How a Two-Life Scoundrel Lives - Chapter 114
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
【Chapter 114】
“Is it truly fact that Dekan’s unit was completely annihilated?”
“Yes, Chief.”
“How did this happen? Dekan is an excellent centurion, and the warriors he leads are also brave warriors, are they not?”
Chief Asnathal of [the Predator Tribe] frowned as if he couldn’t understand the unexpected news of defeat.
In his mind, it made no sense that not only Dekan but not a single one of the warriors he led had returned alive.
“What was the reason? Did they have an outstanding warrior?”
“That doesn’t seem to be the case, Chief.”
“Then?”
“Dekan and his warriors were reportedly in poor physical condition even before departing for battle.”
“Hmm?”
“Upon investigation, not only Dekan but all the warriors he led had been suffering from high fever and abdominal pain since two days prior.”
“High fever and abdominal pain…?”
Astanal’s brow furrowed.
“Does that even make sense! Are you saying that the strong warriors of our Predator Tribe were massacred by enemies due to mere high fever and abdominal pain!”
“Ch-Chief!”
“Is this not truly shameful! That our strong people would kneel before such trivial high fever and abdominal pain!”
Asnathal’s anger was completely justified.
Barbarians were a people with cultural characteristics that revered strength and considered combat sacred.
For them, being defeated in battle due to such minor ailments was an impossibility.
They were a people who wouldn’t bat an eye at ordinary injuries, and would even consider losing limbs as glory…
“I misjudged Dekan. I didn’t realize he was such a weak fool.”
“I think the same, Chief.”
“He probably couldn’t reach Valhalla. Ptui!”
Asnathal spat yellowish phlegm on the floor with a thud, insulting the fallen Dekan.
Telling a warrior who died in battle that he probably couldn’t reach Valhalla was a tremendous insult, but Asnathal didn’t bat an eye.
For no other reason than that being defeated in battle due to such minor ailments was absolutely unacceptable.
“It’s actually better this way. Such fools are better off dead. We don’t need such weak ones in our Predator Tribe. Do you understand?”
“Yes! Chief!”
At Asnathal’s words, the warriors gathered in the barracks shouted their response in loud voices.
“This is truly absurd. What pathetic fools. Tsk tsk.”
Asnathal clicked his tongue while muttering to himself as if dumbfounded.
For barbarians, whining about minor illnesses or causing disruption to battle was extremely shameful…
* * *
Meanwhile, Carlisle’s group quickly realized that the operation had achieved greater success than they had anticipated.
They didn’t even need to investigate.
The amount of waste pouring through the ventilation shaft daily had increased tremendously in just two days.
This meant the barbarians’ bathroom usage frequency had increased by more than three times, which was clear evidence that the operation had been a great success.
There would be no other reason for the amount of waste to increase so explosively.
Of course, while the operation was a great success, from Carlisle’s group’s perspective, it was absolutely hellish.
“Ugh.”
Carlisle couldn’t bear it anymore and wanted to rush out of the research laboratory immediately.
As the amount of waste increased, a terrible stench began to reverberate throughout the interior of the research laboratory.
Thanks to the baby dragon and scout members diligently working on waste disposal, it was bearable, but the worsening stench was unavoidable.
Of course, Carlisle himself didn’t lift a finger.
“How long do we have to keep doing this?”
“Is that something to say when you’re just standing around with your hands behind your back watching? Huh?”
At Carlisle’s question, Begman’s face contorted with anger.
Begman’s military uniform was covered with waste in various places, making anyone who saw it naturally frown.
“Don’t come any closer and speak from there.”
“Hm?”
“It’s dirty. Ugh.”
“This bastard really!”
Begman trembled with the desire to punch Carlisle.
“So when are we getting out?”
“We need to wait another day or two.”
“Sigh.”
“Don’t complain when you’re not doing anything. We even exempted you from the work.”
“It’s because the smell keeps getting worse.”
“I’ve reported to Sir Helen, so there should be a response soon. Just bear with it a little. Are you the only one having a hard time?”
“Tch.”
Carlisle pouted, but that didn’t produce any solutions.
For now, they had no choice but to wait until dysentery spread sufficiently among the barbarians stationed above the research laboratory, namely the Predator Tribe.
“Just bear with it a little longer. Since we have solid evidence that their combat power has weakened, the higher-ups will try to send reinforcements even if they have to push themselves.”
“I hope so.”
Carlisle made an expression hoping that would be the case.
If the superior unit didn’t send reinforcements, Carlisle’s group would really have no choice but to escape on their own.
* * *
Meanwhile, Asnathal, the chief of the Predator Tribe, was ‘completely’ unaware that a plague was spreading through the tribe.
This was understandable, as due to the barbarians’ cultural characteristics, being concerned with minor ailments was taboo, so no one dared to report it.
But even that was only for a day or two, and when it was just one or two people.
“Are you saying a plague is spreading through the tribe?”
“Yes, Chief.”
“Just how many?”
“It seems most of the tribe’s warriors are suffering from the plague.”
“What in the…!”
Asnathal couldn’t believe it.
