Chapter 137: Sharal Autonomous Region
Even though the earth had yet to freeze, the wind blowing through the Northern Lands had already turned frigid. Based on how things were in the previous years, within two months, the first wave of snow would descend onto the world. The seven months of winter would become the greatest challenge of all lifeforms residing in the north.
Those who managed to adapt will survive; the strong survive while the weak are eliminated. Nothing was more suited to serve as the cold-blooded and merciless examiner than the harsh natural world.
In the Northern Lands, the short period before the end of autumn wasn’t an optimal period for one to travel around. After all, one might very well end up getting trapped on dangerous terrain when the first wave of snow sets. However, I did not have the privilege to be picky.
When the warm spring sets in and the flowers blossom next year, the great army of the Beastmen will most likely travel southward. By then, it would no longer be possible for me to make this trip. The urgent thing to do now was to make use of the meagre remaining time we had to achieve more so as to earn more chips to protect ourselves.
“The autonomous region of the hybrids? That is truly a demeaning past. However, this seems to be the only way out for us.”
The autonomous region of the hybrids is officially known as Sharal Autonomous Region. However, not a lot of people know of this name. After all, that land was an ignominious remnant of history.
Whenever different races warred with one another, the losing faction would often forfeit a large portion of their territory and people, especially the females who would then become the spoils of war of the victors. As such, extended periods of governance under a foreign tribe represented the birth of a large amount of shameful hybrids.
A large portion of the Northern Lands, including the Mist Country, was dominated by the Beastmen who invaded southwards. The Demons had also contributed a fair bit during their campaign against the Northern Lands. The Elves were also implicated in the mess, as multiple Elf Tribes made up a large percentage of the slave trade. As such, there were quite a few DemiBeastmen, DemiElves, Half-Demons and all kinds hybrids living on this plot of land. Of course, the majority of them were DemiBeastmen.
Naturally, the “quite a few,” when put in comparison against the population of country, was a negligible figure. However, when the human kingdoms managed to reclaim this plot of land and the enslaved humans were cheering joyously, these newborns who were stuck between the two were put in an awkward position.
Their identities as hybrids made their lives better than ordinary humans when they were under the dominance of another foreign race. However, on the other hand, they were destined to become targets for people to vent their resentment.
When the foreign race was driven back to their homeland, these DemiBeastmen were unable to follow them back. The unique racial characteristics that they possessed made others remember the painful history they had undergone. With the slightest friction or intentional provocative words, an uncontrollable genocide would probably occur.
Furthermore, quite a few of those DemiBeastmen weren’t kind-hearted souls either. During the years under the dominance of the Beastmen, in order to reiterate their stand, they treated their fellow human “peers” cruelly. Most of the shocking tragedies that occurred were a result of the doing of these bastards in awkward positions.
When the humans finally reclaimed the lands that they had lost a century later, a great judgement and bloodthirsty vengeance that occurred left most of these hybrids hanging on the gallows. As for the remaining ones, they were either unable to be convicted of anything or they were too young. In any case, they were still exiled. These were events that transpired before the East Mist Communal Country was founded, happenings in the generation of the founder of the East Mist, Charles the 1st.
In that era where one could be executed for the slightest association with the Beastmen, the only hybrids who were able to survive the unjust trials of vengeance were powerless children and women. Even those DemiBeastmen who were known for being friendly towards humans were only allowed to bring more personal possessions with them in their exile.
In that era where the desire to exact vengeance had clouded the minds of the population, no one dared to speak up for those “Beastfolk”. Otherwise, if someone were to accuse them of being a spy for the Beastmen, wouldn’t they die indignantly?
In that frenzied era, not a single country was willing to accept those hybrids. On the other hand, the borders to the Beastmen Highlands were sealed (The few who successfully trespassed over didn’t end up well either. Most of them became tools of frustration for the Beastmen who had lost the reclamation battle.). As for the supposed exile, to the powerless DemiBeastmen then, it was no different from a death penalty. It was just that they chose not to personally execute them and, instead, left them to fend for themselves against the harsh nature.
If the Mist Country was the dark history for the entire human society, then these hybrids were the dark history of the entire Northern Lands.
