Chapter 117 The Road South to Ouka

The express river barge glided smoothly into the central channel of the River of Black Glass as morning sunlight pierced the canyon mist. Towering basalt cliffs rose on either side of the waterway, their jagged peaks framing the dark, glassy surface below.

Ren stood near the bow railing with his hands resting lightly upon the polished timber, watching the foam churn beneath the hull.

"The current in this upper canyon is running twice as fast as the mountain streams back in Suzuhara..." Ren observed thoughtfully, turning toward his companion. "We are covering vast distances with remarkable speed!"

Reiji leaned his broad frame against a cargo capstan, chewing on a piece of dried venison with a satisfied grin.

"This deep waterway cuts straight through the mountain spine, saving us days of exhausting overland trekking through rocky passes!" Reiji replied enthusiastically, pointing downstream toward the widening gorge. "By nightfall, these steep cliffs will give way to the rolling hills of the central plains!"

Koharu emerged from the lower passenger cabin carrying a mug of hot spiced tea and a rolled navigational chart.

"The barge master informed me that we will reach the imperial lock gates by late afternoon if the water level remains stable..." Koharu reported cheerfully, taking a sip from her steaming cup. "Our evidence crates are resting securely in the locked hold right beneath our feet!"

Koharu unrolled the waterproof chart against the deck railing, showing the succession of river waystations and defensive watchtowers along the southern border.

"These water locks were constructed by the Imperial Engineer Guild over a century ago to regulate seasonal mountain runoff..." Koharu explained with keen interest. "Passing through each lock station requires an official merchant pass, which Haruto stamped before our dawn departure!"

A sudden violent shudder rocked the wooden hull, sending a spray of icy water splashing across the forward deck.

The passengers cried out in alarm as the barge lurched sharply to the port side, throwing several deckhands off balance against the safety railings. Beneath the dark surface of the river, a sinuous shadow twisted through the depths, circling the vessel with menacing predatory intent.

The barge captain gripped the steering rudder with tense knuckles, shouting a desperate warning to his crew and passengers.

"Crested River Drake spotted off the port bow!" the captain bellowed in sheer panic, his voice echoing across the gorge. "All passengers take cover in the cabins immediately while the deckhands prepare the harpoon lines!"

Ren stepped forward onto the open deck, his eyes narrowing as he tracked the aquatic predator through the swirling dark water.

"Stay back, captain, and keep the rudder steady on its course..." Ren commanded with calm and absolute authority. "Reiji and I will handle this creature before it damages the vessel's hull!"

A colossal reptilian beast burst through the surface of the river with a deafening roar, sending a tall wave of water crashing down upon the deck.

Its sleek, armored body was covered in dark blue scales, while a razor-sharp dorsal crest ran along its spine like jagged teeth. The drake lunged forward with open jaws, aiming its rows of serrated fangs directly toward the barge's exposed midsection.

Ren focused his mental energy, instantly activating the silent aura of the Mute Stag mask from his storage.

A field of absolute quiet enveloped his movements as he leaped into the air, landing softly atop the gunwale without producing a single vibration. The aquatic predator hesitated for a crucial fraction of a second, completely disoriented by the total absence of acoustic ripples in the surrounding water.

Seizing that momentary confusion, Ren switched seamlessly to the Storm Wolf mask, his entire body crackling with brilliant azure lightning.

"Take this shock, beast of the deep!" Ren shouted fiercely, thrusting his hooked sword straight down into the creature's armored neck. "Disperse through the water and paralyze its muscles!"

A blinding surge of electrical power erupted from the blade, racing through the drake's nervous system with crackling intensity.

The beast thrashed wildly as the powerful shock locked its jaws, its serpentine tail splashing helplessly against the river surface. The electrical discharge completely neutralized the predator's swimming momentum, leaving it immobilized and vulnerable beside the barge's flank.

Reiji vaulted over the bulwark with a ferocious war cry, his twin broadaxes raised high above his head.

"Here is the final blow from the frontier, you overgrown eel!" Reiji roared with thunderous power, bringing his axes down in a devastating execution strike. "Split wide and sink into the abyss!"

The twin axes cleaved deeply through the creature's weakened skull, shattering the dense bone with overwhelming physical force.

