< 119. Blood wets the sand (10) >
#119
“It is certain that I will die anyway and end up in red water. “I will try to extend the time.”
“No, you idiot. They said they wouldn’t go in. And by what means?”
“Wait a moment.”
Suddenly, a gust of wind began to fiddle with the cube. No matter how I looked at it, it seemed like I was pressing it at random, but since I didn’t know anything, I couldn’t do anything else. Every time he pressed a button, a voice was heard.
[5 minutes left.]
[25 minutes…]
[There are 42 seconds left until the security system is activated.]
“Hey, it’s decreased even more.”
“wait. “Impatient people don’t live long.”
“You speak well.”
Despite Ronan’s urging, the angry gust silently pressed the button. Soon, a guidance sound with different content than before was heard.
[There are 60 minutes left until the security system is activated. Further operations are limited due to frequent changes.]
After that, no voice was heard. The shaking, as if I had been thrown into a storm, also subsided. Ronan laughed as if he was shocked.
“her. “This is really happening.”
“sorry. “I don’t think I can increase it any further.”
“no. “At this level, it was a scary save.”
Ronan nodded. I wouldn’t say it was very long, but it was still enough time to do a lot more than 3 minutes. The three people who received additional healing from Sita stood up.
“Damn, I think I’m going to buy something now. thanks.”
“Bye!”
“One of the best things I think I did when I came back was… not throw you in the river while you were still an egg. “At that time, I really thought it was horse manure.”
“Byeolgi?”
Ronan gently stroked Sita. Sita, with her eyes wide open, tilted her head. Ronan, who came up the stairs, was the first to approach the bodies of Terranil and Yuria.
“…Is this really the white man?”
“ok. “It was a spectacular ending.”
“What on earth do you do that makes a corpse look like this… wow?”
An angry gust of wind retched after seeing Terranil’s corpse. It was a terrible sight even for the warriors of Dainhar. The shock wave that exploded inside his body turned his body into the most avant-garde and disgusting vase in the world.
“Let’s see…”
“W-what are you doing?”
At that moment, Ronan began to rummage through the pile of meat that was Terranil. The gust of wind startled her and she took a step back.
“wait. “If she were to be a bishop, she would be able to carry something around.”
It was so messed up and covered in blood that it was difficult to find anything. Ronan was eventually able to find a useful object only after Sita had absorbed all the blood traces at the scene.
“okay. “There was this.”
Squeak – Ronan tore a piece of metal from the tattered piece of cloth. It was the seven-pointed badge that hung on Terranil’s sleeve. Of all the gang members I’ve met so far, the only one wearing Terranil seemed to be an item symbolizing the bishop.
“What on earth is this made of?”
Ronan, who was examining the badge, frowned. Sparkling mana so rich that it gave her goosebumps was condensed inside the badge. It felt like if I mixed it with water and drank it, shiny urine would come out.
‘That’s unpleasant.’
Ronan grumbled but took the badge. He had a feeling that there would definitely be something to write about.
Aside from the badge, there was nothing worth taking from Terranil. Ronan picked up the dagger that was lying around along with the dismembered vertebrae. Even though he was shaking so hard, there wasn’t a single scratch on his smooth sword body.
“It’s very useful. Doron.”
Ronan, who sheathed Ymir, laughed. Compared to La Mancha, its killing power was lower, but its usability was excellent. I especially liked being able to manifest an aura copied from the position of the dagger.
When I turned my head, I saw Schlieffen examining Yuria’s whip. Ronan strolled over and shrugged his eyebrows.
“What, did you like it that way?”
“I was only looking at it because it seemed like it was made by a fairly skilled craftsman.”
“I thought you were going to give my sister a gift and ask her to spank you. “Look!”
“You really…!”
Ronan left the red-faced Schlieffen behind and began examining the whip. It certainly seemed like the material was unusual and the build quality was excellent. Each and every one of the hundreds of pieces of metal woven in a row had been delicately processed.
‘That’s amazing. There is no problem in tearing them off one by one and using them as weapons.’
It was like looking at a work of art rather than a weapon. I was in the middle of fiddling with the handle. Sigh! Suddenly, the whip shrunk arbitrarily and transformed into the shape of a luxurious cane that nobles would use.
“···It’s really amazing.”
Ronan whistled. His level of sophistication was unrecognizable even if he carefully examined it. It seemed like he couldn’t even attempt to reproduce it unless he was a blacksmith of Doron’s level.
I don’t know who made it, but it was clear that he was one of the leading blacksmiths on the continent. Suddenly, what Yuria said passed through her mind.
‘Is it created by a man named Alibrihe?’
It was said that one prosthetic hand was amazing. And the magic engineering prosthetic hand, which required delicate work, was an item that could be called the culmination of technology.
“Tsk.”
Ronan clicked his tongue. I didn’t like the fact that such an outstanding craftsman was collaborating with such fanatics. He took the whip and slowly turned around. Contrary to expectations, there was no need to rush to collect the magic stone.
