Chapter 132

Chapter 132

“You might have heard, but we’ve been granted permission to investigate the area where Arcane Power has turned into Demonic Energy!”

The day passed while I got caught up in the excitement and bickering of the two dumplings and Bers.

When evening came, everyone gathered for dinner to discuss the recent events; it was more of a briefing session about our future actions than a discussion.

Especially regarding White Wind, who was leading the Magic Tower’s forces.

“Unfortunately, the place where the Mountain Lord was born has already been Purified, so we can only go to the remaining location in the Jatav territory.”

“You’re talking about where they’re raising these snakes, Jahukaya?”

“Yeah! Besides, we must investigate where the Jatav got that cursed jar, so it’s two birds with one stone.”

“So, we’re going to the Jatav now?”

The Inquisitor raised her hand briefly in response to Wind Wind’s enthusiastic words. She glanced at Archmage, exchanging a brief look with him.

“I don’t really mind, but—!”

“I think it would be better if we didn’t go.”

“He thinks this isn’t the best idea!”

“Why...?”

Why not? This clearly smelled like a follow-up Quest.

Everyone focused on the Archmage, who opposed the idea, except for Bers, who was too busy chowing down on her dinner to care.

“There could be Demon Worshippers there, so why...?”

“Because the likelihood is very low.”

The Archmage gestured to White Wind, who understood him and smiled.

“According to the Jatav commander we’re interrogating, the jar was left behind by an outsider who broke into the chief’s house in the middle of the night.”

“He didn’t try to kill the chief and just left that behind? Then how did they know how to use it?”

“Because that outsider didn’t just leave. He talked with the chief.”

White Wind summarized the relevant points from the Jatav commander’s statement.

“The outsider waited for the chief to awaken and then started talking to him. The chief called for help, but no one heard him before the outsider subdued him.”

“Then... did they strike some kind of deal at that time?”

“Calling it a deal would be too generous. The outsider essentially just left it there. It’s just... they didn’t kill the chief despite having the chance to, which left him uncertain about the outsider’s true intentions, so he held onto it.”

“So, they decided to use it now to get rid of it.”

“Exactly! And apparently, the outsider said to use it if it seemed they wouldn’t get chosen during Katina. The chief didn’t believe his words and just used it now.”

“...Were they trying to kill all the chiefs?”

“Who knows? We can’t say for sure. But we can't see a clear connection from what we’ve heard so far.”

Indeed. From this information alone, it seemed the Jatav had merely been used. They might have committed some sins, but in this instance, they were more victims than anything else.

“But we can’t just blindly trust the commander’s words.”

As the Inquisitor said, was that a reason to step away from this? I fixed my gaze on the Archmage.

It was pretty unlikely that White Wind would’ve rejected going there, so I was sure this was solely his decision.

“You’re right, Inquisitor. However, this matter doesn’t necessarily have to involve you.”

“But...”

“I have already contacted the Temple. The Magic Tower also has sufficient personnel. But what about us?”

“What’s the problem with us?”

“This isn’t an immediate issue, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t an issue. Have we even had proper rest?”

As expected, it had been the Archmage's decision. His reasoning was very sound as well.

“I’m not talking about a day or two of rest. I’m referring to the past few months of our journey. Have we ever had a chance to fully relax?”

Well... in a game, there was no need to include rest periods—the game itself was supposed to be a leisure activity during downtime, and the player could take breaks whenever they wanted—so I hadn’t really considered it, but realistically speaking... Yeah. It wasn’t like it wasn’t about time we took a rest, but rather, we should have taken one a long time ago.

Indeed, while brief breaks could help us manage our physical fatigue to some extent, we shouldn’t underestimate the mental strain.

Even our usual breaks were often insufficient to recover our stamina. Despite repeatedly risking our lives, we only ever rested for about three to four days at most.

Well, I heard I’d been sleeping for two weeks straight, but I couldn’t really count that as rest. It seemed those guys kept working non-stop during that time.

Also, there were many times when I actually didn’t get a proper rest, even if we took three or four days off. Whether I was forced to find something to do because of my character setting or an incident occurred that forced me to set aside rest.

Now, it really was high time for us to take a proper break.

“We need to rest so we’re ready to do things only we can do.”

The only problem was whether my character would cooperate.

“...I agree.”

At that moment, Deb was the first to vote in favor of resting. It wasn't that surprising since he had the most physical limitations.

“Berserk isn't tired. I like fighting better.”

