Red Storm

The Hero’s Land

An overwhelming darkness stared out to me.

I did not avoid it. It didn’t matter what may be inside.

Book 6-6.1

Rumble! Crackle!

Thunder and lightning started to pour down to the ground.

Strong winds and heavy rain followed right behind it.

Ooooooooooooooo-

This noise could be heard from one end of the Shire to the other.

It sounded like a child who had left his house, or maybe a mother who had to send her son to the battlefield. One thing was for sure; it was a noise that made people sad.

“Shouldn’t we go ask Violet-nim for help? The Hero’s Land has never shone so brightly or let out a strong scent like this.”

The Shire’s Sands of Flowing Time shaman, Mekunda cautiously started to speak.

Even Shambuna, who became the chief of the Shire after Violet, looked forward with concern.

In front of their eyes was the purple line over the Hero’s Land that was thicker than ever before, and a strong scent of blood shot into their noses.

“I heard that in the past, there were many times like this, but it had decreased for the last twenty years … I am not sure why it is doing this again. But what I can be sure about is the fact that it is dangerous. The stronger the scent of blood gets, it means that the heroes are having a harder time.”

Mekunda asked once more after hearing Shambuna’s words.

“Isn’t that why we should escort Violet-nim back for help?”

Shambuna quietly started to think as he started to look out toward the Hero’s Land.

“Shambuna-nim.”

As Mekunda cautiously called out to him again, Shambuna started to speak.

“It’s fine to call her, but I feel like … if we call her … that her happiness will crumble into pieces. You were there as well. You saw how hard of a life she had while she was here.”

Mekunda could not say anything back to Shambuna. Violet was selected to become the chief of the Shire from the moment she was born; she had to give up all human emotions.

The two individuals looked toward each other and thought things over. However, they had no other choice. This situation was too much for the two of them to handle.

An envoy left the Shire to head for the Castle of Storm.

It did not take long for the death of the Shuarei’s Glow, Hangry Elbotta, to reach Yulian’s ears.

It was because there was only the Shuarei and Pareia left in the desert. Their spies could focus on each other with no issues.

“Do you think there will be internal discord?”

Runa shook his head at Yulian’s question.

“It seems like Venersis has made up his mind. Based on what I have heard, as if he had been expecting it, Venersis has being using his fame and influence to prepare to take over the Shuarei’s Glow position. The deceased Shuarei’s Glow also named Venersis as his successor, so I presume they will find stability quickly.”

“Then is it finally time?”

Runa answered Yulian’s question with a grumbled expression.

“If Glow was not against it, we could have prevented Venersis from becoming the Shuarei’s Glow this easily. I am just disappointed that we did not attack them enough so that they could not even think about going to war with us when we had the opportunity.”

Yulian smiled toward Runa as he answered.

“Runa, you cannot be happy about the misfortunes of others. In addition, he is definitely a famed character in the desert. It would eat away at me forever if I did not use a fair method to defeat him. He is a warrior with that much abilities.”

“I believe that the end justifies the means in order for us to achieve our dream.”

“What is the point of achieving your dream like that? A dream is something you pursue with all of your heart. So if you use underhanded methods like cheating or betrayal, that is not a dream. It is also something you can never get out of once you start either.”

“It sounds like you are scolding me.”

Yulian shook his head at Runa’s opposition.

“Would I do that? I am just saying that we do not need to resort to such underhanded methods.”

Although Yulian respected and trusted Runa’s suggestions for all things, he could not avoid an argument whenever this topic came up.

Runa respected Yulian as a warrior, liked him as a person, and was loyal to him as his Glow, but he could not understand Yulian in this aspect at all.

The results dictated all things in the world. Isn’t there such a saying? Loyalty if you win, rebellion if you lose. But his Glow was not like that.

His Glow preferred to compare strength and wisdom in a fair battle. To be honest, using this personality to start an internal discord was a strategy as well.

“Runa, I understand what you are trying to say. If I was backed into a corner, I may have agreed to your suggestion. I am a weak human as well. However, that is not the case right now. We are in a good situation where we can confidently proclaim that we are strong. Throw that thought away.”

