Etranger
Chapter 46

“I am Diana… a god… a mighty being given the power of a god… the world… came down… a man and woman…”

San and Biyeon moved slowly through the crowd. While listening to the priest’s voice in the background, they smiled bitterly.

Though it couldn’t be confirmed, the messagewasaimed at them. A familiar message that can be eavesdropped with nectar and salt, the same protocol…

[This time around, our opponent isagod of this world... Then what’s the relationship between the Sage that we saw before we escaped and this god? What’s the meaning of thisweird message?] San asked.

Biyeon held his hand tightly. Her tightened lips trembled lightly.

[It’s… it’s like hearing a declaration that the next experiment will begin. I feel like we’re sitting upon a large chessboard. Goddess Diana... What if the god we’ve heard ofis thisgod? It means that the Master and this god made some kind of deal.]

They grew nervous. They still didn’t know what the rules werein this ‘game’. However, from the moment they’re discovered, they’dbe chased and pulled around by the oracle’s fated message or the public opinion that the temple helps create. In the end, they’ll have to act according to a predetermined plan, and theirfatewill always beinterpreted asthe will of god, whether they live or die.

Though they may besafefor now, their expressions didn’t relax. They knew that they wouldn’t have much control over their decisions and actions if they left things as they were. They would once again become ‘puppets’…

“Let’sprepare for anoperation. My mind is exploding with anger,”Sansaid as he put his hand on her shoulder.

“Shall we have a drink? It’s hard to handle and process all this with asobermind. Ah! I'm really getting pissed off, too.”

Yuren, who was following close by, tilted his head.

He couldn’t make sense of these people’s thought processes and conversations…

‘Why are they angry all of a sudden?’

Episode 2. Book 1: Exploration – Chapter 13

The morning air was fresh.

As spring deepened, the fields and mountains became full of life.

The mountainside was lush. The dawn dewdrops were still floating atop the pine leaves. The dewdrops started to shimmer and shine brightly from the sunlight that passed through the canopy and down onto the leaves.

The vast valley land was green, and the mountains were adorned with reddish flowers. The gathering for the hunt was held in the Count’s square. Almost everyone in the estate attended this important event.

Fromthe rooftops, the balcony windows, and the high places that could overlook the square, people gathered.

The women dressed in their finest clothes,held presents in both hands, and stood by the side of the road, waiting for the end of the event and the procession of hunters to pass by them.

They would deliver a gift to the man of their choice and prayto the goddess of huntingfor his safe return. For the residents, this event was much more important than just an annual huntingevent. It was to ensure their livelihood. The hunters would struggle against the beasts for the benefit of the residents, so that theresidentsmay live on this land without constant concern. Living near the forest was dangerous. Many people died from monster and beast attacks.Thus, this war-like hunting event was a godsend for the residents.

“How many people are here?” asked San.

“Around six to seven hundred,” Biyeon replied.

“What’s their level of combat power?”

“By my approximation, the average warrior is around a Master Warrior level.”

“How many people do you need per Algon?”

“At least 10 need to group upto contend against one Algon. The groups seem to be organized into 20 people each.”

San and Biyeon werestartingtheirnew job.San’sjob title was ‘Special Captain’. It was a newly created position. It was created because San’s request aligned with the Count’s needs. In the Count’s eyes, these two had excellent fighting power, but they weren’t familiar with the outside world nor did theyverifyany command ability.

In addition, since full trust hadn’t been established, it wasn’t possible to entrust them to command a province-level military unit. San and Biyeon also wanted to refrain from taking addedresponsibilityas well.

They asked for and were granted an ‘abnormal’ mission with a 20-person unit. They also requested that the unit keep its original name.

Their main job responsibility was to organize the hunting event from the center and solve any problems that may arisein the other parties, such as medical emergencies.They were alsotaskedwithoverseeing the management and trading of spoils obtained from the hunt and mediating any disputes.

This lasttask was usually given to a powerful clan since one needed to bargain with tough hunters and fierce warriors from all over.

Though operating thehuntwas burdensome and grueling, it brought in a huge sum of money, 40% of the Count’s total annual revenue. The Count may have been able to use someone in-house to execute this important task, but there werevirtually nopeople withinhisestate who possessed the level of power and knowledge necessary to properly carry out their duty. Thus, in the short term, the Count delegated this work to San and Biyeon.

Pu-ooh-

The gathered group receivedGoddess Diana’s blessing.Afterward, a trumpet sounded, announcing the beginning of the hunt. The groups of huntersmoved onward towards the forest.

Spring flowers were sprinkled in front of the procession. Virginwomenapproached the person of their choice and delivered their prepared gifts,mainly embroidered handkerchiefs or hand-crafted ornaments engraved with encouraging words.Linesformed in front of the famous and well-known warriors. If one were to marry one of these warriors, there was a high probability that they would live a much better life.

