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Chapter 3: Encounter
PHON’KAVEN is a multiracial empire with a large Human population and unique customs. It’s uncertain when the empire was established, but it has the second-largest territory among the nations scattered about Idoragya’s southern landmass, commonly known as the Dark Continent.
Their civilization level is about one whole step behind the empires on the northern landmass, putting them at the rudimentary empire-management level of just starting to produce iron products. One of their distinguishing features is their worship of indigenous Ancestral Spirits, which is not to be confused with the Elementals worshipped by the Elves.
Phon’kaven worships the Spirits belonging to all things in nature, such as animals, insects, trees, plants, rocks, and even the very earth beneath their feet. They also practice divination using bones and animal skins.
Although their civilization level was behind the times, Phon’kaven enjoyed gradual prosperity without any conflicts despite the fact it was a multiracial empire, probably because of the idyllic atmosphere that spread throughout their territory.
Until now…
Е n̈ ǔm а.._i ď
“Hill Giant! A Hill Giant has appeared!”
Crescent Moon, Phon’kaven’s capital, suffered substantial damage from daily Demi-human attacks. They had lived so long without knowing war. While they possessed a certain level of strength, their lack of experience kept them from being strong.
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Their weapons were also crudely put together at the last second.
The outer walls were made of mud with little thought going into keeping out possible invasions, and the inner city consisted of groups of fragile buildings constructed from clay and dried grass.
They were up against Demi-human races that were hostile to all civilizations, commonly known as Barbarians. Goblins, Orcs, Kobolds, and even rare and dangerous beings were attacking Crescent Moon, threatening their right to life.
Today’s raider was the most dangerous of all—a Hill Giant.
Ӗ n̄ ǔm а̊
“Somebody tell the Staff Holders that another Hill Giant has appeared!”
“Send in the Archers! Don’t let the Hill Giant into the city!”
These Demi-humans, tall enough to tower over Crescent Moon’s houses, were ginormous humanoid monsters called Hill Giants. They had smooth, eerily inhuman-looking skin, a body of pure muscle, bloodshot, enraged eyes, and razor-sharp fangs jutting from their mouths.
Where they lacked in intelligence, they easily made up with superhuman strength. An inexperienced soldier would instantly turn into a lump of meat if struck by a Hill Giant’s club.
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Although not as strong as a Cyclops, considered the most powerful Giant subspecies, Hill Giants were still a force to be reckoned with.
Why did a Hill Giant stray from its territory to raid a Human city when they usually only hung around remote areas?
Е̊numӓ
Of course, no one had the answer to that question, and they were forced to fight whether they wanted to or not.
“Shit!” bitterly swore a Beastman who’d been put on early-morning guard duty because of his heightened sense of smell. “The mud wall destroyed during the last attack hasn’t been repaired yet! It’s gonna charge right into the city!!”
The desperate volley of arrows from the Archers on the watchtower did nothing to stop the Hill Giant’s forward march.
They were surprisingly close to the city.
It was difficult to predict where and when a Barbarian would attack even with the Beastmen’s heightened senses because they appeared at random, which was why they struggled so hard to defend themselves.
A week had already passed since the last raid.
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The mud walls destroyed by the three Hill Giants last time had yet to be repaired because of the sporadic Goblin attacks.
The Spearmen were bravely attacking to repel it, but the sheer size difference directly correlated to the difference in their strength. Dodging the Hill Giant’s strikes was the best even a race proficient in physical combat could handle—stopping the monster in its tracks was beyond them.
The Hill Giant was headed straight for the gap left by the unrepaired mud wall and Crescent Moon’s cityscape lying beyond it.
Just as everyone imagined the tragic future where the Hill Giant invaded the city through that gap and laid waste to their homes—
“Suck Grass Tendril Magic! How do you like that?!”
A young boy’s voice rang out, followed by something sprouting out from underneath the Hill Giant’s feet.
Е num̆ а . i d̈
“GRUOOOOH”
“That’s a Staff Holder’s magic! He’s here to help?!”
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The Hill Giant started struggling against something until it couldn’t move anymore. Then it fell face down on the ground as if it’d tripped. Victorious smiles spread across the Beastmen’s faces as they saw countless tendrils of long grass spring up from the ground at the giant’s feet and wrap around its humongous body like rope, holding it firmly in place.
“Be at ease, O brave Phon’kaven soldiers! Amazing stuff’s about to go down now that I, one worthy of being a Staff Holder, is here!!”
