Chapter 437: Two Beasts

With a sharp sound, the black iron cut through the air.

Elizard’s gorgeous and proudest fist technique. The black fist shook the air with such ease that it felt like dancing. Telsarat’s long legs gracefully disappeared.

What greeted her was a swaying silver hair. The long dark scarlet sword was swung with tremendous force that it seemed like it was going to rip off the enemy’s legs. This sword, which had a magical glamour, promptly welcomed battle.

From an outsider’s point of view, it was a fight filled with an extraordinary murderous intent. They were willing to kill each other with a ferocity nowhere seen before.

Still, for Caria and Telsarat…for those two beasts, killing each other was pointless. They were simply claiming ownership of their prey.

A beast was obsessed with its prey, and if someone from elsewhere came into contact with it, even in the form of just a fragment, it would do everything in its power to eliminate the enemy. Otherwise, it would lose the ownership of its prey.

It was no longer a matter of death. It was a frightening occurrence, so to speak. Beasts reacted most sensitively to the possibility that something important to them could be taken away.

At least, that was what happened with the silver hair. Caria was a believer of power, and even though she trembled in fear, she couldn’t forsake that principle.

That’s why she tried so hard to protect what was hers with all her power. A hard blow came from below.

…On this moment. Iron and scarlet mixed together, producing a fiery flame in the air. Only the reverberant sound of iron remained.

The ion armor and the scarlet sword collided head-on. Telsarat was the first to shift the focus of her power and let the impact evade. She did it almost by reflex. Then, she felt it.

…She couldn’t compete with the power of a head-on attack. At least, not for long.

Telsarat understood after just one strike. Her right leg felt so numb that it looked like it was going to split.

Her bones creaked out loud even though it was only a momentary encounter. A physical strength that was hard to believe that belonged to a human.

Telsarat tangled her hair as she sharpened her senses. She couldn’t compete head-on. Then what?

In that case, it was best not to fight head-on. Telsarat had experienced many battles, including battles with demonic beasts boasting huge bodies and superhuman strength.

For a short moment, Telsarat caught a glimpse of Lugis’ appearance. A green military uniform. The slight trace of childishness had disappeared from his face. He looked fearless now.

Once in the past, Telsarat met him and Caria. Judging from what she had seen at that time, Lugis had become quite admirable. At that time, he was only an adventurer at best.

Telsarat felt her heart palpitate. She forced herself to swallow her saliva and looked at Caria with sharp eyes.

Telsarat thought that neither he nor Caria remembered her. Of course, adventurers met lots of people in their journey. Most of those encounters just happened once.

It was common for adventurers who received the same request to drink together, and then part ways due to different requests. There was no way an adventurer would remember every single person.

Even so, how could he forget her.

Telsarat looked at Caria. Her brilliant silver hair now trembled like a ferocious lion.

…Telsarat realized that she had been by his side the whole time.

Such thoughts welled up in Telsarat’s heart. What’s so wrong by hugging him a little? It was the best way to express the emotion of reunion.

No, of course, Telsarat also felt a degree of shame. Why did she have such thoughts? Hugging others was definitely not a behavior befitting of a fighter.

Telsarat felt a slight sense of anguish in her chest the moment she readjusted her legs.

A voice echoed on the battle where only the two of them were alone.

「…You two aren’t beasts that don’t understand words, but real human beings. Why don’t you be a little gentler with your greetings? 」

Everybody’s eyes turned to Lugis as he spoke. Everyone noticed without anyone saying anything. Only a worthy man could stop these two beasts from interfering with each other.

Caria suddenly distorted her lips after hearing those words. The great long sword had not been released from its stance yet.

「What are you talking about? People who jump on you by surprise deserve to be attacked. 」

Am I wrong? Caria asked while looking skeptical.

「Or are you asking me to do anything, or say anything at all, and just stand still like a rock next to you. 」

Caria’s silver eyes distorted as she stared at Lugis. She seemed to be trembling with emotions that resembled dissatisfaction and anxiety.

「No. I can’t make my Lady Shield do such a wasteful thing. However, there’s no point in wielding the sword against a supposed ally. 」

Lugis turned his head and looked at Telsarat. Telsarat’s expression hardened after seeing Lugis’ naturally rugged-looking eyes.

Without a doubt, Telsarat was someone Lugis had met before. When he looked at her, he felt a warm sense of nostalgia, but at the same time, a sharp sense of loneliness that caressed the back of his neck. Telsarat spoke while pressing the corners of her lips.

「…It’s like a greeting in Elizard. I apologize. You looked like an acquaintance. 」

Telsarat released her offensive stance when she lowered her legs. She said nothing more.

In reality, she wanted to thank him for what happened in the past when they met again. However, those words didn’t come out of her throat when she finally met him face to face. There was a quiet trepidation inside Telsarat’s heart.

She wanted to thank him. She was glad to see him again. That feeling definitely existed.

Nonetheless. What if he didn’t remember a single bit of what happened? Telsarat wouldn’t be able to bear it. It would be impossible to suppress the overflowing emotions.

Telsarat was unable to say anything. It wasn’t that her ego got in the way or that she was trying to show off a brave front…she was just scared.

「…Lady Telsarat and Lady Caria, are you done? Let’s go inside the city now. There are many things to do, and sometimes, time is more precious than money. 」

Hearing her name being called by Largud Ann, who looked quite exhausted, Telsarat’s heart pounded in her chest. It even seemed as if she stopped breathing.

A strange tension grabbed her spine even though she didn’t do anything wrong.

A sound echoed in Telsarat’s ears. It was Lugis’ voice.

