Chapter 17

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 8-2

Chapter Title: Pursuit into the Abyss

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Around the fifth hour of the afternoon, the supply unit, en route upstream along the Misen River, encountered the Crown Prince's party returning to camp.

The Crown Prince was accompanied only by Count Hunt and a small escort detail.

Only the Crown Prince and Count Hunt were on horseback; the escorts were marching on foot.

The moment Hunt spotted Edmond, he dragged him before the Crown Prince and made the introduction.

"Your Highness, this is the Edmond I mentioned before."

"Hm. The one who helped collapse the bridge at Tegoya?"

"Yes, that's right."

Edmond bowed deeply to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince acknowledged the greeting perfunctorily and beckoned a messenger with a wave of his hand.

The messenger hurried forward and reported the results of the battle at the Renen River.

Meanwhile, Edmond conversed with Count Hunt.

"Count."

"Come now, call me Uncle."

Edmond ignored Hunt's words and asked about recent events.

"I heard you engaged the enemy. Were there no further battles after that?"

"None. But there's a bigger issue. His Highness realized the enemy's river crossing attempt was a diversion."

"A diversion?"

"While we were fighting the enemy at the river, some of their troops snuck over the mountains and crossed undetected. His Highness found traces of them."

"I see."

"He's hurrying back because he fears they're targeting the First Camp."

"Understood."

Edmond glanced sideways at the Crown Prince's profile.

Just then, the messenger finished his report.

The news was that Makia's army had annihilated the 8th Har's forces, but key figures like the 8th Har and his command staff had escaped.

Kamin praised Makia's victory before issuing follow-up orders.

"Tell Makia to leave minimal troops to guard the upper Renen River, then bring the rest across and set up a temporary camp in the northern central part of Tegoya Forest. Have them hold position there until they can link up with the First Camp."

"Understood."

The messenger departed for the Second Camp at the Crown Prince's command.

At that moment, Edmond requested a private audience with the Crown Prince.

After sending the supply unit upstream, Kamin took only Edmond and ventured deep into the forest.

Once they were a safe distance from the group, Kamin spoke first.

"Speak."

"The prisoner you captured escaped."

Kamin raised an eyebrow nonchalantly.

"Oh?"

"'Oh'? Is that all you have to say?"

Edmond pounded his chest in frustration at Kamin's attitude.

"Why so calm? Do you even know who that prisoner is?"

"I do. She's Gowda."

"That's not all. She's the 13th Har's fiancée. And the heir to the most powerful bloodline in the Katago Tribe. Her status among them rivals that of a Har."

"Hm... Then the enemy's diversion was likely to rescue her."

"Exactly. The 13th Har might have moved personally."

"Pity. We could have ended this war sooner than expected."

Kamin clicked his tongue belatedly in regret.

"How did she escape? I destroyed the bridge. Did the enemy infiltrate the camp?"

"No. The prisoner's horse did the infiltrating."

"Horse?"

"The troops mistook it for Nacha and let it in without suspicion. And furthermore..."

Edmond trailed off mid-sentence.

"Furthermore?"

Edmond stared steadily at Kamin before continuing slowly.

"They took a hostage. A maid named Leona."

"...What?"

Kamin's eyes changed in an instant.

The casual air he usually exuded vanished, and the atmosphere grew icy and tense.

Kamin stepped aggressively toward Edmond.

"What did you just say?"

"The maid was taken hostage, so they released the prisoner..."

"Leona?"

"Huh?"

"What happened to Leona?"

"...The prisoner took her."

Kamin's expression vanished. A terrifying rage soon settled over his blank face.

"What were you doing then? What about the others? Are they all idiots?"

Edmond felt surprise beyond mere bewilderment.

"What's wrong? She's just a maid."

"Just?"

Kamin seized Edmond by the collar and hoisted him high.

Edmond flailed his limbs as his airway constricted.

"Ka... Kamin..."

"I decide that woman's value. Don't presume to judge for me. Got it?"

"Y-Yes..."

Kamin hurled Edmond to the ground and whistled sharply.

