Desert Tevai.
It’s a desert located in the northern region of the continent, adjacent to several kingdoms, including Elbrite.
Therefore, there have been many attempts over the years to claim the desert as territory, but in the end, no one has dared to touch it, leaving it a wasteland.
“Why do you think that is?”
“The reason is obvious.”
The boundary of the desert is marked by swirling sandstorms.
The Pharaoh, gazing at the desert with satisfaction, turns his head.
“It’s because those guys are weaklings. The desert is definitely not an easy place to conquer.”
“Even the Empire can’t manage it?”
“The Empire? They aren’t even worth as much as a kingdom.”
Though the Pharaoh’s sharp evaluations continued, I had seen the Empire for far longer.
It’s true that the Empire’s military power is at a child’s level compared to the past, but does that mean they can’t conquer a desert? That’s a different question.
In the Empire, there’s Duke Huangyeol from the Celestial Race, along with the Magic Lord and the Spirit Lord.
Moreover, there are numerous strong figures capable of single-handedly taking down a kingdom.
Also, Besk was once the duke of Ronhadia, the predecessor of Elbrite, and Ronhadia has been next to the desert for a long time.
This means the desert existed long before Besk became a duke or the Eight Swords were formed.
“The Empire seeks profit. If the losses outweigh the gains, they won’t make the attempt. There must be a reason why the desert hasn’t been conquered for so long.”
“Losing too much…”
What exactly is the Empire afraid of, leaving the desert untouched?
Boom!
The Pharaoh’s stone form thumps forward loudly.
Seemingly excited, he quickly crosses the boundary into the desert.
I slowly walk up beside him.
“Remember, we are going to persuade the tribesmen. We’re not just going to take what we want.”
“Weren’t we going to invade?”
“You said it yourself, right? A great ruler isn’t determined only by blood and steel.”
If there’s a way to resolve matters without spilling blood, it’s better to take that route.
After all, I’m not a raider.
“True. But can’t we at least show some ‘authority’?”
“Authority? You mean like threatening to overturn the desert?”
“Threatening?!”
The Pharaoh vehemently denied it.
It’s just about showing them.
Who the origin of the land they stand on belongs to!
“Once they see the great power, everyone will acknowledge it. They’ll know who the true ruler is.”
“We’ve decided to call that ‘intimidation.’”
“…Anyway, don’t get in my way. I’ve clearly granted you a favor, and you’re supposed to help me claim the desert.”
With that, the Pharaoh resumed his steps, having stopped momentarily.
Even if he says things like that, he probably won’t resort to actual intimidation.
He was known as a wise leader and enjoyed a good reputation until the incident occurred.
“Until the incident broke out.”
■
The tribesman village was farther away than expected.
For a regular person, it would have taken quite a long time, but I am not a regular person, and the Pharaoh is not just any human.
Even though I walked slowly, it took only 30 minutes.
Occasionally, monsters popped up, but they fled at a single glance from the Pharaoh.
It wasn’t that they ran away out of fear.
Most of the monsters living here have very low intelligence, and the Pharaoh didn’t exude anything particularly threatening.
“You recognize great authority.”
The fleeing was due to the Pharaoh’s unique power.
Whether it was always like this from the beginning or if it became so after living in the desert for a long time, I couldn’t tell, but the Pharaoh was the Emperor of the Desert.
No matter how weakened the Pharaoh became, low-intelligence monsters could not escape his dominion.
“You don’t treat the tribesmen the same way, do you?”
“What do you think of the Emperor? They just retreated like insignificant creatures such as scorpions, devoid of self-awareness. If they were thinking humans, they would lower their heads without needing to be commanded.”
“……”
“…Of course, there are exceptions.”
“Right.”
With the Pharaoh’s grumbling, we finally arrived at the tribesman’s village.
The village was indeed very small, as I had been informed by Besk.
Would it be similar in size to the small village I used to live in?
The population didn’t exceed 50, and aside from a small oasis located in the town center, there was nothing special.
There didn’t seem to be anyone who looked particularly strong either.
“Strange.”
“What do you mean?”
“This village must have been maintained for hundreds of years, yet it remains in this state. Even multiple kingdoms have probably passed through here.”
The only village left in the vast desert.
The tribesmen lived here, but it wasn’t particularly hidden.
If they could manage the desert monsters and the heat, it was definitely reachable, and above all, there were monsters around level 70-80 swarming nearby.
Just one scorpion could match the strength of a knight from a minor kingdom.
It didn’t make sense that the residents, who probably couldn’t even catch an orc, had maintained their lineage for centuries.
