Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Episode 24
A crack split across the egg's surface.
Bright tendrils of light spilled through the fissure, illuminating the chamber. A small horn jutted out from the crack. Aiden's expression brightened, then quickly blossomed into a smile.
The divine beast had broken free from its shell, revealing its true form.
A foal-like creature with a pair of tiny wings sprouting from its back and a single golden horn gleaming atop its forehead—a young white horse.
Arhan let out a disbelieving scoff.
"A mutant, huh. Seems Vacheksar really did choose you."
In the original story, this divine beast had an abysmally low hatching rate.
This creature retained none of the unicorn's nature—its instinct to carry only virgins—nor the pegasus' trait of voraciously draining its master's divine power.
A hybrid that combined only the strengths of both—a Unipeg.
Like a unicorn, it fed on demons and purified miasma with its horn.
And like a pegasus, it could race across the skies.
The highest-tier divine beast Aiden had secretly hoped for. Of course, the birth of a Unipeg was so improbable it bordered on impossible—a wish he had buried deep in his heart.
Yet here it was, reality.
Whether it was mere luck or something else at play, he didn't know. But for now, he was more than satisfied.
The palm-sized creature blinked up at Aiden with bright, curious eyes.
Aiden cupped it gently in both hands, carefully wiping away the viscous fluid clinging to its body.
Kiiing, kiiing! It chirped happily, nuzzling into his embrace.
"M-My lord! I thought creatures like this only existed in myths! Could I... maybe touch it just once—?"
Deril stretched out a hand, eyes wide with wonder.
CHOMP.
The once-gentle Unipeg instantly turned vicious, clamping down on Deril's finger.
"AAARGH!"
Blood dripped from Deril's index finger. The spirit, Arhan, snorted at the sight, clicking his tongue.
"Hopeless fool. Never touch a Unipeg unless you're its master. Be grateful you learned this while it's still small. Otherwise, you'd have lost that hand."
At Arhan's harsh words, Deril curled his lip.
"Hopeless? Buried underground for 200 years, and your brain's rotted, hasn't it? Or did our esteemed pickled hero always spout nonsense without thinking?"
Arhan's face twisted.
"Insolent wretch! Do you even know who you're speaking to? Even if you're a lowborn, have you never read a single line of scripture? I am—"
"Both of you, shut up."
Aiden cut in like a bucket of cold water, then turned to Arhan.
"There's one more thing I need from you."
Arhan's expression sobered slightly.
"...What is it?"
"It's necessary. I'm asking as a favor. In return, I swear to never reveal this ruin's location or your existence. I'll also keep ensuring you and Certia live happily together. If you want, I'll swear it here."
Arhan smirked faintly.
"What do you know?"
"A geas. If you speak of it, you die."
Arhan studied Aiden silently before finally speaking again.
"Is that oath meant for Vacheksar?"
"Of course not."
"Hah. Seems you know a thing or two."
"So, I'm asking. It's worthless to you now anyway."
"Worthless doesn't mean I'll just hand it over for free."
"Name your price."
Arhan stroked his chin.
"The oath is a given. And... when you achieve your goal, don't forget me."
"That's all you want?"
"Hardly."
Arhan glanced at Sein.
"Young mage—forge us a vessel. One that can house me and Certia. Time is no issue; I can wait as long as needed."
Aiden was taken aback. It wasn't a demand he'd anticipated.
Before he could respond, Sein nodded eagerly.
She wanted to help Aiden however she could.
"I'll do my best to make it happen. Trust me."
"Good. Don't take this promise lightly. I will collect."
Arhan grinned at Aiden.
"That's my condition."
A bead the size of a fingernail dropped into Aiden's palm.
"Take it."
Aiden carefully tucked the bead away.
"I'll fulfill your request."
"You'd better."
Most other heroes' ruins had already been ransacked by adventurers and grave robbers, left in ruins.
Except for Atlantis in the abyss and the ruins in the demonic realm, nearly all had met that fate.
If Aiden revealed Arhan's palace to the world, this place would be no different.
But he had no such intention.
Wrapping the Unipeg in fur, Aiden slung Gargantua—now folded in half—across his back. He also kept the spear he'd used for two years; it felt wasteful to discard it.
"I promise. Now, we should go."
"As your elder, let me offer one piece of advice: avoid the demonic realm if you can. There's a reason we were driven out."
Aiden had no plans to go there anytime soon. If he wanted to die, there were easier ways.
Nodding, Aiden motioned to Sein and Deril.
Certia bowed deeply.
"Lord Aiden, I'll never forget this kindness. May light grace your path."
"Hmph, kindness? We just exchanged what we needed."
For once, Aiden agreed with Arhan. It had been a simple trade.
"I hope you and Arhan find happiness."
