“We are of the same race, but not necessarily siblings” (Hiiro)
“Fun, the same race, huh” (Rarashik)
Rarashik compared the two of them as if she was searching for something.
(Let’s see… that silver-blue hair and those ears… no, that couldn’t be. If that was the case, then that ear shape should be slightly different…)
As soon as she determined that it was no longer possible, she discarded those that idea. Immediately following that, she chuckled to herself before she once again laid her eyes upon Hiiro.
“Well, whatever. It is just as you said, boya. Do you get it, Arnold?” (Rarashik)
“Um, the <<Binding>> skill which has a shallow history, can’t win against magic?” (Arnold)
“That’s a given. The Evila will be able to use magic that <<Binding>> users will not be able to use. Compared to them our magic is inferior. (Rarashik)
“But shishou’s level of <<Binding>> is different, right?” (Arnold)
“Well, I’m the one who thought of it after all. After me would probably be…just the king.” (Rarashik)
“Wait a minute! What about the “Three Beast Saints”?” (Arnold)
(Nn? The three beast-saints?)
Hearing an interesting word appear, Hiiro raised his eyebrows.
“Isn’t it obvious? They’re all just snotty nosed brats if you ask me.” (Rarashik)
“Snot nosed…you know that they’re very influential people of this kingdom…”
Hou~ Hiiro felt something click as he gained an understanding due to Arnold’s words.
(Even among the Gabranth, there are people who are classified as being in the top class…huh? The Three Beast Saints? If presumably there is only 3 of them, that’s not a very notable amount)
It seemed that, according to Arnold, the three-beast saints were ranked next to king in terms of combat ability and influence. In Rarashik’s eyes, however, she seemed to have deemed them as ‘snot nosed brats’.
“Well, leaving out the whole snotty brats thing, the number of people that can bring out the true power of the <<Binding>> skill besides me is only 1. Incidentally, they’re one of the people that are heading off to war. Do you really think those amateurs who take the lead in this war will stand a chance against the Evila?” (Rarashik)
Arnold was left unable to reject those words. From first hand experience, he can attest to the <<Binding>> skill’s strength. However, he also knew that he wasn’t able to realize the skill’s full potential. If you apply Arnold’s situation to Rarashik’s explanation, the obvious conclusion drawn is that all the beastmen are unable to fully utilise the <<Binding>> skill.
Those handicapped Gabranth are going to fight the Evila, who have studied and compiled their knowledge of magic, to the point of being able to use their magic like their own limbs. What Rarashik is try to convey is that it is correct to assume that the Gabranth will not be able to stand a chance against the Evila.
“It’s too soon. It’s way too soon to be stirring up trouble with them.” (Arnold)
Putting her hands in her white lab coat’s pockets, Rarashik let exasperated.
“So, you tried to stop them, Shishou?” (Arnold)
“If I was talking to people that listened then maybe I could have convinced them…It’s just that everyone was so enthusiastic about being able to use magic with the <<Binding>> skill for the first time. There will always be someone stronger no matter how strong you get.” (Rarashik)
“To think that shishou’s words couldn’t stop them…” (Arnold)
“Well, to them, I’m just a former martial arts teacher. I don’t have that much authority in the first place. If I had some achievements under my belt like my damn father, perhaps they may have heeded my warnings.”
“Is that so…? No, I think what shishou has achieved so far is definitely something worth respecting.” (Arnold)
The ability to bring out the Gabranth hidden potential by using the <<Binding>> skill is already a great feat. However, in Rarashik’s eyes, something of that level was probably not what she would consider an accomplishment.
“In any case, this is a war. It’d be nice if we are able to return from it without experiencing something tragic…” (Rarashik)
True, this was not a measly quarrel. This is for the Gabranth to measure the power of the Evlia, to find their own weaknesses and learn something from it. There is a high probability that they will experience something painful before retreating to safety.
“Sadly, the Gabranth are simple and naive. There is a possibility that they may get wiped out.” (Rarashik)
“N-no way…” (Muir)
Muir voiced her dismay as her face grew pale. If the Gabranth army was annihilated, there is a high chance that the end of the Gabranth would draw closer. Even if Evila retreated, there is a chance that the Humas would take the opportunity to invade.
In the event that they do invade, the Gabranth would be enslaved by the Humas. Realizing this, both Muir and Arnold felt a shiver run down their spine.
