The battle that followed might be considered a fierce struggle.
The Twilight Kin, who continued to fight without understanding the overall situation, were indeed a group with high combat capabilities befitting their nature.
Of the approximately 300, I probably faced about 80%. Since they wouldn’t negotiate, I had them all explode into pieces with my mace. Seeing their comrades instantly turn into a bloody mist and chunks of flesh didn’t diminish their fighting spirit, which was quite remarkable, but it never changed the course of the battle.
The remaining 20% were dealt with by the adventurers, and despite being almost equal in number, the adventurers seemed to have been overwhelmingly dominant from start to finish.
My Vessel of the Commander and Freinir’s Divine Fury likely played a part, but I believe it was also due to their own inherent strength. There were, of course, many injuries, but Freinir’s area healing was so powerful that no one suffered a fatal wound.
When I came to, I was standing in the middle of a plain stained red. I myself was covered in the blood of the Twilight Kin and looked quite terrible.
Looking north, I saw about 2,500 Twilight Kin standing still in the distance. They had lost their will to fight, but they had stopped and watched our battle.
As I was wondering what to do, Geshura came to me.
“Soushi, it seems they feel something towards you. Why don’t you go talk to them?”
“Even if you say that, I’m in this state…”
Just as I said that, Sfenia came and washed my entire body with high-pressure water magic. With the addition of warm air drying using fire and wind magic, and Freinir casting ‘Purification,’ my body was quickly cleansed.
“Now you’re back to your usual self, Soushi-san. Let’s go to the Twilight Kin.”
“Sir Soushi, I will accompany you as well.”
So, in the end, the entire Soul’s Guidance group went to make contact with the moderate Twilight Kin again. Marishielle and Dorozitte also hurriedly joined us.
As we walked, about 20 Twilight Kin came forward, led by Migitima, a Twilight Kin with wings and a lizard’s head. Since multiple tribes were mixed, it seemed like representatives from each tribe had come out.
“Strong one, Soushi. We wish for you to give us instructions once more.”
“What do you mean? Why do you need my instructions?”
“Seeing your power, we understood. We need the command of a powerful one.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you’re saying. Shouldn’t you just go back to your tribal lives as before?”
Geshura interrupted my question and answered.
“Soushi, I can somewhat understand what Migitima is saying. We, the Twilight Kin, need the instructions of a strong one once more to return to our original lives. We have a feeling that we cannot change our actions unless the orders given by a strong one named Rendurm are overwritten by an even stronger one.”
“Is that… a matter of the Twilight Kin’s customs or ethics?”
“It may be closer to an instinct. I’ve never been conscious of it before, but this incident seems to have brought it to the surface for the first time. We seem to have an instinct to obey the strong, something that is ingrained in our bodies.”
“Hmm… I can understand what you’re saying, but…”
Even so, it wasn’t something I could immediately grasp.
From what I’ve heard, it sounds like I’m supposed to take Rendurm’s place. If that’s the case, this is actually a very serious matter—
“So, in short, Soushi is going to become the new king of the Twilight Kin, right? That’s fine, isn’t it?”
Larni said nonchalantly, whether she knew of my concerns or not.
Freinir was the first to react.
“That’s what it sounded like to me as well. I think it’s wonderful. If Sir Soushi rules the Twilight Kin, I’m sure a better world will be born.”
“No, it’s not really about that…”
“No, Soushi, Larni’s interpretation is almost correct.”
Geshura interrupted me and turned to face the gathered Twilight Kin.
“You have gathered here because you also recognize Soushi as your king, haven’t you?”
“We do not know if we can call him a king, but we feel that this human is above us. We had a similar feeling towards Rendurm, but this is clearly stronger.”
“Geshura trusts this human, right? If so, we can judge that he is trustworthy as well.”
“The feeling that we want to receive instructions from a strong one and start a new life is undeniable. If that human is strong, it is not strange to call him a king.”
“Indeed. I can understand that feeling. So, Soushi, as our king, give us new instructions. Then the Twilight Kin will obey.”
“…Can I refuse?”
“Even if Soushi refuses, the fact that we have acknowledged it will not change. There is no need to think so hard about it. We are not saying that you have to come to the Garden of Twilight and rule us. If Soushi gives a single command, we will act on our own.”
Somehow, if I accept this, I have a strong feeling that I’ll be made the king of the Twilight Kin by default… It feels like it’s been a while since I felt the malicious smile of my Bad Luck skill.
Anyway, it seems like something I can’t avoid, and even if I become a king of the Twilight Kin in name only, it won’t change how I’m treated.
“Okay… Marishielle, do you think His Imperial Majesty would be concerned about letting the Twilight Kin return here?”
“His Majesty, or rather, no one, would have anticipated such a situation. Therefore, I believe His Majesty will adapt to what Sir Soushi does.”
“That’s right. Rather, if you throw this matter to His Imperial Majesty, I think he would be the one in trouble. It would be easier for His Majesty if Soushi-san decides here.”
Not only Marishielle but even Dorozitte said that and winked at me, so I had no choice but to brace myself.
I took a breath and turned to face Migitima and the others.
“Then, the Twilight Kin shall leave this place immediately, return to the Garden of Twilight, and go back to your original tribal lives. If possible, please refrain from wantonly crossing over to this continent in the future. Is that clear?”
“We obey, strong king.”
As Migitima answered and lowered his head, the tribal leaders did the same, showing their submission.
“What will you do, Geshura? Will you return with them?”
“No, I will stay with Soushi. Instead, I would like to give a Communication Magic Tool to Migitima, what do you think?”
“I think that’s a good idea. Migitima, would you be willing to take on the role of liaison?”
“Of course. I will gladly accept that great role.”
After receiving the Communication Magic Tool, Migitima and the others bowed once more, then turned and headed towards the group.
And the Twilight Kin began to move north.
Watching the Twilight Kin disappear into the distance, I finally relaxed my shoulders and let out a long breath.
“Hmm, hmm. This means that a new legend has been added to Lord Soushi and Soul’s Guidance. It seems like the birth of a legendary adventurer is finally upon us.”
“No, Shizuna-san, Sir Soushi’s power doesn’t end here. The world is still in chaos. When all of this is balanced, I believe Sir Soushi’s true legend will begin.”
“I think what Frei is saying is right, but for now, I want to take a bath first, and then drink until I’m soaked in sake. It’s going to be the usual thing again anyway.”
“Ah, the usual thing, huh? This time it seems like it’s going to be a bit of a big deal.”
As I listened to my companions’ conversation, I was vaguely thinking about where I should go next.