Chapter 797
“Ugh, ack…!”
In a distant underground location from the ancient Oterium.
The place where the three fugitive members of the Red Legend Tribe, who escaped from Jin, teleported was the third city of the Red Legend Tribe known as “Patlok”.
The three individuals, who teleported to Patlok’s fortress, twisted their bodies and felt nauseous due to the aftermath of the teleportation.
The Red Legend Tribe’s “return technique” already exerted considerable pressure on the body, and now, in their weakened state, they were even vomiting blood.
“Is everyone alright?”
Shimat spoke calmly, regulating his breathing.
“Yes… compatriot Shimat. We are unharmed.”
“Damn it, Makiram and Manta right after awakening…!”
Andolin and Ozen responded in somber voices.
It was due to their two compatriots, Makiram and Manta, who acted as catalysts for the return technique.
They had no time to mourn for the sacrifice of their compatriots while facing Jin.
Using compatriots as catalysts for the return technique only happened in moments like this.
It was a rule of the Red Legend Tribe that the weakest would sacrifice themselves when they needed to avoid annihilation and there were no other suitable organisms to be catalysts.
However, among the five Red Legend Tribe members who awakened, excluding Shimat, they were all second-class Kings of Battle.
There was no difference in hierarchy, and it was difficult to determine their combat power, so Makiram and Manta simply acted first.
“Don’t cry, compatriot Ozen. Since that guy cut off compatriot Makiram’s arm, it was the best option. Compatriot Manta, who was right next to Jin, did the same. We just have to avenge our two compatriots from now on.”
Shimat spoke calmly, but he was barely suppressing his distress.
As the leader of the “Shimat Corps”, he felt a heavy burden on his chest for endangering his compatriots immediately after awakening.
Although they were only two in number, Makiram and Manta’s deaths represented 40% of the remaining forces.
“Since they became catalysts for the return technique, our two compatriots can’t even enjoy the honor of becoming immortal warriors.”
During their prime, the Red Legend Tribe used a unit called the “Immortal Army”, which turned the bodies of fallen warriors into weapons.
As Ozen said, since they couldn’t recover Makiram and Manta’s corpses, they couldn’t become part of the Immortal Army.
“…That’s also a problem, but I’m worried about the bracelets our two compatriots had. In particular, Jin Runcandel deliberately cut off compatriot Makiram’s arm. He was aiming for the bracelets. Even if our compatriots’ corpses are completely destroyed when they burn, the chances of the bracelets remaining intact are high.”
“Even if the bracelets are intact, there’s no way those insignificant human technological abilities can analyze them! Compatriot Andolin. Without a doubt, your power was remarkable, but we couldn’t find traces of any technology nearby. You couldn’t find portable subspace warehouses, let alone spaceships.”
“Compatriot Ozen, although there were no subspace warehouses, they didn’t have many belongings. And the land where we fought seemed like abandoned territory, so it must have been far from the city. It means they found Ameris by teleportation or a similar method.”
“E-then, compatriot Shimat, they might have the technological ability to analyze the bracelets…”
“It would be best to assume they do. Even our own technicians couldn’t analyze them quickly since they were created by acquiring the knowledge of the Sun God. Moreover, even if they finished analyzing and replicating the bracelets, using them is another problem.”
Using the bracelets required a sturdy physique capable of withstanding the Red Legend Tribe’s Light Heart and overload.
“Now we are in a completely different world from before we were sealed. We have to consider that anything can compete with us, including other mortals like humans.”
Shimat was a person with excellent judgment and potential.
He was both the “One Who Has No Clan” and the fastest individual in the Red Legend Tribe’s history to become a first-class King of Battle.
Ozen, who initially became enraged by Shimat’s attitude, gradually calmed down.
Andolin’s eyes, soaked in sadness, also regained their determination.
Both were thinking about the fortunate fact that Shimat was among the Red Legend Tribe members who weren’t sealed.
If he was there, and if the sealed Red Legend Tribe remained without complete annihilation…
It seemed entirely possible to witness a world dyed red once more.
Slowly, Shimat looked around.
The dark scenery of Patlok Fortress’s return chamber entered his field of vision.
However, despite being clearly abandoned for a long time, the return chamber didn’t feel worn out at all.
There were no cracks big or small in the stones that couldn’t withstand the passage of time, nor was there any dust accumulation.
If the flames were ignited, and the Red Legend Tribe returned here, it would be the same scene as before they were sealed.
“Fortunately, it seems the owner of Patlok Fortress, the Great King of Battle, compatriot Rakiman Hog, is still alive.”
The fact that the fortress was intact was possible because its owner was still alive.
The Red Legend Tribe’s fortresses were practically organic entities connected to their respective owners, the Great Kings of Battle.
“Oh, now that you mention it… the fortress is in perfect condition!”
“Let’s go to the Lord’s Chamber.”
While Shimat pressed the bracelet against a right-angled plate on the return chamber’s wall, a faint red light flickered, and the sound of an elevator operating was heard.
Descending in the elevator, they soon arrived at Patlok Fortress’s central hall.
And there, they could see their compatriots floating like crimson stars on the high ceiling.
There were more than a hundred compatriots, estimating roughly.
Most of them were ordinary warriors, but occasionally, they also saw second and third-class Kings of Battle.
