[Fanfiction] Volume 14: The City-State Alliance

I know this has been a long time, sorry for the delay for those who followed the story. I will try my best to make the wait worth it by paying back with high-quality content, and there are three more issues ready if I can't manage the high-quality. What I can promise is that things will get truly better in Chapter 3, where the real story begins.


A big thank you to nobetteridea who took a lot of his time to proofread this chapter, and make it better for all of us.

Chapter 2 — Decision

Part 3

The wind blew through the forest as the fir trees sung their peaceful song. From just the slight disturbance, water droplets fell through the faint glow of the sun as the smell of rain filled the air. It was a calm and soothing scene — asking only for one thing: to remain peaceful and undisturbed by the rest of the world. If the dense vegetation stayed untouched for a hundred years, it would surely be for the best.

Yet — disturbing the sacred scene, a boar-like mammal silently crawled through the vegetation in his search for food. It was an odd species, with a double pair of tusks, pronounced canine teeth and a giant fur-beard that decorated his face. Ironically, people called it a 'moose-boar' due to its resemblance to both moose and boar, which wasn't a usurped name. Standing proud, this one was at least the size of a horse, making for an impressive beast with its hoofs imprinting the ground at every step. Sniffing the ferns, it was on alert for the slightest sound that could perturb the calm of the woods.

Oh — it was afraid. Frightened by what lived in the ever so quiet place.

If the woods had remained untouched for so long, it was for a good reason. Calling it coincidence was just a sad excuse when, in fact, it had a more profound, darker logic behind it.

The moose-boar was very well aware of this 'dark side'.

Every step of his was carefully measured to make as little noise as possible, and his nose was vigorously sniffing for the slightest scent. His senses were on full alert and his body ready to run at full speed, should the danger appear. All of this, just for having access to this luxuriant part of the forest.

And, this, would be the last decision the animal would ever make.

Out of nowhere, a bug-like creature jumped from a tree, dropped onto the boar and clung to its back like a spider. Its hook-like legs made it impossible for animals to get rid of it, and anyone who had already encountered them knew they meant certain death. Only one eye, a body of the size of a crow, and a humongous sting hidden by a black shell — this species of beetles was the sole reason for the quietness of the whole forest. The moose-boar realized it too, resulting in high-pitched, piercing cries as he desperately tried to get rid of it. But the black insect still clung to its prey despite the rodeo performed by the animal, and he casually showed off his dart.

A single fulgurant pain silenced the beast.

The strength was leaving him instantaneously as the poison spread to its heart in the blink of an eye. The moose-boar only made one step after being stung, then he directly collapsed on the ground, a muffled sound propagating through the forest. He died on the spur of the moment... With his fall, a swarm of the black insects revealed themselves and clung to the dead boar like raptors whose preys had been served.

— They were eating it.

Their stings were planted in the boar and pumping some substance from it — illumining the inner vessel with a radiant blue light. Born from the magic, a single one of their stings could kill a troll within a minute. The magical poison directly attacked the brain and provoked hallucinations to the one stung — causing the victims to live a made-up fantasy for the last seconds of their life. With the natural camouflage given by their black shell, those beetles hid in the trees in waiting for prey and attacked any passing animal that would cross their way. With this method, they would produce thousands of lifeless corpses and then drain the mana that remained in them.

That is why this place looked so natural — and why the humans avoided the woods.

Knowing the danger of only one of the black creatures, the City-State Alliance had prohibited entering the woods and barely even sent patrols to check the wildlife. As creatures who had a higher mana pool than the common animals living here, a citizen would definitely make a delicious feast for the evil little bugs. The prohibited access was meant to avoid these unnecessary victims.

*crack*

The black insects feasting on the dead moose-boar suddenly panicked. As aggressive and dangerous as they could be, they still knew fear. Their affinity towards magic permitted them to feel what approached and they knew it was far too much for them to take on. Even high-tier magic creatures like themselves followed the law of the jungle. When they killed an animal, they would feast on its corpse as fast as possible, consuming as much mana as they could and fled at the approach of a potent enemy like this one. Their best option for survival, in this case, was to hide in the closest trees and wait for it to pass — whether their prey was stolen or not.

"grumble* The 'edge of the woods' is not enough to find anything, you assholes… Just crossing it would take me a day. I could search for another hour and never discover their bloody hideout — goddamnit."

Standing there with her hands on her hips — it was Halona. Her rant went on for quite some time as she kicked a stone here and there. It wasn't that the woods frightened her, but that her frustration was growing more and more as she wandered around without making any kind of progress. She was aware of the black insects hiding in the nearest trees thanks to her godlike perception skill that she acquired through years of training — but when it came to tracking an enemy, the Miracle Knight was the embodiment of incompetence.

Nonetheless, that did not lessen her determination to find her own prey — the bandits.

She took another step, a dead branch cracking under her weight, and — as if something had gone wrong — stopped abruptly.

The woods, supposedly so calm, were carrying unusual sounds to her ears — sounds of clashing metal if she was not mistaken. Her expression changed to a smile of excitement and she began rubbing her hands together.