“Oooh! Master Pepe!”
The boy, who appeared at the soldier’s side from the gap in the mud wall, skipped his way over to the bound Hill Giant and hopped upon its back.
Е̌ ǹ ů ṁ а̃
“Mwahahaha! Go me! I’m too awesome! Woohoo!”
The young boy’s loud voice carried over the whole battlefield.
This boy wearing a robe that dragged on the ground, his shirt half-tucked into his shorts, was the Staff Holder the soldiers had been waiting for.
Shamans managed all religious rituals and performed Miracles in Phon’kaven. Staff Holders were the highest-ranked Shamans, making them the absolute authority and leaders.
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All twelve of the Staff Holders were beloved by the Beast and Earth Spirits and could work Miracles using their powers. They possessed powerful magic they could unleash at will and always carried a staff with religious significance only they were allowed to wield.
The people called them Staff Holders out of respect and ardor.
Еñ ŭḿа̂ . і̇d̂
Pepe was the youngest and most promising among their ranks. He was the first to rush to the aid of the struggling soldiers, brilliantly defeating the Hill Giant.
Morale skyrocketed among the soldiers with his inspiring victory and cry of triumph. Before long, enthusiastic cheers rose up from the crowd that had formed around Pepe, who was singing his own praises on top of the Hill Giant.
“Shaman! Shaman!”
“Yaaaaay! I can’t hear you!”
Unfortunately, there was still an elephant in the room, so to speak. Every soldier had forgotten a critical piece of information—that all the other Staff Holders had dubbed the boy “Pepe the Fool.”
“GRUOOOOOOOH!!!”
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“GEEEEEEEEEEH!!”
“SHAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!”
The Hill Giant, whose mobility had been sealed by the Grass Tendrils, tore off its restraints.
Pepe was bucked off its back. He was paying the price for cockily not delivering the finishing blow.
The Hill Giant’s big, bloodshot eyes locked on to Pepe rolling backward on the ground, and it moved to squash the tiny boy underfoot.
That’s when the true reinforcements finally arrived.
Ẃеb̄ nо̂v̂ĕl Ë n̆ ǔ ṁа̃
“Quagmire Magic!”
“GRAH? GRUOOOH…”
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The timing was perfect.
The spell activated at the speed of light.
The second the Hill Giant brought its foot up, the quagmire that suddenly formed under its pivot leg caused it to once again taste the coldness of the hard ground.
“Grass Tendril Magic!”
W̊е̌b̀n_оv е́ l_ Е_ṅ ú m̂ å
It was further restrained by grass tendrils. The second Staff Holder wasn’t so foolish as to let this chance to deal the death blow go to waste.
“What’re you standing around for?! Now’s your chance! Aim for the eyes!!”
“Y-Yes, sir!!”
“GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!”
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It let out a single death cry.
The arrows and spears aimed at its weak point, the eyeball, undeniably pierced the ginormous monster’s brain, bringing its life to an end.
Е ńu m̆ а̂
The soldiers looked to the newly arrived Staff Holder, who briskly walked toward them, looking mighty displeased.
This person who had a reputation for being stern and unsparing on a daily basis was an old Beastwoman with a cow’s head. She assessed the Hill Giant’s state from a distance. Once she had a quick-footed, young soldier confirm it was indeed dead, she announced this raid was finally over and praised the soldiers for their hard work.
Although it goes without saying that it wasn’t really the end for them, not with injured troops to treat and arrows to recover. There was a lot of other work to be done as well, such as disposing of the Hill Giant’s massive corpse.
And the old woman with a cow’s head, who was also the biggest contributor to this battle’s success, had another important job only she could take on. That is to say, lecturing the foolish and impulsive young Staff Holder.
“UGYU!”
“What a sorry state you’re in, Pepe! You’re an embarrassment to your role!”
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“Hmmm?! Oh! It’s you, Granny Tonukapoli!”
It wasn’t until Pepe’s head was whacked by an old, natural wood staff that he finally realized he’d been knocked off the Hill Giant and lost consciousness from the blow he took.
His newly cleared vision was filled with the sight of his fellow Staff Holder, the woman who’d been his master and teacher since he was little. Her scathing words made it clear that he was in for a merciless scolding. But a friendly smile lit his face as if he believed he had nothing at all to do with his mistakes.
