Chapter 731 – The Sun Covers the Sky (6)
【Let’s go together?】
【Yeah. The essence of this problem is concession and order.]
I explained to Istetil, who asked what bullshit he was talking about.
The process of compromise is usually not very clear.
Because both sides have to make more and less concessions, there are many cases where dissatisfaction remains on both sides. K-Jammins of my age are the truth to learn in advance with half-galjuk chogal ice cream like Ssangssangba.
【In the end, the agenda you need to hurry is the rescue of the kidnapped people. The other agenda, on the other hand, is an unhurried matter. No, in order to be successful, you must be as careful as possible.]
However, this time was different.
Because my proposal was somehow clear.
【Abducted residents of Scolaco. For the sake of convenience, let’s call them pawns. Rescue them, and at the same time listen to the internal circumstances from the kidnappers.]
【Are you planning to invade the home country of Azteca? How do you convince others?]
Can you convince them to offer to help us that far?
Istetil looks at Kiara and the other members of the vanguard with roughly that kind of eye.
I checked Kiara’s condition. He looked at me expressionlessly — not that he was savage, really, his eyes wide open and his expressionless face.
So I only smiled bitterly.
【No, well, it’s because I’m not that much of an adult. However, judging from the devastation in the village and the shelter, this raid must have happened only a day or two ago.]
In other words, the raiders would still be on their way back.
As I said before, the continent of Earthlan is far behind.
And if so, what’s the problem? We just need to catch up with the flesh-crawlers before they get to Azteca’s capital or something.
[If you catch up in the middle, you won’t have to beat that crazy cannibal empire first because of concerns. You only need to cleanly erase the kidnappers in the middle.]
This operation would have been difficult for Skolakiche alone.
But if we work together, it is possible.
It’s not an offer you’d lose by accepting.
‘Of course, we also have advantages.’
Istetil began to think. In this gap, I quickly shared my thoughts with others, and Pharaoh nodded loudly, putting his hand on his side.
“That is a very good opinion. Very heroic, and at the same time pharaoh-like. In other words, it is appropriate to venture!〉
“I think it’s a great compromise. At the same time, if the remnants of the fight had fled, nine out of ten likely would have joined the main force returning.〉
Unbeknownst to her, Dana, who is her husband’s hopes, is ex-positive as befits her. And Nefertiti bobbed his head up and down before he even asked.
─Nod.
Kiara, who had stopped thinking, agreed silently.
If you change those who are returning, you can prevent Azteca from coming to taste the yellow monkey skull soup. It also fits our purpose.
‘It’s also an advantage that I don’t have to fight Istetil or other Reptilian cousins.’
Jungle… Hostile locals… Before the guerrilla… Ugh, the head.
Anyone who knows a little bit about Earth’s history knows how crazy it is to turn the Skolakiche into enemies in this environment.
There were also many other city-states on this continent.
If they escape and treat us as enemies, it will be a war of attrition against the jungle and the locals. I don’t like being poisoned in my sleep. I don’t want to fall into a tunnel and become a skewer.
‘The worst thing is for Istetil, who escaped, to twist our existence to Azteca.’
In a three-way battle, the most disadvantageous side is Istetil.
But it’s fucked up anyway, so what if I try to escalate the situation even a little bit?
‘I would 100% do that.’
I can’t stand the death penalty.
From their point of view—even if not as much as my suggestion—it’s a choice with nothing to lose.
The high-powered Pharaoh inferred that far and went one step further.
“What do you mean, Pharaoh?”
‘Think about it, Asherard. It is said that those who inherit Wooshin’s bloodline will have their souls stolen after death. Even though they have no self-consciousness.
〈… It was. If the number of souls in his arms increases, Wooshin might even notice that ‘his child died’.〉
Asherard noticed what he was about to say and said.
‘If Tonacheillucatl is a god who talks easily with his worshipers on a regular basis, then the Aztecan Empire, having heard of the death of soldiers in Scoraco, will also act?’
Shedmenhotep pointed to the ceiling of the shelter. It was pointing to the cannibal bastards that had gone after them up there.
It was a legitimate concern. I gave it to him as it was, and Istetil, who had been thinking about it alone, replied.
【There will be no problem. Without a process such as rituals and ancestral rites, even the god of war would not descend. However, it’s hard to deny that there are some uneasy elements.]
【A quick decision is necessary.】
【Yes. Even this time spent worrying is more precious than ice.]
It’s ice Is it an Aztec proverb? It must be more valuable than gold in a jungle like this.
Sure enough, Istetil accepted my compromise after a brief discussion.
【I will gratefully accept your proposal. Is there anything else we can help with?]
[I do have personal concerns.]
There are other problems. That is the mana-sense of smell of those Reptilian cousins.
‘It’s annoying if I get caught during an ambush.’
But wouldn’t it be a big problem if even the soldiers had a nose that took care of mana?
We are people from outside. The unfamiliar mana must also be quite a thing.
