Chapter 205
Chapter 205
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 205
Chapter Title: Derhan Kingdom
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Derhan was a tiny kingdom that shared its eastern border with the Empire.
Its territory was only about a tenth the size of the Empire’s, and its military was even smaller by comparison.
But it was also an incredibly wealthy kingdom.
By conducting trade diplomacy between the great powers, it had reaped substantial profits.
Thanks to that, there were no starving citizens, and it had enjoyed peaceful days for the past several decades.
But that was no longer the case.
The once-bustling markets had grown eerily desolate, and the faces of people who used to shine with joy were now overshadowed.
There was one reason for it.
Rumors that the Empire and Aier were going to war.
“We’re supposed to open the way for them?”
“Damn Holy Kingdom bastards. How much do they look down on us to make such a demand….”
“What the hell are our leaders thinking, agreeing to let them through?”
“We had no choice. If we didn’t, they’d come after us first.”
“Even so! It would’ve been better to ask the Empire for military support instead.”
“And if a war breaks out here? The whole kingdom would be turned to rubble.”
Whenever two or more citizens gathered, they were busy gossiping about it.
“By the way, did you hear the news?”
“What news?”
Someone whispered quietly.
“They say the heroes are coming.”
“What? You mean those heroes?”
The mere rumor of the long-talked-about heroes arriving startled everyone.
“To help us?”
“Nah, no way. Apparently, they’re just here for training.”
The rumor spread throughout Derhan faster than the heroes could travel.
As anxiety about Aier grew, so did the anticipation of possibly seeing the heroes in person.
That’s when Seo Woo-jin and the other 98 heroes entered Derhan.
“It would’ve been great if there was a gate here too. Right?”
Lee Ji-ah grumbled.
“The train was pretty fun, though.”
“It’s still just a train. Gates are way more amazing, convenient, and fast. I wish there was a law mandating gates across the entire continent. So we wouldn’t have to suffer like this every time we travel.”
Her companions burst into laughter at her words.
“Why don’t you suggest it to the Emperor? Or the Tower Lord.”
Goo Dong-hwan said with a fatherly smile.
Their actual age difference wasn’t that great, but his burly build made him look like a dad next to his daughter.
“Once this is over, I really will.”
Lee Ji-ah replied with a determined expression.
“But the mood here isn’t great.”
Just then, Gye Soo-ji chimed in to lighten the atmosphere.
The heroes’ laughter felt out of place amid the grim expressions on the faces around them.
Of course, some people looked at the heroes with curiosity, but the overall vibe was heavy.
“Because of the war?”
“Probably.”
Goo Dong-hwan confirmed the citizens’ expressions and hardened his face.
“It’s got to sting their pride, having to open the border out of fear of Aier’s power.”
Everyone nodded at Seo Woo-jin’s words.
If Korea were in Derhan’s position, they’d be furious too.
“Mister, do you really think we can stop Aier?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Lee Ji-ah seemed worried again by Derhan’s atmosphere.
But this time, it wasn’t so much about the heroes getting dragged into war—it was more concern for the innocent civilians who might suffer.
“If something like that happens, the Empire and the other kingdoms won’t just stand by.”
With the Demon King’s descent looming, starting a war was bad enough, but touching harmless kingdom citizens?
The neighboring kingdoms wouldn’t tolerate it.
And for Aier, that would leave only destruction in its future.
“This way.”
As Seo Woo-jin finished speaking, Ludein’s voice rang out.
He was leading at the front with the other instructors.
“We’ll move to the subjugation site through here.”
Ludein pointed to a teleportation magic circle.
It was so pathetically small compared to the Empire’s gates that it probably could only transport two or three people at a time.
“The instructors will go first to secure the area, then we’ll start moving you in order.”
Ludein sent the instructors through the circle in the predetermined sequence.
“Good thing.”
Gye Soo-ji smiled.
Lee Ji-ah looked embarrassed.
“If I’d known there was something like this, I would’ve held out a bit longer.”
She felt like she’d come off as impatient for complaining unnecessarily.
“Next, please.”
Seo Woo-jin and his companions were near the front, so their turn came quickly.
“I’ll go ahead and wait.”
Seo Woo-jin stepped onto the circle with Lee Ji-ah and Kim Da-hye.
“Ready? Moving now.”
Seo Woo-jin nodded, and Ludein activated the circle.
Having experienced it many times at the Sky Tower, Seo Woo-jin relaxed and let it happen.
