“Greetings, I’m Mutar. I heard you were looking for a guide from our tribe.”
“Yes. I have a connection with one of your tribe’s shaman candidates, Ines.” (+)[1]TLN: Yes, from now on Ines is a Shaman, not a Nun. I’m really sorry for this you guys <m(__)m>.
“Shaman Ines?”
The last time we met, she was just a shaman candidate, but it seemed she had become a shaman in the meantime.
However, Mutar’s reaction was unsatisfactory. His clouded expression showed he was being cautious of me.
“But what business do you have in seeking the shaman…?”
“As I said, I have a prior connection with her.”
“A connection, you say?”
“I’m not sure if it’s something I can disclose. Binsad and Nasser would know me. If you’re worried, you can inform them first that an acquaintance has come.”
Binsad and Nasser were Ines’s escorts I had met back then. I observed the guide’s expression.Judging by his reaction upon hearing their names, he did seem to be from the Patrac tribe.
“Since you know the warriors’ names, you must truly have a connection.”
“Otherwise, I’d have no reason to come all this way.”
Mutar continued with a gloomy look.
“Well…the shaman was recently captured by the Arwali tribe.”
What nonsense is this? Why was Ines captured? And by the Arwali tribe, no less? I was quite taken aback.
I wondered if a civil war had broken out while I was on my way here. Wars between the natives are not uncommon.
The land is barren, after all. Even among the same race, different tribes inevitably clash.
In fact, the continent encourages such conflicts among them, as it benefits them.
In the game, the Western natives eventually unite the tribes after such civil wars.
The Arwali tribe emerged victorious about 70% of the time, as they were originally the strongest native group.
Since the founding emperor’s era, they were a tribe with legitimacy, their power overwhelming among the western natives.
Even the Patrac tribe would find them formidable opponents.
“Was there a conflict between the tribes?”
“No, that’s not it.”
If not, then there was only one reason.
“Did Ines make a prophecy that the Arwali tribe would dislike?”
“…Yes. Some time ago, the shaman prophesied that Anuma’s sword would soon appear, riding a horse that runs in the sky.”
One day, Anuma’s sword will arrive, riding a horse that runs in the sky, to reclaim the stolen land…
This was a prophecy made by the great shaman of the tribes when the natives were driven from the west by the continentals long ago.
Despite the passage of time, it had been passed down like a legend among the natives.
Personally, I had thought it might have been a prophecy of hope during the natives’ difficult times.
Unlike the continentals who believe in the God of Light Lu Nuada, the western natives believe in the Sun God Lu Anuma.
In other words, the leader of the natives, who came to this barren land in their depleted state, created a religious hope.
‘But for Ines to say such a thing.’
The “one day” had become “soon.” Had she seen something? Hmm. Even I was puzzled by this latest prophecy.
There were no flying horses in this world. I had never seen any even while playing the game. It was a perplexing point.
“Afterwards, Eshmir, the great shaman of the Arwali tribe, denounced Shaman Ines as a false prophet.”
“For a trial?”
“Yes.”
“If they went so far as to capture her, Ines’s prophecies must have had a high accuracy rate.”
Ines wouldn’t face immediate danger. Even in war, the Western natives cannot kill a shaman.
There is one exception – if she made a false prophecy. She would be executed for being called a false prophet who uttered deceitful words.
But actual executions are extremely rare. They usually don’t even capture the shaman.
Because shaman prophecies are often inaccurate. Most of the time, they just say what the tribal chief wants to hear.
And yet, they captured her, meaning Ines has gained fame among the natives.
Perhaps it was to threaten her into saying Anuma’s sword refers to the Arwali tribal chief.
“Correct. She has made three prophecies so far, and they have all come true, regardless of significance.”
Three prophecies. It may not seem like many, but it is. Native shamans never make prophecies lightly.
To begin with, true clairvoyants are very rare. They tend to speak vaguely about logically possible things.
The saying “a shaman’s words cannot be trusted” arose for this very reason. There were many fake shamans of native origin in the past.
It is due to history, tradition, and the native belief in the Sun God Lu Anuma that only the natives revere shamans.
‘She’ll be fine for a year.’
When natives hear a prophecy, they typically allow a grace period of one year for its realization.
At the very least, six months. It’s meant to solidify religious authority.
Even a prophecy about rain during a drought would come true at least once in six months.
Rescuing Ines immediately would be ill-advised. It’s not a matter of possibility. A long-term view is needed.
“Just a moment.”
“Ah, yes.”
I asked for the guide’s understanding as my deepening thoughts had me frowning.
The guide took two steps back. Let me think this through again.
For an outside force to rescue a shaman branded a false prophet would not look good from the outside.
Regardless of the prophecy’s realization, she could truly be branded a false prophet. Then I’d have to take her with me, unable to stay in these lands.
‘I cannot act rashly without knowing Ines’s intentions.’
There had to be another way. As I pondered deeply, a sudden thought flashed like lightning.
Wait… I see a way.
