Chapter 140
Chapter 140
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: The Chieftain's Battle
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With Lilia's death throwing Azelan into chaos, Mad Castle found itself with some breathing room.
“We've bought some time for now.”
“It's more than just buying time.”
At Wang-sik's words, Kang Il-seop brought up a screen displaying gate occurrence statistics from around the world.
“The number has halved in just three days.”
It was the first time the endlessly surging frequency had dropped so dramatically. Analysts across the globe were scrambling to understand why.
In reality, it was because the Magic Tower was stirring up so much trouble on the continent that gate formations were being delayed.
“Any news on those Barak bastards?”
“We lost the ones who entered Korea. Other countries have captured some, but it seems they haven't yielded any useful information.”
Kang Il-seop displayed a summary on the screen.
Photos of the individuals captured in various countries appeared, but Wang-sik didn't recognize anyone.
“A few things have come to light from this investigation, and it's not looking good. Their operations have shifted to a cell-based structure, and everyone besides the leaders has been brainwashed. Their memories are erased, turning them into slaves who only follow orders.”
With no memories, capturing them yielded nothing.
“And that's not the only problem.”
Dozens of photos appeared on the screen again.
“These are people who were reported missing.”
“Reported missing...?”
“We suspect they were abducted. Then brainwashed.”
Anger flared in the expressions of Wang-sik and Sa Seon-gi.
Having been abducted themselves in their youth, their reaction was instinctual.
“We need to find them quickly.”
“We do. But there's a limit to what we can do on our own. After all, we've handed the initiative over to the Royal Club for now.”
Even if they wanted to act directly, their reach was limited in Korea.
Perhaps in Russia or New Zealand, where they had strong ties, but elsewhere, the Royal Club left them no room to cooperate.
“It seems they lost all of them in Africa.”
After the last incident, the African nations preferred Mad Castle over the Royal Club. They had requested cooperation, but their own losses were so great that no immediate results could be expected.
“It can't be helped. At least no major gates will appear for a while, so let's focus on what we need to do.”
Everyone knew what the next plan was.
Naturally, their gazes turned to Oh Min-jae.
“It's time.”
It wasn't the time Oh Min-jae had hoped for.
“Aisi's skills are more than enough now.”
Aisi, who had been training alone, was now venturing into Stage 6 areas.
In fact, Wang-sik had tested her just yesterday and got the impression she had surpassed S-rank boss monsters.
Despite that, Oh Min-jae was overcome with worry.
“Just give me a few more days.”
What must it feel like to send your lover into a fight from which there is no retreat?
The chieftain's battle ends only when one side dies or gives up. But it was said that no one had ever given up in a chieftain's battle before.
A race that inherited the souls of beasts, they would not surrender until death when fighting for the pinnacle of their tribe.
“Hoo.”
No one there could truly understand how Oh Min-jae felt. They could only guess.
“You can go ahead.”
Oh Min-jae replied to Wang-sik's words.
“It's fine. I need to hear this too.”
Oh Min-jae knew what Wang-sik was about to say. He knew it was out of consideration for him, but he strictly separated his public and private life.
“Alright. You can leave anytime if you feel uncomfortable.”
After speaking to Oh Min-jae once more, Wang-sik turned to Han Young-im, who had been listening quietly until now.
“How are the preparations for the production workshop coming along?”
“We can start anytime, as long as we have the artisans. If we're building it in Azelan, I'll create a special team. That can also be ready within a week.”
Han Young-im had already finished her preparations.
*'Is it finally starting?'*
The person who most eagerly awaited the production of armaments was none other than Han Young-im.
Currently, the Guseong Gate Exchange's market share was barely holding at twenty percent, and at this rate, the outlook wasn't bright.
*'This is the one shot that can turn everything around at once.'*
Her plans went beyond simple facilities; she had already laid out a strategy for branding and sales.
Literally, all they needed were the artisans.
“While the Magic Tower is fumbling, we'll focus on bringing the inhuman races to our side.”
Wang-sik explained the next phase of their plan.
“Building the workshop is just a small part of it. Our real goal is an alliance of the inhuman races. Once Aisi becomes chieftain, we'll relocate the beastkin to the Decartes Mountains, so we need to make the basic preparations.”
“The beastkin are moving first?”
Wang-sik answered Min Ha-na's question.
“We'll do it together. That's the best way to avoid the Empire's eyes. It means we're going to be busy. There's a lot to prepare.”
Without a single doubt about Aisi's victory, they began to decide on the next steps.
They knew it would make Oh Min-jae uncomfortable, but the preparations were essential. Oh Min-jae knew this too, which was why he stayed.
After a long time reviewing their various plans, Oh Min-jae returned to the Decartes Mountains.
He contacted her using a communication crystal, and a short while later, Aisi returned to the Armored Spider's nest.
Entering the nest with the sunlight at her back, Aisi looked as beautiful as a goddess to Oh Min-jae, as she always did.
“You've worked hard.”
“Consort, you don't look well. Is something wrong?”
He was used to the beastkin title by now.
“I think it's time.”
Aisi immediately understood what that single phrase meant.
“Are you worried?”
Aisi asked, meeting Oh Min-jae's gaze.
“I am. Honestly, my heart is pounding so hard I feel like I'm going crazy.”
Aisi didn't mind Oh Min-jae's worry. She pulled him into a tight embrace and said.
“Don't worry. The thing you're worried about won't happen.”
“That's right. Aisi has never lied.”
“And you have never lied to me, Consort.”
The two looked at each other.
