Folly
Episode 5
誇り高き戦場
Located at the south of the Holy Kingdown of Ashliana, was the land of Kuruda, which was the birth land of many mercenaries. Those who used the Kuruda Annihilation technique, must accomplish their mission no matter how great the odds were. It was said by some that their power is more comparable to a demon than a human…
At
the Octopus restaurant, Kyou told her newfound friends (Elle, Gau and Folly)
that she had to pay a fine of 1800 pieces of silver next week for violating a
demon beast hunter law. Since the death of the Septias, their contracts have
been voided and the last survivor must be responsible for causing the losses.
Kyou panicked at thought for being unable to pay the fine within a week. Elle
assured Kyou’s debt was everybody’s debt, just like hers was everybody’s
debt. Gau silently complained at the unfairness of her statement.
At
the job agency, Elle and the others were offered a simple delivery to a platoon
of mercenaries located at the Forest of Jura for a payment of 2000 pieces of
silver. Though Elle was surprised at how easy the task was, she eagerly accepted
it. Meanwhile, at the forest of
Jura, a weird stranger with snake arms (a Hulem beast master) was attacking the
mercenaries.
On
the highroad towards the forest, Gau was given the tedious of carrying the food
supplies while Elle and Folly leisurely lead the way. During their journey, they
discovered that Kyou was missing. Then, they heard Kyou screaming for help.
Apparently, a demon beast (that looked like a hog) was chasing her. Elle sighed
in slight annoyance and pressed her foot forward. The demon beast tripped over
it and crashed head straight into a stonewall.
Kyou was immediately amazed at Elle’s ‘technique’. While she stared
at the dead demon beast, Elle noticed that her arm was bandaged. Concerned, Elle
asked Kyou about the bandages but Kyou evaded the question.
Later
at night, Gau was busy cooking the demon beast’s meat, Folly was checking the
food supplies, Elle was drinking and Kyou was at the river, collecting water.
Some time later, Kyou revealed to them the reason for the bandages on her arm.
At her first demon beast capture, Kyou lost control of her chering, resulting in
severe cuts on her arm. Since then, she had been ashamed for her clumsiness.
Elle objected and scold her for having such thoughts. The cuts on her arm were
symbolizing her courage and bravery at her first capturing of a demon beast.
Therefore, she should be proud of them instead of being ashamed.
The
next day, Elle and the others approached the outer rings of the Forest of Jura.
Without thinking, Elle yelled for the mercenaries to appear. Folly instantly
covered Elle’s mouth and chided her for making such a commotion since the
Forest had always been a disputed territory between Kuruda and Soulfan. Then,
Elle sensed an intruder and gave chase. To her complete horror, the intruder
turned out to be an old man wearing the mercenary uniform with Kuruda’s emblem
on it. As if things weren’t worse, the whole platoon turned out to be just 4
old men!
At
mercenaries’ tree house, the platoon was rather thankful for the supplies even
though they were well provided by the forest itself. Folly was worried about the
fire that they had made, fearing that the enemy would be able to locate them.
The commander of the platoon replied that this was what they wanted the enemy (a
Hulem beast master) to do. Besides, it would be better to fight on a full
stomach then an empty stomach. Soon, it started to rain and Elle & the
others were in deep conversation with the mercenaries. They learned that the
mercenaries actually lived in the forest for 28years. Even though they had
returned to Kuruda every now and then, the foursome felt that the forest was
their home. Somehow, in the midst of their conversation, the topic was changed
to the Cevar. Elle was hopeful that the platoon would know the 59th
Cevar but they could only remember the 55th (Eve Stolla Hawk Eye, the
recent King of Kuruda), Kai Sink (the 56th Cevar) and Scar face (the
57th Cevar).
Suddenly,
the Hulem beast master gave them a surprised attack. The platoon, Elle, Gau,
Folly and Kyou shattered in different directions. During the attack, Gau told
the platoon that Elle was the 59th Cevar. The group chased the Hulem
beast master to a river. The platoon informed Elle that Hulem beast master’s
strength laid in the element of water. The rain would be a great advantage to
him. Elle suggested surrounding him and attacking at one shot. The commander
agreed but they need to find his location. Elle then asked Kyou to track him.
Kyou
spent the next few minutes tracking the Hulem beast master but couldn’t. She
was nearly discouraged when Elle encourage her to press on. A breeze blew past
Kyou who instantly knew the reason for being unable to detect the Hulem beast
master. Since the Hulem beast master is half-animal, he would have a certain
smell that Septias would be able to detect. However, she was unable to detect
the smell because the Hulem beast master would be lying extremely low so as to
avoid any breezes.
Before
Elle could conclude Kyou’s analysis, the Hulem attacked. Elle, carrying Kyou,
leaped towards safety. The Hulem then placed his hands into the river and
absorbed the water. Folly analyzed the Hulem’s intention was to absorb to its
maximum limit before exploding. The platoon wasted no time in attacking. Elle
too joined in after reciting the Martial Language Art. Using the Kuruda
Annhilation technique, Chain saw, Elle slay the Hulem beast master. The
commander quietly commented that Elle had proven her worth as the 59th
Cevar.
On
their way home, Elle, Gau, Folly and Kyou discussed about the mercenaries and
the price that they had to pay for the honour of Kuruda. Elle felt that 2000
pieces of silver wasn’t good enough to pay for their services.
Screen caps:
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| Hulem beast master | The 4 Mercenaries |
Folly |
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