Chapter 309: Let’s Change Locations (3)
Chapter 309: Let’s Change Locations (3)
A short while later.
Patrick packed a light bag and set off into the Great Forest.
The Grand Ducal couple and many others gathered to see him off.
“Are you sure that’s enough luggage?”
“Yes, it’s fine. This backpack might look small, but it’s an Ancient Artifact.”
The backpack Patrick wore was an artifact kept by the Tower of Truth, capable of storing enough goods to fill three freight carts. Naturally, it was considered a national treasure by the Tower.
The Third Sage, looking quite haggard, spoke up.
“Please, make sure you return it when you get back.”
“Ahem, don’t be so stingy. If you have something good, you should use it. What’s the point of just leaving it tucked away in a corner?”
“Urgh…”
It seemed the process of borrowing it hadn't been particularly smooth.
Regardless, all preparations were complete. He had organized his martial arts and even achieved some unexpected gains. Now, only the challenge remained.
“Young Master, are you truly going to be alright?”
“At least take a few people with you.”
“Even just me…”
Many were disappointed they couldn't accompany Patrick. His wife, April, and Sanson had both insisted on going, but Patrick had refused.
“Someone has to protect this country while I’m gone, right?”
They had no choice but to accept his reasoning. They held the vital role of guarding the Schneider Duchy in his absence. It was because they were there that Patrick could leave with a clear mind.
Seeing them so regretful about not being able to go gave Patrick a sense of nostalgia.
Come to think of it, I’ve made some great connections in this world too.
Patrick let out a small smirk as he looked at them.
The parents who gave him life and raised him.
The wives who loved him so dearly.
The knights who followed him faithfully despite being put through the wringer every day.
Tutan, the Orc Warrior he had taken as a sworn brother despite their different races.
The Elven Knights who had fully rooted themselves in this land.
And many others…
I really am lucky.
So many people had come to see him off. And to protect them, he had to do what he could.
“Don’t worry too much. I’m even taking guides with me.”
The ones guiding Patrick to the Four Calamities were none other than the calamities' own familiars. It was a strange sight—being guided by the servants of the very beings he was going to fight—but it worked.
“Well then, Father. I’m off.”
With a bright smile, Patrick hopped onto the back of Storm Spear, who had returned to his massive original form. Storm Spear spread his wings and soared into the sky.
As Patrick rose above the clouds, the entire landscape of the Schneider Duchy came into view. And there…
“Safe travels, Young Lord!”
“You must come back victorious!”
“Young Looord!”
The citizens of the duchy had all come out into the streets to wave at Patrick in the sky. Though they didn't know the full details, they understood one thing: Patrick was risking his life to challenge the Four Calamities to protect them.
Just as he always had.
*
The Yuzef Kingdom.
If you asked who the most powerful force on the continent was today, five out of ten people would name this country.
While the Empire and the Holy Kingdom still boasted their strength, they had recently exhausted their national power in war. The Schneider Duchy was considered to be in its golden age, but the nation itself was too small.
In comparison, the Yuzef Kingdom, led by the Overlord, had swallowed up no fewer than four countries. Its sheer landmass now exceeded that of the Empire and the Holy Kingdom, and under the Overlord’s reign, the nation was becoming increasingly stable. Furthermore, the recent birth of a prince to the Salamander Princess had resolved the issue of succession.
In this favorable climate, the Overlord gathered his closest aides for a private meeting.
“Now is the opportunity.”
“I agree.”
The one nodding in agreement was Marquis Noah Gregory, the advisor known as the Overlord’s Serpent. He spoke to the Overlord.
“For reasons unknown, the activities of the Dark Mages have recently been extremely diminished.”
“Indeed. Moreover, now that the Double Dragon has thoroughly purged them from the Holy Kingdom, we are the only ones left who are ostensibly allied with them.”
“If we sever ties now, it will be a severe blow to them. Most importantly…” Marquis Noah Gregory spoke heavily. “If we miss this chance, another may not come again during Your Majesty’s reign.”
“I think so as well.”
The Overlord intended to cut ties with the Dark Mages. And he didn't just mean breaking the alliance; he intended to drive a blade into their backs.
Guilt? There was none.
From the beginning, the alliance between the Overlord and the Dark Mages was maintained out of mutual necessity. He had always known this day would come. And from what they knew, the Dark Mages' influence had shrunk significantly. Both the Overlord and Marquis Gregory believed now was the perfect time.