Nacha came galloping like the wind.

Kamin mounted Nacha and pointed decisively.

Nacha shot past Hunt's group like an arrow, vanishing into the opposite forest.

As the Crown Prince disappeared beyond the trees, the escorts hurriedly gave chase. But they couldn't keep up on foot.

The escorts soon returned with dejected faces.

One of them sought out Edmond.

Edmond had been sitting dazed on the ground the whole time.

The escort hauled him up and demanded answers.

"What happened? Where is His Highness going?"

Edmond replied blankly.

"To rescue... the maid, it seems."

"The maid? You mean Lady Leona?"

"Yes... The prisoner kidnapped Lady Leona and fled. When he heard, he bolted off like that."

The escorts conferred urgently upon hearing Edmond's account.

They decided to catch up to the supply unit for mounts, then pursue the Crown Prince. With that, the escorts rushed off after the supply train.

Hunt worried for Lloyd upon hearing of Leona's abduction.

"This is bad. Lloyd was responsible for Lady Leona's safety... I wonder how he'll weather His Highness's wrath."

"Wrath...? Ah, yes. That was wrath. I've never seen it before..."

Edmond muttered dazedly.

"Hm? What was that?"

"Nothing. Let's head back to camp for now."

"And His Highness...?"

"The escorts are following. He'll return soon. Once he does, there'll be troop movements. We should go ahead and prepare."

"Very well."

As Hunt mounted his horse, Edmond stared vacantly in the direction Kamin had vanished.

As evening fell, the forest grew pitch black, impossible to see even a step ahead.

Chahu rode through the darkness for a long while before a stream appeared, at which point she pulled the reins and halted.

She dismounted Araha first, then helped Leona down to the ground.

"Oof..."

Leona collapsed onto the dirt and groaned. Her waist and thighs, battered from the horseback ordeal, ached too fiercely to move.

Chahu quenched her thirst at the stream, then scooped water in broad leaves and held it to Leona's lips.

Leona drank and gradually regained her senses.

"Stay put here."

Chahu left Leona and vanished alone into the darkness.

Araha was Leona's sole guardian.

Leona hesitated briefly but soon shook her head.

Fleeing in her debilitated state would likely be futile.

Better to stay meekly and earn some trust.

Leona kneaded her sore, heavy legs. The massage lightened her body somewhat.

She crawled to the stream and drank more.

With thirst quenched, hunger now gnawed at her.

Just then, she spotted Araha nibbling small berries from a bush.

Leona dragged herself up and joined Araha, picking and eating the same berries.

"Ugh, ptooey, ptooey."

The berries were bitterly astringent.

Leona stuck out her tongue and grimaced; Araha eyed her pitifully.

"Pathetic."

Chahu, returned unnoticed, tsked as she set down berries, mushrooms, and more on the ground.

"Eat."

What Chahu brought was edible.

Leona wolfed it down.

"Whew... Feels like I'm alive."

With hunger sated, chill descended.

Leona's cloak wasn't enough against the night's cold.

As she huddled and shivered, Chahu pointed to Araha.

"Go snuggle against Araha. You won't be cold."

"Really?"

Leona approached Araha gladly.

Chahu commanded Araha in the Katago tongue to lie down.

Araha flattened itself to the ground; Leona cautiously leaned against it.

Araha turned its head irritably.

Soon Chahu sat close beside Leona.

Leona scooted her hips to press tight against Chahu.

Chahu glanced sidelong; Leona smiled brightly.

"This is warm."

Chahu looked away and crossed her arms.

Leona noticed the loose bandage knot on Chahu's thigh and retied it firmly. Then she draped her cloak over them both.

Warmed by Chahu and Araha's body heat, Leona's eyelids grew heavy.

She rested her head on Chahu's shoulder and fell asleep.

Moments later, Chahu uncrossed her arms and embraced Leona's shoulders.

Early dawn. Chahu snapped her eyes open at a faint presence.

She rolled her eyes in the dark, then crouched and pressed her ear to the ground.

