CHAPTER 7: THE RIOTS

**Kuro**

“That should do it,” a Chicken tribesman had just finished reassembling the boiler that he fixed after another botched trial, “Let’s hope this one would hold.”

Our young inventor, Salis of the Owl, made some final inspections. She checked the joints, wheels, vents, parts where there was a problem before, and even the water levels. When she was sure that there were no visible issues, she gave the signal to light up the fire.

“…”

Tense minutes of waiting followed, as the water slowly got to a boil. Salis was impatient; she ordered for more coal to be fed to the fire, which the one in-charge promptly did. Soon, the water reached its boiling point, and the steam engine roared to life. The wheels, cranky at first, started to turn and the vents we introduced in the design began letting out steam.

The ‘construction yard’, though it was just a big, open-walled shack created specifically for this purpose, immediately grew hot.

At that moment, we all retreated a few paces away from the machine, as we knew that it could get unpredictable. Nevertheless, our eyes didn’t look away, for everyone never wanted to miss anything in case something went wrong.

“…”

The wheels of the steam engine kept on turning. It was noisy, but even then we heard Salis’ voice screamed at the top of her lungs, “I finally did it! My great genius has already solve the problem! I did it!”

The chicken tribesmen who were helping us began to applaud her. At first sporadic, soon their claps mixed with the mechanical sounds of the machine. I also joined the celebrations, relieved that she found the solution to our issues.

But then…

“!!!”

Amidst the festive mood, the steam engine suddenly made an awful sound, as if an injured animal trying to put up a last stand, and then died. All of us waited in anticipation for an explosion, but it never happened. Instead, the machine sizzled like a fire doused with water, and some of its parts fell apart with loud thuds. The mood was quickly dampened by the sight; but more than that, it greatly affected Salis…

“That’s it!” the owl-girl threw her blueprint, “I had enough of this!”

Shocked by her unusual display of emotion (she had a reputation as calm and calculating), none of us moved as we watched her storm out of the shed. When I came to my senses, I tried to run after Salis. But the owl-girl flew away, leaving her things behind.

----------

After getting the steam engine cooled down, I took the time to check on what went wrong. I may not be an expert on things like this, but as someone who was aware of how this machine worked, I might offer insights on what could’ve gone wrong.

Well, the engine worked, at least for a few minutes. This could mean that the design was viable; the problem occurred during the operation.

“Ah!”

Our attention turned to one of the Chicken tribesmen, who was assigned in looking at the pipes.

“What do you got there?”

“Human Chief, look at this!” the guy pointed towards at something, on the blind side of the pipes, “There are small cracks on the surface!”

“Hoh? Maybe that’s why the machine ‘sizzled’ and lost pressure earlier,” I surmised, “Good thing it didn’t explode on us.”

“Hmm…” the foreman of the tribesmen then revealed, “I think we should’ve built the pipes using the same materials as the boiler.”

“What kind of stuff did you use for the pipes, anyway?”

“Well, Human Chief, it’s made of pure iron since it’s easy to cast.”

“Eh? But pure iron is brittle!”

“Indeed,” the tribesman admitted, “We never thought that the pipes should also be made of the same material as the boiler. After that last explosion, we remade the latter using iron-mithril combination, so it’s sturdier than before.”

“Ha? I didn’t know it’s possible, even more so, I’m also unaware we got sources for mithril.”

“Ah, the hills on the eastern mines are plentiful with mithril. However, that metal is way too hard to dig, so our supplies are not that ample,” the foreman admitted, “I just experimented on mixing that metal with iron; I didn’t expect it’d work.”

“If you say it that way, I guess we can use the remaining mithril to build the pipes for the steam engine. Then, we can use this engine to dig for more mithril, so we can use those to build the machines for the boats!” I was getting excited that our problems were about to be resolved, “What do you say?”

Good thing the tribesman was also of the same mind, and he agreed to my proposal. After agreeing, he had his men dismantle the defective pipes, so we could fix the steam engine later. Meanwhile, I hurried over to find Salis. I’m sure she’d be delighted to know that we figured out the solution to her machine…

----------

However, once I reached Chief Minahaba’s place—where Salis was supposed to be staying, I saw a different atmosphere. Well, the owl-girl didn’t go anywhere; she returned here after storming off from the construction yard. With her was Chief Minahaba, as well as former Chief Habu, and a member of the Eagle tribe.

“Ah, there you are Chief!” it was Minahaba, “I’m glad you showed up at the right time; I’m about to search for you.”