“If I just take these, I can play and eat for the rest of my life.”
The floor was littered with black crystals. These were magic stones held by the monsters that Yuria controlled. It seemed that the testimony of the gust of wind swallowing the black stone was true.
“Interesting. It appears to have been moved using a magic stone as a power source.”
“I was so upset because I was eating such good food.”
Ronan took off his coat and made a bag and started picking up magic stones. Even though only the best magic stones were selected, the quantity was too much to handle. As long as Secret did not commit corruption, he would have done it a thousand times.
Ronan even took off Schlieffen’s coat and wrapped the bundle. Before leaving, he asked Sita to absorb all the blood shed by the natives and lay it out neatly. The purpose was to make it easier to dispose of corpses. Gust, who was looking around at the bodies lined up in a row, slowly opened his mouth.
“···thanks.”
“it’s okay. “Just bury it well.”
“Everyone will like it. “Thanks to you, warriors smile even in death.”
Ronan twisted his lips. Everyone here chose to die rather than reveal their secret. Honorable silence. Ronan lowered his head slightly and muttered softly.
“Let’s go to a nice place.”
It sucks to let go of a colleague. Especially if they died honorably.
After a brief moment of silence, the three people returned the way they came. Fortunately, it didn’t take as long as it came. Ronan, who was walking along the gust of wind, opened her mouth.
“I am sorry. “I’d like to help find survivors, but I don’t have time.”
“Okay. “The mind alone is enough.”
“There is a guy named Asher who is amazing at restoration work. Shall I call him later?”
“no. We can do it ourselves. “Even if a rock is cut by the wind, it does not disappear.”
The gust of wind answered bravely. Ronan smiled bitterly without saying a word. It was very obvious that he was trying hard to pretend to be strong.
Considering Yuria and Terranil’s temperament, it was probably difficult to expect any more survivors. The angry gust of wind must also have been aware of it.
They walked away without saying a word. As I was getting to the entrance, I saw a boy pacing around in the distance biting his nails. Ronan said, touching the gust of wind.
“Isn’t that your younger brother?”
“Hmm?”
It was Dreaming Thunder, the younger brother of Gust Wind. When he recognized the group, he jumped up from his spot.
“Oh my god, brother! Everyone!”
“How are you?”
Ronan waved his hand. After a month, the thunder came and stopped in front of the gust of wind. He opened his mouth, catching his breath that was welling up to his chin.
“Oh my gosh… I thought he was dead when he didn’t come back. Wow, everyone was so worried…!”
“sorry. But if it weren’t for his benefactors, he would really have died.”
“Anyway, I’m glad I didn’t die. Come quickly. “Brother, I have something to show you.”
“Are you going to show me?”
“You might be surprised. Everyone, follow me!”
Dreaming thunder roared ahead. The three people followed him in confusion. Everyone’s eyes widened at the panoramic view of the cave that soon unfolded.
“This···!”
“older brother. Our tribe is not ruined. “He was still alive this much.”
Approximately two hundred indigenous people were crowded together.
Everyone had a dirty look, but there were no injuries. The people who discovered the gust of wind and Ronan and his group shouted in joy.
“Look over there, the angry gust is back!”
“The benefactors are safe too! “Oh my god, such a miracle…!”
In an instant, the natives came and surrounded them. A trembling voice came out from between the lips of an angry gust of wind.
“Ronan. “Am I dreaming?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I hope I don’t wake up, even if it’s just a dream. “I’m serious.”
The angry gust of wind looked at the faces of the tribesmen one by one. They were all people who were thought to be dead. There were enough people to rebuild the tribe. Thunder pointed at Sita and laughed cheerfully.
“It’s not a dream. That bird told me where people were. “As I followed the red road, people came out shedding blood.”
Gust’s eyes widened. This happened while Ronan and Schlieffen were engaged in a fierce battle.
The rescue was carried out in a way that the natives would find the injured and bring them back, and Sita would heal them. Wow! Sita, who was curled up on Ronan’s head, puffed out her feathers as if asking what was going on.
“This…really…I…”
For a moment, water filled Gust’s eyes. He, who had been keeping his mouth shut, turned his head. Soon his broad shoulders began to shake.
“It’s so big and distracting that it’s a drag.”
Ronan chuckled. Gust wiped the corners of her eyes roughly with the back of her hand and looked back at Ronan. He took a deep breath and bowed to Ronan.
“thanks! “I will never forget!”
“It’s okay, if you become the chief later, I’ll give it a try.”
“I will definitely repay this favor. We will forever remain your friends and allies. I will make it like that…”
The gust of wind was about to speak. The woman’s voice, which had been quiet for a while, echoed in the cave.
[60 minutes have passed. Security system restarted. Please be careful of strong vibration.]
“Huh, has it already become like this?”
