< Chapter 38 - Expedition >
Chapter 38 – The Expedition
The appearance of the fallen wild god during the Caraval campaign brought great shock to the entire East.
Although the number of those who witnessed it was only a small number compared to the entire East, most of them were in a position to lead tribes, so their influence was extraordinary.
“We must strike the West as soon as possible.”
Even the gentle-natured Gounnunbaram among the wild gods was so strong that he insisted on attacking, so the opinions of the East were easily unified.
“This fight is not a defensive one to begin with. We must attack the West and drive the demon followers out of the wild lands.”
And if a war was going to happen anyway, it was better to fight it in the west rather than in the east.
“Anyway, all fighting in the wild lands is a roundabout way. So there’s no need to use our land as a battlefield.”
Of course, there were supply issues, and even in a battle without walls, there were geographical advantages, so it was common for the defenders to have an advantage over the attackers.
But the East had one more reason to attack the West.
“We must burst the polluted dragon veins and awaken the golden dragon king from his deep sleep.”
It was an oracle given directly by the Golden Dragon King to Uther and Cordelia, the guardians of the wild lands.
The wild gods, including the beautiful snow wind and the great storm, proved that the two were guardians, so no one in the East doubted their words.
“Gather the strength of the East and strike the West.”
It was already a decision.
The tribal chiefs who had gathered to see Caraval hurriedly returned to their tribes, and full-scale preparations for the expedition began.
And three days.
Four days after Caraval, the Great Storm and Bladesong tribes gathered again in the Land of the Fairwind.
&
The Wild Lands meetings were basically held on the floor, in a circle, with people sitting together and exchanging opinions.
That’s why the conference room prepared by Gounnunbaram was also set up in a way that people would sit around a large map placed in the center, but there was one special thing about it.
‘There are four seats at the top.’
Four large, semi-reclining chairs are placed behind the people sitting in a circle.
It was none other than the place of the wild gods.
“It’s been a while.”
“It’s been a while, brother.”
The Great Storm, who exchanged greetings with the Beautiful Snow Wind, sat down on the seat in the south, the Beautiful Snow Wind sat down on the seat in the east, and the Rough Snow Avalanche sat down on the seat in the west.
And the northernmost table.
“I can’t remember how long it’s been since the four of us gathered in one place like this.”
A handsome young man with a short black beard said with a bitter smile.
Wild God Blade Song.
Even though he was in human form, revealing that he was a giant wolf, his eyes were as intense as a wolf’s.
“You still like flashy things.”
“Because I’m the one who’s flashy.”
Blade Song chuckled in response to the words that the Great Storm frowned at, and shrugged his shoulders as if showing off the colorful tattoos engraved on his bare upper body.
“Okay, so let’s sit down first. We need to talk. If we just talk amongst ourselves, the kids won’t be able to talk.”
“Oh… Mr. Wild Snow Avalanche. How did you become so cute? No, were you always cute?”
“Yeah, yeah. You were cute to begin with, so sit down for now.”
“Hehehe, as expected from an experienced person.”
When his provocation failed to work on the rough snowball, Blade Song laughed again and sat down in the northern seat.
“Now proceed.”
As the rough snowfall winked and spoke, the gentle snow wind lightly clapped its hands, and those who had been waiting outside entered the conference room.
“The Red Gale of the Great Storm Tribe greets the Wild Gods.”
“The Nine Blades of the Blade Song Tribe meet the Wild Gods.”
“Gounnun of the Gounnunbaram tribe meets the wild gods.”
As the chieftains who had paid their respects took their seats, the important figures of each tribe also took their seats.
And in between, there were also Uther and Cordelia.
‘Yuder, Yuuder. That kid keeps nagging me.’
‘You know you shouldn’t stare at me too, right?’
‘I know, but I want to see it for myself.’
‘···If you don’t look at me, I’ll make you something delicious.’
‘I’m going to make it delicious anyway.’
‘Are we on the same page now?’
‘Uh… maybe?’
Uther and Cordelia, who had been talking with their eyes, looked straight ahead again.
The look Cordelia spoke of.
Uther could feel it too. Blade Song, sitting in the upper seat across from him, was sending him and Cordelia a blatant gaze.
‘I guess you’re interested.’
Because the Golden Dragon King granted guardianship to a boy and a girl from the Kingdom of Seilun, who had been at odds with the Wild Lands for a long time, not the Wild Lands.
Unlike the Great Storm Tribe, which was located to the south but rarely came into direct conflict with the Kingdom of Cailun, the Bladesong Tribe was always at the forefront of the fight against the Kingdom of Cailun.
