WeTried Translations

Translator: Coughing Baby

Editor: Coughing Baby

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Chapter 179: Yum Yum

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Mok Jin-un. That direct descendant of the Mok Family looked different from every Treefolk Kyle had seen so far. Human, tree, and...

[It looks as though a dragon is mixed in as well.]

Fragment, borrowing Jor's mouth inside Kyle's chest, muttered with a low groan.

Now that Fragment mentioned it, it did seem that way. Kyle had never seen a dragon's true body in either this life or his previous one, but he had seen pictures of them several times.

'Is that also the grace of Dragon Nether?'

He did not dwell on the question. He could ask after putting a sword to that one's throat.

Like the Treefolk, Mok Jin-un could hear sounds. However, the West and East spoke different languages, so Mok Jin-un could not understand a word Kyle was saying.

'What family's bloodline are they from?'

That was the only question circling Mok Jin-un's mind.

'They are flying through the air, so they cannot be lowborn. They must belong to a bloodline... yet none of a bloodline's traits are visible. Are they disguising themself? Why? Is the goal to ruin a Mok Family farm while making it look like a lowborn rebellion?'

Being superior to the Treefolk treated as servants, Mok Jin-un could think more flexibly and distinguish colors with their eyes. That was why Mok Jin-un knew that the being before them had red hair, golden eyes, and clothes in a style they had never seen before.

'Red hair and golden eyes... different from ordinary lowborn. Are those the traits of a bloodline? I do not know of any family like that...'

Just as that thought reached its end, lightning struck Mok Jin-un's mind. A story from long ago, when the master of Dragon Nether had first come into this world, flashed through their head. According to their ancestors' records, the master of Dragon Nether had red hair and golden eyes, just like this person.

[C-Could it be...?]

Mok Jin-un sent their intent in a trembling voice.

[Are you an envoy of Dragon Nether? W-We of the Mok Family have never once failed to offer sacrifices every month. Then why have you come here...]

Mok Jin-un could not finish sending the thought. Their blood suddenly turned cold. The instinct telling them not to remain still moved Mok Jin-un.

Swish.

Fenris grazed the front hem of Mok Jin-un's robe as they hastily retreated. Their silk robe fluttered as it was cut apart, followed by their chest splitting open.

[Urk?!]

Mok Jin-un recoiled further in shock. Kyle smacked his lips at the feeling transmitted through Fenris. This one looked different from the start, and sure enough, their body was much tougher and their senses far sharper than the other Treefolk.

'I only cut the scales.'

The scales that had split apart immediately sealed themselves back together. Clutching their chest, Mok Jin-un sent an agitated thought.

[W-Wait, why are you doing this?]

Kyle did not answer and kicked off the air. Mok Jin-un's face twisted at the killing intent rushing toward them. Kyle might have been an envoy of Dragon Nether, but Mok Jin-un had no intention of simply accepting the attack.

Crackle.

The mana in the air around Mok Jin-un began to ripple. Light flashed over their blunt horns, and released intent immediately formed an attack.

Rumble!

Following Mok Jin-un's swinging hand, the wind became a slashing strike and swept toward Kyle.

"You know how to fight, at least."

Kyle spoke with an indifferent expression as he adjusted his grip on Fenris.

It did not mean Mok Jin-un was good at fighting. The power of their intent was respectable, but their control over it was crude.

Whoosh!

The slashing strike Mok Jin-un fired was effortlessly torn apart by Fenris. Mok Jin-un recoiled in shock and flapped their wings wildly. The leaves hanging like feathers trembled, creating hundreds of blades of wind.

Mok Jin-un naturally expected Kyle to retreat. Instead, Kyle rushed forward.

At that moment, Kyle's body became a streak of lightning, carving a straight path through the air.

Kra-kaboom!

The instant thunder exploded, every blade of wind vanished, and blood sprayed from Mok Jin-un's mouth.

"Kuaaah!"

They spoke through intent, but as long as they had a mouth, they could still scream. With their stomach pierced, there was no way they could not scream. Kyle twisted Fenris where it was buried deep within them and grabbed Mok Jin-un by the shoulder.

Boom!

The two fell together. Kyle seized Mok Jin-un's jaw with his left hand as they screamed noisily and ripped it out entirely. They spoke through intent anyway, so losing their lower jaw would not interfere with communication.

"Kuaaah...!"

Green fluid poured from Mok Jin-un's stomach, pierced by Fenris, and from their face, where their lower jaw had been torn away. Mok Jin-un thrashed their arms as they struggled.

Intent rose with the movement. Specks of light emerged from Mok Jin-un's body and burst like fireworks.

Kyle was not caught in that obvious last struggle. Retreating a fair distance with Fenris, he shook the fluid from his sword and strode toward Mok Jin-un. Fear filled the eyes of Mok Jin-un, who clutched their gushing stomach and jaw. They were eyes like those of either a dragon or a snake.

[W-Wait, I-I lost! Please end the match here!]

Mok Jin-un sobbed through their mouth and sent the thought through intent. Kyle did not stop walking.

