Rumor

Somewhere underground in the Grabadra Sea.

A cave 500 meters deep from the surface, with surrounding inflowing sand hardened.

Luminous stones brought by sand fish were arranged like decorations, illuminating the scenery like a submarine submerged in the deep sea.

[What on earth is happening…?]

A thick and dignified male voice echoed.

It was a form of telepathy that reached everyone at the scene.

The bizarre shape of a huge golden whale, floating in the air as if gravity had been reversed, swimming through space.

Uwuwuwung…

Along with the being’s concern, the waves of telekinesis spread widely.

Shiiiiing-

The luminous stones in the space all resonated and shone together.

It’s hard to believe that this space was created under the desert.

Considering that the average depth of the Earth’s Sahara Desert is 150 meters, this was already an unrealistic depth.

Actually, it was natural considering that a sulfur hell of fallen jinn and genies unfolded at an even more distant depth.

[It seems the White Sovereign has suddenly changed completely?]

A cheerful woman’s telepathic voice caught the lord’s concern.

[What on earth has happened to him?]

A rough and rugged man’s telepathic voice took over.

[Why has he changed in such a short time?]

A sinister and chic man’s telepathic voice said.

Three ominous forms swam following the central whale.

They were also in the form of huge whales.

The Eye-Scar Whale Lord.

The One-Horn Whale Lord.

The Fang-Implant Whale Lord.

These were the closest aides of the Yellow Whale King who ruled the Grabadra Sea.

Representatives of the sand whales, the strongest species of sand fish.

The whale lords of the Shahar Great Desert.

[I’m so worried I can’t sit still…]

The Yellow Whale King was deeply concerned about the recent situation.

A strange sensation was caught in the neural network connected to his tribe not long ago.

One of the whales directly under his command had been killed.

The desert sharks led by the whale had also deserted in large numbers.

[Why has he suddenly changed…?]

He is in the process of sending messengers to the routed soldiers, ordering their return.

But the desert sharks were hardly listening.

They were in a state of fear, afraid to return.

Eventually, he found out that the culprit was the White Sovereign.

[You, again, interfering with me…! Kruk!]

The Yellow Whale King distorted his face in the middle of speaking.

The burn he had suffered on one side of his face stung at the thought.

It was a trace where the skin had melted due to the White Sovereign’s blood vomit.

The bad blood between the Yellow Whale King and the White Sovereign dates back 864 years.

At that time, the presence of the White Sovereign was not widely known.

Naturally, the ruler of the Grabadra Sea was the Yellow Whale King.

The Yellow Whale King commanded the vast sand fish of the desert.

During the process, he constantly clashed with the Red Dinosaur King of the northern Nargal Plateau and the Blue Giant Bird Empress of the southern Zalem Wilderness.

It was a natural result of trying to expand each other’s territories.

The Yellow Whale King actively attempted aggressive expansion.

The dinosaurs and giant birds were formidable opponents, but he never hesitated.

He firmly believed that someday his sand fish would rule the Shahar Great Desert.

It was when he was returning from fighting the dinosaurs as usual.

This time it was a great bloody battle where the rulers of both sides had stepped forward.

During the return march, he encountered a sudden calamity.

A great monster spewing sand and blood, wrapped in an electric field, shouting a terrible roar.

The albino Death Worm that suddenly appeared like magic was an unprecedented being.

It was completely different in dimension and scale from the usual desert Death Worms.

The expedition was annihilated by the White Sovereign in an instant.

The Yellow Whale King also had to flee with injuries.

It was an unavoidable situation of force majeure.

[Damn you! White Sovereign!]

The Yellow Whale King, having finished reminiscing, twisted his body and swung his tail greatly.

Kwaaaang! Kwasssss-!

The luminous stones exposed to his anger were uprooted and flew away.

Uwuwuwung─────!

The entire space that received the tail strike trembled finely.

The power of the tail strike, from a whale that was twice the size of a normal sand whale at 60 meters tall and weighing 540 tons, was intense.

The Yellow Whale King growled, revealing sharp fang dentition.

[Kruru…!]

From the Yellow Whale King’s perspective, the sense of injustice was enormous.

In that expedition, he had encountered the Red Dinosaur King.

Naturally, they had to compete with all their might.

By the time the fight ended and he was returning, he was quite exhausted.

The key point is that he was ambushed by the White Sovereign.

The Yellow Whale King was not in a state to properly resist.

This was because he had lost more than half his strength while fighting the Red Dinosaur King.

He firmly believed that if he had been at full strength, he would have subdued the White Sovereign.

[Impudent fellow…! You, White Sovereign…!]

The Yellow Whale King’s clear and deep emerald-like wall eyes flashed.

It was a color completely contrasting with the red eyes that were basic for the whales under his command.

