Chapter 89
gPAIt was a dangerous situation.EO5f8J
aL6Af“Damn it…”p4XDm
0Bn5LThe Corrupted’s body was in shreds, more like a torn rag, and his life hung by a thread.xQQ
pC4yNyThe biggest problem was the radiant energy from Armian, which clung to his wounds and devoured his magic.khgtVDP
FWUF3“Aint Armian, I told you not to kill him!”hx7o
MJ24“S-sorry… I didn’t notice…”dbse
mRYJsThe wounds continued to open wider.35t2CG
P3tNNo matter how resilient a Corrupted was, against a force that directly opposed their nature, he would die if left like that.s5PP3
CzPWTsBut there was no clear cure.GhgUIjt
G2OeCorrupted were humans who had sold their souls to demons in exchange for power. They were little more than degraded demons, and no one had ever heard of a way to heal a demon.0jjkGO
G94s8W‘There was no mention of this in the prophecy book either.’Tht2v6
fSM2yThe only positive point was that they weren’t completely helpless.d8El
RPGf“Aint, withdraw your power.”nbM5oQM
QhnAPOn“Yes.”cOhUFR
gV9clThe light that was devouring the Corrupted faded and returned to its owner. Fernan stood up abruptly.3LniaiS
bDJ“Keep watch on this man. Don’t kill him under any circumstance.”NQk8
5jXOqjAnd he headed toward the battlefield that was still roaring. The stench of monsters and the heat of combat filled the air.riU1ef
aTtZgDRumble!OocYojo
foGvABFernan raised his staff and the desert sand rose, enveloping dozens of monster corpses. The sand spheres closed around them and then flew toward the Corrupted.wLC
KyWl“What’s he going to do?”gfQSPN
DpEO“Feed him.”q5y
x0GIf radiant magic hurt him, and human potions didn’t work, then what about monster blood, which was filled with magic?
Considering the regenerative capacity of the Corrupted, it might work.mdSQ
hZG— What? Give monster blood to a Corrupted?BfFrV
33e— It’s not a bad idea. Monster blood contains magic. If you replenish his spent magic, his regeneration will resume.iKwuk
bOSxDiF‘And since we already withdrew my power, it should be possible, right?’WNTwP
OeeIt was a simple method, but no one had thought of it because no one had ever considered reviving a half-dead Corrupted.4aCQ24
zQrcCrack, crunch.mTmE
avfmqThe sand began to compress the trapped bodies, crushing flesh and bone, squeezing out the dark blood.dIWNI5
PCJWohiThat liquid seeped into the Corrupted’s wounds and mouth. More than “feeding” him, they were soaking him in it.CN5n1
jX0MBut it worked.J5t
wLfh“Ugh…”wBo
Rg4JgA faint groan escaped the unconscious man’s lips. His wounds began to close, slowly but steadily.Qo9I
UGDOZe‘Thank goodness.’EduGDe
XsrbeFFernan scanned the surroundings.PgV9Nk
AJFmv4Perhaps because their master was unconscious, the remaining monsters had started to scatter.NFF
5xFxoThe Iron Knights protected the training students, while the Wild Blood Knights, Altrierc’s elite soldiers, and the newly arrived desert warriors were mopping up the fleeing ones.Gq7LBV
d2tGKL‘…It’s over.’71jr
Gp4bOYvIt had gone easier than expected, but the plan had been fulfilled put Aint face-to-face with a Corrupted.JOI6
4z1FxG‘Although Ludger’s spell did restrict the Corrupted, it seems Aint’s power is even stronger than the prophecy said.’oJFTjng
Ak7nqVWas it thanks to the heart of the Saintbird?3SR
lF3SQWEven if he had handed it over disdainfully, the Saintbird was, alongside the phoenix, one of the most powerful mythical beasts. Its mere existence could rival a Royal Knight or an Archmage.dx4Li
Vn7Hx4And Aint had devoured its heart, which was like running a horse race on a purebred from the start.Z9eM0j
EL67q“Aint Armian, are you sensitive to magic?”Eu6OpG1
wtFsEV“Yes.”hZl8KH
Q6iBwR“Then don’t take your eyes off this man until we return to Altrierc. If he shows signs of waking up, knock him out again. And if needed, cut off his arms or legs with your aura.”BGBu2sQ