The festival after the hunt would be grander and more colorful. Men and women would reunite during thattime, probably enjoying a sweet time together.

“?”

San stared at a woman standing in front of him and blinked his eyes. Actually, it was an entire line of women. He lifted his head and looked further. The line extended quite far. He glanced beside him.

“You must feel great? You seemed to have already made a lot of fans,” Biyeon said as she lookedat the long line of women in front of San.

“I wouldn’t be the one talking,”Sanrepliedas he lookedbehind Biyeon.

Behind her, a line of sturdy warriors and noblemenlingered around, glancing at San…

“It’s a strange custom. Are they afraid of quarreling?”

“Unless acouple is officially married,I heardthat having relations with the opposite sex isone’s freedom. Anyway, since mostsingle people are put into arranged marriages, shouldn’t single people enjoy their freedom and sexual relations while they can? Since there’s no guarantee thatone can marry another based on one’s own will, there’s no future to consider or think about either.Anyway, what do you plan to do with them?” Biyeon asked.

“What do I plan to do with them?” San replied, momentarily confused.

“Those peopleover there.”

Biyeon pointed with her chin. She pointed at the 20 support staff members assigned to them. They were awaiting their orders.

There were five women among them, one of which was tall and strikingly beautiful.

She was a rare female Master Warrior who worked on wealth management and personnel affairs in the Count’s estate.

The problem was…

“That’sthe Count’s second daughter, ‘Yeria’?” San asked.

“Want to make a bet? I bet 10 won she wasn’t assigned to our group for any extraordinary personal ability,” Biyeon remarked.

“Hey… let’s give them some leeway. By the way, you must be feeling pretty good since you have so many people waiting to talk with you. I’d like to say upfront, I don’t have any money, so consider your future husband wisely,” Sansarcastically answered.

Hestamped on the floor and got up. A young noble lady presented something to him with her face dyed red.In her handwas a finely embroidered handkerchief woven with cotton. Shehadembroideredher name. He smiled as he received the gift. The handkerchief smelled of the soft spring flowers as if perfume was recently sprayed on.

“You are a very beautiful person. Your name probably matches your beauty too?” San respectfully asked as he handled the gift gently.

“My name is Seria, the first daughter from the House of Sennen. I wish you luck and fortune Captain San.”

“Thank you.”

The second woman handed her gift to San.

“My name is Yepe, the second daughter of Baron Pannen. May Goddess Diana’s protection be with you!”

“Oh! May god’s blessings be with you too Lady Yepe!”

Biyeon was staring at the unfoldingscene.

Contrary to his earlier cold demeanor, his expression now was very warm. She liked that naturalness about him. The natural dignity he exhibited was refreshing and beautiful.He didn’t hesitate to express his inner thoughts, and he didn’t shy away from showing his honest feelings. Above all… he was a man who kept his promises. She had no doubt aboutthat.

Biyeon suddenly fell into thought.

Who was his wife? What kind of woman was she? Did she know that he was keeping his marital promises even now? The fatal temptation of a terrible drug that was difficult for any human to handle, and the person who was desperately upholding the value of ‘faith’ during a long cohabitation period with a woman within that small space…

“Excuse me…”

Biyeon looked back. A pretty handsome face was looking at her. He wore a gorgeous blue outfit. Looking at the shape of his clasp, he was a pretty high-level official.

Behind this handsome figure, many warriors and nobles were standing in line. They were awaiting her attention.

“I am Jahan of the Dong-Myung Clan. Will the lady wish me luck?”

Biyeon turned around and faced Jahan. She gave a smile. Jahan felt his back cool as the temperature suddenly seemed to drop.

“Catch a lot! Well wishesfor you to catch 10 Algons should be enough, right?”

“Yes?”

“Would you like me to wish a rat on top of that for good luck?”

***

The hunt began.

San and Biyeon built a camp in the vacant lot located in the middle of the entire area where the huntingwouldtakeplace. They would spend roughly three days here and move on to the nexthunting area.Their job was to store and manage what the others hunted. In addition, in the event of an injured person, emergency treatment was provided. Inthecase of an emergency, they were responsible for supporting reinforcements.

“Chewi, Baggin!”

Biyeon called upon two staff members. Two warriors jumped up quicklyin answer to her call.

“Startingfrom here, cut down every tree in a ten-step radius. Put the trees over there.”

“Yes, Captain!”

“Wegang,Yeonri, Saman”

“Yes, Captain!”

“I want you three to dig from that rock to the bottom of this tree. You three need todig a long trench as deep as my ankles. I also want you to dig some holes and place the trees to make a fence.”

“Yes, Captain!Right away.”

The ‘specially commissioned’ support staff members didn’t have time to think. They were all veterans who worked on the Count’s estate. They were experienced and skilled. However, this new commander was unlike any other they had in the past.

Their workwasn’t anything likethat oflast year.