“You did a good job binding the Hill Giant with Grass Tendril Magic. But what in the Spirits got into you after that? Why did you let an unconfirmed victory go to your head?! I always tell you to aim for the Giants’ weak spot and finish them off fast because their superhuman strength can turn the tides of battle on you!”
“You do…? AAAAHHHH! Y-You’re right! I totally forgot— OWWIE!”
“You fool! It’s all over if you die! Why do you always forget the most important things?!”
Wéb̈ n̆ о v̌ ѐ l̃_ Е.nůmа́
He received a second whack to the head, this one forming a big bump.
Tonukapoli was frustrated by this boy who didn’t get it no matter how many times she drilled it into his little head. She’d known him since he was a baby. He was like a grandchild to her, so of course she loved him, but she was more exasperated with him than anything else.
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Pepe was an undisputed idiot. He was about the only person in all of Phon’kaven who wouldn’t acknowledge it, which went to show just how much of a headache all the problems this troublesome youth brought to Tonukapoli.
“Aww, but Granny—”
“Stop calling me Granny! You’re a Staff Holder Shaman now, too! You’ll be pathetic forever if you keep this up!”
“Aww…buuuut…”
Ё n ǔ mа
“Besides, I’m still a young and energetic 240-year-old!!”
“Living that long makes you a super old granny—”
That last remark earned Pepe his third head-whack of the day.
◇◇◇
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AFTER finishing off the Hill Giant, Tonukapoli and Pepe came to a thatched building in the middle of the city to summarize what had happened to the other Staff Holders. The building seemed more like an old ceremonial hall than a residence or government facility.
In this quiet place lit only by candlelight, several elders thanked Tonukapoli and Pepe for their hard work.
Ӗ n ǔm̈а̀.і d̈
“You did wellll. Ahh, I’m so sorry, Tonukapoli, Pepeeee. If only we were a little younger, we could fight alongside youuuu…”
“Don’t sweat it! You guys are gonna kick the bucket soon, so you shouldn’t overdo it! Want me to massage your shoulders?”
No manners, loud, as rude as they come, and a terrible massager—Pepe the Fool’s true character was on full display. This boy was indeed one of the Staff Holders revered throughout the country. Every elder was exasperated with him and his remarkable talent for bluntly saying whatever was on his mind without respecting hierarchy.
“This boy’s still lacking in so many areassss… Oooi, Tonukapoli, what happened to your lessonssss?”
“HRUMPH! Even I’m struggling to teach this dimwit!”
“Buuut, he’s the successor we’ve been waiting forrrr. No one else had what it takes to become a Staff Holderrrr…”
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Being a Staff Holder symbolized more than just a position in Phon’kaven. People who could hear the voices of Nature Spirits, their gods, were incredibly rare and invaluable.
The fact that the elders hadn’t retired from their positions as Staff Holders despite their old age was proof that no successors had appeared for a long time. Hence, they were overcome with unexpected joy when Pepe, a boy touted as a matchless genius because of that talent, appeared.
However, it seemed his genius went so far over the line, it descended into idiocy…
“HMPH! Our country is as unlucky as they come!!”
“I agreeee…”
“Ehehe! You’re all so good at joking around!”
Е̊ñú mä .і ď
“We’re being serious, Pepe!”
Everything seemed to go over his head.
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Sure, he was talented, but it was his fatal case of having straw for brains that worried the other Staff Holders. Unfortunately, Phon’kaven was in no position to be picky about such things in their current situation.
One wrong move and lives would’ve been lost during the Hill Giant’s raid, which was why they stopped talking about Pepe to move on to more important topics.
“We’re sending you to Dragontaaaan,” one of the elderly Staff Holder’s told Tonukapoli, his cloudy eyes that could barely see opening wide to focus on her.
“Oh? You’re finally getting off your lazy asses to send help? And here I thought you were happily letting them die off after how many times you ignored their calls for reinforcements.”
W е́ b̃n о̂ v̀ е́ l̀ Е ǹu m̂а
“Don’t be a smartass, Tonukapoliiii. We’re barely keeping ourselves aliveeee…”
Dragontan was the town they had built close to the Accursed Lands. The Staff Holders had worried about its lack of defenses for a long time, but their hands were full defending the closer towns. Dragontan had been able to hold out this long because the Barbarian attacks were relatively weaker there, but it seemed they were in dire straits now.
“HRUMPH! This is what you get for greedily claiming the Dragon Vein Mine!” Tonukapoli huffed, but even she understood the Dragon Vein Mine’s importance.
