Chapter 125: Sea Serpent (1/2)
After a few days, words spread among the soldiers about divine justice who punished anyone who hurt others. The soldiers who tried to assault their female comrades? They were punished because one of them lost control of his skill.
The soldiers who bullied the weak? Unfortunate accidents would befall them. Then, rumors spread around about a vengeful ghost that would whisper in the ears of others.
Stories were made about the pitiful demise of this soldier, pushed by his comrades into killing himself. After a few days, none of the soldiers dared to mess around anymore.
As for the culprit himself, Nikolai was enjoying himself immensely. There was something about messing with people that seemed to relax him, and he slept in his stealth peacefully.
Although the draining mana would alarm anyone in their sleep, Nikolai learned to deal with it. His body also adjusted to the time cycle of the army, so he woke up before they did.
The trip toward the border was almost peaceful, if not for the giant beast in front of them. But, even for the Bestial Kingdom, the wilderness was dangerous for them. A testimony of that was the giant sea serpent that blocked their path over the bridge, giving them quite the headache.
The fact this bridge was the only route toward the border that didn't help, nor the fact that they carried essential supplies. As Nikolai admired the mighty monster, he overheard the conversation of the officer a distance away.
”How did the Scouters mess this up?” the officer was a lion-man with a dignified expression. The soldier beside him stuttered and didn't know how to reply, but the officer knew better than blaming his soldiers. ”Forget it. We need to find a way across the river.”
Nikolai's train of thought was quite different as he looked at the monster in front of him. If this monster was willing to attack so many people, it must have a reason to do so.
Lilith taught him that monsters weren't always mindless. Sometimes they were either trying to survive or protect their kin. So the beast didn't attack them as long as they didn't try to cross the bridge, which stood steady against the monster's attacks.
'I guess it's the latter reason,' Nikolai realized. 'What is it trying to protect? Its eggs or hatchlings?' This was an opportunity to make some money, as both were valuable given the stats and skills that could come out of such a legendary monster.
The endeavor would be pretty risky if Nikolai were alone. However, how can he be alone with his comrades willing to risk their lives for him? As he turned toward the soldiers, Nikolai felt moved by their sacrifice, but he would accept it nonetheless.
As for whether his actions were morally right, that would be hard to say. These people will be trying to cross the bridge regardless, and Nikolai was simply using that opportunity to obtain some loot. However, he was not arrogant enough to give up a ready-meal delivered to him.
”A gift from the heavens cannot be rejected, even by one who hates the heavens. So I'll take this as compensation for the times Celestia wronged me.”
Nikolai turned toward the army who was holding a strategical meeting. He walked unnoticed and stood hidden in the corner of the tent. If anyone knew of how powerful his stealth is, then he would be the world's most coveted spy.
”I believe we need to slay the monster for us to pass,” said one of the captains, who looked like a human with antennasand scales. Nikolai had no idea what species it was, to be quite honest.
”And loss half of our men for a mistake by the scouts?” another woman who had snake-like features hissed. ”You seem quite keen on this. Are you a human with a pair of sticks attached?”
Nikolai almost laughed at the accusation, and the others didn't hold themselves back. Instead, the antenna beastman glared at the rest before the half-lion banged on the table.
”Leave your petty grudges for later, idiots!” the lion roared, and it shook the camp. ”We need to find a way across the bridge without losing any of our men!”
”Sir, how about we use some of the enchanted items we are taking?” said a small-framed captain. ”It is better that we lose a few items than they drown in the river.”
”Plausible,” the lion seemed pleased. ”We might get in trouble if we use them without permission, but it is the only way for us to make it before the attack.”
'The attack?' Nikolai frowned as he heard those words. An attack on the Bestial Kingdom in his first year of the academy? It can only be that battle.
When he tried to cross the border, he came across Alil Village. At that time, he identified the village as the place that would be wiped off the map after a battle, but he didn't remember the details since he was studying.
He only came across the news in passing, so he didn't know what would happen. However, there was indeed the mention of a battle near the border, and an army of undead would rise from it.
”Can this be another of Val's fragments?”