Supreme General

The place that started from a small tribe and expanded its territory across vast lands was called a ‘kingdom’.

Tribal chief Kamundal was titled king, and before long order was established and many tribespeople flocked there.

A nameless kingdom.

That place was a seed of typhoon planted in the world.

“The Supreme General has entered the palace!”

When Kaid stepped inside, the eyes of the king and tribal chiefs gathered.

One of the major seats called the 12 Seats belonged to Kaid.

Kaid, the military’s overseer, sat in the last seat and spoke.

“I was training.”

Kamundal frowned.

“Training?”

“Yes.”

“You live absorbed in the sword every time. Didn’t I clearly tell you there was an important matter today?”

“I apologize, Your Majesty. However, this is the throne room.”

At words to put aside personal address, Kamundal shook his head and looked around at the tribal chiefs.

“Now that the Supreme General has come, we’ll begin the meeting. The agenda is what I mentioned before.”

As the two characters for conquest passed through minds, the tribal chiefs swallowed groans.

Their expressions said what had to come had finally come.

“As you all know, thirty full years have passed since we joined forces. The kingdom boasts power mightier than tribes that value tradition, and now stands before the final stage.”

“You mean… unification?”

“That’s right, Chief Gardal. Precisely Barganta.”

Barganta.

Kamundal had boasted this was the name the nameless kingdom would grasp first when unifying the world.

Barganta meant Land of Gods in ancient tribal languages.

Since tribes worshipping their own traditions and gods had gathered under the kingdom, Kamundal had strongly insisted this was the same principle as gods gathering.

But the tribal chiefs showed hesitant appearances.

Kaid knew why they couldn’t easily open their mouths.

‘They’ve grown saturated with comfort.’

After gathering under the kingdom, they’d organized an army by collecting elite warriors from each tribe.

Mighty power was inherited by Kaid, Kamundal’s fourth son, and no tribe dared invade the kingdom.

Vigilance loosened and eventually the tribal chiefs maintained current peace.

The tribal chiefs’ thinking was that now, revering tradition rather than bloody war, was better.

But Kamundal overflowed with ambition.

He didn’t want the kingdom boasting powerful military strength to stagnate in one place.

“If we stop here as is, the kingdom will eventually rot and perish. If we want future generations to live proudly, we must now gather our strength to unify the world as one.”

The tribal chiefs voiced concerns.

“Other tribes don’t even come near the kingdom. If we force war as is, we’re the same as barbarians. We didn’t establish the kingdom to enjoy indiscriminate killing.”

“Of course, your concerns also have merit. However, groups opposing the kingdom are gathering in the east, west, and south too.”

“Groups?”

“The establishment of nations imitating the kingdom.”

As the tribal chiefs murmured with surprised eyes, Kamundal raised his hand to gather their gazes.

“This is fact the Supreme General confirmed. They’re even preparing to invade our kingdom.”

“Is that true?”

“Kaid.”

Kaid exhaled a faint sigh and rose from his seat.

“As His Majesty says, they didn’t simply create nations to band together. They united to plunder the resources our kingdom possesses. By the time our informants went to investigate, they’d already completed a solid army.”

“…!”

“I’ve withheld words from the tribal chiefs until now, but cases of small settlements being pillaged near the border are increasing. They were clear provocations, and I reported to His Majesty.”

Kaid sat down as if he’d finished speaking.

The tribal chiefs were silent for a long while.

Because they hadn’t thought the kingdom’s rival would quietly grow power in distant regions.

After long silence, Kamundal opened his mouth.

“As the Supreme General says, the situation has already escaped our hands. Will you sit still and be invaded to have resources stolen? Or will you show the kingdom’s power to the world?”

Kamundal drew out a banner.

“I’ll raise an army with the Supreme General at the forefront. First we must properly punish severely those bastards who invaded our border. Will you all lend your strength?”

Then the hesitating tribal chiefs placed their respective symbols on the table.

