Novel Bin Chapter 133: Giant Colony (3)
Chapter 133: Giant Colony (3)
TL/Editor: Rungir
Schedule: none
Illustrations: none
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A day had passed since the royal family meeting, filled with groundbreaking discussions, came to an end.
"Here are the documents on the giant clans you mentioned last time."
Zion was in the library of the Deep Fortress Palace, reading the report Thierry had organized.
Although he was somewhat familiar with the episodes about the clans from the chronicles, he needed more accurate and detailed information to go there himself.
The giant clans were a place more advantageous for Utekan than for Zion himself.
Nevertheless, the reason Zion was determined to bring Utekan to the clans for hunting was clear.
'If it weren't for this, I wouldn't be able to lure Utekan out.'
Zion sensed that the demons' movements had become much more cautious, and their vigilance had significantly increased compared to before.
This was a natural outcome.
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After thwarting all their plans and even annihilating one of the Omareigns, King Hanosral, it was inevitable for them to be extremely cautious.
'That's why I had to create a situation they couldn't ignore, despite their vigilance.'
It all started when Zion made Utekan aware of his presence during the funeral of the previous emperor.
Since then, Zion strangled Utekan's secret forces, spreading information about the Color Tracking Formation to raise maximum awareness about him.
To ensure they could never just leave him be.
The final stroke was the appearance of the monster legion in the giant clans.
This led Zion to head for the clans, and Utekan, already filled with the thought of eliminating him, couldn't miss this golden opportunity.
'Thanks to that, things went even smoother.'
Before Zion could bring it up at the royal family meeting, Utekan had already mentioned the monster legion, making it more natural for Zion to head towards the clans.
Then,
"As the report states, the current giant clans are divided into two factions: pro-Utekan and anti-Utekan. To be precise, these two factions and a number of neutral clans that belong to neither side."
Thierry slowly began to speak, thinking Zion had read enough of the documents.
"There's ongoing conflict between the pro-Utekan and anti-Utekan factions, with the pro-Utekan side being the majority and larger in size, thus continuously overpowering the anti-Utekan side. The neutral ones are indifferent to whoever wins."
"Where is the core of the anti-Utekan faction?"
Zion, intrigued, asked this as he listened to Thierry's report.
If this is used well, it might be possible to uproot not only Utekan but also all related forces by escalating the situation.
"'Blue Claw' tribe. It's the third largest in the giant clans and a renowned tribe that has continued its lineage since before the empire was founded."
"This is getting interesting."
A slight smile appeared on Zion's lips upon hearing this.
The 'Blue Claw' tribe was also the tribe of Achilles, the hero who killed the former Giant King.
"Before we depart for the giant clans, bring me the exact location of 'Blue Claw', information on key figures, and the main battlefields."
"When do you plan to leave?"
"In two days. Why, does it seem difficult?"
"Not at all. We are the Eternal Shadows."
Thierry confidently smiled and responded to Zion's question.
"You're taking me with you, right, master?"
Liushina, who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly chimed in.
However, Zion shook his head.
"No, you have a different task this time."
Due to the recent monster legion incident, Liushina's strength had already been exposed.
Taking her would be helpful, but it would also increase Utekan's vigilance. Moreover, there was a task that needed to be addressed at this time, and Zion planned to entrust it to Liushina.
Her face fell, but Zion did not change his decision.
"I will only take Lucas and the Twilight Swordsmen to the clans."
The rest of the forces were already prepared there.
"Understood, Your Highness. I will proceed as instructed."
"One more thing. Leak that the Wollo Legion will be following me to the giant clans and actually inform the Wollo Legion remaining in the empire to come to the clans."
The Wollo Legion.
One of the Regal Armies received from Utekan during the funeral of the previous emperor, it was among the elite legions within the empire.
"Wouldn't that invite interference from the Fourth Prince? The Wollo Legion was under his command until recently, so they might listen to Utekan."
"I know. That's the point."
Zion smirked and replied to Thierry's concern.
The Wollo Legion was merely for show.
It served to quell suspicions and further reassure Utekan.
