༺ Beasts, their Kings, and Humans – 6 ༻

“However! I do have a question!”

For a fleeting instant, the lieutenant general revealed his anxiety as he glanced up at the abyss, much like a man waiting for something to fall.

But it seemed the time wasn’t right as the vast, endless darkness persisted. Ebon lowered his gaze to the undying.

｢Rasch, the undying. He reportedly tore apart those who insulted his tribe. I assumed him to be the stereotypical barbarian who is easy to manipulate, guided solely by honor, grudges, and favors, unconstrained by laws and rules… but he turned out to be an entirely different character than I had anticipated. Regardless, I can still make use of him.｣

Ebon resumed his composed demeanor and spoke.

“What is it?”

The undying asked his question with a tinge of aversion and intense curiosity.

“It concerns your former subordinate, the lieutenant colonel. She undoubtedly came here under your orders, so why did you attempt to kill her?”

Ebon replied with a smirk.

“An easy question to answer. She betrayed us.”

“And that alone justifies ending a life?”

“Beyond that, her demise suited my purpose the most. She happened to be at the right place, connected by chain to the Dog King. And well, there are various other reasons. I had no reason not to use her.”

“So that is how it was.”

“Why, were you curious about those reasons? Surprising. Are you not an undying? Death is a rare concept for your kind, yet you found the lieutenant colonel’s potential death so impactful?”

The undying nodded solemnly.

“It was rather more impactful than usual. But her peril is not the only thing that struck me. Death is rare among us. Whether stabbed by swords, consumed by flames, torn asunder and scattered to the earth, we return eventually. We are untouched by common, non-cursed diseases. Even the deaths that do occasionally occur are viewed as a return to the embrace of Mother Earth, a release before life descends into wretchedness. We gather in cheer rather than in mourning during our funerals.”

His words carried traces of deep reflection. Ebon responded with corresponding gravity and respect.

“It truly sounds like heaven. For us, death’s visit is abrupt. And so many are lost this way. Unplanned deaths are part of everyday life. Eternal losses are easily found around us. Unexpected promotions due to a superior’s death is common, just as common as suddenly seeing the colonel you shared coffee with last week become an entirely different person. Unlike you, when our body is ripped apart, that is the end.”

His response held a fair degree of contemplation. However, the undying failed to comprehend.

“I am aware. Yet, that makes it even harder to understand. Those like you, Lieutenant General, who die so easily, know of life’s fragility and preciousness, yet they readily kill and die, as if they are oblivious to life’s value.”

“It is not like we are ignorant of its value. We merely strive to find something even more precious. If life is already destined to be lost, should it not be spent in a more worthwhile pursuit?”

Their answers were at odds, but realizing this was a matter of differing perspectives, the undying shook his head with resignation.

“Different perspectives indeed. I believe that the more easily you can lose something, the more valuable it is.”

“The easy loss of life makes it natural to cling to something eternal. I use life that is bound to be lost for a purpose of lasting value.”

“The lieutenant colonel yearned for life.”

“Which is why we felt betrayed. Her actions reneged on our promise. I trust that you understand the value of promises as much as you do the value of life.”

Their exchange came to a close. The undying pondered their conversation with a serious expression.

Ebon observed him briefly before seeking confirmation.

“Given that, I presume you will not stop me, as my life is also valuable.”

The undying forced his lips open.

“…You stabbed my friend in the back, but that was an issue between the two of you. I do not think it is my place to meddle.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“I will not blame you, Lieutenant General. I merely hope that my judgment will not endanger the lieutenant colonel or the others.”

“Worry not. I have already experienced a terrible failure, and even lost my right arm. I have no other means available to me now. The lieutenant colonel will not be exposed to danger.”

Ebon, like a true secret society leader, spun a web of lies with nonchalant finesse.

The undying closed his eyes, signaling his intent to feign ignorance of Ebon’s presence. Upon realizing his meaning, satisfaction adorned Ebon’s lips, the expression unimaginably natural despite the fact that he was dripping blood from a severed arm.

But would things really go as he thought?

“Lieutenant General, just a moment!”

“Ah, the laborer. You were here too.”

As I spoke up, Ebon naturally shifted his gaze toward me. He responded with a friendly smile, at least outwardly.

“Your display of skill at the end was impressive, haha. I was truly astonished. Never did I expect you to disassemble the claw instead of the chain. That was beyond my expectations.”

｢Blast it, he ruined my final plan. It was a hasty plan, but that should’ve made it impossible to hinder! I would’ve killed him from the start if not for the Progenitor!｣

Ebon replied skillfully while concealing his inner thoughts. It was a rather chilling sight from the perspective of a mind reader. It was uncommon to find someone with such a vast discrepancy between their outward and inward demeanor.

I responded with a shrug.