Who could make sounds of clashing metals ? Humans for sure —

Without a second thought, she ran head first toward the noise with an overwhelming emotion of anticipation replacing her frustration — she had finally found what she was looking for.

— However, the scene she came upon was confusing.

A lizardman intimidating a group of three beaten up men lying on the ground — one figure hiding in his shadow. From one glance you could tell what had happened — they had had an argument, that had turned into a fight, which the lizardman had won. The blood from their small bout could be seen on the soil, and there was no doubt that they had fought each other just a minute ago, because, of the three bandits, only one was still conscious.

**Wh—Who the hell are you ?! Y—You monster !**

**Stay quiet and answer my questions.**

One would usually wonder what must have happened to push them to fight each other, but for Halona, there was only one real question :

"W—What are you doing here, Sabaoth ?"

The hand of the lizardman came to an abrupt halt as he was about to grab the bandit's collar. Halona's sudden appearance made the disinterested look on the lizardman's face rapidly change to an expression of slight astonishment — which was rare to see on this one's face.

"Halona."

His hope growing, the beaten up man decided to try his luck with the woman that had appeared out of thin air.

"Y—You ! Help me, plea— *ouch*"

"Shut up. I did not allow you to talk yet."

The ruckus caused a dwarf to pop out from behind the warrior and turn his head to the newcomer— becoming just as surprised as his comrade.

"Noo— incredible… It really is her !"

Soon, everything went quiet. The three of them were staring at each other — immobile. No one was moving a muscle.

Was it a happy reunion, or would they jump at each other throats ?

There was no way to tell.

The one thing you could be sure of was that their encounter had profound implications — it was almost as if they were communicating with each other by staying mute. Even though they kept perfect deadpan expressions, you could nonetheless tell that they understood each other in this one moment.

Wanting to end the awkward silence, the dwarf coughed.

The lizardman closed his eyes and opened them again with his expression changing to sorrow. Following the gesture, he went to grab something from his pocket and tossed a metallic object to Halona who caught it with a smooth gesture.

It was an Adamantite plaque.

Her plaque.

She held it with both hands and looked at it for a second. Her pale face was reflected back at her by the blue surface of the metal, and for some reasons, just the look of it made her sad. She knew the meaning behind the gesture, and couldn't help but to finally break the silence.

"It didn't work out, did it ?…"

The lizardman turned his eyes to the cloudy sky, keeping a straight and rigid posture.

"We all agreed even knowing the consequences. It won't change what happened. But it doesn't mean you have to be alone — come back with us."

From the look of it, Halona looked like she was about to cry any second. She was looking at the ground with an expression of defeat, and her arms struggling to hold her own Adamantite Plaque.

"Guys, I'm sorry… I'm so sorry. I let them kill Mirkah right in front of me without even trying to defend him It was pathetic — I didn't do anything apart from getting my ass kicked… There is no way I can ask you to follow me after that."

The lizardman sighed. With firm determination, he took a step forward and slapped Halona's head with his left hand as if he had planned to do that all along. She looked back at him with a look of surprise and confusion on her face, as though she had been grievously wounded.

"I don't care about that. We didn't come so you could whine — we came for you. I won't just leave because you think you are unworthy of us."

Halona broke down into tears.

"*buhhuuuhhu* B—But…. We will never see Mirkah again because of me ! *sniff* I—I failed you all. How could I stay with you after that ?"

The lizardman immediately karate-chopped her on the head a second time — tear-filled eyes looking back at him.

"We don't have the time to lose ourselves in meaningless debates. We need you to make a decision, Halona. You must move on. As our leader, it is your duty — you must have the strength to surpass this trial."

Seeing that the situation was taking a turn, the dwarf took a step forward with his hand raised up — as if to stop his friend from quarreling any longer.

"Oyy— calm down, calm down… That's a bit exaggerated to force her as we just—"

The sound of a tail striking the floor cut off the dwarf's word like a sharp knife. The lizardman was very clear on his intent, and he wouldn't let his friend interrupt him.

"Are you embarking on it, Halona ? The path of revenge ?"

Halona looked back at the proud warrior with a dumb face. Her sobs had stopped, and she was staring blankly into his eyes like a child whose sadness was challenged. The bloodsoaked history of the lizardman was flashing through her mind — a clash of the past, and her future.

Revenge ?

Yes… She was thinking about it. But from the mouth of her friend, the word crumbled down to ashes.

The lizardman who had sought vengeance against a whole country — and the same warrior that she had managed to befriend — he who had only the word revenge in his mind for so long, was asking her if she would make the same mistake as himself. That alone made her reflect on herself, and what would happen if she went down that path. She knew the answer… Halona had given the same speech to Sabaoth in the past.

"T—This is a bad idea... You, more than anyone, know it — so why would you ask ?"

The lizardman tightly crossed his arms as he looked down on the terrified bandit at his feet with a menacing glance. He answered with his voice carrying a hint of anger and determination.

"Because I know how it feels — to have so much hatred within your heart. That's why I won't stop you if you go for it, but I want you to know that no matter the decision, we will follow you."

Halona stopped to think about her friend's word.