She'd felt a subtle tremor, but now all was still.

Chahu rose and scanned sharply around.

Araha perked its ears and woke.

Araha tilted its head.

Chahu stroked Araha's neck and whispered to wait here.

Leona slumbered deeply, showing no sign of waking.

Chahu tucked the cloak securely over Leona and moved off slowly.

She padded through the dim forest, careful not to let her injured foot make noise.

After thoroughly scouting, nothing seemed amiss.

Chahu looked up at the sky and suddenly noticed something eerie.

Since fleeing the enemy camp, she hadn't seen a single wild animal in the forest.

Recalling, she realized she hadn't heard birdsong for half a day.

The woods were unnaturally silent.

Chahu ventured farther.

Guided by predawn starlight, as she groped through the gloom, a strange sensation halted her.

Wind whistled from ahead.

Chahu breathed deeply and advanced slowly.

A chasm yawned before her.

Chahu recoiled in shock.

A massive hole gaped in the earth like a sinkhole, fierce winds gusting from below.

Chahu peered in.

Its depth was unfathomable.

She tossed in a stone.

The falling echo lasted long.

Chahu muttered, breaking cold sweat.

As she rose, Chahu flattened again and pressed her ear to the pit's rim.

A faint sound came; the ground trembled subtly.

Chahu narrowed her eyes and peered anew.

A massive tree's roots were exposed against the earthen wall nearby.

The tree tilted precariously, on the verge of collapse; soil crumbled ceaselessly from the walls.

Suddenly, Chahu realized.

This pit wasn't natural—it had formed abruptly.

More precisely, it was still forming.

Chahu circled the rim.

Trees around were withered and lifeless.

She plucked a leaf from a branch.

The dry leaf crumbled to dust in her hand.

Chahu's eyes quivered.

Chahu sank to her knees, strength fleeing.

Chahu bit her lip in despair.

Clutching her head in thought, a foul sensation jolted her; she rolled flat.

A wolf landed where she'd stood.

Chahu sprang up, drawing her sole weapon: a dagger.

Suddenly, another lunged from the side, biting her sword arm.

Chahu switched the dagger to her free hand and stabbed the wolf's belly.

As one fell away, another clamped her leg.

Chahu elbowed it off and swung wildly.

The wolves hesitated at her menacing stature.

Chahu swiftly counted: eight total, minus the gutted one.

The pack circled, seeking openings.

Chahu gripped her dagger tight.

Araha bolted upright suddenly.

Leona, leaning against it, tumbled to the ground.

Araha charged toward where Chahu had vanished.

"Araha?"

Rubbing sleep from her eyes, Leona found herself alone in the dark woods.

"Araha? Chahu?"

The wolves, starved and gaunt, lacked strength.

Chahu's kicks easily dislodged them.

Three already lay dead by her hand.

Yet they persisted relentlessly.

Chahu was covered in wounds.

Her arms and legs bore claw marks; reopened bandages bled freely.

Chahu glanced at her injured leg.

The fractured ankle slowed her.

A wolf exploited the gap, biting her good leg.

Chahu staggered, off-balance.

Another leaped onto her back, sinking teeth into her shoulder.

Fangs pierced flesh deeply.

Chahu stifled a groan and rolled hard.

The wolf clinging to her back was crushed off.

She slashed the throat of the one on her leg.

Then stabbed the nearest in the skull.

Three remained.

They howled ferociously and charged together.

Chahu toppled backward under their assault.

One mounted her chest.

It gaped jaws for her face.

Chahu thrust her dagger into its maw.

The other two tore at her legs.

As Chahu shoved the dying wolf off and rose, Araha arrived.

Araha stomped the wolves on her legs.

The pair yelped and limped away.

Araha pursued briefly before returning.

Chahu lay gasping on the ground.

Araha nuzzled her cheek mournfully.

Chahu stroked Araha's cheek a few times, then blacked out.

Leona gazed skyward.

Dawn was breaking; sunrise neared.

She clutched her cloak and paced anxiously.

