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Chapter 1: Overconfidence
THE Accursed Lands—the forest where Takuto Ira and Atou awoke and welcomed the Dark Elves—was located in the southern half of Idoragya. The inhabitants of Idoragya often referred to this vast, inhospitable land, with its deep, secluded forests, as the Dark Continent. Named as such because it was too barren to support life, with little capacity for agriculture and husbandry. Life there was hazardous for the savage Barbarians and humanoids unlucky enough to call it home. Calling it the Dark Continent was a derogatory term that succinctly expressed its unwelcoming nature.
But even the harshest regions can become an irreplaceable home for those who overcome the trials of the land and learn to live hardy lives despite the odds.
In one corner of this Dark Continent, home to diverse races and even more diverse peoples, exists one of its most powerful nations: Sutharland. A sea-loving nation whose territory includes the coastal region, small islands, and reefs at the easternmost edge of the continent.
Dwarves, a race distinct for their small stature and physical strength, called Sutharland home. Given the Sutharland Dwarves’ dauntless and blithe nature, the current state of panicked chaos they found themselves in was surreal.
“Pure madness, I say! We’re talking ’bout evil incarnate ’ere! I want those northern blighters as dead as any Dwarf does, but I ain’t joining ’ands with no evil god to do it!”
W̄ е̌ b n о̌_v̆ё l̂ Е̃ n̄ ů ṁ а́
“Then what do ya suggest instead? Ignoring ’em ain’t gonna stop ’em from marching on down to our borders next. We ain’t got the time to be twiddling our damn thumbs. Or what? Ya really wanna push for us all to board the ships and flee with our tails between our legs like ya did last time? Well?”
“Yer the bugger who mocked me sayin’ we’re doomed no matter what we try…”
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In a cramped, crowded conference room, saturated with the pungent smell of alcohol and seafood, the Dwarves seated in a circle exchanged vulgar insults and spittle. They were the “Commodores,” the leaders of the Maritime Nation of Sutharland. The top leaders of the Dark Continent’s most powerful maritime nation had gathered for this meeting.
One person sat cross-legged a short distance from the circle, watching the endless squabble. Tonukapoli, one of Phon’kaven’s Staff Holders, towered conspicuously over the Dwarves in the room.
Spirits, how long do these drunkards intend to keep this up? the cow-headed woman wondered, watching the commotion from afar. Losing interest, she let out a long, drawn-out sigh, closed her eyes, and began meditating.
Naturally, the Dwarves were aware that the elderly cow-headed lady, the Staff Holder they had explicitly invited all the way from Phon’kaven, sat in attendance at their meeting. They also understood their volley of foul-mouthed insults would only sully their country’s good name and invite other nations to lose respect for them. But knowing about a problem and doing something about it were two entirely different things. Nothing could stop a gathering of hot-blooded, rowdy Dwarves once they got started—especially when it was a gathering of Commodores.
Е̂ núṁа̊
The only way to end their bickering was for them to grow tired of the endless quarreling, or for the barrels of alcohol prepared for the gathering to run dry.
The alcohol ran out before their patience this time…
“Cool yer jets, blokes. Gettin’ angry isn’t gonna give ya any good ideas… On that note, Admiral, I know ya got a contact with the Elves. So? Learn anythin’ from ’em?”
The conversation was finally making progress.
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In Sutharland, there were no groups organized by clan or race, as was common in other nations. Instead, there were associations called “Fleets,” which were a kind of commercial guild. Every fleet competed with the others, sometimes cooperating, and competing fiercely to run the mighty nation of Sutharland. The representative of each fleet was the Commodore, and the one with the most influence among the Commodores was the Fleet Admiral.
Fleet Admiral Doban was the Dwarven leader with the largest fleet and the boldest attitude. In other words, he was the de facto Commander of Sutharland. He was daring and resolute, possessed excellent judgment and decisiveness, and plenty of grit. Plus, he could drink any Dwarf under the table. Even though Doban was widely considered to be the ideal Fleet Admiral, the problem currently plaguing Sutharland was beyond even his ability to handle.
