Chapter 395

I managed to cleanly defeat the Sand Scorpion Queen, and the cleanup followed.

It was dry, but the hot weather could easily lead to spoilage, so I had no choice but to roast the insides rather than just the shell.

But just roasting it felt like a waste, and since it was so big, I decided to make a meal out of it.

The academy students were hesitant to eat a scorpion, even one of that size, but that reluctance didn’t last long.

“Delicious!”

“Really?”

“Yeah! Tastes just like lobster from the sea! And it’s not even fishy!”

“Seriously?”

Raw would be dangerous, but cooking it made all the difference. Lobster flavor, or so they said.

Hearing that, the students rushed in to finish off the scorpion. When hunger calls, dignity goes right out the window.

“It’s mine!”

“Whoa. Whoa. Our Sivar is nice, right? Don’t get mad.”

Of course, this meant that the amount making its way into my mouth dwindled. Eli barely managed to intervene, but it was no use; I was growing frustrated.

Academy students can eat more than adult men. Before long, the Sand Scorpion Queen was gone.

Still, out of whatever little conscience remained, they left the tastiest parts for me. Though even that wasn’t enough.

“We’re selling the leftover shells, right?”

“Yup. Nothing to do with them.”

“Got it. I’ll send all the proceeds to your account.”

Kara decided to take care of the leftover remains. Sensing I was disheartened, she even promised extra pay.

But honestly, I was more concerned about my immediate hunger. I had money to spare for the time being.

I resolved that once we returned to the city, I would definitely treat myself to delicious food. That was a promise I made to myself.

“Wow~ That scorpion was really tasty! I haven’t eaten so well in ages!”

“……”

Was this guy really making fun of me? I pondered, as Antonio slapped my shoulder and laughed heartily.

He was even chewing on a toothpick that looked like it had come from who knows where.

I stared at him in disbelief and shook my head. Getting angry here would be a loss.

‘Are there no other ones around?’

More than that, I became curious about whether there were more like it. I subtly shifted forward.

I had something to ask the guide. As I approached, the guide’s expression shifted from curious to cheerful.

“Is there something you need?”

“Yes. Is there something stronger than a scorpion?”

“Are you asking if there’s a creature stronger than the Sand Scorpion Queen?”

“Yes.”

“Haha!”

Hearing my question, the guide erupted into laughter, finding it amusing. What was so funny?

When I tilted my head as if genuinely confused, the guide smiled even wider.

He looked around a bit before shrugging his shoulders and began his explanation.

“There are five creatures that are as strong as or stronger than the Sand Scorpion Queen. Do you know what that means?”

“That means there are four remaining?”

“That’s true, but also that there’s no monster posing a threat to the upper class! Especially since the Sand Scorpion Queen was notoriously difficult to subdue because it burrows in the sand.”

The guide let out a hearty laugh. I scratched my head, wondering if that was really a good thing.

I hadn’t heard that from anyone during my time in the Soul World. The biggest threat, the Giant Sandworm, had been taken down by Hector.

With the top predator gone, the next predators were now ruling over the area, and I had just taken one of them down.

“What about the other predators? They could take over, right?”

“Those critters can be observed from afar, so there’s no need to worry. The Queen was the main issue.”

“Will they not attack?”

“Not usually. The Queen used to frequently raid the upper-class areas. Her territory has now become ours.”

By chance, I ended up helping the country. I felt good about that.

“This news will likely reach His Majesty the King as well. Perhaps you might receive a reward.”

“A reward?”

“Yes. Though I don’t know what it will entail. It’s the first time a foreigner has achieved such a feat.”

Saying this, the guide glanced behind him. I turned my head to follow his gaze.

There was Kara, writing something in her notepad.

She was probably calculating the estimate of the Queen, and she definitely felt like a Tartar with her focused determination.

“So, it’d be faster to ask the princess. She might be thinking about the reward right about now.”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it. We’re the ones who should be grateful.”

I had intended to ask if other creatures might be attacking, but it took a strange turn.

Sensing that bringing it up now would spoil the mood, I casually approached Kara.

Noticing me approaching, Kara lifted her gaze from her notepad.

“What’s up? Got something to say?”

“Yeah. I hear I’m getting a reward.”

“Oh, I guess that makes sense. You took down a nuisance.”

Kara seemed to be aware of the Queen’s danger.

After she closed her notepad, she stared at me intently. Her green eyes sparkled like jewels.

Kara stared at me for what felt like an eternity, then she chuckled and spoke.

“By the way, is there anything you want?”

“Umm…”

I hesitated mid-sentence. It’s not that I didn’t want anything, but there was something I’d like to see.

Kara’s dancer outfit, which I had seen just once a year ago. I wondered how she would react if I asked to see it.

—Brrr…

This time, the reaction wasn’t from Kara, but from the sky. A faint thunder echoed.

The guide, and even the guards who were ahead, all froze in place, looking up at the sky simultaneously.

“Was that…?”

“Is that thunder?”

“What’s going on?”

As the weak rumble of thunder broke through the clear sky, the Tartars began to stir with unease. It made sense; Tartar was a nation that worshiped Gulrak.

It was only natural for them to feel a mix of confusion and fear.

