LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 147
– 1 –
The Poile River surged forth from beneath a small mountain range positioned in the west of Kaisen, cutting through the heart of Solemio County.
This river stretched vertically down to the Arilite Principality.
Rice harvested from the fertile fields of Eliesineshi and Kakia Kingdom flowed through Kaisen and into this river.
To the south lay the Zenota United Kingdom, opposing Aghares; to the east stood the Norn Empire, keeping Eligos in check.
Not just a mere waterway, this was the lifeblood of the Eastern Continent’s fate.
A vital trade route transporting grain that feeds the armies of two great powers.
Naturally, competition over such an important waterway was fierce.
Particularly, the grievances from the allied kingdom, which had a rocky relationship with Norn, were substantial.
Kwazik!
And there were others targeting this river as well.
For instance, monster hordes that pounced solely at the sight of food.
Or gangs pursuing gold.
Perhaps an even more dangerous coalition of the two.
– Kkuuddukdook…!
As the blue waves of the Poile River shimmered in the morning sunlight, the mast of a sailing ship swayed ominously.
It was the moment calamity struck the vessel, the Jalett, laden with trade goods, as it cleaved the sea.
“Take it all, kill them—!!”
“Enemy!!!”
The shouts and screams shattering the quiet dawn mixed together.
The harbinger of this catastrophe was a green-skinned orc warrior, stealthily scaling the outside walls.
– Kuaaaak!!
Kwazik!
No longer needing to maintain silence, the orc warrior bellowed as he cleaved a crewman’s head in two with a swift stroke.
– Kyaaaak!
“I’ll kill ya!!”
Numerous orcs and goblins, followed by hordes, even lizardmen and other monsters, crawled up the ship’s outer walls.
With claws and blades etching marks on the ship’s surface, countless bodies swarmed like ants, pouring in below deck.
“Stop them!! Don’t let them up!!”
Kwazik! Kaang!
Amidst the desperate cries of the crew, the sounds of metal clashing began to echo all around.
Given that the ship was a state endeavor, the force on board was formidable, but the sheer numerical advantage of the hordes was overwhelming.
“We won’t retreat…!!”
“Help, help me!”
Even fierce resistance proved powerless against the difference in numbers.
In the eyes of the human crew, there was greed for gold, while the eyes of the monster warriors glinted with hunger.
Their alliance was deadlier than anticipated.
Of course, for the lord of the territory by the riverside and the crew aboard the ship, this was a disaster.
– Kiirruurrk!
“Prey… devour! Eat them all! Kill the humans!”
– Kyaaaargh!!
“You lot! Don’t eat just yet; take control of the ship first!”
“Let them be! They’re fighting!”
The sharp yells of goblins.
A lizardman who swung its tail to beat crewmen.
An orc gnashing its teeth as it bit down on a human head.
And the helpless shouts of humans trying to tame the monsters.
Chaos and slaughter filled the ship.
The despairing screams of the kingdom’s people melded with the mad laughter of those fattening themselves upon the despair.
Under the clear sunlight of dawn, the deck became stained with blood and death.
Just then.
““「Dragon of Frost」.””
A quiet yet clear voice.
As multiple voices harmonized into one, the river surged.
Chwaaaaarurrk!
No, the river came alive.
– Krurrr…
A massive figure pierced the surface.
The scales on its long body shimmered in the rising morning sunlight, sparkling like a rainbow.
Three colossal ice dragons, seemingly carved from transparent jewels, fissured their fearsome jaws wide.
– Kuuooo—!!
A roar resonated.
The river trembled, and the air shuddered.
Even the crazed monsters and the avaricious hordes could not help but hesitate before this overwhelming presence.
– Kieeeeeek…!!
“What, what is that!!”
As terrified cries erupted and everyone stumbled back a step.
Kwaaaah—!!
Kwaduk!
The first dragon’s breath slammed into the boat, concealed alongside their vessels.
The boat shattered into ice and splinters, and immediately thereafter, the other dragons began to move.
Kbang!!
“Hiiiiiik!”
Wood crushing!
“Gahaaak! Help, help!!”
The screams of those trying to flee echoed in vain.
In an instant where not even struggle was possible.
The second dragon slammed its tail against the surface, stunning the swimming hordes, while the third dragon selected and gobbled up monsters.
As the ice moved through its transparent body, the crimson hue of crushed corpses spread outward.
“What the… what is happening…?”
While the crew stood dumbfounded, the river regained its tranquility.
Above the proudly raised heads of the dragons, a beam of light emerged, drawing the crew’s attention.
Her hair waved softly like silk spun from silver, while the scales on her lower body gleamed like pearls.
“Humans, are you well?”
As the beautiful white snake, flanked by waterborne Lamias, inquired about their welfare, the humans nodded in a daze.
“E-everything… who are you?”
“Let’s just say I’ve come to assist you.”
As battles and plundering grew frequent, the lords of cities abutting this river craved a relationship with a new force.
A powerful group active in water that could cooperate with humans.
What Echidna aimed for was that very desire.
“My word…”
One of the crew muttered in awe.
They would not understand.
The smirk that grazed the lips of the Lamias and the disdain reflected in Echidna’s eyes.
What they welcomed was not a protector, but a predator seeking something greater.
Beauty became a lethal weapon that blinded them.
The more ironic aspect was that some, even upon realizing this, did not care.
In light of current gains, future threats merely felt like distant mountains.
The massive Poile River that provides sustenance to people, becoming the very path to transport that sustenance, began to flow quietly once again after swallowing both humans and monsters.
Alongside the shadow of the monster queen that emerged within it.
[This vast river will all belong to you.]
As Echidna recalled her lord’s promise, the benevolent smile etched upon her face deepened, entwined in darkness.
