Chapter 123 – 123 – Compatibility
Slippery lizards are active animals that like to gather in groups.
Moreover, when hundreds of them cross the desert side by side like today, they can’t help but be excited by cheering and drooling.
On the other hand, the paladins riding on its back were not able to talk easily, as if if they opened their mouths, something big would happen. All I do is sweat heavily the whole time I run.
If you open your mouth carelessly, it’s not just because a wind of sand comes in. No matter how carefully you press the cloth, it’s not just because the sun penetrates.
It’s not just that it costs a million gold to rent a thousand sand lizards. For other denominations, this would have been a painful expense, but for their denomination, which receives donations pouring in from all over the world, it was not that special.
What was weighing down the paladins of Mitra was a weight that could not be converted into gold.
“Declaration of holy war. I declare ‘Gunter Waldenhardt’ and his associates as enemies. In the name of the Pope, the entire church shall rise.”
So when their leader read the Pope’s orders clearly, the paladin who was driving the lead lizard jumped up in fright.
The leader of the group, the lizard, interpreted it as a signal to change direction. When the leader turned to the left, all the lizards were excited and changed direction.
A mistake that could easily lead to a mass collision accident. The Paladin, who was startled and pulled the reins again to regain his course, grumbled while rubbing his chest.
“If you say such heavy words so lightly, our hearts sink, Captain.”
“I’m sorry. I still can’t believe it.”
The new leader of the Holy Knights timidly apologized and folded the order into his arms. Paladin said sternly.
“Which do you mean, leader? That His Holiness declared a holy war or that he was appointed leader?”
“Both. I didn’t know Gunter was such a dangerous guy. And… I…”
“You are the daughter of an apostate, and you have already failed to get rid of Gunter once, so instead of holding you accountable, His Holiness gave you a high-ranking position?”
“···Yes.”
“I think the same thing. Who would have imagined that the Demon King would spread poison to the church by disguising himself as the head of the parish? And appointing the daughter of an apostate as the head of a knighthood? Isn’t it surprising?”
Florica Waldenhardt nodded his head quietly.
“···You’re right.”
“I don’t blame you, leader. You shouldn’t blame your daughter for her father’s mistakes. There’s no way His Holiness would give honor to an unqualified person. But people will be suspicious. Let your daughter fight against her father to wash away her sins. “It is an attempt to shake off the stigma of being a church that is tied to the devil.”
“Yes.”
“So, you must always be careful how you behave. Not only for the school’s reputation, but also for your honor – wow!”
Florica wondered for a moment what message of honor was hidden in that exclamation.
And the moment they turned back in the direction the Paladin pointed, they all screamed together.
A human silhouette was flying toward Florica at full speed. She flew up as if she had been launched from the ceiling of a distant guest room, drawing a parabola.
The hook of the grappling hook suddenly stretched out in the air and caught firmly on the saddles where Florica and Paladin were sitting.
The paladin reflexively let go of the lizard’s reins and tried to pull it away. But Florica tore it up and stopped it.
“If you release that, my friend will die!”
“Yes?”
“Look over there!”
This time Florica pointed somewhere near her. The paladin just blinked, dumbfounded by her.
Some woman was flying above their heads like a flying squirrel. The porter, with strange cloth on his arms and legs stretched out like a kite, floated in the wind and waved his hand at Florica.
“It’s been a while, Hero Florica.”
“Bantai…?”
“I have somewhere to go, but our destination is the same, so I’d like to share a ride. Are there any seats left?”
“···Of course.”
From the day she returned to the church after failing to arrest Waldenhardt until now, for the first time, someone who did not treat Florica harshly appeared.
The first person who does not accuse, condemn, sympathize, or even pretend to forgive.
Florica, who thought for a moment what kind of expression she should make to such a person, soon smiled awkwardly.
“I missed you.”
—————-
“Ah, shit. What trouble are you doing?”
Eshen cupped his face in his hands and sighed. And he muttered quietly enough that only the group could hear.
“I just want to hold on to that bastard all day long and eat him up.”
“I agree.”
“They seem like a bunch of greedy bitches. But I understand.”
Isilun looked back at Nidroga and Morgan, who were nodding, and slowly blinked.
“Let’s just be honest. How many people are sharing?”
“What is there to hide when we look so good together? Can you handle the truth, stubborn Miss Sunstorm? Everyone here is there except you and Lenny. I did the Eshen Taiga, I did Morgan, I did Nidrogar. “I told Vilena, who wasn’t here, and even Nidrogan’s mother. Everything. Don’t look like you don’t believe me. I told you the truth.”
“Did you even touch Garam Taiga during that time?”
“···What do you think of Tan? Of course, Garam is excluded. He is eighteen. He is a minor, whether by Eastern or Western standards.”
“···I’m nineteen, you idiot. How can you be the older sister and not know the younger brother’s age?”
“Oh, you did? I didn’t know. But isn’t it possible that you didn’t know? Would you open your eyes like that?”
“Do we really need to have such an honest conversation right now, everyone?”
