Chapter 202

Chapter 202 - Conquistador (3)

"Nice to meet you. I am Eugene Meyer from Britannia."

"My introduction is late. My name is Yakson. I am working as a healer and missionary here."

As Eugene expected, it was a missionary.

Regardless of size, the power of gods directly or indirectly communicating is the religion of this place. Hence, the thirst or sense of duty for missionary work is also extraordinary.

There is a reason why so many armed priests exist. It was to pierce through the monsters' territories and spread the words of God to even one more place.

"Yakson? Is that a nickname?"

"It is a treasure given to me as a gift by my friends here. It is my real name now as well. Because I have abandoned my past."

Yakson took out a religious symbol from his bosom and showed it. It is an item of love and hate Eugene also knows well.

"Main God Church! You were a missionary from there."

"It's a sect that is almost ruined so there aren't many who know it, which is surprising. I pray that we aren't tied by a bad relationship."

Due to its unique exclusivity, the Main God Church was completely pushed out of the existing continent and ran solely on a path of decline.

They couldn't just let their lineage be cut off like this. Since they had to compete with prominent sects in already developed civilizations, as a desperate measure, they decided to aim for the blue ocean.

Literally, they crossed over the ocean. Naturally, since they didn't have the money to systematically launch ships, they hitched a ride on fleets setting out to pioneer new sea routes.

A monial boarding as a healer cum worker wasn't a bad trade for the sailors either.

"I came for missionary work, but I forgot that mission along with my original name. Right now, I just want to protect the natives here."

"Isn't that an act of betraying the sect?"

"Because the things more dangerous than diseases and monsters are my brothers. The natives here are strong in body but their souls are pure. Fanaticism will be more dangerous than deadly poison."

Thinking of the future when the Main God Church settles here, they are not wrong words. Because there is surely a high risk of it degenerating close to colonial rule.

Eugene recalled a phrase satirizing missionary work he had heard sometime.

"We owned the land, and the strangers sang of heaven. Following their recommendation, we praised God together. The land was moved beneath their feet, and all that was left for us was the song."

"There is also a method of packaging an ugly thing like that. It is exactly as you said."

Yakson looked impressed at the expression of Eugene, who looked like a born knight to anyone.

"The ship was shipwrecked and the comrades who came with me all died. I am the only one left. By abandoning my past, I also eliminated the last possibility from the world."

"And then you met a monarch who brought a heavily armed army, I see."

Even to Eugene speaking somewhat mischievously, Yakson smiled calmly.

"To me right now, you only look like the messenger of God."

Yakson bent his waist and stretched out his arm as if telling him to enter the village.

Eugene had come as an advance party bringing only a small number of elites. Because leading a large-scale force into the close jungle is a crazy act.

Divide, befitting the center of the natives in the vicinity, is large in scale so accommodating Eugene's advance party is not a problem.

"Having crossed that faraway ocean, you must have endured many things. Whether time, expense, or pain."

"Hmm."

No one had an upset stomach and everyone was fine, but Eugene was too bothered to explain so he stayed silent.

"Deservedly, you must achieve results fitting a leader. In that regard, we have a common enemy."

"Because Rakshas like decorating themselves with shiny things."

"Those bastards plunder everything they encounter. Already, dances, songs, and cultures more precious than gold have been trampled limitlessly and disappeared. But just as salt remains even when water evaporates, gold and jewels are eternal even in destroyed ruins."

"They are guys with a good flavor of collecting spoils."

He packaged it this way and that, but ultimately it was a story asking Eugene's army to fight instead. Having noticed Eugene's mood, Yakson added.

"We have many capable scouts who can travel this area with their eyes closed. A place to rest and food, herbs and tools for healing. We will provide anything."

"Are the Cat-folk not very good as combatants?"

"They are already fighting inside that thick jungle."

At that moment, the scream of a monster was heard. The voice filled with pain didn't seem to be a fatal wound. However, in a place like this, if not treated properly, it gradually heads toward death.

"Cat-folk are not suitable for forming units and fighting head-on."

"You mean they specialize in guerrilla combat as hunters and assassins."

"We can slowly increase the deaths of the enemies, but that is the limit. Because the scale of the Rakshas is so large, we are nothing more than the level of mosquitoes, let alone field mice."

It was the reason Eugene's army was needed. The one who can collapse an army is, after all, an army.

"Don't you think you are trying to bring in a tiger to drive out a wolf?"

"In some places, a tiger is absolutely necessary."

Yakson had agonized over this problem countless times, but eventually judged it to be right. He had no choice but to do so.

"On this continent, there are humans who have lived here originally. They are those whose origin itself is different from the old continent. Their hair is black, their skin is dark brown, and the bones above their eyes are flat."

Judging by the description, they are similar to the yellow race. Eugene hid his gladness and asked,

"Where are they? No matter where I look in this village, there are only Cat-folk."

"They went extinct."

"Oh..."

The jungle itself is already a difficult environment called the green hell. Let alone if it's a world where monsters exist, that harshness would jump several times.