Why would perfectly fine warriors be suffering from a plague?
If it were just one or two people, he would have dismissed them as weak fools, but according to the report, the number of warriors suffering from the plague was close to nearly a thousand.
Moreover, since Asnathal himself had been suffering from diarrhea accompanied by abdominal pain as well as high fever since morning, it was hard to consider it a simple minor ailment.
“Are you saying an epidemic is spreading?”
“W-we’re not sure about that either.”
The tribe’s leadership made stupid expressions.
Barbarians were generally ignorant about medical arts.
Even what little medical knowledge they had relied on crude and primitive treatment methods for injuries sustained in battle, so they could only be struck dumb when faced with such problems.
“You stupid fools! A plague is spreading and the tribe’s combat power is declining, yet you just stamp your feet!”
“…”
The leadership hung their heads low.
In fact, they too were suffering from the plague with abdominal pain and high fever, but they were enduring it because they couldn’t show weakness.
“Damn it! A plague during war season! When we should be fighting battles every day!”
For barbarians, war season, namely autumn, was a period considered very important.
While securing a foothold for stable magic stone mining before winter was important, due to their cultural characteristics of considering combat and war sacred, autumn was the season when they had to be active with full force.
But if a plague was spreading throughout the entire tribe, they might have to retreat instead of enjoying war season.
If that happened, the areas where magic stones could be stably mined would also become narrower, so from the barbarians’ perspective, the losses would be enormous.
“Bring the Great Mother! Quickly!”
“Yes, Chief!”
The warriors of the Predator Tribe brought forth an elderly barbarian woman as soon as Asnathal’s order was given.
“Strong warrior. I think I know why you called for me.”
Erolga spoke with a knowing expression.
“Wise elder, I knew you would understand.”
“The spirits of our ancestors speak to me, how could I not know?”
Erolga’s sharp eyes gleamed.
“Great Mother, please bestow your wise words upon us.”
Asnathal prostrated himself before Erolga without a moment’s hesitation.
And rightfully so, as Erolga was the greatest shaman of the Predator Tribe.
In barbarian society, shamans held positions of great respect as they were responsible for both shamanism and medical arts.
Since Erolga was the most skilled among the shamans of the Butcher Tribe, it was perfectly natural for Chief Asnathal to show such reverence.
“First, I must give you a reprimand.”
“Excuse me…?”
“Haven’t you been neglecting the ancestral rites lately?”
“That, that is…”
“Even though it’s the season of war and battle is sacred, how can you be negligent in offering rites to the ancestors?”
“I deeply reflect and repent. When autumn comes to an end, I will hold grand rites to please our ancestors.”
“Good. Then I shall share my wisdom with you.”
Erolga showed a satisfied expression.
“The reason our tribe’s warriors are falling ill is because this land is filled with vengeful spirits.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“This land is a place where countless lives have perished. Since we’ve made camp in such a place, isn’t it natural that our warriors would suffer?”
“Such a thing!”
“Follow me.”
Erolga led Asnathal to the area near the food storage within the military camp.
“This place is filled with evil spirits.”
“By evil spirits, you mean…”
“Literally evil spirits.”
Erolga closed her eyes, concentrated her mind, and spoke.
“There are evil spirits underground spreading plague. They are the ones who have spread disease among our warriors.”
“…!”
“Truly vicious creatures. Soon a more terrible plague will spread and all our warriors will die.”
“Great Mother! How can we drive away these evil spirits?”
“It won’t be easy. They are such powerful evil spirits that it might be impossible to drive them away.”
“Is there no way?”
“How could there be none?”
Erolga spoke with a meaningful expression.
* * *
Meanwhile, Carlisle’s group, who had been suffering from the foul stench, suddenly discovered something strange and became greatly flustered.
“What are they doing now?”
Carlisle tilted his head while looking into the magic mirror.
“Su-surely… they haven’t discovered us?”
Begman said, breaking out in cold sweat.
Since the barbarians had suddenly begun gathering toward the place where the research facility entrance was hidden, it was impossible not to be tense.
“Damn! They say if your tail is too long, it gets stepped on!”
“Ha. So this is how we die.”
“Are we going to die now?”
The scout members’ expressions rapidly darkened.
Unless they had been discovered, there was absolutely no reason for the barbarians to swarm toward the entrance.
“If it was going to be like this, we should have just escaped quickly. Sigh.”
Carlisle let out a deep sigh and drew Grimgand.
He didn’t know how they had found out, but to be discovered so futilely…
Woom woom woom!
Grimgand, which had been quiet until now, began to cry out as if sensing the crisis.
“It’s been fun, you bastards.”
Begman gripped his weapon and gave his final farewell to the scout members.
Tremble tremble tremble!
The new recruits Adrian and Lieutenant Melvin trembled, unable to overcome their fear.
“Everyone dies anyway. Please be at peace.”
Kudo smiled palely as he encouraged them.
Though that wouldn’t make the approaching fear of death disappear…
Thud, thud!
Finally, the barbarians who had gathered at the research facility entrance each took up shovels and began digging the ground earnestly.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————