Chapter: 199
Despite everything going on, Asterios and I didn’t stop our journey.
We continued forward, sharing a chuckle at Asterios getting stuck in the swamp after trudging down the rugged mountain ranges and through dense jungles.
For Asterios, who had been trapped in a dark maze, everything seemed magical, and a smile graced his lips continuously.
“I never knew the world was this vast.”
“I think it was a good choice to leave the maze, don’t you?”
“Yeah. I really appreciate it, Tia.”
Asterios, with his large physique, wore a simple and innocent smile that made it seem like starlight was captured in his eyes.
Our children used to be just as sweet, back in the day… I find myself a bit nostalgic.
Well, let’s put those memories aside and keep moving forward.
“I didn’t realize the sky could look so close.”
“Yeah. The clouds are almost underfoot, it’s lower than Sagarmatha, though.”
Right now, we were standing on the highest mountain in the large mountain range located further east of the center of this continent — or rather, there are now two continents, so saying “world” feels a bit lacking.
We’ve crossed several mountains to get here, and this one was no small height.
Lower than Sagarmatha, but still pretty tall!
“It feels like the stars are right above my head. They’re so clear!”
“Yeah, the starlight is dazzling.”
With the new moon hiding away, the night sky sparkled brilliantly, filled with countless stars shining without the most luminous moon.
This sea of stars was even brighter than what I remembered from the night sky.
Though the constellations were different from that world, the starlight here was beautiful in its own way.
Hmm… But are this world and the other world completely different? Or does it feel more like different planets? Or could it be a changed Earth due to some different phenomenon?
Well, whatever the case, it doesn’t really matter. Sometimes I just find myself curious.
“What makes those stars shine?”
“Stars, you say?”
“Yeah. I wonder what’s beyond that light.”
Hmm. Explaining astronomical knowledge sounds tedious, but should I give a brief summary?
“Each one of those starlights is the light of another world.”
“The light of another world?”
“Exactly. Like this world. Like this planet. They are the light of different worlds. Some are worlds that shine on their own, while others reflect the light of other suns.”
“The light of another world…”
Is it possible that among those dazzling star lights… there’s even light from Earth?
I don’t know. I’d like to think so.
If there is… hmm, perhaps I’d like to visit once.
I’ve been somewhat soothing my longing by sneaking peeks at the internet from that side, but it’s lacking compared to actually visiting.
Besides, the flow of time seems to be quite different here and there. Hmm.
“Other worlds… do they really exist?”
“Yep. They absolutely do.”
I can’t deny that since I used to be a human from that other world.
Hmm. But if Earth is somewhere out there in the universe… could I reach it?
Although I don’t need to breathe, would I be able to withstand space… Hmm.
Somehow, I have a feeling I could. I haven’t tried it, though.
“Just thinking of a different world… My heart races just from revisiting this world; I can only imagine how incredible a different world must be!”
“It’d probably show a completely different appearance from this world.”
I smiled softly as I looked at Asterios, whose eyes shone with wonder.
It would have been nice if I could show him, but it’s a bit regrettable that I can’t.
If he enjoys this world’s scenery so much, seeing another world would surely delight him even more.
Hmm. Perhaps I should try creating a way to see or travel to another dimension.
Maybe someone else will do it too. If it’s another world, it seems like it’d have to be managed thoroughly.
With those thoughts in mind, I continued to chat with Asterios as we progressed.
I wonder if there’s a decent tiger around here?
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
There’s an old saying that children once feared things like the Tiger Spirit, which was considered the most dreadful catastrophe… Well, maybe that’s an old saying.
In any case, the term “Tiger Spirit” came about from countless tigers causing many woes in ancient Korea.
It means there were a plethora of tigers in Korea back then.
In this world, there existed geographical features somewhat similar to those of China or the Korean Peninsula, and the easternmost end of the world was just that.
In the eastern part of the world where I once met Yenra, it occurred to me that there might be a decent tiger, and that led me here.
Ah, and for reference, there’s no island like the Japanese archipelago. I don’t know why, but will it ever rise up someday? Or will another island drift here?
Anyway, as I headed toward the eastern edge of the world…
Crash!!!
With a thunderous noise, I caught sight of a massive tree falling from a distance.
Hmm. What’s going on? Is some powerful monster going on a rampage?
I glanced back at Asterios, who was quietly following behind, and he nodded slightly, curious about the situation.
Since we wanted to know what was happening… let’s fly over there.
