[ Episode 220. Valley of Wailing]
The sheer cliffs filled the field of view.
A rugged mountain range made up of only rocks without a single blade of grass.
And in the middle of the mountain range, there was a fortress built that was so magnificent that I dared to think that it was possible with human power.
“Wailing Gorge. I’ve only heard of it, but it’s the first time I’ve been here.”
Evan muttered as they looked at the majestic scenery together.
The Gorge of Wailing looked as if it were right in front of us, but it was actually a distance that could only be reached by walking for half a day.
As much as that, the northern mountains were large and wide.
“I’m asking you here, but will they just let you in?”
“I told you beforehand.”
“You are also the lord.”
Evan, who had no doubts, seemed more unusual.
If it was someone else, I would have told you to stop talking nonsense, but it’s nice that I don’t have to explain.
“I can feel the presence of you.”
I didn’t feel anything, but if it was Evan, that’d be it.
Until now, they had deliberately passed through deserted places, but as the Gorge of Wailing approached, it seemed that barbarians were swarming everywhere.
“I would like to enter quietly.”
“Just follow me.”
Evan took the lead and said.
In many ways, meeting Evan is unexpectedly fortunate.
He read the signs ahead of him and moved forward avoiding the savages.
It took more time, but thanks to that, we were able to reach the entrance of the fortress without running into anyone.
thump thump!
There was no one in front of the fort.
I immediately knocked loudly on the gate.
“Who are you!”
A small window opened to confirm your identity.
Soon, the eyes of the savages with a clear expression of bewilderment came into view.
“Who are you?”
His voice was filled with doubt.
“I am Adrias Cromwell, Count of the Empire. Go tell your boss I’m here.”
Those eyes that had been staring at us without an answer as if they didn’t understand us who appeared out of nowhere soon closed the window and disappeared.
“I looked down on the barbarians, but it’s not something to be relieved about.”
“Can you feel something?”
“Superhumans are felt inside the fort. I don’t know exactly how many, but revenge.”
I know.
That’s why it’s an episode with more NPCs than players.
“It can be dangerous. Of course, I’ll do my best to help, but no matter how much I can’t stop a large number of superhumans alone…”
“Don’t worry.”
I looked at the castle gate with my arms folded and said quietly.
“When they attack, they die.”
Before long, the gates of the fort slowly began to open.
And the savages, visible through the cracks in the door, were waiting with great vigor.
“The welcome is rough.”
“He’s a swollen guy. Who is next to you?”
“He is my escort knight.”
“You said you came alone?”
“okay. It’s just the two of us, so don’t growl like a frightened bastard, but get out of the way?”
A barbarian who blushed at my words drew his weapon.
“The kid of the empire has left his coward head at home! Don’t pluck the head right now!”
“Stop.”
The aura of mana flowed calmly.
The one who was about to rush at me stopped abruptly and turned his head away.
“Bach!”
“Back off. He is the warchief’s guest.”
The atmosphere was refreshed when the muscular man, who was clearly an Auror Master at a glance, spoke.
Looking at the savages who lowered their heated spirit, I said to the new man.
“Is the story over?”
“O nobles of the empire. I don’t know what you believe in and be so fussy about, but do your provocations in moderation. If you make a mistake, you may die.”
“That’s something I know how to do. Come on, guide me. Didn’t you come to guide the warchief?”
“That’s rude.”
We are alone now.
That’s why I was going out stronger than usual.
Human relationships, especially in this situation, were more important than I thought.
The moment the other party looks down on us, the negotiating environment will become even worse.
If possible, I tried to kill my nerves by exercising my skills before meeting the warchief, but that failed.
“Follow me.”
As he followed the Auror Master named Bach, he felt the gazes of numerous barbarians inside the fortress.
And, as Evan said, unusual energy was felt in about two places.
One is where the Warchief we’re going to is, so there are at least three Aura Masters.
‘It’s as expected. The rest will be out on the battlefield. It’s good enough.’
Now there is really nothing to be afraid of.
Of course, I knew from experience in the game that the warchief was a monster beyond imagination.
And I actually met and felt it indirectly beforehand.
But right now, next to me was Evan, a variable that even I didn’t expect.
No matter how great the warchief is, he will be equal to or less than Evan.
“There are wizards too.”
Evan tipped me off.
Any wizard here right now would be a warlock.
The necromancer who invaded Borghien could be here.
“Arrived.”
Unusually, the place where the war chief was located was not the lord’s castle.
Although it is said to be a fortress, the lord castle definitely existed, but the place we arrived at was an ordinary private house.
thud!
“I brought guests.”
After that, Bach gave an eye to go in and guarded the door.
I laughed at the move as if to block the retreat.
“It would be better to stay by the warchief’s side than to stay there.”
“Two! Satisfied aristocrat of the empire, you do not know what a warchief is. When you see it in person, you will realize how stupid your words were.”
Bach smiled as he spat on the floor.
I wonder whose smile will be erased between me and his face.
When I
opened the door and entered, I saw a man with a huge body right in front of me.
And next to him, Nickel, who had been here before, was training.
‘Ehh.’
What to do with that madman
“Are you the owner of this strange guy?”
“I am Adrias Cromwell, Count of the Empire. Next to me is my escort knight, Sir Evan.”
As Niel knew in advance, the warchief was alone.
Proof that confidence in one’s abilities is absolute.
“Come in and sit down.”
As he said, I trudged along and took out a chair in front of the table and sat down naturally.
