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Chapter 273: Chapter 31, Episode 4: National Treasure

“May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be praised! I am Abdul Ibrahim. ‘The Mahdi from the East will lead all of you. Follow him without a doubt!’ Like lightning, I heard Allah’s message the moment I heard Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa’s words from brother Mohammad.”

“Wait, I’m not the Mahdi. I’m a normal person like all of you. If I’m the Mahdi, Assad, whom you all call the butcher, is also the Mahdi,” Black Mamba interrupted, taken aback by the sudden description of Allah’s prophecy and ramblings of a savior.

Was it their naivety or desperation?

Not only did the Orthodox Christians consider him a savior, but the Kurd tribe did too. It was extremely embarrassing.

It wasn’t too surprising once one got to know the details. The Levant region hadn’t had a peaceful day with migrant invasions happening in both the West and the East and internal conflicts lasting for 1,000s of years. The people, who suffered and struggled with persecution, desired a savior. The concept of a savior was deeply instilled in their lives and religion. It could be considered similar to the Maitreya belief.

Black Mamba didn’t realize how special he was. He didn’t know that his actions and abilities impacted the public. He requested asylum for a village because he had found them pitiful? A country’s president would not have come up with a solution like that. The Mahdi, who created miracles out of a strand of hope, had appeared. That was enough for the Kurd tribe to go crazy over.

Ibrahim leaped to his feet.

“Please, don’t be ridiculous, sir! The Orthodox Christians haven’t even met you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. If you deny calling yourself the Mahdi, even after pitying those in hardship and giving them hope despite the trouble it caused you, it would be like denying Allah’s existence! We are the Kurd tribe who lived peacefully while farming and raising our livestock in Osmaniye’s mountains. One day, soldiers with guns attacked us and ordered us to leave. They were brutish and didn’t offer a single explanation. My father, who protested, was killed on the spot. The members of my tribe, who didn’t know a single Turkish word, were murdered ruthlessly. I was angry. I attacked the police’s weaponry as soon as I closed my father’s eyes. This dirty world has turned the average sheep herders into guerrillas!”

Ibrahim gathered his breath as emotions began to overwhelm him. Mohammad approached.

“Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Ibrahim is called the lynx[1] of Osmaniye. Ibrahim’s family are battle warriors who fought against the Turkish Armed Forces for three years. The women also have plenty of guerrilla experience. There’s a legend in Islam that a man killed by a woman will go to hell. The Kurd tribe’s women are much fiercer than men. They are farming experts and battle masters,” Mohammad whispered into Black Mamba’s ears.

Oh? This old man’s a fox.

Black Mamba knew Mohammad’s intentions. He had gathered the Kurd tribe members to ensure the safety of his followers who were incapable of fighting. Mohammad was the head of the Orthodox Christian guards. Black Mamba didn’t deny him from doing his job.

“Ibrahim, if you have more to say, continue.”

“It was hard to resist the fight with just a handful of people. We crossed the border and escaped to Syria. We landed here, by Maydanki Lake, after wandering around for a while, but the discrimination and persecution remained the same. The lives of the Kurds are less than the Orthodox Christians. The Orthodox Christians get to stand trial, but we don’t have that right. Our farms and fruit trees were bound to be taken by other Syrians, even if we cultivated them. If we labored, we received half of what the Syrians earned. Our children were malnourished from the lack of nutrients, and the elders got sicker because of diseases. We’re arrested without reason, and our wives and daughters didn’t step outside in fear of rape. We also wish to live like humans. Please, consider us pitiful.”

“Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, please, at least let our children live like human beings!” the Kurd tribe’s men and women cried out while banging their heads on the ground.

“Mahdi, please, we want to live like humans. Please lead this pitiful Kurd tribe.”

Ibrahim started banging his forehead on the ground. His desperate cry as he begged to live like a regular human broke Black Mamba’s heart. He could almost feel the grudge piled in layers. He was right. A human should live like a human.

He observed the kneeling group. They needed help. Tears streamed down the women’s rough cheeks, and the children’s wide eyes twitched in anxiety. They were panicking in fear of rejection.

This is the sorrow and torment of a stateless ethnicity!

A chill swept over his heart. Despite being one of those who had lived in hell, at least he had been blessed enough to be born in Korea. At least, he had a country.

