Welcome to the Front Lines

Preparing to head to the North's front lines took almost no time at all. Since we'd already finished our preparations before being summoned, it only took a few hours for us to gather at the northern gate. Aron, the leader of the southern delegation, paused while organizing the ranks and bowed politely toward Vergo.

"It is an honor to meet one of humanity's pinnacles."

As he bowed, the southerners behind him followed suit. That was the kind of presence a Master-class adventurer carried. Even Aron, president of the Royal Academy of Lubern in the South, along with every other southerner, showed such deep respect for his exalted position.

"Pinnacle? Please, I'm still full of shortcomings."

"I've read many stories about you in fairy tale books since I was a child. A man who created legends single-handedly doesn't need to be so modest."

Even though he had come as a guest, Aron deliberately lowered himself, openly displaying his admiration. It was both proper etiquette for someone standing at the peak of human martial power and genuine respect for a hero who had been active since his youth.

Naturally, Vergo reacted with visible discomfort, almost cringing.

"You're embarrassing me, so please stop that. Let's just get moving."

"Haha. If it makes you uncomfortable, I won't say it again."

Seeing Vergo's genuine panic, Aron tactfully held back. Vergo let out a sigh of relief and ordered the delegation to depart.

The delegation moved at an impressive pace. It wasn't just the members' skill level—most of the supplies meant for the front-line forces had been stored in my inventory, which meant we were traveling light. We cut the expected travel time in half and gradually drew closer to the front lines, our hearts filled with a mix of tension and anticipation.

"This forest looks even bigger than the elves' Great Forest."

"The Sirgo Forest is pretty vast."

Neon, walking along with the column, stuck out his tongue in awe as he stared at the enormous ancient trees. Even after accounting for the teleport gates we'd used midway, we'd covered at least several hundred kilometers, yet the forest showed no signs of ending. On the contrary, as we moved farther north, the forest's vitality grew more pronounced. Trees dozens of meters tall began to look small beside truly colossal specimens that dominated the landscape.

The extraordinary sight of the Sirgo Forest left not only Neon but several southerners visibly impressed.

"Such abundant Mystery..."

"It's not quite on the level of the South, but it's strange that so much Mystery is concentrated here without causing major incidents."

"Is it because of the different properties of Mystery? Normally, if this much Mystery gathered in the South, it would trigger a phenomenon that would turn an entire city into ruins."

They studied the mysterious forest and discussed the peculiarities of the North. I watched them quietly for a moment before picking up my pace and carefully approaching Grid.

"How much farther until we reach the front lines?"

"Just a little more. We're almost there, so hang in there a bit longer."

I nodded at Grid's words. Personally, I was curious about what the front lines were like, so the remaining distance felt longer than it probably was. From what I'd heard, the place called the front lines wasn't as heavy and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠solemn as the name suggested. Instead, it was surprisingly full of interesting things. Paradoxically, I'd also heard it had the highest concentration of scholars anywhere.

The stories were all over the place, so I couldn't tell what was true until I saw it for myself. I held back my curiosity and kept moving.

Finally, after passing through the dense forest, mountains and a vast plain greeted us.

"Whoa."

"So this is the front lines?"

"The density of mana here is on another level."

A breathtakingly open plain and a clear blue sky welcomed us. Grass and flowers swayed gently in the breeze, and massive trees that looked like they could withstand even a typhoon beautifully framed the scenery. The sight was so paradise-like—so close to a resort rather than a place with such a harsh name—that the entire delegation was captivated.

Vergo walked forward, spread his arms wide, and grinned.

"Welcome ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to the front lines. This is where it gets real, so don't let your guard down."

At Vergo's words, the delegation snapped to attention. Well, to be precise, only the southerners and those visiting the front lines for the first time did. As he said, this was the front lines—the most dangerous region in the North, and practically the place where all of the North's military power was concentrated. A moment of carelessness could lead to catastrophic losses, so the delegation maintained their tension as they crossed the plain.

"Our destination is the base camp built between the mountain ranges straight ahead."

"It's closer than I expected?"

"Moving an entire mountain range isn't something even we can do."

The place Vergo pointed to was a city built along a mountain range carved as steeply as a canyon. It wasn't a jaw-droppingly massive city, but it still had a clear atmosphere of human habitation.

"That's the base camp?"

"It looks more like a city than a camp, but it's been called that since ancient times, so the name stuck."

"I see."

I nodded at Luna's explanation. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence, and there was no disadvantage to calling a city a base camp, so everyone just used the term out of habit.

As we drew closer to the city, I examined its unique appearance. Luna smiled faintly and continued explaining about the front lines.

"This is Starus, the starting point of the front lines and the final defensive stronghold. Most adventurers use this place as a base to pioneer the lands beyond the front lines and establish the real base camps there."

"So they're gradually expanding the territory like that?"

"That's right. They regularly form subjugation teams to claim territory and slowly push the boundaries outward."

Of course, it wasn't easy work, so the pace of expansion was extremely slow. The monsters certainly wouldn't give up their land without a fight, so it must be a difficult battle.

While I was quietly marveling, we arrived at Starus. A group of people was already waiting at the entrance, apparently having received word of our arrival. At the front stood a handsome middle-aged man with silver hair. He smiled gently and greeted us.

"Welcome to the northern front lines. I am Luden Edenberg, the current head of the Edenberg family."

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Aron, president of the Royal Academy of Lubern."

The appearance of someone far more important than expected made Aron smile warmly as they exchanged greetings. While they engaged in light conversation to ease the mood, I couldn't help but let out a quiet gasp upon seeing the family head I'd only heard rumors about until now. The mysterious aura he gave off made it immediately clear why the symbol of the Edenberg Countship was a deer beneath a white moon.

