LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 260
“Operation, pause.”
As Lars raised his fist above his head to signal, all the adventurers froze in place.
He dismounted and slowly walked forward. The snow was so deep it almost swallowed his knees. Even with barely any visibility, Lars spotted the marker.
“Commander, what’s that?”
“It’s a territorial marker. If we cross this line, they’ll realize we’ve arrived and will respond.”
Lars showed the primitive totem and warned the adventurers.
“Remember what we talked about, everyone. No matter who pops out, don’t panic and never act hostile first. Prepare the gift.”
“Understood.”
The adventurers, including Hugo, brought in a cart filled with all sorts of fruits and meats. They exchanged glances and crossed the territory all at once.
After placing the cart inside, Lars and Hugo quickly returned to the front.
They waited for a reaction from inside.
One hour passed.
“…Commander, no one has appeared.”
“Right.”
Lars realized something was wrong.
‘Let’s hypothesize based on the probabilities of the future.’
He pulled up the ending list on his status window.
―――――――――――
No. 007 : Ice Age 18%
No. 032 : Corrupted Barbarians 66%
No. 035 : Barbarian Invasion 76%
No. 039 : Eye of the Storm 34%
No. 070 : Great Demon Army 52%
…
―――――――――――
‘The probability of a bad ending related to barbarians is way too high.’
In the future, the Gothberg Marquisate was already destroyed and occupied by barbarians.
The empire had failed to subdue the Rock Tribe, and with the hints about the great sorcery in the uncolonized area, Lars could guess where the barbarians would emerge from.
‘The northern uncivilized area must clearly be the land of the barbarians.’
Why would the arriving barbarians be random among the three tribes?
Possibilities dictated by chance meant anything could happen. Thanks to his experience of events shifting slightly even in repetitive cycles, Lars instinctively understood this fact.
‘There’s only one conclusion.’
Some unknown great sorcery was happening beyond the snowy mountains, choosing one to survive among the three tribes.
And that process might take years.
What if Gishta had already faced the bad ending of total annihilation with all the Thunder Tribe?
If his speculation was true, it would be horrifying.
Even if they survived and appeared in the North, who knew what kind of ordeal they had to go through? With Lars’s experience as an adventurer, he could easily empathize in his imagination now.
“I’m changing the strategy. Hippogriff, advance!”
At Lars’s command, the adventurers drew their weapons and began circulating their mana. They gripped the reins and prepared to charge.
“The enemies are of two kinds. The Rock Tribe is massive, and their chieftain seems to wield powerful sorcery. Don’t approach without a healer! The Ice Tribe’s individual combat strength is low but they’re fast and use overwhelming tactics. Engage them from a distance!”
“Commander, what about the last tribe?”
“Try to cooperate with the female barbarians. The enemy of the enemy is our ally. Even if we can’t communicate, actions will speak for themselves.”
Having issued his commands, Lars mounted the front line.
“Let’s go!”
“Time to wield some blades!”
“Let’s move, everyone!”
The sound of hoofbeats echoed as the armored horses kicked up the snow. From a distance, it resembled a massive avalanche climbing up the mountains.
“We’re crossing the highlands!”
“Prepare for deceleration!”
At the point where the uphill turned downhill.
The obstructed view opened up, revealing a vast landscape to Lars.
The sun shone relentlessly, blinding his eyes. All he could see was a plain covered in ice.
A valley untouched by civilization, with towering snowy peaks blocking every direction.
“What in the world is that?!”
“Something feels off!”
In the distant center of the valley, a black vortex spiraled from the sky to the ground, pulsating as if threatening to devour the earth.
“War is happening!”
“The barbarians are fighting among themselves!”
“Commander, are we joining?”
While racing downhill, the leading scout spotted battling barbarians near the vortex. The defenders were women from the Thunder Tribe while the massive attackers were from the Rock Tribe.
“We’re joining. The princess’s request is to interrupt that large-scale necromantic sorcery. Let’s clear the entrance first!”
“Clearing paths is my specialty!”
“Let’s go!”
Dududududu!
The sound of hoofbeats echoes.
The adventurers maintained their speed on the icy surface without slipping.
“Be careful not to fall!”
“No problem. These specialized horseshoes are top-notch!”
“Of course, it’s Commander Lars!”
All the horses in the party wore thick shoes.
It was a product developed by Lars, working like chains for winter tires.
“Little ones are clinging on!”
“Is that the Ice Tribe?!”
They were also galloping at a considerable speed, but the black swarm jumped down the hillside and pulled even with them.
Fast enough to chase on foot. Feeling a sense of danger, the adventurers drew their weapons.
“Nothing to hold back! Slash them as you see fit!”
“I’ll intercept with magic. Get out of the line of fire!”
