Chapter 55
Chapter 55 - Finding Them
Such emotions of bittersweet feelings were evident on Border Duke's face.
I smiled lightly and offered him a glass.
"Ah yes. As expected of Border Duke. Your intuition is exceptional."
"... Indeed. You are a hero who came from another world. You can't stay here forever."
Border Duke smiled back and poured more grape wine.
We clinked our glasses and drank in one go.
"......"
"......"
For a moment, we just stared blankly at the silver cups in silence.
Suddenly, Border Duke looked out the window and broke the silence.
"Do you have a particular destination in mind?"
"Yes, well. I have decided where to go."
"Oh? Where do you plan to head?"
"Unterland. To a place called the Valley of the Dead."
"The Valley of the Dead."
Border Duke's eyes widened, perhaps due to the unexpected answer.
Well, that's understandable. If I remember correctly, the Valley of the Dead in Unterland is located at the southern end.
It would be natural to wonder why I'm making this grand journey from the northern end to the southern end of the continent.
"I don't know the details, but from what I've heard, it's as dangerous as this place. After all, it's where one of the 4 Demon Kings has established their power."
"4 Demon Kings...? Like the Immortal Demon King?"
"That's right. The one called Zadkiel, known as the 'Idol Demon King' is there."
"Zadkiel..."
This is new information. As expected, staying with Border Duke always brings unexpected benefits.
I've got something new to ask Lucy about. I started organizing this new information in my mind.
"But for you to go to such a dangerous place..."
Border Duke's eyes gleamed sharply.
It was a gaze asking for the reason. I nodded and added:
"My acquaintances are probably around that area. Since I need to settle in this world, I plan to gather as many allies as I can."
"Hoho. Like how you saved Miss Seolbaek?"
"Well, yes."
The Valley of the Dead in Unterland - that very place where everyone except me was sucked into the gate during the Trial Veils.
I remember that name clearly.
What I've learned while living in this Halcenberg Castle is that this world is dangerous.
It's perfect for dying a horrible death if you wander around alone.
'Companions. First priority is to form a party I can trust and rely on.'
That's the primary reason why I'm heading to Unterland first.
It's the most likely location where Aldcon, Skalo, and Cessna, whom I became close with during the Trial Veils, might be.
As for Craneid, since he fell in the Dragon Empire Kenain, well, I can look for him later.
If even half of his boasting was true, he's not someone who would die easily, so I can take my time finding him.
While I was thinking this,
"In that case. Are you planning to go through Marktress ? Or the Dragon Empire?"
Border Duke asks while filling a new glass.
I immediately tilted my head at that question.
"... Is there no direct route?"
"Originally, Mittelland and Unterland were one country... but after the central continent was contaminated by the witch, one must take a detour through these two countries to get there. They're physically completely separated."
"Ah... ha."
Mittelland and Unterland. I thought their naming sense was similar, and it turns out they were originally one.
But that's not the important part. You're saying I have to go through either Marktress or the Dragon Empire?
This is quite different from what I expected. The journey seems like it's going to be unnecessarily long.
"Hmm... what should I do..."
Either way, I lack information about both routes.
The only information I have is that my acquaintance Craneid is in the Dragon Empire.
Even if I use Mimir's Eye while traveling, I'd prefer to take the route with minimal risk.
Between the Dragon Empire and Marktress , which has lower risk?
"If you haven't decided on a route, I recommend Marktress ."
Border Duke's reliable voice solved my dilemma.
When I quickly raised my head, he took a sip of grape wine and said with trustworthy eyes:
"I have an old acquaintance in Marktress . I'll send word to inform them about you, so you can receive their help."
"No, Border Duke, I couldn't impose that much..."
"At least in terms of martial arts, they're a master even I cannot defeat. We learned much from each other."
"Yes. Please do ask them to help."
You should have told me that first, Duke. The connections of a 'hardcore strong-man' are always welcome.
Border Duke was momentarily stunned by my lightning-fast change in attitude. He soon started walking to his seat with a hearty laugh.
"Very well. Lastly, it wouldn't be right to send you, the hero of Halcenberg , empty-handed, so please accept this small token of mine."
"Oh my. A token? You shouldn't..."
I pretended to decline.
It's just a pretense. This means I'll take it. It's the unwritten rule.
As someone who doesn't know what's outside the castle, I have no reason to decline anything offered.
"Take this. It will surely be of help to you."
What Border Duke handed over was none other than his beloved sword.
A dull, pure white blade - a longsword that flashed eerily. I clearly remember how it gleamed particularly coldly in the moonlight.
I received it and examined it carefully. Soon, a status window appeared.
[Item Information]
[Name: Demon Sword Espada (Relic Grade)]
[Stats: Strength +20, Agility +15]
[Details: A pure white bone sword said to have been used by 'Han', the Witch's Knight. The origin of the bone is unknown, but its hardness is considerable. Artificial enhancement is impossible, but it strengthens itself according to the user's power.]
[Number of possible enhancements: 0]
'... The Witch's Knight Han?'
After reading the explanation, I was stunned for a moment. My gaze suddenly fixed on the Bestak hanging at my waist.
This sword was actually paired with Bestak? Was this Witch Knight a dual-wielder?
