Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“Chief Swordsman, there’s no time to lose. I’ll go with the Orcs to the Skalan tribe.”
“Is it that urgent?” The Chief Swordsman wondered if Sous was being too hasty. It wouldn’t hurt to go tomorrow, would it?
“We can’t give them a chance to go back on their word,” Sous said. He had used himself in exchange for the safety of the Skalan Empire. The Empire had profited greatly, but he was afraid that their enemies would go back on their words.
After all, he was in a hurry to be reincarnated. He could not wait any longer, even if it was one day later. He longed to be killed by the irascible beastmen on the way there.
Especially now, since the war had just ended, the beastmen must be unwilling to accept it. Their anger might subside if he waited for two days later.
So what if it was a dragon’s pool or a tiger’s den1? Wouldn’t that be even better?
Sous had braced himself well. Very well in fact. He was not afraid of danger, but he was afraid of his destination not being dangerous.
“Lord Sous, I will never forget the sacrifice you made for the Skalan Empire.” The Chief Swordsman was deeply moved. He had once looked down on Sous and thought that by bringing such a pretty boy with her, the Empress was desecrating herself. He was wrong.
He was not the only one. Everyone who had once doubted the Empress and Sous, was wrong. They had made a big mistake. In the end, it was those who had all these doubts that were the ones who helped bring the Skalan Empire almost to its downfall.
“Don’t make this matter public. I’ll go quietly with the beastmen.”
“This…” The Chief Swordsman realized that he could not keep up with Sous’ thoughts. What was this for?
“If I go to the Skalan Tribe, I’ll be a hostage. Does that mean that the Skalan Empire has surrendered?”
The Chief Swordsman nodded, instantly understanding what Sous meant.
Sous was relieved. This way, if he cut off his escape route, he would not have to worry about the Skalan Empire coming to save him if anything major happened.
There were wolves, tigers, and leopards awaiting him. Now, he was cutting off his only escape route. There was no way to retreat. He had to go forth. He did not believe that he would be able to survive after being so reckless.
Courting death.
He was a professional!
Outside the Skalan Empire, there was only sorrow in the war scenes, and the air was filled with the thick smell of blood.
Wails of the wounded could be heard, and corpses could be seen everywhere. Some were human, and some were beastmen.
Walking through the city, the streets were empty. Many of the elderly were sick and could only hide at home. The only healthy people left were probably womenfolk.
No one followed Sous. He felt that there was no need. If someone really did that, it would not be good for the people of the Skalan Empire if they saw it. At the very least, he had let the people of the Empire know that the Skalan Tribe would not dare to invade again. This was victory, this was joy.
Sometimes lies are necessary.
“The Skalan Empire has defeated the enemy!”
Sous suddenly roared.
Suddenly a pair of eyes appeared in the window beside him. It was a young woman. She knew Sous. Sous was the Empress’s trusted aide. His words were trustworthy.
Joy appeared on the girl’s face as she shouted, “The Skalan Empire has defeated the enemy!”
Hearing the voice, those who were worried and afraid came out of their houses and cheered.
“The Skalan Empire has defeated the enemy!”
“The Skalan Empire has defeated the enemy!”
…
This kind of hope for victory was infectious and terrifying. It spread like wild bushfire, from one to ten, from ten to hundreds. In a short while, the entire Skalan Empire had heard of the news. On the periphery, the soldiers were cheering, and the soldiers and civilians within the city were laughing.
“There won’t be any problems, right?” Sous muttered to himself. He had acted according to his will. He had a pressure in his throat and wanted to continue shouting.
Sous marched past the cheering crowd, towards the city gates.
“Lord Sous.” The soldier at the city gate recognized Sous and bowed when he saw him.
“Allow me down.” Sous went to the side and picked up a bamboo basket. It was huge. He handed the rope to a soldier and threw the bamboo basket down.
“Lord Sous, the Orcs of the Skalan Tribe have not retreated completely. It’s not safe for you to go down now.”
“It’s fine, two states at war will not kill each others’ envoys.”
Sous jumped right into the bamboo basket outside the wall. It was impossible to open the gate at this time, in case the enemy took advantage of the opening. It was better to be safe.
The bamboo basket descended bit by bit, and Sous stepped onto the ground without fear as he headed straight for the Orcs army camp.