Coincidentally, the warchief was also sitting there, so we were able to face each other.
“You have a lot of guts. I hope you two come together.”
“Two. There’s another one next to you.”
“It’s a monster that can neither live nor die, so it’s strange, but there’s no need to worry about it.”
You’re being careless.
rather good
Of course, my goal is not the warchief’s death.
Rather, it is best for him to survive and move to the northern snowy region.
However, he always had the option of killing him in case of an emergency.
“so. Is what this monster brought true?”
“Then it’s not natural. Did I sneak all the way here because I was crazy?”
At my words, the warchief opened his eyes and glared at me.
“You are a rat in a poison. You know that, right?”
“Your son is in my hands. You know that, right?”
As I struck back, the warchief’s energy engulfed the room.
Why would you use force?
“Heh heh heh. Take up your energy. Otherwise, my sword will cut your throat.”
Evan revealed his intention to live with a smile.
Then, the energy of the warchief and Evan’s life began to collide.
Then the warchief looked at Evan with an interesting expression.
“I thought about what to believe, and I was able to do it.”
“Even if it wasn’t for Sir Evan, I wouldn’t die here. Stop looking at it and decide quickly. Do you want to make a deal with me or not?”
“First, I need to make sure my son is all right. not before that And…”
he muttered, looking through the door.
At the same time I noticed that someone was coming.
“I must have warned you.”
“How can I believe what you say is true? You are the imperial pig.”
“You are stupid.”
I must have warned you, but you didn’t listen.
This would make things a bit complicated.
“Adrias Cromwell.”
A new character called my name behind my back.
Turning my head slightly, it was a person I knew.
“Quenton Brook. Clearly our faction would have decided not to intervene in this war.”
“Don’t order me recklessly, you disgusting thing. I don’t know how you deceived Master, but we will correct your mistakes.”
In the letter I sent along with the nickel, I told them not to let me know that I was coming because the warlocks were obviously involved in the kidnapping.
But now that things have turned out this way, it will add a bit of trouble to the party bringing Monsieur.
Warlocks won’t let go of their wrath.
“My fault? What am I doing wrong? I’m just trying to end this war by handing over the kidnapped child. In the meantime, take advantage of the benefits.”
“Kyrak. What this guy said is a lie. If we could have found your child, we would have found it right away. We are helping this war in the first place, and that guy is the dog of the Empire. It’s definitely an imperial trick to trick you and take this fortress back.”
“Then let’s make a bet.”
I knocked on the table to get attention.
“I’m sure I have Monsieur. And now I’m bringing them here for a deal. If Monsieur doesn’t come within two days, I’ll lose the bet and it’s up to you whether you lose or fry it.”
“You’re overdoing it, kid.”
Quenton looked at me gently.
Perhaps they realize at least that Monsieur is coming here.
“But if Monsieur comes all the way here with my friends. Warchief, you kill all the warlocks here.”
“If what you say is true, I will do it without saying it.”
At some point, the warchief changed into believing my words.
Probably because I know Monsieur’s name. Because he said it quite naturally.
“But there is one problem.”
“Are you scared all of a sudden?”
Quenton was sarcastic, but I stood firm and said what I had to say.
“From the moment I told you that Monsieur was coming, these warlocks were going to get in the way. And there is news that the shadows of the emperor have already been attached. Things are going to be pretty difficult.”
“……Tell me the location. I will personally send one of the Great Warriors to check.”
Warchief Kairak’s poker face collapsed slightly.
You probably know that Monsieur is in great danger.
I didn’t worry too much because I knew who put it next to Monsieur.
“Warchief. Again, this is a bet. It’s just for fun. Whether Monsieur gets here safely or not depends on luck.”
“You are crazy. If Monsieur is not safe, you will surely die by my hands, let alone the deal you wanted.”
“I don’t know anything about that. I am confident that I will not die.”
I laughed at Kairak’s increasingly nervous expression.
“It’s gonna be fun. Who will win the bet? ah! Does Monsieur just need to come, so can he die?”
Quaang!
The table shattered.
At the same time, Evan pulled out his sword and blocked my path.
“If you were trying to provoke me, I’d say it worked very well.”
A piercing energy exploded.
I’ve never felt such an energy before.
Since I had never seen Maximin genuinely energized, the energy I was experiencing now was the highest record I had ever felt.
“Calm down, Warchief. If I die, your son will die regardless of the bet.”
“Tell me. What do you want from me?”
“Now we can talk.”
Quenton hurriedly opened his mouth, probably noticing that things were getting weird.
“Kyrak! Don’t be fooled by him!”
“Shall we send that warlock out first? It’s noisy, so I can’t negotiate.”
At my words, Kairak turned his head to look at Quenton.
“scram.”
“Kyrak!”
“I told you to get out!”
His aura mixed with life was more frightening than I expected.
I’m sure this would be a good match against Evan, right?
Eventually, Quenton chewed his lips and walked out.
I didn’t forget to say a word to me right before I left.
“Adrias Cromwell. I will definitely kill you or expel you from the meeting.”
“Do as you please. Either roast or stir-fry.”
In the end, Quenton was kicked out.
Kairak, who was still suppressing his anger, exhaled with a flushed face.
“Now tell me. What do you guys want?”
“good. Looks like you’re finally ready to make a deal.”
I straightened up and sat down and smiled.
“Let’s have a serious talk.”
[Episode 220. The Gorge of Wailing] End