When all countries denied them entry and mobilized their knights to drive them away, they could only helplessly trudge forth toward the remote mountains. As time passed and everyone started to forget their existence, thinking they had died in the frigid snow and to the beast packs, in the depths of the mountains, in a miraculous valley, a new autonomous region appeared—Sharal Autonomous Region.
Naturally, the current Sharal Autonomous Region wasn’t the same autonomous region the hybrids occupied two hundred years ago. This nation still wasn’t recognized by the various countries, but it had already become a haven for those who belonged to no country and criminals. Humans, Beastmen, and Elves could be seen on the lands, but the ones who claimed the majority were still the indigenous hybrids who had unique traits.
For example, the young warrior standing outside the carriage had cat ears and sharp claws belonging to that of the Feline Beastmen. However, he was dragging along the long tail of the lizard, not to mention that he had a lower body similar to that of the Centaurs. It was clear that he was the product of interracial mating.
The ranger in the shadows had beautiful white feathers, seemingly possessing the blood of a certain species of Avian Beastmen. However, the human hands he had on his left and the long lizard-scaled arm on his right were in disharmony with one another.
“This is heaven!”
A certain Beast Tamer, who was becoming more and more philosophical, upon catching sight of the plot of land and its residents, immediately threw aside that incomprehensible communication method of his and spoke so directly that it was hard to retort against it.
At this very moment, surrounded by numerous hybrids, he was overjoyed. He had been taking the initiative to strike up a conversation with another, and judging from the increasing intimacy between the two, it seemed that the hybrid warrior who carried the bloodline of the Centaurs would probably be unable to escape from the experienced hands of this veteran.
When we first arrived at this inspection point, the DemiBeastmen warriors weren’t amiable to us. Leading their army forward, they tried to intimidate us with numbers. The sharp arrows of the rangers on the trees were also aimed at us.
When I whipped out the merchant identification to prove that I came from East Mist, not only did their attitude towards us ease, they were also more lax with the inspection as compared with the carriage before. My escorts even started to chat happily with the warriors, which gave a certain male an opportunity to make his move.
“The relationship between East Mist and Sharal Autonomous Region is not bad?”
Harloys, who was slumped over on top of my head, was forced to go on this journey right after she had just completed her evolution. At this moment, she was feeling sluggish and was reluctant to move. As a result, she spent her whole day slouching on top of my head with a displeased expression.
“East Mist has good relations with all powers who are viewed with hostility by the human society. Of them all, its relation with Sharal Autonomous Region was exceptionally good due to certain other reasons.”
That was a dark history that had surfaced along with the passing of time. When the hybrids coincidentally found a suitable valley for living amidst the mountains, the Sharal Autonomous Region was born. Lacking clothes and food, they led a tough life. Thus, the first king of East Mist, Charles the 1st, felt guilty and secretly aided them.
“Initially, I only intended to help those innocent exiles and the descendants of the Mist. However, as their state was simply too unbearable, I went the extra mile. Alright, most importantly of all, if you only provide the descendants of the Mist with food and clothes, it would be stolen away the moment you turn your head. It would be equivalent to bringing them harm. Thus, I could only help them all. It was fortunate that we were still wealthy then.”
When that line was uncovered from the diary of the previous emperor, the thirty years of assistance formed the foundation for the brotherhood between the Sharal Autonomous Region and East Mist Communal Nation two hundred years later from then.
Throughout these years, as the two were gradually isolated from the rest of the human society, they began to walk closer together. The close interaction between the two strengthened their mutual relationship. Merchants from foreign countries who wanted to enter Sharal had to find a way to obtain an East Mist merchant identification. Also, many of those who wielded authority in Sharal Autonomous Region viewed themselves as the descendants of Mist.
One thing worth mentioning was that the valley amidst the mountain was a rare granary for the Northern Lands. When the tides turned and the descendants of the previous Emperor Charles fell into difficulty, the residents of this land brought them aid. If it wasn’t for the “borrowed foodstuffs” without any interest from Sharal Autonomous Region, perhaps the fall of East Mist would have already occurred many years earlier.
Packed in the carriages were a bundle of medicines and resources which the Northern Lands was in dire lack of. They were definitely luxurious goods which one couldn’t buy in the Northern Lands even if they had money. They were also East Mist’s interest payment for the many years of debt from the food they “borrowed” us.
