Volume 3 Chapter 194 Before The War Begins
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
When the morning sun peeked over the eastern horizon visible from the hill, Natra and Linca, who had gone to steal the magic sword Balmung from the enemy camp, returned.
While Rufna and the Holy Squad were drawing the magic fortress summoning ritual on the hill, Kian spread his arms wide to the two who had come down from Nue.
”I’m just glad you both are safe,” Kian said with relief.
”Thank you for the welcome, Sir Kian,” Natra bowed respectfully beside Linca, who wore a gentle smile.
”Sir Kian, the operation was a success. We brought back the magic sword Balmung,” Linca reported calmly.
”Here it is,” she added, taking out the head of Mizuchi and opening its mouth.
The giant white serpent let out a silly sound and spat the wrapped greatsword onto the ground.
Kian picked up the greatsword, the Silver Ice armor clinking softly. “It’s undoubtedly the dragon-slaying magic sword that old man used,” he murmured in awe.
”You both did wonderfully. A fantastic achievement,” Kian praised sincerely.
”Oh, the achievement isn’t just Balmung,” Natra said with a slight smirk.
”…What do you mean?” Kian frowned, turning to Linca.
Natra shrugged casually. “We took down the enemy general Fraus. We brought back his body and head.”
”What!?” Kian’s eyes widened.
”Hehe, just seeing your surprised face makes it worth the risk,” Natra teased.
”So that’s why you were so covered in blood,” Kian noted with concern.
”…Sir Kian, I will accept any reprimand,” Natra said quietly.
”Reprimand? Sir Kian will praise you,” Linca smiled reassuringly.
”Linca.” Kian’s voice turned serious as he addressed her directly.
”Yes,” Linca replied, meeting his gaze.
Turning to the smiling Eastern beauty, Kian grabbed her shoulders firmly. “Why did you do something so reckless? Was there really no choice but to engage Fraus?”
Linca nodded slowly. “If you say there was no choice but to engage, then yes, there was. He was drinking alone in a nearby tent, so I suggested it would be better to take him down than to avoid him.”
”So you made that judgment after discussing it with Natra?” Kian asked, looking over.
Natra nodded solemnly. “Yes.”
”Linca, Natra. This is a clear violation of orders,” Kian said, voice firm. “From now on, do not take such reckless actions. Your lives are more important than any outstanding achievements.”
”…I’m sorry,” Linca muttered.
”Sir Kian, this was a field judgment that it would be better to kill the enemy general who was drunk and vulnerable rather than let him be alone. We are not children; just doing what we are told and coming back is second-rate,” Natra explained, her tone steady.
”Second-rate is fine. I will evaluate you properly,” Kian replied, furrowing his brow.
”I’m glad you both are safe… While defeating Fraus is commendable, I hope you never do something like this again,” Kian added seriously.
”We’re sorry,” both said in unison.
Natra’s eyes held genuine remorse, but Linca didn’t seem particularly contrite. Kian didn’t know what attitude to take in such a situation.
(Linca had been occasionally disobeying orders since she worked under Jibril. She enjoys her ‘vacation’ during missions—a capable but difficult person to handle.)
Although he absolutely did not want to empathize with Jibril, as Linca’s inner self became visible like this, the reason why Jibril favored Shura over Linca became clear. Umar’s expression toward Linca always seemed to say, “a hopelessly free-spirited guy,” and her objective evaluation at Azrael probably was along those lines too.
”Natra, write a report later about what happened during the mission. It can wait until after the war,” Kian instructed.
”…Huh?” Natra blinked.
”Oh, after the war, Sir Kian will just be an Adventurer, not a castle lord or anything. We won’t need to scrutinize our judgments anymore, will we?” Linca teased lightly.
”Linca.” Kian called.
”Yes,” Linca replied.
”Come here for a moment,” Kian ordered.
”Oh, how bold of you in front of everyone like this,” Linca teased with a smile.
”That’s not what I’m talking about. Just come here,” Kian said with a slight edge of anger.