“When this is over, I'm going to propose to you.”
“Are you telling me that in advance?”
“Yes. So please, be safe.”
Oh Min-jae wanted to say more, but he held back.
Three days passed.
Aisi dedicated that time entirely to Oh Min-jae. It was time to give her beloved the strength to wait.
“Let's go together.”
“I'll go alone. I have to.”
She was on her way to the chieftain's battle. An outsider could not accompany her.
Even the happiness of the past three days was little comfort in the face of their parting.
Aisi looked into Oh Min-jae's eyes and said.
“I will return and accept your proposal, Consort. Please wait for me.”
Her expression was serene.
Even as she left for a battle to the death, she showed no sign of tension or fear.
Only then did Oh Min-jae realize.
*'She's not the same Aisi I first met.'*
The pitiful child trapped behind bars.
The girl who had lost her way and pleaded for help was gone.
She still had a delicate appearance, but her inner self had already become a warrior accustomed to life-or-death struggles.
Realizing this, Oh Min-jae felt a little relieved. And he belatedly remembered what he needed to say.
“You don't have to rush. I'll wait for you until you come back. No matter what happens, or how long it takes, just come back. Understood?”
Oh Min-jae said this, worried she might rush because of him.
“Yes. I will.”
Aisi kissed Oh Min-jae and stepped back.
“We don't even get a chance to say goodbye.”
“Aisi, are we invisible?”
Wang-sik and the others, who had been waiting to see her off, could finally say their goodbyes.
“I've come this far thanks to all of you. I will definitely return.”
Her return would mean she had become the chieftain.
Instead of saying more, Aisi bowed her head in the Korean way.
“Just fight like you always do.”
With Wang-sik's final words behind her, Aisi left the Decartes Mountains.
Her destination: the Mierba Mountains, on the western side of the continent.
The land of the inhuman races.
Back in Magit, Oh Min-jae could see that while their numbers had decreased, there were still mages scattered throughout the city.
With a heavy heart, he walked silently with his gaze lowered when someone blocked his path.
“Show me your identification.”
He looked up to see a mage in a white robe.
From the emblem on the robe, he could tell the mage resided on the third floor or below. From the fourth floor up, special emblems were added to the robes.
“I'm the head of the Mirje Trading Company.”
Oh Min-jae stated his identity and tried to walk past.
Most people knew the head of the Mirje Trading Company was on good terms with the Magic Tower, so he thought that would be enough.
Besides, the investigation through Sodovan was already finished, so there was no need for further involvement.
“I asked you to show me your identification.”
It seemed the mage didn't believe him, likely because he looked so young.
Many people were surprised by the young and slight appearance of the continent's top merchant when they met him in person.
As usual, Oh Min-jae tried to avoid trouble and reached into his pocket for his identification. But before he could even fully extend his hand, the other man snatched the ID card away.
That was the end of Oh Min-jae's patience.
“What do you think you're doing?”
The inspecting mage was surprised by the identity on the card, and then doubly surprised by the change in Oh Min-jae's expression.
“I asked what you think you're doing.”
Oh Min-jae exploded.
His mind was already in turmoil with worry for Aisi, and this rude mage had just lit the fuse he had been desperately trying to keep in check.
“Th-that is...”
“I asked who the hell you are to stop me so rudely.”
Oh Min-jae's fury caused a commotion.
“Company Leader!”
In Magit, aside from the Magic Tower, the Mirje Trading Company was the largest employer. Hearing their leader's shout, one employee started it, and soon, people began to gather in an instant.
The mage who had blocked Oh Min-jae couldn't help but be flustered. Then another mage, noticing the commotion, approached.
“What's going on?”
It was a mage with a vertical stripe on his robe.
Mekanti, a fourth-floor mage.
He was the one who had first come to Oh Min-jae when he was selling magic ingredients.
“Master of the Mirje Trading Company?”
Seeing Oh Min-jae's furious face, Mekanti realized something was wrong.
“What happened?”
Before the flustered mage could answer Mekanti's question, Oh Min-jae shouted.
“Just because I did everything you wanted, you think I'm a pushover?”
“I-I'm sorry.”
The mage apologized, but the situation wasn't going to end there.
“Company Leader, what on earth is...”
Oh Min-jae snatched his identification card back from the mage's hand.
“From this moment on! All members of the Mirje Trading Company will refuse all requests from the Magic Tower!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Yes, sir!”
At Oh Min-jae's command, the employees answered in unison and bowed their heads.
As they received the best treatment of any trading company, their pride and affection for Mirje were immense.
Moreover, since Oh Min-jae had never once raised his voice like this, the employees were more tense than ever.
As Oh Min-jae tried to leave them behind and continue on his way, Mekanti couldn't stop himself and grabbed his arm.
In response, Oh Min-jae glared at Mekanti with fierce eyes.
“Mage, I suggest you stop.”
It wasn't Oh Min-jae who said this.
It was the employees of the Mirje Trading Company.
They blocked Mekanti's path.
Just moments ago, they had been the most cooperative in all investigations.
But with a single word from their leader, the atmosphere had become charged, as if a fight could break out at any moment.
From Mekanti's perspective, this was absurd, but watching Oh Min-jae's retreating back, he was powerless to do anything.
After Oh Min-jae had left, Mekanti glared at the mage who had caused the problem.
“Listen carefully. If I have to take your head to appease the Master of the Mirje Trading Company, I will.”
The mage, who had been so confident when he stopped Oh Min-jae, was now trembling so much he couldn't even manage a proper reply.