Chapter 106
Chapter 106
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: The Founding King
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[Who are you?]
Having stepped inside the stone wall, Woojin stared at the spirit that appeared before him with a tense gaze.
Fluttering hair.
Deep, piercing eyes.
A physique that exuded both elegance and strength.
And a face so beautiful it could be mistaken for a woman's.
It was strange.
No one had told him the name, but the moment Woojin saw the figure, he knew by instinct.
The founding king of the Tekan Kingdom, Kahla.
The only human in continental history said to have commanded Fenrir.
‘So this is the person who built a bond with Fenrir... If it's him, it makes sense.’
Never expecting his spirit to be lingering here, Woojin hurriedly bowed his head to show respect.
“I greet the Founding King.”
[This should be a place where no human foot can tread... How did you arrive here?]
“Upon receiving reports that Fenrir was spotted in the mountains, the subjects of the Tekan Kingdom were investigating this area.”
[You do not look like a subject of the kingdom, though?]
“No. I am one who came along with Aswell Balan to find this place. I have been learning swordsmanship from him.”
[The Balan family... Are they still going strong?]
Kahla repeated the name of the Balan family several times as if reminiscing.
“I came here to borrow the power of Fenrir.”
[Fenrir’s power? The power of a Primordial Holy Spirit is not something a human can handle.]
“As far as I know, the Tekan Kingdom is scheduled to go to war with the remaining two kingdoms soon. If we have Fenrir’s help, the other two kingdoms will easily surrender.”
Despite his rejection, Woojin continued his answer without hesitation.
[You mean to use Fenrir’s power for war.]
“It is a measure to save more lives.”
At Woojin’s answer, Kahla gazed at him silently.
Thump—.
Then, he brought something and set it down in front of Woojin.
A large glass tube.
Inside, white smoke flickered like a flame.
“This is...?”
[The soul of the Fenrir who was with me. The one you met now is his offspring.]
‘So the Fenrir Kahla handled was a different individual.’
[Fenrir is a divine beast that can live a lifetime. But what happened? As a result of being with me, all that remains of him is this small soul fragment.]
Whoosh——!
He approached Woojin.
[I will open the way to the top, so take your companions and go back.]
As he raised his hand, a section of the stone wall distorted.
Boom—! CRASH—!!
The noisy sounds of battle could be heard behind the distorted space.
‘They’re still fighting.’
It was a relief.
It was surely a difficult situation, but the fact that the battle was ongoing meant they were still alive.
[Go back and tell your companions. Tell them to abandon their greed for Fenrir. Tell them not to let him be sacrificed in human wars any longer.]
“I’m sorry, but I cannot do that.”
[...Why?]
“It was Fenrir who revealed himself first. He was scouring the mountains as if looking for something.”
Woojin picked up the baby Fenrir standing next to him.
“Do you see? I don't know the reason, but the young Fenrir is not in good condition.”
[Grrr...]
Stroking the head of the little one, who growled as if failing to recognize Kahla, Woojin continued.
“If left like this, things will surely go very wrong. Rather, Kahla, could you tell Fenrir not to misunderstand? Tell him that I will treat this child no matter what happens.”
Flash—!!
But at that moment, white lightning struck in front of Woojin.
[A shallow lie. Treat Fenrir? You? How? No matter how great a human is, it is impossible to cure the illness of a Holy Spirit.]
“What if it’s not a human?”
[...What?]
“If it’s the Elven race, they might know a way.”
Woojin had been thinking constantly while coming here.
The reason why Fenrir had revealed himself.
The moment he saw the sick baby Fenrir, he knew.
It wasn't because of the Black Dragon, nor was it because of himself.
‘It’s because the Elves appeared.’
After the Black Dragon War concluded, the Fairy Queen had healed his severed arm.
Fenrir must have sensed her power back then.
‘If it's the Fairy Queen... she might be able to treat Fenrir.’
And right now, the only person who could meet the Elves was himself.
[Do you intend to use Fenrir by using the cub’s treatment as a pretext?]
Woojin shook his head at his question.
“I am not even a person of the Tekan Kingdom. Borrowing Fenrir's power is something they must handle on their own. I only wish to treat the injured cub.”
[Kang! Kang!]
The baby Fenrir circled around Woojin.
“Perhaps it’s because his scent rubbed off while fighting Fenrir.”
[No. It is not because of his mother’s scent.]
“Pardon? Then...”
[I see... You are the master of a Phantom Spirit.]
Kahla nodded as if he understood.
[Yes, this is the scent of Camilla.]
Surely, among the materials needed to hatch Setsuna was Camilla’s fur.
It was natural for Setsuna to smell like Camilla, but to detect that scent even on Woojin, who was with her, meant he had a truly incredible sense of smell.
“That’s right. I used Camilla’s fur to hatch the Phantom Spirit’s egg.”
[Indeed...]
