Chapter 310: Let’s Change Locations (4)
Chapter 310: Let’s Change Locations (4)
Ten days had passed since they entered the Great Forest.
Patrick was spending his time much more comfortably than he had expected.
During the day, he traveled lying across the broad back of a griffin, and when night fell, they would set up camp nearby, where he rested at ease while being attended to by the servants of the Four Calamities.
Normally, it wasn't like this.
It couldn't possibly be like this.
To move through the Great Forest, one could not avoid fierce battles with the monsters that reigned over each territory.
However, in Patrick’s case, he was accompanied by the familiars of the Four Calamities.
Thanks to them, he was able to avoid unnecessary combat.
The direct difference in hierarchy, which could be felt because they were all fellow servants of Kalaron, caused the monsters to naturally retreat.
When the difference in Fighting Spirit—or "Force," as Kalaron’s servants called it—was prominent, most creatures wouldn't dare to attack.
Thus, Patrick was traveling through the Great Forest quite leisurely.
"Hey, this is why you need to have the right people around you in life. Don't you guys think so?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
It didn't seem like they agreed.
Regardless, Patrick’s journey proceeded smoothly.
However, even if the journey was smooth, it took a long time.
Though they traveled by flying through the sky on an Elder Griffin, ten days turned into a month.
Yet, there was still no sign of reaching their destination.
That was how vast a distance they were covering.
If I had come here on foot, it would have taken forever.
Patrick’s current location was the deepest part of the Great Forest, a place the Roman Empire had failed to reach despite several expeditions in the past.
And just as Patrick was beginning to feel anxious about the fact that the alcohol in his Artifact Backpack was running low...
"We have arrived."
"Oh, is that it?"
"Yes. That is Pabera, the city where we, the servants of Kalaron, live together."
Patrick had finally reached his destination.
* * *
The Great Forest was a boundary.
Yupinel’s servants lived outside the western edge of the Great Forest, while Kalaron’s servants lived within the forest beyond that.
In truth, the majority of Kalaron’s servants were beings like monsters and demonic beasts, so they did not establish anything that could be called a civilization.
However, among them were other races with intelligence and culture, such as Vampires and Dark Elves.
Even Orcs, though crude, had a culture of their own.
A city created by the gathering of such intelligent races—that was Pabera.
"Hooo... I didn't know there was such a massive city inside the Great Forest."
The city, built into a massive volcano, had a quite unique structure even at a glance.
It was constructed to ascend from the base of the mountain toward the top, formed in a series of massive terraces like giant steps.
"You certainly had the guts to build something like this in a volcanic region."
If the volcano erupted, this city would be wiped out instantly. However...
"This entire area is the domain ruled by the Reign of Terror. The volcano will never erupt."
Edward, the vampire, spoke with pride.
If it's the Reign of Terror, that's probably the Blue Dragon, right? To forcibly suppress a volcanic eruption... that's truly impressive.
Once again, the weight of the term "Four Calamities" hit home.
Beings that could not be stopped even if known, and could not be avoided.
That was why they were called "Calamities."
"Have you returned?"
"Welcome back."
As they entered the city on the Elder Griffin, countless individuals knelt and offered respectful greetings.
Vampires, Orcs, Beastmen, Dark Elves, and even demonic beasts with non-human forms bowed their heads simultaneously—it was quite a spectacle.
And Patrick realized one surprising fact.
These guys actually have some serious clout.
He hadn't quite grasped the standing of the Four Calamities' familiars before.
But seeing the various races of this massive city bow their heads at once, he could tell that the four who had brought him here held considerable authority.
"Lord Edward. Who is the human behind you?"
When someone from the Vampire race asked, Edward replied.
"He is a guest of the Kings. Ensure that everyone treats him with the utmost respect."
Unless you want to get your ass kicked, he didn't bother adding.
"Understood."
Fortunately, Kalaron’s servants were much more sensible than expected.
As this was a place ruled by the logic of the Rule of the Strong, if a superior said something white was black, then it was naturally black.
Edward then spoke to Patrick.
"Please wait here for a few days. I will inform our Kings of your arrival."
"Sure. Let's do that."
Then Luna, the Dark Elf, said to Patrick.
"The children of our tribe will attend to you. If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to ask."
