’s main forces couldn't be moved from the capital, Abacha.
And yet, in a situation where a two-front war seemed inevitable, one side had asked for a truce instead? On top of that, he had acted tough and even managed to get a free meal out of it. It couldn't be better.
"Turan, Turan..."
His joy was short-lived as Rodor repeated the name he had just heard. A dangerous element, a native born in this world who dared to rise to their level and oppose them...
It seems like he’d be fun to play with, but I should probably get rid of him when I have the time.
Nip dangerous buds in the bud. That was the secret to how they had survived for the past thousands of years. The Head of the Carmine family added Turan’s name to his hit list.
*
Whoosh—
Feeling the wind brush past his ears, Turan looked out at the Gray Zone visible in the distance. It had been two days since he received the urgent news. He was currently flying north at high speed on Bije, accompanied by reinforcements sent from Lavitas.
"Are you okay, Bije?"
— I'm tired...
Inside Turan’s mind, Bije’s voice sounded faint, as if it might cut out at any moment. It was only natural. Currently, Bije was flying at full speed without rest while carrying a massive net with dozens of people hanging from it. No matter how powerful a magical beast she was, there were clear limits to her strength and stamina.
"I'm really sorry. But please, hang in there a little longer. Meisa, Solif, and everyone else are in danger."
— Okay...
With the sound of flapping wings, the ground below receded rapidly once more. Turan tried to calm his racing heart as he looked down.
Two top-tier nobles, five high-tier, fifteen mid-tier... this much force should be enough to face them.
Of course, the best reinforcement would have been the Family Head, Osel, but since he had only just recovered, he couldn't function as a significant force immediately. Moreover, if even he were mobilized, there was a risk that the Lavitas main house would be left too vulnerable. In contrast, the high-ranking nobles who had been mobilized to treat Osel were merely lacking in mana and stamina; they could simply recover while flying.
Though, in a situation like this, he was skeptical about whether they could properly recover their stamina, even if their mana was fine.
"Is it still much further!?"
"We're almost there!"
"Ugh, dammit—next time, please, let us at least go sitting down..."
One of the Lavitas nobles hanging from the net below covered his mouth and gagged, looking nauseous. It would have been nice to have the large-capacity saddle he had used when taking the Berk family over the mountains, but unfortunately, he had left it in Kalamaf, so they were using a makeshift saddle made of netting. Turan was the only one riding on Bije’s back, under the pretext of guiding her.
As they neared Kalamaf, Turan closed his eyes and used tracking magic to find Meisa’s trail.
Southwest of Kalamaf... I smell blood. Is she hurt?
A sudden surge of worry made him click his tongue, but he soon sensed Solif’s presence. The two were not very far apart. Next, he checked for Asiz, Melo, and the Berk Family Head couple; they were all in the same general direction. It seemed they were fleeing after abandoning the city.
In other words, the opponent was so strong they couldn't possibly face them.
Could it be?
There was only one such force in the current Arabion. Turan realized that the suspicion he had feared was becoming a reality.
"Have they come?"
A murmur tinged with fear scattered into the air. A moment later, Bije, carrying Turan and the Lavitas mages, flew slowly through the sky, now exhausted. Just before she reached total collapse, Turan ordered her to land.
"You did a great job, Bije. Get some rest."
— Turan, the fight...
"I'll handle things here."
If an exhausted Bije participated in the fight now, Turan would only be worried about her, which would be a distraction. Understanding Turan’s feelings, Bije soon fell asleep, dwelling within his body.
While the Lavitas mages who had landed on the ground stretched their bodies and loosened their stiff joints, Turan immediately used his active tracking magic to find his companions' locations.
"It's that way. Everyone, run!"
"Yes!"
Since hanging from Bije’s net hadn't been pleasant, the Lavitas mages wanted to rest for a bit, but they couldn't say that in front of Turan, who looked like he was about to die of anxiety. The twenty or so mages ran over the low hills at a speed faster than any wild beast.
And before long, bright light and thunderous roars from afar began to announce their presence. The battle was taking place at the border of the Gray Zone and the Western Forest, specifically closer to the forest.
"Is it over there!?"
"I'll go ahead!"
After notifying the top-tier Lavitas noble who had come with him, Turan immediately kicked off the ground and soared into the air. His body shot forward at a speed even faster than his previous pace.
Please be safe...
The fact that the tracking magic was still working meant the targets' bodies were still intact. If he were tracking the dead, a distinct scent of death would inevitably waft through unless they had only just died. Even though he knew this logically, he couldn't help but worry that something had happened to Meisa, Solif, and the others. His frantic heart was channeled directly into his magic, allowing him to fly even faster than usual.
A moment later, the battlefield came into Turan’s view.
"Aaaaaah!"
"Die! You filthy traitors!"
"Save me!"
"Just hold on a little longer!"
The first thing he saw were the Arabion mages attacking the members of the Berk family. The Berk mages, outnumbered, were huddled together in a defensive stance, but they were clearly struggling.
Toward them, Turan stopped his flight and launched a metal bead from his sling. The bead, flying along a wind path he had created as naturally as breathing, tore through the air and erupted with a thunderous roar at the target location.
"Kyaaaah!"
"Ugh!"
It was the Berk family members who screamed. Naturally, the pursuing Arabion mages were instantly torn apart by the shockwave. After a moment of confusion at the unexpected attack, their faces brightened as Turan flew forward.
"Ah...!"
"Lord Turan!"
"Thank you!"
"Where are the others moving?"
Since there was no time to receive thanks, Turan got straight to the point. The person who appeared to be the leader replied.
"They're moving toward the western canyon. We were ambushed and scattered along the way, so I'm not sure where the others are..."
"I'll handle that. For now, take refuge over there."
"Yes!"
After saving one group, Turan once again set his tracking magic to Meisa and Solif. In fact, there was no need for it to find them. It was where the most intense battle in the area was taking place.
Before long, Turan could see Meisa and Solif, literally covered in blood, engaged in a desperate struggle. And he saw the old man standing opposite them as well.
As if he had sensed Turan’s presence, the old man stopped his assault on the two and took a breath. A raspy, aged voice he had heard before seeped into his ears.
"So, I finally get to see the friend who kidnapped my daughter."
Badal Arabion, the Head of Arabion, made a joke with a humorless face.