[Why... why won't you stop? I said I lost!]

It was a cry of complete incomprehension. That alone let Kyle guess what fighting in this world, in the East, was like. These things did not stake their lives on a fight. Had Mok Jin-un not just called it a match?

[I am a direct descendant of the Mok Family! I do not know who you are, but if you do not stop immediately...]

[From now on.]

Clicking his tongue, Kyle swung Fenris.

Slice!

Mok Jin-un's left leg was cleanly severed. Mok Jin-un screamed noisily and rolled across the ground.

[Answer only what I ask. If you speak when I have not asked a question, I will cut you.]

[What does that...]

Slice!

Mok Jin-un's right leg was cut off. Mok Jin-un let out choking screams and burst into tears, but did not say another word. Their eyes, completely drenched in fear, trembled as they stared at Kyle.

[Explain what Dragon Nether is.]

[What...? W-Wait! Please do not swing your sword. I-I will answer. Dragon Nether is the sacred land where the Dragon Queen, the creator of this world, resides!]

The creator?

Kyle could not help but pause at Mok Jin-un's words.

[Is the Dragon Queen's name Velatus?]

[Ooh... y-yes, that is correct. The master of Dragon Nether, the great and beloved creator...]

[Velatus created this world?]

"To be exact, she turned this world into the hell it is today."

A voice came from behind him. Kyle gripped Fenris as chills ran down his spine.

He had clearly heard a voice, but sensed no presence. It was not as if his guard had been down. This was a place he had never visited before, and he had seen nothing but dangerous things since arriving. Kyle's senses were sharpened to their limit.

'And I still didn't notice?'

At the same time, something else felt strange. Kyle stood in front of Mok Jin-un. If someone had appeared behind him and spoken, Mok Jin-un should have seen them. Yet Mok Jin-un only continued to tremble in terror.

'What is this?'

Kyle slowly turned around.

A young man in white stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Unlike Mok Jin-un and the other Treefolk, there were no inhuman features about him. His white hair contrasted with his smooth face, but otherwise, he looked like an ordinary human.

"Please do not be so wary. Honored One, I am not your enemy."

The young man spoke. His gentle voice was in the Western common tongue Kyle knew well. Kyle watched him for a moment before asking,

"Where are you?"

He could see the young man clearly, yet sensed nothing at all. It was not merely that the presence was faint. It did not exist. Kyle trusted his own senses. The young man before him was only an illusion. The real person had to be somewhere else.

"I will guide you soon. Please forgive my rudeness in being unable to stand before you in person."

The young man politely lowered his head. Kyle stared at him for a moment, then abruptly turned and walked toward Mok Jin-un. The young man rushed forward in shock when Kyle raised Fenris.

"Honored One, please stop."

"Why?"

"There is no reason to kill them."

"There is no reason to spare them either. It looks like you'll answer my questions, after all."

Kyle turned to the young man.

"Or do you have some connection to this bastard, and came all this way to save them?"

"Not at all. I have no connection whatsoever to that Dragonkin of the Mok Family."

The young man politely bowed again.

"Rather, the sight of that abomination makes killing intent rise within me. But Honored One, that abomination has its own use. Please sheath your sword."

"What use?"

"Someone must take responsibility for what you have done at this farm, must they not? If there is no one to take responsibility, it will trouble you later."

As he spoke, the young man raised his head. Kyle did not stop him as he silently approached, only glancing at Mok Jin-un. Mok Jin-un still sobbed as blood or sap dripped from their jaw and chest. Their eyes did not look toward the approaching young man, only at Kyle.

"This bastard can't see you?"

"That is correct."

"How are you going to make them take responsibility? They don't seem like the type who'll listen if you tell them to."

"I will knead their mind."

Smiling gently, the young man reached out to Mok Jin-un. Mok Jin-un only trembled and did not react until the hand touched the top of their head. But the moment the young man's fingers dug into their skull, their trembling stopped completely.

"Everything that happened on this farm will be remembered as the rampage of a direct descendant who coveted cultivation pills and vital essence. Do not worry about these injuries. As Dragonkin, they will heal quickly."

"Vital essence?"

"You are ignorant of this world, Honored One. I will explain everything. So, Honored One, can you trust me and follow me?"

"I can follow you, but I don't know about trusting you. I don't even know your name."

Mok Jin-un's eyes grew unfocused as the young man kneaded their brain. The young man eventually withdrew his hand and bowed deeply to Kyle again.

"My introduction was late. I have not been given a name, so please call me Imugi instead."

"Isn't Imugi a name?"

"Imugi... is not a name. It is an Eastern word for an ancient serpent that cultivates itself in hopes of becoming a dragon, shedding its skin again and again."

"So serpents can become dragons if they cultivate?"

"Haha, that is not the case. Dragons are born dragons from the beginning. An Imugi is ultimately only a being that resembles a dragon but cannot become one. Or a being that is no longer a dragon."

The young man smiled bitterly and raised his head.

"In this age, I am the only being who can call themself an Imugi, so I use it in place of a name."

