208. King of the North (2)
#208
Another name for the Tukan Plateau was the Land of Life. The relatively constant average temperature and the large and small streams that flow throughout the green plateau that appears in summer have become a home for countless lives not just the Rundalian residents.
Particularly indebted were the indigenous people who lived in small tribes. The Tukan Plateau where food was readily available helped them form a primitive group and live self-sufficiently. Werewolf hunter Pocha was also one of those who enjoyed such blessings.
“I never thought I would meet Jager in my lifetime.”
Pocha who was leaving for the hunt hummed his tune. The weather wasn’t very good but I felt like I was flying. He benefited from meeting his idol Zeiger in person.
Jager came to his tribe with two humans a man and a woman. The humans needed to treat Jay’s wounds so he asked to be allowed to stay in the village for a while. Thanks to this Pocha was able to say hello and even have a short conversation with Jager who was resting.
‘I heard your complexion is not good. I hope you get better quickly…’
The only thing that bothered me was Jager’s complexion which was not good throughout the conversation. It seemed clear that something bad was going on. Pocha closed her eyes for a moment and prayed for him.
“Please rest in peace.”
As he prayed his heart seemed to somehow become lighter. He hated humans but for some reason it didn’t seem like those two would harm Jager.
I wish I could catch a big Great Deer today. As Pocha got up and started walking again a sound came to his ears.
“Uh…uhh….”
“hmm?”
Pocha turned his head. A werewolf boy was walking dragging his legs. He was a child who looked to be five or six years old at most.
“Where are you going little one?”
“Ahhh.”’
Instead of answering the boy let out a strange voice. His eyes were unfocused and sticky saliva was dripping from his gaping muzzle. His long fingernails which looked like they had never been trimmed in his life were also noticeable. At that moment Pocha noticed that this boy had deformities which had become more common recently.
“Oh…tsk tsk.”
The frequency of births with deformed babies was getting worse day by day and she seemed to be one of them. For a moment it seemed like the tribe had escaped while the locals looked away. Still dragging one’s legs or drooling were good symptoms.
“Looking at your outfit you look like the Moss Rock Tribe… Let’s go together kid. “I’ll take you there.”
Pocha approached the boy and held out his hand. There were many deformed children like that in his own tribe so he couldn’t just sit by and watch. The werewolf boy did not respond this time but just continued his steps in silence.
That won’t work. I have to pick it up and move it. It was at this moment that Pocha touched the boy’s shoulder. Suddenly! Something fast and sharp passed by my neck.
“uh?”
The world Pocha sees has been turned upside down. His other half which was spinning in the air landed in the cold snow. What Pocha saw in his rapidly fading consciousness was a blurry sky and his own body falling down in a fountain of blood.
Eventually the light went out from his eyes. The boy’s long long toenails were soaked with fresh blood. The boy who cut off Pocha’s head with a single blow muttered in an eerie voice.
“Ahh…my…this.”
The boy walked along Pocha’s footsteps. A halo of light created by torches was shining far across the plain. The snow fluttering under the dark sky was getting stronger.
****
“His name is Barka. He is the brother of Jaiphan… and the actual mastermind who planned the Fang Night.”
A dry voice came out of Jager’s mouth. Ronan and Adeshan’s eyes widened. Ronan who was silent for a moment opened his mouth.
“…Brothers? Did Jaifa have a brother?”
“okay. It’s not unreasonable to not know. Because I’m a person who doesn’t show off my makeup in front of others. “Among our compatriots in the North there are probably less than ten people who know his identity.”
This was truly my first time hearing this. I never would have thought that Jaifa had a brother. Ronan approached quickly and squatted down in front of Jager again.
“Tell me in detail. “What do you mean the actual mastermind?”
“That’s literally it. It is no exaggeration to say that although it was Jaifa who gathered the people and became the focal point it was he who planned everything behind the scenes. “The fact that we captured the Margrave of Barça in three days was partly thanks to the strategy he set up.”
Adeshan’s face suddenly hardened upon hearing the name of his hometown. Jager began listing one by one the things that Barca has led so far.
“Unlike Jaifa he is a cunning and cunning guy but he is born with the ability to use his wits. Do you remember the incident that led to the Night of the Fangs?”
“Occupation of Jube the imperial shrine.”
“I know very well… I passed that on purpose. A messenger secretly sent by Barca informed the imperial army of a side road through which they could attack the northern defenders. As a result we lost the symbolic land called the Holy Land but we were able to gather 10000 of our compatriots using our anger as a focal point.”
It was truly a series of shocking testimonies. Handing over Jube the sacred site of the northern beastmen to the imperial army and defeating the Margrave’s soldiers were all ideas that came from Barca’s head. Jager continued.
“He came to see me and asked me if I wanted to become king of the North. Unlike in the past he treated me with respect. Without thinking much I said I would do it if they asked me to. “What happens after that is as you know.”