“What happened?” I took a glance at Salis, who had a distraught expression on her face, “Is Salis being fetched by her mother?”

“No,” the falcon-woman shook her head, “we just received a troubling news from Navaren. Chief Gislaine is asking for our help after the refugees suddenly rose and began rioting.”

“Huh? Rioting? Is this about the food issues?”

Minahaba nodded.

“And what happened to Chief Gislaine?”

“Well, according to her messenger, she and her guards were surrounded by the angry mob at their granaries. I think she went there with Chief Malu to protect it from being looted by the refugees.”

“Chief Malu’s there as well?”

“She’s about to warn Chief Gislaine when the riots broke out. I think the refugees looted their granaries first, before going to the Eagles.”

“Did someone die already?”

“The reports are sketchy. I don’t know if there’s already injured, or dead.”

“Damn…” I took a deep breath so I could calm myself. It’s not good for us if there was bloodshed; aside from deepening the divide and distrust among the Avinus and other Beastmen tribes, the smell of blood could also invite the monster hordes from the fringes of the Avinus territory. “We should muster the warriors.”

“I already did. Ruka and Rumia are now calling them up as we speak.”

“H-Human Chief?” Salis entered our conversation, “Please save my mother!”

“Ah, yes don’t worry!” I patted the owl-girl’s head for reassurance. Well, though Salis may hate her mother’s schemes, it’s a given that they were family, in the end. Her love for Chief Malu was still there—guh!

“Oi, you’ve been patting her head for too long!” I was brought back to my senses when I got hit on the head by no other than Ursura, who had just arrived along with Luka, Rumia, Sir Loin, and the rest of the Chicken tribe’s warriors.

----------

“Yo!” was Sir Loin’s greeting to me. Strange for the parka guy, he had a tense, and awkward expression on his face. Luka and Rumia stood behind him, and the dog-girl kept on shaking her head.

“…”

Looking at the army of warriors behind them, Minahaba and I had to repeatedly count the ‘wings’ that were mustered. It’s as if the numbers of the men were reduced.

“Uh…your eyes are not playing tricks on you, Chiefs!” Rumia finally revealed. “Those guys are what was left, thanks to this idiot’s training.”

“Hey, Doggie-chan, it’s not this idiot’s fault that those chickies left,” Sir Loin defended himself, “They got weak and soft asses, so they left. I think they prefer to be monster shit, rather than the shit.”

I could only count around 144 people—almost one and a half ‘wings’—down from three ‘wings’ we got before.

“N-No more…” the trauma on Luka’s eyes was enough to tell me what the warriors had gone through.

“Ah, don’t be such an actor, Doggie-kun!” Sir Loin slapped his back and chuckled, “You survived my hell after all, and that’s what matters!”

“Leave my brother!” Rumia pulled Luka away from Sir Loin, but the parka guy just smiled…

“It seems that these doggies haven’t had enough of hell just yet?” the air around Sir Loin was threatening.

“Enough of that, human!” Ursura grabbed him by his collar, “How would you replace the men that left? We need them now!”

“Calm down, Ursura!” I intervened. It’s useless to argue now; I guess it’s my fault that I entrusted their training to this parka guy, anyway. “With the urgency of the situation, we have no choice but to take what’s here, before us.”

“But Chief…” Minahaba was clearly troubled, “Will these warriors enough to be of use? The refugees had armed themselves down to every able-bodied person.”

“Heh, you underestimate these chickies, birdie-girl!” Sir Loin answered, “Remember, these guys survived hell. I don’t think anyone could stop them now…not even your friendly neighborhood monsters.”

----------

***The granaries and storehouses of the Eagle tribe, several distances away from Navaren…***

The only things that separated the angry mob of refugees from the granaries of the Eagles were the warriors led by Chief Gislaine and the flimsy wooden fence erected around the storehouses to prevent wild animals from getting into the area. However, with all the pushing, shoving, pulling and cursing, the warriors’ patience were wearing thin, and the fence was broken in several places.

Regardless, Chief Gislaine knew she shouldn’t order any bloodshed or it could attract the monster hordes outside the safe territories.

“…”

Chief Malu also looked with concern at the crowd. She was hearing some of the Eagle warriors murmur about the ‘inaction’ of their elder. “Chief Gislaine,” the chief of the Owls said, “I don’t think these people would leave soon. We should just surrender the storehouses to them to avoid violence.”

