Western Exploration Team 2

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

What should these horned humanoids be called? Gran cast a questioning glance at the Minotaur priest.

"Upper species, that's what we call them," Egbert replied somewhat helplessly.

Upper species? The name seems to imply some kind of advanced race, and Gran looked at the priest with even more confusion.

"Yes, they are indeed a more powerful and advanced race," Egbert admitted. "In ancient times, the ancestors of the upper species led our ancestors in battles against ancient demons."

Demons? Is this some ancient myth? "What do you mean by demons?"

"Demons are the enemies of all races on this continent in legends. They once enslaved us and exploited us until all races rose up in rebellion and drove them into the northernmost land, the Demon Gate. Since then, they have stayed far away from our world, and we have been unable to find any trace of them."

Egbert's narration reminded Gran of the widespread legends of the Demon-Human Wars among the human nations on the old continent. It seems that there's also a mention of something called the Hell Gate in the distant north of the continent. If opened, it would release devils or something similar. At the grand farewell banquet they attended before their departure, Earl Heller had even seriously discussed this legend with Captain Stanford of the northern exploration team.

Isn't this a match? Could it be that there really was such a terrifying race in ancient times, causing destruction all over the world, so that both the civilizations of the new and old continents have lingering fears about them?

How did they manage to do it? When humans were still in their primitive state, did this evil race already have the ability to sail the oceans freely? If they were so powerful, how could they fail against primitive humans—who now seem to be accompanied by other races as well?

Egbert sighed and continued to narrate the stories that had taken place on this continent. "Legends say that demons generally had iron claws, and some even had iron heads and iron bodies. More terrifyingly, some alien demons had two arms and four legs. These alien demons could sprint like the wind on their four legs while wielding their iron claws with their two arms."

As the Minotaur priest described, Gran painted an image of the demons in his mind, especially the alien demons he mentioned—two arms and four legs? Sprinting like the wind? There are indeed legends of centaurs on the old continent, also with two arms and four legs, though no one has ever truly seen a centaur. However, there has never been a legend that mentioned centaurs having iron claws, iron heads, or iron bodies.

"In the beginning, the various races, being merely flesh and blood, were unable to resist them. It was only after the upper species awakened divine power, as I mentioned earlier, that they gained the strength to fight against the demons."

Divine... divine power?

Upon hearing this, Gran's eyes widened. Could what Egbert spoke of be magic or sorcery? In the continent he came from, that kind of thing was almost a taboo. When his fleet set out, the Horn Bay was still fervently engaged in some witch-hunting movement.

The Minotaur priest continued, "The emergence of divine power allows the upper species to exhibit incredible abilities, such as breathing fire, releasing lightning, altering the weather, and creating illusions for their enemies."

Alright, alright! Egbert thought to himself. It seems he guessed correctly; this is indeed sorcery. The religious tribunal of his homeland would surely take a liking to this group of horned beings.

Gran didn't want to refer to them as upper species; he might as well call them "sheep people."

"The unique abilities brought about by divine power countered the advantages of the demons—their iron claws, iron heads, iron bodies, and those alien demons that sprint like the wind. Thus, the upper species gradually achieved leadership among all the races resisting the demons. They effectively utilized this position to unite all races to fight against the demons, ultimately driving them into the Demon Gate."

So, the sheep people did have significant benefits for other races. Gran curiously asked, "If that's the case, how did they become your enemies?"

Egbert let out a long sigh and continued, "Even a few years ago, the upper species were not like they are now. After the war against the demons ended, the leaders of the various races gathered to discuss future arrangements. The upper species made tremendous contributions and sacrifices in expelling the demons, and they rightly deserved the greatest share of the victory. This was acknowledged by all races. Therefore, all races agreed that the upper species could exclusively own the land in the south, while the land in the north would be shared among the other races, including our own. In the long time that followed, although there were occasional minor frictions among the races, the continent maintained a general peace."

"However, five years ago, the upper species in the southern land suddenly changed their attitude and began sending armies to the northern land to capture members of other races."

Gran asked, "Why?"

Egbert's face was filled with sorrow. "According to those who escaped from the south, they were captured to become slaves. The upper species have split into three large tribes and countless small tribes over the long course of their heritage. Recently, fierce wars have erupted among them, and many of their people became soldiers needing a lot of laborers. So, they resorted to raiding the northern continent for slaves."

"That's really… that's just shameless."

To comfort Egbert, Gran vented his anger towards the beings he had named "sheep people," but he understood that this kind of phenomenon was far too normal on the continent where his homeland was located.

"Egbert, I..." Gran stammered.

"Oh, my friend. I'm not asking you to do anything. I know your numbers are too few, and even if you stayed, it wouldn't change much." The sincerity displayed on the Minotaur's face made Gran feel a bit ashamed.

"Indeed, alas, I'm really sorry."

Gran's face flushed. If only he were a free adventurer! But now he was a subordinate of Earl Paul Grayman, unable to promise anything to the Great Stream Tribe.

"I will leave a batch of swords for you to use."

In the end, Gran still felt he should do something. "And then, all I can do is wish you good luck."

Egbert looked at him and said, "Thank you for your blessings, dear guest who has crossed the ocean."

(End of the Chapter)

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