Arnold and Muir knew all too well that the true horror of the Humas wasn’t their strength or their magic prowess, but their desire for domination, control, and greed. It is because of this that a future enslavement to them had to be prevented at all cost.
“I-is there nothing we can do?” (Muir)
“Didn’t I say it before? All we can do is let things run their course.” (Rarashik)
“Y-yes, but…” (Muir)
“Or what? Do you plan on joining the war effort in order to prevent enslavement? With those puny arms?” (Rarashik)
Even though Rarashik’s words were harsh, they were indisputably correct. No matter what he would do, the situation would remain unchanged. Involvement in the war effort would only bring about several more corpses of Evila soldiers. Worst case, it would only increase the number of Gabranth bodies.
Seeing Arnold clenching his teeth, Rarashik could only spit out sigh.
“Well, we won’t be able to completely stop the flames of war, but in theory, we can delay the opening spark.” (Rarashik)
“R-really!?” (Arnold)
Arnold tried to think of a method to delay the war, but he was unable to come up with anything. He had given up and thought that there might be no way to do something like that.
“Kind of. If it works, both sides will stay put.” (Rarashik)
“What method is it?” (Muir)
“Didn’t I say? This is only a theory?” (Rarashik)
“Eh?” (Muir)
“It seems that neither side is likely to benefit from it. And even then, we need to find someone capable of doing it…” (Rarashik)
Arnold brought his hand to his chin, tilting his neck as he stared at Rarashik.
“E-exactly what kind of method is this?” (Arnold)
“…hmm? I think that boya over there already knows, right?” (Rarashik)
Saying this, Rarashik’s casually gaze laid upon Hiiro’s reflection. He held his arms crossed over his chest in an uninterested manner, however, after being spoken to, Hiiro turned his gaze towards Rarashik. Facing her, he spoke.
“Aa.” (Hiiro)
Hearing Hiiro’s expression of affirmation, Muir and Arnold’s jaws dropped in disbelief.
“Hou~” (Rarashik)
Rarashik grinned in admiration.
‘Oi Hiiro? Are you serious?” (Arnold)
“Yeah, although I’m beginning to wonder how much of that you understood. Were you asleep the whole time, old man?” (Hiiro)
“Nahahahaha! To be treated like that by someone younger than you, you should be ashamed, Arnold!” (Rarashik)
“Gununununu….Argh, whatever!I don’t care anymore! Tell me already!” (Arnold)
As Hiiro noticed Muir’s curious, glittering eyes staring at him as if pleading him to teach her what he had realized, ‘ha~’ Hiiro could only sigh.
“Why don’t you say it bo-ya? I want to see if you’ve actually got the right idea.” (Rarashik)
Seeing Rarashik’s playful smile that felt like she was testing him, Hiiro felt pissed. However, even if he remained silent, the other two’s stares started to become a nuisance. Therefore, Hiiro reluctantly began his explanation.
“…ha~Listen carefully, got it. That method is….” (Hiiro)
Konjiki no Wordmaster Chapter 40: War Commences! And a Sudden Development!?
《Gedalt Bridge》. That was the only bridge connecting the『Gabranth』 and 『Evila』 continents. And at this very moment, from both sides of the bridge, the 『Gabranth』 and 『Evila』 glared at one another.
“Those bastards. I was sure that they would deploy their troops to our side already…”
The person who muttered that was 【Beast Kingdom, Passion】’s King, and the one serving as supreme commanding officer of the country’s forces: Leowald King. His gallant mane flowed in the wind, as his sharp lion-like eyes stared at the other side of the bridge.
He had acted under the assumption that the 『Evila』 would station their troops on this side to prevent them from crossing. But it appears he was mistaken
“Damn, if only they were on our side of the bridge, I would make mincemeat out of them.”
The person saying this with a regretful expression was the seond prince, Lenion.
“As expected of war. Not everything will go as planned…”
For a different reason than Legion, the first prince Leglos also had a regretful expression.
“Father, what should we do? They’ve positioned quite a force on that side. I believe it would be best to wait and see what move they will make.”
“Yes, this is still within expectations. We’ll keep to our initial plan. First… we’ll use that.”
Upon those words, the people surrounding him gave off dangerous smiles.
“Are the preparations ready, Yuhito!?”
Upon calling the name, a man in a white lab coat appeared behind him.
“Nyohohohoho! We’re ready whenever you are! Let’s confirm the results of my research to our hearts content! Nyohohohoho!”
