Looks like it seems our scheme has been noticed.
On the surface, Yuyoung is maintaining her smile. But that’s just a mask to avoid showing weaknesses to her opponent. In reality, she’s in deep trouble.
The power to see the future is not invincible. If the future she saw was absolute, the Beastmen would have kicked the Elves out and taken the forest ages ago.
To seize the desired future, a similar level of effort is required. And if a stronger force comes pushing in, the future will change. Like the Elf right in front of her.
It seems that the position of Guardian of the Forest wasn’t won through gambling. She quickly subdued five warriors. It wasn’t flashy, but it was practical swordsmanship honed by experience.
No matter how brave the warriors of the Tiger Clan are, the difference in caliber is just too huge. That Elf is indeed a nuisance. She knows my power and how to remain undetected.
‘With that woman around, the commander must surely be aware as well.’
Did I underestimate a mere human? After all, this human has become the commander of the Royal Knights, even if rotten. I should have prepared more thoroughly instead of looking down on her.
Once again, I rushed in like back then. A sweet future was right before my eyes. I’ve been too greedy again. Just like 200 years ago. Yuyoung decided to rethink her strategy.
It’s not a failure yet. If I can get past that woman, I can somehow manage things. And I didn’t come here empty-handed. Yuyoung opened the fan she had been holding.
“I don’t like barbaric methods, but you have to do things you don’t want to do in life.”
Swish! The fan sliced through the air gently, creating a breeze. The artificially generated wind quickly spiraled and grew in size. Cluna responded instantly.
She drew the bow slung on her back and shot an arrow. The arrow, scattering green light as it flew, pierced through the whirlwind and embedded itself right in front of Yuyoung. Cluna coldly spoke.
“You even brought one of the National Treasures of the Beastmen, the Banana Leaf Fan. Are you planning to start a war again?”
“Of course not. In this scary world, I should at least have a way to protect myself, right?”
“You sure talk smoothly.”
The Banana Leaf Fan. It’s said to be one of the twelve National Treasures handed out to the first chiefs of the Twelve Tribes. It is rumored to possess the power to manipulate the winds at will.
To bring such a powerful and usable item as an envoy? No matter how I think about it, there must be some other plan behind this.
Yet, I couldn’t be certain. It’s a fact that with the Royal Knights crumbling, the activity of the monsters has become rampant. If we cling to that point, we wouldn’t have much to say either.
For the first time, Cluna frowned and put away her bow. The wind created by the Banana Leaf Fan protects the warriors like armor. In that state, conventional arrows wouldn’t be effective.
“It’s basic strategy to thin out the enemy’s numbers, you know?”
Even though Cluna has a lot of experience, having her main weapon of bow and arrows sealed is a considerable blow. Furthermore, the Beastmen warriors were fortified by the Banana Leaf Fan.
As Yuyoung said, the momentum began to shift bit by bit. While Cluna tried to suppress without killing, the Beastmen warriors were swinging their weapons with the intent to kill.
Of course, there was bound to be a difference. Furthermore, the opponents were not just any random fighters—they were warriors of the Tiger Clan, the best combat tribe among the Twelve Tribes. Slowly but surely, Cluna was being pushed back.
Looks like nothing’s changed after all.
Seeing the tides beginning to shift, Yuyoung thought. It was the same as before. 200 years ago, when the Beastmen and the Elves clashed. The Guardians of the Forest jumped into the battlefield.
Back then, Yuyoung, who misjudged the enemy’s strength, ended up leading the Beastmen to a defeat by the Elves. She believed too strongly in the future she saw. However, there were very few casualties.
The reason was that Cluna and the Guardians of the Forest tried their best to suppress the enemies without killing them. In that process, Yuyoung realized Cluna doesn’t use lethal attacks.
Was that a promise with the first hero?
Or was it something else?
I don’t know. But based on what I’ve researched during these 200 years, Cluna didn’t use lethal attacks on humans, the inhabitants of the continent. And that was the right answer.