Ӗn̄ u m̌ ā
“Ya scallywags are losin’ yer edge, thinkin’ ya can get information outta me for free! Or that’s what I’d say if things weren’t so dire this time ’round. I’ve gotten my hands on some interestin’ news.”
The Commodores quit yapping and raptly lent an ear to what the Fleet Admiral had to say. All the foolish ruckus ceased, the scene now one of veteran warriors, intent on securing their own interests and those of their country.
“Ya remember that All-Faction Conference thingy? Pisses me off just sayin’ it, but our prediction was as right as an Easterly wind. Those outlanders took the wheel and steered things like they own the damn world. Phon’kaven and Qualia just sat there and took it like a whipped cabin boy. Only refreshin’ bit of news was hearing that those bloody long-ears were no better off than the rest!”
Doban already knew the results of the All-Faction Conference—a rigged game held under the guise of deciding the future of Idoragya. The Sutharland Dwarves were merchants by nature, and their information network could not be underestimated. But the haughty inhabitants of the Lawful Continent didn’t give a jot about the Dwarves and paid them no mind whatsoever.
Meanwhile, if there was business to be had, Dwarves loved to jump in with both feet, and it’s the nature of fools, regardless of race, to become loose-lipped when they catch wind of money. Ply the right fool with enough money and information flowed faster than a raging river. Then again, there will always be problems that can’t be solved with information, and there are often times when ignorance truly is bliss.
The information that Fleet Admiral Doban obtained this time, by mobilizing all of his personal connections, assets, and money, was the kind you were better off not knowing.
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“This is a kraken-sized problem just hearin’ will get yer blood boilin’. Like I said, the conference ended off worse than a skiff caught in a squall. Not that anybody with a brain thought it’d go well. Now all the nations are left to act as they please, but the catch here’s that those northern blighters have firmly joined forces. Callin’ themselves the Lawful Continent Alliance, if you can believe it. Ha! They’re like a supercharged cannon now!”
The Commodores scowled at the news.
Tonukapoli’s eyes snapped open with great interest. While this information would eventually become known throughout the Dark Continent, it was surprising that Sutharland, the furthest away geographically, had learned of it so soon.
“So? What happened with the King of Ruin, Doban? He’s at odds with ’em holy nations. No way he’s gonna stand for this alliance, yeah?”
“Not even my contact could get a solid lead on that. Heard there was a huge scuffle, but everybody’s keepin’ a lid on what went down.”
Sighs of disappointment filled the room.
Ẃ ë b̆ ń o v е l̃ Еn.ůmа̊
The King of Ruin—and by extension, the evil empire of Mynoghra—was Sutharland’s last hope. Mynoghra’s king had the potential to defeat the holy nations and the peculiar beings with mysterious abilities that had been amassing power recently. Because Mynoghra was an evil nation, the risks of negotiating with them were immense, but even so, the Dwarves couldn’t just rest on their laurels and watch the situation unfold.
After all…
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We can’t let the outlanders run rampant in our land again… Doban gritted his teeth.
Indeed, the Sutharland Dwarves had already made contact with the Players and the Succubus Army. Masato Kigou was a Player operating out of Sutharland before the RPG Hero Yu defeated him. Two fleets were lost because of his antics. The Commodore of one fleet was killed in battle, and the other took responsibility and hung himself.
The Dwarves hadn’t forgotten this loss, and no one was foolish enough to speak of it with an outsider in the room. Although their quarreling and drunkenness might lead one to believe otherwise, the Sutharland Dwarves were actually the most wary and aware of the threat the outlanders posed.
“Son of a codfish. Life woulda been a helluva lot easier if the King of Ruin had slaughtered those harlots. So, what’s the king doin’? Surely he didn’t end up getting killed at the botched conference like some kinda bad joke?” one of the Commodores asked.