His hair was unkempt and his coat was worn out. The man wearing spiraling glasses and giving off a generally dirty disposition gave off a loud laugh.
“Good, then release the first 《Decaying Legions》!”
“Nyohohohoho! Crouch, do it!”
A black panther Beast-man with his entire body covered in black stood before everyone.
“Understood-nya.”
He placed his arms on the ground in front of the bridge.
“Now, it’s time for work-nya. Come out-nya.”
The bracelet on Crouch’s arm gave off a dubious light.
Zuzuzuzuzuzuzuzzuzuzuzu…
The shadow around his feet gradually increased in size. And from then, the shapes of monsters began to form. However, those were no ordinary monsters.
Various parts of their bodies were eroded away, and their skin was festering. A smell of decay enough to break one’s nose permeated the air. But the monsters’ eyes did give off a sense of life along with a red light.
Monsters endlessly poured out of the shadows. And with a casual pace, they start spanning the bridge.
“Nyohohoho! Go forth! My immortal zombie legions!”
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At that time, on the other side, having seen the 『Gabranth』’s movements, the soldiers reported to the one who requested Demon King Eveam to put him in that position: 《Cruel》’s 《Rank 2》, Marione.
“I see, I see. So they began moving. Those filthy brutes, I’ll send them to oblivion!”
Bloodlust, powerful enough that even the soldiers on his side trembled in fear, surged through his body. Both his wife and child had been killed by the 『Gabranth』. For that reason, he had an insatiable rage directed at the beast race.
The reason he personally asked to participate on the front lines was because he believed it would allow him to slaughter as many Beast-men as possible.
“… Marione-sama”
“Oh, what is it, Chugay?”
The one who suddenly appeared behind him was a man called Chugay. On his head was a single, long horn. Like a mask, his face never showed a change in emotion.
“It seems they’re employing monsters as their front-line. What course of action do you wish to take?”
“Hmm, from what I’ve heard, one of their researchers discovered a way to get monsters to fight for them.”
“It appears that was true. There are some Rank S monsters among them.”
“Hmm, did they think they could do anything with some measly Rank S’s?”
“I believe they are disposable pieces to elicit a reaction from us.”
“That means that there’s a high possibility they have much stronger monsters with them. Hmm, those beasts desperately scrambled for power due to their declining forces. They gained some unnecessary knowledge.”
He clicked his tongue in an annoyed manner.
“Marione-sama.”
“Hmm?”
“Please grant me, Chugay, a part in this. Let me determine whether the forces those filthy beasts put together will be a threat or not.”
Upon receiving those words, Marione laughed.
“Fine. But stop at the monsters. The Beasts will… be killed by my hand.”
“Understood!”
Chugay vanished into thin air.
“Watch closely, damn brutes. I’ll exterminate every last one of you.”
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“How’s the situation?”
As Leowald posed the question to Yuhito, he laughed as he responded.
“Nyohohohoho! It appears they only sent one person! But he seems to be quite a skillful! Nyohohohoho!”
“So they’re going to engage us in the middle of the bridge. What’s more, with one person? Who is he?”
“I used my precious Zombie-chans’ eyes to observe him. It seems they sent Chugay!”
“Father, I believe Chugay was Marione’s subordinate.”
Leglos commented, and Leowald opened his eyes a bit wider.
“I see, so one of the 《Cruel》 is in command.”
“They’ve already sent out the Demon Lord’s personal fighting force, the Cruel. What’s more, Marione should be 《Rank 2》. For such a person to be on the frontlines… is there a reason?”
“Nyohohoho! Based on my research, he harbors a great hatred for Beast-men!”
“So that’s it, he want to reap our lives with his own hands… that’s probably his intention.”
Leowald’s words were right on the mark.
“If it’s just Chugay, the monsters should be able to hold him off, but what should we do?”
“I’ll go forward.” (TL: Uses Ore-sama)
“Lenion.”
“I can’t laze around forever. Someone needs to open the way, right?”
“Wait a second, Lenion, there’s no reason for a prince to set out yet.”
“Aniki, this is war. If you want to win, you’ve got to use whatever you’ve got. Luckily, my 《Binding》 is perfect for use in open places like this.”
Lenion glanced at the bridge that extended in a straight line.
“Also, if they’re just monsters, it doesn’t matter if I drag them into my attacks too, right? Well, perhaps the soldiers would be satisfied if they were to die by my attacks.”
