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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Ruby
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Tisha stood before Yuma and said, “I’ll treat this as a journey for a while.”
The previous night, during their walk on the beach, Yuma and Cloney had discussed Tisha, noting how well she fit in with their group and how much they enjoyed her company.
This prompted Yuma to ask her first thing in the morning if she would like to travel with them for a time.
It wasn’t a bad proposal from Tisha’s perspective either.
There weren’t many chances to see the outside world in the Mullen tribe.
And she really liked her new friend Cloney too.
In fact, the most important reason was that they needed someone to act as a connecting bridge between Yuma’s side and the Mullen tribe from the start.
However, there was a more practical reason.
From the beginning, they needed someone to act as a liaison between Yuma and the Mullen tribe—a reliable connection who could act swiftly in case of emergency.
The Mullen tribe could send urgent signals across vast distances through their whale companions, as long as there was open sea ahead.
Silviria could also facilitate this communication.
Tisha intended to stay at Baron Amon’s estate from December, when the demon army was expected to appear.
Yuma sat before Yercur, king of the Mullen tribe, again.
Having been vague about preparing for dark times during their return journey, he felt obligated to explain himself more clearly now that they were speaking privately.
“The dark times coming to the continent in 4 months are probably demon armies.”
Yercur’s eyes widened.
“Demon armies, I see…”
Yuma was internally surprised by Yercur’s response, accepting without questioning his words.
“You’re not going to ask about the source of the information?”
“I trust you, who has become the only human I believe in. You saved our great sea.”
Yercur paused briefly before continuing.
“And the 800-year cycle of demon invasions happens to align roughly with the time you mentioned.”
“800-year cycle?”
Yuma finally realized it.
That the race before him, the merfolk, was a long-lived race with much deeper and more extensive historical records than humans.
Yercur slowly shook his head.
“Without your words, I wouldn’t have even remembered. There hasn’t been an invasion for 1,600 years. The cycle seemed to have ended. In fact, most races on the continent had come to believe the demon realm was no longer a threat.”
He took a drink of water.
“Don’t worry. Whatever happens, we will repay our debt to you, our friend, for saving us from this crisis.”
Yuma nodded deeply at Yercur’s words.
Three days had already passed quickly.
“Hey! I’ll come back stronger next time!”
Bell was going around saying farewell to the Mullen tribe men who had sparred with her in martial arts.
“Tisha, really? You’re saying you’ll travel for several months?”
Tisha’s mother, who had the same sky-blue skin as Tisha, looked at her with a worried face.
“Since when did you worry about your daughter like that.”
Tisha smirked as she tightly tied her navy blue hair with a string.
“I’ll be back in 4 months anyway.”
“4 months is a long time, daughter.”
Tisha’s mother, Seiné, looked at Cloney who was behind Tisha.
“Please take care of my daughter, Cloney.”
Seiné said looking at Cloney.
Cloney responded to her words with a bright smile.
“Yes, don’t worry, Mother.”
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Yuma’s group including the White Night clan all stood in front of the dock.
Yercur, king of the Mullen tribe, saw off Yuma’s group.
“Take care of my daughter, God of War.”
Tisha twisted her lips.
“That sounds a bit strange when you say it like that, Father.”
“Kukukuk, it’s a joke.”
The father and daughter exchanged such not-so-affectionate farewells.
“Have a safe journey!”
The Mullen tribe, men and women, young and old, came out to see off Yuma’s group.
Swoosh…
Baron Amon’s docked ship slowly moved into the great sea.
Thus another 10-day journey began.
Tisha, the sky-blue skinned Mullen tribe member, was following alongside Baron Amon’s ship riding Silviria.
Silviria’s speed wasn’t falling behind the ship’s speed at all.
Rather than falling behind, it was more like Silviria was matching its speed to the ship.
Unlike their departure, they returned with the addition of the White Night clan and Tisha.
After spending a night at the Amon estate, they returned to the Astes Imperial capital.
Tisha’s clear blue eyes widened as they approached.
While she had been impressed by the capital, Barnak, the imperial palace was even more breathtaking.
The dignified golden walls, the neatly arranged marble, and the lush gardens.
It was a beauty distinct from the underwater kingdom of the Mullen.
Yuma’s eyes caught Empress Brigitte who came out to greet them in front of the palace gates.
The 30 imperial guards standing in rows on both sides of Brigitte all knelt down at once.
“We greet Grand Duke Yuma.”
Yuma looked them over and slowly nodded.
And Brigitte stood in their center.
“It doesn’t look good to the ministers when the empress comes out like this so improperly.”