If I made this prophecy come true, the problem would be solved. It could even further solidify Ines’s reputation.
Could Ines have foreseen this? It seemed like I was forcing a connection.
In any case, besides meeting Ines, my purpose in coming to the southwest was to meet the named native Al Fahri.
I intended to groom him as the future leader of the united native tribes.
I wanted to build a connection beforehand and help him when needed.
But since it has come to this, why not simply make Al Fahri into Anuma’s sword?
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Shall I guide you all the way to the tribe?”
“No. You just need to go to the tribe and come back.”
“Pardon?”
“I’ll pay you generously.”
I asked Mutar, the guide from the Patrac tribe, to summon Ines’s escorts.
There was no urgent need to act immediately. She had been captured a week ago. There were still a few months of leeway.
Thinking long-term, it was important to calmly follow procedures and move according to plan.
Once the escorts arrived, I intended to head to Al Fahri with them.
Using the Patrac tribe’s warriors as a connection would increase their trust in me.
The reason I didn’t go to the Patrac tribe myself was that waiting here would be faster.
‘Osten and Mary are non-combatants.’
There was no need to endure camping inconveniences on the southwestern plains considering my party’s stamina.
It would save time for the native warriors to come here instead.
And when I relayed the news to Mutar, they would rush over swiftly, based on my previous experience with them.
They might think they could receive help by being with a Sword Master.
Not long after, Ines’s escorts arrived in Derenet, two days earlier than expected.
My guess that they would hurry had been correct.
“Long time no see.”
“Indeed, it has been a while.”
Binsad, approaching with a welcoming face, stiffened slightly after seeing my party’s composition.
A hint of gloom, disappointment colored his expression.
I had anticipated the reason. He must have confirmed that the Toun Zaha from before was not present.
Upon hearing my news, he likely imagined coming with the Sword Master to rescue Ines.
From the south, only a lukewarm wind I had stirred, not the real deal, had blown in.
Regaining his composure, Binsad scanned my appearance.
“You’ve grown noticeably. Not to the point of being unrecognizable, but still.”
“That’s what happens with age.”
“What brings you to the southwest?”
“I was passing by nearby and recalled old memories, so I came to see a familiar face.”
Binsad sighed softly.
“…You must have already heard from Mutar, but the shaman has been captured by the Arwali tribe. Regrettably, our tribe lacked the strength to resist. The shaman herself wished it so.”
“Yes, Mutar told me.”
“But where are those people from back then? You’ve come alone?”
Unable to dispel his curiosity, Binsad finally broached the subject.
“I’m on a solitary journey. These are chance acquaintances I made along the way.”
Binsad feigned calm, but I could sense his disappointment deepening.
He must have held a final glimmer of hope that they might be around.
For a single disciple would certainly struggle against a powerful tribe, even if he was the Sword Master’s.
Well, rescuing her would also be an issue. A shaman’s prophecy is too complex for an outsider to resolve.
As Ines’s escort, Binsad’s regret was more acute, hence his reaction.
“So you’re still engaged in good deeds, I see.”
“Well, something like that.”
Back then too, I had helped them by chance. From Binsad’s perspective, seeing my party must have recalled that time.
A young boy and girl. Osten too looked more like an ordinary person than a mage. At a glance, just an uncle with children.
The conversation lulled briefly. From Binsad’s standpoint, there was nothing more to say. I was the one who had summoned him.
It was time to get to the main point.
“In any case, the reason I summoned you despite hearing the situation was to discuss rescuing Ines.”
“…Could it be the Master is coming?”
My words made Binsad’s expression change drastically, his face brightening. I shook my head.
“No. The Master is far away.”
After a brief silence, Binsad let out a deep sigh. His face grew rapidly dark, as if giving up on maintaining his composure.
“To be frank, it will be difficult for you alone. I’m not underestimating you. It’s just that the Arwali tribe is that formidable.”
“No. It is entirely possible.”
Binsad’s eyes settled on me.
Perplexity, and a hint of anger, showed on his face. He seemed to think I was taking this too lightly.
“…You have a way?”
“Ridiculous!”
Unable to control his anger, Binsad raised his voice slightly.
“Even though the shaman’s prophecies have been accurate so far, we see this latest one as impossible. Didn’t you hear the prophecy?”
Of course, I did. While waiting for Binsad, I had also gathered information.
Four moons later, it would rain. On the full moon, a horde of beasts would appear from the west. There would be a sand storm for a week.
All prophecies that had come true, specifying the timing and direction. These prophecies had made Ines famous among the natives.
But this latest prophecy was so outlandish that it could negate even that fame.
It even referenced the prophecy of the great shaman from the past – the sacred hope that the natives clung to.
But it didn’t matter. For I could manipulate the Winds.
“Yes. But it is possible.”
I spoke with conviction.
“Because I can create a horse that flies in the sky.”
- 1. TLN: Yes, from now on Ines is a Shaman, not a Nun. I’m really sorry for this you guys <m(__)m>.
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