Chapter 299
Chapter 299
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 299
Chapter Title: The City of Gods and Prophecies, Delphi
-----------------------------------------------------------------
When was it?
I remembered seeing an aerial photo of the Korean Peninsula while mindlessly surfing the internet. If I had to sum up my impression back then, it was something like, "Whoa, there are really so many mountains."
The Korean Peninsula was packed with that many mountains.
Fuck, a ton of them.
For real.
If you think about it, it was this bizarre terrain where mountains covered half the land.
No one seemed to find it strange; they just lived with it. But there were so damn many mountains that I had to climb countless ones following my dad.
Right now, though, I was shocked enough that the memory of that aerial photo naturally popped into my head.
Looking down from the sky, this Gaia continent was also riddled with an insane number of mountain ranges stretching out like veins.
The lush forests, the valleys snaking through them, and the rivers formed by those valleys merging—it was all pretty majestic.
In that sense, the place I lived and this Gaia continent had some similarities.
As I was lost in those thoughts, Elfriede, plastered to my back, whispered softly like a leaf fluttering in the wind.
“I never thought I’d come back here like this. Do you remember this place by any chance?”
At Elfriede’s question, I looked down at the mountains sprawled below.
What was there to recognize? And I’d never even heard of coming here before.
Had all this flying messed up Elfriede’s head?
Just like caterpillars have to munch on pine needles to survive, wingless folks like us are best off with our feet planted on the ground.
What if Elfriede, with her head gone haywire, jumped off while clinging to my waist? As I fretted over that self-destructive impulse bubbling up, she spoke.
“This fucker doesn’t even remember where we are, huh.”
“No, where the hell are we?”
“This is near Deathros’s arena.”
“Fuck—?”
Only then did the mountains start looking familiar.
Holy shit, I’ve been here before. Not just been here—I’d done a ton of shit around here.
When I set that fire and ran, hopping mountains and racing across plains in a daze. Remembering how hard I’d toiled somewhere down there felt profoundly weird.
It was this indescribable, once-in-a-lifetime oddness that defied description. Like going back to your old military base years after discharge—would it feel like this?
Fuck if I know.
“Seriously, this is that area? No signs of the fire anywhere.”
“The blaze you started back then must be overgrown now, but yeah, it’s definitely around here. Near Delphi. Oh, and I’m just asking now, but how the hell did you end up caught by those human hunters?”
“What do you mean? I came to, in some weird forest. Got chased by those monster fuckers, captured, and slaved away in the arena.”
“No, I mean, why’d you come to the continent from Samaria?”
“I don’t know, fuck. No idea why I’m here. Just woke up and bam, here I was.”
The memory of my first day tumbling into this bizarre world was still crystal clear, even years later.
“Yeah, keep lying to the end, huh? Did you really kill someone back home and flee or what?”
“Fuck...”
Even if I told the truth, no one would believe me. They might even try an exorcism, claiming I was possessed by a demon or ghost.
When was it? I once saw guys performing an exorcism to “save” someone supposedly possessed.
I am the legion! I am the ghost of the legion!
To me, the guy looked like a simple schizophrenic, but these uncivilized continent folk with no psych knowledge whipped him mercilessly and pelted him with stones.
Very carefully with the stones! The demon’s taken his body!
No solution but to beat the shit out of him!
Fuck, if I yelled about Earth or South Korea, I’d get the same treatment. So I decided to bullshit my way through.
“I don’t know.”
“Well, a coward like you probably didn’t kill anyone and run. If you really don’t know why, maybe you’ll get answers in Delphi. Their oracles are famous for answering any question.”
“Really?”
They answer any question? Such amazing beings existed? As I opened my mouth to say more, the view unfolding below cut me off.
Beyond the endless mountains that had started feeling boring, a vivid blue horizon stretched out to greet me.
The sea.
The first ocean I’d seen in this world hit me with its vast, intense shock.
That port city over there must be Delphi. Just land in the city center or something?
“No clue.”
Then I’ll pick a spot and land this body.
Swoooosh—.
Isbaron’s body, which had been soaring powerfully for days, began descending. Soon, we hovered right above a massive port city rivaling Sodomora.
My first impression: a beautiful city full of white bricks.