Looking at his ferocious smile, Leglos thought to himself, ‘If his heart was just a little warmer, Lenion would be a better prince than him.’
Based on ability, Lenion’s was higher. In the Beast-man world that put strength over all else, the next king would have been him. Regrettably, his personality was not one that was well liked.
He was too militaristic, and he didn’t care for the people. He would be a disgrace as a King.
“Oy, Old Man, whatcha gonna do? Can I go out?”
Hearing Lenion’s words, Leowald thought for a second.
“… Understood. But wait for a second.”
As he said those words, the soldiers who were observing the bridge raised their voices.
“What’s wrong!?”
Leowald shouted out, thinking that perhaps the other side had made some drastic movements.
“Ah, no, something from the other side…”
Upon the soldier’s words, everyone redirected their gaze.
“What do you mean by something…?”
They concentrated their attention on the other side of the bridge. And above it, two items were floating in mid-air.
“What… are those…?”
That was the question on everyone’s mind.
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“What’s going on!?”
Marione’s angry voice cried out. The reason for this was that unrest was breaking out among the soldiers, and the camp was getting noisy.
“Did something happen to Chugay?”
That was what came to his mind. He had left taking care of the monsters to him because he asked. Could it be that he lost?
“N-no…”
The soldier’s faces are pale. Some of them have blank expressions. It’s as if they saw something they couldn’t believe.
“All of you! If something happened, explain it!”
“Y-yess!”
Marione’s wrath returned them to their senses. They kneeled before him and explained the events that had transpired. And upon hearing their words, Marione’s expression gradually stiffened.
“What do you mean!?”
“Hii!”
“Why did something like that!?”
“I-I-I Doooooooon’t Know!”
The soldiers desperately responded, but nothing entered Marione’s ears anymore. His mind was in disorder from the words he just heard.
He turned his eyes to the space above the bridge to confirm it. There were definitely two things there.
(W-why… what does this mean…?)
He grit his teeth, and he murmured to himself.
“Why are those two people here…?”
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Both sides had noticed the existence of the two objects. They were both enquiring as to what their purpose was. The objects floated to the very center of the bridge and stopped.
Both of the objects were, as the 『Evila』 side surmised, people. The first had beautiful golden hair and was lighly clad in red armor. It was Eveam. The second had blood-red hair and was wearing pitch black armor. It was Aquinus. Both of them had sprouted large wings from their backs.
Both of them turned their eyes to the battle below, between the zombie monsters and Marione’s subordinate, Chugay. Chugay noticed their presence and was dumbfound that the existence he was fighting to defend boldly wandered onto the battlefield.
“Fall back, Chugay!”
Eveam said as such, but Chugay had no idea what was going on. His mind could not keep up with the sudden development. He never heard that anything of the sort was set to happen, and even though she was accompanied by 《Rank 1》 Aquinus, for the Demon Lord to nonchalantly come out was just reckless.
“If you don’t want to get involved in this, step back.”
In an indifferent voice, Aquinus spoke, but to Chugay, Aquinus wasn’t his master. He didn’t take orders from him. For him, Marione was the one deserving of being 《Rank 1》.
So he honestly did his part by defying Aquinus’s orders. But seeing his immobility, Eveam angrily shouted at him.
“Just move it already! The Demon King is ordering you here!”
“Y-yes!”
Even he couldn’t defy the Demon King’s words. If he did, then the responsibility of his actions would fall to Marione. But still, this place was left to him, so he was a bit dissatisfied with leaving without an explanation.
“I’ll leave explanations to later. Just get out of here quickly! Also relay my command, let no one else get close to here!”
He understood not the intent of Eveam’s words, but an erratic situation was playing out before him. He determined that he would have to report it to Marione, so he sprouted wings from his back and departed.
“Are you ready, Aquinus?”
“Yeah.”
And the two lowered their backs and drew their swords. For some reason, those blades found themselves lodging into their wielder’s left arms. From their cut arms, a large amount of blood flowed. The blood dripped steadily towards the ground.
“Let me ask again. You’re sure about this, right?”
Aquinus inquired, and while Eveam’s face was stiff, she responded in a strong voice.
“Yeah, I’ve already decided it.”
She lifted up her bloody left arm, and above her head, a large magic circle manifested. Her blood was drawn towards that magic circle and dyed it red.
