Dark Fantasy: Magical Eye Knight – Chapter 106

Chapter 106: Latham (2)

TL: Potato-tan

Proofreader: Asianpotato

 

A group of towering figures, easily surpassing the average human height, gathered in one place. Their skin color resembled the leaves of the countless trees that stood in their location, casting shadows and blocking the sunlight.

 

They were orcs, each representing their tribe with banners bearing their symbols, carried by their chief’s guards, who avoided looking at each other as they stared at the banners.

 

Although they could not be described as being on good terms, the phenomenon that had been occurring and accelerating among their race had brought them together, even in empty words.

 

“Has everyone arrived?”

 

An orc with unusually large canines, Chenpa, crossed his arms and opened his mouth. He was the first to speak, indicating that the tribe he ruled was the largest and most powerful.

 

An orc’s average height exceeded 180 centimeters. However, even among such orcs, Chenpa’s stature was noticeable. He was not merely large, but his well-trained muscles rippled along with his blood vessels.

 

Next, Riadun raised his head and looked around. Although he was slightly shorter than the average orc, his quick movements and agility earned him the position of chief. People referred to the sharp dagger hanging from his waist as his ‘other hand’. Riadun pointed to another orc who was not present.

 

“I don’t see Tumelun. Didn’t he say he would go to the human lodge and secure the sacrifice?”

 

Four tribes, four chiefs. They had gathered in the mountains of the central continent, sharing an unprecedented sense of crisis.

 

“There are more and more of our kind who are losing their intelligence. Their skin turns gray, and their speech becomes guttural.”

 

Uruk. Similar in appearance and size to orcs, but due to their violent nature, they could only form groups of around thirteen. Even among themselves, they would bare their teeth and fight.

 

Their true nature was that of mutated orcs. They had lost their original color, acted as if they had no brains, and had become monsters that indiscriminately devoured people and animals.

 

‘If this continues, we may all end up like that.’

 

He had slain dozens of orcs who had become uruk. The tenuous connection they had maintained with the human settlements had been gradually severed due to uruk attacks.

 

The isolation of the orcs necessitated a solution. It was then that Tumelun, an orc shaman who had been away for a long time, returned with the devil’s messenger.

 

The messenger presented a new solution. Join hands with the devil. To do so, they would transform into an entirely new race.

 

It was a dangerous proposition. Yet they were rapidly becoming extinct, and their choices were dwindling.

 

But the orcs had not yet reached a consensus.

 

‘We must find the god we have lost or forgotten.’

 

That was Chenpa’s argument. He knew that long ago, orcs also had a god. The old orc shaman of the tribe he led, the Red Hammer, had once preached that they too had a god.

 

That god was a warrior god who led the orcs. This god, characterized by a red aura, bolstered their physical strength and adorned their skin with black tattoos.

 

Red energy was something entirely different from the ominous glow emitted by monsters. It was clear, transparent, awakening the mind and bestowing stamina that prevented fatigue in battle. It could indeed be considered divine energy, but as it existed only in legends, there was no way to verify it.

 

Nowadays, it is impossible to find anyone who worships the orc god. Even the orcs did not know their own god, so where could they go to find the god’s champion?

 

Thud!

 

Jadmu, an orc with a large sword on his back, stomped his foot.

 

“We don’t have time! What was the reason we gathered? Wasn’t it going to eventually occupy those humans’ land? Even if Tumelun doesn’t come, the plan must proceed! We will destroy the human settlement below and offer them as sacrifices! And with the power of the devil, we will stop our race’s decline! Tumelun is not the only shaman!”

 

“Jadmu, you?”

 

As the other orcs looked at him with surprised eyes, a thick black aura rose from Jadmu’s entire body. It was dark magic.

 

Chenpa narrowed his eyes and glared at Jadmu.

 

“Since when, Jadmu?”

 

“Stop with the stupid questions, Chenpa. How long are you going to keep whining? The orc god? There is nothing like that. Even if there is, it doesn’t matter. Look at the uruk! Who knows when we will become like them?! We must set our course while we still have a shred of reason!”

 

“. . . . . .”

 

Jadmu continued, emitting dark magic from his entire body.

 

“We also have a strong ally. If we can lure him out, this war will be ours without a fight.”