He would not introduce himself as an envoy, he would not say that he was someone that could not be killed.
To his disappointment, he arrived at the camp unscathed. The soldiers in the camp were already packing their luggage and preparing to retreat. The guards at the gate were not surprised to see him and brought him directly to meet Benevolence.
“Human, don’t think that because you got lucky this time, you will be lucky the next time.”
Sous was speechless. What was this beast trying to do? Was he afraid?
Come and stab me if you dare!
“Where’s the Region Lord?” Sous was direct. Anyway, the person who had asked him along was not Benevolence himself, but the Holy Saint. In other words, he was above Benevolence. What could Benevolence do?
Moreover, Sous was not afraid of causing trouble at all. On the contrary, he wanted very much to create trouble.
“Sous, the Holy Saint has gone back. You’d better behave yourself.”
Sous shrugged. Looks like my opponent does not dare to kill me. He’s not angry enough to kill me outright. He’ll have to wait for a chance. Sure. You like to make harsh remarks, don’t you? Who wouldn’t?’
“Benevolence, you’re just a dog under the Holy Saint. As for me, the Holy Saint values me more, instead of treating me just as a mere handy weapon. Do you understand?”
Sous smiled and said, “I’m afraid you still don’t understand the situation. You’re nothing under the Holy Saint. My status is no lower than yours. In fact, it’s even higher. Behind you is the Skalan Tribe, and behind me is the Skalan Empire. You guys are very poor, but I have an entire empire. Think about it yourself and decide whether I’m more important or you.”
Benevolence was furious. As a beastman, he was not good with words. Sous had silenced him with only a few words.
Sous stayed in Benevolence’s tent, he knew he would not be in any danger at all now. He’d gone out looking for danger. He might as well wait here and rest.
The Orcs retreated.
The Skalan Empire’s walls were filled with endless cheers.
The Empress and the others stood there and watched.
Sous joined Benevolence and rode his warhorse into the Skalan forest.
The Skalan Forest was enormous, and there were many demon beasts inside. It was common for all kinds of demon beasts to live in groups, and the beastmen themselves, were also a type of beast.
Sous followed them in. Behind him, many Orcs were discussing this human curiously. They said he was a hostage, but he did not look like one at all. He looked all around and even looked full of surprise while entering the forest.
He was simply here for a holiday!
In the evening, Sous and the beastmen arrived at an open space. From afar, Sous saw a tribe. The old, weak, and female beastmen were waiting there. They had returned triumphantly.
As soon as they arrived, Sous became the center of attention. More beastmen came out to see the human.
Humans were rare in their tribe. Many beastmen would not be able to come into contact with humans in their lifetime. They stayed in the forest all year round and it was difficult to meet them, unless humans intruded into their tribe.
“It’s a human! A human! A human!”
They thought Sous was a captive and began to cheer. Benevolence did not bother to explain. He led the beastmen soldiers off without pausing.
It was not until nighttime that Benevolence completed his tasks and arranged a place for Sous to stay.
Sous went with him to his quarters. Benevolence would not say a word to him. Sous did not bother to say anything either. It was not as if the beastman could kill his own people, so he did not bother.
Passing by the beastmen’s residence, many little beastmen widened their eyes and looked curiously at this human named Sous. In their eyes, Sous was the one who was out of place. He looked too strange and they were all very surprised.
“This is where you will stay.”
The beastman had brought him to a wooden dwelling. Sous went inside to take a look. The dwelling was so different from the one where humans lived. It was terrible. The place where he slept was a haystack. There was also a table, and the light above was from a firefly-type monster.
The pillow was made of mud, and a blanket made of animal skin.
Sous did not comment. He’d seen the other beastmen’s quarters. Since he’d decided to come, he’d put up with it.
That night, Sous slept deeper than he had expected.
There was no danger, no assassination. He slept all night until dawn.
Sous was awakened by the piercing sunlight from the window.
Outside, he heard little beastmen chattering and playing around, which was not much different from human children. The only difference was that they looked different.
Sous walked out of his residence and found a stream to wash his face and rinse his mouth.
Since he had nothing to do, he walked around the tribe. When the other beastmen saw him, they hid and peeked at him from afar.
Sous didn’t mind. After a while, he saw an adult beastman teaching his clansmen and juniors how to deal with demon beasts.
Sous took interest. He had never seen a demon beast before.