The March to the Forbidden Grounds

* * *

The next day.

The weather is, as usual, foggy.

This place is always foggy.

It rarely even rains, let alone clears up.

And through the bottom of this Eserem Sea of Fog, a countless horde of Kobudai, with red and blue body colors, was swimming straight westward.

The Red and Blue Kobudai Allied Forces!

Their destination, kicking aside and scattering any sharks that jumped out at them along the way, as they advanced at breakneck speed, is the forbidden grounds where the Calamity is sealed in the valley at the back of the Black Kobu Tribe village.

<<<Well crush the Black Kobu!>>>

<<<Well even twist the Calamity!>>>

<<<Well become heroes!>>>

The morale of the Red Kobu Tribe is high.

Theyre all excited, their hunting instincts heightened, their fighting spirit burning, their eyes gleaming.

Theyre warriors to the core.

Theyve been taught to be so, since the time they were fry.

<<<>>>

On the other hand, the Blue Kobu Tribe is quiet.

Calmly, without any idle chatter

They continued their march, like machines.

But theres definitely a fire burning in their eyes.

Though their ways are different, they are also warriors.

<<<My, my, not a single battle so far>>>

Now then, at the rear of that horde

The young Red Kobu Clan Chief, Kobdalian, clicked his tongue, impressed.

Yes this Red and Blue Kobudai Allied Force, despite being a rather large group, hasnt been spotted by the Black Kobu Tribe, and hasnt encountered any battles.

<<<As expected of Kobdacleva, the Wises strategy. Im impressed.>>>

<<<Im honored to receive your praise.>>>

This is all thanks to the strategy of Kobdacleva, the Clan Chief of the Blue Kobu Tribe, swimming beside Kobdalian.

Kobdaclevas strategy, in a word, is a diversionary tactic.

A separate unit of Red Kobu warriors engages the Black Kobu Tribe in battle at a location far from the main forces current route.

While the Black Kobu Tribes attention is focused there, the main force tries to get as close as possible to the forbidden grounds.

Its a simple strategy in words, but it seems that Kobdacleva is a master of Kobudai psychology.

By repeatedly creating diversions at the right place and time, it seems that the main forces presence has been completely concealed from the Black Kobu Tribe.

<<<Well, it might be boring for the Red Kobu warriors, since theres been no action.>>>

<<<They can take out their frustration in the battle at the forbidden grounds. Im the one who decided to go along with your strategy. If any Red Kobu complain, Ill beat them up.>>>

The two of them grinned and laughed.

They had that much composure.

Everything is going smoothly

Too smoothly

<<<>>>

Kobdaroze, swimming beside Kobdalian like a bodyguard, felt an unspeakable anxiety at this smooth progress.

He wondered if there would be a backlash somewhere

Its just a warriors intuition, with no basis, but it cant be ignored.

Kobdaroze, alone, heightened his vigilance.

Just in case something happens

* * *

<<<Alright! Its time to refuel!!>>>

<<<Hey, you lot! Theres a battle coming up! Eat up, so you dont collapse from hunger!>>>

<<<Yeah!!>>>

A few hours later.

The Allied Forces were taking a break at the bottom of a valley, near the Black Kobu Tribes territory.

This place is surrounded by high cliffs on both sides, making it hard to see.

In other words, its difficult for the Black Kobu Tribe to find them, and

<<<Deliciousss!!>>>

<<<As expected, wild ones taste better!!>>>

This valley also happens to be a turban shell habitat.

The Kobudai were all eagerly crushing and eating turban shells in this hidden spot that the Blue Kobu Tribe had discovered beforehand, healing their bodies, exhausted from the march.

<<<You should rest while you can, Kobdaroze.>>>

Even here, Kobdaroze alone remained tense, ready for battle.

He continued to use Body Strengthening, and a slight Intimidation was leaking out.

Kobdalian, finally unable to ignore it, spoke to him.

The time for the decisive battle is approaching.

Kobdaroze is an excellent warrior.

It wouldnt be good if he wasnt able to give it his all when it matters.

<<<Yeah>>>

But Kobdaroze only gave a halfhearted reply.

Inside him, gradually, gradually a sense of crisis was building.

His warriors intuition was sounding the alarm

Blaring blaring.

So loud that it made his head ache.

<<<Hey, Kobdaroze, you>>>

However, Kobdalian couldnt share that sense of crisis.

Hes strong.

Overwhelmingly strong for a Kobudai.

Therefore, in terms of vigilance and danger perception, he was inferior to the average Kobudai.

<<<!? Tch! Theyre here!?>>>

<<<What? Theyre here? Who? >>>

Therefore.

Kobdalian only realized the unspeakable crisis that Kobdaroze was feeling after it actually happened.

ZUDONN!

First a crashing sound echoed through the Allied Forces resting place.

And the source of that sound was behind the horde near where Kobdalian and the others were resting.

<<<What was that!? >>>

Kobdalian hurriedly turned towards the sound.

The wind blew, thinning the fog that was enveloping the area, improving visibility.

And then, standing there was

Perhaps it had fallen from a considerable height.

Slowly rising from the small crater at its feet.

It had two legs, two arms, black hair growing from its head, and black eyes.

Its rather slender, small body was covered in spiky, jet-black scales (thats how the Kobudai perceived it), and from the gaps in those scales, a jet-black haze was occasionally emitted, like steam, contaminating the surrounding blue fog.

It was such a creature

<<<There it is again the monster!!>>>

Kobdaroze shouted, after shuddering!

The protagonist has appeared!!