4VzIF“Arms or legs?”fUrOar
v399KP“He’s a traitor to humanity, a wretch sold to demons. Have no mercy.”Iff5
UqDW“…Understood.”sYYX
f6BAint looked to Grad for approval, and the professor gave a slight nod. That was enough for him to accept.cxLU13
qX96olFernan allowed the Corrupted to recover just enough not to die and then threw the remains back into the desert. Shortly afterward, the battle ended completely.qovR
rEd***piL8D
cZKRMI1You thought they’d return immediately to Altrierc, but the plan changed because of the desert clans.6G8VCb
W8qVmJ“Oh! It’s the holy light!”W8fyK
kVGE“The return of the legend!”D6ftd7
Gi2“Glory to the chosen one!”Bezo
VIC9zWith reddish skin and muscles like an orc, the desert nomads were almost human, though different.sx9r
3fOxKrKTheir physical strength was so overwhelming it was said their bodies were blessed.6ST7rk1
gjKyThe drawback was that they had no sensitivity to mana whatsoever, unable to use it.i2q
4LRzAnd yet now, they knelt before Aint, bowing their heads. Not one or two, but thousands of them.aQO0Ca
fNqEZUt“Eh, wh-what’s going on…?”qxQ
B6Lv86SAint froze at the sudden scene.TxfGZ
90wK6— Don’t be surprised. The desert clans once…4NMRA
uVLDCb“The Taklakan clans fought alongside the First Emperor a thousand years ago.”9sYV
gUBGrad spoke with his arms crossed.8QkPFWE
oFFFv6The Emperor, who had unified six kingdoms and one religion under a single banner, was still unsatisfied.yMbSL
JCSjlThen he noticed the desert clans.hOc
YkhThey couldn’t use mana or aura, but they were monsters in raw strength. And since they worshipped the law of the strong, the Emperor subdued them with power.cWDsB0B
t8x“You mean that even a thousand years later, they still revere the Armians?”pum4Ua
1Zy“Strange. The Empire practically abandoned them…”MlNhhnG
QMFL7sGThe First Emperor had been their Khan, their guide. The clans had rendered great service and the Emperor had promised them much.IUswS
brs3But the nobles hadn’t taken kindly to this new force, especially since they were ignorant desert barbarians who only knew violence.h0X
4J5HprThere wasn’t open persecution, but over the centuries, support slowly diminished. And that was enough.vIBbKj
FjxELThe desert couldn’t remain prosperous without outside help. Divided, the clans scattered once again.zkg2HB
JCAuThat was the current situation.MBp
d3I5Cl“Thanks to you, we survived. Don’t treat us like ungrateful beasts.”xQdK
SHAvC“We must return to report to his lordship.”rgKDq
jeFdO“Then at least allow some of you to stay one more day.”R9cFAkH
RYG“…Alright.”fD63u
E53“To ensure your safety, the Wild Blood Knights will remain here as well.”LmlX8bH
QyhM6And so, the Iron Knights and four hundred soldiers departed, leaving the Wild Blood Knights, one hundred elites, and the nine Academy students with two professors.hEtbEka
FWXF6JThe clan sacrificed livestock and roasted meat for a feast. It had been a long time since they celebrated like this; joy shone on their faces.IAhS
IrGJ“Aint, how was the Corrupted?”5KSQ63u
B5Tsr“Thanks to senior Ludger, easier than expected.”E4QUk
HFo5Ovo“That would probably piss him off if he heard it.”HDi
PEnFernan chuckled, raising a cup of strong desert liquor as he observed the nomads.NmVwOW
txGq‘They’re poor… well, of course, there’s not much to do in the desert. And with less support from the Empire and monsters on the loose, even less.’PiEnx
CGhYh3KThere was nothing to invest in.BBLikSz
gebmhCThe nomads had nothing but their bodies.eBgazu
2ovc‘What if I organize them into a mercenary company and they grow into a major force? If I act as a broker and take commissions, it could be profitable…’5u9H
rqYAlready thinking of ways to profit, he saw someone approach.3OXIsC
bFJDuOB“The hero who saved our clan is here.”Btd89