“But these are the food that my people, the Eagles, have painstakingly raised, and harvested,” the young elder reiterated, “As a chief, I couldn’t let my tribe go hungry for the sake of these ill-mannered Beastmen from the mainland.”

The elder of the Owl fell silent. Indeed, Chief Gislaine had a point. In contrast to her, Chief Malu had allowed the looting of their storehouses, and as a result, she was now searching of ways to augment the Owl tribe’s food supply.

But then, for how long would these refugees engage in the stand-off with the Eagles? Both of them knew everyone was in a bad mood, and one mistake could lead to violence. And if bloodshed did happen, it could end into a much bigger tragedy…

“Argh! For goodness’ sake, when will the Human Chief come?” Chief Gislaine exclaimed, ruffling the feathers in her hair.

“Patience, Chief Gislaine! I’m sure that he already knows the situation by now, and is coming over to help.”

“But he’s taking long! And my warriors could snap at any—”

“Chief Gislaine, look!” Chief Malu’s face was deathly pale as she implored the elder of the Eagles to look at the direction she was pointing at. The Eagle chief fell silent in shock as well. For at the back of the crowd, there were some refugees who were triumphantly carrying an egg from one of their hatcheries.

“You Avinus have been living in luxury and didn’t even think of sharing to us!”

“You’re traitors to your Beastmen brothers and sisters!”

“If you don’t give us the food we need, then we’ll be forced to break this egg!” someone from the angry mob called out to them.

“Don’t you dare do it!” Chief Gislaine pulled out her sword, at which, the other warriors followed her lead.

“What? You’re going to kill us? Come at us then!” the refugees also readied their weapons. At that point, the mob provoked the Eagles further by smashing the egg on the ground.

There was no need to talk anymore. Upon witnessing that horrible scene, the Eagles’ patience snapped, and they began the bloodletting at the earnest…releasing the pent up anger and frustration towards the unruly crowd before them.

----------

**Kuro**

The journey from the village of the Chickens to Navaren usually took two ‘long sleeps’. However, because of the urgency of the situation, we covered the distance in just one ‘long sleep’. This was made possible by forced marches, ditching our heavy equipment (the artillery would follow behind), and the unusual stamina displayed by the warriors that trained under Sir Loin.

Imagine this. They were carrying their weapons, food and other equipment, yet they were able to keep up with the forced marches, resting only when the time for the ‘long sleep’ came. If there’s anyone who’s tired, that would be me, Ursura, and their chief, Minahaba. And yet, the warriors opted to carry us along with their personal baggage, as if we weighed nothing.

Sir Loin had a triumphant look on his face, “This is one of the results of their ‘hell’.”

Well, the Beastmen were naturally more physically powerful than humans. But this parka guy made it possible for them to carry loads without seemingly getting tired.

“You’ll see more of their abilities when it comes to battle,” he winked at me.

“I surely hope it doesn’t have to come to that,” I told him, “Or we might end up fighting the monster hordes.”

“Ah, then it’s all better!” Sir Loin’s face brightened up, “You will witness how quality would always trump quantity!”

About a hill away from the outskirts of the town, our party finally saw several pillars of smoke rising from the direction of Navaren. At that point, we knew we had to hurry.

“Luka, you take the 1st Wing and go straight into the town. Subdue any resistance you encounter,” I started giving orders, “Rumia, head to the granaries with the 2nd Wing and reinforce the Eagles. We’ll be setting up our headquarters on the top of this hill.”

The two dog-siblings nodded and immediately set off with their command. But, just as they were about to leave…

“Hey, why are they leaving their weapons behind?” Minahaba pointed out.

“What? I thought you chickies don’t want any bloodshed?” Sir Loin asked.

“Huh? But how would the warriors fight without their weapons?” Ursura countered.

Sir Loin then gave them telescopes, “Here, watch these guys fight unarmed and be amazed.”

The confidence on the parka guy’s face was clear, yet I’m still having my doubts, “Well, in any case, they should bring their weapons with them. We don’t know when they would need it.”

“Aww…you’re no fun, Kuro mah boy!” Sir Loin nevertheless did what I recommended, “Alright, you heard the main guy; bring your weapons! But don’t use it until I say you should!”

At once, the warriors unpacked their equipment in unison, as if they were drilled to do just that. Swords and daggers to their waist, matchlock guns in their hands, and the pouch of bullets and gunpowder slung across their shoulders. Everything was done with precision and efficiency, and the army went from being ‘unarmed’ to ‘armed and ready’ in a matter of minutes. Even the manner of how they moved the extra equipment was done in an orderly fashion.