Suddenly, tension crossed Linca’s face.
Leaving Natra, whose expression said, “Oh, she has done it now,” Kian pulled the Eastern beauty’s pure white arm and dragged her toward the forest down the hill.
”A-Are you leaving Ms. Talia behind too?” Linca asked, flustered.
”Right now, you’re the only one I need. If you understand, just be quiet and follow me,” Kian said sharply.
”Huh, could this be a flow where I get scolded?” she muttered nervously.
”…Can’t you tell by looking at my face?” Kian grunted.
Kian pulled Linca into the forest, pressed her against the trunk of an oak tree, and slammed his hands on either side of her face.
”Huh!” Linca gasped.
”Why do you make that face?” Kian asked, narrowing his eyes.
”Uh, b-but…” Linca fidgeted with her pure white shoulders exposed from her Eastern dress, mumbling.
Kian let out a small sigh and hugged her gently.
”Wait, Sir Kian!?” Linca blinked in surprise.
”Don’t do anything dangerous,” Kian whispered.
”If it were really dangerous, I wouldn’t challenge it. I decided to eliminate Fraus because I thought it would almost certainly succeed. I was also considering an escape route,” Linca explained earnestly.
”Summarize that in the report. I don’t want to talk about on-site judgment; I want to talk about personal matters,” Kian said, tightening his hold.
”So, Sir Kian, you’re the type to bring personal feelings into work, huh?” Linca teased with a playful grin.
”Unlike Jibril. Is that a bad thing?” Kian asked, a confident smile on his lips.
When Kian said that confidently, Linca shook her head in his arms.
”That’s better. It’s sad when it turns into a cold response when it comes to work,” she murmured softly.
”Linca. From now on, when you make a judgment different from the pre-decided plan, always imagine what kind of face I would make after that judgment before deciding whether to execute it or not,” Kian instructed seriously.
”I thought I would be praised this time,” Linca teased again.
”You don’t need to make dangerous appeals like that; I rely on you and think you’re an attractive woman,” Kian said quietly.
”More than Ms. Sarah?” Linca’s black eyes looked up with a probing light.
Kian hesitated before speaking in a lower voice. “It’s not just Sarah. I don’t intend to disregard anyone else, but just between us, I have feelings for you stronger than I’ve ever felt before. You’re good at being considerate, always smiling, and I think you’re a very comfortable person to be around. I also feel a lot of attraction to you as a woman.”
”────. I-Is that so?” Linca whispered, cheeks flushing.
”Why are you flustered?” Kian teased gently.
”Huh? No… It’s just… it’s a weird thing, you see, I’ve never been able to beat Ms. Sarah in terms of feminine charm. Since school days, it was always Ms. Sarah who attracted attention. …And Mr. Jibril, he only ever looked at Ms. Sarah in the end. Even Mr. Umar and my parents, they always brought up Ms. Sarah,” Linca confessed quietly.
”I get that it’s hard not to compare yourself to someone like Sarah, but it’s a harsh thing to say,” Kian replied sympathetically.
Kian also had been constantly compared to Jibril and relentlessly put down, so he deeply sympathized with Linca’s feelings.
Being compared to someone who can do things you can’t is painful. No matter how hard you try, there are things you just can’t do because of differences in talent or how well you handle things.
Linca smiled wryly, almost self-deprecating. “Caring about what others think, it’s so shameful, right?”
”That’s not true. I just think it’s better not to compare yourself to others and get depressed about it. Like I said earlier, you have your own strengths. Sarah probably couldn’t even manage the consideration, right? She’s always the type to walk her own path,” Kian reasoned.
”I don’t think that’s true,” Linca said quietly.
”I feel like you’re more considerate. When I’m with you, it feels really good. You’re not just beautiful when you smile, but you’re a wonderful woman inside too,” Kian said softly.
”W-Wait. Please stop teasing me. I can’t handle being complimented, it makes me shy!” Linca blurted, turning red.