Kamundal turned his gaze to Kaid.

“Why does the Supreme General oppose?”

“There’s something that must be done before unification.”

“What is it?”

“Advance while putting forth the nation’s name.”

“Those words…”

Kamundal frowned.

“…Do you mean to bring up the next succession here now?”

“In war, no one knows what events will unfold. Before going to war, the king has a duty to decide successors. Moreover, a nameless nation cannot give great pressure to enemies. Solidify the nation firmly, then show dignity.”

“I understand the Supreme General’s concerns. However, it’s not yet time to decide succession. Those words are remarks insulting me, so I’ll let it pass this once thinking it a mistake.”

Kaid swallowed a sigh and spoke.

“…Yes.”

“However, showing the nation’s dignity is certainly important. Though earlier than expected, we may need to put forth ‘Barganta’.”

Only then did Kaid place his sword on the table.

And Kamundal wore a solemn expression and declared to everyone.

“Since all 12 Seats share the same will as me, I won’t hesitate anymore! Our Barganta declares war from this moment on those barbaric bastards eating away at the kingdom!”

Kamundal spoke to Kaid.

“The Supreme General shall immediately lead the Royal Guard and show Barganta’s dignity!”

Kaid knelt, raised his sword, and declared.

“I receive your command!”

Kaid returned to the tree with only one sword at his waist.

Nine men and women wearing demon masks were waiting.

The Royal Guard.

These were positions gained by passing Kaid’s examination among the outstanding skilled fighters from each tribe.

Though only ten people total, together with Kaid they handled even armies of tens of thousands without difficulty.

Because special power dwelled in them.

“Your spirit power has risen another level.”

The Royal Guard flowed out energy waves of various colors as if pleased.

Spirits were ancient somethings each tribe had revered.

Since there was no term encompassing them, they were called spirits.

Only a few chosen people could contract with spirits.

And spirit contractors displayed power transcending humans, called ‘Phenomenon Mastery’.

“I thought I’d honed my skills considerably, but I feel nothing from the Supreme General.”

From the moment they wore masks, the Royal Guard were called by numbers.

To not leave tails even if identities were discovered.

Number 1 who just spoke had passed the Royal Guard examination first and was among the top three skilled fighters in the kingdom.

But even he couldn’t guess Kaid’s limits.

All Royal Guard who’d received examination held the same feelings as Number 1.

Kaid certainly wasn’t born with a spirit.

The tribal chiefs asserted he wasn’t a contractor.

Yet even so, he boasted divine power that casually twisted contractors.

The now-deceased great chief had said Kaid had a special guardian spirit attached to him that blessed his flesh itself.

It differed from spirits and dwelled only in strong souls to manifest transcendent phenomena.

Due to that statement’s influence, Kaid became the Supreme General leading the Royal Guard at a young age.

He was actually proving it with results.

“More training is still needed.”

“Haha, don’t we lack time?”

“Did you hear His Majesty’s command?”

“Yes. He said to annihilate the barbarians.”

“It doesn’t end at simply destroying one settlement. We must face the large army establishing a nation in the west.”

Then Number 3, who had a particularly large build, laughed heartily.

“Kuhahahahaha! Supreme General! What’s there to worry about when you have us? Let’s sweep away those bastards before spring comes!”

Kaid who surveyed them nodded.

“Fortunately, it seems you haven’t idled away eating.”

“We’ve trained hard trying to twist even one of the Supreme General’s arms!”

“Confidence is good, but… where’s Number 10?”

“Over there! She’s coming up!”

Everyone’s gazes turned toward a slender woman approaching the tree.

It was the last Royal Guard member who’d chased Kaid around and woken him from sleep.

“Arriving later than the Supreme General, what kind of disgrace is this!”

When Number 1 glared, the woman awkwardly scratched the back of her head and answered.

“Well… the chief told me to finish the spirit ceremony…”

“You still can’t control that one spirit?”

“Hehe. I don’t explode power like before! I can control it perfectly now!”

