24 Hearts

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Chapter 3-1. ‘Black Tree’ tribe

Isabel came back sooner than expected because of the black smoke that reached high up in the sky. She puffed her breath and rushed. Her forehead creased, confused as to what was going on. She reacted differently from what he thought. She looked irritated, even, with power in her eyes. Judah flinched at the sight of her.

“What is this? I thought it was a big deal, so I ran. Why are you playing with fire?”

“I’m not playing with fire.”

“What is this, then?”

Her eyes widened at Judah, right in the middle of the forest. They sat in a field turned into ruins after the vicious fight between the two Wielder of the Sword, and yet here he was playing with fire. The flames soared two or three meters high up to the sky, just like a festival or ritual emitting black smoke. He didn’t seem to fear as the fire and smoke went up into the air, but it was enough to attract the attention of both monsters and humans.

“I’m sending off a friend.”

“…friend?”

Unable to understand what he meant, she looked at the burning stack of firewood. The flames ate away greedily what was inside it. Faintly, she saw bones through the fire. The women he claimed as his wives, Jeanne and Arhil, stood still with him.

If so, was it someone else’s body?

Was there anyone here who could be called his friend?

She tilted her head, puzzled. Suddenly, she realized that there was only one body to burn here. He received the fragment from Quake, and he was a knight that wore armor.

‘Was that knight, your friend?’

Huh. She found it quite curious for them to see each other in this large and complex land of Regen.

That was his friend. It was incredible, like a story being told.

“Did you know only after killing him?”

Judah shook his head. His head turned as he answered. He then looked up at the flames with empty eyes.

“From the beginning.”

When Judah answered without hesitation, she rolled her eyes. She didn’t know how to react to such an answer. The knight was crazy, and they faced off each other in a fight to the death. It was a pity, but if he didn’t kill him, he would have died. Isabel put her hand on Judah’s shoulder.

“You showed respect, even if they were your enemy or your friend. You did all that, but the dead would have already crossed the sea of ​​clouds from the top of Youngsan, so it’s nothing to feel heavy about.”

“Youngsan?”

Arhil muttered in curiosity. Isabel, who heard that, pointed to the highest mountain in Regen, which they can see visibly from where they stood.

“Can you see that mountain over there?”

“Yes.”

Arhil turned her head and to where she pointed. There were mountains wherever she looked.

“That mountain is called Youngsan. It is said that the dead climb to the top of the mountain and cross it into the sea of clouds.”

“Where are they going?”

“Where they want. We believe so.”

Arhil’s curiosity seemed to stem from her religious background. She wanted to ask more, but Isabel chose to leave it at that.

“We should stop talking and go. There’s nothing good about staying here for a long time. We’ll attract attention.”

Before leaving, she collected all her arrows and removed her traces as much as possible. However, she didn’t take away everything and even deliberately left some traces to be found. It was unlikely, but if the other tribes sent someone to investigate the scene, they could see the traces she left behind.

She thought of an elaborate script to say: that the Red Bear tribe’s chief fought with her before running away. Quake’s body was already rotting inside a monster’s belly, and all his traces were gone, so if she mixed the truth and the lie properly, they wouldn’t be able to know the lie between the truth. As soon as possible, she took Judah’s party and headed for her tribe.

It was two days later that they returned to her tribe. They rested as soon as the woods grew dark, but he was too disturbed to sleep properly because of the aftermath of the battle.

His fatigue wasn’t appropriately resolved, and going back felt difficult. He died dozens of times in the battle with Quake, the Wielder of the Sword, so it was natural. He wasn’t exhausted physically, but his mental health weighed him down. He sighed as they walked on. Isabel, who had been walking ahead, slowed down and came to Judah’s side.

“?”

“Why did you say you were here again?”

“I said it before, and it’s nothing special. My dream is to travel around the world, so Regen is one of my goals. I was curious about events and people’s way of living.”

He aimed for the fragments, and he got it, but he couldn’t answer that, so he changed his answer instead. It was an excuse, but it came out as if it was true.

“To see and experience life, I see… Then, shall we celebrate for today?”

