Monster Hunter â  a hack and slash, strategy adventure game. Unlike traditional computer role-playing games, a playerâs Hunter does not grow and has no intrinsic attributes whatsoever. Rather, the Hunterâs abilities are instead defined by the specific weapons and armor they select prior to leaving on a mission. â Source: Wikipedia
âBig.â
âHuge.â
Jude and Cordelia said as they stood in front of the huge main gate, which was around 5 meters high.
The village of the Great Storm tribe was bigger than they had expected. At this level, they wondered if calling it a city was more appropriate than calling it a village.
âMore than 10,000 people live here.â
Red Wind spoke with a smile on her face, as Jude and Cordeliaâs reactions somehow made her feel better, and Jude came to understand it.
âThe reason why the Devilâs Eye specifically paid attention to this tribe.â
It wasnât just the fact that Red Gale himself was a great hero, but also because the power of the Great Storm tribe itself couldnât be ignored.
âWho are you!â
âRed Wind?!â
A cautious voice and a delighted voice was heard beyond the main gate at the same time.
Red Wind smiled bitterly, and she stepped forward and raised her voice.
âItâs Red Wind! Iâm back now! I want to see my father!â
She was bad at speaking the official language of the continent, but naturally, she was fluent in the language of the barbarians.
âWhat were they talking about?â
âUhâŠI think sheâs saying that sheâs back? It seems like she wanted to see Red Gale.â
Cordelia asked in a low voice, and Jude replied in a low voice too.
Although Jude was able to read and write in the language of the barbarians, he wasnât fluent enough to speak it naturally. After all, Jude had only memorized the text in the game.
âItâs mysterious if you think about it.â
It was a game created for amusement, but the several languages that appeared in the game can actually be used like a real language.
Of course, there werenât that many fictitious languages in the game like those created in the Lord of the Rings or Star Trek, as the gameâs fictitious languages could be counted in oneâs hand.
âThere are other really mysterious things apart from that.â
This world is identical to the world of the Legend of Heroes series.
He didnât think that they had really entered the game.
It was more realistic to think that a world, which was identical to the gameâs world, existed somewhere, and that the two were reborn in that world.
âIf so, why were they identical?â
The reason why this world was so identical to the world of the Legend of the Heroes series.
Did the production crew of Legend of Heroes imitate this world? Or was there something else?
It was an interesting point to think about for his amusement, but he couldnât continue his thoughts. Because the main gate was opened.
âRed Wind!â
âBlue Wave!â
A blue-haired girl appeared after the main gate opened, and she widely opened her arms as Red Wind quickly ran and hugged the girl.
âI know her.â
When Cordelia spoke quietly, Jude also nodded his head.
She was the girl who appeared in Red Windâs âHomecomingâ event.
Her body was completely frozen and became an ice statue, and the scene of Red Wind hugging her while wailing was still clear in their memories.
âGood. Really good.â
Because it did not turn out like the original.
Because they could meet each other again alive and laugh like that.
With her eyes red with tears, Cordelia turned to Jude and said.
âLetâs completely change it.â
The fate of the two people.
The future of the Great Storm tribe, who were destined to be destroyed.
âYes, letâs completely change it.â
Jude and Cordelia had already changed many futures. As a result, more and more situations that were completely unknown to them had increased, and the dangers had accordingly increased too, but the two had no intentions of stopping their actions.
âLet me introduce you to my friends. They saved me.â
When Red Wind pointed to Jude and Cordelia, Blue Wave had a wary look but soon smiled widely and extended her hand.
âRed Windâs friend is my friend. Welcome to our village. The chief told me you were coming.â
Cordelia blinked her eyes while Jude carefully interpreted it in his mind, and Red Wind said with a smile.
âBlue Wave welcomes you. My father said you were coming.â
Great Storm seemed to have informed about them in advance.
âOkay, then letâs go quickly. We have to stop the illness from progressing.â
Cordelia prodded on, and Red Wind nodded her head vigorously. She had left the village in the first place to cure her father, Red Gale.
âLetâs go!â
Red Wind energetically shouted.
And 20 minutes laterâŠ
Red Wind burst into tears.
âI was wrong! Iâm sorry! Uwaaah!â
It wasnât tears of deep emotion that she shed in Red Galeâs hug.
It was a cry that was 20% shame and 80% pain.
Spank! Spank! Pak! Pak!
Red Gale was spanking her butt.
To describe it more accurately, she was lying with her stomach on Red Galeâs knee and was getting spanked in the butt by his palm.
Regardless of whether others saw them or not, her pants were lowered as she was spanked, and there was a clear and bright red palm mark on her buttocks.
âShe left home because of himâŠâ
Cordeliaâs words were somehow persuasive as it seemed like Red Wind had left her home for a completely different reason.