”I’m saying it from the heart,” Kian whispered.
After saying that with a serious face, he took Linca’s lips.
Linca didn’t resist, accepting his kiss without a struggle.
As he gently stroked her head, a contented sigh escaped from her nose, which was close to his.
After savoring her soft, warm mouth for a good 5 minutes, Kian slowly pulled his face away.
Linca’s cheeks were clearly flushed, and while staring at the ground at an angle, she wiped the saliva that had spilled from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand.
”From now on, you’ll listen to what I say, right?” Kian asked softly.
”Y-Yes,” Linca whispered.
”I want you to properly reflect on this,” Kian said firmly.
”Yes… I’m sorry,” Linca murmured.
”Good girl,” he whispered near her ear.
He wondered if it was disgusting for him, an older man, to do this, but fortunately, Linca remained silent, letting herself be stroked.
Apparently, it didn’t bother her.
”Um, my body, it’s covered in blood. It probably smells terrible, right?” Linca asked worriedly.
”You got dirty because you worked hard for me, right? Disobeying orders is not acceptable, but I won’t push you away because you’re dirty or smelly,” Kian said kindly.
”I-I say things like that and then I get too carried away, don’t I?” Linca laughed nervously.
”You’re saying that yourself…” Kian chuckled.
When Kian lowered his brow, a deep bass sound reverberated from the hill, shaking the ground.
Rufna and the others were exposing the magic fortress they had been building underground to the surface on top of the hill.
Until now, they had kept the fortress hidden underground to avoid provoking the Beastmen, but now that the truce has been broken, there is no need to hide it anymore.
Rather, it would be better to manifest the fortress so that it is ready for an attack at any time.
”Keep Balmung stored inside Mizuchi until the day of. The same goes for Fraus’s body. As for Fraus’s body, it will be turned into Isthbaran’s after the war is over,” Kian commanded.
”Understood,” Natra replied.
”Serena is waiting for you with a bath prepared at the castle. Return with Natra. It was a tough mission, thank you for your hard work,” Kian said kindly.
”No, I won’t take a break yet,” Linca said with a serious expression.
”After this, we need to check if there are any prey caught in the Stone Soldier Eight Formation, right? I don’t feel tired at all, so I will accompany you,” she added determinedly.
”That’s because a substance that makes you not feel tired is being secreted in your body due to excitement. Just take a break for now. I’ll check on the Stone Soldier Eight Formation,” Kian said.
”But if you go alone and end up capturing a prisoner, it would be a hassle to bring them back, wouldn’t it?” Linca asked.
”That’s true, but I’ll just increase the number of Wing Cain to deal with it,” Kian replied.
”Considering the speed of movement, Nue would be better,” Linca said, moving away from the oak tree she had been leaning against, closing the distance toward him.
”Please don’t go out without an escort. Sir Kian told me not to do anything dangerous, but Sir Kian is not much different from me,” she warned.
”Hmm… I see. Then I will rely on you again,” Kian nodded.
”Please do. I am happy to be of help to Sir Kian,” Linca smiled, her lips painted red curving into a crescent as she relaxed her eyes.
Kian nodded once and stepped away from her.
The figure of the Eastern beauty flickered like a shadow, and the blood and sweat clinging to her body vanished in a leap.
Using ‘Penetration’ to clean herself up, Linca winked and said, “See, I don’t need to purify myself.”
Watching her, Kian felt a sense of resignation inside, thinking that it would be fundamentally impossible to bind this woman.
* * *
After that, Kian entrusted the finishing touches of the magic fortress to Rufna and the accumulation and sharing of information from the spies to Sarah, then took off with Linca from Ramsey.
The Stone Soldier Eight Formation is set up in 5 locations along the Nordende River domain, and they will be checking these in order.
The formation is designed to flood with a large amount of water from the Nordende River every night, drowning anyone who wanders in, so the chances of finding not just prisoners but even bodies are high.
However, as long as there is even a slight possibility of capturing a prisoner, Kian told himself that it was not a waste to check around.
