Chapter 157
This was a story that didn’t exist in this world .
But the story still survived in a certain someone’s memory .
It was ten years after the Shadow Labyrinth had appeared .
“Our people were bound by the oaths our forefathers made and could not leave that land . ”
Ahead of the final battle at Praynople, Donape Aslan, the Barbarian king also known as the Ruler of the North, began to tell his story .
No one complained or questioned it .
It wasn’t strange . Everyone did this . When you thought you could die, you told someone else your story . It didn’t mean that he was afraid of death . He just wanted someone to remember him .
Everyone shared this sentiment, so they willingly listened to each other in times like this .
“Are you saying that you have kept the oaths that your ancestors made up until now? It’s hard for me to understand why you would do this… … … ”
“It’s something that we can’t disobey . Words can’t convey the importance oaths hold in the tribe . . ”
Donape stroked his earring . It was an earring with a red ruby .
“In the past, there was a man who made our people’s life shine brighter than ever before . ”
Donape’s voice was filled with more self-esteem and pride than usual, as he referred to that man .
"Melger Khan . He unified a great number of tribes under his banner to drive out the enemies of the Gilgarus Mountains, and founded our homeland, Harrowind . "
The story of Melger Khan, praised as a hero and still talked about to this day, was famous not only for his wildness but also for being able to bring his people to glory .
“But there was a man who helped him . ”
Somehow or another, the story of the man who helped Melger Khan was never handed down . The man appeared in other legends as well, but no specific stories about him existed .
Historians used to consider the man to just be an amalgamation of supporting characters used to simplify the narrative .
But Donape didn’t seem to think so .
“This man was a great person; the foundation he created for Harrowind is a massive factor in why it still stands today . In return, he asked Melger Khan for a favor . ”
From this point on, this story was only passed down to and retold by barbarians .
“The man handed a sword to Melger Khan, saying it would save the world from disaster one day . He left Harrowind, asking him to take care of the sword until someone who could handle it correctly appeared . ”
“So the request was… ”
After hearing the story, Desir was able to gain a shallow understanding of the oath that Donape had mentioned .
“Yes, there is a sword left by that man of legend in Harrowind, our hometown . We call the area where the sword is located in ‘The Chamber of Extreme Ice’ . ”
Donape continued to talk .
“We waited in Harrowind for a long time, for the true owner of the sword to appear, to fulfill the oath made between that man and Melger Khan . Of course, we also tried to wield that sword ourselves… But in the end, no one ever managed to pull it out . ”
“Well, there must be some kind of requirement, right? Is there a powerful spell placed on it? Or is it guarded by an outstanding guardian?”
“If there was just a guardian, the sword would have been pulled long ago . ‘The Chamber of Extreme Ice’ emmenates a tremendous chill, and does not allow anyone to even approach it casually . Many great barbarians have coveted the sword’s ability, some even making countless attempts to wield it, but all who have taken the challenge have failed . ”
The barbarian recounted the story of a man who had entrusted the sword to Melger Khan, and the tribe that lived their lives in Harrowind to keep the oath .
However, they had no choice but to abandon their oath in the face of a disaster that threatened the entire human race . The Shadow Labyrinth had appeared .
“Now that I think about it, I might have to find them myself . I shouldn’t just wait for the owner of the sword to appear . ”
Donape’s gaze, sighing at the end of the story, focused on a particular place .
Permanently cold eyes .
Fluttering platinum-colored hair .
Even after a fierce and protracted battle, this woman still remained lofty and beautiful to the end .
This is where his gaze lay .
“If I had met you a little earlier, maybe we would have found ourselves in a different future … … ”
* * *
Adjest, Romantica, and Pram, who were sure that the barbarians would accept the alliance based on the flow of the conversation, were left obviously embarrassed . But Desir, who knew Donape would give such an answer, seemed calm in comparison .
“We can’t leave here for any reason . So… ”
“Would you accept the alliance if I fulfilled Melger Khan’s oath?”
Those who had been quietly watching the conversation until now began to chatter . Desir didn’t miss the moment when Donape’s expression changed . And through that reaction, he was convinced that he had got it right .
‘The history of the barbarians remains the same as it was in my previous life . ’
Desir was aware of the circumstances in which the barbarians rejected the Empire’s offer of cooperation . Desir had not forgotten what Donape had shared about his tribe, during that very short moment in his previous life .
“I’ll fulfill that oath . ”
“Hahahahaha . ”
As soon as he said it, laughter burst out . It came from one of the chiefs of a barbarian tribe .