I glanced at Sir Loin after witnessing that awesome sight.

“…”

The parka guy was proudly smiling. He sure knows how to drill soldiers.

After the army got themselves prepared, I requested Ursura and Minahaba to stay at the top of the hill and wait for the artillery company, who was following behind us.

“And where are you going then, Kuro?” the bear-woman asked.

“I’m coming with Rumia’s wing to the granaries. Chief Malu and Chief Gislaine are waiting for me there.”

“Ah…didn’t I tell you to keep your ass safe from a distance, Kuro mah boy?” Sir Loin interjected, “You’re the commander of this army; leave the tactical decisions to the field commanders instead.”

“I can’t. I promised a friend that I’d see that her mother is safe.”

“Oh…yes,” Ursura commented, “I understand you gave your promise to the owl-girl that you’ll save her mother, right?”

I nodded.

“Hoh…can’t turn down a damsel’s request, you playboy, eh?” the parka guy teased, “I’m getting jelly, you know? How about giving me some ladies, too? Don’t hog them for yourself!”

“Shut up, Loin. I ain’t doing this just to get under a woman’s skirt.”

“Alright, goodie-woodie! I’m just joking!” Sir Loin grinned, “But with extra spice, of course, for that extra hot feeling.”

Minahaba and Ursura took turns to hit him to make him silent. He’s efficient in army matters, but Sir Loin could be annoying at times.

“Well, a promise is a promise,” the bear-woman smiled and slapped my back, “But if you hurt yourself, that owl-girl gets it, okay?”

I’d rather prefer that you don’t hurt Salis; it’s not her fault the refugees rioted, after all.

“Chief!” it was Minahaba. She handed to me my matchlock pistol and tied the sword on my right arm, “Please come back safely.”

“I will,” I patted the falcon-woman’s head. I mean, come on. It’s just pacifying the rioters, right? There could be no greater danger other than an occasional concussion on the head after getting hit by flying rocks, or broken ribs—if there’s any.

“…”

Wait, did I just set up a flag with that?

“!!!”

I was surprised to hear a whistle blow, which came from Sir Loin. The Chicken warriors—now resembling a professional early modern gunpowder infantry—stood in attention. Leading each wing was Luka (1st) and Rumia (2nd), and the parka guy opted to come with me the 2nd Wing.

“Companies, march!” was Sir Loin’s thunderous order.

At once, the newly-trained army of the Chicken tribe marched towards their first battle.

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***The Human army columns, several leagues away from the ‘Outer Wall’ of the Enclave…***

Led by the Duchess of Malvette, the battered human armies had finally broke off from the Beastmen armies loyal to the Beastman Saint, and headed back to their own territories. However, the journey home was long and dangerous. And without the support of the Beastmen forces, the humans had to endure repeated monster horde attacks…

“Load those catapults, quick!”

“Here comes another leviathan!”

“Fire those magic spells! Put up those goddamn barriers!”

The leviathan was stopped by the magic barriers just before it hit the column of human soldiers bracing for its attack. Once immobilized, the catapults were released, and the powerful explosive barrels rained down on the poor creature.

“!!!”

The rain of blood and bits of flesh showered the human lines, much to the jubilation of the frontline soldiers. However, their commanders quickly put them back into order, as another wave of attacking leviathans came before their eyes.

“No way…”

“There’s no end to them!”

Watching from the rear of her armies was the Duchess of Malvette, surrounded by her guards and other knights. She was frozen with fear, for it was her first time to witness the monster hordes and fight them alone. Before, Lady Telis would always invoke the protection of the Saint to ward off those vile creatures. But this time, she knew she had committed a great mistake by leaving Her Holiness’ forces.

Good thing her commanders were taking over from her. However, with the incessant monster attacks, and the plummeting morale of her men, it was only a matter of time before they were massacred and eaten by the hordes.

“Fire!” was the desperate order that came from the captain of the catapult artillery. “Fire at will! Don’t wait for my instructions!”

The soldiers operating the catapults hurried to reload their equipment, and the magicians in-charge in activating the spells on the barrels kept on chanting. The result was disastrous. The barrels would either prematurely explode—killing the catapult crew as well as destroying the catapult itself, or it would explode mid-air, with negligible effects on the monsters attacking on the ground.