(That said, if it could be entrusted to someone else, it would be a job he would want to hand off.)
Walking through the second Stone Soldier Eight Formation with Linca, Kian thought to himself.
Honestly speaking, looking only at the gray stone pillars that seem irregularly arranged was a more boring act than entertaining the ‘eyes of the lords.’
Moreover, occasionally discovering a corpse of someone who drowned, emitting a foul odor, was mentally turning gray as well.
While many badly decayed bodies had been seen so far, there were hardly any corpses as terrible as those of drowning victims.
”This makes it the twelfth body, doesn’t it?” Linca muttered, pointing at a man from the Steel Tiger Tribe who lay face down at the base of a stone pillar near the center of the Stone Soldier Eight Formation.
The distance to the corpse was over ten meters, but already an unpleasant smell, like that of rotten eggs, was wafting over.
Leaving Linca, who covered her mouth with a handkerchief, Kian stepped forward alone, approaching the bloated corpse.
He reached beneath the heavy rock resting at the base of the stone pillar and pulled out the waterlogged body. It had clearly been submerged twice over, the skin pale and grotesque. Kian checked the face with quiet detachment.
’To do something like this without even blinking…’
Glasses, standing beside Linca, grimaced and muttered.
Kian turned his head slightly and addressed them.
”Just a standard Steel Tiger soldier. Probably drowned two nights ago.”
”Sir Kian… you’re not even covering your mouth. You’re breathing normally?”
”It’s not as bad as a sewer rat’s corpse.”
”Please, don’t paint that image in my head!”
”A bit odd for a warrior monk to be so squeamish around bodies.”
Linca shook her head, her expression tight.
”Ordinary corpses are one thing. Drowned ones are a nightmare. The smell clings to you—deep, like it crawls into your sinuses.”
”I agree. Anyway, out of the twelve bodies, ten are Steel Tigers. Two are cat Beastmen. I thought the scouts were all catfolk, but there’re fewer than expected.”
”They probably sensed danger and backed off before entering the core of the Stone Soldier Eight Formation. The Steel Tigers, though—even the grunts—got wiped. Command may have realized something was off and sent a recon team.”
”And now? No survivors. Honestly, I didn’t expect so many to die from that formation. It’s… surprisingly efficient.”
”It’s an old method. Passed down verbally, most likely. But still, I had no idea it would leave corpses in this condition. We should avoid using it again unless absolutely necessary. Setting it’s fine—but cleaning up afterward? That’s hell.”
”This your first time setting it up?” Linca asked, her eye twitching. “Ah… that explains why you ended up trapped by your own formation last time.”
”Let’s not bring up past blunders.”
At that moment, a faint cry drifted on the wind between the towering stone pillars. A human voice—weak and distant—calling for help.
Kian looked up, gaze turning north.
”…Seems there’s a survivor.”
”A miracle,” Linca said, lightly.
”Let’s check it out.”
”Yes.”
After gently returning the soldier’s corpse to its place, Kian led the group toward the voice. About a kilometer north, they found him.
”…Quite the catch,” Linca murmured, staring up at the stone pillar looming above them.
Kian nodded silently beside her.
Clinging to the side of the massive pillar was Malbodous—one of the Steel Tiger Tribe’s top commanders. His right leg was bent at an unnatural angle, wedged between two enormous stones. Blood poured from the wound, staining the base of the rock. The man was grievously injured—but still clinging to life. Testament to the Steel Tiger Tribe’s toughness.
At the base of the pillar, two men in magician robes—likely his companions—lay slumped atop one another. Both unconscious. But breathing.
Kian called out, voice raised.
”Lord Malbodous!”
”────! That voice… Is that you, Lord Kian?”
”Yes. Sit tight. I’m coming up. As long as you stay calm, I won’t have to kill you.”
”Help… my men first! They fell from the pillar! Their spines—might be broken!”
”I’m checking them now. They’re alive.”
