Ch.293293. Mountain Lord (2)

As I mentioned earlier, the way mountain lords govern their domains in the otherworld varies according to their individual tendencies.

Most of them, influenced by the wilderness mystique that strengthens their bodies, boast a simple mindset, essentially abandoning their domains (otherworlds) except for activities befitting apex predators of the ecosystem.

But even among such mountain lords, exceptions always exist.

Even if a mountain lord has a simple mindset and lacks rigorous logic, their minds are fundamentally not much different from intelligent beings like humans.

Perhaps because of this, it’s not difficult to find mountain lords who act as rulers with their own power ambitions or profound intellect.

Especially since even the most ordinary mountain lords, while simple-minded, are by no means foolish. Even without deliberate management, they commonly mediate between factions and select subordinates for activities.

Though they may lack social skills, they well understand that groups have higher potential than individuals, and they’re keenly aware of the formidable potential that humans can manifest.

And if this is the norm for ordinary mountain lords, the actions of those who deliberately maintain active engagement can hardly be dismissed as merely animal-like.

Mountain lords who consider themselves lords and monarchs ruling over mountain territories are true rulers, not just in name. They govern intelligent magical beasts under their command or… though rare, villages composed of human races.

Many use intelligent magical beasts as labor to cultivate plants that grow well in mountains… fruit trees being a prime example. Though extremely rare, one can even find mountain lords who deliberately clear fields, sow seeds, and grow grains.

Some raise less intelligent animals like livestock and produce fur and meat, while others engage in trade with nearby villages, human cities… or even directly with the government of the Core Kingdom.

Some mountain lords even swear allegiance to the Core Kingdom court and king, obtaining autonomy over their mountains to rule human subjects as local officials and lords, paying taxes to the central government…

Among these diverse types of mountain lords, the one served by the magical beast group that attacked us was reportedly one of those rare types who functioned as a true leader.

Though wary of the arrogance and dangers posed by the human species and thus avoiding interaction, this mountain lord was instead a monarch who protected their mountain and cared for their subjects like a feudal lord.

But what impressed me even more was learning that this mountain lord’s military power seemed to be among the strongest even among other mountain lords.

[…That one was a mountain lord who approached the realm of immortality by accumulating karma in their mountain lord form.]

[Gregory, what does that mean?]

‘I suspect… it refers to an “Old One.”‘

[Oh, an “Old One”?]

Old One—directly translated, it could be expressed as “ancient being,” but in our world, it’s a designation for specific entities.

Among animals or magical beasts, occasionally individuals emerge who surpass their species’ allotted lifespan. They’re classified this way typically due to the experience and wisdom gained through living much longer than normal individuals.

Perhaps due to transcending limitations, at some point their bodies may appear aged externally, but their core reverts to prime condition. Some even manifest special abilities or characteristics not possessed by their original species.

Our Astra has already surpassed the limitations of the silver deer species, gaining abilities (enhancement magic) different from the normal species, so in a sense, Astra too could be called an “Old One” once mature with age.

Anyway, this mountain lord of Ungjin, armed with the power and experience worthy of being called an “Old One,” was reportedly an exceptional leader.

Not only equipped with outstanding charisma based on long experience, they also possessed the political talent and negotiation skills required of a ruler, while simultaneously excelling in military power—the most important capability for leaders in this world.

But one day suddenly, this excellent leader fell ill, throwing their otherworld into chaos.

[…That’s.]

‘Well, isn’t that a predictable story?’

It’s natural that a society or group that has grown and developed based on an excellent leader’s abilities would inevitably depend on that leader, but let’s move past that for now since it’s not the immediate concern.

What’s important now is the inside story of why these black bears attacked us, as explained by this one.

Anyway, after the mountain lord who was their leader fell ill with an unknown disease and collapsed.

With their leader suddenly incapacitated without appointing any representative, the magical beasts who served the mountain lord fell into confusion, not knowing what to do.

At the time, the mountain lord had been in their prime before falling ill, so there was no successor or system in place for their absence. Moreover, they weren’t just suffering from illness but were gradually dying…

This confusion was something close to a mixture of respect for their leader and fear for the future.

Then, upon discovering some passing travelers—or more precisely, upon finding medicine-like substances they had dropped—the desperate subordinates fed these medicines to their dying mountain lord.

Of course, common sense would suggest that feeding someone something of unknown origin and content would seem truly foolish, but this was the result of their own reasoning.

First, the mountain lord’s illness had progressed so severely that they would die within ten days if left untreated, so there was no time to be picky.

Second, these magical beasts detected from the medicine the distinctive “sharp” scent and unique smell of a native plant called “Jasungcho,” commonly used as medicine, leading them to identify it as medicine.

For these reasons, they administered the medicine… and surprisingly, it actually worked.

The mountain lord who took the medicine actually showed improvement in symptoms, recovering to the point where there was no immediate worry about dying within ten days.

But even though the illness was somewhat resolved by the medicine, it was only an improvement. As time passed, the symptoms would worsen again, and the mountain lord would inevitably die.

Moreover, given the mountain lord’s size, the amount was only enough for one dose, with nothing left over. Because of this, most attempts to replicate the medicine based on its scent and components were futile.

Therefore, they attacked passing people in an attempt to somehow obtain more of this medicine…

‘…Idiots.’

[They’re fools.]

To be honest, our opinions completely aligned here.

Even for those who have lived in a society different from the general one, anyone with minimal judgment would not have made such a choice.

But if we had to pinpoint why they committed such a foolish act despite this…

Perhaps it was simply because they were that desperate, combined with the fact that they were generally a young and immature group.

‘They all seem young… What do you think?’

[Robo here! Well, there don’t seem to be any wolf magical beasts older than me.]

[This is Astra, Gregory. I see it the same way. The deer magical beasts are at most 2 years old.]

[It’s Corin… um… I’m not really sure?]

Even though intelligent magical beasts mature mentally at a faster rate, that alone doesn’t resolve every situation.

Intelligence and judgment are completely separate domains, so this is somewhat understandable and comprehensible.

And having understood the situation reasonably well, I now approached Ungjin the black bear and gave him a grin.

[W-what is it? I’ve answered everything you asked…]

“Yes, you have. But… do you think that’s enough for me to overlook the fact that you tried to kill me?”

I had known all along that they harbored no killing intent and didn’t intend to kill me, but that didn’t mean I had any reason to be kindly considerate about it.

[T-then…]

“Take us to your lord. I want to address the responsibility directly.”

So the method I chose was essentially calling in the parents.

It was the clearest and most definitive approach to take when a situation has grown beyond what children can handle.

Of course, they had no choice but to comply.