Chapter 256 - Chapter 256 (1/2)

Side Story 13

7. A day in Fangs' life

Gooood morning!!

….Was what I'd like to say, but there was no distinction between day and night in the world of shadows. So, I simply stretched my limbs without saying anything after waking up from my nap.

Yawn-!!

The sleep one could get inside this place, the 'territory of eternal rest', was absolutely the best, no two ways about it. Honestly speaking, the majority of the Shadow Army's soldiers would spend most of their downtime sleeping until our liege summons us.

I should be seen on the side of those who enjoyed napping, but today was a very important day and I just had to rouse myself up. Soldiers stretching their muscles to get ready for the day discovered me and began bowing their heads to greet me.

"Oh, hello, Fangs-nim."

"Sure, sure."

"Good day to you, Commander Fangs."

"Right, right."

I didn't want to show it, but heck, I couldn't help but feel good when this happened.

I came under my liege's wings relatively early compared to some other soldiers and after my various accomplishments were recognised, I now found myself in the position to command all the magic-wielding soldiers in the army.

The hierarchy within the Shadow Army was determined by how trusted one was by our liege, and that was why Ancient-grade Dragons were paying their respects to a mere High Orc Shaman like myself!

My Sovereign-nim, hooray!!

My exalted and great Shadow Sovereign-nim, hooray!!

'Tsk, tsk....'

I ended up shouting out three cheers towards my liege again today due to the overwhelming gratitude I felt. While feeling happy and content, I headed towards the portion of the army comprising of ant soldiers.

Quite unlike other Shadow Soldiers, these ants didn't seem to enjoy napping and were always doing something or rather to keep themselves busy. After finding me visiting their territory, they began bowing their heads in greetings.

"Huh-huhuh...."

I half-heartedly accepted their greetings and quickened my walking pace. If I were to be honest, I felt a wee bit scared by these ant soldiers, even though we were on the same side.

Because, well, not only were they the most vicious and cruel of all the Shadow Soldiers, but they were also scarily diligent with their given tasks, too.

Kkiieek!

Kkiiiahk!

Whenever these ants screeched out those sounds containing meanings that were lost on me, I couldn't help but flinch my shoulders just a little.

'If it isn't Beru Marshal-nim, just who would be capable of commanding this lot....?'

Thankfully, Beru Marshal-nim in question must've read my mind, because I didn't have to walk far to meet him, who had graciously come out to greet me as well.

When our gazes met, though, his shoulders began quivering ominously.

"Kiieehehehehehet."

"Ehehehehe."

"Kii-hahahahahat!"

"Ehehehehehet!!"

We stood face to face while laughing to our hearts' content.

Judging from the expression on Beru-nim's face, a very satisfactory item must've been created. So, it was only obvious that a big smile would form on my own face too, as it was me who entrusted the creation of that item to him in the first place.

Beru-nim quickly approached me and then, showed me the 'item' hidden behind his back.

"So, what do you think?"

I was so moved by my emotions that I ended up exclaiming out loudly.

"Hoh!!"

The item that I requested Beru-nim who possessed excellent crafting skills, with its creation even at the risk of inconveniencing him! A robe with a hood attached that resembled what our liege wore not too long ago had been completed and was waiting for me.

"Kii-hehehehet!"

"Ehehehehet!"

I threw off the robe on my body right away and put on the brand new one Beru-nim handed over.

The best!!

Was there a need for any other description than these two words?

I couldn't control my overflowing, heightened emotions and addressed Beru-nim with an abashed voice.

"I can't even imagine how should I go about repaying you for this, Marshal-nim..."

"Keh-hehehet. How can I turn a blind eye to your wish to become more like our liege? As long as you're happy, it's all good."

"Yes, I am truly happy. So much so that I'm almost tempted to make it a duty of every Magic Soldier to wear this robe, Marshal-nim."

"Kii-hahahahahat!"

"Uwehehehehet!"

Beru-nim couldn't control his laughter for a long time, but then, he fixed his gaze on me as if he had discovered something else.

"That thing…. Wouldn't it be better to turn that item into a staff rather than walking around with it in your hand?"

What Beru-nim was pointing at was the 'Bead of Avarice' I carried in my right hand most of the time.

"Heuh.... Does that mean I can entrust you for this one as well....?"

I was sheepish, but still, I presented the Bead, but Beru-nim raised his hand to stop me.

"I can't help you with magical artefacts. Unless you bring me a living kin of the bearded Dwarves, then the story might change."

"Ah…. I see."

"Since we're talking about it, how about entrusting the job with the bearded Dwarves? They might be pretty terrible at warfare, but they are still talented artisans, aren't they?"

"....."

I rubbed my chin and pondered this dilemma, and eventually, nodded my head.

"That is a good idea, Marshal-nim."

"Kii-hehehehet!"

I bowed my waist 90 degrees to express my gratitude towards Beru-nim and his excellent work, before quickly making my way out of the ant's area. This time, my steps took me to the area populated by my friends, the Dragons.

We grew quite close after comparing our firepower, you see. I explained to them my circumstances, and they willingly stepped forward to lend me aid. I chose the smallest of my friends and climbed up on his back.

There was only one reason why I chose this guy. Well, I was cursed with short legs so if I mounted a friend with a bigger body, I might have to suffer through the terrible pain of my groin being torn in half, that's why.

Soon, my Dragon friend flapped its wings and flew up in the air. I pointed in the direction where the bearded Dwarves were residing.

We were currently inside the world of eternal rest. It was wide enough to be called infinite, and on top of that, there were ten million soldiers residing here, so some places could only be accessed after borrowing the abilities of my friends like this.

Flap, flap....

As the Dragon friend flew rapidly to our destination, I sneaked a glance below us and oh boy, there sure were lots of soldiers below us.

'There is... Grand-Marshal-nim.'

Slap, slap!!

"Stand up straight, Titans!!"

Currently, Bellion Grand-Marshal-nim was using his long sword that could be manipulated by one's mind like a whip to properly re-educate the newest additions to the army.

The newbies must've been fairly renowned back in their own world and that resulted in them still being influenced by their old habits, which meant that Grand-Marshal-nim would have to strictly discipline them for a little while longer.

"....Ah!"

Bellion-nim discovered me and my Dragon friend in the air and waved his hand at us, necessitating me to hurriedly bow my head to him as well.

After we flew past the location of the newbie training area, I spotted Igrit-nim. He was so immersed in studying that he failed to notice a Dragon flying above his head. We couldn't disturb Igrit Marshal-nim when he was being like this, so we did our best to get out of there as quietly as possible.

Kii-ahhk!

Once we put the areas with Marshal-nims behind us, my Dragon friend unfurled its wings even wider and increased his speed.

A truly wonderful scenery greeted us!