One-Dak Summit (2)
After the collapse of the second expeditionary force, the Order Alliance once again realized how difficult a northern campaign truly was.
There were simply too many problems holding them back.
The environment of the Demon Realm itself was hostile to humanity, and throughout the northward advance they had to endure constant ambushes from demonic beasts. Casualties mounted heavily. Supply lines being cut was a common occurrence.
"Charging north blindly is practically no different from suicide."
The Order Alliance clearly recognized this fact, and so their concerns deepened.
How should they proceed with the northern conquest?
As during the first expedition, some suggested establishing multiple frontier cities to stabilize regions, then dispatching expeditionary forces to subjugate the beasts. But realistically, this was unfeasible.
The southern regions had allowed frontier cities to be built because the demonic beasts there were weaker and fewer in number. The farther north one went, however, the danger increased sharply.
To defend a city in such territory would require stationing vast numbers of troops there, which in turn would expand the area that needed defending without end.
"Building a broader front line in even more dangerous land is an enormous burden."
Yet there was no clear alternative.
Thus, the Order Alliance temporarily postponed the grand objective of northern conquest and focused instead on securing the newly acquired lands.
The Second Wall.
By enclosing all frontier cities within the Alliance's protective perimeter, they would reassess how to proceed northward at a later time.
In other words, there was no real solution, and the situation had stalled without progress—
"…The report you submitted presents an entirely new perspective."
An alliance with the native inhabitants of the Demon Realm.
With that single premise, numerous problems were resolved at once. The territory of the gnoll tribe was safe from other demonic beasts. Establishing forward bases there would secure both supply routes and garrisons simultaneously.
The gnoll territory would effectively replace the function of frontier cities. Humanity could pass through the central regions of the Demon Realm and advance deep into its interior without suffering heavy troop losses.
"Therefore, forming this alliance would certainly be the correct choice. Even if we merely entrust reconnaissance to the gnoll tribe, it would greatly benefit the Order Alliance."
A Holy Knight seated at the table said so.
A shortcut to resolving the Alliance's deepest concerns. There was no reason to reject it.
"…It is indeed sound reasoning, but I find it difficult to dismiss my concerns regarding this alliance."
An elderly priest began his counterargument. The very notion of forming an alliance with demonic beasts sounded absurd.
Even if such an alliance were established, unease would remain. If the gnoll tribe were to betray them and strike from behind, the Order Alliance would lose the key forces deployed at the front.
"A choice that seems easy and advantageous may conceal a trap. The contents of this report are enticing, but I question whether we can truly entrust our backs to those hyenas."
At the old priest's words, voices of agreement rose from here and there.
Woojin was about to open his mouth to respond—
"…What are they saying? I'm curious."
Jaka, who stood beside him, suddenly spoke.
The priest showed curiosity as well.
"What did that creature just say?"
"He's asking what you said, Your Reverence. It seems the mood has grown uneasy, and he wishes to know why."
"In that case, could you convey my earlier words to that gnoll? I would like to hear its answer."
Rather than listening further to Woojin, the old priest seemed eager to speak directly with the gnoll.
Since both sides were curious about one another's words, Woojin cleared his throat and translated the priest's statement using both sign language and the gnoll tongue.
Jaka responded simply.
"There is no need to worry about betrayal. We will honor the bargain. Tell him that."
"Understood."
Woojin conveyed the words faithfully.
"He says there is no need to fear betrayal. The gnoll tribe will honor their agreement."
"And how does he prove that? Ask him if he can present evidence."
"Very well."
After relaying the priest's question, Jaka tilted his head, looking perplexed.
"That's a strange request… If we make a promise, that should be enough. What exactly are we supposed to prove?"
"You could choose to break your promise deliberately."
"…Commit such a sacrilege?"
To the gnolls, trade was sacred. The priest's demand sounded utterly bizarre.
Jaka looked at the priest and asked,
"Does your tribe often break its promises?"
"What do you mean?"
Woojin translated.
"He asks whether humans frequently break promises."
"…It would be difficult to deny."
The old priest nodded.
Seeing this, Jaka narrowed his eyes.
"Then I should ask in return… If you do not regard agreements as sacred, on what grounds should we trust you? You could betray our tribe and seize our land."
As he spoke, Jaka tugged at the chain wrapped around his neck.
"I have no desire to wear this dog collar. Is this how you treat an envoy?"
"Translate it."
The old priest demanded.
Woojin hesitated. Jaka's words might sound hostile.
The priest's gaze turned toward him, as if piercing through his thoughts.
…It can't be helped.
Woojin translated Jaka's words faithfully.
Silence fell over the hall.
The high-ranking clergy and the audience alike stared at Jaka without speaking.
Jaka merely shrugged, as if to say, What are you looking at?
Soon, the elderly priest rose from his seat.
Step. Step.
He walked toward them, his footsteps echoing loudly in the quiet chamber.
The priest extended his hand toward a Holy Knight, as though requesting something.
The perceptive knight understood at once and quickly retrieved an item from his belt.