AaqEe6It was the clan chief, who sat next to him with a jovial smile.xga
0nQHMpA“You exaggerate. I didn’t do it alone.”ZuuqFr
BgJJ“I don’t deny the efforts of the others, but you played the decisive role.”l1k3t
nMy4oThe chief encouraged him to drink. After several rounds, he bid farewell.CSS
blSad“Senior, I’m going to the restroom for a moment…”5Uyr
2UB4“Go.”yeOn4k
ewwbD2As soon as Aint left, Fernan’s cloudy gaze regained its sharpness.kVx
2kTe90l‘So they’re up to something interesting.’xax
2wIBHe hadn’t missed the secret signal exchanged between the chief and Aint.Op2J
X5Be81***aqI1
aoMP“Why did you want to speak with me alone?”Wv4F38
GvHXZThough he had said he was going to the restroom, Aint entered the clan chief’s yurt.yVZw
D8Yc“Because I have something important to tell you. Ah, a drink?”yIctj
kV2“Yes.”jCwL
bykJIThe chief handed him a cup. As soon as Aint took it, he filled the empty cup with liquor.r48X
jhROW“So, what do you prefer? Get straight to the point? Or chat a little first?”sWcC
0MZ2“I’d rather hear the matter.”PrkhiVM
ckwVHf“How impatient.”ifiTa
Kvo“In a situation like this, anyone would be.”IE1z
Ex6jqH“That’s true too.”5Ec9Tu
cNgiSQThe chief paused in thought, then finally spoke.G3ffO
SuNCB“You know something? Even though we’re split into many branches now, among all the desert clans there’s a tradition that has been passed down for generations.”PI8T
iub“A tradition?”pvqRhPo
DlJF4O7Clack. The chief set the bottle on the table. What he said next didn’t sound like a direct answer, but rather a story.6IVq
F4PIvj0“Long ago, the desert clans were divided. They came from a single origin, but after centuries of disputes, they became worse than enemies. Then someone brought them back together.”lSwrN4k
fMOHmH2To the Empire, he was the First Emperor. To the clans, he was the First Khan.3nUSb
MExs“That was our most glorious time. United under the Khan, the clans became a formidable force. No one dared to look down on us; on the contrary, they feared us.”GKh12e8
h6QDuring the wars against demons and monsters, there was a warrior who represented the clans under the Khan. That was Oswell Valance, the Second Khan.7y56
nA2DHe was the strongest and wisest of all desert warriors.dgNHtCA
zWxK— Oswell Valance… what a nostalgic name. A bit plain, but few were stronger.QBWV
wjG— Even without aura, his body was a living weapon.GkQlP
QTpDjg8— The Emperor himself named him a Royal Knight.WbWrX
MfkThe chief took a sip before continuing.MlZ6qTk
6gW1e“The tradition I mentioned is the words he left behind.”OsgPhM
GLTk3V— I can already guess what this is about.1QOr1X
h5wlWv“What did he say?”7sRm
lGket“‘The wrath of Hell has not yet ended, and the world will fall into affliction once more. But the holy light will be reborn, and from the red sands, new sprouts shall rise to lead us toward the promised glory.’”FfidN6J
tPYO“…Excuse me?”LMlr
64NSN— What the Emperor meant was much simpler—that demons would return one day and they needed to be ready. The desert folks just dramatized it.tRxl
4A3— These nomads always had a flair for the dramatic.1yZ2v
ivVPGardner clicked his tongue.NVGLxY
MR4“I admit I always thought it was just an empty tale. But today, I realized it’s not.”xHN
v75H5“Ah…”gbSs2M
4z6k“The demons have started to move again, and the holy light has descended upon you. How could it be false?”LXI2nL3
cZMwM0Y“Are you saying…?”2dDWAgK
96H5s“Yes. We will recognize you as our Khan. Lead us toward glory.”RSDn5
5zTyovYThe chief bowed his head abruptly. Aint was left speechless.NTIGA2
oEpdvs“You’ll recognize me as Khan… just because of that tradition?”zrxXTR
VzM“Does it seem strange to you?”6IXucvE
PK4“Doesn’t it seem strange to you?”0fApXM
U7UIhMThe chief burst out laughing.TkxbUf