If it were a conflict between human and human, they might enslave the enemies but wouldn't try to exterminate them. However, in the eyes of Rakshas, all intelligent species were merely food.

"If we don't borrow the tiger's strength, they are next in turn."

Yakson pointed at the natives coming and going in various places in the village.

Yakson is an intellectual. A village or country perishing is an entirely possible occurrence and falls within the order he perceives.

However, the concept of extinction he first witnessed on this continent. It was too shocking an event. Thanks to that, he could accept the risk of foreign intervention however much.

* * *

Eugene's army temporarily unpacked their bags in Divide and had maintenance time.

"I've traveled all over doing mercenary work, but it seems this place is the worst among them. Ptooey!"

Rampage furrowed his brows and shook his bushy beard. It was because the moisture unique to the jungle endlessly stimulated his sensitive whiskers.

To Dwarves who accurately feel the world three-dimensionally, it was a sensation similar to wearing wet, clinging clothes.

"If it's hard, we can rotate with the main force's reserves..."

"No! It's fine. Rather, my senses are much sharper than usual."

Rampage's words were not a lie. Since the beard is heavy due to the moisture, there is also that much information they can receive. Just like dogs smelling better in moist air.

Those having a harder time because of the climate were the Dark Elves. Was it because they are a nomadic people and spent time in Roman's mild climate?

The ones who smiled as if enjoying a trip in Samur's desert all had grimaces here.

"Lord."

"I'm listening."

Cassandra glared in all directions with venomous eyes she usually didn't show in front of Eugene.

"If you conquer this place under the name of Meyer, would you entrust the land clearing work to me?"

"You're going to burn everything down completely?"

When Eugene personally wiped Cassandra's nape with a handkerchief, her anger subsided considerably.

Fairies have strong resistance to pollution and diseases. Sweat may pour down, but they won't suffer from skin diseases or endemic diseases.

The female warriors of her special ops are essential personnel for this mission. Eugene didn't suggest she return, even as a formality.

Since it was mealtime, all the Cat-folk were gathered around a large bonfire.

"Ehe-iyaah!"

They were singing a resonant song unique to natives and playing percussion instruments. He didn't know the lyrics, but the will to gather strength even in a difficult situation was felt.

"Is it really true that there are many gold mines here?"

"You can't trust their words?"

"Because they might have lied since they need the Lord's strength."

"They wouldn't be that stupid. If they did, they would have to face our wrath later. And if it's treasure, we've already salvaged some, right?"

"The spoils from the last battle? That doesn't even satisfy my craving."

However, she seemed to like the spoils themselves, as Cassandra was wearing the pearl necklace obtained there.

The pearls being large and beautifully colored means the quality is much better than what is obtained in the old continent. It was because the types of clams holding them were different.

- Wow. Just eating one of these would make me full, wouldn't it?

Everything here is big. The clams the guys who went to scout the sea when they first arrived caught were the size of a person's face.

"The treasure I meant isn't the spoils. It's exactly this."

Eugene showed something he received from the warehouse. It is a crop the natives sitting around the bonfire right now are diligently biting and eating.

"It looks fascinating, but it doesn't seem to be particularly precious. Everyone is holding one."

"It's mere food, but it's a guy worth overturning history."

An elongated crop with several yellow kernels attached. It is exactly corn. In the old continent, there were potatoes and sweet potatoes, but no corn.

'It looks a bit peculiar, but the taste and cultivation process are the same.'

Instead of having fewer kernels than the corn Eugene knew, each kernel was twice as big.

"Eugene! Eugene! Come here quickly!"

Over there, Valda, full of excitement, forgot her dignity and jumped around while calling Eugene.

She was at a loss for what to do from joy in a place piled high with various vegetables and fruits.

When Eugene approached, Valda hugged Eugene's left arm.

Her beautiful skin is wet with moisture and sweat. Every strand of hair clinging to her wet neck and cleavage is extremely alluring.

Being weak to the heat applies to Valda too, but since she is burning with academic zeal, she doesn't seem to mind at all.

"This place is truly a treasure trove. Everywhere I look, it's full of new herbs and fruits. Even if they are types we knew, there are many differences in size and properties."

"Because the environments are this different. Since the world opened, there must be many things that have gone through separate evolutions all along."

Due to the characteristic of various intelligent species and monsters rubbing together and living, the theory of evolution grew together with religion from the beginning in this world.

"If we take these to the old continent, your name will remain in history forever. Because millions, perhaps tens of millions or more starving people will be saved."

"Like the Elf royal family of the 1st era?"

The achievement of developing and widely disseminating crops that became ingredients for hygiene products. That is revered in all regions regardless of culture.

That vague envy or fantasy towards fairies in most cultural spheres is largely because they are elegant, but also because they benefited from the virtues of their ancestors.

"...You shouldn't compare it to that."

"Your love for your husband is lacking. Even if it's not like that at times like this, you should say it is."

"Ugh, but..."

Pride and respect for ancestors, love for her husband. At the sight of his wife agonizing between the two, Eugene laughed pleasantly.

