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"Heh, that crazy hunk of meat had a good sense. Even though I was observing from up close, he recognized me right away."
Runcandel, Garden of Swords.
Yona described the appearance of the Great battle king Rakiman through gestures as she spoke. All the leaders of Runcandel, including Jin, were listening to her explanation.
"In just one day, no... within less than 30 minutes, they completely destroyed one of Kinzelo's main strongholds."
The leaders nodded in response to the Tona brothers' words.
The land of the beastmen was where Kinzelo's former headquarters was located. Although most of the main forces and executives were relocated to the current headquarters after the Battle of the Sword Emperor Castle, the destroyed stronghold was undoubtedly a vital position within Kinzelo.
Naturally, it housed Kinzelo's superior forces, and even at the time of the attack by the Red Plutonian tribe, Berakt and Badray were on standby.
However, they were wiped out by a single group of the Red Plutonian tribe. Only Berakt and Badray barely managed to escape.
"Not only did he recognize me, he even had the audacity to call me out and he told me something to report to you. I thought about killing him on the spot, but I restrained myself because I was getting tired."
"Oh, um, could you have killed the Great battle king, elder sister?"
"Hehe, you can ask without getting scared, Haytona. Although the youngest is the best, lately I've noticed that you guys are kind of cute too."
"Thank you, elder sister!"
"No need to thank me, you're just a little cute."
"Yes."
"Heh, I could have killed that meat if I wanted to. The red meat didn't look too good even at first glance. But there was something off. Even though he was clearly in a weaker state than me, I felt like if we fought, I would be seriously hurt."
[That might be because of the Great battle king's energy that Rakiman possesses, Yona.]
"Huh? The Great battle king's energy?"
[Yeah, since you have a keen sense, you subconsciously sensed the special ability that Rakiman possesses. The Great battle kings of the Red Plutonian tribe aren't just strengthened by their own abilities like the battle kings of the Blue Plutonian Tribe.]
According to Ameris, the Great battle kings of the Red Plutonian tribe were beings fused with the "Stronghold."
[The ranks of the Red Plutonian tribe consist of Ordinary Warriors, 2nd- and 1st-class Battle kings, Great battle kings, and Battle gods. Among the 1st -class battle kings, those who are strong enough to withstand the fusion are chosen as Great battle kings.]
"What abilities do the Great battle kings fused with the Red Plutonian tribe's Stronghold possess?"
[The abilities differ depending on the Stronghold, but the ability to summon and transform into the Stronghold is common among all Great battle kings. Summoning is the ability to summon the forces within the Stronghold, while transformation into the Stronghold is a combat-oriented transformation. It's just a transformation in name only, and it is a beast form. Perhaps the threat Yona felt was from the transformation. He might not have recovered enough to use summoning yet.]
"Heh, so the red meat turns into an even bigger meat, huh?"
"But even if he has such abilities, it's strange that Berakt couldn't even resist properly. He had faced the sister Linpa in the past and wasn't so consumed by fear. He showed his pride as a warrior."
[That might be due to the unique ability of Rakiman's Stronghold. From my memory, his power among the Great battle kings is ranked around 3rd or 4th, but even the Ordinary Warriors of the Blue Plutonian Tribe at that time couldn't regain their composure when facing Rakiman alone. They were the ones who wouldn't be daunted even when facing stronger Great battle kings.]
In other words, Rakiman possessed an ability that could instill even greater fear in other beastmen among the Great battle kings.
[The Red Plutonians called that unique ability of the Stronghold 'Beast Butcher'... Anyway, Berakt and Badray might have been more disheartened than back then. You would have to be at the level of Battle kings of the Blue Plutonian Tribe to completely overcome it. Berakt and Badray were able to fight because they were close to that level.]
"It seems like an ability specialized in slaughtering the weak. It's somewhat similar to me and Haytona, isn't it? Low level enemies would probably find us scarier than Jin."
[You're saying that again, 10th flagbearer. You should call him the young patriarch, not Jin. Is this a gathering of siblings hanging around, or is it the conference room of the Garden of Swords?]
"Oops. I'm sorry, Head butler! Such a foolish mistake."
[After the meeting, make sure to submit a formal letter of apology. It wouldn't have ended with just this if it were like the old days.]
Luet's remark heightened the tension on the faces of the leaders, excluding Jin. Even the carefree Valkas coughed and discreetly glanced around.
"Yes."
[Well, although the Ordinary Warriors of the Blue Plutonian tribe should never be seen as weak, there are some similarities to what Daytona said. In the first place, the Red Plutonian tribe itself gave off that impression in my time. Their average power was undoubtedly weaker than that of the Blue Plutonian tribe, but everyone feared the Red Plutonian tribe more. They were unimaginably cruel and savage. Even the Great battle kings couldn't be considered weaker than the Blue Plutonian tribe's counterparts.]
From Kinzelo's perspective, Rakiman, among the Great battle kings, waking up first was nothing short of a nightmare.