“Is it my reward for killing Quake?”

Isabel smiled and nodded her head.

“Absolutely. As well, our festivals are a lot of fun. We haven’t held one recently, so it would be nice to take this opportunity. Hmm, yes… Should it be a welcome ceremony for the Spirit?”

“Ah, haha.”

A welcome ceremony. Judah laughed awkwardly. People of the Black Tree tribe innocently believed that he was the Spirit, looking at Judah’s pure black hair and eyes. When he wandered around the tribe and watched them, even the little children of the village ran to see Judah and acted like they’ve seen the Spirit. Considering their unreasonable favor for him, they truly believed that he was the Spirit.

Their innocence was overwhelming but a little bit bothersome.

No way could he exhibit the power of a Spirit. He wouldn’t do something like that.

As they returned to the tribe with his lingering thoughts, they were told to take a break first. Judah returned to the place he used to stay in with Jeanne and Arhil, wherein a short time, he took a proper meal out of his bag and settled it as they took their break. Thanks to the house made by the envoys of Baekje, who traded with the Black Tree tribe, he was able to spend time laying on a silky and soft blanket.

He was relaxed.

When the sunlight burned in the horizon in the afternoon, the outside grew to be noisy, waking him up. He stepped out, and many tribesmen were moving logs and preparing errands.

“Huh?”

Looking closely, Jeanne was among those carrying the trees. As Arhil was not in the house, Jeanne seemed to help them prepare for the festival. If this was the case, he didn’t think that he could just rest. Judah stretched to loosen his body, then rolled up his sleeves.

Even though he looked like that, he could still help around the village. Of course, there were exceptions that he wasn’t allowed to do, but he helped with easy tasks such as picking up objects or following instructions. He started helping, and there was a lot to do, whether it was to bring more firewood for the campfire or to help hunters slaughter beasts.

While working hard, Judah felt someone standing in front of him. People came and went on the street, so he thought it was simply passing by, but it stood there.

‘I can’t even move properly because of my senses.’

Judah lifted his head and stretched his bent waist to wipe off the sweat flowing down his forehead. He saw the unexpected person before him.

“Huh?”

It was Isabel. What was she doing here?

“What are you doing here?”

She looked down at him, confused.

“Why is Isabel here?”

“Did you forget that I am the chieftain?”

Oh, right. It was right for her to oversee the festival preparations and make sure it was going well. But usually, didn’t they usually let subordinates do that? He didn’t expect her to go around in person. As Judah thought that, he realized he hadn’t replied to her question.

“As you can see, I was helping.”

“Why?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Was I supposed to just watch?”

“I’m sorry? Hahaha. You don’t need to do any sort of this because you are the main reason for this festival.”

“Well, it’s good to help each other out. I felt uncomfortable just watching back.”

“It’s uncomfortable. Haha. You’re not used to being treated?”

Judah smiled bitterly at her words. She was right. Even before coming to this world, he wasn’t used to being shown consideration or favor.

They said they held this festival for him.

Jeanne and Arhil left to help them out, but he couldn’t just watch.

It was a fun and fresh experience to be held up as a spirit, but helping them prepare wasn’t anything bad as well.

“I like doing this anyway. It’s easy.”

“…Okay then. I don’t think I’ll force you to stop. Now, why don’t you make that sandwich? People can slaughter without your help anyway.”

She blushed as she said so, moving closer with a whisper, glancing around her.

“And if you make a sandwich, speak of it only to me. My last taste of it was truly delicious.”

He bought it from a store with money. It was a franchise concept from a top shop that can be found in bigger cities. He took it out. The sandwiches they ate last time was splendid, so he brought out a different kind this time around. Judah suddenly realized that it was not enough to eat for the whole of the tribe.

“I can’t. That sounds a little hard to do.”

Judah replied. He watched as Isabel’s face fell.

“Why?”

“It seems like a good idea to serve sandwiches, but there are not enough materials to make it right now, and it would take a long time to make. And I might be unable to prepare enough for everybody?”

“What’s the point?”

“I can only serve sandwiches for you.”