“…It certainly is suspicious.”
Pssssss…
The desert sand gathered in the Pharaoh’s hand.
Swirling like it was welcoming its master, the sand floated in the air and soon darted angrily towards the village.
The sandstorm ruthlessly attacked the village…
Bang!
─!
──!
…only to flow harmlessly through the air.
“There’s something in the village.”
“It seems to be a shield. It looks like some kind of spell.”
An intangible dome is protecting the entire village.
I’ve never heard of such a thing.
I move closer to the village.
The village is still buzzing, emitting the intangible shield.
I wonder why I didn’t know about this.
With the view of me and the Pharaoh, there’s no way we couldn’t have seen it.
“Who are you?”
As I approach the village entrance, someone comes forward.
A man completely covered in white cloth, except for his face.
He looks at us with a gaze full of vigilance.
Given the atmosphere and the people standing behind him, he must be the chief.
“Who are you to visit this place?”
“I’ve come to deliver good news.”
“?”
■
The man known as Chief Ans suddenly rushed out while managing camels peacefully, taken aback by unexpected news.
The artifact that had protected the tribe for a long time sent out an attack signal.
Since ancient times, they’ve faced numerous monster attacks and external incursions, but they could withstand them all thanks to the artifact’s power.
The village’s artifact was truly remarkable.
Of course, aside from its strength, the desert where the tribe is located is just a wasteland.
People from the continent, overflowing with fertile land, didn’t bother to pay attention to the desert, and the tribe had nothing special to offer.
Once, a huge group called the ‘Empire’ visited this place, but after checking the artifact a few times, they simply vanished.
“Hmm.”
“…….”
But who exactly are these people?
“The tribe’s name is Tebai… it seems to share a name with the desert. It must have originated from the tribe’s name, right?”
“That seems likely. They say there were exchanges with the outside world in the past.”
“…….”
Two beings gaze at Chief Ans.
One is a statue that looks like it belongs to ancient ruins.
The golden mask radiates an overwhelming presence, and the golden eyes gleam from within the mask.
Even under the protection of the artifact, an inexplicable sense of awe naturally makes my head bow.
I hate to admit it, but it seems to be something on par with the village’s ‘artifact.’
‘As for the other side…’
“Chief Ans?”
“Yes, yes!”
“Are you okay?”
An angel.
Truly, the very embodiment of an angel.
With long blue hair cascading down to the waist and sparkling blue eyes like the light of an oasis.
Her beautiful appearance captivated everyone in the tribe, and her white clothing resembled their attire yet was on a different level.
“As shown, all rights of the tribe will be guaranteed. If you wish, relocation to the principality is possible. And of course, we’ll give you citizenship.”
“If you want, you can move to the principality. Of course, we’ll grant you citizenship.”
“……”
“Of course, you can continue living in the tribe. I promise that if you, including the chief, wish, we won’t touch anything in the tribe’s territory. If you want development, we will help.”
“Angel…?”
“No.”
The expression of the woman named Lily, who is not actually an angel, hardens considerably.
…Isn’t it usually that angels are fond of this?
Feeling a chill for no reason, Ans cleared his throat and picked up a paper filled with many notes.
“…So, you’re saying you want to develop the desert, but since our tribe is in the middle, you would like to recruit us into your kingdom. Is that correct?”
“Exactly.”
“…Why? This place has nothing.”
This place is a wasteland.
I’ve never even heard of resources being down below; it’s just a barren land teeming with monsters, making it hard to live.
If there were something we didn’t know about, they could have simply gotten what they wanted while leaving the tribe alone.
‘If they were greedier, they would have taken the tribe by force.’
But they didn’t do that.
“Actually, that’s precisely why.”
“?”
“There’s someone here who likes such wastelands. We need the wasteland.”
“Um, um.”
“……”
…I can’t figure out what they’re thinking at all.
Ans let out a sigh.
Whatever happens, there’s little that Ans can do.
The power of the relic is great, but it doesn’t attack or drive away anyone unless they’re hostile.
Even if I wanted to drive them away separately from the relic, they aren’t familiar with fighting.
Though there have been multiple histories of battles in the past, during the time when Ans was chief, they merely watched from within the shield without fighting.
Bringing them into the tribe was all a matter of trusting the relic.
“…In fact, it’s not like there’s absolutely nothing.”
Originally, he planned not to say anything, but since he was about to join them, he might as well share.
“?”
“Long ago, the chief. No, my father once told me.”
There is something in this land.
Specifically, beneath the desert.
“He said there is a gigantic ancient ruin.”
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