“Don’t you need a dog tag? The colonel passed away, after all. You’ll need the tag to confirm the casualty!”

Dog tags were issued by the Military State to honor fallen soldiers. For those who hadn’t attained level 4 citizenship, the compensation provided to their families upon death was essentially the only true legacy they left behind. For that, they required the dog tag, which soldiers held as dearly as their lives. So much so that there was a saying: “If you can’t leave behind a whole body, at least leave your dog tag intact.”

As such, securing the dog tags of the fallen was the etiquette, virtue, and duty expected of a fellow soldier.

However, this was an unacceptable proposition for Ebon, who was waiting for an escape route to open. He’d find it troublesome to encounter dangerous entities like the regressor on his way down, after all.

Ebon replied with a smile.

“Why would I need a dog tag? As a general officer, my testimony will be sufficient.”

“Er, but you do need the dog tag… And honestly, while I did save Lieutenant Colonel Kalpatz Kuris on reflex, she’s in quite a critical condition. What if she ends up passing away while staying here?”

In response to my feigned concern, Ebon answered with whatever came to mind to deflect my inquiries. His apprehension grew as the time of escape drew near.

“Do not worry. I will make sure to report on Lieutenant Colonel Kalpatz. I will indicate that she is focused on recovery…”

And so he fell into my trap.

The Human Regime operated in secrecy, conveying information in metaphors in preparation for the worst, referring to one another in veiled terms to avoid exposing their identities.

Even their “patrons” didn’t know the face or name of the individuals they supported. It was to the point that Callis was surprised to find out who her patron was. Likewise, the lieutenant general couldn’t recognize her right away.

This was why Ebon readily accepted my reference to “Kalpatz”, and why the undying opened his eyes.

“Listen here.”

The tone of his voice had dropped, no longer carrying the candid laughter that brushed off even his own impalement.

“Tell me again. What did you say… the lieutenant colonel’s name was?”

All he showed was the fury of someone who had unearthed deception.

“Lieutenant Colonel Kalpatz, is it not? Her surname is… mm. I cannot recall. The Military State does not emphasize family names much, you see…”

“Wrong. Her name is Callis. Callis Kritz.”

A flustered expression briefly flashed across Ebon’s face. Simultaneously, he brimmed with animosity toward me. He experienced the displeasure of being ensnared in a trap and directed a surge of murderous intent toward me, the one who had set it.

You miscalculated, Lieutenant General Ebon. Feeling troubled is fine, but if you let that escalate to murder, what kind of judgment do you think the undying will make?

Ebon swiftly attempted to retract his words and rectify the situation.

“Ah, it seems I made a mistake. That laborer misspoke just now and—”

“She was an outstanding warrior. She fought fiercely against life itself to survive, confronting death to the end as a warrior. I respect her.”

“I feel the same way.”

After your remark about death for traitors? Haha, even the undying wouldn’t buy that.

“I believed that the objective of your people truly had great value. I thought it was something akin to honor or pride, something worth achieving even if it meant enduring suffering.”

“That is correct. We strive for the sublime longing of humanity’s—”

“But after ordering a person to die for something so significant.”

The undying took a step closer as he continued his words.

“Do you not think that, at the very least, their name should be honored? It is a virtue that should be upheld even before a promise. Even my tribesmen adhere to this value when death holds no fear for us. Yet, Lieutenant General, it appears you hold no regard whatsoever for those who died for your cause.”

“I apologize. I—”

“Do not apologize, for there are none here to accept it. Nevertheless, you have let me understand your lack of right to denounce the lieutenant colonel. So…”

The undying’s left hand closed on empty air, yet it produced a sound akin to a boulder grinding. Crrk.

Raising his fist, clenched like a rock, Rasch declared expressionlessly.

“Let us settle this in three blows. You have torn me apart, harmed my friend, and even insulted her honor. Three should suffice, don’t you think?”

This was absolutely unacceptable for Ebon, as he had to prepare to escape soon. Expression contorting, he drew out his combat arm with his intact left hand. It was the very packet he had unequipped to lighten his body after his defeat against the regressor.

Holding the packet in his mouth, Ebon directly inserted it into the bio-receptor of his left arm. His upper body was enveloped in an alchemical glow.

“…Though I am not at my best condition.”

The components that had suffered damage or fractures during the previous battle remained in their impaired state. The joints didn’t connect smoothly due to the reconstruction of an already compromised combat arm, and residual mana seeped from the wounded areas.

Furthermore, the alchemical steel lost direction for the missing right arm, resulting in pieces falling away like streams. Consequently, the shoulder guard and chest armor on the right side couldn’t fully take shape.

Nonetheless, the leap from weaponless to holding a lone claw in his left hand was dearly significant on its own.

