Chapter 90 — Decision (1)
Chapter 90 — Decision (1)
Thanks to Roan's threat, the negotiations concluded without incident.
With one worry gone, the Lord of the West Blood Territory began asking Roan for training.
Even though he was nearing sixty, the centaur still looked like a robust man in his forties, possessing stamina and strength that rivaled his prime.
The sight of the Grand Lord charging at full speed, his spear point aimed straight at Roan, did not suit the word sparring at all.
"...Is this a duel, by any chance?"
"How could it be, Your Majesty!"
The spear point thrust in with lethal speed. Roan deflected the attack with Fiora wrapped in Sword Energy and quickly adjusted his stance for a counterattack.
[Such a heavy attack! Now's the time!]
Amid Fiora's simple admiration, Roan thrust his sword forward. Going easy on him would never be enough to defeat the Lord of the West Blood Territory.
Besides, it was human nature not to want to lose, even in a sparring match. It was rare for Roan to find a sparring partner against whom he could use his full strength.
The tip of Roan's blade, carrying his full power, eerily dodged the Lord of the West Blood Territory's spear point and aimed for the waist where the horse half and human torso connected. It was a spot hard to block with a spear.
The Lord of the West Blood Territory urgently tried to take a large step backward.
However, it was not easy to move four legs with delicacy.
The Grand Lord's specialty was a charge swinging a massive, heavy spear.
Sturdy horse legs could withstand heavy and fast charges, but they were not suited to the footwork of a humanoid swordsman like Roan, who constantly shifted posture and center of gravity while swinging a sword.
In the end, the Grand Lord tripped over his own feet and fell clumsily. It was the fifth time today.
"...I have lost. Your Majesty."
"Hm."
The Grand Lord, who had been floundering with his four legs while lying on his side, soon regained his balance and rose to his feet.
"It is truly not easy. I had hoped to defeat Your Majesty at least once before you leave Zeno."
"It won't be easy. Archduke."
"Haha, if it were easy to defeat Your Majesty, would I not have become the emperor myself?"
"Hm."
After collecting himself, the Grand Lord slung the long spear over his shoulder and spoke.
"I know that my chances of defeating Your Majesty grow slimmer if I do not give it my all, but that too is not an easy feat."
"Why is that?"
"Mm. Because I must go against my instincts."
"Instincts?"
The wintry, chilly wind blew, but hot steam was rising from the Lord of the West Blood Territory's entire body.
Wiping away his sweat, the Grand Lord answered.
"It is a bit difficult to express... but it feels as though one shrinks back when facing an overwhelmingly powerful being. My limbs seem to move differently than usual."
Roan tilted his head slightly.
'Overwhelm' was supposed to be a controlled state.
Seeing that, the Grand Lord smiled.
"It is separate from Your Majesty's unique power. I feel something similar when I meet the Grand Duke of the South Black Territory. One can discern through it. Just how much power the one before my eyes possesses."
"In that case, does that mean the baron who challenged me last time did not feel this?"
"Ah. That is because that youngster has yet to reach my level. The ability to grasp one's opponent cannot be acquired without training."
Roan recalled his 'Detection' skill and nodded.
"I see. I understand."
The Grand Lord accepted a towel from an attendant and wiped the sweat from his body.
Translucent sweat trickled down his human-like half, and foam-mixed sweat oozed from his horse body.
After wiping all the sweat from his horse body with the attendant's help, the Grand Lord expressed his gratitude for the emperor's consideration.
"Thank you for waiting, Your Majesty. You said you were going outside the castle today?"
"Yes. I plan to visit the vicinity of the Dark Forest."
"...The Dark Forest."
The Grand Lord stopped in his tracks as he followed Roan into the castle.
"Archduke."
"You are aware that is the border with the forest elves, Your Majesty."
"I am."
"Then would it be all right if I accompany you?"
"Hm...?"
Roan scrutinized the Grand Lord's face.