The colossal river drake let out a final gurgling hiss before its body went limp, drifting harmlessly downriver in the swirling wake of the vessel. The dangerous ambush was concluded in less than twenty heartbeats, leaving the barge completely undamaged and the passengers staring in stunned silence.

The captain and deckhands stared at the two hunters with mouths agape, unable to process the incredible display of coordinated martial prowess.

"By the gods of the river..." the captain stammered with profound awe, slowly lowering his unused harpoon. "I have sailed these waters for thirty years, and I have never seen a rank-four river drake dispatched with such effortless mastery!"

A round of applause and joyful cheers erupted from the passengers on deck, celebrating their miraculous salvation from the river monster.

Koharu stepped up beside Ren with a proud, triumphant smile, handing him a clean linen cloth to wipe the water from his coat.

"That was a magnificent demonstration of seamless mask switching and tactical synergy!" Koharu praised with sparkling eyes, clearly delighted by the awe-struck reactions of the onlookers. "The travelers aboard this boat will be singing the praises of the Maskbound Hunter all across the southern provinces!"

Ren wiped the blade with an oiled cloth, sliding the hooked sword smoothly into its scabbard with a crisp click.

"It was a simple matter of proper timing and leveraging the creature's reliance on acoustic vibrations..." Ren replied calmly, accepting the cloth with a grateful nod. "The silent field gave us the opening we needed to deliver a decisive strike before any passengers were harmed!"

The barge continued its steady descent along the River of Black Glass, leaving the rocky mountain gorge behind as midday approached.

The narrow canyons gradually widened into rolling green hills dotted with fertile vineyards, prosperous farming estates, and stone aqueducts. The southern province was vibrant and densely populated, a stark contrast to the rugged wilderness and isolated mining settlements of the northern frontier.

Reiji wiped his axe blades with an oily rag, leaning back against the deck cargo with a relaxed and satisfied expression.

"The air down here is noticeably warmer and thicker than what we are used to in Suzuhara..." Reiji observed, taking a deep breath of the fragrant southern breeze. "It feels like we have entered an entirely different world from our snowy mountain peaks!"

Reiji pointed toward a cluster of white stone villas perched along the riverbank, surrounded by terraced olive groves and blooming flower gardens.

"Look at the size of those southern estates and how peacefully the farmers tend to their crops..." Reiji added with a thoughtful tone. "Back home, every farmer must keep a spear by the door, but here they live in total comfort and luxury!"

Koharu spread her provincial map across a barrel, pointing toward a grand bend in the river that shimmered in the afternoon light.

"Just beyond this river bend lies the grand canal network that leads directly to the imperial capital..." Koharu explained with growing excitement in her voice. "We are less than two hours away from the majestic outer gates of Ouka!"

Koharu highlighted the three main harbor basins where incoming cargo ships were inspected by imperial customs officials.

"The northern canal entrance provides direct access to the Central Plaza and the Grand Hunter Registry..." Koharu noted with keen foresight. "We will disembark at the First Basin to avoid the crowded commercial docks and transport our evidence chests straight to the tribunal!"

The river barge steered into the wide harbor fairway, navigating among towering merchant galleons and sleek courier cutters with elegant precision. The afternoon sun cast a warm golden hue across the water, reflecting the grand architectural silhouettes of the capital in the calm waves.

Deckhands prepared the mooring lines and secured the heavy cargo tarpaulins as the vessel approached the marble quayside of the imperial docks.

Ren stood at the bow once more, feeling the steady thrum of the river current carrying them inexorably toward their destination.

His cash reserve remained completely intact at exactly five hundred silver coins, ready to support their upcoming legal filings and living expenses in the metropolis.

As the sun began its descent toward the western horizon, the river opened into a vast artificial harbor bustling with hundreds of trading vessels.

Rising majestically against the twilight sky were the colossal white stone ramparts of Ouka, the imperial capital of the realm. Towering spires of polished marble, glittering glass domes, and high arched bridges stretched as far as the eye could see, radiating ancient imperial majesty.

Ren took a deep breath, feeling his unmasked B-rank core hum with anticipation beneath his chest.

The journey south was complete, and the towering city of seven banners stood ready to witness the truth they carried from the frontier.