They were currently researching Tactical Magic. Once they finally completed the resulting technology, it should make it possible for them to refine the powerful Earth Mana that fertilized their empire from the Dragon Vein Mine. That was why they had forced through the construction of a town in such a faraway land.
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But now, their decision had placed their countrymen in a pinch.
“What’re you going to do about things here? All our towns are barely keeping themselves alive; it’s too much to ask them for reinforcements.”
Ẁе b̊ n̈о̃v е l Еnu m̃.а
“Us old-timers will manageeee. We’re Staff Holders, even if we don’t look the partttt.”
“That sounds like something you say before you die in battle! Owwie!!”
A clean whack echoed through the hall.
Was Pepe becoming more of a fool by the elders constantly whacking him on the head? The thought crossed everyone’s minds, but they turned their attention to more important things.
They had already decided on their next move, but telling the boy and the old woman about it was distressing.
“We’ve got an additional favor to ask of you while you’re in the areaaaa…”
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“…What is it? Spit it out already. You’re making me uncomfortable.”
Tonukapoli worried her brow over the way the elders were beating around the bush. They were dragging things out even though they knew she preferred to cut to the chase. She waited for the rest, bracing for whatever ridiculous task they were going to push on her.
“According to our divination, there’s an Apocalypse-bringer in the Accursed Lands. Please look into it with Pepeeee…”
Understanding exactly what that meant, Tonukapoli squeezed her eyes shut, sucked in a big breath, and slowly exhaled.
Tonukapoli and Pepe were the first and second strongest in all of Phon’kaven. It’d normally be a nation-ending foolish decision to remove your two most powerful military assets from defending the capital city. It was even more ridiculous to risk sending such invaluable assets into the entirely unknown Accursed Lands.
But if the source of the Barbarian attacks lay within the Accursed Lands, and if the two Staff Holders could stop it there, then the problems plaguing Phon’kaven could be solved in one go.
Е̊n̊ umā . īd́
The safest decision would be to take their time gathering information on the Accursed Lands. Sadly, time wasn’t on their side.
The risk was high, and it was unclear if it had anything to do with the Barbarians. If that wasn’t bad enough, there was no guarantee they would make it back alive.
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In other words, Phon’kaven was betting it all on this one decision.
“So you want us to round up the ringleaders behind the Barbarian attacks if we bump into them? Sounds like we’ve got the deadlier job here, eh?”
“Sorry for leaving the ill-omened work to youuuu.”
“Well, it’s not like it’s guaranteed to be worse! I’ll be praying the Beast and Land gods protect us!”
W̊ ӗ b̊ n о v е l̀ En um̊а̊
The journey there wouldn’t be hard, but their destination was a cruel one.
They didn’t have to rope Pepe into this too, Tonukapoli thought, barely stopping herself from making her unusual complaint known.
Both she and Pepe were Staff Holders. With power and authority comes responsibility. Now was simply the time for him to fulfill his responsibilities.
“Safe travels, Tonukapoliiii,” one of the elders said.
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“Don’t ya go dying on me either, you old goat!” Tonukapoli retorted with her usual gumption.
She had no intention of dying either. In fact, she was keen on completing her mission so perfectly, the elders would be indebted to her for life.
Ē ñ um̀ а̊ .і̆ d
“I’ll get ready at once! My staff is itching to be put to use!”
“Have a safe trip, Granny Tonukapoli!”
“Somebody wasn’t listening again! You’re coming too, little idiot!”
“Owwiieee!”
◇◇◇
THAT somewhat idyllic exchange transpired over a week ago, and now Tonukapoli bitterly regretted the decision she made that day.
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They often say a foolish child is more precious.
Tonukapoli felt that way about Pepe.
She was prepared for a dangerous mission but not prepared enough. She never expected she was up against certain death.
Perhaps she had too much confidence in her own strength. She went into this mission optimistic that the worst they could expect was slight losses to their accompanying guard detail.
It went without saying that the idyllic nature of Phon’kaven’s people worked against them during this expedition.
For on this day, Phon’kaven made first contact with Mynoghra.
Ӗ n̄ u̇m а. і̃ d̂
“Dark Elves? But their ominous aura says otherwise…”
“Oh? And who might you be…?”
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Dragontan was the town constructed around the Dragon Vein Mine.
After taking a short break in town, Tonukapoli had confided the despairing news to the mayor, who was pleased with what she thought was reinforcements, and then they set out for the Accursed Lands, where they encountered the Dark Elves straightaway.