Since their basic tendencies and histories were different, it would have been even stranger if the gaze of the Blade Song towards Uther and Cordelia had been sharp.
“Okay, let’s start the meeting.”
After Kounnun’s opening declaration, some basic conversations were held.
“The first gathering of Allied forces in the East is expected to take place in two days. The departure is expected to take place in the next two days.”
If all the troops in the East were gathered, the number could have exceeded 50,000 and even approached 100,000, but that was when the general mobilization order was issued.
Considering the number of troops needed for defense, the number of troops needed to maintain supply lines, and the speed of movement of tribes located in geographically distant places, the number of troops that could be gathered for the first gathering was only about 20,000 to 30,000.
“The first unit will advance west first, and the second unit will be dispatched to support them.”
The basic strategy itself was fine.
This is because the routes through which an attack could be made were limited from the start due to the existence of the great mountain range that separates the east and west.
‘The problem is the fallen wild gods.’
Basically, the wild gods were supposed to stay in their sanctuaries, but the possibility that the evil eye guys would tease the wild gods in such a way was close to zero.
It was planned to be actively deployed into the battlefield.
“We will stop the wild gods of the West.”
As the Blade Song spoke with a frown, the Great Storm also nodded with a frown.
It was uncomfortable to have to leave their sanctuary, but the reality that they would have to fight the same wild gods was also painful.
‘The basic outline has been established.’
The great army of the East advances to the West, and the Wild Gods join the main force to confront the Wild Gods of the West.
Normally, Uther and Cordelia would have gone along with this flow, but Uther had a slightly different idea.
“Cordelia and I plan to move separately.”
Unlike the Great Storm Tribe, who had already exchanged opinions, the Bladesong Tribe tilted their heads in confusion.
What are you two going to do by moving alone in a fight between two armies?
“Explain.”
When the Blade Song spoke as if ordering from the top seat, Cordelia frowned, but Uther bowed politely as if it was nothing, then stood up and stepped forward.
“As you can see, there are large mountain ranges between the east and west, like a fortress wall.”
Therefore, the Eastern Army planned to advance its troops into the southern plains located between the mountain ranges.
“Instead of joining the main force, Cordelia and I will head north separately, crossing the Skyroof Mountains and striking at the defenseless tribes in the northwest.”
The West was also watching the East’s movements, so they would dispatch troops and even wild gods to the southern plains.
Then, since the natural rear was empty, Yuder said that he would cross the mountain range and attack the rear.
“Cordelia and I’s goal is to blow up the polluted dragon vein, so there’s no need to confront the tribes in the rear. We can sneak in and make the dragon vein go berserk.”
Of course, once one exploded, the enemies would also strengthen their defenses, so it would be difficult to repeat it, but if I could really get over the Sky Roof Mountain Range and infiltrate the rear, I would be able to cause at least two more dragon veins to go berserk.
“The strategic effect of this is huge. The enemy will have to worry not only about the front but also about the rear, and will have to be anxious about when their home base will suffer a huge blow.”
To those who inhabit the wild lands, the dragon vein was sacred, but to the Devil’s Eye, a group of demon followers, it was something to be polluted.
That is, the only people in this land who saw the dragon vein as a target for explosion were Yuder and Cordelia.
‘Attacks that break common sense are always useful.’
Since it’s something beyond imagination, I can’t even defend myself properly.
The Blade Song tribe blinked at Uder’s explanation, and the Blade Song tribe, which had been listening quietly, soon burst into laughter.
“They’re crazy. That’s why I like them.”
Destroy the sanctuary by causing the dragon vein to go wild.
It was a simple statement, but it had a special meaning to him, a wild god.
The destruction of the sanctuary was tantamount to destroying the very foundation of the wild gods, and this meant completely destroying the very foundation of life for those who lived in the wild lands.
‘But is it because the Golden Dragon King allowed it?’
In fact, it was the most efficient method.
Rather than losing all of the wild lands, it would be better to protect the east and defeat the enemy by scorching the west.
“The ruggedness of the Sky Roof Mountains is beyond imagination. Do you think you two can cross the mountain range safely, and on time?”
When the Blade Song asked provocatively, Yuder smiled brightly and said.
“It’s hard and difficult. That’s why I need your help, Blade Song.”
“My help?”
“Yes, it would be possible if you help me, Blade Song.”
Uther still didn’t lose his smile, and Blade Song narrowed his eyes.
‘Look at this guy?’