Е̇ ñ uma . і́ d
There was little information available about the King of Ruin. None of the Commodores had attended the conference and they lacked the intricate details, so it wasn’t difficult for them to jump to conclusions.
But then came the voice of someone who did know.
“I’ll fill in the gaps there.”
Tonukapoli finally rose to action. Her objective was to add a new ally to the alliance between Mynoghra and Phon’kaven. No, to form a new military alliance with Mynoghra as its leader. She had come to lay the groundwork for that.
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“Ah, if it isn’t Granny Tonukapoli… Right, we invited ya, didn’t we? Sorry. I forgot!”
“Instead of wasting your time on poor-quality jokes, you should be putting that alcohol-saturated brain of yours to work, Admiral.”
Е n̂ ǔm a. і̀ d
Doban welcomed the cow-headed Staff Holder to the table with a satisfied grin. This meeting was held in large part for her. Phon’kaven was the closest nation to the mysterious empire of Mynoghra, and Tonukapoli was closer to them than most among her rank. Her words were needed more than anything to decide how Sutharland would steer its course.
“You don’t need to fuss about it,” she said, addressing all the Dwarves. “The King of Mynoghra is alive and well. But this is still a matter that concerns the continued survival of your nation. Of all our nations. Putting it in terms you people understand best, it’s an emergency that could halt all trade for good.”
“But will makin’ a move together actually make a difference? Ya might not’ve experienced it for yerself, but the enemy’s strength is on another level.”
“Those bloody outlanders are…beyond us. We can’t do a thing ’bout ’em.”
No one criticized the two Commodores for having their reservations. This was how the Dwarves felt as a whole. The vast difference in military strength between the two sides was hopeless. From what little they gleaned of their enemies’ forces, it seemed foolish to even try. If the size difference of their armies wasn’t damning enough, they were up against opponents with unreasonable abilities.
Even Sutharland, the most powerful nation on the Dark Continent, was ultimately nothing more than a settlement of uncivilized savages to the northern holy nations. They would be less than ants to those with special abilities…
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It was true that Sutharland had sought help from the empire of Mynoghra. But the situation had changed. With all the nations of the Lawful Continent and the powerful outlanders joining forces, the Dwarves naturally assumed the King of Ruin stood no chance of winning.
But Tonukapoli cut down their assumptions.
“Get the wax out of your ears and listen up, you drunkards. Let me explain the situation first. The King of Ruin, Takuto Ira, has cast a giant barrier over the Dark Continent.”
Admiral Doban gave her a quizzical look. He had no intention of doubting that this unbelievable event had occurred. He’d already experienced the outlanders’ abilities enough to know they were capable of doing such things as easily as breathing. A different reason caused his puzzled expression. Why did the King of Ruin do such a thing? Did something inconvenient happen that had prevented him from settling matters on the spot? Doban was reluctant to decide with so little information. He deliberately acted ignorant to elicit more information.
“Huuuh? Does that mean we can’t take to the seas no more? That’d doom our trade. Is the King of Ruin tryin’ to harass us, or somethin’?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Tonukapoli snorted. “It’s to protect our side. It’s a barrier of unfathomable power, seemingly capable of preventing Mynoghra’s enemies from invading Mynoghra and allied lands. Those nasty special abilities can do nothing to break it. Spirits be, it really does overturn everything I know about magic.”
Ẃ ěb n̈о̂ve̊ l̄ Е̄n ü m̄ а̂
Well, that was an interesting tidbit. Now it was confirmed that Mynoghra had avoided a decisive battle at the conference. Considering Tonukapoli had accepted their invitation and traveled all the way to Sutharland, odds were high that they needed to bolster their military. Fleet Admiral Doban’s intuition, honed through all kinds of trade deals and endless battles with sea monsters, proved to be mostly spot on.
“I see. With this barrier up, those Qualian Paladins and bloody Elves can’t march into our continent! It’ll keep out those rotten Succubi too! Now that’s what I like to hear! Keep the drinks comin’!”