It was a ring of keys.
"Your Eminence, it may be dangerous. Allow me."
"That's enough. Hand them over."
The Cardinal all but snatched the keys from him—
Then began walking toward the gnoll.
…Clank.
The Cardinal personally unlocked the shackles.
The chains wrapped around Jaka's body fell away with loud metallic clatters.
The three gnolls were freed.
The Cardinal then stood before them without any guard.
"Indeed… It is improper to treat envoys of another people in such a manner. You have my apology."
He bowed his head to the gnolls.
Jaka grinned in satisfaction.
"Keh heh heh! I won the argument—ugh!"
Rogar suddenly smacked the back of Jaka's head.
Jaka was about to curse, but Rogar jerked his chin to the side.
Jaka turned his head.
Woojin was staring at him with eyes sharp enough to devour him whole.
"…I apologize as well!"
Jaka hurriedly dropped flat onto the floor.
The Cardinal tilted his head.
"What does that gesture mean?"
"It is a posture expressing respect toward the other party. He seems impressed by Your Eminence's character."
"Hah… How fascinating."
The Cardinal nodded, intrigued.
Woojin inwardly sighed in relief.
…That was close.
The Cardinal represented an entire Order.
Jaka's reckless tone toward such a powerful figure had nearly given him a heart attack, but fortunately Rogar had intervened in time.
Woojin glanced at the Cardinal's robe.
Its colors and patterns symbolized the Order of Strife.
The Cardinal of Strife, Horace.
The Order of Strife was the largest existing Order.
That meant Horace was the highest-ranking cleric after the Pope.
Why is someone like him here?
He had heard that high-ranking priests would attend the Round Table Conference, but a Cardinal was not someone who often showed his face at such gatherings.
As Woojin pondered, the Cardinal raised the report in his hand.
"Our priests brought this work of yours straight into my office and pressed it upon me… To be frank, it was intriguing. It reads like the dream of an idealist, yet strangely it is difficult to find fault with."
After reading the report, the priests had reacted almost fervently.
As a result, Horace had read it as well—and viewed it favorably.
"It is a proposal worth attempting. Therefore, we too should send an official delegation to the gnoll tribe. That would be proper etiquette."
Horace looked at Woojin.
"Beast Hunter Jin… Would you be willing to serve as advisor to that delegation?"
There was no reason to refuse.
"I will."
***
After successfully concluding the Round Table Conference, Woojin expressed his gratitude to those who had supported him.
"Thanks to all of you, this matter concluded well. You have my sincere thanks."
Bow gave a short laugh.
"Thanks? We did nothing worth mentioning. It's embarrassing to receive your gratitude."
Bow, Roland, and Cecilia had intended to approach the Order Alliance separately to support Woojin's position—but that had proved unnecessary.
"To be honest, it seemed you prepared far more than required."
Perhaps because of what he had experienced with the leadership of the second expeditionary force, Woojin had prepared excessively for this matter.
But even before the conference began, the Order Alliance had already been half-convinced.
Back when Woojin had overseen the transaction between Konrad, Edwin, and the gnoll great warrior Braknark, several Holy Knights—then prisoners—had witnessed it.
He had saved a defeated army through negotiation with demonic beasts.
That achievement alone was enough to draw the Order Alliance's attention.
"You'll have much to do now."
"Yes… I'm already overwhelmed."
The role of advisor required far more work than expected.
Before dispatching the delegation, the Order Alliance bombarded Woojin with endless questions.
Information about the Demon Realm's ecosystem, the culture of the gnoll tribe, methods of communication, and more.
Extracting and organizing all that knowledge left him scarcely a moment to breathe.
"…Speaking of which, I should get going."
Woojin quietly rose from his seat.
Roland looked puzzled.
"No need to rush, is there? I was about to head to a tavern for a beer."
"My apologies. I have a prior engagement… I'd like to finish my advisory duties as soon as possible."
Woojin strode off in haste, like someone being chased.
Roland blinked.
"A prior engagement? With whom?"
Woojin already had plans.
About two months passed.
Working day and night without pause, Woojin completed his responsibilities ahead of others.
There was still some time before the delegation's departure.
"I will be taking a short leave."
After reporting this to the Order Alliance, he stepped outside.
His leave was one week.
He intended to travel and return within that time.
Woojin mounted the back of a wolf.
"South."
Rex tilted his head, confused.
It was the first time they were heading further south from the walled city of Yurgis.
"There's no time. Move."
Woojin tapped the wolf's side, urging him on.
At the command, Rex and the wolves dashed southward at full speed.
The running speed of demonic wolves far surpassed that of horses, and they did not tire easily.
It was a satisfying reminder of all the inner cores he had fed them.
After racing for half a day—
In the distance, a vast city came into view, and at its center stood a towering spire.
"The Mage Tower."
It was his first time seeing it in person.
Someone he knew had loved talking about that place.
Her voice felt as vivid as if he had heard it yesterday.
Claire.
He was going to see her.
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