When Barka came to see Jager he was in the midst of his banditry. From that day on Barca served as Jager’s advisor and told him what needed to be done to unite the North once again.
He didn’t know why he wanted to make Jiger the king instead of himself. However even though he was stupid Jager was gifted with charisma and the ability to incite and in just two years he created a huge force called the New Northern Alliance. Ronan who was listening to the story twisted his lips.
‘He’s a dangerous guy. He didn’t even know it existed in his past life.
I didn’t know why such a big man didn’t show up in his past life. Nothing much happened in the north until the giants came down from the sky. I only vaguely heard that the giant called Duaru dealt with by the Navardose had evaporated the Tucan Plateau. Suddenly a question crossed Ronan’s mind.
“wait for a sec. So was Zaifa’s surrender to the Empire an idea that came from the head of that guy named Barka? “When I hear something explained it feels like a completely different behavior.”
“That’s sharp. In conclusion no. As you thought the Northern Alliance’s surrender was Jaifa’s independent decision. He wanted to take care of what he had gained so far and Barca insisted on pushing forward with the system. “That incident led to a turning point between the Turgen brothers never to meet again.”
Jager spoke with a somewhat bitter tone. Indeed as Ronan expected Jaipa’s surrender and pledge of loyalty were his arbitrary decisions.
Jaipa tried to protect the rights and territory of the Northern Beasts through negotiations using himself as a hostage but Barka wanted to take everything in his hands. It was obvious that there was tremendous friction between the two until Jaipa made and implemented such a decision.
War was ultimately a part of fighting so it was something that had to be done to understand but Ronan thought that Jaifar’s choice was the right one. No matter how fierce the Northern Alliance’s momentum was at the time it would have been defeated in the end without being able to defeat the giant called the Empire. Ronan thought for a moment while stroking his chin and came to a conclusion.
‘Barka… I have to get rid of it even if I have to turn around for a moment.’
We were already too deep into the area to just look at the blacksmith shop. Moreover since Barka belonged to the Nebula Klajie it was also related to his duties as his dawn. Ronan asked.
“good. “Do you know where he ran away to?”
“It’s not exact but he probably went to Heiran. Because his base is there. “He once had his men follow him to find out.”
Ronan raised his eyebrows. This was again unexpected. Heyran was the destination I originally intended to go to before the itinerary went astray. Ronan suddenly remembered the situation at the blacksmith shop and opened his mouth.
“That’s right now that I’m thinking about it please get rid of your subordinates who have occupied Heyran. “Free the blacksmiths that are being held captive.”
“Hey you seem to be mistaken. If you think I will do what you want…”
Jager frowned. Although he felt remorse upon seeing his compatriots affected by his curse he did not completely convert to Ronan’s side. Although he had already said it out of desperation he was still afraid of Barca. As he was about to say something he shook his head.
“…No don’t do that. “I am indebted to you.”
“Good idea.”
“But there is a condition. Even if you meet him don’t tell him what happened here. I was kidnapped by you guys and returned muttering nonsense from the pain of having my arms and legs cut off. “Do you understand?”
Ronan who saw that he was trying to avoid responsibility laughed. I wondered if there was any use in telling the whole story but I could understand his feelings. By any chance I could have been silenced by Barka for revealing a secret.
“My opinion that humans should be driven out of the North has not changed. But not this. “No matter how much it is said to be part of a strategy to unite compatriots… this is not it.”
Jager grabbed the doll. Although his head was bad it was fortunate that his final conscience seemed to remain. This was better than something as insidious as Barca.
“I don’t think you guys can kill Barca. That guy is a monster in a different sense than Jaifa. “He must have a strategy to destroy you.”
“Could it be that that child also has the qualities of a swordsman? “That’s a bit harsh.”
“I don’t know because I’ve never seen them fight properly. Because he was a person more suited to being a staff officer than a warrior. But I don’t think that Turgen’s blood will go anywhere.”
Ronan nodded his head in agreement. You could guess his skills just by the kick he received in Jager’s room.
Just looking at it I felt like I shouldn’t let down my guard no matter what it was as it was almost similar to Jaipa. He snapped his fingers as if he suddenly remembered something.
“really. I’ll give you this. “It will help us track him down.”
“ok?”
“Instead you must never let him know of the existence of this item. Because he will definitely know that I gave it to him. “Where did this damn thing go…”
He started to rummage through his pockets. He looked like he was about to hand something over. After searching through most of his pockets it was the moment he put his hand into his inner pocket. Ronan narrowed his eyes as he felt a twinge of pain near his thigh.
“hmm…?”
“Ronan? what’s the matter?”
Adeshan approached him. Ronan who was silently rummaging through his pants pocket on the side where the pain occurred pulled out a short thick stick. It was a stake used to place a curse on the tribe.
“what?”
“Damn this…!”
The two people’s faces hardened at the same time. The evil energy rising to the surface became stronger. The curse’s unique purple color was almost visible. Torn screams were coming from outside the tent.