Kara was no different. She looked up at the thundering sky and then lowered her head.

In contrast to the other locals, her expression was filled with suspicion, as if she sensed something.

“Sivar.”

“Yeah?”

“Can I borrow your ear for a second?”

Kara said, then leaned in and whispered in my ear.

She didn’t forget to speak in Tartar, just in case someone overheard.

“You’re thinking something weird again, aren’t you?”

“……”

Now she could read my mind based on the sky’s reaction. I didn’t bother to deny it; I just stayed silent.

Kara chuckled as she looked at my face, seemingly unable to help herself. Thankfully, it didn’t seem like she was upset.

“Well, I can show you something nice.”

“Really?”

“But the dancer outfit is out of the question. I can only wear that during ceremonies.”

“……”

“Don’t be too obvious about your disappointment.”

Did I give it away too easily? I stroked my face awkwardly.

People around me picked up on my expression right away. Especially Rize, who was the quickest to notice.

“I’ll invite you to the palace when the opportunity arises. There’s a royal-exclusive swimming pool there.”

“Can I even enter the palace?”

“Well, with the reward for defeating the Queen, it could work.”

So that’s how it is. Not a bad deal at all.

—Brrr!

Although it didn’t seem like it was coming from the sky.

“Again?!”

“What on earth is going on today…”

“I need to hurry and perform the ceremony. We should inform His Majesty as well.”

The poor locals began to panic.

*****

After a long yet short journey, we returned to the city. As soon as we arrived, the students lamented their fatigue.

Even though a Sand Scorpion Queen appeared midway, thanks to my efforts, we subdued it without a hitch. There was no need to take a detour.

Even so, it didn’t change the fact that it was a grueling journey for the students. I personally felt fine, having confidence in my stamina.

“Everyone did a great job. Be sure to rest well today. Starting tomorrow, we will begin the full Tartar cultural experience.”

“What’s included in the cultural experience?”

One student, sounding exhausted, asked the question, clearly eager to relax and head to the lodging.

But curiosity couldn’t be suppressed, could it? Malboro nodded at the student’s question and then passed the baton.

The baton was passed to a familiar face. The local, Seto, who had given us pointers before our desert crossing.

Seto smiled warmly and kindly informed us about the schedule.

“Tomorrow, you will likely be given free time. After crossing the desert, you’ll need to relax your bodies, even if it’s for a short time. The real cultural experience will begin two days from now.”

Though it was called a cultural experience, simply put, it included this.

Duel with the former chief and the current head. The explanation caused the students to chatter among themselves.

It was understandable since the idea that a cultural experience involved combat might be a bit hard to digest. But culture is culture.

“Some may think it’s barbaric, but it’s our tradition. One could say we’re entering a transitional phase.”

“Transitional phase?”

“Yes. Currently, those with strong military power become chiefs, but as time passes, there will be those who ascend to power without strength.”

The students nodded at Seto’s explanation, as their own country’s nobles operated in such a fashion.

There was no reason for a chief to be merely strong. Even if they were powerful, being inept in the crucial aspect of ‘politics’ would render it meaningless.

Thus, the cultural experience would be akin to an arm-wrestling match. A way to check the disparities between individuals.

“Also, the biggest feature is that it’s a continuous battle. One individual can defeat them all, or the opposite can happen.”

“How many participants are there in total?”

“Five. Oh, but don’t worry; participation isn’t mandatory.”

“We could probably manage with just one person.”

One student said. Surely, they must have been referencing me.

But Seto would have snickered at that. The reason became clear shortly after.

“If you manage to defeat all our representatives, a very special individual will directly participate.”

“A special individual?”

“His Majesty the King.”

When the students heard that King Hector would be participating, they displayed varying reactions.

The martial arts students were mostly excited at the prospect of competing against the Destruction King, while the mages seemed indifferent.

Even though the Destruction King had a notorious reputation, thinking about it simply, he was just a powerful warrior.

I thought they might learn a thing or two.

‘I won that one.’

Truth be told, it wasn’t me winning in the traditional sense. Of course, I didn’t win in a normal way either.

At that time, it wasn’t ‘Berserk’ but rather ‘Rage’ that took hold. I felt a desire to face him again sometime.

Judging by my objective skill level, I had certainly grown since then. I was curious if I could push through with pure skill now.

“If you want to participate, please inform the professor by tomorrow. I hope you all have a great time.”

With Seto’s explanation concluded, the remaining time was free.

Naturally, most students decided to rest at the lodging due to the weariness from crossing the desert.

“Sivar.”

“Yeah?”

“Come along with me for a sec. You know where we’re going?”

For everyone other than me, I dutifully followed Kara.

Kara didn’t seem tired, likely because she was used to the desert.

“Hmm?”

While I was following her, I ran into people with dark blue turbans. Familiar faces.

They were the guys who had tracked me down before. I casually glanced at them and pretended not to know them as I passed by.

I felt burning stares on my back. They were probably debating what to do upon seeing my face.

“……That red-eyed guy, wasn’t he something?”

“Hey. He’s one of our people. Just ignore it. That guy had really pale skin.”

“Guess so? I’m not mistaken.”

“Nah, your eyes are a mess.”

Not a mess at all; my sight seems pretty sharp.

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