Round-domed blue roofs atop white brick buildings, bizarre statues everywhere, and mist from waterfalls cascading off the mountains piercing the city.
Embracing both mountains and sea—it was a tourist’s dream.
Out of the way, little creatures—!
Flap, flap—.
Isbaron circled the huge city, roaring loudly.
Why’s this guy doing this? It reminded me of a driver hunting for parking, and somehow I got it.
People scattered in panic below him.
W-what! A dragon!
No prophecy about a dragon coming today!?
Dragon attack! Temple knights! Call the paladins! A feral dragon’s assaulting the city!
Dong, dong, dong, dong—.
Bells rang noisily everywhere, and amid the fleeing crowds, soldiers with spears, swords, arrows, and shields poured out.
It reminded me of a well-kept yard—digging in the dirt and uncovering an ant hill like this.
But Isbaron acted like he didn’t give a shit.
Oh, open space there. I’ll drop you off over by that. Been so long since Delphi, forgot where the lots are.
Flap—.
He finally halted his massive wingbeats and set us down in a wide, open area in the city center—like a parking lot.
More like an outdoor opera theater, really.
Problem was, the second we landed, countless soldiers in gleaming armor swarmed the dragon’s side.
“You there, blue dragon! State your identity! If you’re invading the city solo, we’ll call the mages and respond in kind!”
Hm, looks like a misunderstanding. I am Isbaron, apostle of Goddess Vesta. A dragon of the hearth with a proper flight license registered. No intent to attack, so you can stand down.
“Dragon of the Hearth?”
“Oh, not a feral one then.”
The soldiers’ sharp stances softened a bit at Isbaron’s simple explanation. Though the spear and sword tips aimed at us didn’t.
“So what business does the Dragon of the Hearth have in Delphi? We got no prophecy of a dragon flying in!”
“State your purpose!”
No need to fear, followers of the Sun God.
The blue dragon lowered his head smoothly, forming a staircase for us to dismount.
Elfriede and I climbed down slowly, and our companions started emerging one by one from the baggage cart the dragon carried.
“We there already? Dozed off.”
“...Noisy.”
“Flying’s more tiring than I thought.”
Luna, Paranoy, and Hippolyte looked sleepy, just woken up.
Unlike the women’s drowsy faces, the soldiers’ visages under their helmets twisted in grotesque alarm.
“Riding a dragon into the city?”
“Who the hell are you people?”
Guess they were curious about us weirdos who rode in on this odd dragon.
Fair enough—if dragon riders suddenly dropped into Sodomora, I’d wonder too. Might even make the morning paper headlines.
Realizing I’d unintentionally pulled aggro made me a bit embarrassed. As I awkwardly smacked my lips, someone shouted.
“Look at that! That white hide!”
“T-that guy—!”
“It’s a Samaritan!”
Oh, fuck. They spotted the white hide over my head and my black hair peeking out, foaming at the mouth in excitement.
Hatsan of Samaria.
Had his infamy spread even to this distant Delphi?
Nah, probably not.
“Grab that bastard! Grab him!”
“He dared harm the oracle and now brazenly returns to the city! What are you waiting for? Get the ropes!”
“Lawless Samaritan! Brought his crew too! Everyone, stay sharp! No telling what tricks they’ll pull!”
Shing, shing—.
Heh heh, fun as always. I’d love to watch more, but Goddess Vesta’s summoning me urgently. Business done—I’m off now, Hatsan. See you if fate allows. More entertaining than expected.
Fwoosh—!
With a powerful flap, the dragon who’d guarded our backs soared into the sky. Cold-blooded reptile, as expected—no loyalty.
Ditched us and bolted the moment shit hit the fan!
As the massive dragon pulled away, the encircling soldiers no longer hesitated, weapons trained on us from all sides.
“We forged these titanium cuffs just to catch you, punk! Submit quietly, and we’ll spare the execution!”
“Execution?”
Fuck this—execution? Having suffered through so many trials already, that word ignited my rage.
“The hell crime did I commit, you racist assholes!”
“Look at him! Losing it again! Everyone, charge! Oracle Sibylla says whoever captures him gets a rank promotion and pension benefits!”