Chahu and Araha's sudden absence left her lost.

She glanced one way, then the other, wandering aimlessly.

"What do I do..."

Should she flee? Or was this a test? She couldn't tell.

As she gnawed her lip in worry, Araha's footfalls sounded.

Leona was relieved to see it.

"Araha!"

Araha dragged the limp Chahu in its mouth.

"Chahu?"

Leona rushed over and laid Chahu flat.

Chahu was drenched in blood.

"Oh god... Chahu, Chahu!"

Leona slapped Chahu's cheeks lightly, but she remained unconscious.

Examining her, Leona found bite wounds on shoulder and legs.

"Wild beasts?"

Leona asked Araha while shedding cloak and vest.

She tore the vest with her teeth into strips, soaked them at the stream.

Leona wiped blood and inspected wounds with wet cloth.

The bites were severe: torn flesh, ceaseless bleeding.

Her thigh's prior bandage was crimson.

Leona bound the wounds with cloth.

Araha vanished briefly, unnoticed amid Leona's care.

As she unwrapped the thigh bandage, Araha returned, offering a mouthful of herbs.

"What's this?"

Araha had gathered unknown greens.

Leona shook her head cluelessly; Araha chewed some into pulp.

Leona watched intently.

Araha spat the mash onto Chahu's wound.

"Ah!"

Understanding, Leona chewed herbs and applied.

Chahu stirred as light pierced her eyes, consciousness returning gradually.

She cracked heavy lids against blinding sun.

She raised a weary arm to shade her face.

"No... Give it back. No..."

Chahu turned toward the noise.

"Wah... Give it back, Araha..."

Leona chased Araha, pleading.

Araha dangled Leona's headband, dodging playfully.

"Don't bite so hard, it'll break..."

Leona pursued futilely.

Araha lifted its head high; Leona couldn't reach.

"I'll tell Chahu you bullied me. Hmph?"

Araha ignored the imperial tongue.

It teased, offering then withdrawing.

Leona flailed beneath its jaw.

Araha strutted smugly.

Chahu watched and chuckled softly.

Araha sensed her, spat the headband far, and hurried to her side.

It nuzzled Chahu's cheek affectionately.

Chahu hugged and soothed Araha's head.

Leona, reclaiming her headband at last, joined them.

"How's your body? Feeling okay?"

"Mm."

Chahu eyed her bandaged shoulder and limbs, then Leona.

"I treated the wounds with herbs Araha fetched. Hungry?"

Leona offered tree fruits.

"Araha found these too. Araha's amazing."

Araha perked at its name, eyes gleaming toward the headband.

Leona guarded preemptively.

As they eyed each other warily, Chahu paused mid-bite.

"When we return to our army."

"Pardon?"

Chahu glanced pitward and declared to Leona.

"When we return to our army, I'll release you."

"...Really?"

"Yes. And we'll turn the army back to our lands."

"Uh... You mean ending the war?"

Chahu sighed deeply and nodded.

Leona pressed incredulously.

"Just like this? For real?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

As Chahu stared, Leona scratched her head, elaborating.

"I mean... I don't know why you invaded our empire, but suddenly calling off the war is hard to believe."

Chahu pondered, then spoke.

"...I thought there was a way to save our tribesfolk here. But seeing it firsthand, that path is a dead end."

"Pardon?"

"I realized war is a waste of time. That's why."

Chahu's cryptic answer deepened Leona's curiosity.

But Chahu offered no more.

That afternoon, the First Camp fell into chaos.

The pursuit team chasing the prisoner and the escorts trailing the Crown Prince both returned empty-handed.

Hunt and Lloyd immediately assembled large search parties and sent them into the forest.

The count and viscount fretted over the missing Crown Prince, unable to swallow even water.

Edmond feigned concern outwardly but harbored none inwardly for Kamin.

His mind was tangled with another issue.

Evading eyes, Edmond slipped into Jahankun's tent and rummaged his belongings.

He hoped for proof of his hypothesis, but found nothing.

No time for disappointment.