He then angrily shouted as the smile fell from his face .
“I don’t know how you know about it, but this is the legacy that the great Khan left us . How dare a mainlander like you make a reckless remark about it?”
Donape silently raised his hand to restrain him .
As soon as it became quiet, Donape spoke solemnly to Desir . There were deep traces of doubt evident in his voice .
“Before you mention the proposal, answer how you know about the oath . ”
“We have met a direct descendant of Melger Khan in a Shadow World . I heard about the oath from him . ”
“I see . ”
Desir had shared this story with his party . No one doubted it then, and Donape couldn’t find any reason to distrust them .
In the Shadow Worlds, historical facts that were hidden or covered up by others and concealed from the accepted historical record, were revealed from time to time .
By using Shadow Worlds as a cover-up for his knowledge from his past life, most people would be unable to raise any further doubts .
Donape nodded, as if convinced, and soon smiled .
“Interesting . ”
As he seemed likely to accept Desir’s offer, embarrassment covered the faces of each tribal chief who was watching .
“They’re from the mainland!”
“For many years none of us has managed to make it . It’ll be okay for these guys to try . ”
Donape didn’t appear to give the slightest damn for their cries .
“However… ”
“Are you afraid they’ll do what we haven't done?”
“… … … … ”
The tribal chiefs could not speak any more due to their pride .
“I’ve been restrained by the oath and itching to fight for a long time . If we’re freed of the oath, there’s nothing to stop us from cooperating with the Empire . But not everyone can challenge the oath . You must be qualified . ”
Desir had never heard of any qualifications . Concealing his surprise at this obvious turn of events, he steeled his resolve . He couldn’t afford to back down anyway .
Donape continued to talk .
“And I will test their qualifications myself . ”
Desir quickly understood what Donape meant . To test one’s qualifications as a barbarian meant to win a duel .
“Who will challenge me?”
Desir looked back . He had already decided who would come forward .
“Adjest, please . ”
Adjest nodded unhesitatingly at Desir’s call . She walked one step forward and boldly confronted Donape .
“I’ll challenge you . ”
“Good . Follow me . ”
As Donape headed outside, leaving behind the tribal chiefs whose eyes betrayed their insecurity, the now chipper party followed .
* * *
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It was in the middle of a huge snowfield that the now lively party followed the barbarians to . While the ground could not be called slippery as a result of the thick snow coating it, it was definitely going to be difficult to perform normal movements due to the restriction snow placed on footwork .
The place that they found themselves in was used as a training ground for the barbarians, and quite a few barbarian fighters happened to be present, training with informal spars .
When Donape appeared, they ceased training and bowed their heads towards him in a show of respect . Desir could feel an unusual fervor leaking out from each of them .
Desir realized that, amongst the trainees, there were many barbarians who would later be active in the Shadow Labyrinth .
Yuria chose a swathe of land and cleared it of trainees, designating that area for the duel .
The people already present soon gathered around the dueling area one by one . Before too long, the area was filled up . They had gathered to watch the martial arts of Donape, the Ruler of the North and their king .
Of course, Desir, Romantica, and Pram were also in the crowd watching Donape and Adjest . The two combatants did not say a single word to the countless people in the audience . Instead, they only had eyes for each other .
*Shing*
Adjest drew her sword and Donape hefted the huge axe onto his shoulder .
The silence lasted for several minutes .
It was the Donape who broke the tense silence first . When he kicked against the ground, the snow around him exploded .
In a mere moment, Donape, who had narrowed the distance with the Adjest, swung his axe horizontally .
Adjest read the trajectory and turned to the side to dodge the attack .
The axe seemed to tear through the air in a show of unrestrained violence . Seeing it wouldn’t connect, Donape rotated his body in an agile fashion that completely betrayed the expectation one would have of a giant physique like his . A giant fist flew right at Adjest’s face .
She raised her sword reflexively .
*Kagaang*
In the midst of a single exchange of attack and defense, a flood of thoughts passed through Adjest’s head . She felt a splitting pain in her wrists holding the sword and almost dropped it .
Donape, on the other hand, seemed to be okay after the collision of sword and fist, and swung his giant axe at Adjest again .
After defending against the ensuing attack, Adjest took advantage of the force of it and bounced back to increase the distance between her and Donape .
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Chapter brought to you by Mokura .
???: …
ED2: Purplemen101
TLC: N/A (this could be you!)
QC: Nhan
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