Chapter 62
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Bullying, Stop! (4)
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It seemed they'd caught on to our scheme.
Yu-Young kept a smile plastered on her face. But that was nothing more than a mask to hide any weaknesses from the enemy. In truth, she was utterly flustered.
The power to see the future wasn't invincible. If the futures she glimpsed were absolute, the beastkin would have driven out the elves and claimed that forest long ago.
To seize the future you desired, you needed effort to match. And if a stronger external force intervened, the future would change. Like the elf standing before them now.
The position of forest guardian clearly wasn't won on a whim. In an instant, she subdued five warriors. Her swordsmanship wasn't flashy, but it was solid, infused with experience.
No matter how valiant the tiger tribe warriors were, the gap in skill was too vast. That elf was a real pain. She knew the extent of Yu-Young's power and how to evade detection.
'With that woman here, the captain must know as well.'
Had they underestimated her just because she was human? Then again, she was the captain of the Royal Knights, even if they were in decline. They shouldn't have looked down on her—they should have prepared more thoroughly.
She'd rushed ahead just like last time. A sweet future had dangled right in front of her, and she'd gotten greedy. Exactly like 200 years ago. Yu-Young steeled her resolve.
It wasn't over yet. If they could get past that woman, they could still salvage it. And they hadn't come empty-handed. Yu-Young dramatically unfurled the fan in her hand.
"I don't care for barbaric methods, but life sometimes forces you to do what you hate."
The fan swept diagonally in a smooth arc, stirring the air. The artificial wind began to spin, rapidly growing in size. Cluna responded immediately.
She drew the bow from her back and loosed an arrow. The projectile streaked through the air, trailing pale green flashes, piercing the whirlwind and embedding itself right in front of Yu-Young. Cluna spoke coldly.
"To bring the Wind Sovereign Fan, one of the beastkin nation's treasures. Are you planning to start another war?"
"Heavens, no. In this frightening world, even I need some means to protect myself, don't I?"
"You talk a good game."
The Wind Sovereign Fan—one of the Twelve Treasures said to have been divided among the founding chieftains of the twelve tribes. It was renowned for its power to command the winds at will.
Simple, yet immensely powerful and versatile. Bringing something like that on a diplomatic envoy? No matter how you sliced it, it screamed ulterior motives.
But they couldn't be certain. With the Royal Knights crumbling, monster activity had indeed surged. If they pressed that point, the elves would have plenty to counter with.
Cluna scowled for the first time and stowed her bow. The wind from the fan now shielded the warriors like armor. Arrows wouldn't penetrate in that state.
"Stealing the enemy's numbers is basic tactics in a numbers game, right?"
Even for an experienced fighter like Cluna, having her primary weapon—bow and arrows—sealed was a major blow. On top of that, the beastkin warriors were empowered by the fan.
As Yu-Young had said, the momentum was shifting. Cluna aimed to subdue without killing, while the beastkin warriors swung for lethal blows.
The difference was inevitable. And their foes weren't rabble—they were the tiger tribe, the finest combatants among the twelve tribes. Bit by bit, Cluna was being pushed back.
Still as soft-hearted as ever.
Watching the tide turn, Yu-Young reflected. It had been the same 200 years ago, during the clash between beastkin and elves. The forest guardians had all rushed to the battlefield.
Yu-Young had misjudged the enemy's strength back then, leading to defeat at the elves' hands. She'd put too much blind faith in the future she'd seen. Casualties had been minimal, though.
That was because Cluna and the guardians had focused on subduing rather than killing. Through that, Yu-Young learned Cluna never used lethal strikes.
Was it a pact with the first hero?
Or something else?
She didn't know. But from her investigations over 200 years, preparing for every contingency, Cluna never used killing blows on humans—on continentals. And it had proven true.
Of course, if she'd gone lethal, Yu-Young would have approached differently. But this was enough to overpower her. Just as Yu-Young lowered the fan, having made her quick decision—
A massive gust suddenly swept through, engulfing everything around them. And it wasn't her wind. It felt like some colossal entity flapping its wings in the sky...
And then, she saw it.
The enormous being that appeared before them.
It was clad in red hide as tough as a fortress. Its wings were vast enough to blanket the clouds. When its massive body touched the ground, the earth shook violently, unable to withstand the impact.
Beastkin instincts were animalistic. Meaning they could instinctively sense a predator stronger than themselves. Only then did the smile vanish from Yu-Young's lips.
The creature loomed overhead, gazing down arrogantly with huge golden eyes. It was a dragon—the pinnacle of terrestrial races, known also as the benevolent ones.
"Yuren? What brings you here?"
[The captain sent me. Said it might be good to greet them.]
"The captain, as expected."
Cluna nodded. Dragons were natural predators to beastkin, especially. In fact, the beastkin warriors were now cowering, tails tucked, trembling in fear.
"H-How is this...?!"
Yu-Young had no choice but to panic. Yuren hadn't been in the future she'd seen. If a dragon like Yuren had been there, she never would have started this.
But right now—
The future had changed.
As if someone had deliberately veiled it.
Soon, Yuren looked down at the beastkin and spoke.
[Cease this fighting, children.]
Dragons were called benevolent because their overwhelming strength allowed such mercy. But if you provoked a dragon's ire... all bets were off.
Yu-Young's answer was predetermined.
'Now I'm curious about that captain fellow.'
Just who was he, to set the board so masterfully?
Come to think of it, weren't they a bit short-handed?
I sat in my office, arms crossed, mulling it over. No matter how pressed we were, this was an envoy from the rat tribe—one of the top twelve. Sending just one person felt lacking.
Should I go myself even now? The thought had crossed my mind. But Cluna had talked me out of it. If the leader moved carelessly, it diminished the organization's weight.
She wasn't wrong. The Royal Knights were struggling, but we couldn't cheapen our value. Besides, none of this was free.
We had to earn it through negotiations. And if I, the current captain, rushed out first? It'd just scream desperation to them.
"One more person, and it'd be perfect."
Boom!
"Wh-What?!"
But my deliberations didn't last. A massive explosion rocked the inner courtyard. Wondering what now, I poked my head out the window. There she was.
Vice Captain Yuren—in her true form as a dragon, the strongest race on land. Right, she'd said she'd return right after the commission. Hold on a sec...
Wasn't this actually perfect? Even if retired, Yuren was former captain material. Her stepping in as my proxy wasn't impossible. Talk about timing.
"Captain! Back. It was a simple job."
"Good work. Sorry, but could you head out again right away?"
"Another commission?"
"No, we have guests to greet."
"Guests?"
Yuren tilted her head. I gave her a quick rundown of events, including Cluna going out to meet the rat tribe envoy herself.
"I see. Got it."
"Didn't spot them on your way in?"
"Wanted some sun after so long—flew high above the clouds. Missed 'em."
"Can't be helped, then."
"Finding them's no trouble. Heading out now."
Yuren strode out. Moments later, a tremendous gust tore through the courtyard. I glanced at the window. Even that fierce wind didn't shatter it.
Apparently, it was special glass commissioned from the duchy. Worth every penny of its reputation. Anyway, with Yuren joining Cluna for the welcome—
We could save some face with the envoys. Loosening my jaw, I thought ahead. When they arrived, I'd have to talk them into some support.
And while Yuren might not be the type, Cluna's hospitality would be flawless.
No other worries there, right?