Rather than being discouraged by the question of whether you can do it, you step forward and ask for help?
‘That’s interesting.’
I asked this question with the intention of getting him to press the button, but it ended up holding him back.
I couldn’t say that I couldn’t help in this place where the gentle snow wind and the great storm were watching.
‘I was the one who asked if you could do it.’
If I step out of here, what will I become of the Blade Song? Even the children are watching.
“You have guts.”
“thank you.”
Uther responded softly, and Blade Song couldn’t help but smile sincerely.
‘Since it’s come to this, we have no choice but to distribute it on a large scale.’
Actually, I also liked Yuder.
As expected of a warlike person, it was a song of blades that liked those who were fearless and brave.
“Tell me, what do you need help with?”
“Can I tell you something?”
“Yes, please tell me what you need. I am not a petty man like the Great Storm.”
As the Blade Song spoke with a chuckle, the Great Storm frowned but did not open his mouth.
Because I already had a conversation with Uder.
And one person.
Cordelia quickly glanced at the Great Storm.
‘You’ll match my words, right?’
‘Okay, I’ll match it as much as you want.’
The Great Storm knew the nature of the Blade Song well.
And having heard the story of the Great Storm, Uther expected that Bladesong would say the same thing now.
He is not a petty man like the Great Storm.
That is, it will help you more than the Great Storm.
So what if we exaggerate the extent to which the Great Storm helped?
And if the Great Storm acknowledges that it helped.
‘thank you.’
‘thank you!’
Why do the fierce and cheerful handsome man, Blade Song, and the kind and beautiful Wild Fairy Queen seem to overlap?
Cordelia smiled prettily, and Uther opened his mouth gently and began to speak.
&
“Really?”
“That’s true.”
“Me, really?”
“Really, really.”
The Great Storm, who was under the desperate gaze of the Blade Song, clenched his teeth and made a face. He tried very hard to control the corners of his mouth that kept going up.
‘Kekekeke, it’s all gone.’
Gaho was just the beginning.
The Song of the Blades had to give up the sacred items that he had cherished, and in the end, he had to take out the ancient magic that he had kept hidden for a long time and offer it up.
‘Ugh… Oh, how much have I saved?’
A hundred-year-old medicinal liquor.
That thing I’ve been looking at for a long time.
Of course, Blade Song’s psychological resistance was considerable because he had to take out this many items, but Blade Song eventually had no choice but to take out everything he had, one by one.
‘As planned.’
Even though the Blade Song was a wild god with strong self-respect who lived and died for the sake of appearance, it was strange that he would do something like this because of a single word he had said beforehand.
That’s why Uder had arranged the words in advance to make the strange thing happen.
“Oh! As expected, Blade Song!”
“The distribution is huge!”
“As expected, you are the Blade Song Brother. You are truly amazing.”
“I have to admit, you are the best. Blade Song.”
“Hahaha, as expected, it’s amazing. It’s no exaggeration to say it’s the best in the East.”
The Fairwind and Greatstorm tribes were in an uproar, and the Fairwind, Greatstorm, and Wildsnow Avalanche also had something to say.
For a song that values face, it was like being caught in a trap that you can never escape.
“Hey, Shang! Take it!”
“thank you!”
Yuder, who was very grateful, took the divine beings and the ancient medicine with him.
I thought I could hear Cordelia’s voice laughing brightly behind me.
‘Our family’s Yuder is the best! He is the best groom-to-be!’
Of course, it wasn’t just Yuder and Magujab who were ripping it off.
The Blade Song was an important force in the fight against the West, and stealing supplies for the war could be detrimental to the entire army.
That’s why Uder focused on ripping off items that were difficult to use in war, but would be useful for Uder and Cordelia.
‘Great Storm, Beautiful Snow Wind, Wild Snow Avalanche. Thank you all.’
The three wild gods who not only provided information on the various magical powers of the Blade Song, but also played a janggu in response.
The divine items of the Blade Song would be useful in crossing the Sky Roof Mountain Range, and the ancient magic containing the vast amount of life energy would help open new gates in the Nine Heavens and Nine Gates.
‘Did I do well?’
‘Yeah, yeah, you did so so well. You’re so pretty. I want to praise you so much.’
Cordelia, who had been praising Uther with her eyes, smiled brightly, and Uther sat down next to Cordelia and nodded to Red Whirlwind.
It meant to proceed with the meeting again.
That’s how it went for another half hour or so.
The first meeting for the Western Expedition ended with a bitter wound left on the heart of one of the Wild Gods.
&
< Chapter 38 - Expedition > End
