Chapter 44
Chapter 44
Episode 44.
Aiden remained silent.
So did the Holy Guards. Somehow, silence seemed the only appropriate response.
Only the occasional rattling sounds broke the stillness inside. A subtle tension hung in the air.
After what felt like an eternity, the color gradually returned to Aiden's face. When he finally spoke, his voice was as calm as usual.
"If you encounter the beast, never provoke it."
The Holy Guards looked puzzled.
"Don't make eye contact. Don't speak to it. If you approach because you're fascinated by its appearance, you might die."
Jude wore an expression of disbelief.
"...Sir Aiden, do you perhaps know what creature killed the giants?"
Aiden nodded.
"It's the sacred beast worshipped by the Ein of Gaet."
Originally forbidden knowledge, but having interacted with the subject before, he could speak of it. For Aiden, it was a past he wished to forget.
Jude stared at Aiden with undisguised skepticism.
"Sir Aiden... are you talking about a gumiho?"
A race where only one could exist in the world at any time.
"Correct. Fortunately, it's still young."
It was a newborn cub after the previous gumiho had disappeared. By now, it would be over a year old.
Jude couldn't hide his astonishment. Understandably so, as the gumiho existed on the boundary between legend and reality.
Many believed they didn't exist at all.
"...Forgive my impertinence, but are you perhaps joking?"
Jude was genuinely asking. Aiden shook his head.
"Absolutely not. Be certain of this—if you see silver hair in the forest, it's the gumiho."
Jude swallowed hard.
Bandage showed no reaction, while Siron's eyes gleamed as she clenched her fists tightly.
Aiden looked at her and warned:
"Siron, don't you dare show any competitive spirit. Remember that your actions could get everyone killed."
Struck to the core, she flinched and stared at Aiden.
"B-but if it's still a cub—"
"That's an order. Disobey, and I'll execute you on the spot."
Siron sensed the deadly seriousness in Aiden's gaze. She couldn't bring herself to argue further.
Bowing her head deeply, she gave a small nod.
Aiden scanned the Holy Guards with his eyes.
"We won't stay in the forest for more than a day. Even if it takes all night, we're crossing through in a single day. Conserve your stamina."
The Giant's Forest was vast enough to require about two days of camping. That plan was scrapped now, but it was still better than encountering the gumiho.
Losing some stamina was an acceptable trade-off.
It would take roughly two weeks to reach the eastern border from here. Aiden intended to prepare himself mentally. *His thoughts made time pass quickly.
Of course, he didn't let it interfere with the mission. He reviewed the operation dozens of times and did his utmost to accurately assess their combat strength.
The Holy Guards were far more capable than Aiden had expected.
A level of competence rarely seen in Deril and Yuron. Aiden was thoroughly satisfied with the Execution Squad's skills.
Siron, in particular, stood out, and he found himself somewhat looking forward to seeing her in actual combat.
All time not spent gauging each other's abilities was devoted to travel.
Several days had already passed since entering the Count's territory.
The House of Karshua possessed the largest domain in the Empire.
Because of this, even after arriving, it took Aiden two more days of hard riding just to reach the vicinity of the lord's castle.
The carriage had been left behind in a village at the territory's entrance.
"A fortress of steel."
Jude pointed at the massive stronghold from his saddle.
The crude stone fortress built upon the barren eastern lands held no trace of splendor.
Designed solely for military purposes, it stood guard with an ironclad presence.
Its master, Margrave Repel von Karshua, was the Shield of the East.
The lord emerged through the castle gates and rode toward Aiden, followed by his troops.
Siron watched their approach and remarked:
"So that's who's been tailing us—the Rangers of the East."
The Rangers must have reported Aiden's description to their lord. The hero recorded in the holy texts had come visiting.
The sound of hooves grew closer. The cavalry kicked up dust as they halted before Aiden.
Dozens dismounted simultaneously. Their unified movements proved their elite status.
Aiden and the Holy Guards also dismounted and walked toward them.
The white-haired old general at their forefront was the master of the East.
An elderly man in full plate armor, dignified despite his age, with eyes as sharp as a hawk's.
Aiden saluted.
"Commander of the Eastern Front, it's an honor. I am the paladin, Aiden."
The Count responded with solemn courtesy.
"Though I'm but a country bumpkin from the frontier, I know who you are."
The Margrave extended his hand.
"Dispensing with formalities—may I shake the hand of a hero?"
Aiden nodded and clasped hands with him.
Both felt the other's firm grip. The Count smiled approvingly.
"Thanks to you, I've lived to see the era recorded in the holy texts. A glorious thing. You have my gratitude."
"Not at all. It's because you've defended the Empire that such an era could come. The thanks are mine."
The Count burst into hearty laughter.
"A hero who hasn't lost his humility. You wouldn't be out of place as Tarshein's Second Coming."