Aquinus flew up higher than that circle and held his left arm towards the ground. A similar magic circle appeared before him. The two circles were separated by exactly 30 meters
Aquinus’s blood was also absorbed into his circle, and his circle turned red.
All of a sudden, a sound like that of the earth rumbling sounded out. The clear sky suddenly became clouded with dark clouds, and lightning began racing across it.
In-between the two circles, a black mass was brought forth. Black lightning surged around it, as it gradually got larger.
And from both sides, people began to realize exactly for what purpose the two had appeared.
Chapter 41 - Interruption of War
"W-What is that tremendous magic power!? I-Is it the Demon King!?"
On the Gabranth side, witnessing the actions of Iveam and Aquinas, Leglos judged that it was indeed the work of the Demon King.
"Yeah. This amount of magic power, there's no mistake." (Leglos)
In the face of such an extreme amount of magic power surpassing his own, even Lenion was clenching his teeth. His hands naturally became sweaty.
"Nyohohohoho! Well now, this is bad!" (Yuhito)
"What is it, Yuhito? What's bad? Because they're going to fire it in this direction?" (Lenion)
As Lenion asks, Yuhito shakes his finger.
"Non non. If that were the case, they'd have to be closer in order to annihilate us. But they stopped at the middle of the bridge, yes!" (Yuhito)
"...You can't mean!?" (Leowald)
King Leowald gasps as Yuhito confirmed what he wanted to say.
"That's correct. I'm afraid they..." (Yuhito)
———————————————————————————————————
"To use such large magic... It can't be!? N-No, but..." (Marione)
On the Evila side, the very first to realize was Marione. Even though he came to that conclusion, however, he could not believe it.
"To think Her Majesty would do such a thing..." (Marione)
Among the soldiers, there are those that are impressed feeling the enormous magic power. They did not understand what was going to happen, but they are deeply moved witnessing the power of the one they were supposed to protect.
However, Marione was beside himself with worry. If those two do what he thought they were going to do, he thought that he must stop them. However, there is no longer a way to stop them. The soldiers ask Marione what they plan to do.
He clenches his teeth and tells them as if spitting out his words.
"They are..." (Marione)
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"They need to break the bridge." (Hiiro)
Hiiro gives an answer to Rarashik's question. Everyone aside from her, however, has a blank look on their faces.
"Oh, and your reasoning?" (Rarashik)
"If they break the bridge then just as you said, it won't be able to stop the war but it will delay it." (Hiiro)
"W-What do you mean?" (Arnold)
Arnold asks while furrowing his brow.
"Isn't that so? That bridge is the only thing connecting the two continents, right?" (Hiiro)
"...Ah!" (Arnold & Muir)
Both Arnold and Muir seem to understand what he said.
"I get it! Destroying the bridge will stop their advance!" (Arnold)
"Y-Yeah, and if everything goes well, then just like Ms. Master said, both sides may come out uninjured..." (Muir)
(TL: It sounds kind of awkward, but I thought it'd be better than leaving it as Shisho-san)
Then, Rarashik grinned and started applauding.
"Congratulations. You're a smart one, boy." (Rarashik)
"Hmph" (Hiiro)
Hiiro didn't feel bad being complimented, but since he was done so while being looked down upon by a little girl, he felt conflicted.
"No, wait... There's no merit for them if they do that..." (Arnold)
Arnold mutters while crossing his arms. To that, Muir asked.
"What do you mean?" (Muir)
"Because, they're at war. Especially because it was the Gabranth side that started it. It not likely that they'll do something to lose their standing. There were rumors that the Evila were also plotting war. Rather, they've advanced across that bridge several times. The war this time around is a convenient turn of events for the Evila. Because the Gabranth are the ones that started it. They wouldn't go out of their way and destroy the bridge, would they? Since the Evila are stronger anyway." (Arnold)
"Ah, you're right." (Muir)
"It's like I said, right? Theoretically, it's possible. But there's no merit, and someone that could break such a large bridge... Well, even if there were someone that could, he'd have to use close to all his power, so while it's theoretically possible, there's no one that would do it." (Arnold)
The Gedult Bridge, having been destroyed in the past by monsters, has been developed so that such a thing would not occur again.
It may be possible to damage it a little, but something like completely destroying it would be difficult and there would be no reason to do so, so only the methodology of doing so has ever been presented.
"Well, if the Evila have a reason to not fight and there is some merit that outweighs the demerit of losing the bridge then they might do so. There probably isn't though." (Rarashik)
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