Brigitte grinned.
“Since when did I care about what the ministers think.”
“Let’s go in.”
Tisha was dumbfounded that the being she was meeting after just 3 days in the empire was the empire’s empress.
Yuma’s group was given temporary quarters in the annex on the left side of the main palace.
Of the thirty White Night clan members, all but five returned to their territory, carrying Yuma’s message about the demon army.
Since he had ordered them to bring back all combat-capable personnel around the 3rd month, they would meet again soon.
The remaining five—a Sword Master and four high-level Experts—stayed as part of the imperial guard.
Yuma first had a private conversation with Brigitte.
Brigitte and Yuma’s blue eyes faced each other directly.
Yuma told Brigitte about the conversation he had with Yercur.
Brigitte nodded while widening her eyes at what Yercur had said.
“I see… the cycle of demon invasions. Right. Long-lived races like the merfolk would be more versed in such records. But that evil god Incrinew definitely said this would be the strongest invasion in history.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
That’s why Yuma was trying to form as many alliances as possible.
To minimize the damage that would befall this continent.
“There should be other races on land that we could form alliances with.”
Lion folk, cat folk, lycanthropes.
Quite a few other races came to Yuma’s mind.
Brigitte eliminated some of them.
“The lion folk are hostile to humans. And while the cat folk were friendly, they’re now too scattered between tribes for easy recruitment… we might be able to negotiate with lycanthropes or birdfolk.”
“Are there no other races?”
At Yuma’s words, Brigitte thought for a moment before speaking again.
“Elves don’t consider humans as equals. And dwarves follow the elves’ will. They probably won’t step forward unless the elves take the lead in handling the situation.”
The story was that elves might lead the situation themselves, but wouldn’t respond to humans’ calls.
“Then I should meet with the lycanthropes or birdfolk after taking some preparation time.”
He knew countless demons and demon beasts would be unleashed.
‘And there’s also a chance other races have information or power we haven’t even thought of.’
He felt this even more after encountering the Mullen tribe.
His body was already itching to move, but he couldn’t depart right away.
It had been a long journey.
He needed to rest for at least 3 weeks and take time to prepare slowly.
Tisha quickly adapted to palace life.
Out of consideration for Tisha, seafood dishes could no longer be found on the palace dining table.
High quality meat, vegetables, and fruits.
Thanks to this, Tisha discovered the taste of meat.
The sky-blue skinned merfolk, Tisha, put a juicy steak in her mouth.
“This flavor… delicious.”
Yuma’s group including Brigitte all stared intently at the scene of the Mullen tribe person firmly chewing and tearing meat.
“It’s delicious, isn’t it?”
Hestia, the cat-folk swordswoman, perked up her scarlet ears.
Having initially thought she wouldn’t connect with the merfolk due to their differing diets, she was now eager to share her culinary knowledge.
“This, this! Try eating it all together with these vegetables and this sauce!”
And began promoting how to eat deliciously.
Tisha savored it as Hestia recommended.
“Mmm… the flavor seems deeper, Hestia.”
“Right! Right!”
Hestia, who had great success with her promotion, puffed up her cheeks proudly.
And there was Cloney watching that scene with a faint smile, finding it amusing.
Training ground.
Before Yuma was none other than Bell.
Yuma held out quite a thick book.
“The third swordsmanship?”
Bell raised the corner of her mouth while scanning through the book.
It was the sword manual [Meteor Sword] written as quickly as possible with Balmung.
The swordsmanship of Arachne the Seeker, who was Balmung’s 6th sword master.
– No one could surpass Master Arachne in the strength of slashing strikes.
A sword manual that was the essence of all ranged attacks expressible through sword energy, beginning with slashing strikes and ending with slashing strikes.
“Can you understand it?”
“Yeah, Yuma. The completion level is really high.”
Bell eagerly devoured the book with great interest.
Bell mastered yet another sword style perfectly in such a short time.
It was now a month since Yuma’s group had fully returned to the empire.
“Yuma.”
Brigitte met with Yuma privately in his quarters.
“There’s an elf in the reception room right now.”
“An elf?”
To Yuma’s question, Brigitte slowly nodded.
“Tribal council. They say the elves are pushing for a tribal council.”
“Did you meet them directly?”
“No, not yet.”
“Then let’s go together.”
At Yuma’s words, Brigitte nodded with a smile.
Yuma’s presence had put Brigitte’s mind at ease.
Yuma and Brigitte slowly walked to the reception room.
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“Dwarves follow the elves’ will”? That’s new
Yeah, most fantasy novels set them as rivals. There must be an arc about this.