Kahla looked over Woojin again.
[If you are the master of a Phantom Spirit, things might be a bit different. Fine. I allow you to take the cub to them.]
“Thank you.”
Woojin stepped into the distorted space Kahla had created.
Flash—!
As the door vanished, darkness fell over the stone wall again.
[But it is a strange thing...]
Kahla muttered, stroking the glass tube containing Fenrir’s soul fragment.
[How was that man able to enter this place? The key to opening this door is surely... supposed to be inside Fenrir’s stomach.]
As if answering his monologue, Fenrir’s soul trembled.
[Normally, it is an item that should be given to the one who finds this place, but...]
He looked down at the box at his feet.
Name: Holy Spirit Slayer's Box
Description: A reward given to one who hunts Fenrir, one of the Primordial Holy Spirits.
[Perhaps I should give a different reward.]
Whoosh...!!
With those final words, Kahla’s form disappeared.
* * *
BOOM—! CRASH—!!
As his distorted vision returned to normal, a noisy roar that seemed to tear his ears apart was heard.
“Stop!!!! Stop!!”
Woojin hurriedly ran toward the sound and began to shout.
[Grrrrr...!!]
Fenrir was growling, baring his massive teeth, and Aswell stood before him with his sword drawn.
“A Holy Spirit indeed. If I had your power, I could unify the three kingdoms without shedding blood...”
Aswell’s stance somehow looked different than before.
“If you hold blind hostility, it can't be helped.”
Chills—.
For the first time, he felt murderous intent from Aswell Balan.
‘It’s dangerous.’
Even a moment ago, he was being defensive to win Fenrir over, but the moment he gave up on that thought, he now saw Fenrir only as prey.
“Wait!! Everyone, stop!!!”
Woojin threw himself between Fenrir and Aswell.
[Kyee!]
In the process, even the baby Fenrir he was holding fell to the floor with Woojin and let out a scream.
[ROAAARRRR——!!!!]
Seeing this, Fenrir let out a massive roar.
“Huff... huff...”
It was a pressure that made his knees tremble.
Not only him, but the rest of the people were pinned down by that power and could not move an inch.
Flash—!
Except for Aswell.
‘That monster...!!!’
[Trait: Bravery is activated.]
▶ You are protected from fear.
“Phew!!”
As his stiffened body loosened, Woojin shouted.
“Stop your swords! The reason Fenrir is on guard was all because of the sick child!!”
Just before the moment when Fenrir’s claws and Aswell’s sword were about to meet, the two stopped by a hair's breadth.
“Look at this. It seems Fenrir’s cub has fallen ill.”
He showed the baby Fenrir’s teeth and the patchy fur that had fallen out.
“It seems Fenrir became extremely sensitive because of that. The reason he appeared in the human world was likely to treat his cub!”
Woojin kept gesturing toward Fenrir as if asking if he agreed with his words.
“That’s if he lend us his power even more?”
Conversely, Aswell asked back as if he didn't find Woojin’s words convincing.
“I will call the kingdom’s priests, mages, and even alchemists if necessary, to ensure this child is treated safely.”
[Grrr...]
But despite Aswell’s offer, Fenrir shook his head.
“With all due respect, treating Fenrir is not something humans can do.”
“...Then?”
“I will ask the Elven race for a favor.”
Woojin looked at Fenrir.
“That’s the reason you came out of the mountains, right? Isn’t it?”
[Grrrrr...]
But at his question, Fenrir was still on guard.
“Leave the cub to me. Then I will take him to the Forest of Elves and ask for treatment.”
A silence fell for a moment.
Fenrir, who was looking into Woojin’s eyes, slowly brought his nose to his cheek.
Sniff— sniff—.
He was smelling him.
Perhaps it was the scent of Camilla that Kahla had mentioned.
Was it because he smelled like the same Holy Spirit?
[Grrr...]
Fenrir slowly hunched his knees and lowered his posture.
‘It... it worked...’
Woojin slowly stroked Fenrir’s fur.
“I will never use your child as a hostage to exploit you.”
Fenrir nodded as if he understood.
“Setsuna. You stay here.”
-Me? I should?
“Yes. So that Fenrir can trust us. He’ll be anxious if I just take the child away.”
At Woojin’s words, she nodded.
“No. I will be the one to stay.”
At that moment, Aswell stepped forward.
“Sir!! No! I should rather...!!”
But he patted Ether’s shoulder.
“You go back and rest. This was my task from the beginning. To prove there is no hostility, it is right that I remain.”
He laid his sword, which he had pointed at Fenrir, down in front of him.
“O Fenrir. I hope you can forget what happened just now. It was a matter of protecting each other.”
[Grrrrr...]
Fenrir looked at Aswell.
“I entrust my sword to you. My life is now yours.”
Then he reached out to Woojin.
“Khan, I’m counting on you.”
“I understand. I will return as quickly as possible.”