The Shadowed Legacy of the Soulless Messenger [EN]: Chapter 344

Griselda continued to dispatch her subordinates to retrieve Ashajite’s eye, which Azadin had taken from her. However, the situation remained stagnant because the vampires feared Aurelia Dunn. No vampire dared risk being incinerated by Aurelia Dunn’s flames. Even Griselda herself did not venture out directly, as she too was wary of Aurelia Dunn.

This situation also presented a challenge for Azadin. An enemy who is aware of their fear is far more difficult to handle than one who is recklessly brave. Azadin was forced to remain at the Sandokar Gate, constantly vigilant to prevent any sudden vampire incursions. He also had to dedicate his energy to managing the continuous influx of refugees and monsters pouring into the Sandokar Gate.

*********

Edir had once been a retainer of Butuma. However, on the day the Kingdom of Butuma fell, he was forced to flee to Banreung with his family to escape the brutal attacks of the Nagas and the Messenger Clan. He endured a life of hardship. Although he possessed martial arts skills and could find work, life as a refugee was still incredibly difficult. Living in a refugee camp without a home, he had to struggle to provide for his children and wife, resorting to desperate measures, even criminal acts. When the Kingdom of Banreung also collapsed, he was forced to flee once more.

But where could he go? The Kingdom of Arangi? It was common knowledge that the Arangians treated refugees and beggars with cruelty. At that time, a rumor began to spread among the Butuma refugees.

“It is said that Sir Azadin, a savior knight, has established a thriving and safe haven in Sandokar and Naisandokar.”

“Savior Knight Azadin? But isn’t he a member of the Messenger Clan?”

The rumor of Azadin, a Messenger Clan member who had become a savior knight, was already widespread. Azadin’s reputation was generally positive. It was said that he had united the heroes of the Chadra Plateau into a powerful force, eliminated bandits and monsters to ensure the safety of the people, and constructed roads to greatly facilitate commerce. Paving roads and suppressing bandits were actions typically undertaken by great lords. Once a road was built and maintained, it was a clear sign that the area was a good place to live.

However, for Edir, who had witnessed the atrocities of the Messenger Clan during their invasion of Butuma, he could not accept this, no matter how good Azadin’s reputation was. Fleeing to a land ruled by the Messenger Clan? It was not even worth considering. Edir decided to lead his family south towards the Kingdom of Arangi.

However, problems arose when Pimbulbert began. It was autumn, but it was snowing, and food prices were skyrocketing. This was a significant issue, but an even greater problem was the emergence of monsters from the sea.

“It is said that the dead gods who were sunk in the Netherstrom [a mythical, turbulent sea] are turning sea creatures into monsters and invading the land.”

“Oh, my. This person is saying something terrible….”

The priests of the King’s Church were strutting among the refugees, taking care to prevent people from being deceived by malicious rumors. From the refugees’ perspective, they were merely cumbersome figures who did nothing but parade around. However, without them, it would be difficult to distinguish between refugee groups and bandit gangs. So, everyone followed the priests’ instructions and stopped spreading and re-spreading ominous rumors.

However, that night, a priest approached Edir.

“What is the matter, Priest?”

“Edir, you are of the retainer class, are you not?”

“Yes. Unfortunately….”

“This is Gidit, a member of the Selsod Guild. Would you be willing to serve as the vanguard scout for the refugee group alongside Gidit?”

“But I have to take care of my family. I have a daughter of marriageable age….”

Edir, who had a daughter and a wife, did not want to be separated from his family. Despite his refusal, the priest was insistent that he become a scout.

“Just as hideous monsters and cultists are emerging from Banreung… monsters are also emerging from the sea. We need someone who can wield a sword.”

“You mean….”

“Please. Rest assured. I will guarantee the safety of your family. I will keep them by my side and protect them.”

“If that is the case.”

At the priest’s earnest request, Edir, along with Gidit and other town vigilantes, took up crude arms and stood at the forefront.

*********

“It’s getting colder and colder. Especially the sea breeze carries a biting chill. Good heavens. This area rarely gets snow, even in winter.”

“Hey, scout, be quiet.”

“No, but if I don’t open my mouth, I feel like I’ll freeze to death. I’m hungry….”

“Hey, stop talking nonsense.”

The scouts, including Edir and Gidit, were talking to combat the hunger and fear. It was not ideal, but it was better than silence, as wild animals and goblins would be deterred by the sound of voices. If there were monsters beyond that, they would be unable to handle them anyway.

“Hmm?”

“The smell of blood….”

The sharp scent of blood wafted on the wind. The scouts, who had been chattering like a marketplace, all fell silent. They soon arrived at a fishing village, where they found people impaled on poles used to dry nets. The bodies showed clear signs of being devoured by beasts, and uncleaned fish were scattered everywhere.

“Oh, good heavens….”

“The world is going to ruin. What kind of evil beings….”

“No, this is not the work of humans. Let’s finish the search first, and if it’s safe, we’ll call the priest.”