The Ice Tribe charged, eager to loot the adventurers’ belongings. Bang! Their heads were struck by swords and magic.
Unruly and disorganized tactics. In such situations, the adventurers relied on individual skills.
Each adventurer took turns taking down the advancing Ice Tribe.
Lars, the leader, wasn’t just standing by. At the frontlines, he used divine power to create sharp spears that fell upon the heads of the Ice Tribe one after another.
Psshht!
The Ice Tribe charging at him met their swift demise as they were struck by his sword. Tanya was there, and their coordinated movements were flawless from long familiarity.
“I can see the village!”
“Prepare to clear a way!”
At Lars’s command, the adventurers energetically opened the siege equipment’s ports. Clunk! The siege ram descended toward the gate meant for demolishing it.
“Let’s wipe them out!”
Rumble!
As the siege ram passed, the Rock Tribe clinging to the village walls were swiftly cut down in a single sweep.
The Thunder Tribe, previously on the defensive, blinked in shock at the sudden turnaround but raised their axes to welcome the reinforcements.
“Our friends have arrived!”
“Throw your axes!”
Tanya, still on horseback, continued the momentum. Lars signaled to drop three parties to eliminate the Rock Tribe starting from the crucial main gate.
Lars shouted beyond the gate.
“We’re friends from outside! We’ve come to see the chieftain! Where’s Gishta?!”
“A man! The chieftain’s friend? You’re not one we’ve heard of!”
“Let’s take it slow in this urgent situation. So where is he?”
First, he needed to locate Gishta to assess the battle situation. He needed a basis to devise a strategy. Lars was confident he could collaborate with her.
The Thunder Tribe pondered and eventually responded to Lars.
“The chieftain is in his chambers! Fighting! The enemy! Huge!”
Fighting the Rock Tribe’s chieftain in a one-on-one?
Is that building resembling an altar the place for his chambers?
It looked perilous at first glance. Right in the midst of a swirling black vortex. Lars clicked his tongue.
“Tanya, hold command here. I need to pop in there for a bit.”
“It looks dangerous. Let’s go together.”
“Same is true for you. If there’s no one to command, we might get overwhelmed. And my divine power is too little to share with two.”
WHOOSH!
Lars’s body was enveloped in a brilliant white light. A high-tier holy spell, Blessing. He would be able to withstand a bit even within the black vortex.
Before Tanya could say anything further, Lars mounted his horse and kicked the reins.
“Commander!”
A man who constantly put his life at risk. Tanya swung her sword again, ready to follow.
As he got closer to the vortex, Lars recognized it as an immense mass of sorcery.
The Ice Tribe, which had been chasing him moments ago, was sucked into the vortex and ignited upon contact.
“Well, I wonder if I can hold on.”
Seeing his horse coughing, it seemed they were nearing their limit. Lars reflexively smacked the horse’s rear, turning back down the path they came, then checked his Blessing again.
It should protect against curses of rank four or lower. Given the amount, it could last about an hour at most.
“Let’s go.”
Lars leaped into the vortex. WHOOSH! A sticky curse flared just inches above his skin, threatening him.
He descended under the altar. Signs of battle were everywhere and the place was in utter disarray. Traces of traps suggested he should be careful not to step on them.
Finally reaching the lowest level.
“Ah— LARALARA!!”
Hearing a familiar battle cry, Lars quickened his steps.
Beyond the shattered door stood a massive dragon.
“It’s the Heavenly Dragon.”
One of the creators of all things, known as the god of elements. A great ancient dragon on par with the Earth Dragon.
However, it seemed to be severely injured, lying on the ground, drained of energy.
In front of it.
As if to protect the Heavenly Dragon, a thunder tribesman was standing still like a wall, his skin blackening from the corrosion of the curse, blood streaming from his bulging eyes, all while swinging his axe ruthlessly.
“Arraht!”
Boom! Gishta’s iron axe clashed with the stone axe of the Rock Tribe chieftain, causing a burst of lightning that shook the altar.
In his grip, Gishta held a Storm Stone.
“The Rock Tribe aimed for that.”
He was the one who raised this sorcery. Lars quickly understood.
He pulled out a candy from his pouch and popped it into his mouth.
Crunch, as he chewed, a message popped up in the status window.
―――――――――――
· Using Recognition Collapse Potion (Solid form).
· The Goddess recognizes you as [Pope].
―――――――――――
Lars raised his right hand.
“May the Divine Goddess watch over us, may we sleep peacefully this day.”
WHOOSH!
The divine power surged and swirled around his arm.
It soon fixed into the form of a spear.
“Holy Spear, Longinus.”
SHWING! BOOM!!
The spear Lars hurled exploded through the Rock Tribe chieftain’s arm, shattering it.
Gishta turned to him at the same time it happened.