“Enough, Ibrahim. Don’t abuse the body you received from your parents. I see there’s no elderly, only young people and children.”

Black Mamba’s voice grew warmer like the spring breeze.

“The elderly, who had reduced mobility, committed suicide, sir.”

“What? Suicide? Why?” Black Mamba asked in surprise.

“Escaping the border is a challenging journey. The entire tribe would be massacred if the elderly were caught because of their weak bodies. The decision was made because they did not want to become a burden to their descendants.”

“Ha, how can someone make that decision!” Black Mamba exclaimed in regret.

A parent’s love for their child was the same worldwide. How tormented had they been to commit suicide for their descendants’ sakes! Those people had already burned the bridge behind them. They had struggled to leave behind what remained of their DNA, despite ending up on a dead-end path.

“Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, we are all young. Everyone’s below the age of 40. We also have battle experiences. We’ll become your blades and guns, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Please take us in.”

“Blades and guns?”

Those were unexpected words. Black Mamba turned to look at Mohammad.

“The Kurd tribe’s determination and bravery are similar to the Gurkhas of Nepal. Rather than living life in servitude, they intend to follow you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, even if it means dying in battle.”

“They’re quite decisive, aren’t they? I suppose fate led us to this meeting.”

Black Mamba felt as though he was being dragged into a black hole. In the first place, he’d caused this whole mess because he had pitied the Orthodox Christians. There was no reason for him to neglect the Kurd tribe, who had nowhere else to go. This happens because of that, and that happens because of this. His connection to the Orthodox Christians had led him to the Kurd tribe.

“Fine. Humans can’t live like animals. I’ll take you in. Have you heard of the world that I, Ddu-bai-buru-pa, am creating?”

“We’ve heard, sir. A religion that binds a person isn’t a religion. The role of religion is to heal the mind. If one’s religion is precious, another person’s religion is as precious. Don’t discriminate against it and abandon the idea of superiority. Take as much as you work for, and earn as much as you try. Even in our dreams, it’s the life we, Kurds, desire. We’ll follow you loyally, sir. Allahu Akbar! May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be eternal.”

“May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be praised. Allahu Akbar! May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be eternal.”

The cheerings of 40 people sounded around the castle ruins.

Damn, I’m really the leader of some fanatic cult. Ugh, whatever. Just go with the flow, I guess.

As always, Black Mamba decided to think lightly of the matter. There wasn’t much of a difference between 460 and 540 people.

“Stand up, Ibrahim. I’ll recognize you as the representative of the Kurd tribe. Control your tribe members and board the 12th bus. Get your supplies from the embassy staff and follow their directions.”

“Thank you. We’ll serve you with all our hearts, sir.”

Ibrahim disappeared after he bowed three times.

“Advisor, sir, that is some popularity. Not a single politician on Earth could measure up to that. Advisor, I respect you.” Ecjose, who was dressed in a white gown, smiled.

“Are you teasing me?”

Black Mamba’s eyes turned cold. There was no reason for him to like a b*stard who scratched on his thin and irritated skin. Black Mamba was prepared to release the all-torture on him if he made a single wrong move.

“What are you saying, sir! They’re all pitiful people with nowhere else to go. I’m glad to help them. I realized there’s no one more hot-blooded than you, advisor. I really do respect you.”

Surprised, Ecjose fixed his expression and waved both of his hands in a frenzy.

“There’s no need for respect. It would have been troublesome had you not prepared two more buses, major. I didn’t think of the military rations, either. Thank you in many ways.”

“It’s nothing, sir. It’s something I should do. I’ll escort you to the border with my subordinates.”

“Your role ends here. There’s no need for that.”

“No, sir. I’d like to help in any way that I can. Before you leave, I have one request to ask from you, sir.”

“What is it?”

“Please forgive my subordinates for offending you. It’s my fault for not guiding them properly. You can demote me, but I’d like you to forgive them. Sergeant Riverie is currently supporting his old parents. He’s a guy who knows nothing apart from the military.”

“Are you serious?”

Black Mamba glared at the major.

“I’m serious, sir.”

“Major Ecjose, sergeant Riverie is punished not because I was offended but rather, because he discriminated against other races. You think he can change his mindset?”

“Ah, I see. Yes, sir, he is racially biased. I’ll take responsibility for that.”

