Chapter 126: Marsh of Torim, Telurim City
Alros passed the border of the Torim Kingdom with ease. Then again, with how the Marsh of Torim is great danger to their nation, they will accept any help they could.
After all, Marsh of Torim is not the full Danger Zone, despite being a Level Danger Zone on it's own. It is merely one of the many subsidiaries of another danger zone, the dreaded Dread Swamp.
The Danger Zone in question is one of the few legendary Level 5 Danger Zone, an impossibly powerful Danger Zone that could not be handled by many of the nations that bordered their subsidiaries.
The only reason why the nations remain standing, or at least don't leave the place in terror, is the existence of a Level 5 Nation in the form of the Miurnal Divine Empire. The Empire in question bordered a Level 4 Danger Zone, another subsidiary but this time it is closer to the core of the Dread Swamp.
In fact, the entire swamp and marshes connected to the Dread Swamp was once considered a Level 5 Danger Zone, but the classification is change for two reason.
The first one is so there would nations established at the border of the subsidiaries, being the eyes and defenders from the horrors of the swamp. The second reason slightly make more sense.
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The Dread Swamp was spilt by different rivers, or that is what they were called by the locals. It more like concentrated mana in liquid form than regular water but calling it a river is understandable due to how it looked.
The 'river' in question split up the Dread Swamp, with the one nearer to the numerous nations usually have weaker monsters, allowing them to build nations without fearing for their lives. Sure, there are some attacks, but at least it could be defended by the nations around the swamp.
Of course, there are powerful monsters that come out occasionally but those usually attack Miurnal Divine Empire, which is located on several High-Grade Leyline.
This become the only lifeline for the other nations, as none except the strongest below the Miurnal Divine Empire could hope to face of against the monsters, most of it S-rank to even the near mythical SSS-rank which lead their own force, which can only be handled by the Divine Empire forces.
As for the Marshes of Torim, the reason it is called that is because of designation by the Empire. The first nations established that bordered a certain part of the swamp would have that part named with their nations name.
In fact, the other subsidiaries also named by the nations that bordered them, or have most of their borders with the said nations. Of course, there are some nations that met their end, but their names are forever immortalized in the swamp that most likely the reason for their demise.
One day, Alros would claim the Dread Swamp as his own, but for now, he is contend in looting the Marshes of Torim.
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Entering the Torim Kingdom is easy. Deciding if he want to go to one of the city that bordered the Marsh or head towards the capital first is the harder decision.
In the end, Alros decided on the former. While Torim is a much weaker nation than Astor Kingdom, they are still considered strong among Tier 2 Nation, having a number of A-rankers.
To ensure he would survive, not making trouble inside the capital, as well as the border city, as it would be likely for there to be A-rankers, with high-level B-rankers in the absence of A-rankers, present in such cities.
After looking at the map he bought from a town he make a stop at, he decided on Telerim City, a city located at the center of Torim-Danger Zone border. The reason for choosing it because if he changed his mind, he can easily go to the capital, as the distance are not that far. At least compared to the other border cities and fortress.
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"So, this is Telerim City," Alros commented, looking at the different building. Compared to his expectation, the building seem to be sturdy, despite some being made out of wood. Then again, it is likely they used woods from trees located inside the Marsh of Torim, which likely saturated with mana, making them even stronger than stones.
As he observed his surrounding, he can also see some soldiers and adventurers walking side by side, both having grim look on their face.
If he had to hazard a guess, they just got back from a mission inside the Marsh, and lost some people. He let out a sigh as he looked around some more.
Similar to Betrum Nation, the cities that bordered the Danger Zone are filled with powerful warriors and veteran soldiers, which did not not surprise.
While having the best soldiers guarding the border between Danger Zones and leaving the other borders with weaker soldiers may seem counterproductive, no sane nations would attack the nations that bordered a Danger Zone, especially the more powerful Danger Zone.
Doing such thing is considered stupid, as it meant most of the resources you have, before and prior to the invasion is focused on defending against monsters of the Danger Zone, as adventurers are not enough.
For the conquering nations, it considered a death sentence, and so, they usually left such nation with wide berth. In fact, they some time send reinforcement just to make sure possible danger would remained contained.
"Now that I think about it, what do the Betrum Nation do after I slaughter their men?" he muttered to himself.
He had attacked the guards as a parting gift, as well as to gain SP as he starting to run low on it. With him leaving the nation, he did not mind doing such thing, as there will be next to no consequences if he did so, with potentially huge returns.
Of course, he needed to make sure it would look like bug attacks, so he had to leave everything inside the fortresses as well as the gears of the soldiers. If not for him wanting to hide his identity, he would loot all of it, as most of the equipment is high in quality.
He also need to sacrifice some of his bugs, while calling out some of the stronger one's to make it look like an excursion by the big bugs. He suffered some casualties as well, in fact, his losses is in the hundred.
The sole good thing is the fact bug did not take too long to produce their young, as well as grow, making it easy to replace them.
Over all, he is satisfied with their performance, looking forward to what is to come. Especially is he can strengthen them in some way.