Chapter 105

Chapter 105 – Code of Conduct (5)

“I have received everything you sent. They are valuable items, and I will study them carefully and disseminate the knowledge widely.”

“This is all for you, so do it well. The people of the Beastmen Federation have suffered greatly from underestimating it.”

“Y-yes, of course.”

The ministers of the Narian Kingdom carefully accepted the documents I handed over. They were all reports on the code of conduct created by Renia and how it had been applied in the Beastmen Federation.

One could understand the significant differences between those of the Cat Clan, who adhered thoroughly to the code, and others who did not, by looking at the reports.

If what they carried on their shoulders wasn’t mere decoration, they should know what the right course of action is.

“If all the forces participating in the Grand Coalition are bound together in one system, that is, one process, we should be able to respond to any situation more quickly and effectively. Am I wrong?”

“Absolutely not. What the High Elf says is all correct.”

They lowered their heads, glancing at each other, but I could confidently assert this much.

Unlike other matters, I had seen the coping system that the world’s scholars had developed before I came to the top, which organized the systematic system I now advocated.

I learned about its intentions and effects firsthand and had witnessed it. There was no reason to hesitate when verification was already complete.

The others were persuaded more effectively as I asserted my convictions with confidence.

“Alright. It’s time for us to head north and say the same things we discussed here.”

“I’m still worried. You are only going with two people.”

As I nodded in satisfaction, Mikail stepped forward to express his concerns. Despite having explained it all, he still couldn’t shake his worries.

“If we go to talk and they threaten us with violence, they won’t even dare to call themselves men in front of me. Don’t worry.”

I was getting tired of repeating myself.

The fundamental problem was the lack of communication between us. The resentment built up from past clashes was, of course, a significant cause as well.

I wasn’t in a position to tell them to forget past grievances completely. I was a stranger to them.

However, with the imminent and certain future ahead, being caught up in the past would only lead to an obvious outcome. I couldn’t bear to see that happen.

“You are only worried about my failure. If I successfully persuade the northern nomads and the dwarves to join the Grand Coalition, how will you regard them afterward? They may become awkward neighbors, but they could also be allies in battle. Shouldn’t we discuss what to do from now on?”

“That is…”

My words prompted some ministers to widen their eyes. They hadn’t considered the points I mentioned.

“You are all smart people; you’ll understand. While we must not forget the past, what ultimately matters is now, and the imminent future. Let’s go, Arisa.”

I set them an assignment and set off. My party consisted of only Arisa, as I had mentioned beforehand.

Fortunately, there seemed to be a significant impact from the assignment I had given them, as no one clung to me afterward.

“The city where you can access the Jump Gate and go the highest is here in Olus. It will take at least two days on horseback to reach the border, and it will take longer to reach the area where the Great Chief Gallun is located.”

“My butt is already starting to hurt…”

Traveling via the Jump Gate was certainly no easy journey compared to my previous travels where I could cross the Pacific in an instant. The association managing the Jump Gates only installed them in thoroughly secure locations, and during wars, they immediately cut off access to the Jump Gates in the affected area.

The northern lands, plagued by frequent disputes and intertribal conflicts, were not places where Jump Gates could be established in the first place.

“I’m sorry. If I had more time, I could have provided a more comfortable journey.”

“The later it gets, the more time is wasted.”

As Arisa seemed worried, I took the lead and reined my horse in. I took charge of everything, from hurrying to limiting the number of visitors.

While I missed Rina’s services when I had to handle everything on my own — eating, sleeping, and washing — they had their own duties.

And since this task could be dangerous, I did not want to unnecessarily increase the party size.

“I was just pretending to be anxious. But since we are heading north, at least the open plains won’t be suffocating.”

After confirming that my cloak was securely fastened, Mikail swiftly mounted the high-quality white horse he had specially prepared.

I had become completely accustomed to horseback riding. Looking back, it was the first thing I had mastered in this world without the aid of the spirits.

Thanks to my flexible Elven body, I benefitted greatly. Arisa also mounted her horse effortlessly.

“Then let’s depart.”

With our hoods up, we raced away from the city at the northernmost edge that had access to the Jump Gate.

All the lands before us belonged to the Narian Kingdom, but those territories quickly transformed into vast empty grasslands.

“This place has different spirits as well. As expected, their tendencies vary by region and environment.”

One of my joys was traveling through various regions and interacting with the spirits that lived there.

Although not everyone could be accepted as my spirit, I could still share light interactions.

Nothing pleased a High Elf more than connecting with spirits. Moreover, the more interactions I had with them, the stronger my own powers grew, so perhaps traveling was a predetermined destiny for me.

“—. –?”

“What?”

It was around twilight, just as we were preparing to set up camp, that the wind spirit, who had been joyfully leading us among the spirits, brought me some news.

At first, I thought it was nothing serious, but the more I heard, the more my smile faded.

“W-what’s going on?”

Seeing my face stiffen, Arisa instinctively drew her bow. Perhaps she thought monsters were approaching.

However, the reason my face had hardened was not due to an imminent attack on us.

*

“R-run away! They are barbarians!”

“Scatter!”

As the sun set and darkness began to descend, chaos erupted.

Riders on horseback were shouting loudly as they attacked a group of people.

The mounted warriors easily hunted down those trying to escape, throwing lassos or striking them with their lances.

“These bastards dare to call us barbarians despite being vagabonds themselves.”

“They are probably deluded, thinking they still live in the castle despite having left it under their own feet.”

The leader of the mounted warriors chuckled at the screams of the vagrants, and his subordinates laughed in agreement.

Many had become vagabonds in this border region for various reasons, whether it be to avoid taxes, commit crimes, or engage in illegal hunting and gathering.

They, the Garahan Tribe, showed no mercy to such people.

Thanks to the Great Chief’s order, they didn’t raid southerners openly, but they would plunder, abduct, kill, or drag off the vagabonds who had left their homes.

“But it’s a bit disappointing. Only about twenty of them. Some of them are frail old men too.”

The leader’s gaze shifted towards distant flickering lights.

It was a proper village where residents gathered. However, it wasn’t a large-scale village, and if they planned to attack, they could easily conquer it and abduct many of its inhabitants.

“Bu-but, chief. The Great Chief’s orders…”

“I know that. Tch, for now, we’ll take those we have captured and head back.”

But they had no choice but to fold. To be honest, I feared the Great Chief’s wrath more than the resistance from the captives.

That goblin-like man could probably smash any minor tribe that defied his orders with his bare hands.

“Eh?”

Just as they hurried to return with the prisoners bound like fish, without warning, the direction of the wind changed dramatically.

The pleasantly blowing southeast wind turned into a strong gust from the north.

“What the hell is this!?”

It was the first time they had ever experienced nature’s capriciousness. The prisoners and Garahan warriors alike were taken aback and looked around in confusion.

A fierce wind, bringing with it dust, swept in from all directions, seemingly trapping them in its center.

‘That’s…’

The leader, unable to shoot arrows through the dust that made it difficult to even open his eyes, clenched his teeth and hastily scanned the surroundings, finally spotting two figures emerging through the fierce wind.

They rode white and black horses, their bodies cloaked and hooded in black.

Perhaps it was just his imagination, but he felt as if he had caught a glimpse of a pair of glowing red eyes shining from within the hood.