CHAPTER 797

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"Ugh, ack...!"

In a distant under the ground location of the old Oterium.

The place where the three fleeing members of the Red Plutonian tribe, who escaped from Jin, teleported was the third city of the Red Plutonian tribe known as "Patlok."

The three individuals, who teleported into the fortress of Patlok, twisted their bodies and felt nauseous due to the aftermath of the teleportation. The Red Plutonian tribe's "Return technique" already put a considerable strain on the body, and now, in their weakened state, they were even vomiting blood.

"Is everyone alright?"

Shimat spoke calmly, regulating his breathing.

"Yes... compatriot Shimat. We are unharmed."

"Damn it, Makiram and Manta right after waking up...!"

Andolin and Ozen responded in a gloomy voice.

It was because of their two compatriots, Makiram and Manta, who acted as catalysts for the return technique. They had no time to grieve for their compatriots' sacrifice while confronting Jin.

Using compatriots as catalysts for the return technique only happened in moments like this. It was a rule of the Red Plutonian tribe that the weakest one would sacrifice themselves when they needed to avoid annihilation and there were no other organisms suitable to be catalysts.

However, among the five awakened Red Plutonian tribesmen, excluding Shimat, all were 2nd-class Battle kings. There was no hierarchy difference, and it was difficult to determine their combat power, so Makiram and Manta simply acted first.

"Don't cry, compatriot Ozen. Since that guy cut off compatriot Makiram's arm, it was the best choice. Compatriot Manta, who was right next to Jin, did the same. We just need to avenge our two compatriots from now on."

Shimat spoke calmly, but he was barely suppressing his anguish. As the leader of the "Shimat Corps," he felt a heavy burden on his chest for endangering his compatriots immediately after waking up.

Although they were only two in number, the deaths of Makiram and Manta accounted for 40% of the remaining forces.

"Since they became catalysts for the return technique, our two compatriots cannot even enjoy the honor of becoming undying warriors."

During their prime, the Red Plutonian tribe utilized a unit called the "Undying Army," which turned the bodies of fallen warriors into weapons. As Ozen said, since they couldn't retrieve the corpses of Makiram and Manta, they couldn't become part of the Undying Army.

"...That's also a problem, but I'm worried about the bracelets our two compatriots had. In particular, Jin Runcandel deliberately cut off compatriot Makiram's arm. He was targeting the bracelets. Even if the corpses of our compatriots are completely destroyed when they burn, the chances of the bracelets being unharmed are high."

"Even if the bracelets are undamaged, there's no way those insignificant human technological skills can analyze them! compatriot Andolin. Without a doubt, his power was remarkable, but we couldn't find any traces of any technology in the vicinity. He was not able to find portable subspace warehouses, not to mention flying ships."

"Compatriot Ozen, although there were no subspace warehouses, they didn't have many belongings. And the land we fought on seemed like abandoned territory, so it must have been far from the city. It means they found Ameris by teleportation or a similar method."

"T-then, compatriot Shimat, they might have the technological capability to analyze the bracelets..."

"It would be better to assume that. Even our own technicians couldn't quickly analyze them since they were created by acquiring the knowledge of the Sun God. Besides, even if they finished analyzing and replicating the bracelets, using them is another problem."

Using the bracelets required a resilient physique capable of withstanding the Red Plutonian tribe's illuminating heart and overload.

"Now we are in a completely different world from before we were sealed. We need to consider that anything can compete with us, including other mortals like humans."

Shimat was a person with excellent judgment and potential. He was both the "One without a Tribe" and the quickest individual in Red Plutonian tribe's history to become a 1st-class Battle king.

Ozen, who was initially infuriated by Shimat's attitude, gradually calmed down. Andolin's eyes, soaked in sadness, also regained their determination.

Both of them were thinking about the fortunate fact that Shimat was among the unsealed Red Plutonian tribesmen. If he was there, and if the sealed Red Plutonian tribe remained without complete annihilation...

It seemed entirely possible to witness a world once again dyed in red.

Slowly, Shimat looked around. The dark scenery of the Patlok Fortress's return chamber came into view.

However, despite clearly being left untouched for a long time, the return chamber didn't feel worn at all. There were no large or small cracks on the stones that couldn't overcome the passage of time, nor was there any accumulation of dust.

If the flames were lit, and the Red Plutonian tribe returned here, it would be the same scene as before they were sealed.

"Fortunately, it seems that the owner of Patlok Fortress, the Great Battle king, compatriot Rakiman Hog, is still alive."

The fact that the fortress was intact was possible because its owner was still alive. The Red Plutonian tribe's fortresses were practically organic entities connected to their respective owners, the Great Battle kings.

"Oh, now that you mention it... The fortress is in perfect condition!"

"Let's go to the Lord's Chamber."

As Shimat pressed the bracelet against a right-angled plate on the wall of the return chamber, a faint red light flickered, and the sound of an elevator operating could be heard.

Descending on the elevator, they soon arrived at the central hall of the Patlok Fortress. And there, they could see their compatriots floating like crimson stars in the lofty ceiling.

There were more than a hundred compatriots, roughly estimating. Most of them were ordinary warriors, but occasionally, they saw 2nd and 3rd-class Battle kings as well.