Edir calmly assessed the threats around the fishing village and decided to call the priest and the refugees.

When the priest and the refugee group arrived, the priest, upon witnessing the tragedy of the village, addressed the refugees.

“The fish here are contaminated, so do not touch them. It’s best to leave this place as soon as possible!”

But that night… a commotion began to erupt among the refugees. People who could not bear the hunger and had secretly eaten the fish from the fishing village began to complain of stomach pains. And after a while, some of the refugees began to mutate.

“S, save me!”

“I don’t want to die!”

“Help me!”

The refugees who were crying for help attacked nearby humans. Bizarre scales sprouted on their bodies, forming armor, and the barnacles that grew on their hands and feet became sharp spikes. When an agitated refugee struck a person with a barnacle-covered hand, the skin was torn off, and bones were broken.

Edir and Gidit, who had been waiting after hearing the priest’s warning, led the soldiers and fought against the mutated beings that had become Nether monsters. Half of the vigilantes, who were not proper soldiers, died in the process.

“Oh… good heavens. Yegas, the divine kings!” [Yegas is a reference to the divine kings of the King’s Church]

The priest cried out as he watched the people who had turned into monsters simply from eating some fish. And the next morning, the refugees who were preparing to depart discovered that some of the wealthy landowners had died after drinking poisoned wine. Whether they had committed suicide by poisoning themselves because they could not bear the coming world of madness, or whether it was a cunning poisoning by those who were after their supplies, neither the priest nor Edir had the time to investigate. Exhausted, they held a brief funeral, recovered their supplies, and moved on.

“Let’s head towards Sandokar. Madness is pouring in from the sea, so the coast is dangerous.”

The priest of the King’s Church hated Azadin, the slayer of the divine kings, more than anyone else, but he was also the first to suggest heading to Sandokar, which was ruled by Azadin. They changed their direction because they were afraid of the abyssal monsters rising from the sea. It was inevitable for a refugee group with more civilians than combatants to prioritize safety.

However, as they headed towards Sandokar, they encountered even more refugees than themselves. They were not the only ones. People from all over were abandoning their homes and fleeing. Even if it was the Savior Knight Order, could they accept this many refugees? Suddenly, fear arose. What if they had come all this way only to be turned away and left to starve to death on the road?

“If Azadin or whatever that damned Messenger Clan member is kicks us out, let’s kill him!”

Some of the refugees who seemed to have some strength shouted boldly. They also had weapons and a large number of people, so they could seize the Sandokar Gate and plunder their land! It was such bravado.

‘There’s no way that’ll happen.’

The arrows fired by the Messenger Clan were completely different from those of ordinary archers, and even knights in armor were killed instantly. These thugs, who were not even properly armed, could only take advantage of farmers, and it would be difficult to fight even properly armed soldiers, so what kind of plunder were they talking about? Edir, who watched the scene, felt sorry for the people’s bravado but did not argue.

*********

It is early autumn, but it is snowing in the southern region. Originally, at this time of year, there should be no snow, and people should be suffering from the heat and mosquitoes, but the wind is so cold that it feels like they will freeze to death. Walking through the muddy road covered in snow in the cold wind not only drained their stamina but also made hunger pull them down to the ground like a swamp. Those who had something to eat, such as a few pieces of bread or dried sorghum cakes, could stand up again, but those who did not, lost their strength and collapsed on the ground, waiting for death. Eventually, stragglers began to appear among the starving refugees. The priest felt sorry for those people, but he could not save them.

But then, a group of armed forces appeared in front of the road. They were cavalry and soldiers carrying the banner of the Savior Knight Order.

“We are the protectors of Sandokar and the subordinates of Sir Azadin, the general of Vermilion. We are moving to restore order on this road, so clear the way!”

The soldiers spoke haughtily and approached, then found the fallen people and helped them up. Although their haughty attitude was not pleasing, everyone’s eyes widened when they took out dried rice cakes from their backpacks and broke them into pieces.

‘Are they really going to give that to us?’

Everyone looked at the soldiers with expectant eyes. It was not a great food in normal times, but now that they had been suffering from hunger for a long time, everyone’s mouths were watering. But the soldier put the dried rice cake in his mouth and chewed it.

‘Is this guy making fun of us?!’

Edir was annoyed by the soldier’s attitude, but after a while, he realized that his thoughts were wrong. The soldier spat the chewed rice cake into his hand and fed it to the fallen refugee. It was so hard that they would not be able to eat it if they just ate it, so he had chewed it once in his mouth. It was not hygienic, but the conditions were not good enough to worry about hygiene. The fallen person received the rice cake and gradually regained his strength.

“Our leader, Sir Azadin, reveres the three virtues, so according to his orders, we will protect you. Keep order and follow the road!”

The soldier said this and broke the dried rice cakes into pieces and distributed them to the children nearby and those who looked obviously hungry.

“…….”

“Amazing.”

The priest and Edir exchanged glances and shared their feelings. The Messenger Clan reveres the three virtues?