He glanced toward Linca, who was already crouched down beside the fallen magicians, beginning treatment.
”You’re the real concern now. That leg… you’re bleeding out. Save your strength. Don’t talk anymore.”
* * *
Malbodous was in bad shape. Beyond his shattered leg, both eyes were damaged, and his left ear crushed. His blood loss was severe. His body, already cold, had lost much of its heat.
But thanks to Linca’s swift, skilled healing magic, his life was preserved—if barely.
”…Thanks for the rescue.”
Wrapped in a blanket, he murmured faintly. His beast-like chin fur bristled, and he shivered from the cold.
”But… you’re not taking us back to camp, are you? Are we prisoners now? Or slaves?”
”Prisoners,” Kian replied flatly. “The Ramsey army doesn’t deal in slavery.”
Malbodous frowned at that. The implication was clear: Your kind does.
Still, he said nothing, instead glancing over at the unconscious magicians propped up against a stone.
”If we’re prisoners… then let it be just me. Let the other two go.”
”You think you’re in a position to make demands?”
Malbodous’s eyes flicked to the falchion resting beside Kian’s foot. It was sheathed, yes—but Kian hadn’t even drawn it. And even if he had, Malbodous in his state couldn’t lift a spoon, let alone a weapon.
”If I don’t come back… my brother Marcomanni will go berserk. He might attack the people of Ramsey.”
”What beautiful brotherly love,” Kian said dryly. “But do you really believe Lord Marcomanni will mourn you?”
”…What’re you implying?”
Linca cut in lightly from Kian’s side, her voice smooth and chilling.
”Your brother inherited the snowy plains through split succession. But if you die… wouldn’t he gain the timber-rich forests too?”
Malbodous froze.
”I’m glad it was you who fell into the trap. You’re someone we can actually talk to.”
Kian crouched, meeting the Beastman’s gaze.
”What are you getting at?”
”Our princess wants to make a deal with you. Will you meet with Maribel Danofen?”
”Don’t be ridiculous. I’d be stoned as a traitor. And besides, in a few days, my three thousand soldiers will trample your entire force. There’s no deal to be made.”
”Three thousand… sure. But we’ve got magicians who can launch meteor strikes from five kilometers away. Think your army’s safe?”
”…Five kilometers? Meteor strikes? That’s a bold claim.”
”Linca, show him.”
”Understood.”
Linca raised a hand, drawing a glowing magic circle midair. She began a complex chant. The spell took nearly a minute to cast. As she did, the two magicians beside Malbodous stirred, roused by the magic’s vibration.
Together, they watched.
From the sky, a giant rock wreathed in light descended—blazing past the stone pillars and vanishing in the distance with a deep rumble.
Malbodous stared, speechless.
Kian turned to face all three of them.
”We’ve got two more—one magician as strong as her. Another even stronger. The moment your army appears over the horizon, we’ll launch a full barrage.”
”…So by showing this, you’re saying you won’t let us leave alive?”
”Wrong. I don’t mind if you take this info back to your camp.”
”Then I truly don’t understand you.”
Kian smiled faintly.
”Because even if you know our strength… it won’t change anything.”
”────”
”We already wiped out the black panther assassination unit. Want us to send another back? If you delay too long, we might blast your camp ourselves.”
Linca spoke calmly.
”You have family in your camp, right? If we mess up the targeting and a meteor hits their tent by accident… well, that’d be tragic.”
At the mention of family, the faces of all three Beastmen paled.
”Are you threatening us?” Malbodous asked, voice tight.
”We’re talking about possibilities. You can take it how you like.”
”Malbodous. What’s your decision?” Kian asked firmly. “You saw the Head Magician’s power. You can’t even counter it with your magic…”
”Tch…”
Kian leaned in closer.
”I’ll ask one last time. Will you meet our princess? You can come as a prisoner. No one has to know.”
”…I understand. Let me meet her. Depending on her offer, I might comply.”