“Wouldn’t it be better just to clean up the other village than continue looking for fights? We can even enjoy a nice drink afterward.”

“Then Berserk will go to the village.”

Berserk was easily swayed when drinks were mentioned.

“I don't know about this...”

And the Inquisitor...

“Ah, by the way, Inquisitor, one reason I want us to rest is to check if the Demon Knight is suffering any aftereffects from the poison and if the wound near his heart has fully healed.”

“What?! Poison?!”

“I-I think resting immediately is the right choice!!”

“Hey, buddy, when did you get stabbed in the heart?”

【...? Huh?】

“Black Thunder Snake. Is there something you need...?”

I’d been thinking about this since earlier, but it seemed “Black Thunder Snake” was their nickname for me. It sounded cool, so I didn’t mind.

I stepped between the warchief and the Priestess.

“If you find a chest protector, bury it in the ground.”

I wasn’t sure if they’d taken it, but if they had, I should at least give them some advice.

After all, that item was created to save lives, not to cause harm.

I explained to the Priestess what the chest protector was without mentioning that it was essentially a bomb.

It was designed to blow up just my heart, after all, so burying it about a meter deep would be sufficient to avoid any major issues.

“And also...”

There was another reason why I’d come back.

I reached my hand into my inventory.

“Take this.”

Though I had already given away most of the shiny and pretty items, there were still some things worth giving away.

I placed the item I’d chosen into the warchief’s hand: a wooden flute.

On my way back, I’d quickly etched a snake design into it with a dagger. Since they served the Mountain Lord, I thought they might appreciate the motif.

“This is...”

> [Hehe.]

【A flute...】

The snake had said this would make for a fine gift, so it should be alright. It was because, erm, I’d overheard that he wanted to talk to me.

More precisely, it was more like he wanted to see me in action, wrapped in my Arcane Power, and talk about that. To sum it up, he just wanted to make contact with me.

“It’s from the snake.”

> [Hey. This is from you, not me.]

However, would my character even be able to hold a friendly conversation?

So, he should be content with this. Of course, to avoid breaking character, I also claimed it was from the Mountain Lord.

> [Hmm. Well... whatever. Hehe.]

I turned away, hearing the snake snickering behind me.

This time, I really was going to leave.

【Ah, wait—!】

Boom!

The dark Arcane Power surged around me, and I passed through the forest like thunder.

【He’s gone...】

【...This is my second time seeing this, but it’s still incredibly impressive.】

Meanwhile, those I’d left behind stood dumbfounded, watching this person who’d come like the wind and left just as quickly. It couldn’t be helped.

* * *

The warrior had significantly impacted this Great Forest in everything he did: his entrance, exploits, and even his exit. They were all unique to him.

【Surely, this is another story to be added to the Legend of the Black Thunder Snake.】

【Indeed.】

Yes, this only made him seem more mysterious.

The priestess watched as this person, destined to become a legend told for generations, became engraved in everyone’s hearts.

【This time, the legitimacy... of the new warchief certainly won’t be questioned. You must be pleased, Priestess Vivia.】

【Certainly.】

Appearing out of nowhere, the Black Thunder Snake had saved the people of the Serhan tribe, her tribe, resolved the issues of the Jatav and Vigabol tribes, both strong candidates for the next warchief but with various internal problems, and proved them unfit for the role.

At that moment, the Mountain Lord had intervened and appointed the chief of the Serhan, whom the Black Thunder Snake had saved, as the next warchief.

Moreover, before departing, the Black Thunder Snake left something with the Serhan chief: an item engraved with a snake.

A pattern only the warchief could possess.

【Are you pleased?】

【...Huh? Huh?】

The priestess glanced at the snake engraving on the flute, which was almost black due to its shading.

Would anyone dare challenge this story once it spread?

Would anyone dare ignore the choice of their deity, the Mountain Lord, and the Black Thunder Snake, whom their deity had commanded they treat with reverence?

【Do you like the gift?】

【Ah... Yes. I love it very much.】

With this, their current warchief would hold the strongest authority in their history.

And knowing Ekuah, he would lead the people more wisely than anyone else.

Prosperity would surely follow. An era of prosperity that could finally bring them forward into the future.

【I’m as happy as the day my mother gave me a gift.】

However, even if all of this held no further meaning, it wouldn’t matter.

Seeing that child smiling so brightly, as if he could finally let go of everything after such a long time, Vivia also gently smiled.

Ekuah’s smile alone made this flute valuable.