Uwuwuwung-

Along with the Yellow Whale King’s heightened agitation, the waves of telekinesis spread more strongly.

Shiiiiing-! Pachang!

Some luminous stones that couldn’t withstand the aftermath broke like bulbs rupturing after shining.

[Oh my, the sand orcas worked so hard to procure them…]

The One-Horn Whale Lord sighed regretfully.

The space, painstakingly created for the highest beings of the sand fish, was gradually being destroyed.

[It seems he has even changed his nest, leading worms.]

The Eye-Scar Whale Lord, with only one eye remaining that emitted a mysterious golden light, said.

[Occupying a human region? I don’t understand what he’s plotting.]

The Fang-Implant Whale Lord, who utilized strengthened biting power of his dentition like a bomb, added.

[All of his actions are to mock me.]

The Yellow Whale King treated desert people as worthless insects.

The same applied to other races living against the backdrop of the desert.

In his arrogant view, they were beings that ephemerally extinguished like mayflies in the harsh environment.

[That’s why he has allied with humans.]

Ironically, the Yellow Whale King was sensitive to rumors.

The more one thinks of oneself as the pinnacle, the more sensitive to evaluation one becomes.

It was much later that he discovered some desert people had witnessed the fight at that time.

[It’s thoroughly to ridicule me.]

His anger soared whenever insignificant desert people occasionally talked about him.

Each time, sand fish would attack from around, and no one survived.

He didn’t like it when the White Sovereign was rated higher than himself.

[My superiority over him is clear. Yet why does the world endlessly talk about him?]

After the encounter with the White Sovereign, even his disposition changed from what it had been.

He became extremely cautious of unexpected variable situations and started being careful.

It was a completely contrasting appearance to his heyday when he always went on expeditions.

[He must disappear. Only then will I and you, our tribe of sand fish, rise again.]

The Yellow Whale King harbored intense hatred and resentment towards the White Sovereign.

He extremely hated the culprit who had changed him so much.

Now, he wanted to cut off his long-standing grudge.

[…In that sense, I declare retribution.]

The Yellow Whale King lightly exerted his will on the surrounding ground.

Wiiiing-

The formless will spread from the Yellow Whale King.

Pushuk-

From that point, something surged into the sealed large cavity where the ground had been firmly hardened.

Whale, shark, dolphin, ray, moray eel, eel, sailfish, anglerfish, piranha…

All other desert fish poked their various heads out.

“Shaak! Shaak! Shaak!”

“Kruruk! Kruruk! Kruruk!”

“Huuuut-! Huuuut-!”

All kinds of species of sand fish chorused with bizarre cries.

It was like a grand military review of soldiers heading to battle.

Everyone started to praise their king.

Kwang! Kuddddd-!

The large cavity under the desert burst.

The aftermath of being unable to hold the many fish that kept squeezing in.

It was also the influence of the formless telekinesis exerted on the ground ahead.

“I command you, who are my army.”

The Yellow Whale King no longer spoke through telepathy.

The power to create a phenomenon through the power of language.

He vocalized through speech art.

“Quishaaaaak-!”

“Kuuuuu-!”

“Krururuk-!”

Xenoglossia is exerted, making any listener understand the meaning and breaking through language barriers.

Amazingly, all the sand fish shouted, understanding the command.

Differences in species were no longer a problem.

[Kyak! The White Sovereign is no match! The Yellow Whale King is the best!]

The One-Horn Whale Lord wildly swung the single horn that sprouted on his head like a symbol.

[The Yellow Whale King, who uses speech art, never loses.]

[Because the Yellow Whale King and we are invincible.]

The Eye-Scar Whale Lord and the Fang-Implant Whale Lord swam rapidly through space.

The Yellow Whale King’s voice eventually echoed.

“Prepare for war.”

*

“Yeah, so~? The treasure of the great genie of the lamp?”

Somewhere in the desert night with a full moon rising.

The campsite of the Rushing Dagger Bandit Group.

A man with a rough impression sneered.

“That’s right…”

Abdul answered dejectedly, feeling unnecessarily subdued.

The inside of the tent was dark with thick cigarette smoke.

It was to the extent that the meaning of lighting up with candles was lost.

“Hmm. You think that makes sense? You want us to believe such a ridiculous thing?”

Zikharum, the leader of the Rushing Dagger Bandit Group, questioned with wide eyes.

“I-it’s true! You can confirm it if you send scouts!”

Abdul shouted with an irascible loud voice.

Bandit leader Zikharum folded his arms with a profound face.

“Waterways spread over a vast area overnight… What kind of drug do you take to imagine such a thing?”

“I’m telling you it’s real! How many times do I have to say it! And it cannot be explained otherwise! And the Rashka of Akran are desperately hiding that treasure!”

