Pelts Overflowing, Barriers Awakening
The wolf pelts from the snow-covered forest weren't just sufficient—they were overflowing. What to do with these thick beasts? Of course, they helped endure the cold, so it wasn't really an issue. But the baggage was too much.
"Isn't this a bit too many?"
"If anything, this amount of pelts should be enough to prepare for contingencies."
"Even so, there are only six of us."
The pelts numbered over twenty. Even just adding up the wolves Lucius had hunted put it over thirty.
"What about you, young master?"
"What about me."
"You were so looking forward to the hunt, yet you only bagged three? Are you really the young master I know?"
"Three is plenty. We can last at least a few days. That's enough for now."
"I disagree. And more than that, I don't like that complicated look on your face. Give me back my cute young master. Did you see a ghost out there hunting or something?"
The wolves' fate. His own fate. Those tangled dual emotions must still be lingering in his heart.
In my past life, I hunted relentlessly. And now, of all times, I feel this way.
The ways of the world—you see them by living long.
"Enough already."
"Perfect. That's the face. The one where you pretend to be indifferent and brush it off! That's the one I like, young master."
"Can you please just be quiet?"
"No. Did you rent my mouth or something?"
"I could."
Rowen rummaged through his pocket. In the leather pouch he'd brought just in case, gold and silver coins jingled. He had no real intention of handing them over, but Arahan's playful banter had heated up the mood.
Arahan's brow twitched. It wasn't the reaction she'd hoped for, but it was enough to shut her up.
Old adventurer habits die hard, it seemed.
She fidgeted, desperately hiding her flushed cheeks. Rowen only felt his confusion growing in this bizarre situation.
Before long, Arahan cleared her throat and spoke up.
"Ahem. Young master, do you want to rent my mouth?"
"What... If it's needed, yeah? So let's do our best."
"Such a low-class, shameless—!"
"...What?"
It took Rowen less than three seconds to grasp Arahan's outburst. He'd just been momentarily stunned by her words.
"If you want my mouth that badly, young master, I could give it to you."
"The meaning's different, isn't it?"
"Different meaning or not, you said you wanted to buy my mouth."
"Oh, Arahan, please."
"What a lewd, shameless lecher! Though if it's you, young master, I wouldn't mind."
"Don't lump me in with Cain!"
That shout carried all the way to Cain's ears as he returned from gathering firewood in the distance. Rowen sensed him striding over and casually clamped a hand over his mouth.
"You little shit... Mmph!"
"Please, Cain, don't you start too. You trying to die of high blood pressure at your age? Who'll take responsibility?"
"Mmph! Mmgh!"
"What? You want to go chop firewood quietly?"
"Mmph!"
"Good boy, good boy. My brother's such a good guy. Hurry back. I'll have the meat grilling."
You trust me, right?
"Damn it!"
"That's it. Good boy."
Cain couldn't open his mouth for a moment. It didn't take long to realize why. He spotted the fragments of mana flickering on Rowen's knuckles. Chantless magic, cast without even reciting runes.
To be toyed with by a bastard like that...!
Cain cursed inwardly. Deep down, he knew he was inferior to the illegitimate Rowen. But what could he do? Magic, swordsmanship—they simply didn't suit him. Studying didn't either. If there was one thing perfectly suited to his talents in this world, it was bedding women.
He was confident his waist was first-class, honed since childhood. Cain took pride in that self. He might look worthless to his family, but in bed, he was a king.
Rowen read Cain's thoughts. With his mouth sealed, he figured it'd be some filthy nonsense. And sure enough, it was.
Rowen let out a sigh.
His imagination had become reality!
"Ugh, go step in some wolf shit on your way."
*
The air grew colder by the minute, leaving everyone clicking their tongues in dismay. Fortunately, the wolf pelts helped them endure it to some degree. Without them, could they have held out?
It had been a week since entering Albrin Forest. All around was a vast white silence. The blizzards intensified with every passing day. Brown branches, long exposed to the freeze, had darkened and discolored. The blackened trees bore heavy blankets of snowflakes, standing densely like dark pillars in a world of white.
This sight wasn't new to Rowen. He'd seen it so often it bored him. Rian's experiences had melted into Rowen's soul.
Which only made the memories surge stronger. The boy who wandered this frigid north. The one who roamed aimlessly, taking requests and assassinating vile nobles.
Abel Tarkhan.
One of the five heroes of old, bestowed the title of Great Assassin.
"Great assassin" might sound like mockery. But Abel was truly great. Grand titles were given only to the worthy.
Whether good or evil didn't matter. He was a proud hero of an assassin—and a great one.