My decision ? It's obvious.

"I just want to get back together with you guys and explore new lands like we used to. That didn't change from before."

Getting to the point, the lizardman replied with a tone that showed neither shock nor sadness.

"Are you saying you would leave the City-States ?"

"...W—Well. It was a great time, I met fantastic friends and really enjoyed it. But now, I feel like my every step is a crime. If I were to make a decision: it is that I just don't care anymore — I'm sick of trying to please the shitty lords of this country who care for nothing, but the advancement of their own goals. I want to be an adventurer once more, and do what the hell I want. That is all."

The strict expression her friend had show up to now turned into a smile, showing his sharpened teeth to his surroundings.

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear ! Of course I will come along, and I think everyone else will agree with me !"

Halona watched her friend with a shocked expression. She had thought he would hit her a third time, and she had even prepared herself to receive a harsh scolding — but the reaction was quite the opposite instead.

"Uhhh ?! You're still coming, even though I want to leave everything behind !?"

This time, it was the dwarf who confirmed her guess. He seemed proud of his choice, like the lizardman before him, and didn't hesitate to seek with a firm tone.

"Who do you think we are ? You are our leader, and we have absolute faith in you, Halona. Just tell us where you want to go, and we will follow you."

A surge of emotion ran through her body as she looked at her friend with thankful eyes. Yes— that was what she wanted to hear. That she wasn't wrong and could count on her friends anytime, that she could live the way she wanted.

Reassured, that her thoughts weren't as selfish as she thought, Halona's gleaming eyes spoke in her place as she uttered the next words.

"I want to go to the Sorcerer Kingdom, then ! It excites and frightens me at the same time — I can't think of a better place. Imagine what we can find there ! All the things we could discover !"

The lizardman laughed as if he had anticipated the answer.

"Ah ha ah ! I would have bet my life on your answer. Then so be it, I will gladly travel to the country that managed to get the better of you. And if we have to die here, then so be it."

Next to them, the dwarf was holding his head in distress, with his eyes wide open. Just after he had told her to choose any destination she wanted — Halona had picked the worst one possible— and he already regretted his decision.

"Wow—ow—ow ! Are you joking ?! It's an undead country we're talking about — the one that killed our friend, turned us into their enemy and created all these crazy monsters. The world is not that easy, Halona. We would need a lot of luck to even see the shadow of its border !"

"Luck ? If it's that's all we need, we're good. Brokk, aren't we following the one named Miracle Knight ?" retorted the lizardman.

At the mention of Halona's true nature, the bandit on the ground became agitated — as he was starting to understand who his opponents were. He has had concern for his safety all along, but the last sentence proved his worries.

The lizardman could be none other than Sabaoth from Thunderbird — a fearful warrior whose hatred of humans was legendary. As for the other, he was also part of the same adamantite group — a famous dwarf, whose ingenious mind served many causes throughout the City-States. He, himself, was using one of his inventions to survive in the dangerous forest. His sight stopped on Brokk who had stopped complaining. It seemed like the dwarf had managed to understand the subtle hint hidden in the sentence with a defeated face — while Halona laughed.

"That's madness… You're completely crazy. Do we at least have backup ? Something to guarantee our protection ? You two might be monsters, Lyashi and I will get annihilated by the first encounter. Teamwork isn't everything, you know..."

Halona stopped laughing and brought a finger to her mouth — looking up in thought.

"Mhh— actually I may have something ."

Brokk looked back at Halona with a surprised expression — as if it was impossible for those words to have come from his friend's mouth.

"I was going to meet a guy who's faced the Sorcerer Kingdom. 'Momo' or something like that. At first, I wanted to see him out of curiosity — but you can come to convince him to get a safe way in."

"You mean Momon from Darkness ?! In—Incredible ! To think you'd plan out something of the sort — what did they do to you on the battlefield ? A—Are you sure you're alright ?"

"Hey ! Quit making fun of me ! It's a friend of Lyashi who had this idea."

Brokk exchanged a glance with his friend — and looked back at Halona.

"Sorry, I was just teasing you... By the way, what were you doing in the woods ? Don't tell me these stupid bandits caught you !"

Halona puffed her cheeks.

"Humphh ! It's not like those toddlers could harm me ! They insulted me and destroyed my friend's house. The truth is that I came to beat the fuck out of them — and got lost…"

Sabaoth grinned as he understood the situation. He was most pleased with Halona's plan, and started stretching his arms to prepare himself.

"I see. I will be glad to help you defeat those weaklings, it will be a perfect warm-up."

The bandit on the ground panicked, knowing that he was going to be their next center of attention. He tried to find the best words to get out of this tricky situation, but nothing useful left his lips.

"Y—You're the survivor that the Quintus brought to his house ! P—Please spare me ! I was against the idea of tormenting you, I promise. No one knew you were the Miracle Knight."

Disturbed in his stretching, Sabaoth looked down at the man with a disgusted look. He had already thought of a way to use the guy and smiled internally as he teased him.

"You want to redeem yourself, little ape ? To me, you only have one purpose now. Welcome to your new job: a decoy."