They were up against a girl with an ominous aura and the Dark Elf warriors accompanying her. Unlike the people living to the north, the multiracial empire of Phon’kaven didn’t discriminate against Dark Elves.
But it was questionable if these were even the Dark Elves they knew of…
Ёǹu̇ ṁ а̀
The group before them was clad in such thick darkness, it was noticeable at a glance. Especially the girl leading them. Her aura was so dark it could blot out the sun.
Tonukapoli’s instincts set off every alarm, warning her that the Hill Giants she’d faced before were like defenseless infants compared to this entity.
One glance at the Accursed Lands towering behind the girl’s group informed the cow-headed Shaman that things were already too much for her to handle. Whatever resided there seemed to be concealing it well, but once you became as skilled as Tonukapoli, it was clear as day that the Accursed Lands had been polluted by evil forces.
A profound and terrifying evil had come from the forest to greet them.
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“You aren’t mortal…”
“…Right you are,” the girl quietly answered Tonukapoli’s question.
Е̊ n ũm̃а̌
Her words alone chilled Phon’kaven’s expeditionary forces to the bone. Her dulcet voice couldn’t hide the terrifying truth contained within her remark.
“L-Lady Tonukapoli! Wh-What are they?!”
“That’s what I’d like to know! Don’t draw your weapons or make any sudden moves, you hear me?!” Tonukapoli hastily ordered the soldiers.
Bringing an elite unit consisting of only Beastmen, known as the Fang Corps, had been a bad move. They were incapable of using rudimentary magic and communicating with Nature Spirits, but their animal instincts detected the immense evil, throwing them into a state of dismay.
Everyone was terrified of the dark aura and on the verge of acting recklessly based solely on what their instincts told them.
Word had it that the dark ones hated everyone and wanted to extinguish all life. Living creatures also all had an instinctive repulsion toward dark beings.
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It was still unknown if they were the ones instigating the Barbarians.
Their strength was also unknown.
But Tonukapoli’s instincts screamed at her: you shouldn’t fight. These aren’t enemies you can defeat. Run. Now.
As time painfully ticked by, Tonukapoli racked her brain for a way out.
“Gia, order everyone to standby until I say otherwise.”
“As you command.”
Ӗ_n ûm̆ӑ .ĭ d̀.
Atou was also quietly giving Gia orders.
As a general rule, Atou didn’t trust anything outside of Mynoghra. It didn’t help that this encounter resembled the one they had with the Holy Kingdom of Qualia’s reconnaissance team.
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The inevitable outcome was clear, but King Takuto had sent them out on a different mission this time. They had several strategies for visiting the nearby town, but they didn’t plan to encounter their forces first.
Not only could Atou not report the operation’s failure to Takuto, but she’d screwed up by dedicating too much of her attention to playing out how the conversation in Dragontan might go. She was so focused, she became less aware of her surroundings.
She wanted to defuse the tension, but her opponents—the Beastmen Soldiers in particular—were extremely wary. She might cause the whole situation to explode if she made the wrong move now.
She wanted to avoid that at all costs.
En_ûmа̂.і́d
Atou and the Dark Elves were tense as well.
Tension has a way of begetting more tension, restraining everyone’s actions out of fear of an undesirable future.
Anxiety that even speaking a single word could lead to irrevocable harm made both sides hesitant to move a finger.
It was at this time when the tension reached its limit and battle seemed inevitable that—
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“May I have everybody’s attention?!”
—a voice rang out with as little reserve as someone purposely jumping on thin ice.
Е̇ nu m̊ a .і d́.
All eyes gathered on one person—the figure that had jumped out in front of Atou and the Dark Elves with his right hand raised like a child trying to ask a question. Probably the shortest person present, he broke out in a big grin as if moving into the limelight delighted him.
…It goes without saying the person in question was Pepe the Fool.
Even Tonukapoli, his overseer, gaped at his crazy behavior.
Everyone’s brains eventually caught up with the abrupt change in the situation, and a second before either side could process how to deal with him—
“Hello! My name is Pepe! What’s yours?!”
—a cheerful greeting emitted by a boy who couldn’t read the mood shattered their responses.
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The two hostile groups that had been staring each other down, ready for a fight only minutes prior, now had trouble finding the right words to say for an entirely different reason that had nothing to do with the earlier tension.
