Chapter 378
Chapter 378
Chapter 378
Zeke was startled when he saw the Sage becoming transparent.
'Is the projection disappearing?'
The Sage, being a projection, seemed to disappear from the physical world as the original body awakened.
The Sage nodded understandingly while looking at his own body.
"With this, I have completed all my duties."
The Sage spoke to Zeke with a benevolent expression.
"Immortal one, when I disappear, please help the Naga of this city venture out into the world."
"Are you saying you will open up this city?"
The Sage nodded at Zeke's words.
"As the Divine Dragon's divinity was sealed, this forest gradually lost its power. At the same time, the Naga lost their place to go. To protect them, I made this place a sealed zone."
The southern jungle was certainly a harsher environment to live in compared to other forests.
Zeke had thought the jungle was naturally like that, but now it seemed the environment had become harsh because the forest lost its power when the Divine Dragon was sealed.
The Sage spoke while looking at Zeke.
"Though I say I didn't open the city for their sake, in truth, I was afraid. I was concerned that in a situation where the original Divine Dragon's power was gradually weakening, we might not be able to stop outsiders if they entered. My desire to protect them may have actually blocked the Naga' potential..."
Zeke shook his head at those words.
"That's not true. Isn't it thanks to your wise decision that this city has been maintained until now?"
He spoke while looking around the city.
"This is a wonderful place that doesn't fall behind any city in the Central Continent. If they can interact with other southern cities I'm connected with, it will be greatly beneficial for both humans and Naga."
At Zeke's words, the Sage had a distant expression as if recalling ancient times.
The Sage's body became more transparent than before.
Zeke noticed he would soon completely disappear and asked the Sage.
"Do you have any other words to leave behind?"
The Sage shook his head.
"I've left behind everything necessary, so there's no need for anything more. They will manage well even without me."
He spoke while looking at Zeke.
"Immortal one. May peace and tranquility be with you on your arduous journey ahead."
At the same time, green light flowed from the Sage's body.
The light rippled in Zeke's hand, and something appeared in his palm.
[The Sage of the Dense Silent Forest delivers 'Chronos's Seal' to the administrator.]
[The Sage of the Dense Silent Forest delivers part of the 'Sage's Stone' to the administrator.]
'Sage's Stone?'
Before Zeke could ask anything, the Sage's body turned into light and disappeared.
At the same time, a message appeared.
[You have acquired 2/4 of the Chronos Kingdom's Seal.]
[When all remaining seals are found, the coordinates of Chronos Kingdom's treasury will be activated.]
―Main Quest Mission (Connected)―
[Take the sacred relic containing the power of the beginning to the forgotten primordial temple. (No time limit / Coordinates automatically activated when all three sacred relics are acquired.)]
[Find and restore the scattered seals of the Chronos Kingdom. (No time limit / 2 seals remaining)]
[Activate the coordinates of the Chronos Kingdom's treasury with the restored kingdom seal.]
[Main Quest Mission Reward: ???]
[Connected Quest Mission Reward: Title 'Heir of the Chronos Kingdom']
Two seals remained to activate the coordinates.
'One remaining in the Northern Continent, one in the Central Continent.'
When all seals are gathered and the title 'Heir of the Chronos Kingdom' is obtained, the path to the primordial temple will also open.
Zeke guessed that he might find a way to stop the Demon King there.
'I can probably find the seal in the Northern Continent somehow... but the last seal in the Central Continent is in the Rom Empire.'
Since Arthur Draker had declared war first against Abel who was trying to ascend to Emperor, it was fair to say they were already at war with the Empire.
'I'll have to clash with the Rom Empire anyway to stop the Abyss and Jiemens. I should look for the seal while attacking their base.'
Zeke looked at the red stone left behind by the sage who was an incarnation of the divine dragon, putting aside thoughts about the last seal.
'The Philosopher's Stone.'
The Philosopher's Stone, with its red glow, emanated considerable warmth.
Zeke examined the information about the Philosopher's Stone.
―Philosopher's Stone Information―
The most mysterious substance containing the origin of all things. It possesses power that transcends causality.
'Power that transcends causality.'
Transcending causality essentially aligned with the meaning of being able to escape karma's sanctions.
Since there was no immediate use for the Philosopher's Stone, Zeke first placed it in his inventory.
At that moment, Kuesi and other Naga rushed to Zeke.
"S-Sir Z-Zeke. Where is the Sage...?"
Zeke explained to Kuesi what had just happened.
The expressions of Kuesi and the other Naga turned solemn after hearing the story from Zeke.
Kuesi soon nodded.
"The Sage always predicted this day would come. Though we thought it would happen someday, now that we're facing it, we can't help but feel greater fear."
Zeke spoke to Kuesi.
"The Sage wished for this city to be opened and for its members to go outside to find more possibilities."
Kuesi bit his lips firmly while looking at Zeke.
"That's what the Sage always said. Although we were prepared for this, it's overwhelming to figure out where to begin."
The other Naga showed similar reactions to Kuesi.
Zeke looked at them and Kuesi and said,
"Don't worry about that. I will introduce reliable people who can help you interact with other southern cities."
At those words, Kuesi brightened up and said,
"Is that really true?"
"Of course. First... do you have communication equipment here that can connect with the outside?"
Fortunately, even in this nearly sealed city, there was equipment for emergency communication with the outside.
However, since connection to the Central Continent was impossible, the limit was the Cusco Kingdom.
This didn't matter to Zeke, and he was able to contact the Cusco Kingdom side with Kuesi's help.
And several days later, Simon and Kei came to the dense Silent Forest with a delegation.
"Boss."
Simon bowed his head toward Zeke, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
"It's been a while, Simon."
Since Zeke held the position of Duke in the Cusco Kingdom, he had the highest rank except for the queen, so it was natural for Simon to show courtesy.
Additionally, Kei, who had been working diligently traveling between the Cusco Kingdom and the Southern Islands, had rushed here immediately after receiving Zeke's message.
"Really! Do you know how surprised I was when I received your message?"
Kei had heard the news that Zeke, who had been stopping monsters in the Dorta Republic, had gone missing.
So she too had been searching for the disappeared Zeke, mobilizing all her old Syndicate connections.
Then suddenly receiving contact from Zeke in the middle of the jungle was beyond shocking to the point of exhaustion.
Zeke smiled at Kei, who was sincerely worried about him.
"I'm sorry if I caused you worry. How is the situation in the Dorta Republic?"
Kei shook her head and spoke.
"After you and the high-ranking demon disappeared, the monsters lost control and collapsed. Lord Hades and Lady Yelin handled everything well after that, so don't worry."
Zeke nodded in relief after hearing the follow-up measures from Kei.
"That's good. I was worried there might be reinforcement troops."
Then Kei delivered unexpected news.
Omar, upon learning that Yelin was a descendant of the High Elves, had invited her to the Murk Empire to introduce her to the Sultan.
And Yelin, after learning through this contact that Zeke was safe, had moved to the Murk Empire with Hades to meet the Sultan.
'Though it's regrettable I couldn't go together, it can't be helped. I should visit later when urgent matters are resolved.'
Only after delivering all the news about Dorta did Kei have time to look around the Naga city.
"Goodness, I never imagined there would be such a city in the jungle."
"I feel the same way. Kei, this city has had no contact with the outside world for thousands of years. Would it be possible to interact with other cities with minimal friction?"
At Zeke's words, Kei nodded as he finished looking around slowly.
"Let's start by establishing relations with the Cusco Kingdom first and expand gradually. Are you planning to fully open the city?"
"It would be better to discuss the details with the person in charge here."
Zeke introduced Kuesi to Kei.
Though not perfect, Kuesi, who could speak the continental common language to some extent, began talking with Kei and soon enthusiastically explained the city's opening plans.
The items available for trade were substantial, including specialties only obtainable from the lush Silent Forest, their elaborately patterned textiles, and effective medicines.
Leaving the exchange matters to Kei, Zeke took a relaxing break. However, at that moment, Simon approached him.
"Boss, I have something to report."
Zeke nodded as if telling him to speak.
"The pharmaceutical factory in the Cusco Kingdom is proceeding with the production of new drugs, including antibiotics."
"Yes, I received a report from Sir Feinan about that before."
Simon's expression darkened as he spoke again.
"However, we've encountered a problem."
At those words, Zeke raised his body from where he was reclining in the chair.
"Did the twins cause trouble again?"
Simon shook his head.
"Those two have been behaving well since meeting with you, Boss."
"That's fortunate. Then what's the problem?"
"...I think it would be better for you to hear directly from the twins."
"Are Al and Jeff here too?"
"Yes. They were saying they were too scared to see you, so I had to drag them here forcefully."
Zeke snorted in disbelief.
"Bring them in."
Soon, Simon went outside and dragged in Al and Jeff.
Their previous mischievousness was nowhere to be found.
The two stood stiffly before Zeke, dripping with cold sweat and appearing frightened.
"It's been a while, Al, Jeff."
Al and Jeff took a deep breath in surprise at Zeke's greeting and awkwardly saluted.
"Gr-great Kn-knight of Sal-salvation... is this right?"
"Brother! Do it properly! We practiced!"
"Shut up! A-anyway. We-we pay our respects to Sir Zeke."
Zeke tilted his head as he looked at Al and Jeff trembling before him.
He spoke to Simon.
"Why are they acting like that? Did they eat something wrong?"
Simon whispered in Zeke's ear.
"They seem terrified because of their previous attempts to prank you and mess with the budget."
Zeke was a Guardian Knight of Draker, a Black Knight, and the renowned Knight of Salvation across the continent.
Al and Jeff had recently realized their target for pranks was such an impressive person, and they were so anxious they could barely sleep.
Afterwards, Feinan noticed Al and Jeff's weakness and would intimidate them by mentioning Zeke's name whenever they wouldn't listen or tried to misuse the budget.
As a result, Al and Jeff were now so afraid of Zeke that they were nearly neurotic.
Zeke chuckled upon hearing this.
"Al, Jeff. I've long forgotten about your past pranks, so there's no need to be scared."
Despite Zeke's words, Al and Jeff couldn't believe him and continued trembling.
Seeing this, Zeke figured further words would be useless and got to the main point.
"I heard new drugs were manufactured. Explain what the problem is."
Al and Jeff tried to push the explanation onto each other, but finally Al, who lost at rock-paper-scissors, agreed to explain.
"Um, do you perhaps know about the Alchemist Union...?"
Zeke frowned slightly and nodded.
'Those damn money-grubbing bastards.'
The Alchemist Union had a connection with Zeke in his previous life.
Most potions and medicines were produced by the Alchemist Union, and even those produced externally required their certification for market sale.
Given this situation, the Alchemist Union attached enormous certification fees to potions and medicines, taking unfair profits.
This Alchemist Union was located in a neutral city, and they too were caught up in the flames of war when the Continental War broke out.
They supported the Northern Continent rather than the Rom Empire and Draker, but they only claimed to provide support while being preoccupied with selling potions and medicines.
Zeke, who had negotiated with the Alchemist Union over the supply of potions and medicines, knew well how petty and greedy they were.
As he recalled the past, Al spoke up.
"Um... the Alchemist Union isn't giving us permit certification for our new drug."