 

“Are you talking about. . . . . .He won’t help us easily.”

 

“If he doesn’t help, we’ll make him help.”

 

The last speaker was the only orc among the four chiefs who held the position of shaman. Kelfrag was not just any shaman, but the grand shaman from whom all orc tribes and chiefs sought advice.

 

Thud!

 

Kelfrag struck the wooden staff he was holding on the ground. Then, a smoky light rose from it like fog, and a map formed in the center.

 

The power of sorcery and magic created the map, which displayed the orcs’ current location, their subordinates, the terrain of the mountains and forests, and other green-skinned monsters.

 

As Kelfrag waved his staff, the map moved and illuminated a spot at the end of the forest. A vast plain, fields, and a wall stretching for several kilometers protected the human city.

 

“We have already set sail upon the rapids. If we disembark now, the rapids will sweep us away, leaving us adrift. Prepare for the invasion.”

 

The orcs nodded. Only Chenpa had a heavy expression. Riadun watched Chenpa’s face carefully.

 

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

 

The guard’s stop signal was not very good. The guard who met Russell’s gaze looked up at him with a long, drawn-out expression and said,

 

“Excuse me, aren’t you the dragonslayer?”

 

“. . . . . .Yes, I am.”

 

“Oooooh!”

 

Soon, guards with similar expressions gathered around Russell and his party, surrounding them and chattering excitedly.

 

“Look! I told you so. It’s the dragonslayer!”

 

“Did you come to Latham territory to hunt monsters?”

 

Technically, he had come to kill the devil, Geliotos, who was presumed to be behind this event. But that was not entirely inaccurate.

 

Anyway, it seemed like they would encounter monsters.

 

“That’s right.”

 

The guards looked up at Russell again. Errandis had not had such a reaction.

 

Perhaps it was due to the current situation in Latham territory. The majority of discussions at the tavern, inn, mercenary guild, or office would revolve around monster hunting.

 

In contrast to Russell’s previous life, where he could quickly learn about a murder case in a distant country, this place relied on a different approach known as magic. Rumours, as the saying goes, are like a horse without legs.

 

“What’s the commotion over there?”

 

Suddenly, a sweet voice cut through the air. The guards turned around in a hurry and bowed deeply.

 

“My Lord!”

 

There was a person riding a horse, wearing plate armor. The curves and patterns engraved on the armor were gorgeous. Behind her were two knights wearing similar armor.

 

Soon, as she removed her helmet, her tied light gray hair cascaded down like a waterfall.

 

A beautiful woman’s face emerged. Her light blue eyes and slightly upturned eyes were charming. Two beauty marks on the corner of her eyes stood out.

 

Her skin was as white as if she had not seen the sun in a long time. Her neck was as slender as her small face, as soft and delicate as a deer’s. However, the way she sat on her horse in armor and maintained a stable balance showed how skilled she was at using her body.

 

One might assume that plate armor would be heavy, but that was a misconception. On the contrary, it was rather light. The defense afforded by plate armor did not lie in its thickness.

 

Furthermore, this was a world in which magic existed. Lightweight magic was not that uncommon. Of course, a wizard capable of casting that spell would be necessary, but it was unlikely that such a territory would not have a wizard of that level.

 

The woman called ‘my lord’ got off her horse with a light movement. Russell couldn’t stay on his horse while the lord was getting off, so he also got off Kry in the same way.

 

The lord put her helmet on her side and held out her other hand.

 

“Tatiana Grace. I am the lord of Latham territory. I was on my way to inspect when I heard the commotion and came to see what was going on. You seem to have come at a good time.”

 

Normally, one would have to kneel on one knee and kiss the ring on their finger, but there was no such thing on the gloved hand. Moreover, what she extended was not the back of her hand but in the direction of a thumbs-up, as if she were shaking hands.

 

Russell did not kneel, but he accepted the handshake. It seemed that the Lord wanted it that way.

 

“I’m Russell. The people behind me belong to my party.”

 

Tatiana, after shaking hands, scanned the people behind her and made an interesting expression.

 

“Hmm. An orc and a girl. It’s an unusual combination. Do you know what we are fighting against now?”

 

“I know.”

 

Tatiana’s blue eyes widened.