“Haa. Put on your mask first.”

“Yep!”

The woman wore the demon mask and stood lined up beside the Royal Guard.

Kaid looked them over and chuckled.

“Discipline is tight. Are you nervous?”

“No sir!”

“Don’t worry. It’s the same as usual.”

To them shouting with one voice, Kaid spoke firmly.

“We win this time too.”

The Royal Guard grinned coldly.

Forces of hundreds and thousands were cumbersome.

If only Kaid was together, even ten Royal Guard could sufficiently destroy one nation.

“Let’s go.”

Ten Royal Guard followed behind Kaid who moved steps westward.

Barganta’s border made by entangling stones and wooden fences was exceedingly crude to call a wall.

Used for drawing boundary lines, they’d recently begun stacking high walls.

But invaders were eyeing the fence not yet perfectly refined.

Among them, ‘Bulta’ establishing a nation in the west caused large and small conflicts.

The nation made by gathered plunderers possessed quite many spirit casters.

Even among Bulta’s plunderers raiding settlements now, considerable skilled fighters were mixed in.

“Number 1.”

“Yes!”

Number 1 rushed at hundreds of plunderers.

The moment they saw the demon mask symbolizing the Royal Guard, the plunderers murmured and shot wind-bundled awls.

Judging by size and form, they were skilled fighters who’d be treated fairly well even in Barganta.

But Number 1 was the next successor of a tribal chief occupying the 12 Seats.

With power bestowed by the fire spirit, he burned away the wind.

Swoooosh!

A gigantic fire bird flew up and devoured the plunderer. As scorching heat tried to blanket the people, Number 2 blocked it by creating a water barrier.

“Plunderers are hiding everywhere.”

The moment Kaid murmured, the Royal Guard scattered in all directions.

And Kaid walked into the middle of people protected by water.

“I came from the royal castle. Who is this place’s person in charge?”

“I-it’s me!”

A middle-aged man with one arm cut off stood up.

“Casualties?”

“Half died!”

“What time did the plunderers arrive?”

“Th-this morning!”

“However…”

Kaid looked at spirit power surging from all directions and sent a chilling gaze to the middle-aged man.

“…Why did so many plunderers gather in this small village?”

“I don’t know either. They suddenly came and searched the ground, then started killing us from that time!”

“Ground?”

“That place!”

The middle-aged man pointed behind the plunderers.

There was a small cave, and several plunderers were carrying something out from there.

“Number 3.”

“Yes!”

“Take these people to a safe place. I have things to ask, so absolutely don’t let a single person die.”

“Yes! Supreme General!”

The moment Kaid lightly kicked off the ground.

Boom!

The middle of the plunderers tore apart in pieces, and Kaid had already reached near the cave.

Plunderers who’d been busily carrying something widened their eyes and raised spirit power.

Thorned bushes tried to entangle like rope, but when Kaid struck down with the scabbard itself.

KABOOM!

Even the earth where bushes had sprouted collapsed.

“Heooouk!”

“D-Demon Captain!”

The plunderers tried to raise spirit power again.

But they crumbled as soon as they raised their arms.

Before they knew it, their necks and bodies had separated and were being sucked into the collapsed earth.

Kaid who’d organized the spirit casters in an instant turned toward the cart.

Pitch-black cloth covered the cart.

‘What reason did plunderers have to come to this village mobilizing even spirit casters?’

Normally settlement raids had as basics striking and withdrawing instantly.

Traces of Barganta’s border vicinity being pillaged until now were similar to this.

But this raid was somehow different.

Hundreds of plunderers stayed in the village until sunrise, even bringing spirit casters.

Curious what on earth they’d tried to find here, Kaid lifted the cloth.

“…?”

Kaid wore a puzzled expression.

He’d traveled the world and encountered all kinds of various minerals and gems.

But right now here was one gem he was seeing for the first time in his life.

That thing shining amber resembled an eyeball.