The volleys by the frontlines didn’t do any difference either. The leviathans had thick skins, so the bullets either grazed or caused a superficial wound on the monsters’ bodies…if the bullets reached the hordes in the first place. Most of their volleys just dropped on the ground because of the distance and the premature fire.

The Duchess of Malvette watched with horror as the leviathan hordes crashed into the first line of the soldiers, crushing anyone within its reach.

“Your Excellency!” a commander shook her back to her senses, “It’s getting dangerous to remain here! Please escape to the Enclave!”

“I…I…I won’t do that!” the noblewoman replied, though her voice was shivering, “I can’t abandon my men! Th-This is not how the women of Nerfes behave!”

“My liege,” said another commander, “while we admire your concern for us, you’re the leader of your people! If you die here, then who’s going to lead those who’d remain?”

“Th-Then!” the Duchess shouted, “I order every man for his own! I won’t escape alone! Tell everyone to run for their lives!”

“But that is impossi—!!!”

The conversation between them was interrupted when they felt the ground where they stood shook violently. And then—in a blink of an eye—the Duchess of Malvette lost two of her commanders, and now she stared at Death itself…in the form of a groundworm.

“Wh-What…”

The groundworm gave an ear-piercing howl, and the Duchess realized she was paralyzed in her spot. She couldn’t even lift her hand to pull her sword; it was futile anyway.

Why did I even go to this forsaken land?

Tears and sweat flowed from her forehead, and she didn’t even notice that she had already leaked herself. The Duchess closed her eyes and wished that if she’s going to die, just make it quick and painless…

However…

“!!!”

The Duchess opened her eyes when she heard and felt an explosion close to where she was. And then, much to her shock, the groundworm’s head was now a bleeding mass of flesh. She quickly scampered away, as the headless monster fell lifeless on the ground. Confused at what’s happening, she looked around for answers…

“!!!”

And she found one when a flying gryphon passed overhead, dropping fire spells on the monster hordes.

“What? Th-That’s the Gryphon Corps from Calabria!” the noblewoman exclaimed. Not too far from where she was, she saw her battered men cheering and celebrating. Another force was coming to their aid, rushing from the distance. It was composed of beautiful noble ladies, riding on elegant white horses, and their leader carried a banner that was familiar to every human alive…

“My liege!” a soldier came to help her, “It’s the Saint! Our Saint! She has sent the Paladin Corps to help us!”

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**Kuro**

The scenario that I’m afraid to happen, did happen.

“…”

From the distance, I could see the battle rage between the Eagle warriors led by Chief Gislaine, and the rioters. There were those who were already injured and bleeding, and worst, I could already see some mangled corpses on the ground. It was a stalemate, I think? For, even though the Eagles were the most dominant Avinus tribe, they were a match to the Tigers and Dogs—the Beastmen that formed the core of the rioters.

“Chief…” Rumia was pale; she was equally terrified by the bloody scene she was witnessing.

“Oh great…all the hard work we did in pushing away those friendly neighborhood monsters went down the drain,” Sir Loin commented, “Now all we need to do is to sit back, relax, and wait for the harpies and groundworms to come and finish the survivors.”

“As if we’re going to do that,” I countered, “Sir Loin, you got your railgun with you?”

“Yes, why?”

“Can you fire into the air and create a distraction for us to intervene?”

“Sure.”

“Tell the guys to get their weapons ready to fight—”

“Oh no! I thought you said we want it to be as bloodless as possible?”

“Well, can we even stop them now that they were armed and amidst killing each other?”

“Haa…” the parka guy sighed, “You really don’t trust me, eh, Kuro mah boy? Let me show you the capabilities of your new and improved army!” He then brought out his railgun, and with no warning, shot towards the sky.

“!!!”

At once, the Chicken warriors rushed to the fray, disarming the stunned Eagles and the rioters alike. Some were able to put up some resistance, but our forces didn’t let up. If they had to break a bone or two, they did it in a skillful, yet brutal fashion.

“…” I was honestly impressed and horrified at the same time I lost my voice for a moment.

“Ooh! That looked like it hurts,” Sir Loin’s comments disturbed me, “Ah, by the way Kuro mah boy, Doggie-chan told me before that you have some magic that can instantly cure sickness or injuries. I guess you’ll be busy healing those poor sods, then?”

“Sir Loin…” I turned to him, “Wh-What did you just do to the Chicken tribe’s warriors?”

“Hm?” the parka guy smirked as he stared at me with cold, lifeless eyes, “What you wanted done. I trained them as soldiers; and I guess, crowd control is one of their functions.”