“Let it be. It’s a pity to waste the little time left on a disease, but isn’t it something you can only shake off while you’re still alive?”
The party members put aside their last whispers of Leni’s sarcasm and looked down the castle wall with gloomy eyes.
The canyon leading to Hwanhwagok is deep, steep, and filled with strange magic, so it cannot be accessed by climbing on a cliff or flying.
Therefore, there is only one normal entrance and exit to Hwanhwagok. A 20-meter-high large wall gateway called ‘Closed Gogwan’.
The fortress that was built in the past by the first Taiga to guard against attacks from the outside must now be used to prevent those coming from within.
A group of Tigris from the Hwangyeok Valley were staring at the closed magic door of the Closed Valley. Their eyes slowly turned to the extermination party members on the castle wall.
“Open it.”
“Why don’t you open it and pass by? We’re just standing here.”
“You know that it’s a kind of ‘mystical object’ and can’t be opened by force, Eshen.”
“It means artifact. Who are you to talk to me informally?”
“My name is Togal-“
“I’m not curious, you bastard. All I remember is that you’re the one who got beat up by me. Has the hierarchy not been sorted out? Since when was Hyonghwagok a place where it’s okay for a bastard to make a fuss? Go back. He attacked me again and got hit again. Not.”
“It’s been a long time since you ran away to the West, but what is your rank? Open it now, Eshen Taiga. It’s Lord Gok’s name.”
“You told me to attack the Wulin and destroy the kingdoms? My mother? She ordered everyone to be killed in sight? My mother? Don’t talk nonsense! Who would do that!”
An uncomfortable atmosphere spread among the Tigris who heard Eshen’s shout.
It was true that the atmosphere of treating the entire martial arts world as if it were a fist was spreading among the noble families. However, regardless of whether or not it was possible to defeat all the forces outside the Hyanghwa Valley, the order not to spare those that were attacking was bound to be uncomfortable.
Tigris ‘Togalo’, who was arguing with Eshen, looked back at the young Tigris behind him and shouted.
“Don’t act shamefully weak. Are you mercenaries or immortals? If you are born with the blood of wild beasts, if the leader kills you, you kill him!”
“But Togallo, no matter how much you think about it, it’s strange. During the mission, the assassins can see each other’s blood, but burning the village and filling up the river? How on earth will doing that benefit the Hanghaeng Valley?”
Togalo hit young Tigris who was asking questions. He then kicked the fallen boy with a kick with clear murderous intent.
“Hey, you cowardly bastard! That’s how you catch a kid!”
It may be a formal challenge, but bullying someone lower in rank like that is not tolerated even in the strong-takes-all compatibility song. Eshen’s eyes rolled back and he tried to jump down to stop him, but Garam quickly caught him and stopped him.
“Why are the guys standing around just staring blankly-! Let go, Garam!”
“If you give up the advantage of the height of the closed pipe and go down, you will be surrounded by hundreds of people and have to fight at a disadvantage. Are you going to make all of my friends up here die?”
Eshen swallowed his anger and persevered. But Togalo soon had to stop. Because fierce sparks flew at his feet.
Togallo looked down at his own thigh, where his bullet had grazed and his blood was flowing. Morgan pulled out his rifle and spoke softly between his teeth.
“Next is the head.”
“What do you think we can do against the nobles with projectile weapons?”
“Even if you are a giant dragon and not a Tigris, if you hit his eyeball, even the soft brain beyond it will turn to mud and roll over. How about that? How about a test?”
“Damn it. The opponent’s strength is about to be reduced by one, so why are you stopping us?”
Lenny sighed and mounted the poison needle launcher on the castle wall. Agents of the Cheonmu Shinsyo Church followed suit with grim expressions.
Unable to accept Hyanghwagok’s order to massacre, the small number of Tigris who joined the extermination party early on also strengthened their fighting spirit.
But it was obvious that it would not be enough. Lenny, who had seen what kind of power several Tigris could have in the desert, asked without hiding his sullen expression.
“Our Lord, who said he would melt down at least the entrance to the huge demon cave that appeared again on the way, how long did you say it would take? I can’t quite remember.”
“Four hours.”
“It’s a fantasy. Even if those guys chew us cleanly, grind our bones finely and scatter them in the river, we’ll still have an hour left. Would you ever consider coming forward and trying to persuade us not to participate in the massacre? Judging by your status and experience, you’d rather be the leader than your daughter Eshen. “I think he would be a better negotiator.”
“If you don’t listen to Eshen, it’s over. Eshen, who was the ‘hunting leader’ and ranked first among those under the age of 30, had the status of an elder in the Companions. On the other hand, I, who doesn’t even show my face in the Companions, is in their eyes. “He is nothing more than Gokju’s plaything and errand boy.”
The leader showed his teeth and drew his sword.
“I endured it because I knew that if I showed my power to those damn bastards, there would be no end to the challenges of Ho Seung-sim, but I always hated being treated that way. Agents of Shinkyo, listen!”