"What is your relationship with Velatus?"

"I hate her, revere her, and am grateful to her. But the Dragon Queen likely does not spare the likes of me a second thought."

"I came to meet Velatus."

"Yes, I heard from below. Honored One, you came to this land at the Dragon Queen's invitation. If I may dare to guess... the reason for that invitation may be related to the pitiful life the Dragon Queen has prolonged until now."

"Hm."

Kyle nodded and sheathed Fenris.

"Fine. I'll follow you. Is it far from here?"

"No, it is not far. It is beneath the mountain range you crossed."

"Wait a moment."

Kyle rose into the sky. Before following Imugi, he wanted to see the people his knights would have gathered at the farm. Imugi followed closely behind Kyle as he flew.

"Honored One, is there something left for you to see here?"

"There are people left at the farm."

"Do not expect intelligence from them."

Imugi muttered bitterly.

"They were born in the Mok Family's breeding farms and raised for the Mok Family. Orders concerning labor are delivered through intent, and they were never permitted to communicate with one another, so they do not even know how to use language."

"..."

"You may see them as fellow humans, Honored One, but they will not recognize themselves as human. That was the Mok Family's intention. You and your companions slaughtered the Treefolk at the farm, but the humans there will feel no gratitude. They will only think their overseers have changed, and fear they will fail to meet today's quota..."

"So what? You're saying I shouldn't treat them as humans or care about them?"

Kyle glanced at Imugi.

"It seems you're curious what kind of person I am, but testing me like this is very unpleasant. Since I don't know much, I'll ask you directly. Aren't you the one who wants something from me?"

"Honored One, please do not be angry."

Imugi lowered his head with a bitter smile.

"I know almost nothing about you, Honored One, so I had no choice but to understand your character in this manner. As expected, you are compassionate."

"You seem quite pleased with my answer. I don't know whether I'll be pleased with yours."

"I will take every human from the farm with me. Since a Dragonkin rampaged after coveting vital essence, it would be strange for the humans to remain unharmed."

Kyle found that answer rather satisfactory.

* * *

When they returned to the farm, a little over a hundred people were crouched together, with Katarina and the knights standing before them. Katarina, who had been watching the people with a complicated expression, looked up at Kyle descending from the sky, her eyes brightening.

"Kyle, who is that?"

Unlike Mok Jin-un, Katarina and the knights seemed able to see Imugi. After briefly explaining what had happened on his side, Kyle walked toward the gathered people.

Their gazes turned toward him. They held a mixture of emotions, including confusion and fear.

"This big sister can speak the Eastern language."

Soha let out a deep sigh.

"I tried speaking to them, but nobody answered."

"They don't know the language."

After answering, Kyle crouched in front of the nearest boy. The boy flinched the instant he saw Kyle. His shoulders shook, and he averted his gaze.

How old was he? He looked around ten from his size, but his body had likely not been allowed to grow properly. He might have been older than ten. Kyle sighed as he looked at the boy's jutting ribs and swollen belly.

"I have a soft spot for children."

He considered asking for the boy's name through intent, but it would be meaningless if the boy did not know language anyway. Kyle raised a hand and opened his Out-of-Place Artifact.

All the supplies brought from Alastor for this journey were stored in Kyle's Out-of-Place Artifact. They had brought more than enough supplies because they had no idea how much the land might have changed or how long the journey would take. Kyle took out food that could be eaten immediately and spread it before the people.

"Um... so."

Kyle picked up a piece of bread and took a bite. Then he held it out to the boy before him. The frightened boy hesitated before accepting the bread.

"Yum yum."

Kyle made eating noises as he moved his lips, then stood and stepped back. The boy hesitated, took a bite of bread, and then his eyes widened.

[Food.]

Kyle sent intent toward the people and pointed at the food he had laid out.

[Eat.]

He had not meant it as an order, but the people understood the intent delivered into their heads as one. The crouching people crawled forward on their knees and picked up the food one item at a time.

"It looks like eating will take a while. Shall we talk first?"

Kyle turned to Imugi.

"That Mok Family bastard from before. You called them Dragonkin. Are they different from Treefolk?"

"In their words, those who receive a strong grace from Dragon Nether are called Dragonkin."

"What exactly is Dragon Nether?"

"The Dragon Queen's blood."

Imugi fell silent for a moment after answering.

"It is also the fate and karma that the Dragon Queen must accept, and that the dragon race cannot defy. Seeking to escape her fate and karma, the Dragon Queen scattered her blood across this land. Did you not see them earlier, Honored One? The winged eyes. Servants born by the Dragon Queen, yet despised by the Dragon Queen."

He had seen them. The ones who called Velatus Royal Mother. They had come to greet Kyle, then suddenly gone mad and attacked him in terror. They resembled angels, yet were endlessly more insignificant than angels.

"All Eastern dragons and dragons become such beings when they die. Much larger and stranger than the ones you saw, though."

At those words, something the angel had said flashed through Kyle's mind.

::Dragons cannot betray the grace they received, for they have received greatness::

Footnotes:

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