Chapter 243
Chapter 243
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 243
Chapter Title: 93. Mountain of Light and Darkness (1)
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Yuri had completed the Hegemon's Conquest.
He had defeated all sixteen key nations of the Small Country Alliance and seized their banners. It was a feat no one had achieved since the Hegemon who once conquered the central plains.
Rumors even spread that he had shaken off the Empire's interference and subdued the Black Knights in the process.
Now, Yuri was truly one of the Ten Strongest.
There was no one on the continent who didn't know his name.
But Yuri paid no mind to such accomplishments. He wasn't hung up on fame. He just wanted to fight the Empire.
Before leaving the Small Country Alliance, Yuri sent letters to the kings of the sixteen nations.
The letters contained the truth about the Empire and Yuri's message that they must stand together against it from now on. Since it even explained the events in Conzed during the Hegemon's Conquest, it was certain to spur the kings into real action.
If any nation dawdled after receiving the letter, Yuri planned to lead the Hegemon's Banners himself and demonstrate his power.
Afterward, Yuri took the Revenge Knights and headed for Jenel Mountain.
The Hegemon's legacy would be there.
"Why are we suddenly going to Jenel Mountain, Your Highness?"
"I've got business there."
"Looking for a new weapon?"
"No."
Jenel Mountain was the tallest peak in the Jenel Mountains, famous for producing high-quality steel.
The Hegemon had obtained something from its summit.
Yuri intended to confirm it with his own eyes.
"You're not thinking of climbing all the way to the top of Jenel Mountain, are you?"
"That's right."
"Uh..."
Jared scratched the back of his head.
"It's too high."
"I'll go alone, so you can wait."
"Why?"
"You just said it was too high."
"I mean, yeah, but how can you go alone?"
"Then come with me."
"Ugh..."
Jenel Mountain straddled Airman, a nation not far from the Small Country Alliance with modest national power, relying mainly on exporting Jenel steel for income.
Since it wasn't an official visit, Yuri slipped across Airman's border undetected and headed straight for Jenel Mountain.
Upon arrival, the towering peak loomed over them.
Jared let out a hollow laugh.
"You really want to climb that?"
The summit of Jenel Mountain was capped with perpetual snow.
"It's got perpetual snow."
"We'll have to deal with it."
"You're seriously going alone?"
"Yeah."
Yuri instructed the Revenge Knights to set up camp and told them he'd return from the summit alone.
By now, Jared had caught on to something.
"What's at the top of Jenel Mountain?"
"Maybe the Hegemon's legacy."
"The Hegemon's legacy?"
"What did you see in the Hegemon's Banners? I don't know what's up there, but the Hegemon hid a message in the flags. He said he attained enlightenment at the summit of Jenel Mountain."
"So you're heading up right away?"
"To stop the Empire, time is of the essence."
"Understood. I'll come with you."
"No need."
"I'm coming."
In the end, Yuri ended up climbing Jenel Mountain with just Jared.
He ordered the Revenge Knights to return to Brioll immediately if the two didn't reappear within the set time.
And so, the pair set off toward Jenel Mountain.
"Huff... huff..."
Each with a backpack and a single sword strapped on, they began ascending the mountain path using their climbing gear.
"This is tough."
"Use your staff."
"Right."
Though both were knights accustomed to mountain travel, Jenel Mountain was so rugged and steep that they had bought up climbing gear from a small village at its base.
There were apparently more mountaineers than expected, enough to support a general store selling climbing equipment for visitors.
Yuri and Jared gripped a staff each in their hands, wore high-end climbing boots, and started up the slope.
Their pace was incredibly fast.
"Let's take it slower."
"No time!"
"Ugh..."
Surprisingly, they occasionally ran into other climbers.
"Hello."
"Take care."
Not knowing who Yuri's group was, they greeted them warmly.
Jared eyed the climbers suspiciously.
"Why on earth do people climb mountains?"
"Because there's a mountain there."
"What kind of answer is that?"
"Just like we train with swords, mountaineers climb mountains. That's all."
"Hmm..."
Jared tilted his head and, spotting a new group of climbers—three people ascending together—struck up a conversation.
"Hello. Mind if I ask something?"
"Hello. Sure, go ahead."
"What brings you climbing?"
"Pardon?"
"What's the reason for climbing Jenel Mountain?"
"Well..."
The climbers exchanged glances, then looked at Jared with suspicion.
"You don't know?"
"Pardon?"
"Coming to Jenel Mountain without knowing anything? You seem pretty shady..."
"Huh?"
"No comment."
With that, the climbers turned, hands behind their backs, and resumed climbing the steep path.
Compared to Yuri and Jared, laden with gear, their simple attire didn't hinder their steady footwork.
Their poise, with hands clasped behind for balance, exuded mastery.
"This is weird. There must really be something at the top of Jenel Mountain."
Yuri knew little about Jenel Mountain beyond its steel. He had no idea why so many climbers flocked here.
"No clue. Let's just go see."
The two quickened their steps.
Every time they met new climbers, Jared asked about Jenel Mountain, but they all shunned him with wary glances.
Yuri sighed.