With that, he turned away.
Amid the snowstorm, Yuron swung his sword.
Just two motions—vertical slashes and thrusts—repeated endlessly.
Each time his blade split a snowflake, the sharp whip lashed into his skin.
"Stubborn fool! After all I've said, how are you still so inept?!"
"I-I'm sorry!"
CRACK. Gielran's whip struck his wrist. The frozen skin felt like it was being flayed.
CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.
It never ended. Every slash made his thighs burn; every thrust made his wrists scream.
Hours passed, but the whipping didn't slow.
Gielran shook his head.
"Never seen such a dullard. All day wasted, and all you've got are bruises. Some people just can't be taught. Get inside."
The Sword Saint strode into the cabin.
Yuron gritted his teeth and kept swinging.
Even as the snow thickened and his skin burned, he refused to step inside.
If he lacked talent, he'd make up for it with effort. If a genius swung ten times, he'd swing a thousand—ten thousand—until he caught up even a little.
That was his resolve.
As dusk fell, his mind began to blur.
"Stay awake."
He inhaled deeply, arching his back—then his vision dimmed.
In the distance, figures approached from the setting sun.
His consciousness snapped like a thread.
He collapsed into the snow.
"My lord, isn't that Yuron?"
Aiden, with his sharp eyes, had already recognized him.
"It is."
"Tch. That old man just had to rope in another kid, huh? Unbelievable."
"Help him inside."
"Right away."
Deril sprinted over, hauling Yuron into the cabin.
Sein's face twisted with pity.
"That's too harsh, even for him. Really."
"That's just how the old man teaches. Looks like he's properly passing it down."
Gielran was a monster who'd reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship with just two moves.
That was why people ranked him above even House Sachillier's Sword Saint.
Of course, without a direct match, it was just speculation.
"But this is downright brutal."
"Geniuses don't understand certain struggles. If Yuron's fine with it, no need to interfere."
Aiden hadn't meant anything by it, but Sein felt oddly stung.
"...I'll work hard too."
Aiden patted her head.
"If you put in that effort, even Kadak would weep."
"Hehe, I can't imagine Master crying... but I'll do my best."
They reached the cabin. Warmth rushed out as the door opened.
"Oh? Brought back quite the exotic little thing."
Gielran's tongue clicked as he sensed the Unipeg's aura.
The foal peeked out from Aiden's arms.
"Bright-eyed little devil, ain't it?"
Deril snorted.
"Don't even think about touching it. This one's got attitude. Still stings."
"Fool. So you did mess with a divine beast. Tch, where'd you even get that burn—"
"Elder, I need to speak with you."
Aiden set the Unipeg down and faced Gielran.
The old man scrutinized him.
"Never thought I'd live to see the day I'd be impressed by a wielder's achievements. What the hell happened in that ruin?"
"It was... an enlightening experience."
Gielran shook his head in disbelief, then glanced at Sein.
"That girl?"
"Everything turned out fine."
The old man exhaled in relief.
"Good. You've done well. Now, what did you want to say?"
"We fought a Snow Leopard on the way to the ruin."
Gielran's brows shot up.
"How the hell are you alive?"
"It wasn't a mature one. Didn't know how to shapeshift."
Shapeshifting—the ability to assume a beast's form.
"Elder, the problem is where we encountered it. Not the heart of the Eternal Snowfields, but much closer to here."
Gielran's face darkened instantly.
"You're saying it was driven from its territory?"
"I can't say for sure. But we should prepare. I'll report it to the Church. For now, just be aware."
If Snow Leopards were being displaced, it meant something stronger had taken over the depths.
The Eternal Snowfields' apex predators never encroached on each other's domains.
If that rule broke, war followed. And if one beast unified them all, it would be crowned the Beast King.
Since the last Beast King—whose remains forged Gargantua—none had appeared in 200 years.
Even if this was just paranoia, it couldn't be ignored. The plot was moving faster than the original, so Aiden would stay prepared.
Gielran nodded slowly in understanding.
Just then, the Unipeg whined, rubbing against Aiden's leg.
"Begging for food, eh? What do you even feed it...?"
"Miasma and demon corpses."
"Oh? So it's got the unicorn's appetite too."
Gielran rummaged through a drawer, then spread a map on the table.
"The Empire's borders are crawling with demons. Especially the north—land the Church's all but abandoned."
He pointed to a spot.
"Human farms. You'd know better. One of the territories is demon-controlled. Tyron, was it? That idiot marched in to purge them, lost his entire force, and fled."
The paladin who'd given Aiden the firestone.
Gielran eyed Aiden again.
"But if you go, it'll be smooth sailing."
Aiden nodded, scooping up the Unipeg.
"Let's get you fed."