WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
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◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈
Chapter 172: Battle for the Holy Land (2)
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The coalition camp grew noisy.
“End an age-old war…?”
“Not to annihilate the Mountain Snail Tribe?”
It wasn’t a positive uproar. The commanders of the various races, who had been quietly listening to the Earth Spirit Tribe chief warrior, began to express their anger.
“Ultimately, you're siding with the slave masters.”
“What bullshit!”
“Is this why you hesitated to join the war until now!”
“Did you wait until both armies exhausted themselves so you could swoop in and hog all the spoils? Did the Mountain Snail Tribe hire you? Are you not ashamed before the spirits of your ancestors?”
A flood of accusations poured out.
The Earth Spirit Tribe chief warrior didn’t blink.
“It doesn’t matter what you say. We simply declare what we believe. The Fire River Council held 12 sub-councils and convened 6 major councils. [Driving the Mountain Snail Tribe to extinction exceeds the bounds of just revenge] was our consensus.”
“Traitors!”
“Go chain yourselves up again!”
“Wait.”
Flap.
Bats perched on the wooden fences flapped their wings. Hundreds of bats gathered in one place and soon formed a human figure. Vampires cloaked in black mantles, the evolved form of the Vampiric Tribe.
“I am Margrave Carayan of Firin, and I command 1,600 elite troops. My ancestors lived in the ceiling of Slimepolis, and my mother and grandfather participated in the last expedition.”
“…They really turned into vampires?”
The Black Dragon Master seemed uneasy, unfamiliar with her race's evolution. Of course, our conversations weren’t audible to the inhabitants of this world.
“Warriors of the Wetlands, you were the first to escape Slimepolis during the Great Escape. First to rise with stone axes, yet when the opportunity to finish the Mountain Snail Tribe came, you turned your backs.”
The vampiric noble, a “blood noble,” bared sharp teeth.
“According to legend, the Mountain Snail Tribe's pursuit force inexplicably let you go.”
“......."
“There are doubts. You’ve consistently refused to join the expeditions since the first, and now you suddenly appear to cry for peace. Perhaps you’ve had a secret pact with the Mountain Snail Tribe for a long time?”
“That event happened over half a millennium ago. The repelling of the Mountain Snail Tribe's pursuit was the achievement of Kekerkker and his loyal apostle Gorke. Apostle Gorke, riding on the back of Kekerkker, defeated 13 Mountain Snail Tribe soldiers in consecutive duels.”
Wow.
‘Our Gorke became an apostle?’
I felt a mix of pride and sorrow. He used to be a kid who called me a devil over and over because he did not want me to hit him. Now he had left his name in history.
“The pursuit force’s leader withdrew their troops, impressed by the duel.”
“Huh. How moving.”
The vampire sneered.
“A noble prophet’s duel and an enemy commander moved by it. Truly, it is an epic fit to be sung only in legend. Perhaps I am simply too deficient and dull, but [a secret pact between two powers] catches my ear more readily than [an enemy commander moved to admiration].”
The Earth Spirit Tribe chief warrior made a subtle expression.
“…It was far from an honorable duel. Kekerkker, cunning and brutal, forced the unwilling Gorke to participate.”
Huh?
“Apostle Gorke advised his kin until his death. Kekerkker wasn’t a benevolent transcendental being, but merely a friend who occasionally looked after us. Rude-mouthed and petty, not someone you’d want to keep close.”
What?
“That’s right. If anything, Kekerkker was our 'bad friend'.”
“To call a god a 'bad friend'! That’s blasphemy!”
The Pure Race commander shouted, but the Earth Spirit Tribe chief warrior maintained their sorrowful, hedgehog-with-alopecia-like expression.
“That is how the tradition was handed down, so there is nothing we can do. Kekerkker’s names include [The Foul-Mouthed Lion], [The One Who Loves the Feel of Beating People], and [The Advocate of Violent Education].”
"......."
My fellow hunters looked at me intently.
Uh, uh.
Their gaze, their eyes, seemed to question and blame me. It's been a long time since I've seen such a look from my comrades.
“King of Death…”
The Black Dragon Master began.
“You... I didn't think you were that kind of person. Did you go around hitting kids when we weren’t looking? I’m a bit, actually quite, shocked.”
“…They say a person’s true nature reveals when they become a parent and raise a child.”
The Paladin glared at me with accusing eyes.