At her word, Dark Elf women dressed in maid outfits approached Patrick and bowed politely.
Though slightly different from humans, the Dark Elf maids, possessing exquisite beauty, bowed respectfully to Patrick.
A short while later.
"How is the water temperature?"
"Ahhh. It's perfect."
Patrick was being treated as a true VIP.
While he soaked alone in a massive bath that could easily fit more than ten people, beautiful Dark Elf maids served him alcohol and snacks.
"Kuuu... the liquor here is really kick-ass. What's it made of?"
The deep black liquor felt like a ball of fire sliding down his throat with every sip.
The maid replied.
"It is liquor made from a Violet Snake that is over five hundred years old."
"Snake wine, huh? No wonder it's so fiery."
"..."
It wasn't that simple.
The Violet Snake was one of the most venomous snakes in the Great Forest.
Naturally, liquor made from this snake was a deadly poison.
It was a poison so potent that even a massive demonic beast would collapse, convulse, and die after a single cup...
"Kuuu... this is great. Give me another glass."
What is with this human?
He was already on his second bottle.
He's definitely no ordinary human.
They said the Kings summoned him personally...
Just this alone was enough to tell how powerful this human was.
Realizing this, a subtle glint appeared in the eyes of the Dark Elf women.
A short while later.
After finishing his bath and feeling refreshed, Patrick was guided to his bedroom.
And in that bedroom, two Dark Elf maids visited him again.
"You too?"
"Of course."
However, the difference was that the clothes they were wearing were not ordinary maid uniforms.
Wearing very provocative negligees and carrying trays with wine and cheese, their purpose for visiting the room again was obvious.
"He's a human who drinks such potent poison as if it were water. He must be incredibly strong."
"He's even a guest of the Kings. If we receive his seed and bear his children, imagine how strong the children will be."
Kalaron’s servants lived strictly by the logic of the Rule of the Strong.
The strong were right, the strong were great, and the strong were attractive.
Differences in race were a minor issue.
Once these women realized Patrick was extraordinarily strong, they came to his bedroom in provocative lingerie specifically to have his child.
And even though they ran into each other, they had no intention of backing down. Rather...
"Half and half?"
"Deal."
Terrifying. The servants of Kalaron.
Having reached an agreement, they entered the room without hesitation.
They checked Patrick, who was supposedly asleep under the covers on the bed.
Licking their red lips with their tongues, they walked toward the bed with seductive poses...
"Guest... are you already asleep?"
"We shall soothe the fatigue of your journey."
They slowly approached the bed, flanking him so he couldn't escape.
And the moment they pulled back the covers...
"Huh?!"
"What?!"
Curses nearly escaped their lips. There, instead of Patrick, was a dummy made of rolled-up blankets and pillows.
He had even taken the care to draw a mocking face on it. And...
「Goodbye, everyone. I am casting off the shackles of my constraints and going out to play.」
...was written on a note.
"Man... you really do see everything if you live long enough."
Patrick was casually strolling through the night streets of Pabera.
He hadn't expected such a massive city where these races lived together to exist inside the Great Forest.
Dark Elves sold food and drinks at street stalls, Beastmen clinked glasses, and Orcs, seemingly in high spirits, were arm-wrestling.
Seeing this lively scene, he realized once again.
People(?) live the same way everywhere.
He had wondered how Kalaron’s servants lived, but seeing them in person, it wasn't much different.
Though they were a bit rough, seeing them build their own order and live in their own territory...
There's no need to fight needlessly.
He felt a bit relieved.
For Patrick, who wanted to avoid making more enemies, this was a good thing.
* * *
A few days later.
While Patrick was staying in Pabera and being treated as a VIP, Edward came to him and said.
"The Kings have gathered."
"Oh? Really?"
"Would you like to meet them immediately?"
"I should. What's the point in dragging it out?"
He had rested well thanks to the lavish hospitality.
The only slight annoyance was the women trying to sneak into his bedroom at night, but everything else had been great.
Patrick slowly stood up.
"Then shall we go?"
It was time to get down to business.
At the highest point of Pabera.
There stood a grand, massive gate.
Opening that gate and stepping inside, one could descend via artificially carved stairs.
"It's getting hotter, isn't it?"
At Patrick’s remark, Edward, who was leading the way, replied.