"I was joking. Of course, it can't compare to soap and toothpaste."

"Mean!"

Valda's anger melted away immediately at the corn stopped in front of her face.

"This is?"

"It is the ultimate crop that makes even potatoes fold a step. If you plant one seed of this, under good conditions, you can reap results up to several hundred times."

"S-Several hundred times?!"

Valda was stunned at the nonsensical production amount. Because with wheat, if you plant one seed and get 10 seeds, people rejoice saying it's a bumper crop.

"But there is also a weakness. It consumes land power enormously, so if you continuously crop it, the land will become desolate."

"There are many ways to supplement that. Having many cards to choose from is a good thing in itself."

Valda held the corncobs in her two hands and examined them this way and that. Thanks to her golden eyes and golden hair, she perfectly matched the yellow corn.

Being the forest's mage, she was providing tremendous help to Eugene in land management, such as clearing land and coping with poor harvests.

As long as Valda supports him as the lady of the house, there won't be things like land becoming desolate due to excessive consumption of land power. At least within Eugene's territory.

"The taste is also good. It's good steamed, and you can grind it to make soup or extract syrup."

Homi, standing in the role of Valda's escort, kept twitching her nose. The gatherer's sense seemed to have recognized the potential power the corn possessed.

After the meal ended, Yakson brought a large map drawn on animal skin. It was a quality unimaginable in a remote place like this.

"It's a level hard to see even in a decent city?"

"It is a map I have been making since I first arrived in this blessed land."

Eugene gestured to his subordinates who had reactions of 'Where does this look like a blessing?' to manage their expressions.

"But no matter how I look at it, it smells of military supplies."

"I abandoned my name but not my skills."

"Because the Main God Church diligently teaches how to fight just as much as faith."

Yakson smiled sadly. The map went beyond simply being good quality; it was densely packed with information to support combat.

"For the past 30 years, blood has never dried on these hands. It was either treating injured people or acting as a midwife to deliver babies. But sometimes, I also did the chores God bestowed upon me."

In Yakson's face gazing at him, Eugene somehow got a feeling similar to Godfrey.

"To protect the good, someone must get blood on their hands. Is this also a connection? I too once belonged to the Main God Church and did the same work."

"...!"

Although Yakson always maintained his composure, he found himself surprised quite a few times since knowing Eugene.

* * *

"There is nothing to fear. Any other guys would babble in front of the bushes, but we are Dwarves. Our beards will inform us of hidden enemies."

Rampage encouraged the warriors ahead of their deployment.

"They say the Smallfolk are fierce, but would they match our hammers? Other enemies must have their knees crushed and made to kneel, but these guys don't even need that. The moment they are seen, you just have to smash their skulls immediately."

"Did you all hear the Captain's words? Get moving quickly!"

"The ones to taste the gold mines of the new continent first are us! His Excellency promised!"

The armed dwarven warriors lifted their hammers and boiled their fighting spirit.

Watching that appearance as if reliable, Yakson said.

"We are not the only ones chased away by the expansion and conquest of the Rakshas. There are monsters, of course, and also demon-like Smallfolk. Recently, I heard stories that those guys are gathering in a location not far from here."

"Are they trying to take this place?"

"Everyone is worried about that."

If they had to fight anyway, now when they are not properly organized yet is the optimal time. They had to clean those guys out so the rear would be safe in the subsequent battle with the Rakshas.

"I heard the story about the loyal retainer accompanying the Count. Unfortunately, she lost her voice?"

"I sought out numerous priests and healers, but there was no way."

"There are quite a few similar cases here. Befitting a land with strong wild energy, it happens when the blood of a beast manifests thickly."

"Do you know a cure by any chance?"

Yakson nodded his head.

"We only hope to repay even a fraction of the grace we will receive."

Once upon a time, countless people headed to the holy land in the East seeking salvation. However, the salvation Eugene and Homi wished for was hidden in the remote area of the West.

"But first, executing the will of God comes first, I see."

The benevolent smile disappeared from Yakson's eyes as he said so. Growling sounds started mingling from his mouth.

"What...?"

To the surprised Eugene, Yakson showed beast claws that were gradually lengthening.

"I love the residents here. Therefore, when children who lost their voices were born among them, I wandered the entire jungle to find a cure. After much hardship, I finally learned a secret from a certain druid."

It wasn't methods like herbs or surgery.

"Thus, I became a mage. I came to accept the mysteries of beasts into my body."

Yakson giving up the path of a priest wasn't simply to protect the residents here from the oppression of the Main God Church.

It was because, to save those who lost their voices, he himself had to become a mage understanding the mysteries of beasts.

"That I possessed talent as a mage must also be God's arrangement. And right now, God is commanding me to eradicate the enemies and protect the people here."

Eugene nodded and said.

"God will it."

A slogan commonly spoken in the Main God Church. Hearing that affectionate yet violent phrase for the first time in 30 years, Yakson also smiled and responded.

"God will it."

It was the time for a hunt.