As he replaced items, Jahankun entered.

Jahankun slowly surveyed his strewn possessions.

Edmond froze with an awkward smile.

No excuse possible.

"So, this is..."

Edmond faltered.

Jahankun seemed unperturbed.

He cared only for Kamin's whereabouts.

"Where is he?"

"...Kamin went to find the maid."

Edmond briefly explained the Katago prisoner's escape using Leona as hostage.

Jahankun turned to leave upon hearing.

Edmond blocked him hastily.

"Wait! I have questions."

Jahankun ignored, heading for the flap.

Desperate, Edmond played his trump card.

"You're from the Yetaku Tribe, aren't you?"

Stated with certainty.

Jahankun halted, eyeing Edmond warily.

That confirmed it for Edmond.

"I knew it. You really are Yetaku..."

Edmond looked stunned himself.

"I investigated your abilities. What kind of person has such unique powers? Kamin's make sense given his bloodline, but not yours. Ordinary humans can't wield transcendent abilities. My only guess was that the supposedly extinct Yetaku Tribe survived in secret somewhere..."

"That's what you wanted to ask? If I'm Yetaku?"

Edmond suddenly felt weary, rubbing his face.

"I have mountains of questions, but one urgent: What's really happening now?"

"......"

"I've learned the Katago's war has hidden motives beyond the known. Their water sources are mysteriously tainted, killing tribesfolk and livestock. Dozens of villages gone, contamination spreading. A few major sources remain, but at risk—so they rushed south. But here's the thing."

Edmond's tone grew grave.

"Lately, my intel network catches similar anomalies. Crops dying overnight in villages, fertile fields turning to sand. Not just Katago lands—the empire too sees inexplicable events."

Edmond pierced Jahankun with sharp eyes.

"Jahankun, you know the cause, don't you?"

Silence from Jahankun; Edmond shook his arm.

"The Yetaku emerging now, and what your tribe demands from Kamin. It's tied to all this, right?"

Edmond raised his voice excitedly, gripping tighter, refusing release without answers.

Jahankun gazed into Edmond's eyes, gauging him.

"If you deduced my tribe, you must suspect what's occurring. Or have you already figured it?"

Edmond's pupils dilated at the final words.

Jahankun muttered softly under breath; a fierce gust erupted between them.

Edmond squeezed eyes shut instinctively, opening as winds died.

Jahankun was gone; Edmond's hand empty.

Meanwhile, the 8th Har hacked at innocent trees with his sword.

His guard warriors and commanders watched helplessly as he vented.

8th Har 'Yarin' hurled his sword with a roar.

His eyes bloodshot with fury, he panted raggedly.

One subordinate cautiously approached Yarin, glancing toward the distant 13th Har's camp.

Yarin shoved him irritably and jabbed at the commanders.

The commanders exchanged glances; one spoke.

He lowered his voice.

Yarin's eyes gleamed at the implication.

Yarin burst into laughter.

At the same time, Kamin gazed at the massive pit.

He peered into the bottomless black void, then scanned surrounding ground.

His impassive eyes passed dead trees to wolf corpses littering the floor.

Kamin examined the wolves' wounds and tracks.

Blood spatters everywhere.

His face hardened as he investigated.

Traces showed one person felling the pack.

Kamin followed bloodstains swiftly.

A small stream appeared soon.

Blood ended there.

Horse prints remained instead.

These had misled Kamin multiple times en route.

Kamin decided pursuing horse tracks was inefficient; better predict destination and intercept.

Kamin leaped skyward from the earth.

Bounding treetops, he covered distance in instants, landing where Nacha waited.

Nacha nuzzled Kamin joyfully on dismount, but disappointment followed—no quarry found.

Kamin stroked consolation.

"Found traces. You'll see her soon, cheer up. Rest well?"

Nacha nodded, but Kamin sighed at messy prints around.

"I said rest. Not tired?"

Nacha ignored, nudging insistently for mounting.

"No need. No eyes watching; I'll run. Follow behind."

Kamin dashed ahead; Nacha hurried after.