 

“You know? It makes my heart flutter for no reason. I’d like to invite your party to the castle. Would you accept?”

 

“We will do so.”

 

Tatiana nodded and got on her horse. It was not the first or second time she had ridden a horse. The longsword hanging from her waist was also well-maintained.

 

“Then, let us make arrangements to meet at the castle later.”

 

Tatiana left a soldier to guide Russell and his party, then turned her horse around. Then she walked with the two knights to the other side of the road.

 

They passed through the gate safely. Cuntenio handed Russell a leather pouch filled with money. Russell looked at him, realizing that the money pouch was heavier than he had anticipated. Cuntenio grinned and said,

 

“I put in a little extra. Honestly, if it weren’t for Russell-nim, there would have been many dangerous moments. I can’t say how grateful I am for Lempard’s counsel at the longhouse.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Not at all. How long do you plan to stay here, Russell-nim?”

 

“I will have to judge the situation first.”

 

“Of course. I asked the obvious. When you mention the situation, it must be due to Mount Rahamurn and the surrounding monsters.

 

Cuntenio had somehow gathered information again and explained the situation in detail, even though Russell had not asked.

 

He claimed that the path leading east from the territory of Latham was blocked. Not only by greenskins, but also by feral beasts that were giving forest rangers and hunters a hard time.

 

“I understand.”

 

“I would be happy if it was of any help.”

 

After finishing the conversation with Cuntenio, Russell exchanged brief greetings with the mercenaries who had accompanied him on his three-day journey.

 

“Hmm, ah. You guys were pretty strong. Any chance you need another ally? I’m pretty good with a sword.”

 

“You’re the dragonslayer, right? It’s the first time I’ve heard of it, but if the Lord herself came out to meet you, it must be a big deal. I’d like to join you, but would that be okay?”

 

Some mercenaries wanted to form a party like this, but Russell refused them all. Some of them became sullen at the continuous refusals, but when Kai, who had approached unnoticed, glared at them with his sharp eyes, they quickly backed away.

 

Russell glanced around and saw that Lempard had vanished without a trace. He had disappeared after leaving no trace.

 

If he wanted to find him, it would not be difficult, but Russell shook his head and said to the soldier who had been assigned as a guide,

 

“Please show me the way.”

 

“Ah, yes! I understand!”

 

As if he were deeply impressed by having met the rumored Dragonslayer in person, the young soldier was overly polite to Russell.

 

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

 

“What is your name?”

 

“Ah? D, Did you ask my name?”

 

“Yes. I’m Russell.”

 

“Ah, my name. My name is Devin.”

 

Following Devin’s guidance, Russell, Kai, and Aellasis walked around Latham territory. Well-laid flagstones connected the roads, and neatly built buildings stood side by side.

 

Laundry lines stretched between buildings, clothes hanging on them, and long, large roads leading to the market. People are living a different life there.

 

Russell and his party were eye-catching, but since there were many other humans and other races besides them, it didn’t last long.

 

The sun was setting, and the fog was rising. Russell silently watched the territory, gradually embracing the shadows of the world.

 

The soldiers on the castle walls moved quickly, carrying torches and lighting the fixed torch stands. On the castle walls, flames began to light up.

 

Farmers and serfs came in with stooped shoulders after finishing their hard day’s work. The area of damaged fields was large because the monsters outside were on the rise.

 

Already, heavily intoxicated men were stumbling through the streets, exchanging insults and eventually blows. People did not intervene, but laughed and watched. Eventually, security guards arrived and smacked the bottoms of the two men, who then dispersed.

 

Even as the monsters outside were rampant, the people inside the castle walls seemed so peaceful. It was not easy to understand at first, but this was also the result of adaptation.

 

Russell’s desire to explore the other side of the world manifested itself precisely in this territory. It was like seeing a famous painting right in front of his nose that he had only heard about.

 

Well, it was not bad.

 

Just then, Russell’s senses detected a presence. It was someone who had concealed their mana so well that it would be difficult to sense them if one did not pay attention—an individual wearing a hooded robe.

 

The figure stood before a fruit stall, picking up a red fruit. In that moment, as if they had also sensed something, they turned their head slightly.

 

Russell’s eyes met the hooded figure’s. Brilliant green eyes. One could sense the aura of grass, trees, and beasts.

 

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