“If you lie, I’ll immediately cut open your belly with a dagger to check the color of your stomach? To prove the theory that liars have black insides.”

“Go ahead! It’s really true!”

Abdul roared, pushing out his fat belly.

Huuuuk.

“Paaa-“

Zikharum, who had deeply inhaled the water pipe, deliberately blew the smoke towards Abdul.

“Ugh!”

Abdul made a disgusted face and turned his head away.

“I don’t know what this pot-bellied merchant is thinking.”

“That’s right. A guy who is normally our prey, requesting a job?”

“I wonder if he’s backed by the authority of a khanate inspector behind him? Like an undercover investigation?”

The bandit group’s action leader Duspan and finance manager Ali grumbled.

The three men gathered kept puffing on long pipes and drinking from water pipes.

‘To think I have to ally even with such petty bandits!’

Abdul frowned at the too thick cigarette smoke.

Abdul, who valued his own health, was a non-smoker.

But he no longer had any means available to him.

This was the final card he could attempt now.

‘The Rashka of Akran must disappear… for me to survive in this world!’

One side must disappear for him to see the rising sun with a comfortable mind.

That was the firm belief that Abdul currently held.

The Rashka would likely think the same.

‘War has already broken out!’

Abdul gritted his teeth and repeatedly strengthened his resolve.

Using the Tasham governor’s army was the last resort.

Mobilizing all the connections he knew, he had the army dispatched.

In a situation where the finance department official Zaid had not returned, Abdul’s report had provided definite proof.

After some scouts reconnoitered around Akran Village, the envoy’s murder was determined as a fait accompli.

Akran was immediately designated as a rebel force and became a target for subjugation.

After the operation began, unbelievable rumors were heard.

The army of 1,000 led by military magician Zuladin was annihilated.

It was truly a shocking extent that made one’s mouth drop open.

‘White Sovereign! What nonsense is that!’

Through informants, he heard that the army was annihilated by the White Sovereign.

Also, the legendary monster was allegedly in alliance with the Rashka.

This was nothing but the rampant spread of grand bullshit.

‘If I had just a little more time, I would have confirmed it.’

He wanted to check in detail, but there was no time for that.

This was because a special team organized by Tasham Governor Hulani had been dispatched.

Abdul barely managed to escape with just a few gold items, not even able to gather most of his household goods.

‘Anyway, it’s fortunate I got out…’

Most unfortunately, Abdul, who had already left Zangar, didn’t know the current situation.

That Zangar had been occupied by the White Sovereign as of yesterday.

That he was now being chased by all assassins.

‘Well, this does become interesting though.’

Zikharum raised one eyebrow, looking up at the anxious Abdul.

The Rushing Dagger Bandit Group was equally unaware of the situation.

But in fact, the bandit group already knew about the great upheaval.

They had merely been testing Abdul.

Bogrururur.

Bubbles rose in the water pipe’s smoke container that Zikharum was smoking.

“A treasure that produces infinite water? That’s irresistible.”

Zikharum’s eyes narrowed leisurely.

“If that’s true, I could buy an entire small theocracy. And set up a harem in a separate palace with dozens of slender beauties. Kukuk.”

Duspan, sucking on his long pipe, giggled and scratched his turban.

“If it’s such an excellent thing, we should practice sharing. The virtue of the desert where everyone lives in a harsh environment.”

Finally, Ali added, folding his arms and nodding his head.

Zikharum raised his eyebrows.

“The fee?”

“Here it is.”

Clang-

A large leather pouch was thrown onto the carpet where Zikharum was sitting.

The proof of contents that looked well-filled even from the outside.

“Upcha.”

Finance manager Ali immediately bent his upper body sharply and extended his arm to grab the leather pouch.

He took it and checked.

“How is it?”

Ali glanced at Zikharum.

Golden coins that were more than sufficiently filled and overflowing.

Zikharum’s raised eyebrows bent craftily.

“Not enough.”

“What!”

Abdul shouted in dismay.

“T-the request fee is enough with that!”

“What about the danger pay? Equipment cost? Confidentiality fee? Do you know how strong the Rashka are?”

“I’ve included several times more than for similar jobs!”

“No, no. Do you think we don’t know merchants tuck away money in all sorts of places?”

Zikharum slowly raised his arm.

“Well, we’re not really in a position to say such things proudly either. But still, this won’t do. Don’t treat us like suckers.”

Zikharum lowered his arm, smiling fiercely.

“Boys, clean him out completely.”

Kungkungkungkungkung!

Immediately, other bandits rushed in from around.

“Ack! Uack!”

Abdul’s body was searched thoroughly in an instant.

The bandit group, whose primary duty was to rob merchants and travelers, faithfully performed their mission.

Zjarrrrr-!

Indeed, valuables poured out from here and there.

