Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Gale (3)

#56

Letunir Kingdom.

A small and poor country established on the wasteland of the continent’s northwest end.

Although economic power and military power were poor, surprisingly it was one of the few monarchies not under the empire’s rule.

‘Now I remember. It was a place with quite interesting setting.’

That secret was thanks to the powerful relic Letunir possesses.

The relic the expedition team luckily discovered became asymmetric power that makes invaders pay a massive price, and eliminated the reason for the empire to invade Letunir whose value was originally ambiguous.

But, there was room to think whether that discovery was luck for Letunir.

‘Truly a trash-like king. Still in power right?’

The king began to waste national power to find stronger relics.

Organized an expedition team with funds to reclaim farmland, bought information and weapons with funds to be used for welfare.

Believing that somewhere on the continent there would be a relic powerful enough to overturn everything.

So Letunir’s expedition team boasted equipment and scale no different from a military organization in most cases.

‘Coin bug-like bastards.’

Honestly it was not to his liking.

Because the mind itself is rotten.

Relic universalism that stakes the country’s fate only on relics!

The fact that a country ruled by some pig comes to mind might not be a feeling.

Anyway.

“Built quite flashily.”

Witnessing the Letunir expedition team’s campsite Bran whistled.

Whether because an expedition team the country poured everything into the scale was amazing.

At least ten 12-person tents.

One large tent presumed to serve as the field headquarters was erected in the center.

Whether the sortie was near armed adult men were busily going around the campsite.

To think there was this kind of thing right next to the rock mountain.

It was a position where the king’s tent is much better visible than where Bran was.

“A-extremely many···.”

“Heha, seems it would have a beating taste?”

“My god. To think we would get entangled with Letunir.”

The group also added a word each.

Judging from Benden clutching his head it seemed they are famous guys in this industry.

The sentries who discovered Bran drew their swords.

“Wait, who!”

Whether because the place is the place the tense signs were clear.

It seems not completely only elite members.

“Ilark.”

“Yap.”

When Bran signaled Ilark stepped aside.

The prisoners who were not visible because covered by her large body revealed themselves.

Seven members connected by rope as if doing a train play.

Although there seemed no place greatly hurt all faces were pale.

The sentries who met the man at the very front gasped.

“V-vice leader?!”

“······Move. I’ll go to the leader.”

The vice leader man deeply lowered his head.

Since the ribs went out from being stepped on by Ilark he was completely broken in spirit.

“But···!”

“They are ones who came looking for the cursed king’s relic like us. Anyway everything the leader will judge so without residual words move.”

“U-understood!”

The sentries retreated.

Entering inside the campsite the attention of all members was drawn.

Although there was no one stopping, murmuring of how did it become that appearance was being heard from various places.

The vice leader muttered while clenching his teeth.

“······You will regret it.”

The face was turned red like a tomato.

It would be shameful enough to want to die.

But that is not my business right?

Tak!

Bran struck the back of his head.

“Ugh!”

“Just walk you bastard. A guy caught without even swinging the sword once bluffing.”

Anyway guys whose mouth is the only thing are the problem.

The group who crossed the campsite stopped in front of the giant tent.

The vice leader said.

“Leader. It is me.”

“Come in.”

A short answer returned.

Entering the tent the group let out a low admiration.

Larger and wider than any tent seen so far.

Bran’s expectation that it would be the operation headquarters was exactly correct.

“Soon the tent will move. Have to start before the moon’s phase changes.”

“The beacon is prepared right?”

“No problem. As soon as the infiltration team departs we will lure the cavalry.”

Members in crisp uniforms were discussing while looking at a wide map.

The thoroughly organized appearance was contrasting with Bran’s group.

We only moved following Benden’s living radar.

‘That is the leader.’

The leader had a red feather stuck in the hat so anyone could recognize.

A middle-aged man with impressive large size and tattoos on the forearm.

The leader who was confirming the map raised his head.

“Vice leader. What were you doing so late···”

And froze.

The vice leader and members he sent on patrol were lined up all in beggar appearance.

Bran and Ilark had their arms crossed with leisurely expressions.

The leader said.

“What is this matter?”

“······No face.”

“I didn’t ask you.”

“S-sorry.”

When the leader growled the vice leader lowered his head.

Silence descended on the murmuring tent.

Sweeping his face the leader moved his gaze to Bran.

“There. You.”

A face seen after a long time.

If the memory is not wrong it was clearly a skilled person of rigid body technique 4 stars.

Looking only at technique a strong one comparable to Zerban of the Iron Blood Twin Shadows.

Was the name Mordin? Or Murdin? Memory doesn’t come.

“Why?”

“Why did our members become that appearance?”

“Because no etiquette I educated a bit. Suddenly putting a sword and saying follow.”

Even thinking again it was absurd.

When Bran glanced back the prisoners shrank.

“Hearing it you guys are also aiming for the king’s relic? I came because it seemed there would be a corner to collaborate.”

“Is life not precious?”

Sreung!

As soon as the leader’s words fell the members drew their weapons.