"You flatter me too much."
Aiden gave a slight bow before swiftly changing the subject.
"I came here with a purpose."
The Count nodded as if he already knew.
"The strange occurrences in the forest must be serious enough to warrant your attention."
He was referring to the mass deaths of the giants. Aiden shook his head.
"No. But I can't disclose the details—it's classified."
"I won't pry. If you need my help, I'll lend my strength."
"Open the barrier for us."
Beyond the steel fortress rose a long stone wall encircling the East. The barrier protecting humanity from giants and demons.
"My Holy Guards went out and returned just recently. It's no trouble."
He must have meant the intelligence unit.
"Then I'll ask this favor of you."
The Count grinned playfully.
"Perhaps the holy texts will tell me someday what you went out there to do. Haha!"
If the assassination succeeded and was deemed a heroic feat, the texts might record it. Not that it mattered.
Even if the Duchy checked the texts and realized the Empire was behind the prince's death, they wouldn't dare declare war.
The Duchy excelled at defense but lacked the capability to invade a major power.
If they made the first move, it would actually work in their favor.
Aiden nodded.
"We'll depart immediately."
"In such a hurry, eh? Very well, I'll have it opened at once."
The Count glanced at one of his knights, who immediately rushed toward the barrier.
"He'll prepare it. Let's go—I'll escort you personally." *The further they traveled past the steel fortress toward the barrier, the more the already barren eastern lands turned desolate, cracked and parched.
The Count grimaced as he surveyed the ground.
"Damn forest sucked all the vitality dry, leaving this wretched state."
Consequently, the East could barely sustain itself. Without support from the Church and the Empire, the County wouldn't survive.
Of course, the investment was necessary—if this place fell, the heartlands would be in danger too.
Aiden drew a holy sigil.
"The Lord remembers the noble sacrifices of House Karshua."
"Thank you. But without the Church, the East wouldn't exist either."
"The reverse is equally true."
"Haha! Coming from you, that gladdens me."
The Count pointed ahead.
"We're almost there."
The majestic barrier came into view.
The stone wall touching the clouds stretched endlessly to either side.
The Gray Wall that had stood guard for over a century.
One had to crane their neck at a right angle just to glimpse its summit.
As the Count rapidly approached and signaled, a knight shouted orders. Simultaneously, the sentries on the watchtowers moved with precision.
Moments later, the barrier emitted a deafening roar that shook the earth.
The massive iron gate at its base bellowed like a dragon.
KWAANG! An ear-splitting noise. Yet the eastern soldiers didn't flinch—their discipline held firm as they kept watch.
Soon, the lands beyond the Empire were revealed. Lush forests twisted into maze-like paths.
The Count swallowed a sigh.
"No matter how much we log, it regrows by the next day. If only a fraction of that vitality reached the East, I'd ask for nothing more."
"Someday, it will."
"Haha! If a hero says so, I'll believe it."
Aiden turned his horse in response.
"I'll remember your kindness."
"Nonsense. Then, I wish you good fortune."
With a slight bow, Aiden passed through the gate.
"Let's go."
He guided his horse slowly into the forest. Moments later, the iron gate slammed shut with a thunderous crash.
Mountain birds startled into flight.
They hadn't taken more than a few steps when—
The bright daylight gradually dimmed.
The towering ancient trees blocked the sun, allowing only scattered beams through.
The scent of phytoncides from the trees filled the air. The wide spacing between trunks made horseback travel manageable.
Siron trembled with excitement.
"They say giants grow by consuming the forest's vitality. They must be strong. I've decided—when I get leave, I'm coming here."
Jude shook his head.
"Leave? You'll be dead before that happens."
Faced with reality, Siron's expression turned gloomy. The Holy Guards all seemed to have their own hardships.
Aiden looked back at them.
"Pick up the pace."
He intended to cross the forest without rest if possible.
Petra seemed to have adapted to the terrain. Aiden loosened the reins and urged her into a full gallop.
The sound of hooves narrowed the distance as they advanced deeper into the forest. The scenery blurred past—though it was just trees, trees, and more trees.
They rode without pause, leaping over shallow ravines, crossing plateaus, and re-entering dense woods.
While ascending a slope and descending the other side, all four expressions hardened simultaneously.
Shhh—they sensed something moving swiftly through the trees alongside them.
Aiden immediately glanced back at the Holy Guards. As instructed, none reacted, keeping their gazes fixed ahead.
Even Siron obeyed the order, gripping the reins tightly with remarkable restraint.
Just as Aiden turned forward again in relief, he saw silver hair fluttering in the wind.
A woman sitting opposite him on Petra's back, playfully swishing her snow-white tail.
She smiled enchantingly and spoke.
"Aiden, will you forgive me?"
Her voice was melodious, but Aiden's expression was anything but pleased.