Etranger Chapter 73

The first problem that San and Biyeon faced in leading the crew was not a lack of combat force. The problem originated from an unexpected place.

The crew members didn't understand the instructions they were given, and even when they did understand, they didn't know how to carry them out. Also, orders were not delivered properly down the chain of command.

It was like a game of telephone, the main message would either be misunderstood or misdelivered. San and Biyeon's instructions were quickly distorted as it was passed down, magnifying the original problem rather than resolving it. The battle with Natin in the forest was fought with a simple command system using a whistle and musical instruments.

In that instance, 100% of the combat power was provided by the two captains with 50% of that combat power used just to protect their 'burden', the crew members. A proper organization could not be led in this manner.

After the first battle, the two analyzed the cause closely. It was a fundamental problem that they couldn't imagine in their world. A lack of basic knowledge and life experience. The individual crew members couldn't even make the simplest judgments by themselves. The 'common sense' of modern Earth people was a 'mystery' for people here. They had great difficulty producing their own opinions and judgments.

San and Biyeon quickly made a decision.

“We can't command and lead in this state. Let's come up with a solution.”

“We need to start off with the basics that we learned in the special forces.”

“Yeah. You should be in charge of their liberal arts studies and I'll train them in martial arts. We don't have much time, so it'll be quicker to practice a few times and then immediately apply it in the field.”

“What should we do about the Essen household members and our other guests?”

“First, let's use them as teaching assistants. If they don't want to help, then…”

***

Five days had passed since the convoy left Count Essen's estate.

Between then and now, there hadn't been any accidents to speak of.

Thanks to Sedum's guidance the convoy took various detours and went along a relatively unknown but safe route.

Around sunset, when the evening sun was slowly heading below the top of the mountain tops, the party prepared to camp in a sparsely wooded forest.

“Chief Priestess Dite, what do you think of the developments?” Yeria asked.

“What are you curious about, Yeria?” Dite asked back with her eyes wide open.

The two women gazed towards the crew members who were learning something from San in a wide-open area. The crew members were sweating profusely as they followed his direction.

“Where did the two of them come from?” Yeria continued.

“They act very differently from the other people here, right?” Dite replied.

“I thought I learned so much in the city and met many different types of people. However, compared to those two, I feel like a child. How can they have such amazing powers and wisdom at such a young age?”

“I agree with your assessment. Actually, I don't know much about them either,” Dite answered as she laughed brightly.

“Isn't it weird? It doesn't seem like they talk a lot with each other, but everything they do goes well as if they had made some plans and promises before starting. It's as if they know in advance what each other is thinking. Sometimes, I get startled.”

“Hmm, my thought is the opposite,” Dite answered as she turned to look at Yeria. 

“Oh?”

“The two are always talking with each other. Even when they're far away from each other, their conversation never ends.”

“But… I've never seen them talk together…”

“It'll probably be difficult for Miss Yeria to understand. They don't always talk through words. Take me for example. I'm always talking with the Goddess Diana.”

“Okay… then are you saying those two are gods…?” Yeria asked while covering her mouth with her hand.

“No. They are humans just like you. That I can vouch for. They are humans, but they're also Awakened. They're Awakened Warriors, existences that everyone talks about and reveres.”

“Then, are all Awakened Warriors like that?” Yeria asked while gulping.

“No. As far as I know, and as far as the gods know, there have never been Awakened like those two. So, I have no choice but to say that I don't know.”

“Is that why the Chief Apostle is joining our convoy? To learn more about them?”

“Perhaps. Possibly… I haven't seen two people trust each other so much and help Awaken each other. They trust each other in all aspects, both body and mind… If it were a god, it might be the birth of another 'main' god… Maybe they're the 'original' version of humans?”

Dite's voice gradually sunk as she spoke. Curiosity and fear were buried in her voice.

“Priestess Dite?” Yeria said aloud, awakening Dite from her thoughts.

“Ah… I was thinking about something for a while. Anyway, Miss Yeria may not feel it yet, but those two are constantly moving. Even when you all are sleeping, one of them is always awake. They've always conducted advance reconnaissance to know what was in store for them ahead. They always know what's in store at least an hour and a half ahead of wherever the convoy will head.”

“Really?”

“Yes. At least, as far as I know, none of what you've been through has happened by chance. They meticulously plan, scout, prepare, and constantly think. That's how they work.”

Episode 2. Book 3: Infiltration – Chapter 9

“Heuk-Heuk-”

Raron stepped back quickly. Piren turned to his left. San was wielding a stick and striking at the two men, pressuring them to move.

The two avoided well this time. They were able to see the tip of their opponent's sword and to recognize the direction that the tip was moving to. This was a large step forward. The two felt elated at their own development. However, they didn't dare take their eyes off the opponent's sword edge and eyes. Their eyes were always open, causing tears to constantly form. They had to be aware of not only the opponent's movements but also extrapolate future movements. They were beginning to get the hang of it.