Although Kale and Benden were startled Bran did not retreat.

“That is rather words I want to ask. Bro.”

Because there was no reason to.

Tapping the sword hilt Bran recited lowly.

“Confident?”

Not being confident would be good for each other.

Because the sound of the excited Ilark’s heart was gradually getting larger.

The members’ faces contorted.

“Ha! What is this kid saying now?”

“Leader. This kind of guy I’ll···”

“Shut up.”

“···Yes, yee?”

The startled members closed their mouths.

The leader was looking at Bran’s group’s faces alternately.

Suddenly, a faint smile rose at the corner of his mouth.

“You guys. Quite doing.”

The voice was noticeably loosened.

The leader who approached with strides extended his hand and requested a handshake.

“Let’s greet first. The leader of Letunir’s 2nd expedition team, Urdin.”

“Ah, it was Urdin. I kept confusing.”

“Mm?”

“Nothing. I am Bran.”

Bran gripped his hand and shook it.

Fortunate that Urdin has eyes to see people.

If he acted arrogantly like the vice leader everyone would have become ghosts of the plateau.

“Since mutually experts let’s put away miscellaneous talk. The skill looks sufficient so why did you come looking for us.”

“To raise the probability.”

“Probability?”

“Since this is also a connection combining strength is good. Because the king’s tent is not an easy target for you or for us.”

“Hehe. Much better than somewhere’s vice leader who acted arrogantly and fell into prisoner status.”

The vice leader who was lowering his head flinched.

Chuckling Urdin continued.

“Vice leader. From now you are not the infiltration team but the lure team. Go to the beacon and wait for instructions.”

“······Understood.”

“I won’t tolerate two mistakes. Prepare properly.”

It was a firm order.

Bran gestured to Ilark sending a signal that it is okay to release them.

The seven members including the vice leader exited the tent with powerless steps.

Bran raised an eyebrow.

“It seems the infiltration team and lure team are divided separately. The beacon is a means to gather the cavalry?”

“Yes. Mixed full of poisonous herbs that lead the dead. If the beacon is insufficient the lure team’s riders will go around holding torches and draw the gaze.”

Come to think of it he saw a tall wood pile right near the campsite.

If poisonous herbs that call the dead it would be funeral grass or wail flower.

Gathering that a lot and raising a beacon, a simple but effective operation.

As expected money and numbers have to be many to be convenient.

“Nevertheless I won’t deny that it is a difficult mission. How do you say combining strength?”

“Exclude four from the infiltration team and make our places. If only properly luring the cavalry I’ll unconditionally pierce to the tent.”

With just that he could skip the most troublesome procedure.

There was also utilization value for the infiltration team entering the tent together.

Urdin nodded.

“Not difficult. If skilled ones like you help the infiltration it is a good matter for us too.”

“That went well.”

“But remember this one thing. 90% of the king’s treasure is our expedition team’s.”

“What?”

Ilark frowned.

Urdin continued without minding.

“It is natural. Because our expedition team invested much more time and cost than you. But if there is something left after we collect it is okay to take more.”

“Yes. Do so.”

Bran readily accepted.

Benden’s face contorted with perplexity.

“H-hey. Bran?”

“Good. Even if by chance do not think of diverting more treasure. Especially if discovering the bow the king used immediately report to me and the expedition team members.”

“Bow. I’ll note it.”

Bran nodded.

Of course inside he was raising the middle finger.

The bastard knows good things.

A satisfied smile rose at the corner of Urdin’s mouth.

“Good. We’ll start the operation in three hours so you guys also rest.”

“Let’s do so.”

“You may freely use the campsite’s things. Glad to meet a companion whose will matches.”

Finishing those words Urdin returned to the operation table again.

Plop.

Looking around Bran flopped on the sofa prepared in the tent.

“Oof, soft.”

He seemed to know the reason glamping is the trend.

Like this definitely exploring also has taste.

Suddenly, Benden who stealthily approached whispered in Bran’s ear.

“Bran···! What on earth is this matter? Why suddenly crawling?!”

“Of course because I have not even a chick’s asshole’s worth of intention to keep that kind of promise.”

“What.”

“Those bastards would be the same. Probably the moment the angle that it is safe stands they’ll try to kill us? Then they don’t even have to give 10%. Knowing everything and putting on a show.”

If adult-like then an adult-like deal.

The reason Bran accepted the proposal was because whatever it is as long as drawing the cavalry’s gaze it is fine.

Benden swallowed saliva.

“Th-that’s so··· bold.”

“It’s okay so rest. If entering the tent I’ll let you collect even the panties the king wore. Important things like the bow of course···”

It was then.

······.

A faint vibration shook Bran’s body.

Abruptly raising his upper body he turned to Benden.

“Just now the ground shook a bit?”

“G-ground? I didn’t feel though···.”

“I clearly felt.”

Bran’s brows narrowed.

Benden seemed not to have noticed at all.

The ones looking around as if sensing something were only himself and Ilark.

Meeting Bran’s eyes Ilark opened her mouth.

“Bran. Earlier···”

Even before she finished the words.