Of course, if she had used lethal attacks, she would have approached things differently. But for now, this level of suppression should be enough. As Yuyoung reached the moment to lower the Banana Leaf Fan…
Whoosh! Suddenly, a massive wind swept everything around. And it wasn’t the wind created by Yuyoung. It felt as if a gigantic something was flapping its wings from above the sky…
And then, she saw it.
A gigantic being appeared before her.
Clad in armor as tough as a fortress, its wings were so massive that they covered the clouds. And as its heavy body touched the ground, the shock made it tremble violently.
The Beastmen have instincts closer to beasts. What does that mean? It means they can instinctively sense a more powerful predator. At that moment, Yuyoung’s smile vanished.
The being before her looked down arrogantly with golden eyes. It was the supreme race known as the Dragons, also referred to as the Race of Benevolence.
“Yuren? What brings you here?”
[The commander sent me. He said it would be good to come and welcome you.]
“Just as I thought, it’s you, Commander.”
Cluna nodded. The Dragons are the nemeses to not just any race, but especially to the Beastmen. In reality, the Beastmen were now cowering in fear, tails tucked, trembling.
“What in the world is going on…?!”
Yuyoung had no choice but to be bewildered. Because in the future she saw, there was no Yuren. If the Dragon Yuren had been around, she would have never acted this way.
But right now, this moment.
The future has changed.
As if someone had covered it all with a veil.
Soon, Yuren looked down at the Beastmen and said,
[Cease the fighting, children.]
The reason Dragons are called the Race of Benevolence is because of their overwhelming strength that comes with a sense of ease. However, if you provoke a Dragon’s mood…
Well, then you can’t predict what happens next.
Of course, Yuyoung’s answer was predetermined.
‘I’m curious about the face of that commander.’
Who on earth could lay the groundwork for such a situation?
*
Now that I think about it, is this a bit lacking?
I was pondering with my arms crossed in the office. No matter how pressed for time I am, as the representative of the Twelve Tribes, it feels a bit much to send just one envoy.
Should I go myself right now? I can’t say I haven’t thought about it. But Cluna stopped me. If the leader moves recklessly, the weight of the organization wavers.
That’s not an incorrect statement. While it’s true the Royal Knights are in a bad situation, we should avoid devaluing our worth. Besides, this isn’t something we get for free.
After all, it’s through negotiation that we get something. But if I, the current commander, rush out first? It would only advertise our desperation to the opposition.
“If only we had one more person, it would be perfect.”
Boom!
“What, what was that?!”
But my contemplation didn’t last long. Suddenly, a loud noise echoed through the courtyard. Wondering what was going on, I peeked out the window and saw her.
Commander Yuren. She now took on the form of the strongest race, the Dragon. Come to think of it, she did say she’d return right after the mission. Just a moment…
Could this actually turn out to be a good thing? Though retired, Yuren is a former commander. It wouldn’t be impossible for her to go as my substitute. This might work out well.
“Commander! I’m back. The request was quite simple.”
“Thanks for your hard work. Sorry, but could you go out again right away?”
“Another request?”
“No, we have guests to welcome.”
“Guests to welcome?”
Yuren tilted her head in confusion. To that Yuyoung succinctly explained what had transpired so far. Including the fact that Cluna herself had gone to welcome the Rat Clan’s delegation.
“I see, I understand what you mean.”
“Didn’t you see them on your way here?”
“I wanted to feel the sunshine after a long time, so I flew high above the clouds and didn’t get to see them.”
“Well, I guess that can’t be helped.”
“But finding them is no trouble. I’ll depart right away.”
Yuren stated that and exited. Moments later, a powerful gust swept through the courtyard. I glanced at the window. Despite such a tremendous wind, the window didn’t break.
I heard it’s made from special glass commissioned from the Duchy. It truly lives up to its reputation. Anyway, since Yuren has gone out with Cluna,
that should somewhat maintain our dignity with the delegation. And thinking that, I loosened my mouth. When the delegation arrives, I must talk my way into getting some support.
Besides, even if Yuren might not be so reliable, Cluna would surely excel in hospitality.
No need to worry about anything else, right?