From now on, it was impossible for the beastmen alone to face Rakiman in any stronghold he chose. Without Rakiman personally going, and without Berakt and Badray, even the Ordinary Warriors would be unable to handle it.
[Although for now, as you expected, the Red Plutonian tribe has started hunting mainly in Kinzelo, it is a cause for concern. I never expected Rakiman Hog to be able to act this quickly. If there are other strongholds remaining, he will swiftly fill them with prey and awaken his comrades.]
There is no way the Red Plutonian tribe will only target the Kinzelo in the future.
They held the greatest grudge against Jin and Ameris. When their power was sufficiently restored, the Red Plutonian tribe would first target the Vamel Alliance.
"Considering that the Red Plutonian tribe will awaken other members faster than we expected, it would be wise to act. And going forward, the power of the demons hidden in Kinzelo will begin to reveal itself."
Jin spoke. No matter how many beastmen there were, they couldn't directly confront the Red Plutonian tribe, so the power of the demons would inevitably become apparent.
"However, according to Yona's information... Berakt and Badray were concerned about the growing power of the demon within Kinzelo. Moreover, despite the major stronghold being destroyed, Orgal and Zephyrin are not moving themselves."
"That's right. It's strange that those two aren't moving. Rakiman even mentioned the young patriarch's name to Berakt, so they should have immediately come to find out the situation, even if just to investigate."
Upon Mary's words, Jin smirked.
"I have a hunch that Kinzelo will soon come looking for us and request a deal. While we ponder over what we can gain from them, let's wait for them."
***
Kinzelo's New Headquarters.
When Joe came out of the treatment room, the executives who had been waiting stood up and looked at him.
"Joe, what happened?"
Bishkel asked, and Joe nodded his head.
"Sir Badray's arm cannot be restored, Vice leader. However, with my and Bubare's abilities, we should be able to attach a golem's arm."
"Unfortunate yet fortunate. What about Sir Berakt... Is he still in a state of shock?"
When asked about Berakt, Joe's expression darkened.
Joe had thought he would be pleased if something happened to Berakt. After all, it was Berakt who constantly belittled and mistreated him for no reason.
But for some reason, seeing Berakt being broken by those weird guys and unable to regain his composure, an unexpected sense of revenge filled Joe.
"Yes."
"Hmph, he calls himself Kinzelo's commander-in-chief, yet he is now wallowing in a sense of defeat. Once the leader awakens, I should request to transfer command to the demons. It was never acceptable for a lowly beast to boss around us demons."
"Silence, Braken Bachma. Prince Shagal is staying quiet, and you dare to speak so recklessly?"
Joe shouted, leaving the demon known as Braken bewildered.
"Hey, Joe. Weren't you the one who disliked Berakt?"
"Braken, no matter what anyone says, the commander-in-chief of Kinzelo, as decided by the leader, is Berakt. Right now, he is merely reminiscing about the fight after a long period of defeat. Soon, he will rise again and slaughter those bastards!"
"Anyway, I can't understand the human race. But regardless, I will propose it to the leader. How can we trust those who call themselves Red Tiger King or Great Warrior but don't live up to their names in battle?"
"Just shut up."
"Fine, I'm leaving. But you should also make sure to look good to the demons rather than Berakt in the future. I don't understand why you're always protecting Berakt while receiving insults and being ignored like a bug."
Joe glared at Braken's back with a sharp gaze.
The other executives who were watching exchanged glances, surprised by Joe's unexpected behavior.
"Wow, mister Joe! You were cool. Margiella was moved."
"Hmph... It was just difficult to see those demon scoundrels trying to outshine us."
"In my opinion, mister Berakt will use this defeat as an opportunity to overcome a wall. I can see it clearly, hehe."
"Oh, Ms. Margiella, do you really think so?"
The executives were aware that Margiella's "ability" had become stronger recently. She could see and feel things that others couldn't.
"Well, it's sad that an entire stronghold was destroyed... But if we consider it as the enlightenment for mister Berakt and mister Badray, it's not that bad. Still, it's a sorry excuse for the fallen comrades, so we should diligently perform our rituals from today."
"I will also analyze the techniques of those Red Plutonian tribe bastards and make Kinzelo even stronger!"
"Great, great! But before that, it seems like we need help to avoid our destruction!"
"...D-Destruction?"
"Yes, in my opinion, we are in a situation where we could be really doomed. We need the strength to hold on until the leader and the Great duke awaken. Of course, 'destruction' is limited to the beastmen forces... but if all the beastmen die, we won't be able to awaken Lord Javier later, right?"
"Are the demons currently on standby not enough?"
"It seems like it will be insufficient until the Chief of Phantom Demons and his army arrive. However, we don't know when the Chief of Phantom Demons will come, and the Red Plutonian tribe could attack us again at any moment."
Bishkel replied in place of Margiella, "Vice leader, what should we do?"
"We need strength as Margiella said. A support force with the mobility and power to respond whenever the Red Plutonian tribe appears."
"Who would be such a support force... Ah, could it be?"
In response to Joe's question, Bishkel sighed and answered, "The young patriarch of Runcandel. We will negotiate with him."
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