Whoosh—!
The world shifted in a blaze of light.
“…A plain?”
Still adjusting, Lee Ji-ah blinked rapidly.
“Zarba Plain.”
Seo Woo-jin repeated the name Yorn had mentioned.
“This way, please.”
Knights who had arrived ahead guided Seo Woo-jin’s group aside.
A base camp was already set up there.
Somehow, in that short time, they’d pitched high-end tents for all the heroes.
“Please rest here. We’ll brief you on the schedule once everyone’s arrived.”
The knight bowed politely and left.
Watching him go, Lee Ji-ah suddenly asked,
“What monster are we hunting again?”
She’d been too busy venting earlier to catch the important details from Yorn.
“Ancient Orcs.”
“Oh, orcs?”
She’d heard the name before and made an “oh” face.
“I know them. The ones with pig heads, right? Like, snort! Snort!?”
No idea where she got that image, but it differed from the real thing.
“They’re about three meters tall and look more human than pig. Green skin and long tusks are the main differences. Oh, and they don’t snort.”
Lee Ji-ah pouted at Seo Woo-jin’s explanation.
“If you picture orcs from novels or games, you might get a rude awakening. They’re highly intelligent with insane combat sense.”
According to Briana, they were the epitome of a warrior race.
One Ancient Orc matched the strength of thirty well-trained soldiers.
And there were about twenty thousand of them.
Even for heroes, it was no force to take lightly.
“That’s correct.”
Ludein, who had just crossed to Zarba Plain, chimed in agreement.
“You’ve arrived?”
Seo Woo-jin greeted him, and Ludein bowed politely before explaining to Lee Ji-ah.
“The Ancient Orcs of Zarba Plain are too powerful for Derhan to subjugate alone.”
“So you haven’t cleared them until now?”
“Not exactly. We’ve deliberately left them be.”
Lee Ji-ah tilted her head.
“Why? Wouldn’t they be dangerous?”
“There are various reasons.”
Ludein explained why they’d left the Ancient Orcs alone.
They stayed in their territory, caused minimal damage nearby, had intelligence, and could even be mutually beneficial at times.
And above all,
“We planned to use them as stepping stones for your growth later on.”
As a kind of hunting ground.
“Of course, that wasn’t meant for now….”
Originally, it was slated for at least six months to a year later.
By then, they figured the heroes could handle them with minimal risk.
But thanks to Aier, the timeline had accelerated dramatically.
“Don’t worry, though. You’ve all grown far faster than we expected.”
Especially Seo Woo-jin’s companions—their progress was dazzling.
At least 1.5 times faster than the others.
It had spurred the rest of the heroes too, speeding up overall growth.
This was ahead of schedule, but they met the minimum requirements for subjugation.
“Plus, we’ll provide maximum support, so nothing dangerous will happen.”
Seo Woo-jin inwardly clicked his tongue at Ludein’s words.
They were still treating the heroes like flowers in a greenhouse.
He understood cherishing each one as precious assets, but….
‘Coddle them too much, and they won’t perform in real combat.’
Even the academy was pushing real combat experience with that in mind.
But to Seo Woo-jin, who’d brushed death countless times, it was still woefully insufficient.
‘No need to bring it up now.’
Unlike the others, his companions had plenty of training.
He had neither the duty nor the spare energy to worry about the rest.
“Looks like everyone’s made it safely.”
The small circle took time, but with so few heroes, it was quick.
Support knights were still crossing, but with all heroes present, no need to wait longer.
“Everyone, gather up.”
They’d be living on Zarba Plain for a while.
Plenty to prepare, and precise subjugation intel to share.
“Oh, and….”
Ludein approached Seo Woo-jin.
He whispered so no one else could hear.
“His Majesty commanded to let Seo Woo-jin act freely.”
He couldn’t guess why the Emperor issued such a direct order.
But he didn’t ask.
It was a royal command—he’d follow without question.
“Got it.”
Seo Woo-jin nodded.
To fulfill the Emperor’s request, solo action was essential.
He’d move only at night to avoid others, but guaranteed freedom would make it much easier.
Seo Woo-jin thanked Ludein and started walking.
‘When should I start?’
Aier hadn’t invaded yet.
They’d just massed over fifty thousand troops at the border.
But the mood made it clear their advance was imminent.
‘Once they enter Derhan.’
That’s when Seo Woo-jin would move.
Or more precisely, the ‘black existence’ would reemerge into the world.