Ronan raised his head. Coo coo coo coo! Suddenly, the cave began to vibrate like crazy. The panicked natives murmured. An angry gust of wind wiped away the tears and shouted loudly.
“Everyone calm down! It’s an earthquake that will pass quickly! Gather around women and children!”
The deep voice was full of charisma. People who had regained their senses gathered under his instructions.
I couldn’t believe that this was the guy who had been squeamish just a moment ago. His younger brother, the Dreaming Thunder, wandered everywhere and guided the frightened people.
“Come here. “Be careful not to fall.”
“It’s pretty good.”
Ronan laughed. The chief was just joking, but I felt like I could really get my hopes up. A woman’s voice was heard again.
[Perform scanning prior to this work. Those without an identification code will be automatically expelled.]
Paang! At that moment, a wave of mana erupted from an unknown source and passed through all the people in the cave. Ronan’s eyes widened.
“That is…”
The tattoos on the bodies of the natives were shining brightly. The only ones that didn’t change were him, Schlieffen, and Sita. Is that an identification code? It was the moment Ronan muttered.
[3 unidentified persons have been confirmed. Expel the target.]
Ugh! A blue light suddenly appeared before my eyes and engulfed Ronan and Schlieffen. Sita, who hurriedly flew up, was also swallowed without a trace.
The natives, whose eyes were wide open, let out screams of horror. Kugugugugu…! The vibration was still continuing.
****
“Whoa! what?!”
“hmm···!”
Suddenly my vision became brighter. Ronan, who hit her butt, let out a curse. The dry wind blowing back her bangs mixed with fine sand grains like dust.
“This place…”
Ronan slowly got up. A high, clear sky hung over his head. Reddish sand dunes stretched to the horizon. Sita, who was stuck in his sand dune and writhing around, managed to pull his head out.
“Pete! “Pepppep!”
“This was unexpected. “Is it some kind of space magic?”
Schlieffen, who had adjusted his appearance, opened his mouth. Sita continued to flail and spit out her sand. They were in the middle of the red sand desert.
I could see Dainhar rising like a crown in the distance. Judging by the shimmering appearance like a mirage, it was a distance that would take two days.
As I looked around, the corpse of a huge rocbird caught my eye. On the side of the dried out monster was a piece of metal that I had seen many times before.
The harpoons fired by Yuria’s beasts. Ronan, who recognized that this was the one who came with the thunder, muttered quietly.
“It feels like a ghost is chewing on my earlobe…”
Although I heard the notice that I would be expelled, it didn’t really feel like I was really being kicked out like this. Fortunately, all the things I had packed were scattered around.
“···Well, shall we go back then?”
Ronan was just about to turn his steps. Coo coo coo coo! Suddenly, the desert began to tremble. It was an earthquake on a much larger scale than the one experienced just moments ago. Ronan suddenly caught sight of Dain Har and opened his eyes wide.
“Um, what about that?”
Kwagwagwagwa! Dainhar was moving. Rock mountains with organic shapes were rising layer after layer, like flames. Subterranean metals that had been dug up from the ground were wrapped around Dainhar.
It was a spectacle that could not have been created even if there were a hundred earth wizards of Jaradin’s level. Suddenly, the guidance sound I heard at Dainhar passed through my mind.
“Security system…?”
Only then did Ronan realize why the shape of the rocky mountains was not natural. It was not formed naturally in the first place.
The earthquake subsided after several tens of minutes. After completing its transformation, Dainhar was about three times larger in size. The cluster of rocky mountains rising with the force of tearing up the sky was reminiscent of a huge fortress. Ronan, who had been dumbfounded, opened his mouth.
“No one will be able to enter like that.”
“I guess so. “A shield surrounds the entire terrain.”
“what?”
“It is also a very strong defense shield. “It will be difficult for the imperial army to break through.”
Schlieffen nodded. As Ronan narrowed his eyes, he saw that a bluish mana barrier was covering the entire Dainhar.
It really looked like a fortress prepared for something. Schlieffen, who was silent for a moment, continued.
“Anyway, Ronan. “Keep your promise.”
“promise?”
Instead of answering, Schlieffen looked at Ronan. There was a subtle silence. Ronan, who realized the intention after a while, laughed.
“Anyway, you are out of your mind.”
Ronan took out a piece of paper from the back pocket of his pants. On a piece of paper the size of her palm, a brightly smiling Iril was drawn. Schlieffen’s voice trembled.
“This…this….”
“Put it in a frame and keep it. “Just try doing weird things.”
Schlieffen accepted the painting with both hands, as if he were receiving an imperial edict. Schlieffen, who was quietly staring at the painting, muttered softly.
“…I will make it an heirloom.”
“Crazy guy.”
Ronan shook his head. The reaction was about 30,000 times more intense than when the Storm Sword was awakened. The wave patterns engraved on the sand dunes following the wind signaled the end of the adventure.
They walked along the way they came. The bandits’ blood stains that were soaked in the sand had suddenly disappeared without a trace.
