Chapter 186: The Beast-eared Woman Is Here
【Things seem to be taking a turn for the worse.】
System 12345 thought that if it could sweat, it would be lying in the middle of an ocean by now. It discovered, much to its shock, that Weryomahners was approaching the Holywolf Warrior.
【My host, the Holywolf Warrior, like the archmages and the high shaman, is a ridiculously powerful fellow. To make things worse, she is a warrior.】
Warriors tended to be lacking in destructive prowess compared to mages, but their ability to hunt down individual targets was far superior.
System 12345 realized that the escape path it had planned for Shu Yichao might not work.
No matter how fast you run, can you outrun a legendary warrior?
The thought of Weryomahners enlisting the help of the Holywolf Warrior sent shivers down System 12345’s spine. However, it thought that there might be a way to resolve the situation.
【Fine.】
【Since escape is no longer possible, my host, let’s confront the problem face-on. We shall conquer the Holywolf Warrior or at least leave her with a favorable impression so that she would shrug off Weryomahners’ claims. That should free us from danger for the time being.】
System 12345 issued a mission, highlighting the Holywolf Warrior’s location for Shu Yichao.
...
In Chach’s capital...
“The Holywolf Warrior is here!”
The faces of Chach’s king and officials warped after hearing the declaration.
It was one thing if the Holywolf Warrior had arrived alone—they would have to pay a hefty tribute to her, but at least it was a problem that could be resolved with money.
But the Holywolf Warrior was accompanied by over a thousand Icewolf Cavalrymen and even more mounted tribal nomads. That didn’t bode well for Chach.
“Close the city gates!”
“No, we won’t make it in time!”
The people of Chach sighed in misery as they watched wolf-eared warriors riding on massive ice wolves charging into the city and plundering everything. They barged into the markets and civilian houses, taking whatever caught their fancy and torching whatever displeased them.
These wolf-eared warriors even permitted their ice wolves to pounce at the terrified civilians and rip them into pieces. Even the minor nobles were not spared.
Some of the noblewomen strolling on the streets, who failed to escape in time, were caught and raped by the wolf-eared warriors right in front of their fathers and husbands...
The peaceful capital devolved into a paradise for arson, murder, and plunder.
“Close the palace doors!”
The Chach king, who wasn’t sure why the Holywolf Warrior had come, ordered for the palace doors to be closed before rallying his royal guards together to protect him.
The leader of the Icewolf Tribe, a young woman with wolf ears, dressed in shiny armor with a string of skulls hanging on her waist, chuckled as she watched the chaos.
“Hahaha! The world is ours! Docile lambs like you should obediently become our meal!”
She knew that the high shaman was bound to make a move after the Tangs caused such a huge ruckus, so there was no need for her to do anything.
Chach’s king understood that, but it wouldn’t have made a difference to the situation even if he had voiced that aloud. Thus, he could only grit his teeth and swallow his indignation as he tried his best to host the Holywolf Warrior and her Icewolf Tribe.
I can at least keep my head if I keep these people happy.
The Holywolf Warrior and the Icewolf Cavalrymen did enjoy the banquet, though their smiles quickly faded when they returned to their camp.
A shocking piece of news had come from the north—the high shaman was dead!
“What nonsense are you spouting?!” The Holywolf Warrior crushed her cup like a pancake.
“Khan!” Her scout raised her hand and made a vow. “If there are any falsehoods, you can drag me out and feed me to the wolves. I won’t utter a word of complaint. The high shaman is dead! Everyone in Talas saw the Tang necromancer beheading the high shaman and turning him into a zombie. The Tangs are heading our way now, and it won’t be long before they reach us!”
“Do you have proof? Did you capture anyone?” the Holywolf Warrior asked.
She couldn’t trust such a ridiculous story on a single scout’s words. How could Transoxania’s god die upon contact with the Tang army? This didn’t make sense!
If the scout had captured a Tang prisoner, she could at least interrogate them and get to the bottom of the matter.
“...” The scout nearly bit his tongue off.
Khan, what are you thinking? How am I to capture anyone?
“I couldn’t have captured anyone,” the scout replied in indignation. “The Tang army is made up of specters, which are incorporeal like a fog. Their living soldiers, if any, must be at the back of their formation. There was no chance for me to capture anyone.”
“Have you told anyone else?” the Holywolf Warrior paced around the room as she asked.
“I didn’t.” The scout vehemently shook his head.
“That’s good.” The Holywolf Warrior nodded. “Lock him up! I’ll decide how to deal with him after investigating the situation myself!”
She looked at the map and instructed, “We’ll set up an ambush here. If the Tangs are going to attack us, they will have to pass by this area. We’ll know the authenticity of his words by then.”
...
When the Holywolf Warrior departed with her army, Chach’s king wondered if he was dreaming.
Those greedy bastards are leaving after plundering for a day? This has never happened before! Are they really going to attack the Tang bandits?
He soon realized he was thinking too much.
Even though the Holywolf Warrior was leaving, the ‘respect’ she demanded still had to be paid in full.
If she didn’t receive ample tribute when she returned with her army, they would be taking the tribute themselves... though the head of the Chach’s king might be hanging on the Holywolf Warrior’s waist by then.
Sighing in frustration in his heart, Chach’s king offered the Holywolf Warrior fine wine to wish her the best of luck for her expedition. “This humble king will be praying for the Khan’s triumph!”
“Hahaha!” The Holywolf Warrior burst into laughter. “Don’t worry, I’ll return victorious.”