"We are entering the source of this volcano. It is only natural for it to get hotter."
Just as he said, the deeper they went, the more the intense heat scorched the air.
After passing through heat so intense that an ordinary person would find it difficult even to breathe, they arrived at...
"You may enter through here."
...a large door embossed with elaborate carvings.
Carved onto the door were the figures of the Four Symbols: the Blue Dragon, the Vermilion Bird, the White Tiger, and the Black Tortoise.
"Do I go in alone?"
"Those were my orders."
"I see."
Patrick pushed open the door, which was as hot as a heated griddle.
And the moment he stepped inside...
Whooooosh!
Along with the heat of the molten magma, he felt a terrifying presence pressing down on him.
It was the aura radiating from the four massive beasts before his eyes.
They weren't specifically trying to threaten him; it was simply the overwhelming presence they naturally exuded just by existing.
Patrick looked them over one by one and spoke.
"Should I say it's an honor to meet you?"
At the sight of Patrick speaking so casually even in their presence, the Four Calamities spoke.
—Welcome, Prophesied Human.
The one speaking on their behalf was a blue dragon, more than half of its massive body submerged in lava.
Patrick stared at the dragon and thought.
The Blue Dragon. I really am seeing everything in this life.
Patrick spoke to the being known in this world as the Reign of Terror.
"Should I call you the Reign of Terror? Or should I call you the Blue Dragon?"
The opponent flinched slightly, then spoke with a somber expression.
—My name was taken from me. Call me the Reign of Terror.
"Getting your name stolen and shit, what a mess," Patrick grumbled.
Then he spoke to the others beside it.
"Then, I guess I should call that red bird over there Falling Despair, and the other two are familiar faces."
Then the Black Tortoise, standing beside the White Tiger, spoke.
—When have you ever seen me?
"I've just seen you around," Patrick replied snidely.
The Vermilion Bird radiated a faint pressure and spoke.
—You are far too insolent. Show some respect, human.
"What for?"
They were about to get into a sword fight anyway, so what kind of respect was he supposed to show?
He had never heard of such etiquette in his life.
Right, Master?
[I told you over and over until my mouth was dry to show respect even to your enemies...]
I don't recall that.
You fire-attribute disciple...
"Well, anyway... let me ask one thing first."
—Speak.
When the Blue Dragon answered as the representative, Patrick spoke.
"What exactly is this 'Prophesied Human' you keep talking about? And why did you become apostles of Kalaron and end up in this world?"
—That is...
"And what exactly is an Outer God? Why are phrases like 'Heavenly Demon's Advent' and 'Ten Thousand Demons Look Up' left in that bastard's traces?"
—...
"I have more than a few suspicions. So talk. All of it!"
At Patrick’s interrogation, the Blue Dragon shifted its massive body, causing the magma to ripple, and spoke with difficulty.
—I cannot say.
"You're dead."
He had expected that answer, but it still pissed him off when it actually came out.
Patrick reached into his backpack and pulled out two swords.
A pure white sword.
It was his favorite sword, which he had named the White Dragon.
The Blue Dragon then spoke.
—Do not be hasty. It is merely that I cannot tell you now.
"Then what do I have to do for you to tell me?"
—If you overcome our trial and prove that you are the Prophesied Human... if you do that...
The Blue Dragon continued with effort.
—We, too, shall place our stakes on you.
"..."
Patrick grabbed the back of his neck with a frustrated expression and tilted his head back.
Seriously, what was this "Prophesied Human" thing that made them act so cautiously?
Feeling the desperation beyond mere earnestness in the Blue Dragon’s voice, Patrick sighed and spoke.
"Fine. Then let's do this trial or whatever. How do we start?"
At Patrick’s words, the Blue Dragon said.
—The trial is simple. You must prove your strength.
"The point is, we're having a go at it, right?"
—Correct.
He liked that it was simple.
Patrick nodded without hesitation and said.
"Fine. Let's change locations."
If Patrick fought the Four Calamities here, the volcano would erupt, and the city of Pabera would vanish without a trace.
The Blue Dragon slowly rose, glided over the lava, and flew toward the crater of the volcano.
—Follow me.
The other Four Calamities moved to follow him, and Patrick, letting out a sigh, kicked off the wall using a movement technique and soared upward.