“Jonmyeong!”
“The golden beasts have gone crazy and are trying to kill people! Don’t let even a single idiot who only believes in his own strength pass through this gate!”
“Invincible religion, Manmaangbok!”
“You insolent bastards. I will kill you!”
Togallo gave the order to advance. The hunt leader’s bracelet, once Eshen’s, shook on his fist.
The Tigris began climbing the wall of the closed tunnel and throwing stones. In response to the attack of the Tigris horde, which Shingyo had never faced since it was defeated and absorbed into a lower power, Shingyo generously poured out lancets, arrows, flying poison, and other weapons.
However, the Tigris crawled up the gateway wall and shook their fists. Even when Nidroga, who had turned into a dragon, spewed fire and Isilun struck with all his might with the side of the warrior’s sword, the Tigris only got irritated because their heads were singed and their clothes were damaged, and they continued to attack them resolutely. It was truly a majesty worthy of being evaluated as a fighting race.
The battle quickly became a melee. Against physical abilities that did not apply to the martial arts they had devoted their entire lives to, the Shingyo warriors quickly lost their morale. Eshen thought desperately as he beat down his compatriots to protect his father’s retreating men.
Did your mother suddenly order you to conquer everything outside of Hwanhwagok? Why did she come to help because she was worried that something might have happened to the demon king’s fragments?
How much is true? Did her mother really give the order? Is it true that she is alive in the first place?
She was a mother with whom she had a difficult relationship, but she never wished for her to be dead or taken hostage.
However, even if you are safe, it is still a problem. Due to the gloomy prospect that the living legend and number one martial arts leader, Hwaryeon Tai, may have to turn against him.
Of course, if you want to know the whole story, you will have to overcome these uncommunicative bastards. Eshen was ready to die and kill.
“Damn, thank god. Tan’s not here-“
“Multibuuuuun-!”
“···Oh my god. Tan?”
“Gmaaaaan-!”
Eshen looked back at the sky.
It seemed like there was only one day left until the full moon waned. When the full moon reaches its peak during the hot season, a festival will be held in Hwanhwagok.
As if a clown was commemorating this in advance, someone flies up and casts a shadow, with his back to the slightly less cold moon.
It was Tan Bantai who jumped up with his grappling hook on the castle wall. Eshen laughed.
“I told him to stay still and he did that again. I told him I couldn’t stop him.”
————
“Florica, it was nice to see you again!”
“It’s easier to completely let go of words. I feel like we’ve become close friends. Even though we haven’t even spoken to each other a few times.”
“A friend is someone who helps you when you’re in trouble! Congratulations on becoming the official leader of the Holy Knights!”
“She is the daughter of an atrocious evil, and even though she failed to get rid of the atrocious evil, she owes it to His Holiness’ grace that keeps giving her opportunities.”
“No, it’s because others recognized your sincerity and uprightness! Open your chest, you are already a great warrior in my eyes!”
“There was a time when I really desperately wanted someone to say that.”
“If you do this and come back alive, I’ll tell you this a hundred times, so don’t blush already! Concentrate. Three, two, one! Now throw it!”
Joining forces with the paladins who were galloping on the lizard, Florica threw me with the force of a true warrior.
I set my grappling hook on the high wall called the Closed Gate and flew up with a second boost of momentum.
And then she unfolded a new device that she and Villena had devised together.
The special fabric attached to the arms and legs keeps my body afloat even when carrying a heavy load on my back.
If you apply force to the air pushing the cloth up, the ‘lifting force’ of the porter’s aptitude will work together or something.
I was inspired by a flying squirrel with a parachute on its body, and the artifact of ‘Erinak Sophon’, the unlucky porter next to Thena that I met in Linden.
···The latter has greater motivational significance. That damn bastard. Now I can fly around holding TENA.
Let’s put aside the unnecessary competition between people in the industry. If the plan goes wrong even just a little bit, you will die.
I already guessed that they might be under attack by the Tigris. Adamantone had already warned about ‘what happened to Gokju’ and the bald bastards’ plans.
Fortunately, we were not irreversibly surrounded, and seeing as everyone seemed relatively unharmed, it seemed like the fight had just started.
Thinking that I was lucky that it wasn’t too late, I pulled out my secret weapon.
And towards Eshen, who was looking up at me from afar, I quietly pretended to plug my nose.
Eshen’s face turned white. And I screamed right before I exploded the substance in question.
“Garam, Nidro-! Get down!”
“Why!”
“It’s coming! The ‘amplifier’ is coming-!”
Wild beasts are strong. Muscle strength and sense of smell. However, this weapon favors the weak.
Protestant people will experience some side effects but will be fine. Some of my colleagues will resent me a little, but most of them will be fine.
However, sulfur and ammonia will completely destroy the Tigris’ sense of smell and fighting spirit.
I threw the bottle containing 2.5 liters of odor enhancer and diffusion explosives with all my might.
Towards the face of Tigris, a certain attacker, with a handsome golden bracelet that seemed to symbolize authority.