5NR“Ahahaha! I’m just joking. I won’t go that far so suddenly.”AgKyZ
AJ38IeHe downed the large cup in his hand in one gulp.638bo
RDs“We desert folks present our stories like grand legends. There’s always exaggeration, and one must know how to separate truth from myth.”nZVFAb
o02VY“…”chYLwy
L2OIdm“I know you are the holy light, Aint. But I don’t believe that, just because tradition says so, you’ll lead us to glory.”ZXlBW
VCQx“Then, about recognizing me as Khan…?”ilwIs8l
nwaX“No, that part is serious.”ZWfZ
PaOnoThe chief shook his head.3dFYd0C
U6eZ“But not because of tradition. Because it benefits us.”oYlGl
h0Gx1RSHis gaze turned firm.4kM
s2Tr“I’ll be blunt, since I don’t know how to lie. The Empire used us against the demons, but never gave us our rights. Instead, it slowly took them away.”1KtbGA
EQlpZWhen the Empire’s nobles began to look down on them as barbarians, aid gradually diminished until it almost disappeared. Without support, the desert clans lost their glory and fell back into division.cBoyp
rfy3— When you think about it, didn’t they live a thousand years on imperial charity?X1sgRwv
kVKAint ignored Gardner.Aqg
4lgb6R“The Empire and the continent advanced, while we moved backwards.”ScoQ57
tc9VAnd so, the desert had no future.SqqN0t
07m“That’s why, for us, this moment is a blessing.”X5ju
OXCat2B“What do you mean?”MAGe
1h4Z“The Second Khan united the clans alongside the First. We lost many lives fighting demons, but we achieved our greatest glory. Now war returns.”Xpv4UD3
wtF8BFor them, it was the last opportunity.D24x
0s4mvxJ“We want to fight under your banner, Aint Armian. We want to be your warriors and tear apart demons. In return, promise us rights, wealth, and land to live on.”a5jt
IEmGwo“Then we will recognize you as Khan.”ZtvdMs
otVmGNot because of tradition.t3JsAH6
cZLNot out of nostalgia.YEVoyf
Jdfs5“We’ll do it because it benefits us.”QuM
m8tMIt was purely a practical matter.WSW
YVyQX4“So, use us too.”QHuYkC
ecPSusJust to survive.FHuM
JbgTZB***5sK4EGX
Cf9PwnxAint stayed silent for a long time. He hesitated, reflected, then finally spoke.Dxfk
bmh“To be honest, I might fail. I’m not certain I can defeat the demons or become emperor.”xiW9hZO
Ev9“I know.”Tll9AO
zxesmcP“Then why me? Just because I’m a descendant of the First Emperor?”YKt
COy8kJ“Because you’re the only one who truly needs us.”3ilmY2
eVFv9GAnd it was true. The Armians lacked power. Due to mistakes by the First Emperor, almost all their lands went to the crown, and most of the rest was absorbed by Schwaben.RI0
WiCHis family had been reduced to an empty shell.Akd
zaVWMoIf Aint wanted the throne, he needed a powerful force. And the desert clans were perfect to fill that void.mizqa
4QL“…Alright.”Hi35
6615YB“An excellent choice!”XyO
qGYEThe chief burst into laughter and offered him a full cup.NZ9VF
LURRx“When we seal a pact of loyalty, we drink together. One shot.”Bg2fjjN
UpH72“This…”eyxVhXh
PQkrREBut the cup was already in his hand.oO8
sEk6Clink. The cups clinked. Seeing the chief drink in one gulp, Aint had no choice but to imitate him.rrBg
YNhoh“Ahhh! In good times, the liquor tastes even sweeter.”0hatLO
HcNzM“…Yeah, sweet.”2lYhw
PzUAint barely managed to hold back from gagging.R5qQkPp
zJYrBvJ“From now on, we will serve you as lord. I’ll convene the clan council to formally recognize you as Khan. It’ll take some time due to protocol.”htzIrjM
dB5oqT0“I understand. But if possible, keep this from spreading…”nwxcghz
Zb9yTH“We’ll do our best to keep it quiet.”3EPQ
H05Q1hdAfter the talk, they returned to the celebration.mQKwS
H5LlZUnbeknownst to them, someone else had overheard everything.r3509
nJa— Kkyuung?ve8y1u
wHNxnP4A small golem, hidden behind one of the tent’s poles, had witnessed it all.nQFaJ1c
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