“Do we know the locations of their bases?”
“We have identified not only the bases they revealed to us but also their hidden ones.”
“If we strike all at once, how much military force will be required?”
“Quality is more important than quantity. First, this location, which we suspect houses the disciples of the Jonsa, will require Your Majesty and Sir Carvan… Sir Carvan?”
The Black Knight, Matthias Carvan, who had been addressed by Marquis Gregory, answered in a grave voice.
“…Speak.”
Marquis Gregory spoke as if something were odd.
“Is there a problem? You seem uncharacteristically passive, Sir Knight.”
Matthias Carvan. As the Overlord’s right hand, he was a man who had always been at the forefront, actively cooperating with the Overlord’s every move. His wariness of the Dark Mages was also far stronger than Marquis Gregory’s. It was only natural to find his current passivity strange.
“If you have something to say, say it, Sir Carvan,” the Overlord prompted.
Matthias Carvan remained silent for a moment before speaking cautiously.
“I am not one for brilliant strategies, but something about this feels off.”
“What do you mean?”
“I do not know the reason why the Dark Mages have been so diminished.”
“That’s because the Double Dragon…”
“It is true that the Double Dragon was active in the Holy Kingdom, but I have heard no news of them capturing the one they call the Jonsa or his direct disciples.”
“……”
“Their core consisted of the Jonsa and his seven disciples. Of those, only one has been confirmed dead.”
“……”
“Have they truly suffered a fatal blow?”
Matthias was uneasy. He knew all too well that the Dark Mages were not an entity to be trifled with by declaring war while information was still unclear. In truth, Marquis Noah Gregory was aware of this as well. He knew, but…
“I am aware that we haven't grasped the full context of the situation. However…” Marquis Gregory frowned. “The limit of our information control is approaching.”
“Mmm…”
“Among those who recently joined us, particularly the knights of the former Salamander Knight Order, some are beginning to harbor suspicions.”
The Overlord and the Ryan Knights who followed him were those who had raised their realms with the help of the Dark Mages. When they were only among themselves, the difference wasn't striking, but once they began competing with knight orders from other countries, some began to feel a sense of dissonance. Knights with a modicum of insight were already questioning the source of their power.
“It is something that must be done eventually. If we miss this chance, there won't be another.”
“I know. It’s just… I cannot shake this feeling of unease.”
The Overlord’s right hand, the man called the Black Knight. This was the first time they had seen him so hesitant.
As the opinions of his two closest aides subtly clashed, the Overlord thought to himself.
Originally, I planned to drive out the Dark Mages after completing the conquest of the continent, but…
The plan had changed significantly. Though he hadn't conquered the continent, the Yuzef Kingdom had grown strong enough to hold its own against the Great Forest. Furthermore, since the war between the Holy Kingdom and the Empire had ended early, waging war against them now carried too much risk.
And above all…
[Unifying the continent? Ho, why don't you just try it?]
“…It’s impossible.”
It wouldn't work. It just wouldn't.
In fact, the biggest reason the Overlord had revised his plan for continental unification might not have been the Empire or the Holy Kingdom, but simply one man.
When he heard recently that Patrick had defeated the Sword Saint and become the strongest knight on the continent, the Overlord was surprised. What surprised him was the fact that he wasn't surprised at all by the news. Having crossed blades with him personally, he knew. It was a simple fact that Patrick defeating the Sword Saint was nothing to be shocked about.
To be honest, I don't want to fight him.
The Overlord honestly admitted this to himself. And since he had revised the plan for continental unification, he now had to decide the future direction within the existing power structure.
Sever ties with the Dark Mages now, grow the Yuzef Kingdom’s power, and establish it as a great power on the continent. After that, if they cooperated with the Schneider Duchy to begin a full-scale pioneering project in the Great Forest…
That is enough. It is a goal worthy of my life’s work.
Having made up his mind, the Overlord spoke.
“It is true that there are many elements of uncertainty. However…”
“……”
“……”
“As Marquis Gregory said, if we don't do it now, we don't know when the next chance will come.”
Matthias Carvan nodded as if he agreed with those words.
The Overlord spoke with finality.
“Sever all ties with the Dark Mages. Sweep them all away at once.”
“Yes, Sire!”
“Yes, Sire!”
The Overlord’s command was given. Now that it had come to this, Matthias Carvan did not hesitate. He would simply do his best to carry out his lord’s orders.
*
November 12, Year 1528 of the Continental Calendar.