It must be at the level of a Westerner taking a dry bath with durian soap except for the armpits that have not been washed for a month, and then hanging around in front of a dog. I can’t help but notice
【I understand your concerns. There is also a solution.]
Istetil then quickly brought a jar.
【Apply this plaster. It prevents the outflow of mana.]
【It prevents mana from leaking out? It must be useful.]
Fortunately, the local Skolakiche knew better about this problem and its solution.
Istetil chinned the fainting elder.
【If you want, I can also tell you the recipe. If the elder can afford it.]
It’s honey. Let’s take it in moderation when work is over.
We smeared the salve on our bodies and chose our scouting members.
In a strategy game, it feels like a joke that can be roughly dragged and dropped. It’s believable. I left Shedmenhotep behind the scenes and told Dana. “I’m sorry, Dana, but you can stay too.” “What are you sorry about? You’re going to join the other kids anyway. There are many people to treat here.” ─Glance. Dana looks at the wounded with concern. Our Nunna is also waiting because it is not suitable for a quick move. ‘Rather than that, considering my aptitude, this is the right one.’ The Valkyries, who are more compatible with Golems, will be very helpful in battle, but it is better not to consider the case of an all-out war with Azteca. If anything, it’s fine if I call it a medal. This is the appearance of the secret royal inspector. “Sir Wolfhedin, Nefertiti, Istetil and Skolakiche. And me.” Kiara explained while pointing his finger at him. “In this way, the 3rd team and 1 team are in charge of reconnaissance, guerrilla warfare, and hostage rescue. We would like to propose the priority of goals in three stages. Please listen.” – Knock. Kiara folds her raised fingers in order. “1: Rescue the hostage without making a fuss. 2: We make a fuss, but we are rescued and our identity as the aggressor is not revealed. 3: In all other cases.”
“Write. 3 should be considered a de facto failure.”
“What about the souls captured by Tonashilukatl?”
Nefertiti’s question while listening to the explanation. Kiara glanced at Istetil.
“There is nothing that can be solved in one raid. This rescue operation has a strong propensity to eliminate aftereffects. It’s to make sure your identity has been revealed, and to eliminate any pretext for being blackmailed as a hostage.”
Upon hearing the translated words, Istetil and Skolakiche did not express much dissatisfaction.
【This is cooperation to prevent the worst. We don’t want to lose our family. To avoid being chased by them before you reach your goal. As long as that is certain, there is no objection.]
【Nope. It’s not ‘you’ or ‘we’. We are all ‘we’.]
Kiara, who was unclean with a single knife, lowered her head.
It was a gesture that took into account the busy situation, but even considering that, it was a pretty polite apology.
【Excuse me earlier. In addition to those methods, there must have been a way to dissuade them in a tactful way. I ended up using a rude expression, but now I want you to trust me as a colleague.]
【… It did. I’m sorry, I’m out of words It wouldn’t be good to separate positions.]
【You don’t have to forgive me. I just want you to save face for Sir Wolfhedin, who intervened in the place. Because you stopped us from almost fighting.]
Oh no, you said you bit me there and fell?
Istetil looked at me a little sorry and cleared her throat.
【The one who acted meanly was the other general. Freeing the souls captured by Tonashillucatl will be done by ourselves after we save our families. Would that be enough?]
【Of course. Thank you.】
【Stop the greetings. It’s not even an adversarial relationship.]
Istetil shrugged awkwardly.
It’s a relief that there are no trolls or villains in this detached unit. Relieved, I looked out over the desolate plain. It is a terrain worth seeing. It would be perfect to use as a background graphic for Euro Truck.
“They said it hadn’t been long since the hostages had been taken. We can still catch up before we get to the Azteca Empire. Let’s hurry.”
Everyone’s eyes sharpened when I said it.
After a brief consultation, the equipment was tightened. It’s time to run.
“I will explain this further operation with the rune magic engraved by Lord Wolfheddin. You will have conversations on the go, but the points of contention will have to be compromised during breaks in between.”
“What will you do if the operation fails?”
“Yes. This is the case if the remnants had already been missed in the previous battle, or if they were discovered during the rescue, their identities had spread to the capital of Azteca. In this case, we should end the expedition and retreat.”
I understand It is not a matter of risking one’s life on an uncertain clue.
It is the choice of a poor stock investor who has gone crazy over sunk costs to film a movie version of an all-out war of a great empire that calls for slaughter in order to get some clues from the Hittites.
I have no intention of getting a ticket for not being able to watch for teenagers like Jjanggu in the early days.
“It is best to end the Azteca attack on Scolaco before they return home. I only adjust my movement pace to the point where I can fight whenever I encounter them.”
… Pretzel. Istetil crouched his hands in silence.
【The bastard’s movement is predictable. Let’s move while retracing the footprints.]
As an experienced person, revenge is always sweet.
When it was won quickly, there was a refreshing feeling like cider, and when it was achieved after a long wait, there was a sense of achievement like crossing a line off a bucket list.
─That’s right!
Grabbing our weapons, we ran out into the plains where the sun was repulsively beating down on us.