“How much must you have tormented those little goblins for such a legend to be passed down? King of Death, there’s only so much to hit on a small goblin body. Reflect on your actions….”
“No, no, no, wait a minute! Stop! Wait a minute!”
I frantically waved my hands.
“I’m innocent! I’m not that violent! You know that!”
“Well, you do have a somewhat headstrong side, don’t you…? Why else would such a legend exist?”
“I did hit them, but! I did it using the [Possession in a Dream] item. You know the item! No matter how badly they were beaten or even if they died in a dream, no wounds remained, so I used it to teach them aura...”
“You mean goblins died in dreams?”
The Paladin widened her eyes. The others murmured.
“Not leaving scars on the body and leaving trauma in the mind are completely different. Mental scars can be more serious. Especially with education through beating and death….”
“[The Lion with a Foul Mouth]….”
“[The Lover of Beating Hands]….”
“[The Advocate of Violent Education]….”
“No, wait a minute. Really, it sounds terrible when you put it like that, but it’s not true! I can’t exactly say what’s wrong, but I didn’t go that far! Really! I just tried to ensure the goblins didn’t lose their beautiful culture. Believe me!”
“Typical self-justification…”
“Reminiscent of domestic violence…”
Ah, ah!
My reputation! My image is being tarnished!
My precious image as someone dependable anywhere and anytime, trustworthy, kind, and even competent!
-Hey, who are you talking about…?
‘It’s me.’
-You’re fucking insane….
While my noble image shattered, on the other side, the coalition army leaders were also looking dumbfoundedly at the Earth Spirit Tribe chief warrior.
“It is already well known that the heirs of rock salt have lost their minds, but...”
“To treat the god they worship so crudely, are they sane?”
“Clearly, they’re not worth associating with.”
What's going on? The Earth Spirit Tribe's image is also strange.
It can't all be my fault, right? Probably not.
“Ugor.”
The Earth Spirit Tribe chief warrior sighed.
“We've conveyed the council's will. How you perceive us is none of our concern. But remember, we've come to end this war. Whether it's the Mountain Snail Tribe or any other, we won’t stand by and watch complete annihilation.”
“Do you think we’ll just let you do as you please?”
“We always live as we please.”
The Earth Spirit Tribe chief warrior turned the lion’s head.
“Be aware. We are just the vanguard. The council chairman is leading the main force. Lions that drink rain and warriors who love fire are coming. You should be rightly afraid.”
The Great Warrior addressed the troops under their command.
“Advance, everyone.”
The Earth Spirit Tribe warriors moved as one. The coalition was at a loss, stopping them meant a fight, but fighting a force that was neither friend nor foe brought no benefit. They fumbled with their bows, unable to do anything, just watching the Earth Spirit Tribe’s departure.
“Wait.”
Then.
“Those bastards?”
Seeing where the Earth Spirit Tribe was headed, the coalition soldiers stirred. The leaders were shocked.
“They’re setting up camp there?!”
Right in the center between the coalition camp and the Mountain Snail Tribe’s Slimepolis.
In a spot where both sides could hit with catapults, the Earth Spirit Tribe boldly set up camp.
“Ugog. The soil's stickiness here isn’t bad.”
“Just sticky enough to feel good.”
“I’m tired from marching. Someone give me a back rub.”
A stream flowed through the plains. About 400 Earth Spirit Tribe warriors deftly kneaded the river's mud. They relaxed, rubbing each other's backs and drawing patterns on their bodies, creating a peaceful, leisurely scene reminiscent of a holiday resort. A bathhouse had sprung up in the middle of the battlefield.
To an outsider, it looked like they were just having fun.
“This brazenness..."
“It somehow feels familiar…”
“It reminds me of something I’ve seen a lot…”
My fellow hunters alternated between looking at me and the Earth Spirit Tribe.
No. What. Why.
I really only did good things for the kids.
“Move as per the number drawn.”
After the bath, two Earth Spirit Tribe warriors broke away from the formation.
One towards the coalition forces.
The other towards the Mountain Snail Tribe.
Just two warriors now occupied the pathways of both armies.
“Ugor.”
An Earth Spirit Tribe warrior, carrying a great sword, eyed the opposing soldiers provocatively.
The look said, Come at me if you dare.
“Th-they…!”
Recognizing the intent behind the act and gaze, the coalition army leaders were incensed.
“How impudent! A one-on-one duel challenge?!”