Ecjose was deeply moved by the young special military advisor’s words. People who rose to a high position at a young age had a strong conscience. They found rudeness and contempt unacceptable. However, the advisor had punished sergeant Riverie because of his racist attitude. Since young, he was a person who could tell apart the good from the bad.

“Good. Pass my words to ambassador Jopine. I’ll reduce sergeant Riverie’s punishment by three years. However, he has to write a memorandum to get rid of his racist beliefs and attitude. You’re responsible for educating him, major. Report his progress after three years. If his mindset changes by then, I’ll void his punishment entirely. Even the soldiers.”

“Thank you for your benevolence, sir.”

Ecjose bowed deeply. He hadn’t expected Black Mamba to forgive so easily. He was an open-minded person. The Syrians had a reason for believing in him so much.

Black Mamba’s gaze softened. The major was a useful person who knew how to take responsibility.

“Major, you don’t know how someone’s life might change. For now, they might be someone with a bag on their backs wandering around without a destination, but they might become someone that people envy in the future. Major, if you have a problem in the future, contact Legion Etranger Headquarters’ supply officer, Emil. He’ll connect you to me.”

“I thank you again, sir. Thank God for allowing me to meet you in my lifetime, special military advisor.”

Black Mamba flinched. Major Ecjose’s gaze burned like fire. It looked like the eyes of a bull after it found its match. He reeked of danger. Another human demonstrated the signs of the Ombuti virus before him.

“Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Ibrahim feels guilty for boarding without a price. Why don’t we entrust him with Idia’s rescue and test the Kurd tribe’s battle capacity at the same time?”

“That’s a good idea, but we don’t have time.”

“There’s enough time, sir. I released some of the guards to spread a rumor about a cholera outbreak around the Orthodox Christians’ living quarters. Not a single person would dare to approach. The Kurd tribe might become Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa’s finest army in the future. We do need to give them a chance to prove their loyalty and ability. The village is barely 1.5 kilometers from here. You can leave for a while, sir, while I take care of the locals,” Mohammad urged again.

“I’ll do that then. Call Ibrahim over.”

Black Mamba had a great revelation. He always moved alone. Since he was planning on building an autonomous region, he would require an army. He’d considered lieutenant colonel Kikali from Habib’s army since he was a member of the Tuareg tribe, but he lacked faith. Whether Ombuti managed to convince the man was a mystery.

There was a saying among the Tuareg tribe that helping to carry a neighborhood girl’s bag might earn one a wife. The Kurd tribe, who were very loyal, could be a significant presence compared to the Mamluks. That moment opened warrior Black Mamba’s eyes to politics.

“Ibrahim, gather five warriors. We’re going to save the pitiful girl.”

“Thank you, sir.” Ibrahim’s face brightened up.

“Thank you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.” Glee filled Ahmad’s face, who had been suffering in silence the entire time.

“Master, should we kill them all with our Barretts from here?”

Jamal’s eyes gleamed. His master was acting unusual for someone who had ferociously wiped out Ruman. There was no need to mind the details. By securing a sniping point, he could easily wipe out all the guards and rescue the girl.

“Jamal, animals must be treated like animals, and humans must be treated like humans. The villagers are just misled citizens trapped in the wrong culture.”

Black Mamba smiled at Jamal. Jamal hadn’t completely gotten rid of his terrorist tendencies.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think that far.” Jamal nodded and moved away.

“Eh, what is this?”

Black Mamba looked at the fierce-looking Kurd tribe members in wonder. They carried 19th-century musket long guns, and some spikes made out of shaved wood hung off their waists. They were the stereotypical mountain bandits from the 19th century.

“Listen well. No one should use guns. You can kill those who call themselves warriors of Islam. You cannot kill the villagers.”

“Yes, sir. Suppress those who resist with a stick. Bakir, leave the guns behind. Beat some sense into them.”

“Yes, sir!”

A young man, who received Ibrahim’s orders, gathered the muskets and put them away.

“I really should keep an eye on the Kurd tribe.”

There was a clear line of command and uniform movement to their actions. They weren’t some rugged guerrillas. Hardships trained people. They weren’t the kind to receive persecution as part and parcel of their lives like the Orthodox Christians. They were people who would have survived the Sahel if conditions had allowed.

[1] Eurasian lynx.