Wolves of Hader

Chapter 81

Chief Aktun of Vargar tribe stood before the chief of the Targal tribe.

He looked undeniably brave and the very image of a warrior.

Chief Kwante of Targal tried hard to suppress his surprise, gazing only at Aktun.

As the fighting paused, Vargar warriors who had forced their way in entered the clearing one by one, axes raised. Behind me, the berserkers lined up.

This was a promise of the Tak tribe warriors.

If the chief faces off against another chief, the battle is suspended and everything must be entrusted to the victor.

"Woorah! woorah!"

Thud—thud—thud—

The Targal warriors began stomping and shouting their battle cries. The chants meant "Fight,"

"Kill,"

"Charge!" and "Victory!"

More and more warriors stomped and shouted "Woorah."

Refusing a one-on-one battle in this situation would be no different than admitting defeat.

In the end, chief Kwante of Targal picked up the axe from the ground. He was despicable, but not without skill.

As Kwante stepped to the center of the clearing, the two chiefs gripped their hatchets and began to circle each other slowly.

Then, suddenly—

With a shout, Kwante lunged and aimed for Aktun's side.

But Aktun casually brushed aside the assault, bringing his axe down on Kwante's shoulder.

Thunk—

Kwante barely blocked the falling axe with his left hand.

But immediately, Aktun's right foot smashed into Kwante's abdomen.

With a thud, Kwante was sent sprawling backward and rolled on the ground.

As he hastily got up and assumed his stance again, Aktun slowly approached.

Just as Kwante charged again—

Suddenly, there was a sound ripping through the air, and—thwack—something was caught in Aktun's left hand.

It was an arrow.

The moment Aktun caught the arrow, Kwante, already closing in, swung his axe at Aktun's head.

Aktun batted away the flying axe and then rammed his head into Kwante's face.

Immediately after, Aktun embedded his axe in Kwante's left shoulder.

Thud—schlik—

As the axe was pulled out, blood spurted from Kwante's shoulder.

Kwante staggered backward, and Aktun walked toward him slowly. But then another arrow flew in.

Ting—

Aktun struck aside the arrow and shouted.

"Emahs eht wonk!"

Kwante clenched his teeth, looked at Aktun, then looked at me. He clearly had no intention of dying here.

Just as I thought.

As he raised his left hand, archers appeared on the surrounding rooftops and all at once unleashed a volley of arrows.

Aktun dodged and deflected the arrows, but one struck his shoulder.

At the same time, Targal warriors charged at him en masse. Kwante quickly retreated.

For them, defeat meant the end, so the honor of a warrior meant nothing. In fact, it worked out well for us.

Aktun barreled through the Targal warriors closing in, using only his body.

We had known he was strong, but this was beyond imagination.

Six warriors fell at once, and he leapt right over the encirclement. Then he hurled his axe at the fleeing Kwante.

Whissssh whissssh—

Thud—

The axe embedded itself in the back of Kwante's head, and he tumbled lifelessly.

Immediately, Aktun shouted.

"Woorah! Vargar!"

With that cry, a chaotic melee broke out.

Aktun began felling the charging Targal warriors barehanded.

Astonishingly, his punches surged with the force of a storm.

Even though he was suppressing the power of "Vargar", it emerged on its own.

Each blow struck so hard that when one warrior went flying, several more were felled in succession.

Aktun had wanted to face Kwante in pure combat strength alone.

He believed the bloodline of the gods bestowed power not for personal glory.

He thought that was the only way to unite with the Targal warriors.

But now that Kwante had resorted to treachery, there was no turning back.

My team did not join the fight but gathered around me. Now, the rest was up to the Vargar warriors.

"Donnie!"

"Yes!"

"Did you rescue everyone?"

"Sixteen Dran and Elin! All rescued!"

"Then let's get out!"

Hans took the lead, clearing the way.

There were many warriors who rushed us, but they were no match for the improved berserkers.

There was nothing to stop us—whoever attacked, whoever happened to be fighting nearby, was cut down without mercy as we advanced.

But then, surprisingly, as the barricade collapsed, even warriors from the minority tribes rushed in.

And their target was not us, but the Targal warriors.

They unleashed their bottled-up resentment, beating and trampling the Targal warriors without restraint.

The archers who had fired arrows tumbled from the rooftops, and Chief Kwante was beheaded and dismembered by the axes of the minority tribe warriors.

We crossed the southeastern barricade without much resistance.

There was fighting beyond the barricade, but it was already over.

Those lying outside the barricade had tried to flee with Chief Kwante.

Many were climbing over the barricade, but since they weren't warriors, we let them go.

About thirty Vargar warriors turned toward me and saluted.

It seemed they had seen me fight in the mountains.

I returned the gesture and looked at the Dran and Elin tribes.

The Dran bowed silently in respect; the Elin women, heads lowered, shook with fear.

I asked the Dran:

"Is there anything precious you must take with you?"

"We have no need for anything tainted by their stink."

The others agreed.

And then, all eyes turned to me.

A Dran spoke again.

"Thank you."

The gratitude in that simple phrase ran deep.

As if no words could fully express it.

Looking back, I saw Aktun walking toward us.

Flames were rising behind him. From the inferno engulfing the Targal domain, the shouts of countless minority tribes could be heard.

Aktun stood before me, looking at me silently. His eyes held emotions beyond description.

He bowed formally.

I nodded in acknowledgment and extended my hand. Aktun took my outstretched hand without hesitation.

"We're leaving now."

At my words, Aktun replied. He was probably saying the Vargar tribe would take care of things from here.

After gripping each other's hands firmly, we let go and turned away.

