TL/Editor: raei

    Status: 5/week mon-fri

    Illustrations: none

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    "[Come this way.]"

    The volcano giants bowed their heads.

    Their suddenly respectful attitude terrified Sephius.

    Sure, Ian had done some weird stuff...

    But did they really think he was someone amazing?!

    "[What are you doing, Sephius? Why aren''t you following?]"

    "[W-well... I''m a bit scared...]"

    When Sephius hesitated, Ian kicked his shin without any hesitation.

    "[Ow!]"

    "[Stop talking nonsense and follow me. What''s the point of backing out now?]"

    Sephius''s eyes watered.

    It hurt, but honestly he felt more wronged.

    He didn''t remember voting for this insane plan!

    Of course, Ian would have scoffed at such thoughts.

    In a democratic society, silence is also guilt.

    You need to speak up when you have complaints to protect your rights.

    Everyone should know how important it is to exercise their right to vote... (omitted)

    Watching Sephius get hit, Sephina sighed in relief.

    Thank goodness I''m not playing Ian''s part!

    "[I-Ian... don''t you think we should be a bit more polite...]"

    "[Sephius. Just close your eyes too.]"

    "[???]"

    Ian had thought Sephius could act somewhat decently.

    Surprisingly, Sephius was a complete coward with zero talent for deception.@@@@

    Ian quickly modified his plan.

    He''d eliminate Sephius''s role entirely.

    "[Close my... eyes?]"

    "[Yes. Just walk in the direction I tell you. It won''t be difficult.]"

    Sephius looked at Ian anxiously but.

    Seeing Ian''s calm expression, the giant decided to follow the wizard''s suggestion.

    Thinking ''Well, he must have something planned''

    Sephius closed his eyes as Ian instructed.

    With eyes closed, he slowly started walking.

    #

    "[What?]"

    Saul, sole heir of the northern volcano giants, couldn''t believe his subordinate''s report.

    "[I-it''s true!]"

    The reason was simple.

    His subordinate suddenly spouting incomprehensible nonsense.

    Saul seriously suspected.

    This bastard. Did he secretly learn human language while I wasn''t watching?

    "[So... there''s a giant who speaks without opening his mouth? Did I understand correctly? Balak?]"

    "[Yes sir!]"

    Saul considered smacking his subordinate''s head but...

    With transcendent patience, decided to hold back for now.

    Though it sounded like complete nonsense, it was still a subordinate''s report.

    Saul decided to trust his subordinate''s report as a superior.

    He had the mindset that if you don''t want to trust reports, do the work yourself.

    ''What is this?''

    Saul wracked his brain.

    Speaking without opening your mouth?

    Was it just a simple trick? Or was there something he didn''t know about?

    Giants were naturally unsuited for magic.

    Their characteristically insensitive nature and arrogant attitude toward everything made them poor wizard material.

    Instead, like dragons, they were born with decent magic resistance.

    Anyway, giants were a race far from technique.

    Never imagining the other party could be giants in disguise, Saul decided to meet this mysterious giant.

    "[Boss! It''s them! They''re coming!]"

    Just then, a subordinate came running to report.

    Saul found it ridiculous.

    Really, why make such a fuss about them coming?

    His side was a large patrol, while the other side was just two giants?

    "[...They''re getting closer, Boss.]"

    "[Boss! Should we s-stop them?]"

    "[He''s coming this way!]"

    Saul''s patience ran out.

    He finally smacked the head of the last subordinate to report (that''s why timing matters in life) and moved to see this ''giant'' in question.

    What could be so amazing to cause such a fuss...

    Then Saul froze in place.

    "[???]"

    Judging by the blazing head, they were clearly volcano giants but...

    One was walking with his eyes tightly closed!

    ''What is this?''

    A mysterious giant walking with eyes closed.

    His presence was truly overwhelming.

    ''No time!''

    As he strode forward fearlessly, Saul immediately rushed out too.

    "[A-as expected of the boss...!]"

    "[The chief''s blood runs true!]"

    The volcano giants admired Saul''s courage.

