The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound
chapter-87

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Chapter 87: The Iliad (3)

Aheuman was bewildered. His plan was to become a hero of the Ballak people by releasing the antidote and curing everyone immediately after.

Most of the Ballak warriors were now looking at Aheuman with disdain.

“…?”

However, Aheuman was still puzzled. He couldn’t understand why he was receiving such hostile glares just because the shaman’s ritual had proved ineffective against the Red Death. He might not have been very helpful, but the reactions he was getting were excessively cold.

But then, Aheuman’s questions were answered by Aquila’s words.

“It’s not necessary anymore. I just want to see what’s inside the pouch around your waist.”

Instantly, his heart sank. Aheuman struggled to hold on to his receding consciousness. Why did the chieftain want to see the pouch at his waist, especially at this moment? It was an almost impossible request unless someone had caught on to something.

“Could she have figured it out?”

In his role as the one who had spread the Red Death in the wilderness, Aheuman naturally felt the heat of impending trouble.

Hesitating, Aheuman was urged on by Aquila.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Show us the pouch.”

The chieftain’s authority was absolute, and once an order was given, there was no room for disobedience. However, in his extreme confusion, the old shaman inadvertently challenged the chieftain’s authority.

“I-I can’t show it to you!”

Aheuman didn’t even know what he was saying due to his extreme confusion. But the consequences of his words were heavy. As Aheuman’s words ended, the expressions of all the warriors became rigid and stern.

The younger warriors sighed and lowered their heads, while the older ones had deep furrows on their foreheads. The respect and loyalty of

the warriors towards the chieftain, regardless of age, was profound, and as a result, there was no room for Aheuman to appear dignified.

“Is this old man going to be stubborn? This is my chance to…”

As Aiyen, who was furious, was about to step forward, someone else stepped forward before her.

“Show the pouch right now!”

Before even Aiyen, there was someone who stepped forward. It was Ahun, Aheuman’s grandson. He stood in front of Aheuman, palm outstretched.

While Aiyen was momentarily surprised by the unexpected sight, Ahun firmly spoke to Aheuman.

“We cannot resist the chieftain’s orders. If you don’t open the pouch right away…”

Ahun withdrew an arrow from his waist and loaded it onto his bow, his words stern.

Upon this, Aheuman’s thick eyebrows twitched upwards.

“You impudent brat!”

“…”

But Ahun’s eyes didn’t waver. It seemed that watching over his younger sister, Aheuman’s Grandaughter Ahul, suffer from the Red Death had brought about a significant change in his feelings.

Soon, numerous warriors began to boo and jeer at Aheuman.

“Hand over the pouch now!”

“Show us what’s inside!”

“Traitor! You’re the culprit, aren’t you?”

Criticisms were pouring in, and Aheuman’s expression became increasingly distorted with anguish.

Suddenly, Aquila urged, “Show it! Show us what’s inside!”

Aheuman swiftly pulled out the pouch from his waist and, without hesitation, flung it into the nearby flowing river. The many warriors present were momentarily stunned by this unexpected action, and a strange silence fell over them.

Aheuman, with a triumphant smile, turned to look at Aquila and said, “Oh! You see, I have a case of vertigo, so I accidentally dropped the pouch into the river.”

He began to offer a casual explanation but stopped abruptly. The situation was taking an unusual turn.

To everyone’s surprise, the warriors began to murmur among themselves and turned their attention to one side. There stood Vikir, clenching his fists and keeping his lips sealed.

Aquila looked at Vikir and then back at Aheuman, saying, “Indeed. Just as you said. It seems the pouch was thrown into the river.”

“What…?” Aheuman’s expression showed bewilderment.

Just then, someone suddenly raised their head from the surface of the river.

“Chieftain! I found it!”

One of Ballak’s warriors, who had been hiding in the water, held up the leather pouch that Aheuman had thrown into the river. Although the pouch was soaked, its contents were still partially intact.

“Whew!? No!”

Aheuman was shocked and tried to move, but it was too late. The waterlogged pouch had already been passed to Aquila.

Aquila looked into the pouch. Inside, there were white powders, partially dissolved in the water. She turned to Aheuman and asked, “This is the antidote for the Red Death, isn’t it?”

Aheuman remained silent, only offering a sly grin in response.

Aquila nodded and continued, “Why did this come from your possession?”

Aheuman could only smile foolishly, unable to provide any answer.

Aquila nodded once more and said, “Indeed, your words were true again.”

This time, she directed her statement toward Vikir.

As Aheuman chuckled, Aquila shook the white powders onto the ground.

“This powder is just ordinary flour and has no effect whatsoever.”

“What!?”

“You believed this was the antidote. It’s surprising to see your reaction.”

Aheuman’s expression turned shocked as he realized that the powder he had been carrying was simply flour.

“No way! It can’t be! It’s definitely the antidote…”

“You were deceived by the Reviadons.”

Vikir stepped forward and declared, revealing the truth behind the Red Death outbreak.

As Vikir’s words played out exactly as he had predicted, the atmosphere among the warriors grew increasingly hostile. Aheuman made desperate attempts to defend himself.

“I-I don’t know anything! Just like he said, this is just flour!”

“Why did you hesitate to show the pouch earlier when he asked you to? And why did you come to this very source of the Red Death outbreak?”

“Shut up! Why should I tell you?”