The team promptly supported the Elin and started off. The Dran followed behind, and I walked along as well.

Aktun and his warriors watched us for a while. It seems the Tak tribe's farewell is to watch their guests until they are out of sight.

Now, the Vargar will unify the central region.

Seeing the minority tribes thrash the Targal warriors, I feel confident they'll manage.

To be honest, when I first crossed the eastern mountains, I had imagined mass slaughter.

I planned to suppress or drive out the Tak tribe by force if I had to.

But I ended up meeting the unexpected Vargar tribe. As the Dran said, perhaps this was the flow of fate.

If I am simply following fate's lead, where will this road ultimately take me?

/ / /

Our ship waited at the tip of the central peninsula.

Wundbark, Urald, and the Elin siblings had spent several days waiting after making landfall.

Urald and Wundbark welcomed us, but were surprised to see the Dran who had come with us.

"Aren't you from Rondline!"

"Wundbark?!"

"Akun, were you captured too?!"

"It's really good to see you."

Wundbark and two Dran embraced. The other Dran were not exactly close, but they too were familiar faces.

Urald and Wundbark turned their attention to the pitiful Elin women.

As if they needed no explanation, they clicked their tongues at the sight.

The Elin siblings, seemingly in shock, could only stare at their kin.

They themselves had lived as slaves in the south, but had never suffered as much as these women.

"These people should be brought to the ship."

"Yeah. Lok, help out too."

"Yes."

The Elin siblings supported the Elin women and headed for the landing craft.

Perhaps it was because they had met their own kind—the Elin women's tears flowed unstoppably, as though long-dead emotions had come alive again.

The Dran also walked toward the transport ship.

Urald and Wundbark watched them and spoke.

"You've all had a hard time."

"Is everything settled in the central region?"

"It will be. But when did you arrive?"

"Five days ago, actually. We landed while waiting for you and to gather some provisions. Is it safe here now?"

"I believe our friend will take good care of things."

"Friend? A friend among the Tak?"

"Yes. We'll see each other again when we return."

"That does make me curious."

Wundbark spoke up as well.

"I see the armor's paint is scratched—there must have been a battle. What in the world happened?"

"Exactly. We ran over in such a hurry. Who could have guessed what would happen?"

I answered with a grin.

"An old man once told me it was fate. I just charged ahead, so maybe he was right."

"Fate? Was there an elder in the village?"

"You'll meet him later."

"Haha, is that so."

/ / /

The ship set sail.

The Dran and Elin washed in warm water, ate a simple meal, and soon went to bed.

Urald, Wundbark, and I stood at the ship's bow, gazing at the ocean.

Since I'd rushed over the eastern mountains, none of us knew the exact schedule.

"We're going back to Ta-iki."

"Oh! I've wanted to see it again, that's great."

"What will you do with the Elin?"

"They'll receive healing on Ta-iki, and connect with the elementals."

"Will they stay with us?"

"They need to recover before they can decide. I'll let them choose. There isn't a proper place for them to settle, though."

The two Dran nodded.

All six Elin had suffered such physical and mental trauma, it was impossible to train them as mages just yet. Healing came first.

"Do we have a carrier pigeon on board?"

"We do. What message do you want to send?"

"I'd like to send some food to our friend. This time as a gift, but next time we'll trade for gold coins."

"Is this friend trustworthy?"

"Yes. He's reliable."

Wundbark said,

"The Tak warriors are brave and know no betrayal. But that only applies between themselves. They can be ruthless toward other races."

Wundbark knew the Tak tribe well, but had probably never spoken with them directly.

He must have left the continent with the Elin siblings right after the war.

"As with all people, there are both friends and enemies among their own kind. They're no different."

Urald and Wundbark nodded again.

And one more thing.

"He is a descendant of the hero Vargar."

"What did you say?"

Urald and Wundbark were both astonished. It made sense for Wundbark, who had lived in the south, but even Urald knew the name Vargar—that was surprising.

"Is that a name you know?"

"Of course. He was one of the seven great heroes in the ancient war—a great hero of the Tak. His bloodline still continues?"

"Yes. He's a good friend."

Urald and Wundbark could only stare at each other, speechless, stunned.

I'd never seen them like this before.

Did they know something, like Makshim did?

"Is something wrong?"

"We're just surprised that a great hero's descendant still exists. If people like that are your friends, there's nothing more to wish for."

"Urald is right. And if it's the Vargar tribe, not just some minor tribe, there's little risk of betrayal."

They seemed to be evading specifics. Not negative, just astonished to learn something unexpected.

Was it for the same reason Makshim was so reserved?

I'm not especially curious.

I suppose all will be revealed if I visit the Dran's main village in Beltern.

The Dran know something, and that's why they're all so reticent.

/ / /

In the distance, Ta-iki Island came into view.

The voyage took only eleven days.

There were no storms at all, and no pirates approached.

It was clear that the sea elemental guardian of Ta-iki had once tested us.

Even the former pirates among our crew thought it odd.

"I heard there'd be fierce storms, but not a thing happened."

"Yeah. The elemental must have accepted us."

Our group came to the bow to look at Ta-iki Island. Even the rescued Dran came out to enjoy the breeze.

"A pirate ship is coming!"

At Lok's shout, I looked to the west of the island.

A pirate ship was approaching us.

It was the same ship we'd met before.

Urald chuckled and said,

"Those guys need a taste of our cannons."

"Aren't you worried about the ship?"

I smiled at Wundbark's response.

"We'll take their ship, too."

"Sounds good."

"Hahahaha!"

The Dran laughed, and the former pirates among our crew laughed as well.

Only the new arrivals looked puzzled.