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 , 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 ant "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 aid 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 imdiately, Aktun's right foot smashed into Kwante's abdon.

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

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

Just as Kwante charged again—

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

It was an arrow.

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

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

Imdiately 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 . 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 sa ti, Targal warriors charged at him en masse. Kwante quickly retreated.

For them, defeat ant the end, so the honor of a warrior ant 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 encirclent. 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.

Imdiately, Aktun shouted.

"Woorah! Vargar!"

With that cry, a chaotic lee 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 erged 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 . 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 rcy 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 resentnt, beating and trampling the Targal warriors without restraint.

The archers who had fired arrows tumbled from the rooftops, and Chief Kwante was beheaded and dismbered 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 and saluted.

It seed they had seen fight in the mountains.

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

The Dran bowed silently in respect; the Elin won, 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 .

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.

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

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

He bowed formally.

I nodded in acknowledgnt 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 eting 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 ?

/ / /

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 welcod us, but were surprised to see the Dran who had co 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 won.

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 won.

"These people should be brought to the ship."

"Yeah. Lok, help out too."

"Yes."

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

Perhaps it was because they had t their own kind—the Elin won's tears flowed unstoppably, as though long-dead emotions had co alive again.

The Dran also walked toward the transport ship.

Urald and Wundbark watched them and spoke.

"You've all had a hard ti."

"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 so 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 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 it was fate. I just charged ahead, so maybe he was right."

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

"You'll et him later."

"Haha, is that so."

/ / /

The ship set sail.

The Dran and Elin washed in warm water, ate a simple al, 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 elentals."

"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 ntal trauma, it was impossible to train them as mages just yet. Healing ca first.

"Do we have a carrier pigeon on board?"

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

"I'd like to send so food to our friend. This ti as a gift, but next ti 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 na Vargar—that was surprising.

"Is that a na 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 sothing, like Makshim did?

"Is sothing 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 so minor tribe, there's little risk of betrayal."

They seed to be evading specifics. Not negative, just astonished to learn sothing unexpected.

Was it for the sa 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 sothing, and that's why they're all so reticent.

/ / /

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

The voyage took only eleven days.

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

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

Even the forr pirates among our crew thought it odd.

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

"Yeah. The elental must have accepted us."

Our group ca to the bow to look at Ta-iki Island. Even the rescued Dran ca 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 sa ship we'd t 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 forr pirates among our crew laughed as well.

Only the new arrivals looked puzzled.