Even Shimat couldn't help but feel a momentary surge of emotion at the sight. They were the compatriots who defended Patlok Fortress until the very end before being sealed away.

As they finally opened the door to the Lord's Chamber, they saw the sealed Great Battle king, Rakiman Hog.

"Compatriot Andolin."

"Yes, compatriot Shimat."

"From now on, we will unseal compatriot Rakiman. However, it will be difficult to awaken compatriot Rakiman's illuminating heart until we ourselves fully recover."

"Then..."

"First, we need to create means for our own recovery. Start by checking if the teleportation devices leading to the surface within the fortress are operational."

"Yes!"

Andolin went outside the Lord's Chamber to check the teleportation devices.

"Fortunately, one out of the five is working!"

"Then, from now on, you two will begin surface activities. Go out and gather nourishment while assessing the current situation. Pay close attention to information regarding Jin Runcandel and his forces."

"Understood, compatriot Shimat. Shall we find the catalyst as needed when we go out?"

In response to Andolin's question, Shimat nodded with a solemn expression.

"...If possible, that's what we should do. But when you go out to the surface, make sure to take the sealed compatriots' illuminating hearts with you."

"Ah..."

Shimat judged that Andolin and Ozen, who were engaging in surface activities, needed a means of escape at any time.

Currently, the situation didn't allow for easily obtaining the "catalytic energy" required for the return technique. To use a regular human as a catalyst, they needed at least a hundred individuals.

Not only humans but any living being like dragons or demons could serve as catalysts. However, the current Red Plutonian tribe hadn't regained their full power. It meant that grabbing anyone to use as a catalyst, as they did before being sealed, could lead to their death.

"It's a difficult situation. But we have no choice. The moment one of us dies, the revival of our Red Plutonian tribe becomes more difficult. Let's select the compatriots who will serve as catalysts based on their combat power."

If there was any consolation for the three individuals, it was the fact that the compatriots who would become catalysts from now on could potentially become part of the Undying Army in the future. The greatest honor the Red Plutonian tribe warriors could enjoy was becoming an undying warrior.

"When should we commence our activities?"

"Immediately, from now on. Return to the fortress once every ten days, and if there are immediate matters to report, come back right away."

"I will do my best to return without using the illuminating heart of our compatriots."

Andolin and Ozen placed their hands on their chests and saluted Shimat. It was like reporting the start of their mission to their superior, just like in the old days.

The two of them went out to the central hall, carefully extracting the illuminating heart of the warriors while swallowing their tears.

Shimat stood in front of Rakiman, illuminating his heart in a crimson glow. The faint red energy flowed into Rakiman.

'The skies of Red Plutonian will resurge, and our Sun God will be resurrected.'

Shimat tried to cast away his tormenting heart with determination.

***

Meanwhile, Jin and his companions had returned to the Tikan Palace with Ameris' avatar.

Although they were concerned about the sudden appearance of the Red Plutonian tribe and the rise of the Sun Worshipers in the current era, Ameris said that things already happened, they just needed to solve it.

Ameris also showed a rapid adaptability, blending in with others. For her, who had always been bound by fate, this kind of life was like a much-needed rain during a drought.

[As I have lost so many memories, I had forgotten about their seals as well. And the return technique... seeing it firsthand reminded me. The fact that the return technique worked perfectly means that their main stronghold is still intact.]

"Intact, you say? Well, that's impressive. After all, they are a race belonging to the same race as our lord's brethren... Aren't they incredibly powerful?"

[Indeed, Jet. This time, they couldn't fight properly due to the aftermath of the seals, but Shimat would have had even greater combat power than Valkas. The others would be at least equivalent to Lata.]

"How many of them are there?"

[If there is only one fortress remaining, it would be around a thousand. If there are other fortresses as well... it could be tens of thousands per fortress. As far as I know, there are a total of five fortresses: Jung, Hon, Kam, Hog, and Tun. Each ruled by the Great Battle kings of each tribe.]

Jet continued to tremble with apprehension and rubbed his forehead. Jin could sense the scale and combat power of the Red Plutonian tribe, feeling the pressure.

[And above the Great Battle kings, there is the Battle god. Whether they are alive or not is the most crucial factor. I can't remember its name... The Battle god of the Red Plutonian tribe was also a member without a tribe, just like Shimat.]

"Anyway, Shimat's group is starting to unseal the Red Plutonian tribe from now on."

[Yes, Jin. It has probably already begun. The seals I placed merely suppressed their illuminating heart, so once they receive enough energy, the illuminating heart can awaken again.]

Ameris couldn't understand why she sealed them in the first place. However, it was easy to deduce that the Red Plutonian tribe at that time was powerful enough to make it necessary.

[They will need time as well. And surely, they will begin surface activities. They'll need to regain their strength through hunting. They also need to gather information about the surface.]

"Hunting, huh..."

[In my opinion, they won't attack Vamel alliance for now. They have already suffered a major blow from you, so they will be cautious. So, what we can hope for is that they attack enemies like Zipfel and regain their strength. And we should track their movements to discover their main stronghold.]

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