It had been the same back then. Their first meeting in this very Albrin Forest. No blizzards like this in those days. Snowy, yes, but a lush woodland rich with the scent of fresh green grass.
Rowen—no, Rian—had been traveling with Mio, seeking a new companion. Rian was seventeen then. Driven by the grief of losing his father, he'd taken up the holy sword. No true friends to lean on. Mio was a reliable comrade, but she leaned on him instead.
As the two wandered the north aimlessly, they met him.
"Brings back memories."
"Memories of what, young master?"
"Just... something."
"Your words and actions are often so inscrutable."
"Don't bother trying to figure it out."
Listen with one ear, let it out the other, as they say.
Rowen left the frustrated Arahan behind and shifted his gaze. He hadn't come to Albrin Forest with his family just to freeze for no reason.
This forest is full of his traces.
A thousand years ago, Albrin Forest had been Abel's domain. Time had erased much of it, but the barrier he'd set remained active.
And sure enough, there—a spot where purple mana traces glowed thickly.
Rowen pushed his pre-activated mana zone to its maximum. A slight tingling around his eyes, but nothing unbearable.
Arkanthia's soldiers are definitely on our tail.
No doubt about it. Lucius had said their strategy was meant to tie down Kadan from the start. Tie him down, and they had ways to win—like the golem. If they were wary of Kadan, striking the surviving Valenos family was only a matter of time. By now, Snowfall had likely fallen.
Lucius had sensed it and suggested flight. An emperor walking at his side still felt surreal.
Arkanthia—no, the Arkanthian Empire now—they were surely pursuing Rowen's group. The Valenos family's unique mana was a dire threat to their magitech. And above all, Kadan's bloodline. Better to eliminate threats before they grow.
So, hide. Endless flight would lead to capture eventually. But conceal themselves in a barrier only they knew? That would evade Arkanthia's eyes.
Rowen approached the purple mana.
As an elf, Miyabi could perceive mana flows innately—more precisely than any human.
"A barrier."
"Can you dispel it?"
Miyabi shook her head. Of course—if she could, things would be different. In a thousand years, someone would have undone Abel's barrier by now.
The reason they couldn't was something only Rowen—no, only the heroes—knew.
"Unusually complex. Advanced incantation? No... beyond that. Could it be! A Unique Barrier?"
"Mother, have you seen a Unique Barrier before?"
"First time, dear. I've seen photos from my homeland, Alfheim, but never in person."
"Unique Barriers can only be erected by those blessed by the gods."
Karin chimed in on the conversation with Miyabi. The pure white fur suited her perfectly.
"So the one who made this was blessed by a god?"
"That's right."
"Hmm... So who gets a god's blessing?"
Rowen stroked the fluffy pelt. Cold, yet with an oddly compelling softness. Too irresistible. He surrendered to it. A smile spread across his face, and Karin grumbled.
"Oppa looks like a pervert."
"Isn't that a bit harsh? I just think the fur's soft..."
"Last time you were flirting with me. Now it's the lady? What a sinful man. I'm impressed all over again."
"I'm impressed too. Didn't know you enjoyed teasing people this much."
"Well, I feel a bit freer now."
"You were free before."
"Not entirely wrong... but not entirely right either."
Rowen ignored her and pressed on. Miyabi diligently tried to decipher the mana, but seemed flustered by the array of unknown runes. She couldn't unravel it. Only Rowen knew how.
"Doesn't look like we can open it."
"Yeah. First time in this forest, but who knew there'd be a barrier like this."
"To create a Unique Barrier—must've been quite the powerhouse."
"A remnant of those great figures from a thousand years ago, right?"
"Probably."
Rowen answered flatly, as if it were someone else's business. It was irrelevant to him now. But with Rian's memories lingering, this place loomed enormously in significance.
Not forever, but it would serve as a hideout for the time being.
Still, no plans to open it just yet. When everyone else was asleep, he'd secretly transfer the barrier's authority to himself.
"So who gets it, anyway?"
"Gets what?"
"The god's blessing!"
Ah. Karin still didn't know. The tale of the five heroes. What her big brother had done in his past life. The great epic!
Ignorant of that, she naturally couldn't follow Miyabi and Rowen's talk. A twinge of disappointment.
If she knew, he could've asked who her favorite was.
No—better this way. Time to instill the proper common knowledge.
Some masses called the great knight a fool blinded by vengeance. Not wrong, exactly. But hearing it felt oddly off.
So he asked.
"Karin, you know the story of the five heroes?"
"Heard the name. Don't know much."
"Then remember just this."
"What?"
Simply.
"The great knight Rian is the strongest and coolest."
He said it with utmost seriousness, so she'd recognize it as vital truth. Rowen beamed with pride.