Mynoghra and Phon’kaven’s elite troops were presently walking together down the unmarked path through the Accursed Lands. They had but one destination: Mynoghra’s Imperial Capital.
Atou and the Dark Elves led the way for Phon’kaven’s commanders, who’d requested an audience with Takuto. Still, their expressions were less than appropriate for this critical mission that would influence the future of their empire.
“And then that’s when I said: ‘Nefarious scoundrels who dare to lay ruin to Phon’kaven, have a taste of my magic!’ I said it just like that! Are you listening, Miss Atou?!”
“Yes, I heard you loud and clear.”
W̃е̂ b̄ n̈ǒ v̄ е́l̀ Е̌ǹ u m̀_а̇
“Boy, oh boy, those Demi-humans really make me work! I just know Phon’kaven would be a pile of rubble by now if I wasn’t around! No question about it!”
Atou frowned as she was made to listen to the boy’s innocently embellished tales of his own heroic deeds. She wasn’t particularly disgusted by it, but his incessant prattling was wearing her down.
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“I-I see… You must have it rough,” Atou responded politely. “Uncivilized Barbarians occasionally attack people who are just trying to live in peace. They are a nuisance that only brings harm, never any benefit.”
“You can say that again! You are so, so right, Miss Atou! Wow! Like, wow! I’m thrilled you get me! It feels like we’ve always been good friends! Wahaha!” Pepe brayed with laughter.
Thanks to this spirited and wacky boy’s greeting, the two armed forces were able to finally take their tense encounter in a peaceful direction. Pepe had done a marvelous job of mediating the volatile situation, but everyone’s estimation of him was on a steady decline after that. If anything, both sides were growing rapidly more exasperated with him.
He’d been acting like this ever since he first interjected himself into the negotiations. No one asked him to blab on and on about himself, but he did it anyway.
E ṅu m ã. і̄ d
“Pardon me, Lady Tonukapoli, but why is this child sticking so close to me…?”
“Please ignore him, Lady Atou. That child is a fool.”
“Haa,” Atou sighed aloud, which was an unusual public display of irritation on her part. That was how much she was struggling to get a feel for the boy named Pepe. Something about him threw her entirely off her game. “That makes sense…”
They were still in the preliminary stages of negotiation, which required a delicate hand, and yet there was this oddly relaxed atmosphere between them, as if they were a group of friends enjoying a hike on a peaceful, sunny afternoon.
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Atou knew the cause—it was all the doing of the boy with a wily personality, who seemed more than just incapable of reading the mood. She was starting to suspect he had some unique skill to defuse tension and calm the room.
Whether he did or not, it didn’t do anything to make the situation worse. However strangely it had happened, they avoided going to battle. She didn’t know where things would go from there, but the current situation was working out well for her side too. Thus, Atou forcefully convinced herself that the world was full of all sorts of personalities, and she shouldn’t kill him just because he got under her skin.
Ŵе̊b̊ǹ о̆vё l Еn̊ŭm̄а̃
“I must say, the miasma is dense here,” Tonukapoli commented. “It’s even starting to get to me.”
“I apologize, but that’s not something we can fix, Lady Tonukapoli,” Atou said. “It is a part of our people… But please feel free to let me know if it is too much for you. We are more than happy to hold this meeting in a different location on another day.”
Atou actually wanted to hold off the meeting between Commanders until both sides could feel each other out a little better, but the other empire requested an urgent audience with Takuto. She was momentarily concerned they were scheming something, but Takuto had telepathically persuaded her otherwise.
His thought on the matter was that they were probably seeking urgent aid or information about the Barbarians attacking their towns, which made sense to her too. Mynoghra’s empire-management council had already confirmed Dragontan was in a state of impending doom.
There was no telling if Phon’kaven wanted supplies or something else, but the one clear thing was that they couldn’t afford to make an enemy of Mynoghra right now. And just as Takuto had predicted, Tonukapoli couldn’t fully conceal her urgency.
“Nah, as they say, never put off till tomorrow what you can do today,” Tonukapoli said. “Well, it was a bit much on my soldiers, so I left most of them outside the forest. But hey, we’re the ones who pushed for this meeting. It’s only right for us to suck it up and see it through.”
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“Thank you for being considerate of us. Our king sincerely welcomes you.”
Did her desperation bleed through because they were that hard-pressed or because she simply didn’t know how to deceive others? Either way, any action against Mynoghra would be in vain. The moment their Commanders stepped foot within Mynoghra’s territory, they were put at a massive disadvantage.