At Luden Edenberg's appearance, Hornst dropped to one knee with a heavy thud.

"Fifth Knight Order Commander Hornst! Thanks to Your Excellency's great generosity, I have resolved my family matters and returned!"

"Mm. I'm glad to hear it was resolved well."

"It is all thanks to Your Excellency. I was able to completely uproot every last one of those rotten bastards who targeted my family."

Luden chuckled warmly at Hornst's words. Unlike his bold decision to casually send a Sword Master-level force to the Central region, Luden seemed to have a gentle personality. He laughed softly and helped Hornst to his feet.

"While you were away in the Central region, I filled the empty spots in the knight order. I'll hand everything over to you later, so check the documents in the commander's office."

"Thank you. I'll need to catch up on how the war situation has developed while I was gone."

"More importantly, let's get moving. The commander is waiting."

After finishing the conversation, Luden guided us forward. As we followed him, I was able to observe the interior of the city. The more I sensed the aura radiating from the people walking the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠streets, the more I realized just how absurd this place truly was.

"Argo, even the weakest people here are at the very top of Bronze rank."

"Why do Silver-class adventurers look as common as Bronze ones here?"

Adela and Neon wore dazed expressions as they walked. It was causing a kind of cognitive dissonance—Silver-class adventurers, who were rare to see elsewhere, were everywhere in Starus.

I nodded in understanding at their reactions.

"This place is essentially where all the North's power is concentrated. It's only natural when you consider that not only adventurers but also the main forces of the nobility have gathered here."

The nobles who were usually so hard to spot could probably be seen here as commonly as stray dogs on the street. It made sense, since they'd swept up every knight-level combatant as well.

Marveling at the relatively common sight of even Gold-class powerhouses, we continued moving. After a brief conversation, they led us to the ramparts connected to the uncharted lands beyond the front lines.

Luden climbed onto the wall and respectfully bowed his head toward a handsome black-haired man who was observing the area beyond the ramparts.

"Lord Arthur Libertas, as you commanded, I have brought the delegation."

"They're finally here! I thought my neck would snap from waiting so long!"

At Luden's report, the head of the Libertas Grand Duchy, Arthur, greeted us with a cheerful laugh.

"Sorry I couldn't come out to welcome you personally when guests arrived."

"Not at all. Considering Your Grace's reputation, I would have felt more uncomfortable if you had."

"How humble. Actually, I originally planned to greet you myself instead of Luden."

"The fact that you 'planned to' suggests some kind of problem has occurred here, doesn't it?"

"As expected, talking with a smart friend is so convenient."

Arthur pointed beyond the ramparts with his finger. Following the direction he indicated, I saw something that looked like dots in the far distance. As the size of those dots gradually grew larger, Aron's expression turned to one of dawning realization.

"Is that... by any chance...?"

"It's a monster wave. It's a sight you can see every month on the front lines."

Crazy.

I barely managed to swallow the thought that nearly slipped out at Arthur's words. At least a thousand monsters, ranging from Bronze to Silver rank, were visible. The sight of a horde powerful enough to laugh off even magically reinforced walls charging straight toward us left me speechless.

"Don't worry about the mountain range. The mountains themselves are infused with Mystery, making them a natural heavenly barrier. As long as we hold this spot, most creatures can't cross over."

"...Do that many usually come down?"

"The numbers have been increasing lately."

Perhaps it was because he held the position of Royal Academy president, but Aron calmly assessed the situation with a serious expression.

"It must be because of the Named Monster."

"That's right. That thing is testing the waters."

"The fact that this many monsters coming down every month is merely a precursor phenomenon..."

"That's why it's a Named Monster, isn't it?"

While Arthur responded casually, Aron pressed his forehead as if he had a headache.

"The problem is more serious than I thought."

"If it was something we could handle ourselves, we wouldn't have asked the South for help."

"I understand. That's why the South recognized the severity of the situation and dispatched me."

With a determined expression, Aron turned to look at me.

"Mister Argo, could you bring out the new weapon?"

"Should I take it out here?"

"Yes. I'll handle the operation."

At Aron's request, I took out the new weapon on top of the rampart. Aron poured mana into it. The four-meter-tall silver sphere floated gently into the air, and complex mana circuits rose to its surface.

"The North and South have exchanged knowledge for a long time. During that period, the South conducted sufficient research on the North's monsters. We also proceeded with the development of a weapon that His Grace the Grand Duke secretly requested."

After briefly explaining the background of the new weapon, Aron took out a bundle of mana stones from his pocket.

"To be honest, it was a difficult request. The more we researched the North's monsters, the more we realized they were absurdly strong."

The mana stones, which emitted a brilliant glow indicating they were of quite high grade, were placed against the weapon without hesitation. Ripples spread across its surface as the weapon absorbed the stones.

"Still, after putting in enough effort..."

As the weapon's circuits began to glow after absorbing all the mana contained within the stones, Aron skillfully manipulated his mana to activate it.

"We ended up creating something surprisingly useful."

Kwaaaaaaaaaaa—!

Concentrated mana shot out from the weapon like a laser. The Mana Concentration Cannon stretched out in a straight line, literally tearing apart every monster in its path. Silver-class monsters seemed to resist for a moment, but anything below that was swept away without any chance to fight back.

"Allow me to introduce it. This is the pinnacle of southern engineering technology—the ridiculously expensive Mana Concentration Cannon. It consumes top-grade mana ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stones like water with every shot, takes a long time to recharge, and is a dedicated anti-monster annihilation weapon."

As Aron spread his arms wide in introduction, the mana cannon created a spectacular explosion behind him. Although his description of the new weapon was filled with negative adjectives, the expressions of the northerners watching the Mana Concentration Cannon were filled with pure satisfaction.