Allowing the debt to drag on wasn’t considered a favor? Drawing an analogy, they allowed a company that could potentially declare bankrupt at any moment to owe them money, and even more so, continued to loan them emergency rations when there were low possibility of returns. Looking at it from that perspective, it was truly a massive favor that they had showered upon us.
Since the Sharal Autonomous Region had not forgotten the kindness Charles has showed them previously, naturally, East Mist would return this favor generously.
The amiable relationship between the both was also a reason why I chose to visit this land first. In the other countries where I had no associates, I would unlikely be able to achieve anything within the short period of time that we had.
However, a coincidence had given me a new purpose for this journey.
“Senior Amelia, what do you think of this land? Is it suited for the growth of plants? Do you think that you will be able to cultivate the new type of seedlings I want here?”
“It is impossible to achieve it so quickly! I still need time to experiment and analyze it. Right, don’t forget what you have promised me!”
“I won’t forget it.”
Alright, remembering that promise that I was coerced into, I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. To recount the entire incident, I would have to start from the coincidental reunion we had half a month ago.
———–
“My Seven Deadly Sins are invincible! They are much more powerful than those weeds of yours!”
“W-weed? Hehe, you sure are audacious!”
With a lowered head, the great Mage laughed frenziedly. Countless shadows crept forth from her back. In an instant, the scent of danger and sweet-sour, venomous liquid reached my nose along with the wind and a blood-colored, man-eating demon plant began making its move from the shadows.
“Wuuuuu!”
Seemingly sensing the rage of its creator, a certain lifeform seemed to be weeping silently. Giant vines grew from the shadows and chainsaw-like mouths started appearing on the green leaves on it.
Even though the man-eating plant’s saliva was already dripping right before me, and the venomous thorn on its thick vines were about to wrap around me, I still remained motionless, as though completely oblivious to its presence.
Even though she was the one who had committed the greatest amount of murders among those I knew of and she wasn’t restrained by morals or those things, if she were to make a move now, she would be admitting defeat.
Those of the same trade were often nemeses of one another. When academics met, especially when academics whose fields of research overlapped with one another but their views differed greatly from one another met, they usually started off by greeting the other with sarcasm before proceeding to bellow at one another and eventually concluding with bricks being thrown.
However, if an academic were to achieve victory through murder, that would instead mean that he was unable to surpass the research of the other and could only resort to such methods to eliminate his competitor. Perhaps, this would mean a complete loss instead.
As expected, the Great Mage Amelia, who was prepared to get rid of me upon our meeting, eventually suppressed her rage amid my sarcasm and pulled back those dangerous man-eating plants to bring the battle back to an academic one.
“Hmph, Seven Deadly Sins? You haven’t successfully put them together yet, right? Pride, whose seal was just released, Gluttony and Wrath, there are only three of them.”
“Recently, I have made Greed and Envy. I am just off by two now. What about you? Are your Seven Heavenly Virtues complete yet? Don’t tell me that you are still stuck with ‘Temperance’ and ‘Diligence’ as you were a century ago?”
“…I, I have also created ‘Humility’ to deal with your Pride!”
“Yeah? Interesting, but talk is empty. Bring it out for me to take a look.”
After which, Amelia fell into an odd silence. Based on my understanding of her, she wasn’t the type of person to resort to lying. Most probably, she truly had some other reasons for being unable to take it out now.
“If it wasn’t for that darned Adam destroying my darling…”
Alright, upon hearing those words, I was stunned for a moment before subconsciously wiping away the beads of sweat on my forehead. I couldn’t help but be glad for being able to escape a calamity. However, the next moment, my rage billowed.
If the toy of the other party was still intact, she would probably immediately whip it out to flaunt it in front of me. Given my current strength, I would probably be slaughtered in an instant. However, I had no intention of thanking Adam, because I had already understood the other meaning in her words.
“Great, you darned Adam. I was wondering who it was who leaked the news of my existence, prompting this shut-in who bothers not with worldly affairs to choose to go on a journey to hunt me down. I finally understand that bizarre expression you had on your face these last few days. You were intentionally keeping the fact from me, so that you could laugh at my misfortune then, is it?”
However, this wasn’t the time for my thoughts to stray. Making use of the temporary lapse of weakness in the opponent, I whipped out of trump card.