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“You lot haven’t joined the alliance yet, have you?” Tonukapoli pointed out. “You’re getting greedy, thinking you can get a piece of the pie without working for it.”
“Ha. Can’t refute ya there. So what then? We’re the ones in the most dangerous position now. Yer people control the borderlands, so they shouldn’t be able to get us through there, but there’s always the chance they come by the ocean. What’re they after?”
“I don’t know what the Succubi will do. What I do know is that Phon’kaven and Mynoghra will be safe for the time being.”
“Hmph!”
Ën̈ ŭm̌ а
It seems Mynoghra has decided they can’t defeat the Elves and Succubi at their current strength, Doban thought, keeping his biting opinion to himself. He didn’t expect that. He’d originally assumed that there wouldn’t be much difference in strength between them.
He’d also been calculating how high a price he could charge for their services. His calculations were about to collapse from the foundation up. It was obviously not an optimistic situation.
Doban cast a glance at the other Commodores as he gulped down the last sip of his ale.
“Ya said ‘for the time being,’ Tonukapoli. How long will that barrier of yers last?” he asked. “Ya seem antsy. It won’t last forever, will it?”
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“Around a year,” she replied. “We need to unite our continent to stand up to them within that time.”
“I see. Makes sense if we’re goin’ up against the bloody whole Lawful Continent.”
Ѐ n̄ ū m̄ a . їd̆
Is the plan to build up their forces durin’ that time? Get stronger? Is that even possible? Hard to negotiate when I don’t know what they have up their sleeve, Doban fretted.
“…Can we do that?” he asked.
“We’ll do it. If we don’t, we’re all done for.”
There were so many uncertainties. The fact that they were turning to an evil entity for salvation was also a problem. But Sutharland didn’t have the resources to stand up to the Succubus Army and the Lawful Continent Alliance on its own. Sutharland’s options were limited from the start.
Sometimes in life, you have to take a big gamble.
Doban took a gamble when he took on debt to buy his first ship, and again when he ventured into treacherous waters in search of treasure. He couldn’t even count the number of times he’d set sail on a stormy day to make a big sale. Each gamble had been a risk. And he’d been triumphant with each and every one.
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Gambles should normally be avoided in business. But it was at exactly those times that Doban trembled with fear and an even greater thrill—excitement.
Doban looked at his hands. He had been drinking heavily for a while, so the trembling wasn’t due to withdrawal symptoms. Clenching his quivering hands tightly, Doban raked his gaze over his fellow Commodores. A brazen smile lingered on each and every one of their gruff faces. They had the eyes of a good-for-nothing who loved their ale as much as a good gamble.
They were all telling him to do it. Go for it. What kind of Fleet Admiral was he if he quailed in the face of opportunity?
Doban slapped his knees and returned his gaze to Tonukapoli. “The sea is our second home. We were chased from the mountains and forced to abandon our first home. It won’t happen again. If it’s to protect the seas, then we’ll give ya our lazy asses on a silver platter, Tonukapoli! Whaddya say, boys?!”
The Commodores roared with laughter and tossed around a volley of vulgar remarks. Tonukapoli exhaled another long-suffering sigh and waved her hand in acknowledgment.
“That said! We’d better give ya more than our lazy asses! I just thought of the perfect tribute!” Doban broke into a wide grin.
W е̄ bnō v е̇ l̀ Еn̂ u m̂ ӓ
“Huh? Whaddya talking ’bout, Admiral? What’s better than our rugged asses?” one of the Commodores asked, genuinely unsure what else they had to offer. It was normal for the elderly, spirited Admiral to say the most outlandish things, but this time, they had no idea what he was talking about.
The Fleet Admiral was talking it up big time. It couldn’t be any boring old tribute, that was for sure. But Sutharland didn’t currently have anything of suitable value to offer as tribute. Well, there was one thing, but it wouldn’t be of much use in their upcoming war.