King Sierion, the Overlord of the Yuzef Kingdom, launched a covert military operation at midnight. The objective: to purge the Dark Mages who had infiltrated the nation.
He personally led his knights, mobilizing the full military might of the country to strike the Dark Mages' bases simultaneously. As a result of the simultaneous raids on forty-seven hideouts, the Overlord captured and executed over 700 Dark Mages.
He announced this achievement to the entire continent, declaring that he would never allow such wicked groups to set foot in his kingdom. With the threat of Dark Mages rising due to the recent events in the Holy Kingdom, the Overlord’s actions were met with praise across the continent.
*
The sun set, and darkness fell.
At this hour, the Great Forest becomes incomparably dangerous. Countless demonic beasts use the cover of night to hunt.
This Saber Tiger was no exception. This massive beast, over 30 meters long, was an evolved monster that had ruled this territory for a long time. Tonight, it was carefully scouting its domain for prey to sacrifice.
The prey that caught its scent were all huddled together, suppressing their presence as much as possible. That fact made the beast proud.
Yes, this is how it should be. In this harsh wilderness, if prey wanted to survive, they had to be careful, and then careful again, without making a single sound in the silent darkness. However…
“Ah… the melody is good, and the booze is even better.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I am happy as well.”
What was this?
It was the first time in its life it had encountered such a thing. The moment it saw the faint light in the distance and heard the chatter…
—Grrrrr…
The Saber Tiger felt a profound sense of displeasure. How dare they cause a ruckus in its territory? It was absolutely unacceptable.
The Saber Tiger moved with stealthy but swift steps to repel these insolent intruders. And there, it saw a sight that completely disregarded the rules of the wild.
A Vampire playing a Tudor in the dark forest.
A Dark Elf dancing with swords in both hands to the melody.
And before them sat a human with a tipsy face.
Furthermore, beside the human…
“Ho ho ho, allow me to pour you a glass.”
“Oh, sounds good.”
A Nine-tailed Fox Beastkin woman was pouring wine with a graceful touch.
What was this? It had never seen anything like it. Having ruled this territory for a long time, the Saber Tiger wasn't just a demonic beast; it had evolved to possess a certain level of intelligence. From its perspective, the three performing for that human were far stronger than itself.
So why were such beings catering to such a seemingly weak human? It couldn't understand.
And then…
Whoosh!
A fierce wind blew from the sky as a massive Griffin descended. An Elder Griffin.
The Saber Tiger instinctively flattened its body against the ground. Being a fellow demonic beast, it knew better than anyone. That was a superior being, far more powerful than itself. The moment it was spotted, today would be its last—
“Hey! You overgrown pigeon!”
WHACK!
What?
Suddenly, the weak human leaped into the air and heel-dropped the crown of the terrifying Elder Griffin’s head. The Elder Griffin was slammed into the ground, and the human, landing back on the earth, ranted furiously.
“I’m trying to drink here, and you’re kicking up dust? Can’t you fly quietly?”
“Urgh… how on earth am I supposed to fly quietly?”
Was it even possible for a creature this massive to flap its wings to fly without kicking up dust? Logically, it was impossible. However…
“If you have the grit and effort, you can do anything.”
“……”
The opponent was a living calamity who didn't listen to logic. The Griffin slumped and carefully held out what it had caught.
“Here is today’s snack to go with your drinks.”
“Ah, wild boar again? I’m getting a bit sick of it.”
“……”
The Elder Griffin wept. For the first time in its life, it realized that tears could flow from sorrow.
I, a brave warrior of the sky, why must I…
Was it right to endure such humiliation and disgrace? As a brave warrior of the sky, as a servant of the great Kalaron, as a direct familiar of one of the Four Calamities, continuing to endure this was surely not—
“What? You got a problem? Wanna go?”
“Hahaha. It’s fine.”
Storm Spear’s eyes instantly became docile. As expected, life was more important than pride.
“Ah, by the way, do you happen to like Saber Tiger?”
“You wanna die? Those taste terrible.”
In that moment, the flattened Saber Tiger shuddered. Patrick let out a smirk and said,
“Don’t try to play smart and just go somewhere far away. For the record, I’m craving fish today.”
“…Yes.”
The Griffin dejectedly spread its wings and flew off again. It would have to travel quite far to get to the river from here.
And the massive, evolved Saber Tiger, who had watched this entire sequence of events, thought to itself:
I’m moving.