Rumble···!

The ground rumble heard again shook the tent.

This time it was clear enough for everyone to feel.

The eyes of the expedition team members including Urdin widened round.

The sound of something pounding the earth was gradually getting closer.

“Surely.”

Goosebumps rose along Bran’s nape.

Because of the vibration he didn’t know but a strange smell was wafting from somewhere.

A smell similar to incense that would be smelled at a funeral home.

Hwaak!

Opening the tent entrance Bran froze in place.

“My god.”

“Th-that!”

Soon everyone froze.

The beacon erected near the campsite was burning engulfed in purple flames.

The incense smell was wafting from there. In the plateau’s strong wind sparks were fluttering madly.

Smoke calling the dead was surging high into the night sky.

“W-why is the beacon now!”

The expedition team members were astonished.

According to the plan it was a beacon that should be ignited after all personnel left the campsite.

Dozens who stayed in the campsite including the lure team were all becoming corpses and rolling on the floor.

Including the vice leader.

Although shocking with just this, unfortunately for them there were more things to be surprised about.

A sharp scream burst from Kale’s mouth.

“Hiiik! Th-there!”

The white index finger was pointing to the north of the rock mountain.

The people who moved their gaze from the beacon froze as is.

Dudududududududu!!!

The cursed cavalry was swarming.

The group of ghosts crossing the plain while riding ghost horses looked like seeing a white tsunami.

Even estimating as little as possible thousands.

Each one were great warriors who commanded old Kargai.

“Why···!”

“H-have to retreat right now! If the rock mountain is surrounded there is no way to escape!”

The expedition team members fell into panic.

The distance with the cavalry was quickly narrowing.

Even the veteran explorer Urdin was frozen while flustered.

He had to find out why on earth this kind of thing happened.

Examining the scene where the lure team was slaughtered Bran narrowed his eyes.

“······?”

Earlier he didn’t notice in time.

One arrow was stuck in the vice leader’s forehead.

Even though dozens died the arrow was only that one.

“What.”

The feeling was not good.

Looking closely one strand of gray-white hair was tied to the arrow.

A pale color like the ghosts wandering the plateau.

“This is···!”

Bran’s eyes widened as if they would pop out.

The fluttering appearance was familiar.

Even before he could say to hide the body inside the tent.

Puhak.

An arrow that flew while splitting the night sky pierced one expedition team member’s temple.

“Eh.”

“Hueeuk!”

Benden who was right next to was startled.

Plop.

The staggering expedition team member fell forward.

This arrow also had hair tied.

This time not gray-white but emitting an eerie light like the moon rising in the afterlife.

“Damn, be careful!”

Not good.

It was the moment Bran who rushed forward pulled Benden’s nape and threw him back.

Boooom-!

Centered on the arrow a red cloud exploded and covered the area.

Bran covered his mouth with his sleeve.

Although the cloud immediately flew away in the wind, the matter was already committed.

“Kuek!”

“Huff, gak.”

Suddenly several expedition team members collapsed while clutching their necks.

They were the ones who inhaled the red cloud.

Pat!

A translucent window rose before Bran’s eyes.

『Warning! The Plateau Viper’s neurotoxin penetrated the body.』

The identity of the red cloud is powerful neurotoxin.

It was the ability of the Plateau Viper, a monster inhabiting the Kargai Plateau.

A terrifying deadly poison that takes human life just by breathing once.

『High poison resistance nullifies the damage!』

However Bran did not collapse.

“···Spicy.”

“B-Bran! Are you okay?!”

“I’m fine so stay aside. Absolutely do not stand in the direction the wind is blowing.”

Thanks to the resistance value accumulated so far.

Still whether because snake poison it was tingling.

If it was plant toxin it would not even have itched.

Ptui.

Spitting the toxin in his mouth Bran looked in the direction the arrow flew from.

“Yes. It was you.”

Far away, one wolf was standing at the top of the rock mountain.

A wolf giant like a wild horse.

The waving fur was shining blue receiving the moonlight.

“······.”

The person who shot the arrow was riding on that wolf’s back.

Wrapping fur all over the body, wearing a deer mask.

In the dry hand one rough bow was gripped.

“···Wh-what is that? Surely a person is riding a wolf?”

“Impossible. Shot an arrow from that distance?!”

The members who late noticed the mysterious person’s existence were astonished.

It was not a distance the arrow could reach.

A distance hard even to observe with the naked eye.

Bran waved his hand toward him.

“Nice to meet. Friend.”

“······?”

The mysterious person flinched.

It was a look of not understanding how Bran is alive.

He should have become like the corpses rolling around.

Sreung.

Drawing the sword Bran raised the corner of his mouth.

“Finally met.”

Even while the cavalry was swarming like a tsunami he could not control the gladness.

Because the ultimate reason for entering this ghost-possessed land was to meet that bastard.

The gale that tracks those who entered the plateau and the friend Bran was anxiously searching for.

And a playable character of Return Road.

“To enter our pack you have to do this much.”

The plateau’s barbarian warrior who preys on the enemy’s ability.