However, the situation did not favor him at all. Vikir had more damning evidence to present, evidence that Aheuman couldn’t refute. From Vikir’s possession emerged two letters, one written in a terrible, illegible handwriting and the other in a neat, clear script.

Vikir spoke, “These are letters exchanged between you and the Reviadon family.”

Decisive evidence had emerged. One of the letters was clearly written in Aheuman’s handwriting. All eyes in the assembly shifted between the letters and Aheuman.

Aheuman, feeling unjustly accused, shouted, “It’s a lie! I’ve never written such a letter!”

However, no one believed him. Some of the elderly elders even testified that the handwriting matched Aheuman’s.

“Argh! It’s true! I’m innocent! He’s framing me!”

Aheuman protested vehemently, but no one was willing to believe him. The evidence was overwhelming.

“Why did you hesitate to show the pouch earlier when he asked you to? And why did you come to this very source of the Red Death outbreak?”

The questions hung in the air, unanswered by Aheuman.

Aheuman’s desperate claims of innocence continued, but the assembly remained skeptical. It was clear that he had been deceived by the Reviarden family.

Vikir recalled an incident from two years ago when he had learned about Chihuahua’s skill in forging handwriting.

‘Chihuahua was quite skilled in calligraphy.’

Vikir remembered an incident from two years ago.

‘Secretary Chihuahua has excellent handwriting. In all my years, I’ve never seen anyone with better penmanship. I always had to forge other people’s signatures on behalf of the magistrates…’

‘Can I learn it too?’

‘Of course! I’d be honored to teach you!’

‘Thank you. Whenever you have the time, please teach me.’

When Vikir was the assistant magistrate of Underdog City, he had learned the art of forgery fromChihuahua. It had proved to be a valuable skill, especially in situations like this.

‘Inciting is easy; explaining is hard.’

Vikir smirked as he thought about the effectiveness of using forgery for manipulation.

Vikir watched Aheuman, who was genuinely distressed, as he protested his innocence vehemently. Meanwhile, Aquila spoke up.

“We should investigate if there’s anyone in the Reviadon family with such handwriting.”

However, realistically, it was a challenging task to investigate one of the seven noble families of the Empire.

Naturally, the atmosphere within the Ballak tribe turned against Aheuman, blaming him for the situation.

“Traitor!”

“My wife almost died because of you!”

“My children too!”

“Kill him! Hang him!”

The public sentiment was turning very negative. Even Ahun, his grandson, sent disapproving looks. At this moment, there was not a single person in his favor.

Aheuman clenched his teeth. After all, there was no evidence. As long as he continued to deny that the white powder in the pouch was anything other than flour, they had no grounds to execute him. He would endure even if it meant getting his hands dirty.

“Enough. Everyone, the reaction has been excessive.”

When Chief Aquila finally spoke, the atmosphere had been tense.

All the warriors turned their heads to look at Aquila. Aheuman did the same.

Aquila cleared his throat and began to speak, “If we look at it carefully, there’s no concrete evidence. Let’s not tarnish the honor of our shaman any further. Hasn’t he dedicated himself to our tribe for a long time?”

Murmurs of agreement began to spread throughout the crowd.

Aiyen, however, couldn’t hold back and said, “Mother! I mean, Chief! Are you suggesting we just sweep this whole situation under the rug?”

“Enough! Show respect for the shaman’s authority! He has far more experience, wisdom, and dedication to the tribe than you.”

Aquila’s stern words silenced Aiyen, even though many warriors appeared dissatisfied. The chief’s word was absolute.

Ironically, Aheuman, who had been on trial, couldn’t believe that the chief was suddenly on his side.

Why was the chief, who had always treated him like a thorn in his side, now taking his side?

However, this was his only way out, so Aheuman had no choice but to bow deeply to Aquila.

“Thank you for your understanding and wisdom, Chief.”

“You don’t need to thank me. You’ve not only honored our tribe but the entire Mountains with your reputation.”

“Yes, well…”

“Of course, the weight of the honor and pride you carry on your shoulders must be quite heavy.”

“Indeed…”

“So today, as you’ve been accused without concrete evidence, consider this an opportunity to protect the honor and dignity you’ve built over the years.”

“…?”

Aheuman felt a creeping unease at the excessive flattery. But Aquila continued.

“How can we allow these young ones, who know nothing, to tarnish your esteemed reputation? You’ve been our friend and valued colleague for a long time! I offer you a chance to defend your innocence, your honor, and your pride! Is there anyone here who objects?”

“No!”

A chorus of voices echoed in agreement.

Then, Vikir, who had heard all the conversations in advance, stepped forward with a composed expression.

“…”

Aheuman looked bewildered at Vikir approaching him. He couldn’t grasp the situation.

Finally, Aquila spoke firmly to Aheuman, “Open the way for me. If you are truly innocent, use this opportunity to protect the honor and pride you have built up over the years. Surely I wouldn’t grant you such a chance without good reason?”

“Opportunity, you say?”

Aheuman asked cautiously, his eyes revealing his anxiety.

Aquilla replied, “I command Illiad.”

‘Illiad’ was a unique Ballak resolution method when disputes seemed irresolvable through dialogue, allowing the victor to decide the outcome by force.

Aheuman’s face turned pale at those words, and he took a step back, clearly not understanding the situation.

But Vikir quietly chuckled. Evidence, proof, it was all meaningless. Everything had been set up for this trial.