Even Shimat couldn’t help but feel a momentary surge of emotion upon seeing it.
They were the compatriots who defended Patlok Fortress to the end before being sealed.
When they finally opened the door of the Lord’s Chamber, they saw the sealed Great King of Battle, Rakiman Hog.
“Compatriot Andolin.”
“Yes, compatriot Shimat.”
“From now on, we will unseal compatriot Rakiman. However, it will be difficult to awaken compatriot Rakiman’s Light Heart until we ourselves recover completely.”
“Then…”
“First, we need to create means for our own recovery. Start by checking if the teleportation devices that lead to the surface within the fortress are operational.”
“Yes!”
Andolin exited the Lord’s Chamber to check the teleportation devices.
“Fortunately, one out of five is operational!”
“Then, from now on, you two will begin activities on the surface. Go out and gather food while evaluating the current situation. Pay close attention to information about Jin Runcandel and his forces.”
“Understood, compatriot Shimat. Should we find the catalyst as needed when we go out?”
In response to Andolin’s question, Shimat nodded with a solemn expression.
“…If possible, that’s what we should do. But when you go out to the surface, make sure to bring the Light Hearts of the sealed compatriots with you.”
“Ah…”
Shimat judged that Andolin and Ozen, who were carrying out activities on the surface, needed a means of escape at any time.
Currently, the situation didn’t allow easily obtaining the “catalytic energy” needed for the return technique. To use a normal human as a catalyst, they needed at least a hundred individuals.
Not only humans, but any living being like dragons or demons could serve as catalysts.
However, the current Red Legend Tribe hadn’t recovered its full power.
It meant that grabbing anyone to use as a catalyst, like they did before being sealed, could lead to their death.
“It’s a difficult situation. But we have no other choice. The moment one of us dies, our Red Legend Tribe’s resurgence becomes more difficult. Let’s select the compatriots who will serve as catalysts based on their combat power.”
If there was any comfort for the three individuals, it was the fact that the compatriots who would become catalysts from now on could potentially become part of the Immortal Army in the future.
The greatest honor that the Red Legend Tribe warriors could enjoy was becoming an immortal warrior.
“When should we begin our activities?”
“Immediately, from now on. Return to the fortress once every ten days, and if there are any immediate matters to report, return immediately.”
“I will do my best to return without using our compatriots’ Light Hearts.”
Andolin and Ozen placed their hands on their chests and saluted Shimat.
It was like reporting the start of their mission to their superior, just like in the old days.
The two exited the central hall, carefully extracting the warriors’ Light Hearts while swallowing their tears.
Shimat stood in front of Rakiman, illuminating his heart with a crimson glow.
The faint red energy flowed towards Rakiman.
‘The Red Legend Tribe’s skies will resurface, and our Sun God will resurrect.’
Shimat tried to shake off his tormented heart with determination.
***
Meanwhile, Jin and his companions had returned to Tikan Palace with Ameris’s avatar.
Although they were worried about the Red Legend Tribe’s sudden appearance and the emergence of the Sun Worshippers in the current era, Ameris said that things had already happened, they just needed to solve it.
Ameris also showed rapid adaptability, integrating with the others.
For her, who had always been bound by destiny, this kind of life was like much-needed rain during a drought.
[Since I have lost so many memories, I had also forgotten about their seals. And the return technique… seeing it firsthand reminded me. The fact that the return technique worked perfectly means that their main fortress is still intact.]
“Intact, you say? Well, that’s impressive. After all, they are a race that belongs to the same race as our lord’s brothers… aren’t they incredibly powerful?”
[Indeed, Jet. This time, they couldn’t fight properly due to the aftermath of the seals, but Shimat would have had even greater combat power than Valkas. The others would be at least equivalent to Lata.]
“How many of them are there?”
[If only one fortress remains, it would be around a thousand. If there are other fortresses as well… it could be tens of thousands per fortress. As far as I know, there are a total of five fortresses: Jung, Hon, Kam, Hog and Tun. Each ruled by the Great Kings of Battle of each tribe.]
Jet continued to shiver with apprehension and rubbed his forehead.
Jin could feel the scale and combat power of the Red Legend Tribe, feeling the pressure.
[And above the Great Kings of Battle, there is the God of Battle. Whether he is alive or not is the most crucial factor. I can’t remember that person’s name… I only remember that the Red Legend Tribe’s God of Battle was also a member without a clan, just like Shimat.]
“Anyway, Shimat’s group is starting to unseal the Red Legend Tribe from now on.”
[Yes, Jin. They probably have already started. The seals I placed simply suppressed their Light Heart, so once they receive enough energy, the Light Heart can awaken again.]
Ameris couldn’t understand why she had sealed them in the first place.
However, it was easy to deduce that the Red Legend Tribe at that time was powerful enough to make it necessary.
[They will also need time. And they will surely begin activities on the surface. They will need to recover their strength through hunting. They also need to gather information about the surface.]
“Hunt, huh…”
[In my opinion, they won’t attack the Vamel Alliance for now. They have already suffered a major blow from you, so they will be cautious. So, what we can expect is that they will attack enemies like Zipple and recover their strength. And we should track their movements to discover their main fortress.]
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SYS (Novel)