They knew how terrifying it was to make eye contact with someone full of willingness to kill them. In the beginning, though they knew it was training, they were terrified whenever the sharp tip of the sword came towards them, closing their eyes tightly at the most critical moments. The price for such a cowardly disregard and resignation led to terrible and ruthless pain.

“Closing your eyes? So stupid! Are you forfeiting your life?”

“If you give up on looking, how can you avoid something?”

“Did you give up on your colleague?” 

“Will you live alone?”

“Why didn't you sound the alarm first?”

Their captains were firm in principle and determined in action. Painful punishment always followed those who broke their promises. Tasks were always given to a company, and if everyone did not fully understand the solution or share ideas with each other, the entire company suffered a penalty.

“I don't care what your social status is outside this convoy. Just keep one thing in mind. I am your captain. All subordinates are equally dear to me. Therefore, always use honorifics when speaking to each other. This is an order.”

“Are you happier if you know something and don't share it with others? Listen well… No secrets are allowed amongst yourselves until the end of our contract period. Be honest and listen to others.”

“Acknowledge your strengths and understand your weaknesses. Whenever you need to speak with your colleagues, speak of something pleasant. Begin with a word that will please your colleague. If you can't think of something, find it by force. Never swear at your colleagues. Isn't life too short even if you smile your entire life? Essentially, don't annoy me.”

“A fight between the crew members? Shall I make you guys fight to the death?”

His demands were included in the contract. The rules of conduct were simple, and the guidelines and rewards were clear. The enforcement was severe.

All of these small changes were changing the crew. The change progressed slowly, but the two were never in a hurry. They understood that learning would happen at an exponential rate once the foundation was set.

“Good posture. Good work. Now take a break and get ready to start moving!”

With encouragement, San disbanded the members.

“I will continue to try.”

“Thank you.”

The crew awkwardly expressed their appreciation to the captain and to each other.

***

Sw

On the sixth day, the crew members faced their first large issue.

As the season entered into early summer, the unstable atmosphere filled the sky with cumulonimbus clouds, causing heavy rains to pour down.

The party set up tents in a safe, highland area within the forest.

“The rain isn't stopping,” Dite muttered. 

Her rhetorical question was for San. He had just finished training the crew and was resting. Biyeon took over next. Sedum, who became a martial arts training instructor, was sitting a little farther away and maintaining his equipment.

“How long did you say it'll continue to rain?” San asked.

“The weather will clear after three days,” she answered, frowning slightly.

She should have gotten used to his direct way of speaking by now, but it still wasn't easy for her to adapt to. His manner of speech bordered on issuing a 'command'. However, he spoke with an easy, natural atmosphere, as if he was talking to a younger sibling.

Though it wasn't much of an issue for others, for Dite, this was a very serious problem. This was because the only one who should command her was the Goddess Diana. Following the command of another entity meant that she was in direct conflict with the divine hierarchy and her position as an Apostle.

Regardless of her will, these two were using her channel with the divine god so naturally.

However, she felt more uncomfortable because there seemed to be no wrath from the Goddess Diana. It was as if they had become apostles as well.

Didn't this put her in an awkward position? She couldn't rebel, and she had no choice but to follow their requests while nodding her head. Furthermore, the Apostle of a god was put into a situation where she had to provide constant weather forecasts. There was something else that had awakened her previously calm nerves…

Dite was looking outside the tent.

Her slightly wet, dark hair flowed down and stuck on her shoulder. The curves of a graceful woman could be made out from her damp white gown, which fluttered in the wind. She had bits of leaves and other matter stuck on her sandaled feet. The contrast of color highlighted her white, shapely toes and smooth skin. The rain continued to fall. The mountains, riverbanks, and valleys were getting wet. It seems that the world was breathing heavily upon the land.

Dite's little lips opened. A little steam came out as she spoke, “Is your work going well these days?”

She didn't ask in her normal tone of voice. It seemed she was a little tired.

“Everyone is trying their best. It should work out in the end,” San replied, still keeping his gaze in front of him.

“Well, that's great…”

“What is?”

“It would have been difficult for someone from another world to adapt so quickly to this world, but you're already influencing people to create power.”

San turned his head. Dite's blinking eyes greeted him. His expression strangely changed.

“Does it look like that? What's with the question all of a sudden? I don't understand what you're getting at.”

San smiled. On the other hand, Dite's expression remained the same.

“I remember when I first established a denomination in this world over a thousand years ago. Of course, it wasn't with this body. Goddess Diana had to make her name known to the people, so I have been steadily spreading her faith.”

“A thousand years ago… then it hasn't been too long.”

San shook his head. He couldn't understand the length of time. A hundred years seemed as long as a thousand years.

“At that time, I was weak and didn't have anything, so I chose the easiest way. Can you guess what that was? What would you have done?”

“Well, I'm not that smart. Shouldn't you speak with Biyeon about these things?”

San headed out into the downpour. The small streams that appeared from the rainfall became wider as the downpour continued. All of the water flowed downward together.

Chapter end