“It is because I have some regrets. But will you wait until they settle their internal discord?”

“Would it be better to wait? If we wait, it might actually help them band together.”

Runa bowed his head at Yulian’s question and answered.

“Please think hard about it, Glow.”

“Are you saying that is not the case?”

Runa lifted his head up at Yulian’s retort.

“To be honest, the chances of the Glow’s situation happening is slim to none. There is only one situation that would lead a tribe going through internal discord to band together. That is only when the powers going against each other are of similar strength.”

“Then you are saying you want us to attack first?”

“I also do not think that would be a good idea either. To be the first to attack when both sides are well prepared for the other will most likely lead to a lot of injuries on the attacking side as well.”

“Then what are you trying to say?”

As Yulian seemed to be getting frustrated at Runa’s response, Runa put on a calm smile as he answered back.

“Didn’t I tell you already? My role is to share with you the options and the Glow is the one to make the final decision.”

“This ……”

“To tell you once more, we are not in a rush. It is fine if we attack, it is fine if we wait. The Shuarei are the ones in an urgent situation, not us.”

“Mm~!”

Yulian started to debate whether to attack or wait after hearing Runa’s explanation. It shouldn’t be bad either way because Runa mentioned either is fine, but his decision would influence the citizens as well as Pareia’s future. That was why he needed to be cautious.

“Let’s wait and see for now.”

After Yulian finally came to a decision, Runa bowed his head and responded.

“You’ve worked hard Glow. Then I will order the warriors to be on alert.”

“No, maintain the current situation as is. If we raise the alert now without knowing when the enemy will attack, it will only increase the fatigue on our warriors.”

“But we do not know when the Shuarei will attack.”

Yulian shook his head at Runa’s warning.

“But it is better than the entire army being fatigued. Instead, increase the number of patrol warriors so that we can figure out their movement as fast as possible. That way we will still be able to prepare for an ambush.”

“I understand, Glow.”

“And shouldn’t we move our residence?”

“Is there a problem here, Glow?”

“The Castle of Storm is great, but isn’t it too far from the battlefield? It is too far toward the continent. How could we respond quickly like this?”

Runa, who understood what Yulian was trying to say, blinked both eyes before speaking.

“Glow, we are a large nation now. It does not make sense to change the capital for a single war. Furthermore, isn’t the Glow’s dream to go beyond the desert and into the continent? You might say that I am close minded, but a nation’s capital, and the nation’s leader, does not move around so easily.”

As Yulian watched Runa turn pale as he responded, Yulian thought about it thoroughly before nodding his head.

“Runa, you are right. Then what shall we do from here?”

“We can just do as we have been doing. Please do not be shaken by external issues.”

“That……”

“Then I shall make my leave as there are still multiple things to take care of.”

“Huh? Ah! Go ahead.”

Once Runa left, Yulian lifted up his hand and wiped his forehead.

He felt like his strong will had disappeared lately.

Is it because it was almost in his hands Or is it because he just ran forward without looking back until now?

Yulian didn’t like the fact that he didn’t seem to be enjoying life as much right now. What Runa just said was weighing on his mind.

‘Do not be shaken by external issues?’

It was not that he was shaken, but that he was being carefree. There were a lot of things to do, but it did not match his personality.

Even the final approval was not much as he just needed to verify that Runa and the politicians under him were doing a good job. Maybe that was what made him feel so bored even more.

He even thought about giving away the final approval to someone else.

It was because Runa knew that moving the capital was the wrong answer that he gave such a response of not being shaken by external issues. He knew that Yulian wanted to move so that he could feel some tension by being around the battlefield.

Yulian wanted to feel alive by being even a bit closer to the battlefield.

“It would be great if someone invaded …..”

Yulian became shocked at his own mumbling and vigorously shook his head. What kind of sinful words was he saying? Yulian quickly started to quickly walk over to the training ground.

“It would be great if I had someone to spar with …… tsk.”

Yulian was feeling bad for no reason as he walked over.