Malbodous’s voice came out low and hoarse. His head drooped, consciousness beginning to fade again. The two magicians beside him silently extended their hands, surrendering.
* * *
After verifying that no more traps remained in the Stone Soldier Eight Formation, Kian and his group returned to Ramsey, bringing the three Steel Tiger prisoners with them.
There, they summoned Maribel—also known as Marilyn—and Bertrand, waiting at the camp behind the magic fortress.
Maribel offered a deal.
In exchange for a secret contract and a promise of large-scale timber purchases after the war, Malbodous’s clan would withdraw from the final battle. They would stay behind, offer no support to the Beastman Alliance, and keep the deal hidden.
In return, their lands would be spared. They’d receive territory from defeated enemies: Marcomanni, Fraus, and Arminus.
If they broke the pact, though… their families would be returned to dust.
The deal concluded with plans for a formal skirmish in the wetlands beneath the fortress hill, two days later. If word reached the Alliance, they’d likely scramble to assemble and arrive, bringing their families along. That would put them all within Rufna’s spell range.
”All 15 of the Steel Tiger’s magicians seem to be Malbodous’s personal guard,” Kian murmured as he watched the prisoners cross Ramsey’s great irrigation canal by boat.
Behind him stood Natra, Rufna, Sarah, and Linca. All nodded silently.
”If he keeps his word, then the enemy’s only spellcasters left are the 15 black panthers.”
”Can you take them, Rufna?”
”Who do you think you’re talking to, Master? I was the Nakash family’s Head Magician. I’ve got a premium magic bow too.”
”The ones that survive the meteor strikes will get stone bullets from the beetle golem. Modifications are done, right, Sarah?”
”Yep. No problem.”
”And that leaves Arminus. Sir Kian… you’re really gonna fight the dragon alone?”
Kian nodded without hesitation.
Killing Arminus would end the war.
”I’ve done all I can. Everyone, keep yourselves safe until the final battle. If the enemy doesn’t show… we’ll burn their camp to ash. And if needed—take out the families too.”
The group all nodded.
”You’ve all done great up to now. Also… I’m sorry. This war’s dragged you into something you shouldn’t have had to face. Because of me.”
”…Kinda late for that, don’t you think?” Rufna sighed.
Kian just smiled.
”Thanks.”
Notes:
• Linca – Jibril’s favorite girl. High-ranking warrior monk woman from Shin, with strong abilities like ignoring attacks and poisons.
• Nue – A Shikigami summoned by Linca. It has the appearance of a monster with a tiger’s limbs and a monkey’s head. Nue is a powerful but dangerous creature that requires a skilled magician to control.
• Fraus – Male. Son of Arminus. Member of the Black Panther Tribe. Shares his father’s enhanced physical abilities and combat prowess. Relationship: Subordinate and family to Arminus.
• Isthbaran – The High Warlord of the ‘Storm Herd.’
• Serena – Wolfmen Girl
• Malbodous – Male. Member of the Steel Tiger Clan. A formidable warrior with significant combat experience. Relationship: Part of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Marcomanni – Male. Member of the Steel Tiger Clan. Known for his strength and tactical skills. Relationship: Part of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Mag – The wolfwoman under Yelmar—the one who was caught by Kian’s group earlier.
• Bertrand – The recent knight recruited by Maribel from bandit. He is from boar tribe and have goblin-like face.
• Marilyn – Female. An elderly witch who uses a hoarse voice. She is versatile, skilled in basic magic, teleportation gates, and large-scale group chants. Despite her age, she is sturdy and capable of frontline combat. She acts as a mentor figure to Botti and Aerial.
• Arminus – Male. Leader of the Black Panther Tribe. Possesses extraordinary physical abilities, enhanced by the tribe’s unique technique that repels energy and magic attacks. His speed and strength surpass those of High Warlord Isthbaran. Wields the magic sword Balmung, capable of cleaving through an ice dragon with a single strike. His black fur provides camouflage in low visibility, making him nearly undetectable. Relationship: Leader of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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