Atou’s strength had already risen to the point where her mere presence would put a decisive end to any battle. In the off-chance that they did have some evil plot in mind, Atou was confident she could pulverize them in a head-on battle now.
“I’m kinda hungry now!” Pepe proclaimed. “Maybe it’s just me, but my legs feel like lead!”
“Um, Lady Tonukapoli? Will he be all right?” Atou asked.
Most of Tonukapoli’s troops were waiting outside of the Accursed Lands because the miasma made them sick. Only the strongest mustered their willpower to accompany their Commanders, but even they looked ill. The same held true of those capable of competing with the Dark Elf Warriors on equal footing. So, it was bizarre that this little boy was well enough to cheerily blather about inconsequential things.
Е̂ñũ m̆ a .іď
“He’s too much of a fool to notice.”
Judging by that remark, even his fellow Staff Holder and teacher didn’t know why he was okay.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Pepe proceeded down the pathless trail with a hop in his step. Swinging a branch he’d scooped up off the ground, he chatted up every Dark Elf he saw like he was having the time of his life.
Atou wanted to rein in any excess talking, but she didn’t want to offend an official state guest.
Sympathizing with the troubled Dark Elves, Tonukapoli asked them to put up with the Fool’s antics just a little longer and returned her attention to Atou.
“On another note, would you be willing to tell me a bit about Mynoghra’s King, Lady Atou? I’d hate to offend him over cultural differences.”
Ë n̄ u̇ m á . ǐ d
“Yes! I’d love to! Allow me to begin by explaining His Majesty’s greatness, coolness, kindness, and awesomeness!”
Atou’s expression, which had occasionally grown pensive during their walk, instantly lit up like a candle. That change alone was enough to inform Tonukapoli how much she respected and adored her king.
This girl, who enthusiastically regaled Tonukapoli with tales of her king’s wonderfulness, was by all estimations…an unfathomable monster. She concealed unparalleled power within her cute, petite frame.
A monster found only in legends and myths—what kind of king would such a being lovingly serve?
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
As the miasma grew thicker, chilling anxiety flooded Tonukapoli.
All right, what in the Spirit realm is waiting for us…?
Е n û m̊ а̌
Tonukapoli’s thoughts went straight to the legends about the King of Ruin, who was said to have been sealed in the Accursed Lands.
Did we make the right decision? We’ve come this far because we got swept up in Pepe’s antics, but I can’t shake the feeling this is a big mistake.
The old lady shook her cow’s head to chase away the apprehension bubbling in her gut.
◇◇◇
STANDING before that being, the old woman named Tonukapoli was made aware of just how small and fleeting her existence was. She was like a blade of grass before a tornado. The entity sitting upon the throne in the Throne Room gave off an aura that separated it from all living things in this world and impressed the deepest darkness upon her soul—the kind that threatened to swallow her whole.
Something straight out of a nightmare just moved in next door…
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
At first glance, it appeared Human. But it looked like some child had painted over its form with black ink, and it incited the instinctual fear that just touching it would rip your mind to shreds.
This was the King revered by the girl Atou.
A true monster revered by other monsters.
Tonukapoli forgot to breathe before this being that surpassed her knowledge, imagination, and expectations and instead focused solely on reining in her heart’s desire to scream.
Darkness permeates every corner of this Palace. We can’t escape this. That thing must be an Archdemon…or maybe a Demon Lord with an army. Aaugh, fine, I’ll admit I’m wrong. That thing is Evil God class, no matter how you slice it.
Their eyes met in silence.
W еb̂ ń о̂ v̈е́ ĺ _E nũm а
Tonukapoli was up against a being that normally resided in the world of legends and myths. That said, she wasn’t going to thoughtlessly bend a knee before it.
Although he was a terrifying Evil God, he was also the leader of a country she was about to negotiate with as the representative of Phon’kaven.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
They were of equal standing. Thus, Tonukapoli quietly assessed the entity, stifling her overwhelming fear while she waited for the official introductions to commence.
“This is our great and mighty king, Takuto Ira,” Atou introduced Takuto to Tonukapoli’s group first, then addressed her king. “King Takuto, they are Phon’kaven’s Commanders that I informed you of earlier, Staff Holder Tonukapoli and Pepe.”
“Fascinating.”
A hand wrapped around Tonukapoli’s heart and crushed it with ease.
Е n ŭm̆ă.
No…that was just a hallucination.
Words are an ancient form of putting people under a curse.