    Honestly, facing such an uncanny giant could have been delegated to subordinates, yet he went himself!

    Feeling his subordinates'' gazes, Saul shouted in a charismatic voice:

    "[Halt!]"

    Flinch!

    Unlike the noble wolf-like valiant Saul.

    A victor''s leisurely smile meant to crush the opponent''s fighting spirit.

    "[How foolish. Is your vision clouded from walking with closed eyes? This is your last chance. If you value your life, give an answer my subordinates will accept!]" Ra?O??BЕs??

    Woooooooo!

    Another cheer erupted but-

    The giant''s closed eyes didn''t open.

    ''This bastard...!''

    He still kept his eyes closed?

    Saul quietly glared at his opponent.

    Then the eyes-closed giant spoke.

    "[I am Predius, heir of the Blue Will-o''-wisp tribe and disciple of the wizard Ian.]"

    Not a single easy word in there.

    Saul quickly organized his thoughts.

    ''Never heard of the Blue Will-o''-wisp tribe.''

    Must be a distant tribe.

    But he could accept that the other was an ''heir''.

    He liked how he handled his subordinate.

    The problem was the next part.

    ''A wizard''s disciple?''

    There are no giant wizards. That was common knowledge.

    ...Among wizards anyway.

    Saul, being a giant, had no ability to tell if someone was really a wizard or not.

    Though his head said it wasn''t possible...

    For someone who walked with closed eyes and spoke strangely, maybe they could be a wizard!

    "[Your warriors are excellent, northerner.]"

    "[...I am Saul of the Black Crater tribe.]"

    "[Yes. Saul. But my magic is just as excellent as your warriors.]"

    "[Ha! I can''t accept that!]"

    Suddenly Saul squeezed his eyes shut.

    ''?''

    Ian tilted his head.

    Did he suddenly need to go?

    "Haaaaaah!"

    Soon Saul let out a battle cry.

    Then something amazing happened.

    Saul''s burning hair grew almost 10 meters high.

    "[Oh! As expected of the boss!]"

    "[What incredible heat!]"

    It was impressive.

    Though the meaning was unclear.

    Then Demonite whispered.

    "It''s a show of force. A volcano giant tradition."

    "Show of force?"

    "Volcano giants are monsters with strong primal instincts. They demonstrate their strength like this to draw out submission from others."

    Ian nodded.

    If that''s how it worked, this was too easy.

    "[Haa... haa... how''s that!]"

    "[Impressive. However...]"

    Though he felt slightly sorry for this Saul.

    Ian had to get the children back safely somehow.

    ''Just make a flame pillar higher than 10 meters, right?''

    Ian immediately prepared fire magic.

    "[O flame! Blaze forth!]"

    As soon as he spoke the magic words, a terrifyingly blazing pillar of fire.

    At the same time, Sephius screamed.

    Uwaaaaaaahhhh!

    "[Huk!]"

    "[A-amazing force...!]"

    The volcano giants marveled.

    Sephius''s scream was desperate and tragic, as if drawing out his soul.

    Because...

    It was really hot.

    "[It''s hoooooot!]"

    "[That voice... that atmosphere!]"

    "[He is the blazing fire itself!]"

    The volcano giants stared at Sephius in awe.

    Sephius ran around wildly, screaming at the top of his lungs.

    He even stuck his hands in his hair trying to pat out the flames.

    "[He''s batting away the flames!]"

    "[What a bold provocation!]"

    No! You crazy bastards!

    Sephius wailed.

    Ian''s fire was... actually hot fire.

    Ian quickly lowered the temperature and whispered.

    ''[Sorry. To make the flames grow quickly, I had to start with real fire.]''

    ''[...Could have warned me... ;_;]''

    Though it was magically created fire.

    At least it was higher than Saul''s pillar.

    Suddenly Saul burst out laughing.

    "[Hahaha!]"

    Then abruptly bowed his head.

    "[You got me good. You are a giant with hotter flames than mine.]"

    ''...Did it work?''

    Following volcano giant tradition, Saul acknowledged him.

    Enjoy the chappy!

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