To meet like this by such an incredible coincidence. What kind of twist of fate is this?
'... Dual-wielders don't tend to live very long.'
I looked at both swords alternately with a serious face.
Right. Maybe it's not a twist of fate, but rather destiny. After all, my summoning here was intended by the gods.
While nodding my head, I looked at the Margrave and asked.
"Are you sure about this? It's a sword you personally used... and moreover, it seems like no ordinary item."
"It's a fitting item for someone extraordinary like you."
The Margrave's meaningful smile felt particularly piercing.
Sure enough. He continued with a smirk.
"That is something I took from an ancient demon clan chief long ago. Everyone said it had an ominous energy and told me to throw it away... but well. I didn't want to do that."
"...!"
"That demon clan was also under the immortal Demon King."
Perhaps the Margrave had vaguely guessed my identity. Looking at his meaningful expression made me think so.
When I carefully looked at him, he shook his head and said,
"I won't ask anything. You're simply the hero who saved Halcenberg from crisis. That's how I'll remember it."
"... Thank you, Lord Margrave."
"However, that sword definitely suits you better than me. I'm certain of it."
If you insist that much.
I put the sword on the opposite side of my waist and bowed my head.
"I see. Then I gratefully accept it."
"Yes. It's something I won't be using for a while anyway."
"In peaceful times, weapons are just heavy baggage."
"Haha. Yes. That's right."
The Margrave laughed heartily and finally poured grape wine into the glass. Then he subtly handed it to me.
"Send a message whenever you need help. I'll put everything aside and help you."
I smiled slightly. This is the moment for a cool toast.
Clinking the glasses strongly, I took a drink of the wine and said.
"To the future prosperity of Halcenberg, and to its wise leader, Margrave of Halcenberg."
"... Cheers."
And so, my reunion with the Margrave ended there.
Finally, the Margrave provided some travel expenses and supplies.
At the same time, he left these words.
"Be careful, Sir Jeong-Yong."
"Pardon? About what?"
"I'll keep quiet as much as I can, but... The rumors about you, who subjugated Eldritch, Mittelland's long-standing plague, just two months after being summoned... will probably spread faster than I can imagine."
"......"
It was something I hadn't even thought about.
I kept my mouth shut, and the Margrave continued while observing my expression.
"Most will rejoice in your achievements... but there will definitely be groups who won't."
"Groups who won't...?"
"...... Please be careful in your conduct."
Well, that's roughly what he said.
In the end, the Margrave didn't explain in detail about these 'groups who won't.' Rather than deliberately withholding information, I think he was being cautious because even he wasn't certain about their existence.
So I had to leave the main building of Halcenberg Castle with an uneasy feeling, like leaving something unfinished.
"Ah, Jeong-Yong nim! Over here!"
Looking up, I saw the Demon King and Seolbaek had finished their preparations and were waiting.
I approached them standing at the castle's main gate and shifted my backpack onto my shoulder.
"Did you finish your conversation well?"
"What kind of men talk for so long! I thought my neck would fall off waiting!"
Seolbaek and the Demon King, each adding their comments, immediately followed behind me.
And as we passed through the destroyed main gate, crossed the collapsed inner castle wall, passed through the ruined territory, and finally crossed the moss-covered outer castle wall...
At last, a 'ding' sound and fanfare rang out in front of me.
[Quest Complete!]
[Title: Hero's Trial - Escape from the Abandoned Castle]
[Details: A test to become an official hero. Any means and methods are acceptable. Escape from the cursed abandoned castle of Halcenberg.]
[Rewards: Official Hero title. '1st Grade Random Box - Death God's Gift'. All Stats +20. Hero Sense +5]
Finally,
I completed the quest that seemed impossible.
I felt like crying from the emotion.
Even the sky glowing dimly in the cold wave looks particularly clear.
'I'm free!'
A brilliant golden light radiates from my entire body. Like the protagonist of Shawshank Redemption, I spread both arms and savored that sensation. [TL/N: The very first image you will see when you google it]
Perhaps because my stats were instantly enhanced, strength wells up within me. I clenched and unclenched my fist while opening the status window.
[Name: Park Jeong-Yong]
[Title: 163417413th Official Hero. Guardian of the Demon King's Egg. One Bound to Immortality]
[LV. 101]
[HP: 753/753 MP: 220/220 Physical condition: Normal]
[Strength: 123 Agility: 159 Intelligence: 43 Hero Sense: 11]
[Remaining Stat Points: 54]
"Wow crazy... I gained 18 levels just from killing one Eldritch..."
I hadn't been able to check until now because things were so hectic. That Eldritch must have been quite the big shot.
When it used to take hundreds of regular undead kills just to gain 1 level, now I've jumped up 18 levels at once.
Now that this has happened, I'm worried first about where to spend the remaining stat points.
'Well, whatever.'
With how I'm feeling right now, I feel like I can handle whatever happens from here on out.
I looked over the two people once, then first moved my feet toward the southwest. The Demon King and Seolbaek nodded and followed behind me.
"Let's go. To Marktress ."
"Yes! Let's go!"
"Uhahaha! Finally, my grand undertaking begins!"
With those determined words as the last.
We took big strides heading southwest.