The Grand Lord wore a slightly anxious expression.
"There is a forest elf who will guide us. Do not worry."
The Grand Lord recalled Grünent and the forest elf by her side among the party that followed Roan and made a somewhat surprised face.
"...It was already surprising that a forest elf is cooperating with humans... but..."
"Yes. She is Grünent's escort. She is favorably disposed toward us. You may trust her."
Hearing the emperor's confident assurance, a relieved feeling appeared on the Grand Lord's face. However, it did not seem to be enough to sway his heart.
"I do not intend to enter the forest, Your Majesty. But that area is close to the border where we and the forest elves constantly clash. It is a precaution, but I and some of my soldiers will guard the forest until Your Majesty returns."
Ah. So clashes had been frequent.
"Are clashes frequent?"
"The forest elves are stubborn. They know no compromise. Trusting only in their mana, they will dare to offend Your Majesty. And then they will all die. And the matter will escalate."
Roan gave a bitter smile.
He was not trying to protect him, but rather the ignorant forest elves and the people near the Dark Forest.
In the end, Roan nodded.
However, Roan soon had to admit that he had thought too lightly of this issue.
Seeing the forest elf, the Lord of the West Blood Territory was on edge, and Rauka, who had to enter the forest soon, also had no patience to treat him gently.
To make matters worse, just before the forest exploration, Roan had used their Affection as a basis and released Rauka's Magic Restraint together with Grünent. She could now use 80% of her power.
That point made the Grand Lord even more uncomfortable.
"Are you truly going that deep alone? The knights would be useful in many ways if they accompanied you."
A dense forest of evergreens.
Even as winter arrived, it did not lose its green.
Though broadly called a single great Dark Forest, it was actually a terrain stretching across borders, from Evirgio's coniferous forests to Merde's broadleaf forests where the leaves turned in autumn,
encompassing them all.
The vast Dark Forest exuded a sublime aura.
A place where neither humans nor demonkind could approach carelessly.
Both the knights and soldiers lost their words from tension.
Only the emperor Roan, the Lord of the West Blood Territory, and Rauka kept expressions that seemed normal.
The Lord of the West Blood Territory made his suggestion.
However, it was not yet the stage to reveal the Waypoint to the Grand Lord or the knights.
Roan spoke somewhat evasively.
"I heard there is a monolith where traces of past ruins were found. They also said there are factors that could help with future cultivation, so I intend to see if it is true."
"..."
The Lord of the West Blood Territory closed his mouth.
He had the thought that his emperor was so desperately clinging to farming and land reclamation that he had to search for ancient records to do something.
What came to mind next was the image of the Former Emperor.
At least, not wanting to say anything that might dampen his son's hope, the Lord of the West Blood Territory simply followed behind him deeper into the forest without a word.
The Lord of the West Blood Territory, who had been walking for a long while, suddenly stopped, and accordingly, the entire party following the emperor halted in a clearing.
Before Roan could ask anything, the Grand Lord spoke first.
"Your Majesty. We shall remain here."
"Hm."
Roan looked around. The snow-covered forest was thickly overgrown even in winter.
A while ago, paths that people could travel were visible, but now only trails wide enough for animals remained. Enough that the sky was not even visible through the dense branches.
And Roan knew this path.
He also knew the fact that the path heading to the Waypoint would grow darker and narrower.
Thus, Roan nodded.
A narrow path where leading knights and soldiers would be of no help anyway.
"Do so."
"Your Majesty. If I may be so bold."
The centaur looked at the forest elf with unfriendly eyes.
"Please be careful. Just because there is one forest elf with you does not mean those bastards will treat Your Majesty with caution."
At those words, Rauka, who had kept her mouth shut until now, glared at the Grand Lord with fierce eyes.
But the Grand Lord made a scornful face.
"Fortunately, the forest elves do not come to this area. Our soldiers cannot go, but it is also a place they do not approach. However, if possible, do not go too deep. Your Majesty."