Large gold coins kept as emergency funds, even some jewels.

Wealth exceeding dozens of times the request fee was completely expelled.

“Oh? There’s really much more than expected? Why did you have so much?”

Zikharum tilted his head, looking down at the additional items gathered in front of him.

“Well, anyway, don’t worry? We’re men of the rough desert? We keep our promises?”

Zikharum sucked on the water pipe until his cheeks puffed up.

Huuuuk.

“Paaa-“

Zikharum, who exhaled the smoke, added.

“Actually, you’ve made a very proper request? We have quite a number of lightning crossbows? Can even superhuman Rashka dodge bullets that fly faster than a decent Aura Faris’s glaive? Can they withstand hits to the head and heart? Absolutely not. And honestly, we’re also a bit excited about that treasure thing.”

Zikharum winked at Abdul.

“So look forward to it? Dear premium customer?”

Eventually, Abdul’s face turned bright red.

“Damn it!”

Hwarak-!

The exploding Abdul roughly pushed aside the tent flap and came out.

“Hahha.”

Only someone’s mocking laughter flowed from inside.

Abdul moved his steps roughly.

“Damn. Damn. Damn.”

Immediately perceiving air.

The cold unique to the desert night was chilling.

Even the emergency funds he had been holding were all taken.

Now, he had no idea what to do from now on, his future completely dark.

“Phoo…”

Drinking in the cold night air of the desert, his mind finally cleared.

Walking mindlessly, he had moved quite far from the bandit group’s campsite.

Nevertheless, Abdul just walked and walked.

He had to think about future plans.

‘If even these guys fail?’

Abdul tightened his already-worn sheep wool overcoat to avoid the chill of the desert night.

‘Then, the final card I will use is…’

It was when the greedy merchant was worrying about his future.

“Did you finish the deal well?”

Suddenly, a cold voice was heard.

“Huh?”

Abdul instinctively turned his head toward that direction.

Eventually, he could identify the owner of the voice.

Assassination attire with the hood of the robe deeply pulled down.

Face thoroughly covered with bandages wrapped around.

“Ack.”

A choked scream came from Abdul’s mouth.

Though the face was covered, a voice he knew too well.

A figure he absolutely shouldn’t meet in the current situation.

“It’s problematic to underestimate our assassination group’s information network. Quite a few members are hidden and active in various appearances in communities all over. So you were here after all?”

Akran Village’s warrior captain-ranked assassin Tagor sneered with a sinister voice.

“What did you discuss with those bandit fellows?”

“W-waterway expansion and… water resource securing, b-business talk…”

Pupils expanding crazily.

Abdul’s mouth dropped open in shock.

He was so flustered that terrible excuses flowed out indiscriminately.

“At this late hour? In such a remote desert outskirts? If the governor or patrolling border guards saw this, they would be very suspicious.”

Jeobuk.

Tagor took one step forward.

Jeobuk.

Abdul also reflexively stepped backward.

“You do business with bandits? You have very excellent business skills. Or maybe you’re a bandit just like them. Should I report this to the security force immediately?”

“D-don’t do that…”

Tagor kept approaching.

Abdul continuously retreated.

The distance between them became close enough to adhere.

“Well, I won’t do such a thing. Actually, I have business with you now, you know.”

“W-what…?”

Tagor’s pupils above the bandage hood flashed fiercely.

“You damn merchant, do you know how many sacrifices have been caused because of you? Lives that didn’t need to die, dying. Anyway, merchants who work behind the scenes are more problematic than the rulers who wage wars. Because they play with money like this.”

Tagor pulled something out from his breast.

A thick texture, standing out even more under the deep blue moonlight, with the handle wrapped in bandage strands.

It was a large club carved from a date palm.

“Khuk! That!?”

Abdul’s eyes popped out as he confirmed the shape.

Tagor struck the club in his grasp against his palm.

“From ancient times, this has been the medicine for mad dogs.”

“Huk!”

Abdul hurriedly turned his back and fled.

Tagor immediately struck Abdul’s occipital region.

Bak!

With a truly refreshing sound, Abdul’s body staggered.

“Ugh.”

Abdul, who had taken a direct hit to the back of his head, collapsed right there.

Phulssuk.

The collapsed Abdul trembled like a fish dragged onto land.

After convulsing for a while, he soon went limp.

Tagor, who had been watching, slowly moved his steps.

“You should have left the West Continent. Because you didn’t, you’re caught like this.”

Tagor bent his waist and grabbed the stretched-out body of Abdul.

He hoisted the obese and plump body weighing over 100kg and slung it over his shoulder with a swoop.

“Now, shall we go back and talk? Accompanied by our Samara tribe’s traditional 101 torture methods.”

The eyes in Tagor’s bandage hood flashed.