ââŠbut is he really sick?â
Red Gale was spanking Red Wind.
First of all, he was huge.
He wasnât as big as Landius, or rather, his palms were much larger than Red Windâs butt, and Red Wind who was on his knee looked like a doll, so he was an enormous person that might be comparable to Landius.
And he wasnât just huge.
Like Landius, he was a man with tightly packed muscles, and his upper arms were thicker than Cordelia and Judeâs waist.
âHeâs also needlessly good-looking like Landius.â
Red Gale also inherited the blood of the winter elves who were known to be good-looking. His clean face without a beard gave off a neutral charm that felt closer to Kamael than Landius, though because of his huge build like Landius, it felt different.
As Cordelia thought to herself while nodding, Red Gale ended his punishment and withdrew his hand.
âFor the next month, you are grounded.â
At the somehow familiar words, Jude and Cordelia reflexively recoiled in surprise, but fortunately, Red Galeâs focus was on Red Wind.
He spoke in a very grave tone, before he moved his chin as a gesture to Blue Wave who was waiting in the corner. Blue Wave quickly ran like a squirrel and supported Red Wind, because Red Wind couldnât even properly walk due to her butt being spanked.
âHuhuâŠI hate you, Dad!â
âHmph! Take her away.â
Red Wind didnât just run out of her village but even crossed the border.
Generally, it was normal for someone to not return in that situation. In fact, Red Wind was caught and confined at the slave auction house.
Violence was not good, but Jude understood the feelings of Red Gale who scolded her harshly.
âHaaâŠâ
When Blue Wave and Red Wind left, Red Gale let out a sigh, and his face was mixed with concern and relief.
Although he looked to be healthy at first, he was worried about what kind of hardships she had suffered across the border.
But now wasnât the time to continue worrying about his daughter.
Red Gale adjusted his seating position and then said.
âThank you very much. For saving my daughter. Great Storm told me. Please understand that I canât get up because Iâm unwell. Really, thank you.â
It was a rather crude pronunciation of the official language, but they had no problems in understanding it.
Jude smiled and replied.
âIt is thanks to Great Stormâs guidance.â
âIâm Great Stormâs warrior. You are Great Stormâs warriors too. You will help, Great Storm said.â
While he was seated, Red Gale rolled up his sleeves to show the golden emblem on his right upper arm.
âI have one too. But Judeâs emblem is silver.â
Cordelia was very happy as she showed her emblem, while Jude quickly proceeded with the conversation instead of taking the trouble of showing his arm.
âAs Great Storm said, you are under a curse now, and not an illness. This necklace will stop the progression of the curse.â
When Jude handed over the Sunâs Necklace, Red Gale spoke with a very serious face.
âHe said that it was necessary to cure your disease. Iâm really thankful to you for handing over this valuable item.â
âItâs okay. Iâm just lending it to you until the curse has been resolved. Please return it later.â
Jude clarified that it was a rented item, and not a gift, before he continued his words.
âIâm sorry for the rush, but weâd like to hurry up and get ready for our departure.â
âAh! I understand. Great Storm said to help you. You may take anything from our tribe. But there are conditions. I want to welcome you today. Prepare now and leave the departure to tomorrow morning.â
They were strangers, but at the same time, they were his daughterâs benefactors, and Great Storm, the guardian deity of their tribe, had made them his warriors.
Moreover, they even presented a solution to the illness he was helpless against, so whether they were strangers or not, Jude and Cordelia were already friends of the Great Storm tribe.
It wasnât just because Red Gale was a mighty warrior that Haraken, an executive of the Devilâs Eye, attempted to get rid of him.
His human charm, derived from his honest and upright personality, and his strong bond with the wild gods, were enough to make him the central figure of the barbarians.
âOkay. We will do so.â
âGood. White Frost will guide you.â
After speaking, Red Gale clapped his hands several times, and the young man who was waiting outside the door, entered.
He was a handsome young man with white hair like his name.
âGuide them to the items storage. Give them whatever they want.â
âI will do so. Please come this way.â
As soon as he replied to Red Gale, White Frost spoke to Jude and Cordelia as he took the lead, and Jude and Cordelia headed for the items storage in excitement.
And 30 minutes afterâŠ
âWow, there are a lot of amazing items.â
âBecause barbarian weapons were quite rare in the Legend of Heroes series.â
Most of the items they first saw were equipment.
âLetâs change our armor first.â
âYeah, because the dwarf items are too conspicuous.â
The performance of the ancient dwarvesâ work clothes from Frost Anvil were excellent, but their color was a problem.
They will have to wander around like mad on the white snowfield in the future, so the yellow color was too eye-catching.
âMost of them are made from bones or fur.â
âItâs like the equipment that appeared in Monster Hunter.â
Thanks to the Winter Protection, they were relatively free from the cold, so they chose equipment that considered mobility rather than wearing heavy clothes.