“Typical of the Earth Spirit Tribe! Eloquent in speech, but their actions are barbaric!”
“We are knights who uphold the sacred will of the guardian gods. How dare these mongrels, prattling about ‘bad friends,’ block our path!”
“Send out a champion! We’ll simply counter with our own warrior!”
Soon, a Fairy Tribe champion mounted a white horse and advanced.
“You moldy runt! Today I'll bury your stench under the ground!”
The champion, uncharacteristically brawny for an elf, charged at the Earth Spirit Tribe warrior.
“My name is Urmu, descendant of the Great Warrior Gorgir, who once played with Kekerkker. I am a warrior ranked 631st in the Fire River Council. What is your name?”
“I have no name to give to the likes of you…!”
At that moment, the Earth Spirit Tribe warrior hurled their greatsword.
Whirling like a windmill, the massive blade flew through the air.
“What?!”
Startled, the Fairy Tribe champion raised both swords. Claaaang! A tremendous crash rang out, and the champion was thrown from the saddle. They had blocked the blade, but they could not completely kill its momentum and were sent flying.
“Cr-ack!?”
Unable to break their fall properly, the Fairy Tribe champion screamed. Gasping for breath, they struggled to rise, but the Earth Spirit warrior’s lion was already upon them. The lion pinned the champion’s shoulder beneath its forepaw.
“Hii….”
“Not stating your name and lineage, such lack of manners. Ugor.”
Thud!
The Earth Spirit Tribe warrior simply directed the lion to crush the elf's face. In an instant, the unknown Fairy Tribe warrior’s head was obliterated. The lion, growling contentedly, scraped its paw on the ground.
A duel concluded in a blink.
“Hee-hee-hing!”
The riderless white horse neighed, running pitifully towards the horizon. It could have been a picturesque scene, but then,
“Hee-hing?!”
An Earth Spirit Tribe warrior threw a spear and brought down the white horse. The plains fell silent. The Earth Spirit warrior who had thrown the spear scampered over and dragged the horse away. Only after receiving the coalition’s blank stares did the warrior seem to realize how awkward the act had been and bow politely.
“Sorry. I was hungry…”
“......”
“Thought it’d be a waste to let it go. Meat is precious. Anyway, that’s what I think. Keep dueling.”
The warrior casually returned to the Earth Spirit Tribe camp.
The bow had been impeccably polite.
“......”
The coalition leaders were speechless.
“That….”
“Despicable creature!”
“Could there be anyone more ignorant in the world!”
“A dishonorable fight! Throwing a sword in a duel! Is that a warrior’s way?”
“If you’re aggrieved, throw your sword too. Ugor.”
The Fairy Tribe slayer snorted disinterestedly.
“And we’ve always been ignorant.”
“What?”
“From childhood, our older brothers beat us, supposedly so we will awaken aura. We are a wretched race, and if we cannot even use aura, we have to die. They beat us until we wish they would simply kill us, but those brothers are so exquisitely precise with their beatings that we cannot die. After being hit and hit and hit again, at some point we awaken aura.”
“Choosing a brother who beat me and beating him back is our rite of passage to adulthood.”
The Earth Spirit Tribe warrior gazed at the dusk sky.
An inexpressible sorrow filled the warrior’s bright, clear eyes.
“Can't believe such an ignorant tribe exists, even I, a member of the council, find it unbelievable…”
“......”
“But there is nothing we can do. This is the best method. There is no more efficient way to learn aura than suffering nearly to death. This is the teaching handed down directly by Kekerkker to the noble apostle Gorke 600 years ago.”
The warrior mumbled.
“Borrowing one of Kekerkker’s favorite words, we call this the [Fucking Aura Transmission Method]. It truly is fucking awful.”
The Earth Spirit Tribe comrades echoed in unison.
“Friendship over idols! Trust over faith! Fuck!”
“Damn!”
“Damn!”
The warrior nodded.
“Our race’s grief runs deep and vast. There are no gods in this world, only bad friends. That is why we must do well. We have no choice but to do well. You who were once bound in the same chains, stop trying to exterminate the Mountain Snail Tribe.”
“......”
“Otherwise, you'll die by our hands.”
The plains fell silent.
I fell silent.
My fellow hunters did not.
“That’s the King of Death…”
“It’s totally him…”
“King of Death, why are you there?”
“Since when did you grow fangs and paint your skin green, King of Death?”
Wait.
What exactly has become of my image?
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