If Utekan interferes, it's highly likely the Wollo Legion won't act, which would only strengthen Utekan's conviction that he could kill Zion.
Zion hoped for Utekan to be fully immersed in perfect confidence and hope.
'The more he is, the easier it will be to hunt him.'
Moreover, when that confidence is shattered, the despair he falls into will be deep.
Zion's eyes began to slowly curve as he looked towards the Jaseong Palace, where Utekan was staying. And precisely two days later, in the morning, Zion quietly left the imperial palace with the Twilight Swordsmen.
---
"Prince Zion has departed."
Utekan's eyes sparkled upon receiving the report in the office located on the top floor of the Jaseong Palace.
"Who accompanied him?"
"Only the shadow group that recently joined under Prince Zion. The blood sorceress with red eyes, known as Liushina, did not go with him and seems to have been assigned a different task."
"Is that so?"
A deadly smirk played on Utekan's lips. Having decided to kill Zion once and for all, Utekan had lately been focusing all his attention on this matter, putting aside everything else. He had thoroughly grasped every piece of information about Zion.
'The Ascalon family, practically Zion's force, is still licking its wounds and can't move. And that woman with the red eyes who reportedly summoned a legion is not accompanying him, so no need to worry about her.'
It was as if Zion had set out to subdue the monster legion without his major forces.
This could have raised questions, but no such doubts could be seen in Utekan's eyes.
"To think he would attempt to move the Wollo Legion."
This was precisely because of the Wollo Legion's existence.
A few days ago, Utekan had obtained information that Zion intended to use the Wollo Legion for this monster legion subjugation.
It was a very good plan. Although Zion had been given command, the Wollo Legion still had a significant number of Utekan's forces within.
To Zion, they were nothing more than a burden, and he probably intended to use this opportunity to weaken their forces by clashing with the monster legion.
'But that won't happen.'
As soon as he received that information, Utekan immediately acted to delay the Wollo Legion's departure.
'With this, there's virtually no chance the Wollo Legion will arrive at the giant clans on time.'
Even if they did arrive, it would be after Utekan himself had already taken Zion Agnes's life.
'Just a few more steps.'
With just a few more steps, Utekan could completely cut off Zion Agnes's lifeline.
'Serkia advised to decide more carefully and then act...'
Recalling a recent conversation with her, Utekan shook his head.
Timing and opportunity.
Everything was aligning perfectly, and missing this chance meant not knowing when another would come.
"In two days, we will also depart for the giant clans. Ensure all preparations are completed by then."
A cold voice then flowed from Utekan's lips.
"Let's just say the reason is to sort out the ongoing conflict in the giant clans and to help my brother, Zion, subdue the monster legion."
"Understood. What size force do you plan to deploy?"
"I'll only bring my personal guard."
Deploying a legion-scale large force would cause too much delay, and the timing to attack Zion could be missed.
'After all, all the forces are already prepared on the giant clans' side.'
Utekan's maternal family, leading the 'Red Horn Tribe', the most influential in the giant clans, along with other clans loyal to him, had a combined force comparable to several of the empire's elite legions.
A power so immense, it could obliterate a large city the size of a small country in an instant.
Although there was a possibility Zion might join forces with his opposing giants, it didn't matter.
'No, it's even better. I can just erase them all in this opportunity.'
There was virtually no chance of an upset since our side's forces were overwhelmingly superior.
'Unless some force beyond even an elite legion suddenly pops up.'
Of course, that was impossible.
A twisted smile crept across Utekan's lips.
In his eyes, he could see the future of Zion Agnes writhing on the ground, begging for his life.
Thud! Thud!
"Ha, ha...!"
---
A rugged mountain path exists between the giant clans and the northern mountain range.
A giant was running madly along this treacherous path.
Rather than running, it was more fitting to say he was fleeing.
Behind this giant,
"Ha-ha-ha! Running away with your tail between your legs!"
"Aren't you ashamed to be the successor of the Blue Claw?"
"Showing your back to the enemy is a disgrace to any warrior!"