Fuck, rank up and pension. Tempting as hell.
If I got that offer, I’d go berserk like they said. But as the one in chains? Different story.
“Charge!”
A man with captain’s insignia bellowed, and armed guys lunged at me from everywhere.
“Hatsan, what’s going on?”
“Delphi’s welcome is... unique...!”
“Hm, some misunderstanding, it seems. Good workout to loosen these stiff muscles.”
“Ha—.”
My party’s reactions varied, but they all seemed stunned by the suddenness. As I opened my mouth to explain—
Zing—.
A weird tingle shot through my nape. I ducked instinctively.
A harpoon-like thing with a long noose attached whizzed past from my neck to forehead.
Fuck this—.
“He dodged Quiet Step Kolin’s ambush? Beastly instincts! What are you waiting for? All together!”
“Waaaaah—!”
Dozens roaring and piling on wasn’t a pretty sight. Men with clubs grabbed chains in their free hands, wrapping me tight.
“Got him! Drag him away! Toss him in jail! Time to pay for your Delphi atrocities, savage!”
“Fuck off! Idiots! Mistaking me for someone else!”
I tensed every muscle to snap the chains binding me. The multi-layered titanium links groaned—crack, creak.
Someone pinning me down said,
“Titanium chains! Even you can’t break these! Into the cell quietly. You’ll get a trial!”
“Uwaaaah—!”
Fuck, a trial. Couldn’t endure that again. So I squeezed every ounce of strength from toes to scalp, unleashing everything.
Snap, pop, snap—!
Shattered chain fragments flew like shotgun pellets, smashing helmets and armor. Not intentional, but some went down, out cold.
“Fuck, broke titanium with raw strength!”
“What mistake? White beast pelt! Monster power! Black hair! If you wanted to hide, disguise better, Gloria!!”
“What? Who?”
“What are you doing? All in!”
The captain yelled like it was do-or-die, but his men protested helplessly.
“No, his buddies are weirdly strong too!”
“If you touch my body, the Nymph Relief Foundation won’t stand for it...!”
“Hell, there’s a nymph!”
“Men! Rank promotion! Think chances like this come often? Grab ’em! I said grab!”
The captain’s bellowing riled them up; even the fallen ones started staggering back to their feet. Kinda pitied their public servant plight—had to follow orders.
Guess I had to drop ’em first, explain later.
As I readied for battle—
Swish, swish—.
The encircling soldiers suddenly parted like the sea, bowing their heads.
“Priestess.”
“A priestess here...?”
“Wild beast of a man. Dangerous to approach...”
Their unified reverence screamed high rank.
Swish, swish—.
Amid the crude weapons, a woman emerged, the train of her long dress dragging.
Clad in a white gown like radiant light, face veiled by a long shawl. She addressed the soldiers.
“Stand down, soldiers of the Light—.”
“Oracle Cassandra, the scene’s dangerous.”
“Central Guard Captain Biliphos. I’ll take over. Withdraw your men.”
“B-but that guy...”
“Today, a prophecy came from the God of Light, Father of Radiance...! Among those arriving in Delphi today, one shall claim a new throne!”
“...That means!?”
“Treat every guest arriving in Delphi today as precious—however brutal, vile, or horrific!”
“Grrrr—.”
“Spread the word to all soldiers! Delphi opens all gates until midnight!”
Captain Biliphos glanced at me, the soldiers, and the crowd, then reluctantly raised his hand.
“Dismissed—.”
Tension dissolved. I was baffled. But the veiled woman approached me slowly.
“Hatsan of Samaria—my old friend. You’ve finally come to Delphi. I’ve awaited you. Perfect timing.”
Her familiar act clicked when she lifted her shawl—eyes blinded from staring too long at the sun. Priestess of Light, Cassandra. Memories of standing swamp watch with her surfaced.
She’s the one who etched “Delphi” in my mind.
Months ago.
Time flies. As I reflected, Cassandra spoke.
“Forget the guards. They mistook you for someone else. Even I felt the eerie resemblance in aura.”
“Was it a Samaritan named Gloria?”
At my question, Cassandra smiled brightly—refreshing, beyond words.
“Can’t say now. Let’s get out of here to somewhere quiet.”