– 2 –
“I haven’t seen contact done this way in quite a while…”
In the back city of Damalon Territory, Cheu.
In a dimly lit inn room, the voice of the mercenary captain drifted out.
Upon hearing that voice, Evangeline’s gaze turned toward him.
The rough equipment and face of the monster hunter hidden beneath a deep hood.
Due to his suspicious appearance, the mercenary captain had not taken his eyes off her since earlier, yet a relaxed smile adorned her lips.
The suspicions felt by the mercenary captain didn’t matter in the least.
Lots of gold.
The hand she held was a tempting proposition that no ordinary mercenary could ever refuse.
“…What brings you here?”
A hint of caution and faint expectation seeped through the mercenary captain’s voice.
Naturally.
The price she had presented prior to this was enticing enough.
“I have come from the north. Currently working in Kaisen, you see.”
Evangeline answered calmly.
Even someone well-versed in nobility would find it elegant.
“North, you say? Is it still busy there?”
There was no sign of doubt about her origin.
That was understandable; the tone she was using was heavily mixed with the actual northern accent.
“As is the case where there is contact with the Magical Realm.”
Evangeline nodded, recalling the realities of the Eastern Continent.
The north without great powers like Zenota or Norn was always tense.
Thanks to the comparatively large grain-producing nation of Kakia Kingdom being a pillar, the front-line nations managed to hold out, but it was still not enough.
‘There aren’t many resident mercenary groups or adventurer bands, either.’
Mercenaries or adventurers intoxicated with money preferred the leisurely south over the tough north.
What remained there were only those with roots in their hometown.
With less fighting people, there was no chance for relaxation.
“We are somewhat comfortable. Just about enough for this ridiculous business.”
A hint of annoyance bled into the mercenary captain’s tone at the implication of working in the central area rather than the southern front.
This too was a natural reaction.
In the southern part of the Eastern Continent, with powerful nations positioning themselves directly or indirectly around the Magical Realm.
Mercenary and adventurer activities in this area were relatively safe and well-paid.
Thanks to the influence of the great powers.
In the end, it came down to money for mercenaries.
“But what could a person from the north be interested in this territorial war for?”
“Let’s just say it’s personal. Feeling rather poorly towards Norn, you see.”
To the military groups on the front lines, the Norn Empire was always a thorn in their side.
Busy fighting head-on, they would occasionally reveal their ambitions for territorial conquest from behind.
‘Both betrayed me, though.’
Evangeline couldn’t help but curl her lips in a wry smile.
Her death was entwined with the ambitions of the empire and the greed of mercenaries.
This was one of the reasons she had “chosen” to tilt the scale.
Of course, the most significant reason was far more personal.
“Oh. Those Norn bastards. Indeed.”
Hearing relatable remarks, the mercenary captain’s face brightened.
If a war involving the empire broke out, wishing for the empire’s defeat was already a widely held sentiment of the times.
Of course, excluding the citizens of the Empire.
Especially for adventurers or mercenaries with experience fighting on the frontline, it was even stronger.
With adequate justification placed in front of them, they’d be ready to accept any proposals against the empire.
“All I desire is to disrupt the Arilite Principality. I won’t interfere with your private gains in the process, but don’t think of discussing my business there.”
“Certainly.”
The mercenary nodded, feigning trustworthiness.
It seemed as though decades of rolling in battle had him swearing allegiance to his lord, but Evangeline inwardly derided him.
‘The facade is always convincing.’
She didn’t trust a mercenary’s honor.
Their promises only held true until rewards were guaranteed.
In the face of greater money or immediate threats, betrayal was never too strange for them.
“I will trust you. Now, let’s talk about the reward.”
“Mm. I was waiting for that.”
The mercenary turned his gaze toward a small pouch that had been sitting on the table.
His expression held no hope.
Given its size, he seemed to think it wouldn’t amount to anything grand.
But as Evangeline slightly opened the pouch’s entrance, the mercenary’s eyes visibly changed.
“Oh my. This is all jewels…!”
His voice trembled softly.
“This is merely the completion fee. The advance payment is this here.”
“Mm. Just as expected.”
As Evangeline pulled out another pouch filled with silver coins, the mercenary captain’s face slightly crumpled.
While not small as a reward for a single task, it felt rather insufficient to one used to lavish pay on the front lines.
“Not a scam, right?”
Despite his skeptical words, his eyes were already glued to the gems.
This amount could fund their mercenary band for an entire month.
It was only natural for him to want more and to verify.
“I’ll leave it at the mercenary guild, so come by after getting confirmation of the task completion.”
“Oh. Then it should be trustworthy.”
The mercenary nodded a couple of times, then extended his hand for a handshake with Evangeline, flashing a bright smile.
“Look forward to it. I’ll show you the heads of those Norn bastards.”
“Indeed.”
Evangeline smiled as she shook his hand.
And to leave a lasting impression, she tightened her grip.
As the mercenary winced and looked at her incredulously, she casually remarked.
“Apologies. I tend to lose control of my strength when hunting monsters.”
“Not at all… Quite impressive strength. Well then, I’ll complete the task and send word. Where should I send it?”
“That’s already been noted at the guild, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Understood.”
Getting up from her seat, Evangeline felt the presence of several followers behind her, and a smile crept onto her face.
The sweet smile she wore contained danger completely opposite to that image.
After all, they wouldn’t be able to follow her.
She wouldn’t kill them, but they would likely faint and collapse at some point, and she’d sever a muscle as a warning.
If she could swiftly get out of the sight of the clerics, the danger to their lives would soar close to vertical.
‘Next is…’
After taking care of the follow-up work, her figure began to shift towards another mercenary group, already transformed into one donned with a hood like a wizard.
Evangeline, diving into the shadows.
No one in this city would be able to discern her true form.
Not even the Gray Eye or the Information Guild.