"You worry a great deal."
"My only wish is for Your Majesty's safety. Besides, I know how selfish the forest elves are."
"You."
Rauka's eyes flashed with Killing Intent.
"That's enough."
"Do you think you amount to anything just because you stand close to His Majesty, forest elf?"
The Lord of the West Blood Territory glared at Rauka with wide eyes. Roan was a bit surprised by this aspect, different from how he was during their sparring.
A menacing face and voice he had never once shown Roan.
"Countless people of this land have entered the forest in search of a handful of food only to be murdered by forest elves. The forest elves I know are that kind of race. No matter how much you serve His Majesty, I hear you too are a forest elf who has killed demonkind."
No matter how much of a simple, upright person he was who followed the emperor and prioritized martial strength, a Grand Lord was a Grand Lord.
It was not a position one could reach merely by swinging a spear thoughtlessly.
Having finished his background check on Rauka, the centaur glared at her as the Grand Lord ruling the West Blood Territory.
"Fundamentally, forest elves are a race that neither moves nor helps others unless it benefits them. Your Majesty. You say you mercifully took this one out of prison and placated her, but frankly, I find it hard to believe."
Roan let out a light sigh.
"I understand, Archduke. However, Rauka has decided to help me, and I believe her."
"If your liege believes me, what exactly is your problem? Half-man, half-horse."
As Rauka sneered, the Lord of the West Blood Territory, who had been about to turn away after hearing Roan, emanated Killing Intent as he looked at Rauka.
"Rauka. Stop..."
"How can we trust a murderer who slaughtered demonkind while they were looking for food? Are you saying it's wrong to not trust an untrustworthy enemy, forest elf?"
Rauka's complexion turned deathly pale.
Unknowingly, Roan rubbed his forehead and let out a sigh.
This was the first time the Lord of the West Blood Territory, who was usually quiet and did not show strong emotions except regarding the Former Emperor, spoke so much.
He must have had his share of clashes with the forest elves while staying in Zeno as Grand Lord all this time.
After all, Rauka was also a case who had been repatriated to Basel after committing crimes somewhere in the West Blood Territory.
"If you try to cultivate this land and farm here, you must know the forest elves will come out and rampage. Because the demonkind massacred while trying to cultivate are not one or two.
Not a few disappear after being caught in the forest or killed while going to forage a single handful of tree fruit or wild herbs.
Do you know why? Because the forest elves are a race that knows only themselves."
The Grand Lord was pouring out his long-held anger onto Rauka.
"Are the forest elves the masters of that forest? Did they grow this entire Dark Forest? What an arrogant thought. You would know if you lived in this forest. It was time and nature that grew this forest, not you."
"Archduke. Stop."
"...My apologies. Your Majesty."
Unable to even hide his frown, the Lord of the West Blood Territory, who had vented his long-time anguish at Rauka, apologized to Roan.
Pale-faced, Rauka stared at the Grand Lord in silence. Roan clicked his tongue bitterly and said to Rauka,
"Rauka. Do not take it too much to heart. As the Grand Lord, he must have had a long-standing enmity with the forest tribes. But I know what kind of person you are, and what you have agonized over."
Rauka looked at Roan.
Her expression, which had been sharp and glaring at the Lord of the West Blood Territory, was strangely contorted.
"How would Your Majesty understand."
"...Rauka?"
And in an instant, the forest elf began to run.
"Ah...!"
A speed that could only be described as a gale.
It was no lie that forest elves ran faster in the forest than on flat ground.
Roan bit his lip and hurriedly activated 'Detection'. Rauka's presence was rapidly receding at an unbelievable speed.
Only then, the Lord of the West Blood Territory deeply bowed his head with a surprised face.
"...My apologies, Your Majesty. I have overstepped..."
"I will hear you later. If I am late, have them stand by at the place I designated beforehand."
Roan waved his hand and began to run, following the trace from Detection. The forest began to grow even darker.