I lightly gestured, and both Asterios and I lifted off the ground soaring into the sky.
When we arrived, we found…
“Huff!”
“Raaah!”
Two Beastmen were attacking each other, swinging their hands and feet.
Hmm. One seemed to be a Bear Beastman with round ears and a robust physique, while the other resembled a suspicious Tiger Beastman, closer to a tiger than a human, walking on two legs.
“Just give up already!!”
“Raaah!”
The Bear Beastman unleashed heavy-handed attacks, destroying the area around them, while the agile Tiger Beastman darted around, scratching with sharp claws.
Their skills seemed almost equal, and their fierce fight showed no signs of resolution, resulting in a landscape left in ruins.
“That’s…”
“Hmm. They seem to be enjoying the fight, but maybe it’s best we stop them for now.”
“Yes.”
I gently descended between them and deflected their attacks effortlessly.
With my left hand, I caught the fist of the Bear Beastman and clasped my right hand with the Tiger Beastman’s claw, forcing them to cease their battle.
“First, stop.”
Then, with a light flick of my wrist, I slammed both of them to the ground. Ah, this level of effort is truly effortless.
“Cough!”
“Grrrr…”
Alright. It seems I’ve subdued them quite simply.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but let’s stop fighting and talk instead.”
“Eek!”
“Grrr…”
The two formidable Beastmen suddenly found themselves gulping down air in panic at my sudden appearance.
“Why are two Beastmen fighting instead of having some mugwort and garlic back in the cave?”
“Hmm? Mugwort? Garlic?”
“There’s stuff like that.”
Asterios, who followed behind, asked in bewilderment, but I just brushed it away.
“Grrrr, you cowardly ambusher!!!”
“Ambusher!? Do you think I’m that cowardly? It’s your tribe’s people who prepared for this!!”
“No way!”
The two of them started to bicker amongst themselves, ignoring us behind them.
Hmm. Hmmm. Hmm.
Alright.
“I don’t know the context here, but how about you both stop fighting for now and sit down?”
As I pointed to the ground with my index finger, an invisible force pressed down, making both the Bear and Tiger Beastmen kneel.
“Urgh…”
“A monster…!”
“Who are you calling a monster? Tch.”
Said the suspiciously looking Tiger Beastman.
“I’m just a passing traveler. I heard a loud noise and came to see what was going on, and it seems you two have stirred up quite the ruckus.”
I spoke calmly while looking at the two sitting on the ground.
“Now, can we hear what’s been happening?”
Maybe realizing that I had no ill intent, the fear on the faces of the Bear and Tiger Beastmen began to dissipate a bit.
Well then, let’s see what kind of story led to this fierce battle… Shall we listen?
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
The tale of the Bear and Tiger Beastmen was quite straightforward.
The Bear Tribe had come down from the Northwest Snowfield, while the Tiger Tribe had lived here for ages.
Naturally, friction arose between the two tribes, and as the conflicts escalated into larger and smaller fights, the emotional chasm deepened.
Thinking that this could lead to war, and one tribe could be annihilated, the chieftains decided to shake hands.
That part was good. It was great, actually.
“But since our Bear Tribe is larger in number, we should integrate around us!”
“No way! Our Tiger Tribe has lived here from the beginning, and our individual power is greater!! We should be at the center!!”
Apparently, the argument was over which tribe should be at the center of the unification.
Though they apparently no longer engage in war like before, it’s a comfort of sorts… But still, conflict is conflict.
The two tribes decided to send representatives to duel and unify around the winning tribe.
“So, you two have been fighting as the chosen representatives?”
“Yes.”
The female Bear Beastman spoke politely while the Tiger Beastman nodded silently.
“However, you both are nearly evenly matched.”
The fierce struggle between them was so tight that it seemed it wouldn’t end even after decades of fighting.
“Yes. While the two tribes have been in conflict, we have fought often enough to know each other’s strengths and even their little habits.”
The female Tiger Beastman only nodded in agreement, not saying anything.
Hmm. If they know each other that well, wouldn’t that make it impossible to determine a winner?
“Then… are you going to keep fighting like this forever?”
“Indeed, we’ve been fighting for months now. But, there’s no one stronger than either of us. Plus, we can only face each other.”
“It’s getting a bit dull…”
Hmm. So this is a deadlock.
In that case… I wonder if it’s okay for an outsider to interfere in such a situation.
“In this scenario, would you consider competing in a slightly different manner?”
Shall we cautiously intervene?
You may also like Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy
