Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Forest of Death
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A massive forest came into view.
Its official name was Philotain Rase.
In ancient tongue, it meant an endless green sea.
True to its name, the forest stretched out vast enough to reach beyond the horizon.
"It's really huge."
Seowoojin marveled as he gazed at the forest through the train window.
"It's the largest forest not just in the Empire, but across the entire continent. Most of the elf race lives in Philotain Rase."
Even combined, it was larger than three or four major cities, so there was plenty of room despite over 80% of the elf population gathering there.
Of course, this was only possible because the elf race numbered far fewer than humans.
"We should reach our destination soon."
Not far from Philotain Rase lay their goal: the Forest of Death.
"Is that one huge too?"
Seowoojin asked.
"No. It's incomparably small. Just your typical little woodland."
"And yet people kept going missing there..."
"Which means it's likely tied to those bastards."
If Banslain hadn't stumbled upon traces of Demonic Energy and pursued them, it would have remained a mystery to this day.
"What on earth could be there?"
Crusiel's Agna had declared the Forest of Death as the base for the faction swarming with monsters like Gerald, Reyna, and Lion—beings who had reached the transcendent realm.
Just by their numbers alone, they surpassed the Empire by leaps and bounds.
Their base...
It was impossible to imagine what might lurk there.
"We'll know when we get there. Crusiel started investigating first, so they must have uncovered something by now."
Banslain seemed to place great trust in the organization known as Crusiel.
"Well, fair enough."
Considering how they'd found Baek Siwoo, it made sense.
"What exactly does Crusiel do?"
"Hmm, simply put, it's a secret agency that protects the Empire from the shadows."
Crusiel Secret Intelligence Agency.
As expected, it resembled America's CIA, the old Soviet KGB, or Korea's National Intelligence Service.
The difference was that it wielded far greater power and authority than any of those.
"It's directly under the Emperor's command. It answers to no one but him."
Crusiel's will was the Emperor's will.
Not even the nobles could regulate their actions.
At best, they could hope Crusiel's blade never turned toward them.
They even had the authority for summary executions of nobles if needed...
It was even more formidable than he'd imagined.
"If the Guardians are the Empire's exposed blade, then Crusiel is the hidden one."
After hearing Banslain's explanation, Seowoojin revised his estimate of Crusiel's capabilities upward.
With that kind of power, they must have gathered quite a bit of intel on the Forest of Death by now.
"Looks like we're almost there."
At Banslain's words, Seowoojin peered out the window.
The expansive Philotain Rase had vanished, replaced by wide-open plains.
"Time to prepare to disembark."
A train station came into view in the distance.
It was the station in the city closest to their destination, the Forest of Death.
"It's so refreshing."
Eileen took a deep breath and said.
Was it because the continent's largest forest was nearby?
The air certainly felt crisp and invigorating.
'Maybe it just feels that way after coming from Jinahan.'
The desert city of Jinahan.
Its air was so bad, no one would call it good even in jest.
Seowoojin felt his mind calming as he inhaled the long-missed scent of phytoncides.
"We're ready, Lord Banslain."
At that moment, Ronain approached and spoke politely.
"Hoho, no need for 'lord.' Just using my title is more than enough."
Though Banslain told him to be casual, Ronain couldn't.
"How could I dare."
This was a man who had earned the title Sword Ghost even before Ronain was old enough to hold a sword.
A figure often compared to the Empire's Sword Sage.
Just performing a mission alongside him was an honor.
Using the utmost respect was only natural.
Banslain chuckled helplessly and shook his head.
"People these days. Anyway, let's get going. Time's short."
What Ronain and the White Silver Knights had prepared were horses.
Seowoojin, who had assumed it would be a carriage again, brightened up.
He had never ridden a horse directly before.
'Oh...'
Dozens of horses stood in formation.
The sight of the White Silver Knights mounted and waiting was truly spectacular.
"The horses are over here."
Ronain personally guided the group to the prepared mounts.
There, three magnificent white horses were snorting eagerly.
"They're all top-notch."
Even to Seowoojin, who knew little about horses, they looked like prized steeds.
"Pick one and mount up."
At Ronain's words, Seowoojin eagerly chose the one at the front.
"Have you ridden before?"
Banslain asked, and Seowoojin shook his head.
"First time."
"I see. Well, shouldn't be a problem."
Banslain briefly considered teaching him but shrugged it off.
Seowoojin was a hero.
One who had grown beyond all others.
That meant he had long transcended human limits.
Mastering the basics of riding would take him mere minutes, given his physical prowess.
"Still, just in case... Eileen."
When Banslain called, Eileen, who had been stroking a horse behind Seowoojin, turned.
"Yes?"
"Teach him well."
"Understood."
Eileen nodded without hesitation, as if she'd planned to do so from the start.
"Good. Let's head out."
As Banslain mounted, Seowoojin leaped lightly onto his horse's back.
Prrr-
The horse reared back briefly at the unfamiliar rider.
But only for a moment.
True to its pedigree, it soon calmed and accepted Seowoojin obediently.
"There, good boy."
A gentle stroke on its neck made the horse shake its head contentedly.
"Depart!"
At Ronain's shout from the lead, the horses surged forward.
Thud thud thud thud-!
The ground trembled.
Seowoojin focused on guiding his mount, savoring the thrilling vibrations.
'Hmm, like this. Got it?'
Though it was his first time, just as Banslain predicted, there were no real difficulties.
Eileen, watching from beside him, didn't need to teach anything.
Simply syncing his body to the horse's movements was enough.
Seowoojin raced through the wind.
Galloping across the open plains felt like it cleared his very soul.
"How's your first time riding?"
Eileen suddenly asked.
"It's great. Makes me regret not trying it sooner."
Seowoojin grinned in reply.
Pure speed-wise, running on his own legs was faster.
But riding a horse brought a unique thrill different from sprinting alone.
Especially with a fully armored knight order flanking them.
"I'm glad."
Eileen smiled faintly.
She found Seowoojin's childlike joy endearing.
"You'll be riding a lot from now on."
"...Really?"
Trains handled long distances—far more convenient and swift.
Short trips were better on foot or by carriage.
Riding occasionally was one thing, but frequently?
Seowoojin tilted his head, and Eileen continued.
"Horses are essential in war."
"Ah, war."
Only then did Seowoojin understand.
Once the Great War began, most transport would be destroyed.
No matter how strong the Empire, they couldn't protect every rail line in a world-ending conflict.
Horses would naturally become indispensable.
"Plus, a knight order's mounted charge unleashes tremendous power."
He knew from movies.
A single charge shattering enemy lines was awe-inspiringly cool.
He'd thought it exaggerated for cinema, but Eileen's words suggested otherwise.
"It'll be far more devastating than you imagine, Seowoojin."
Ronain, riding alongside, joined in.
"Is that so?"
Ronain commanded the Empire's premier White Silver Knights.
His words carried real weight.
"But it's dangerous too."
That was when knights died most.
If the charge broke through, fine.
But if it stalled?
A halted mounted charge meant death.
Even the strongest knight couldn't last long surrounded.
Unless they were upper transcendent realm, but such knights weren't commonplace.
"You should get as familiar with horses as possible before war breaks out. You're doing well already, though."
He trailed off, implying there was still a ways to go.
Not at one-with-the-horse level yet, but at least he needed to handle it like an extension of his limbs.
"Thanks for the advice."
Seowoojin bowed slightly toward Ronain.
'I've never fought a war.'
Battles, yes—but war? No experience.
Movies were his only reference.
The closest was the northern subjugation.
Even that paled against true war.
Reality would differ vastly from imagination.
'I need to study up on warfare.'
Plenty of teachers around.
Knights galore, some with real war experience against other nations.
'After this mission wraps up.'
Seowoojin focused on riding, postponing those thoughts.
How long had they galloped?
Just as he was getting comfortable...
"There it is ahead."
The forest appeared.
"...That's the Forest of Death?"
It looked utterly ordinary, belying its ominous name.
Not vast like Philotain Rase, nor gloomy like Demon Realm Heldein.
Just a commonplace small wood.
Hard to believe people vanished there.
But Seowoojin hardened his expression.
"Definitely..."
The others seemed oblivious.
Everyone except one: Banslain.
"You sense it too, eh."
Banslain sidled up.
"Yeah, crystal clear."
Demonic Energy.
An invisible aura enveloped the entire forest.
"That place is practically hell now."
"It wasn't like that when I left. Looks like Crusiel's been spotted."
His voice grew grave.
"We need to hurry."
Ronain nodded at Seowoojin's words.
"Full speed!"
The horses accelerated.
Seowoojin heightened his tension slightly, glaring at the forest ahead.
'Not gonna be easy this time either.'
True to its name, the Forest of Death roiled with lethal energy.