「…Actually, I thought I was wrong, but it seems you grew up quite well. Weren’t you about the same height as Caria before? 」

Lugis spoke as if it were obvious. He had a chewing tobacco in his mouth.

For a moment, Telsarat didn’t know who he was addressing to. Believing it was for herself was an extremely convenient assumption.

When Telsarat’s lips remained tightly closed, Lugis rolled his eyes slightly and let out a sigh.

「Oh, no, sorry. There’s no way you can remember. We only met once. 」

Lugis smiled as if he was mocking her. Suddenly, Telsarat’s emotions burst from her chest. Her lips trembled in agitation, unable to reply.

It was different from what she had idealized. She didn’t want to look like this in front of him. But it was pointless to dwell in those thoughts right now. Telsarat opened her mouth while her eyes widened. She could clearly tell that her tongue wasn’t moving properly.

「Tha…that’s not true! I remember, of course I remember. It’s been a while, Lord Lugis! 」

Those words alone made her feel out of breath. The relief of finally being able to exchange words filled Telsarat’s heart. Lugis remembered her. Waiting for this moment was truly worthy.

On the other hand, it seemed like Caria didn’t remember who she was judging by the way she attacked her without hesitation.

Suddenly, Telsarat saw Caria walking in front of her with her silver hair swaying. When Lugis told her about Telsarat, Caria spoke as if it was no big deal.

「Huh? Why are saying that now? I noticed it from the beginning. 」

After hearing these words, Telsarat pressed the knuckles in her black armor. A slight paleness appeared on her forehead.

That’s why Caria noticed her presence and attacked her. Indeed, it seemed that her essence had not changed at all.

—

「An alliance with the southern nation of Elizard, huh. The Heraldic Order has become great. 」

The assembly hall of the puppet city of Philos. I spoke while keeping Ann in my field of vision, who was sitting in the middle seat.

The chewing tobacco I had retrieved from Matia tickled my nostrils. For some reason, I felt something deep in my stomach.

Although there were various circumstances, including inner conflicts, the Heraldic Order, which was just a small power, was now trying to form an alliance with a powerful nation. I could feel something gushing up inside me even though I wasn’t a Heraldic believer.

Ann responded with a wry smile perhaps in response to my words.

「Yes. Officially, Saint Matia will be the one to sign the coalition contract. But now that we have seen the threat of demonic beings up close in the royal capital, it’s unlikely that the deal will be broken. 」

Demonic beings. The atmosphere in the chamber sank immediately at those words.

The main reason why this alliance was being forged now was precisely because of these threats. A living disaster that ate up heroes, killed and trampled on brave men. A nightmare that catastrophically put at risk human lives.

I heard that demonic beings were making their way in the desert in the southern country of Elizard.

That’s why humans no longer had the luxury to fight fellow humans with spears and swords.

That said, the reason Elizard was able to choose an alliance with other forces so quickly was entirely because of the Heraldic Order an emerging force. They would’ve never chosen an ally if they had to deal with long-established nations.

Elizard was an existence that valued physical power above all else and had competed with powerful countries. Throughout its long history, Elizard had continued to quarrel not only with the Gharast Kingdom, but also with the Bolvat Dynasty in the east and the countries in the west.

Even if the situation appeared to be calm and friendly at this moment, everyone was still harboring feelings that couldn’t be swallowed.

Would these people, who had hated and fought each other longer than a single human’s life span, be able to join forces and forget about their past differences in a time of crisis?

There was no way an alliance could be made. The national boundaries that had existed for years would remain in place until they vomited blood and died. They would never change their stance until they lost all integrity. They were even willing to lose their nation. At least, that’s how it used to be.

That’s probably why Elizard sought an alliance with the Heraldic Order. It was because they had no history of conflict with the Heraldic Order. Moreover, the Heraldic Order also viewed the Gharast Kingdom as a disgusting enemy.

Ann looked around at everyone in the chamber, as if asking for their opinion. However, no one seemed to be against Ann’s policies.

Only Caria spoke, snorting.

「…Then it’s my turn. I’m against an alliance with Elizard from the bottom of my heart. 」

I narrowed my eyes slightly at those words. In a sense, those words were predictable.

Caria was with me now, but she was originally a noble person from the Gharast Kingdom. It was no longer a matter of will, but an indelible amount of grudge that flowed in her bloodline.

In particular, Elizard and the Gharast Kingdom had been involved in repeated war campaigns for many years. An alliance couldn’t be easily accepted.

I said, placing my finger on my chin and smiling with my teeth. I saw Caria’s silver eyes up close.

「I don’t think it’s a bad idea. Please stay with me a little longer. If you’re gone, I won’t be able to handle it anymore. 」

Caria opened her silver eyes for a moment. Then, she nodded in satisfaction, shaking her silver hair. There was even a hint of pride in her eyes.

「…I understand. It’s okay, really. It’s my role to go along with your selfishness. 」

I shrugged my shoulders and responded. I shook my cheeks gently.

「I’m pleased to have a good comrade. 」

Ann looked at Caria, then let out a deep sigh before continuing her words. She probably understood Caria’s position.

「We have become a force that can no longer be ignored on the continent. If we form an alliance with Elizard, suppressing the south will no longer be a priority. On the other hand, we have the threatening Cathedral in the north along with the great demon Zebrililith. 」

Ann explained that we should look in a different direction in order to prepare for the threat of the impending disaster. Ann’s slender fingers crawled across the map on the desk.

「…What we need to look at are the East and the West. The Western Union of Roah, and the Eastern Bolvat Dynasty. It’s how we build a relationship with these nations that will determine our future. 」

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Caria is so…Caria ahahaha 😀

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