"Stop prying and let's just get to the summit."
"But I'm curious!"
"We'll find out when we get there."
Yuri exhaled. As the elevation rose, the temperature dropped, and their breaths began forming white clouds.
They donned their coats.
"The shopkeeper had a reason for pushing those sales."
"Didn't you accuse him of being a con artist?"
"No, I was just being cautious because Your Highness is so innocent and might get duped."
"You trash who treated a good man like a crook..."
Yuri turned to look back.
The slope they'd climbed and the scenery below spread out beneath them, everything tiny like toys. The vertigo of great heights crept in.
At the same time, a vast heroic spirit welled up within him.
"Nice."
Yuri faced forward and resumed walking.
"Let's hurry!"
Suddenly, a commotion erupted. Following a scream, they found a group of climbers facing off against a pack of direwolves.
The climbers had drawn weapons and assumed defensive stances, but the sheer number of direwolves kept them from attacking.
Most trembled in fear.
"D-Direwolves weren't supposed to show up here..."
"Damn it..."
"Where'd these bastards come from?"
"Just stay still, and they'll leave."
Several of the climbers were from the group that had eyed Yuri and Jared suspiciously earlier.
Jared crossed his arms and nodded.
"They know nothing. Direwolves never back off. They see the climbers are stalling and think they'll win by dragging it out."
"Exactly."
Yuri clapped Jared on the back.
"Go save those innocent climbers."
"Pardon?"
Jared shrugged and feigned a wicked grin.
"Save the people who called me shady? Do I look that saintly to you? Heh heh heh..."
"Jared. Beware the darkness in your heart."
"Talking like a priest. Heh heh..."
"Ahem. Cast aside evil thoughts and heed the call of goodness. Darkness cannot overcome light."
"Yes, yes."
Jared shrugged, set down his pack, drew his sword, and sauntered forward casually.
"Your shady guy has arrived."
His sudden appearance drew all eyes from both sides.
One climber shouted.
"Th-that guy's the one who brought the wolves! He seemed suspicious!"
"..."
"Y-you, you villain!"
The mood was odd. Jared, who'd stepped up cheerfully, lowered his sword tip and sighed.
"Such stingy hearts for mountain folk..."
Of course, their words weren't true, so the direwolf pack charged at Jared in an instant, seeing the lone figure as easy prey. They were clever beasts.
But not clever enough to gauge their foe's level.
Jared swung his sword once, slicing through several direwolves. They bled out and collapsed en masse.
The surrounding direwolves, seeing blood, yelped like startled dogs and retreated.
The climbers' eyes widened at the sight.
"I'm Jared."
He announced his name, raising his sword.
Sword aura blazed like flames.
"A friend to good climbers. I can't let you direwolves threaten the trail. Sorry, but you'll have to die."
The apparent leader of the direwolves barked low and heavy.
The wolves spun as one, encircling Jared, then lunged with bared fangs and twisted snarls, ferocious momentum.
Jared whistled.
"Cute pups."
The direwolves posed no threat. A one-sided slaughter began. Realizing the vast power gap, the wolves tucked tail and fled in panic.
Now Jared advanced on the leader.
In the end, the pack routed.
Watching Jared strut with hands on hips, Yuri felt a strange emotion.
"You've grown a lot..."
When they'd climbed Sword Mountain seeking Erich Brioll's legacy, Jared had faced a direwolf pack much like this.
Back then, even a few wolves had overwhelmed him, forcing him to yell for help until Hernando aided with magic.
Now, he effortlessly dominated a larger, tougher pack.
"Thanks to you."
Ignoring Jared, Yuri approached the climbers.
They bowed, expressions softened.
"Th-thank you..."
"No need. Mountaineers help each other."
"We had no idea you were so strong. Are you knights?"
"No."
Yuri shook his head.
"Whatever we were below doesn't matter up here. We're just climbers. Guests. Invited by the mountain itself. What use is that now? Glad you're all safe."
"Ah..."
The climbers exchanged looks and nodded.
"Sorry for being wary earlier. Things up here are just so..."
He chose his words.
"Precious to us..."
"I see."
Yuri didn't press what it was.
He'd learn at the summit.
"Shall we climb together?"
"Together?"
"No telling when those wolves return. Or other threats. Strength in numbers."
"Thank you."
The group fully opened up to Yuri, smiling brightly.
And so, they ascended chattering amiably.
Only Jared trailed behind, grumbling from afar.
"I did the fighting..."
As they neared Jenel Mountain's summit, the world below truly seemed small. Worldly affairs felt trivial.
Compared to this mountain, even the Empire didn't seem so grand.
Gradually, talk ceased.
They simply marched silently toward the peak.
It was no easy trek. Some tumbled down steep inclines, others limped on sprained ankles. Cold paled faces, teeth chattering.
Yet no one stopped.
Yuri couldn't fathom what drove them onward.
"There it is."
Finally, a high pinnacle came into view.
Silhouettes of a few people were faintly visible atop it.
"Let's go."
The climbers ascended to the summit with resolute expressions.
And there.
Yuri spotted something that shouldn't exist.
"The Demon's Grimoire...?"