“The undying engage in battles of attrition, trusting in their regenerative ability, but we are not on the surface. Do you think you can outmatch me within the abyss?”

“Who knows?”

In contrast, the undying still possessed only an immortal body and two fists to go with it. But if there was a difference from the norm, it was that his fists radiated clear hostility.

The undying clenched his fists and shot back.

“Still, I can surely manage three blows.”

The determination to crush an enemy was a rare sight in the undying, yet that very intent was now directed at Ebon.

“This time, do not resent me if you end up torn apart!”

Ebon rushed at the undying first.

｢I mustn’t underestimate him. I am injured and left with one arm. With limited stamina to boot, I must end this battle as quickly as possible.｣

Despite lacking his right arm and being battered all over, Ebon maintained a taut sense of alertness. He lunged at the undying in a near-sliding motion, extending his claw.

The undying didn’t evade or observe his opponent. Instead, he held out his right hand to meet the claw.

｢He wants to catch my claw between his fingers? Foolish!｣

The undying didn’t even raise his opposite hand. If he were aiming to attack, it would’ve been wiser to target Ebon’s right side as the latter was missing an arm below the elbow, yet he persisted in a frontal conflict. Was it arrogance or complacency?

Ebon held the advantage with his weapon in an open clash. He imbued his claw with a Qi Art and swiped at his opponent.

｢Let me cut those fingers first! I’ll split you from your fingertips to your whole body!｣

Ebon directed his blades, charged with blue energy, at the undying’s fingers. They sliced through the skin, and then… became lodged in the bones with a dull sound.

｢What?!｣

This made no sense. Perhaps it might have if Ebon hadn’t employed his Qi Art, but his claw possessed both a keen edge and repulsive force. There was no reason for it to snag on bones. And even if it did, it ought to have either cut through or pushed them away. There was no plausible explanation for this aside from the undying’s bones hardening.

Then, a sound of chewing reached Ebon’s astonished ears—inside the undying’s mouth was a maidenhair tree leaf.

“O Mother Earth.”

The undying murmured softly, pouring strength into his right hand. The blessed maidenhair leaf extended its veins from within the undying’s body.

This was the abyss, the land forsaken by Mother Earth, and the undying’s body, offered to nature’s mother, mirrored her soil.

Born in spring, leaves served their trees before settling into the earth to decay once their purpose was fulfilled. The small cycle that surrounded and linked a single tree continued until its life was exhausted.

When finally buried within the earth, maidenhair leaves would decompose in solace, to return the vital essences it absorbed as part of a world tree to Mother Earth.

Crrk. The claw blades quivered as they caught in the flesh. Ebon hastily attempted to retract, yet his weapon held fast.

Ebon gnashed his teeth, now comprehending the nature of this power.

｢Qi Art…! This is another form of Qi Art! One that enhances the body itself!｣

“So, you’ve grasped Water…!”

The undying replied indifferently as he gripped the claw.

“I care little for how the Military State names it. I merely… fortified my body. That is all.”

Ebon struggled to pull out the claw. He twisted, shook, and even pushed and pulled… yet the claw didn’t budge.

It wasn’t ensnared in some strange way, neither in bone nor muscle. The Qi Art imbued in the blades allowed them to repel most hindrances.

Simply put, the claw wasn’t moving because the undying had it firmly grasped.

｢This barbarian’s Qi Art…! It is on par with mine!｣

Ebon couldn’t shake loose due to the overwhelming difference in strength. And with his right arm missing, he couldn’t release the claw either.

All Ebon could manage was to wriggle within his captor’s hold, compelled to watch closely as the undying balled his left hand into a fist and hoisted it up. Even he couldn’t stop his blood from running cold at the sight.

Ebon exclaimed in disbelief.

“You… you shouldn’t be able to exert power within the abyss!”

“That is certainly the case. However, I possess a blessed leaf from a maidenhair tree.”

The world tree leaf was so precious he had been saving it till the very last. The undying originally intended to offer the leaf to Mother Earth as soon as he returned to the surface.

Until he decided to give Ebon a beating.

｢Why is that still…! Was it not used to awaken him?!｣

Realizing the truth, Ebon shrieked in desperation.

“I’m the one who handed it to Lieutenant Colonel Kalpatz! It was me! Not Kalpatz, I awakened you! You must help me!”

He screamed, grasping at straws, but all he received for his efforts was a cold retort.

“You are mistaken. The leaves of a world tree belong to Mother Earth. The names may vary for those entrusted with them, but ultimately, it is her blessing. There is no need to thank each person who briefly looked after this leaf. You simply accept the feelings it contains.”

And with that, the undying Rasch pulled his left fist far back, adding one final remark.

“Also, the name of your subordinate is Callis, Lieutenant General. Remember it.”

Crunch. The undying’s straight punch drove into Ebon’s partially-helmeted face.