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But the Commodore’s prediction was completely off the mark…in the worst possible way.
“Oy, Bruno!! I know ya brought back a pretty interestin’ haul from your last voyage to the other continent!”
Shock swept over young Commodore Bruno’s face, leeching the red of alcohol from his cheeks as he vehemently shook his head. His reaction was no act. The eagle-eyed Commodores sensed something entertaining was afoot and they watched the proceedings unfold with wide grins.
“H-Hey! C’mon now! Gimme a break, Admiral! I went into serious debt to finally get my hands on that! I was plannin’ on raising it with care and breedin’ a bunch! My old lady will skin me alive if she finds out!”
Е̇n u̇m̄a .і̂d
“If ya die, ya can’t pay back yer debts.”
“Yer wife is gonna kill ya either way, so ya might as well spit it out.”
“A real man would keep his lady from findin’ out.”
The Commodores heckled poor Bruno. They realized that the panicking younger Commodore had planned to keep his treasure as a secret weapon for his own fleet. Unfortunately for him, he was still wet behind the ears and stood no chance against these sly old foxes.
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“What exactly are you planning on offering?”
“Dragons!” the Admiral trumpeted, as if he were waiting for the exact moment Tonukapoli asked to announce it. “And ain’t no lesser, but a bona fide Mature Dragon! We got a matin’ pair from the lands across the sea!”
W е̃.b̄ n̄ о́vе̇_l̃ Е n̆ ü m а
The Dwarves whooped with glee and drowned Bruno in their form of crude praise. Tonukapoli accidentally let her surprise show on her face.
Dragons were monsters with high intelligence and strength. They came naturally equipped with sharp claws, knifelike fangs, extreme agility, and boundless vitality. Mature Dragons could communicate with people even if they couldn’t speak, and they also possessed powerful combat abilities such as breath attacks. If they were equipped with special gear and incorporated into the army, they could become a mighty weapon indeed.
If nothing else, Phon’kaven before Mynoghra would have done everything in their power to maintain friendly relations with Sutharland once they had obtained dragons. However, dragons almost seemed trivial since encountering Mynoghra.
“Oy, Tonukapoli. We’ll use all our fleets to whip this dragon into a fighting force to be reckoned with. We might’ve moved to the sea, but our blacksmithin’ skills haven’t rusted with the salty air. A fully equipped Mature Dragon will send most people runnin’ for the hills! It’s the perfect tribute to show our strength and sincerity!” Admiral Doban declared with all the confidence in the world.
Tonukapoli had a feeling Mynoghra would be much happier if Sutharland offered their unique technology and items imported from abroad than some decked-out dragon…
“A dragon…huh?”
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She debated whether she should point that fact out, but after seeing how amped up the Dwarves were, she decided to go along with them for now.
“What? Got a problem with it? Oh! I just thoughta somethin’ good! This is perfect! Let’s have yer people spar with our dragon! That way we can see what ya bring to the table too! Might turn out that we’re the more powerful ones! Don’t ya worry, we’ll go easy on ya!”
“A-Admiral! We’ve finally just started to get ’im to behave! There’s no way we can make ’im go easy on anyone!”
“Shut up. Ya can make it work, Bruno! Ya heard him, Tonukapoli! The match is on!”
“Uh-huh. If you say so… I’ll be sure to inform Mynoghra.”
I’d better tell Mynoghra’s king to go easy on them, Tonukapoli decided.
E̊ ǹũm̀ а
The Sutharland Dwarves had become cocky since obtaining a dragon. Had they already forgotten? The wars taking place in this world were beyond mortal understanding, beyond common sense… And Mynoghra was a nation ruled by one such supernatural being beyond their comprehension.
Well, the Dwarves have never actually encountered Mynoghra. These drunkards will eventually understand that there are some things in this world normal means can do nothing about…
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They would soon encounter Mynoghra for themselves. Tonukapoli found herself eagerly looking forward to seeing what kind of faces these heartily laughing Dwarves would make on that day.
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