Chapter 131: Anuma's Sword (5)

Chapter 131: Anuma's Sword (5)

I turned Al Fahri into Anuma’s Sword, and the unification of the scattered tribes in the southwest is a foregone conclusion.

However, I couldn’t just leave it at that. T/his chapter is updated by nov(ê(l)biin.co/m

In the game, I naturally did well, but just in case. It wasn’t a success I had achieved myself.

The timing of the tribal unification was even accelerated compared to the game.

I needed to give him goals. That’s why I was thinking of laying out a long-term plan for Al Fahri.

“To be precise?”

“Let’s start with reclaiming the West in detail first. The tribal unification shouldn’t be too difficult.”

Last time, I only talked about the possibility in general terms. Since it was after I left, I had to talk about the specific goals.

It would motivate Al Fahri in the speed of unifying the tribes.

“Hmm. Aren’t you thinking too lightly of the tribal unification?”

Al Fahri frowned. He’s not wrong. The perspective of the person involved would be different.

Having to coordinate the interests of various tribes in the middle would be quite troublesome and tedious work.

However, I don’t need to be that considerate.

Honestly, since I spoon-fed him everything, it’s only right that he does the rest himself.

“The start is important. They’ll all try to stand beside you, but joining underneath is different from an alliance.”

Still, I could give some advice.

It’s a method the intelligence agency uses when absorbing an organization, and it wouldn’t change much if applied here.

“Treat the tribes that submit and join early well at first. Then differentiate their treatment. They’ll all try to join early then, without exception.”

“It’s not a problem that can be solved so easily.”

Al Fahri pouted. I know he’s not stupid. That remark means he wants me to help him some more.

Rather, he’s smart enough that it’s closer to trying to get more out of me.

“You should understand what I’m saying more or less, right? This much is enough. I’ve helped you this far, should I help more?”

Realizing that his intent was seen through, Al Fahri clicked his tongue with a disappointed look and shrugged his shoulders.

“You’re right. It’s actually enough. Thank you.”

It’s a relief that he obediently acknowledged it. I made him into Anuma’s Sword, so asking for more would be unconscionable.

He probably knows that too. He was just probing, just in case.

“Then let’s go back to talking about the reclamation of the West. It’s important that you quickly unify the tribes here. You understand?”

“Yeah. We need to enter the period of chaos from the civil war in the West to seize as much land as possible.”

As expected, he’s not stupid.

“You’ll be cooperating with the ruler of the Western Archipelago. They’ll start from the lower coastal areas of the West, and you’ll start from north of the Melain River.”

“The connection you mentioned before?”

“Right. They’re preparing to devour the West according to my suggestion.”

“But you see...”

Al Fahri looked at me with sharp eyes.

“You don’t seem to be just someone walking the path of the sword, no matter how I look at it.”

It’s a keen observation. It was an expected question. From Al Fahri’s position, it’s natural to have doubts.

The reason I didn’t correct Binsad’s words at our first meeting was to gain his trust at the time.

Al Fahri also had the potential to become Anuma’s Sword, so he went along with it, but he must have had doubts.

I already had an answer prepared.

“I understand. But it’s not completely wrong either. I am walking the path of the sword, but there are other circumstances as well.”

Al Fahri silently demanded an answer.

“I am hostile to the devil worshippers.”

“Well, I heard about that last time.”

“With just my individual power, I can’t stop them. That’s why I need forces friendly towards me.”

“...I see? Killing the Empress was surprising, but still.”

“I guarantee you, they can destroy this entire continent.”

He had a skeptical look on his face.

“Everything I’m doing is because of that. Chaotic lands are good places for them to spread fear, so it’s better for you to devour and stabilize the lands instead.”

“......”

“I know it’s hard to believe. I felt the same way. You’ll find out soon anyway. Within a few years. It could be sooner.”

“Yeah. Thanks again.”

“Pay me back later.”

“Cold as always. You must have had a hard time. Even as a son of the winds, creating a sandstorm couldn’t have been easy.”

“What’s hard about it? I did it for my own good.”

At that moment.

“Wait.”

My sense of perception detected a strange movement. Hardin Arwali was moving stealthily.

He wasn’t up to anything. At this early dawn, he was simply fleeing to survive.

Since he’s the tribal chief and the trial hasn’t happened yet, he wasn’t restrained.

It seemed he likely lost hope of surviving from our earlier conversation.

“Why?”

“Hardin Arwali is fleeing.”

“What?”

“The security must have been lax. But I understand since multiple tribes gathered.”

The security perimeter wasn’t clearly defined.

It was the day Anuma’s Sword arrived, and they even had a drinking bout in the evening. The natives always carry liquor with them on their horses.

“Those bastards......”

“No. It’s not a bad thing, rather.”

“Not a bad thing?”

Al Fahri was visibly flustered.

“Fleeing on his own means he’s a non-believer. And predicting and capturing his escape reinforces the conviction that you are Anuma’s Sword.”

“Hmm... I suppose that’s true.”

“We have to go after him. Get on your horse. He’s over there.”

I guided Al Fahri and his white horse with the winds, and simultaneously slowed down the horse Hardin Arwali was riding.

In less than fifteen minutes, Hardin Arwali was captured by Al Fahri.

The natives who welcomed Al Fahri back continued their praises with amazed eyes.

Because I had told him that as soon as he lay down to sleep, he would dream of a non-believer fleeing.

“To sense that and give chase! You truly are Anuma’s Sword!”

“Anuma’s Sword! Anuma’s Sword!”

Amidst the praises for Anuma’s Sword, Hardin Arwali was executed that dawn.

***

Since I had Hardin Arwali killed, there was no need to linger here unnecessarily.

Al Fahri led a force of about a thousand and immediately headed to the Arwali tribe.

An explanation and witnesses were needed for the death of their chief, and the other chiefs played the role of escorts.

The stated reason was uncertainty over how the Arwali tribe would react, but in reality it was just to look good in front of Anuma’s Sword.

Their chief was already killed. The Arwali tribe could not avoid the sweeping blade of judgment descending like a storm.

The trial of the Arwali tribe’s shaman didn’t even take five minutes. He was promptly executed, and Ines was rescued.

The Arwali tribe itself wasn’t immediately devoured. Anuma’s Sword must not become seen as a conqueror.

‘We have to accept those who submit and join.’

The tribe was already branded as non-believers anyway. Before long, the Arwali tribe would kneel to survive.

Regardless, there was no part for me, an outsider, to intervene in that process.

Afterward, each tribe returned to their original places, spreading word about Al Fahri in the southwest.

Some time later, when Anuma’s Sword’s fame had spread throughout the southwest, I was able to meet Ines near the Patrac tribe.

“Long time no see.”

“It’s been a while, Carlyn.”

But Ines’ expression when we met seemed quite serious. Not quite solemn, but rather... closer to worried.

I was going to ask about the prophecy, but the atmosphere didn’t easily allow me to broach the subject. Instead, Ines continued speaking.

“Be careful. Right now, darkness is approaching your vicinity.”

Author's Thoughts

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