Dozens of giants were hot on his trail.
The pursuers incessantly hurled derogatory shouts and jeers, their faces filled with mockery.
The face of the fleeing giant grew darker and darker in response.
"Damn it!"
The giant's name was Captan.
He was the sole successor of the Blue Claw tribe, central to the anti-Utekan faction.
'How did it come to this...'
Immediately upon his return to the giant clans, Captan was put in charge of one of the frontlines formed due to the conflict with the pro-Utekan giants.
Despite being outnumbered, he achieved decent results through superior strategy and mercenary tactics, gradually gaining the upper hand.
However, a few hours ago, it all fell apart.
The sudden invasion of monsters, coupled with an unexpected concentrated offensive from the pro-Utekan giants during a period of calm, and the emergence of traitors within, resulted in near-total annihilation.
In the midst of chaos, Captan was the only one who had barely survived and was now fleeing, but the distance between him and his enemies was closing.
'What's happening elsewhere? What about my father? And our allied tribes?'
His mind was in turmoil.
Swoosh!
An arrow grazed Captan's cheek.
Since a short while ago, such arrows and spears had been grazing him all over, causing wounds that bled and gradually slowed him down.
This was a hunting method commonly used by the giants of the north when chasing beasts.
The giants pursuing him were rigorously applying this method, driving Captan into a corner.
They probably no longer considered Captan, who was showing his back and running away, a warrior anymore.
'If only I had been stronger...'
Deep regret and despair filled Captan's eyes.
If he had been strong enough to confront all the giants chasing him.
Or, if he had been strong enough to block even for a moment the large-scale attack that had occurred earlier.
Maybe he could have saved at least some of his fellow giants, who were like brothers to him.
'That human.'
Suddenly, a figure popped into Captan's mind.
The human man who had knocked him out with a single hit and left leisurely when Captan went to the capital of the empire to meet a monster a while ago.
Was it because he was the strongest and most impressive person he had met recently?
Even though he didn't know the man's identity and it had nothing to do with his current situation, Captan's mind kept picturing that man's face.
'If only I had been as strong as that human...'
Maybe he could have changed the current situation?
But Captan immediately shook his head, discarding such thoughts.
It was a completely meaningless thought for the moment.
"Ha, ha!"
Even as he gasped for breath and his vision blurred, being captured was just a matter of time.
'Then...'
Finally, having made up his mind, Captan stopped running and turned to face the giants chasing him.
"I am Captan of the Blue Claw tribe! I will no longer run or hide!"
With that, a loud shout burst from his mouth.
"Come at me! You bastards! To kill me, at least ten of you will have to sacrifice your necks!"
Captan knew.
He had no chance of defeating those giants.
No, it wasn't just about not being able to win; he was so exhausted that he couldn't even block a single strike from them.
But he preferred to face an honorable end fighting rather than die disgracefully while fleeing.
"Ha-ha-ha! So you haven't lost your pride to the end!"
Pleased with Captan's resolve, the giants, abandoning their bows for swords and axes, began to charge towards him.
The distance between them rapidly closed, and...
"Aaaargh!"
A roar erupted from Captan's mouth!
Then, the first giant to reach him swung his axe with a cruel smile.
'Father.'
It was the moment when despair peaked in Captan's eyes as he watched the axe aimed at his neck approach.
Zzzzzzsh!
From behind Captan, a black line slashed diagonally downwards, completely shattering the body of the giant swinging the axe, cutting through to the ground.
"Huh?"
Captan and the other giants' eyes filled with confusion at this sudden, unexpected event.
Then, their eyes began to recognize the identity of the black line stuck in the ground.
It was a spear.
A dark spear cloaked in ominous shadows.
As a chill ran down Captan's spine from the eerie sensation it emanated,
"Get down."
A low voice resounded in his ear.
A familiar voice he had heard somewhere before.
A voice imbued with an authoritative power that could not be defied.
The moment Captan unknowingly pressed his head to the ground,
---------------!
The alien darkness clinging to the spear exploded outward, engulfing all the giants in the vicinity.