A dozen minutes passed like that. Cordelia suddenly spoke in a lively voice.
âThis! This is it! This is the best!â
âWhat is it?â
Jude unintentionally looked back and swallowed his breath in an instant.
âHow is it, Daddy? Isnât it cute? Itâs so cute that you canât even breathe, right?â
Cordelia coquettishly said, and Jude neither affirmed nor denied it.
Because she was really cute.
Cordelia had white rabbit ears attached on her head.
To be exact, it was a headband with rabbit ears attached to it, and it was a cute accessory commonly seen in games like JRPG (Japanese Role-Playing Game).
âThe barbarians use animal-shaped equipment to draw out shamanistic power, so this must be real. Equipping the rabbit set increases agility and jumping power. Itâs a good choice.â
âDonât change the subject. Hereâs yours too.â
Cordelia playfully laughed and held out one more rabbit ears headband to him.
âMe too?â
âYes, you too.â
As Jude hesitated, Cordelia said while clicking her tongue.
âItâs okay, itâs okay. Because Jude is a handsome boy. It will suit you.â
âI was handsome in my previous life too, okay?â
âI donât think so.â
Cordelia somewhat swept his hair back and put the rabbit ears headband over the hesitating Judeâs head.
âWow, it suits you. It perfectly suits you. My Jude is so pretty.â
âItâs not convincing if you say that with a face that looks like youâll die from laughing, okay?â
âButâŠpfftâŠits power isâŠkukuâŠgood, right?â
She was right. Though it was a little embarrassing.
âItâs okay, Daddy. Iâll wear it too. Thereâs nothing to be embarrassed about if we wear it together.â
âI donât think so.â
Jude sourly replied and looked for other items, but unfortunately, he couldnât find any equipment that was better than the rabbit set.
âLetâs stop looking for armor and begin checking out the weapons.â
âIs there anything better than the Eastern Warriorâs Sword? Barbarians donât use swords very often.â
Rather than swords, the barbarians preferred large weapons such as axes and spears.
According to their settings, Red Wind specializes in the spear, while Red Gale uses a giant halberd.
âItâs free though.â
âYes, that is why we have to find something.â
Most of the weapons were large, so they couldnât find anything that could be used as a main weapon. Instead, Jude and Cordelia took several useful daggers and hatchets.
âBecause I have Cheonmujiche.â
âYes, yes, Uncle Cheonmujiche is good at anything he does with his body. Lastly, you wear this equipment.â
Cordelia held out a white, round, and furry item.
âWhat is that?â
âRabbit tail.â
It was the finishing touch to the rabbit set.
Judeâs face darkened, while Cordeliaâs face brightened in contrast to him.
***
Afterwards, their schedule went smoothly.
Jude and Cordelia went to the altar of Great Storm and took the Windâs Wing Arrow. They joined in the simple banquet held by Red Gale, and by the next morning, they left the village of the Great Storm tribe.
âIt would be good if you learned Flame Spirit summoning. Great Storm also said that you have an aptitude for it. Your spear skills are good but try practicing archery too. Youâll have good results.â
Numerous rankers of Legend of Heroes created Red Windâs strongest tech tree as a result of various experiments.
At Jude and Cordeliaâs earnest request, Red Wind nodded her head several times while saying that she understood it.
And a dozen minutes laterâŠ
Jude suddenly stopped walking and looked back as he said.
âLady Cordelia.â
âYes, Daddy.â
âWhy do you keep walking behind me?â
âSo that I can see Daddyâs tail well.â
When Judeâs expression stiffened, Cordelia cheerfully laughed and said.
âOkay, okay. Iâll take the lead for a while. Relax by looking at my tail.â
âIâm okay with it though?â
âWhy are you walking behind me when you said youâre okay with it then?â
âFor fairness?â
âBullsh*t.â
In the end, the two walked side by side as usual.
The task that Great Storm had assigned them was to investigate Violent Avalancheâs sanctuary.
But the two had one more purpose.
âAre we also going there?â
âWe should stop by there.â
In Legend of Heroes, there were few opportunities to travel through the land of the barbarians.
It was possible in the early stages of Kiraraâs scenario and in the part of Red Windâs homecoming, but even in the homecoming part, the places they could go to were limited.
âThey said that all areas will be opened in the last expansion pack.â
And perhaps it was the reason why there were several areas that they couldnât go then, even though it was obvious that something was there.
There was one line that Jude and Cordelia had taken note of.
In Red Windâs homecoming event, there was a line that said, âThere seems to be something.â However, that area couldnât be visited despite that fact.
That area just near the road to Violent Avalancheâs sanctuary, so they thought that they should stop by there first.
âIf my hypothesis is correctâŠSolariâs ruins would be in that place.â
The ruins of Solari, the sun god.