“Do you still remember our teacher, Harloys? Right now, she is my Greed! Hey, you darned cat, wake up! I need you to save my life!”
After consuming “The Dark God’s Breath of Death,” Harloys had been in a slumber, as though she was conserving her energy for a breakthrough. However, I urgently needed her presence to save me at this instant.
“Teacher Harloys? Isn’t she a Banshee?”
When I whipped out that darned cat, there was no longer any need for me to say anything else. That slime monster who was taking on the form of an alien cat was more convincing than anything else.
Thus, when Amelia’s attention was focused on analyzing that darned sleeping cat, I finally had an opportunity to ask the others about the happenings that had transpired in my absence and why this fellow was here.
“Allow me to explain. Yesterday, right after we put up that signboard, this lady came and claimed to be your acquaintance. She said that she wanted to give you a surprise and wanted us to invite you over. However, my Big Brother sensed that even though she is our kind, she is your enemy, and thus, we had been dragging the matter out. Throughout this period, this lady had shut herself in her room, as though she was busy researching something. As time went by, we soon forgot to ask her about it. That is, until you came knocking today.”
After hearing those words, I was speechless. Perhaps they really did it out of the kindness of their hearts, but by surviving until now, they were truly fortunate.
“You all actually dared to house the depraved culprit of the serial killings that occurred in the Mages’ Country over a span of hundred years in the headquarters? In search of inspiration and lab rats, she dares to even commit murder in the Cloud Tower. You all… Wait, Big Brother? You are?
That was a tall and sturdy man. Underneath his tight leather clothes were solid muscles that were reminiscent of a sculpture. Wearing sunglasses, his calm explanation of the situation gave others an impression that he was an exceptionally reliable person.
“He is Pierre Papin, the new number two of the True Love Siblings. We all call him Rina Papa-san!”
Alright, I shall retract that “reliable” evaluation I had of him. Being the new member of the True Love Siblings was the best annotation for him.
“Umm… May I ask if you have a daughter?”
“Yeah, I love my daughter Rina deeply. I love her more than myself and anything else in the world. That is also the reason why everyone allowed me to join the band.”
After hearing this, I heaved a sigh of relief. He was just a father who had a daughter complex. It was still within acceptable range.
“Rina is a ship, a warship.”
Alright, Momo’s words made me realize instantaneously that Gentlemen were something that would increase exponentially if not kept in check! So this fellow was into ships.
“Um, I’ve heard that sailors who stay offshore for too long view their own ships as women. I can understand that. I really can understand that.”
Even though I said so, I was slowly retreating backwards so as to stay away from this bunch of Gentlemen who were getting more and more ludicrous.
“Hehe, Second Brother Papin, I told you that you were overthinking it. How is it possible for His Highness to not comprehend you? He himself is the King of Gentlemen. You are only 0.4 Beifeng while he was already 10 Beifeng during his time in Liu Huang Mountain City!”
Momo’s explanation was unnecessary, because at this very moment, Rina Papa-san’s eyes were already filled with fanaticism.
“It is not that kind of shallow love for one’s shell! Don’t compare Rina with those vulgar things. Rina is the most adorable girl in the entire universe. Do the other ships have towering cannons like hers? Do they have such smooth and beautiful decks? Do the other ships have such elegant curves? Do…”
Looking at this different type of “daughter complex” going into a frenzied state, I couldn’t help but sigh helplessly. Indeed, it was impossible for there to be anyone normal in the Gentlemen Alliance! How can there be any normal existence among the True Love Siblings!
Alright, ignoring the new Gentleman who was still singing praises “Ah, that warm engine room~ Oh, that charming and hulking pillar~,” I set my sights on Amelia, who was squatting in one corner with a depressed face, muttering ceaselessly under her breath.
“A half-dead, half-alive Undead? How is that possible? That should already be at the level of the Creator. He has improved again? Or could it be that I have fallen behind times?”
I felt exhilarated seeing her in such a state. However, if things were to drag on, she might give up the final shreds of her dignity and go on a rampage, forcing me to reveal the secrets behind the technology. At my current state, I was definitely unable to match up to her. Thus, I dropped her some bait.
“Senior Amelia, as long as you fulfill two tasks for me, I will bring you up to greater heights!”