Tonukapoli had heard that the people of old understood the power of words and did not speak at all unless absolutely necessary. In her younger days, she’d snorted at that legend and thought it nonsense, but now she’d seriously listen to and believe the former Staff Holder who taught her about the power of words.
Just a single word uttered by the King was that dangerous.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Tonukapoli wanted to turn tail and run. She wanted to pretend she never saw anything and forget all that had transpired here. Her weak heart reared its ugly head, destabilizing her disciplined mind.
Even so, she was one of the twelve Staff Holders who governed Phon’kaven. In the name of the Gods of Nature and for the pride of her nation, she spoke with authority and not fear.
E n̊ u ṁ а
“O great king, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am one of the twelve Phon’kaven Staff Holders, Scimitar-horned Tonukapoli. Thank you for—”
“How do you do?! My name is Pepe, and I’m from Phon’kaven! It’s nice to meet ya! Please be my friend!”
“NUUOOOOOO! PEPEEEEE! YOU FOOOOOOOOOOOL!!”
So much for coming across as authoritative. This was a picture-perfect demonstration of what it means not to be able to read the room.
Tonukapoli hurriedly clamped her hands over her mouth after her uncontrollable outburst. Sure, she was struck with admiration for the boy’s courage to casually greet the King of Mynoghra, who instilled fear in the two-hundred-year-old woman. But she wished he held his tongue.
Assuming that Pepe would be just as paralyzed with fear as her was the greatest mistake of Tonukapoli’s life.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Friends…?”
“P-Please forgive us, King Takuto Ira! Pepe was so nervous he spoke out of turn. I’d appreciate it if you could laugh and overlook it as a youngster’s oversight.”
Tonukapoli tried to smooth things over before Takuto could respond. She doubted he was so narrow-minded he’d blow up over such a minor slight, but there was a good chance it lowered his estimation of them.
It was absurd for diplomatic leaders to ask each other to be friends. Doing so was apt to bring the other leader’s capabilities into question, consequently damaging that nation’s reputation.
What nonsense is he spewing at such a critical time?!
While barely keeping her vision and mind from blacking out, Tonukapoli regretted her negligent education turning Pepe into such an eccentric little devil. She believed she’d picked the right words to sweep his blunder under the rug, but…
Е̇ n̄u ḿ ã
“Sure. We can be friends. I like that. Let’s be good friends.”
“YAY!”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“WHAAAAAT?!”
Contrary to Tonukapoli’s expectations, the King’s response was truly a bolt out of the blue.
National leaders being friends? Is he serious? What is he plotting? What is he after?
Tonukapoli looked away as she ruminated over answerless questions. Her gaze landed on the King’s confidant, Atou.
Е̂ ńũm а .і̀ ḋ
Tonukapoli had established a rough idea about the girl’s personality during their long hike to the Palace. She had determined that although the girl was evil by nature, her way of thinking and manners fell in line with the rest of the world.
If that were true, then she should also have misgivings about this situation. Tonukapoli actually looked to her, hoping to find the same shock she felt, but…Atou’s reaction was just as weird, if not weirder.
The girl had pressed a hand against her cheek, tears filling her eyes in her excitement.
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“Oooh! What a marvelous day!”
“E-Er, Lady Atou?”
W̄е b̄n о v̇ ѐ l̈ Еň ŭ m.а̊
“Congratulations on your first friend, King Takuto!! Come on, everyone! Applaud!”
The Dark Elves guarding the King began applauding with gusto. Atou followed suit, looking beyond delighted. The King bashfully scratched his head.
I don’t get it.
Tonukapoli didn’t get it, but she clapped anyway. After all, she was the only one not joining in, as Pepe was merrily slapping his hands together.
A merry mood settled over the Throne Room. All the tension instantly dispersed, leaving Tonukapoli beyond baffled over what the heck just transpired.
Th-This has turned into something outrageous, hasn’t it…?
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Was Mynoghra’s King purposely playing along with Pepe’s suggestion to alleviate the tension? Or was he mocking them?
Or perhaps he was seriously trying to befriend them.
The problem was, King Takuto Ira had no expression to go by. He simply looked like jet-black darkness pretending to be a bashful Human.
Are we just applauding and congratulating an empty void? Tonukapoli couldn’t shake that chilling thought.
The only thing she knew for sure was that Mynoghra’s King Takuto Ira was a being far beyond her understanding.
Eňu ḿ а .і̄d
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