There were certain patterns in the ruins of Solari located throughout the continent, so in Judeâs hypothesis, several ruins of Solari must have also existed in the land of the barbarians.
And as if it was obvious, the places that they couldnât go to in the game and the places that Jude suspected to have the ruins of Solari were both located in the same position on the map.
âLetâs go quickly.â
âYes, Daddy.â
However, the two only pretended to walk and did not take a step forward. Because both of them were intending to walk behind the other.
âWhatâs with those intentions?â
âAre you talking about you or me?â
Eventually, the two walked side by side again.
And at the same time, in a completely different placeâŠ
There was a male and female pair who were likewise squabbling.
***
âWhat did you just say?â
âThey must have crossed the border.â
Adelia appeared in front of GaĂ«l, who was doing his morning training in their accommodationâs yard, and she said with an agitated face.
âThe signal keeps moving away. Theyâre still moving north even at this moment.â
GaĂ«l and Adelia were now in Vedrfolnir, considered as the entrance of Count HrĂŠsvelgrâs territory.
Considering that Jude and Cordelia spent nearly fifteen days traveling from Langesthei to Vedrfolnir, GaĂ«l and Adeliaâs traveling speed was seriously fast.
But it was not enough. Jude and Cordelia were still so far away.
And what was worse here was the fact that they completely crossed the border.
âAre you saying that Jude and Cordelia crossed over to the land of the barbarians?â
âThatâs what Iâve been saying! Iâve already told you that a few times!â
Adelia loudly shouted, before she took a deep breath, puffed out her chest, and then said.
âThis isnât the time to argue about this and that. We have to cross the border too.â
There was a huge difference between wandering within the SĂ€len Kingdom and wandering in the land of the barbarians beyond the border.
The land of the barbarians.
It was the land of the savage and cruel barbarians.
The SĂ€len Kingdom had been fighting these barbarians for hundreds of years already.
âJude, you evil bastard!â
Going to a nice place wasnât enough for you when you took her around, so you dragged Cordelia to such a living hell?
No matter how much she thought about it, she couldnât forgive him. Even if Cordelia objected or her father opposed it, she would have their engagement called off without fail once she caught the two.
âIâll even go by myself, just so you know.â
âLetâs hurry then.â
âExcuse me?â
âLetâs hurry up then.â
GaĂ«l didnât end it with just words alone. He went right back to his room, and within a few minutes, he packed all his luggage and came down.
âFirst of all, we must keep it a secret that Jude and Lady Cordelia have crossed the border. Count HrĂŠsvelgr will somehow get in the way if he knew that weâre trying to cross the border too.â
Count HrĂŠsvelgr was the margrave that guarded the border.
The head of the Jackdaws wouldnât easily let them cross the border.
âWait, weâre sneaking through?â
âWere you thinking of openly crossing then?â
When Gaël asked in return, Adelia was instantly speechless and blinked her eyes.
Because it was as what Gaël said.
Several procedures were needed to legally cross the border. Moreover, it was unlikely that Count HrĂŠsvelgr, who had already been disgraced by Jude and Cordelia, would obediently let them create a new problem.
It would be a huge blow to Count HrÊsvelgr if he eventually allowed Gaël and Adelia to cross the border and then some accident happened to them there.
Still, Adelia had no choice but to be flustered.
âWill that be okay?â
âOh, how do you cross the border then? You donât have to worry about it. Count Bayer knows everything about the border that separates the north. If itâs a route to secretly cross the border, there are about 10 routes that we know.â
âN-no, thatâs not it.â
It wasnât just crossing over the wall next door.
It was a situation of crossing over the northern wall that bordered the land of the barbarians.
During their travel together in the last few days, Adelia had thought that Gaël was an upright and sincere man.
He was a man of integrity himself who did not skip training every morning even during a trip, did not show signs of hardship no matter how hard it was, and solved everything according to the set rules, whether other people spoke ill of him or not.
But this man was trying to sneak across the border.
It was also through a secret route that Count Bayer knew.
âDo you have any other problems then?â
âThatâŠno, itâs not a problem.â
He naturally knew that she would object.
Or go to Count HrĂŠsvelgr and ask for help.
âLetâs start right away then.â
Before she knew it, Gaël had already brought out the horses from the stable. The dumbfounded Adelia suddenly found herself riding on the horse and running after Gaël.
She thought it was an unexpected action for him.
He was a man who was not fully sincere. No, he was a sincere man, but he could discern the gravity of the situation.
âWeâre going to change horses in Lankebuste! Iâve contacted them in advance, so we wonât suffer from any delays!â
In addition, he was a man who was thoroughly prepared.
âHow reliable.â
He somehow resembled her older brother.
Adelia slightly raised her assessment of Gaël as she unconsciously smiled a little, before she focused on riding again.