Chapter 145
Chapter 145
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: The Road North
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"Sealed?"
"That is correct. It is said that Lady Eurabia is sealed in the northern part of the continent."
Harkes said, pointing to a spot on the map.
Seeing the entire continent for the first time, Do-jae asked about something that piqued his curiosity more than Eurabia’s sealing.
"This is the whole continent?"
"Indeed. This is where Lady Eurabia is. And this is where we Titans live."
His finger moved far down and tapped a single point.
It was a rainforest region, colored green.
"Do you happen to know where the Kuran Mountains, where the Gray Elves live, and the Tuvaln Kingdom are? And the ancient human magic kingdom."
"I am not certain about the magic kingdom, but I know of the Kuran Mountains and the Tuvaln Kingdom. They are around here."
Harkes pointed to the eastern side of the map several times.
Considering the places Harkes pointed out and the time it took him to get here before, Do-jae could tell that the continent was quite vast.
And just how large the rainforest was.
He realized that the part of the rainforest he had passed through was less than 10% of the whole.
"I have one more question. What's outside of this?"
"Ah, that is what is called the sea. I have never seen it myself, but it is a space filled with salty water."
"I know what the sea is... I mean beyond the sea."
"Nothing is known of that place. Only that the ancient humans called it the Outside Continent."
A land that enveloped this vast continent.
An unknown territory surrounded the massive landmass.
And there was a being who could answer about this mysterious land.
"What lies beyond the continent? Ah, I wasn't talking to you, so don't mind me."
The divine beings of Tranpeion, the Ascetics, would surely know.
- That will be a long story. Do you wish to hear it?
As expected, Altein seemed to know and responded.
Do-jae wanted to hear it immediately but decided to postpone it for now.
This was the time to focus on Harkes's story.
"I'll ask when I'm curious. More importantly, Harkes, tell me about Eurabia again. Sealed? Do you not know about the Ascetics?"
"Ascetic? What is that?"
"It seems your race has lived in complete isolation..."
"That is so. We have not interacted with any outside races. It has been nearly ten years since an outsider like you set foot in this land."
"I see..."
With short lifespans and no contact with the outside world, it was natural that they wouldn't know about the Ascetics.
For 200 years since the Hundred Years' War, the Ascetics had vanished from the continent, and as generations passed, tales of them must have become legends.
"According to the ancient texts, after winning the war, Lady Eurabia crossed the continent vertically and arrived in the north. I do not know why she chose the barren lands of the north, which are as harsh as this place, but it is written here that she would watch over the entire continent from there and safeguard the future of the Titans."
Harkes pointed to the characters written on another piece of paper.
It was in the language of the Titans, so of course, Do-jae couldn't read it.
"Lady Eurabia's blessing spread throughout the rainforest, and all the monsters in this region disappeared. Thanks to that, other races began to gather and live in various parts of the rainforest, even outside our lands."
Do-jae recalled the various races he had seen on his way here.
As Harkes said, without monsters, the rainforest would be a reasonably livable place.
If there were human tribes adapted to living in rainforests like the Amazon, there was no reason why other physically superior races couldn't.
For them, the greatest danger would not be the environment, but the monsters.
"However, monsters have recently started to reappear. When I was young, warriors would go outside the rainforest to hunt monsters. But now, there are monsters that approach the village and try to break down our walls."
The Titan village was located at the western edge of the rainforest.
On the map, it appeared to be only a few kilometers from the outside of the rainforest.
As rich as the rainforest was with various plants and animals, some things could only be obtained from monsters.
Especially ingredients for medicine or weapons, which often used the blood, flesh, and bones of monsters, so the Titan warriors would have gone outside the rainforest to hunt them.
"Something must have happened to Lady Eurabia. Having lived in isolation for so long, we will find it difficult to overcome this crisis without our goddess's blessing. So, the leaders have recently gathered to discuss much, but it has been difficult to reach a consensus..."
"Hmm... let me guess. It's because of that guy from before, right? The one conducting Theus's coming-of-age ceremony."
"...That is correct. He is a staunch conservative. He believes that Titan matters should be resolved by Titans. On the other hand, I believe we should open our gates and join forces with other races. And in the middle is Helia. She strives to mediate between us, but we are both stubborn Titans, so it is a struggle."
Do-jae nodded at Harkes's words.
He had only seen him for a moment, but he could sense the obstinacy in the Titan named Pelos.
Moreover, it would have been difficult to accept the proposal to suddenly abandon the culture and character they had preserved for so long.
The Titans were not a weak race, and they were still managing to protect themselves just fine.
"So what were you planning to do?"
"Until now, we have only been arguing. But then you appeared. I plan to show your abilities to Pelos and Helia and open the gates."
"And you will go to find Eurabia?"
"That is right. I plan to gather a few warriors and cross the continent."
*Thud-!*
Harkes slammed his hand on the desk, his eyes filled with resolve.
But Do-jae's expression was a little indifferent.
"But why am I included in this?"
"...Were you not coming with me?"
"Why would I?"
"...You are an adventurer, and you said you wanted to know what is happening in this land. And did you not say you would help?"
"I did. But what does that have to do with setting out to find Eurabia?"
"I misunderstood... I naturally thought you would come with me."
Harkes began to clear away the papers.
Do-jae watched him and smiled faintly.
"I know you still doubt me. Not with the same hostility as before, of course."
"It is true that I do not trust you completely."
"How can I travel with someone like that? Can you eat and sleep alongside someone who doesn't trust you?"
"Is that so... It was my fault... I see. I admit it. I will go to Lady Eurabia alone. Since I cannot be certain of you."
Harkes murmured under his breath.
Seeing this, Do-jae burst out laughing.
"Haha, honesty is better than lying. Fine, I was heading north anyway, so I'll go with you."
Do-jae stood up from his seat.
He was on his way to Elatra's temple anyway, so having a strong companion like Harkes wasn't a bad thing.
He also wanted to meet the sealed Eurabia.
However, knowing that Harkes was still wary of him, he needed to test his resolve.
Although Harkes's state as seen through the Eye of the Golem hadn't changed, Do-jae was more satisfied with his steadfastness.
"Thank you. Your senses are quite sharp, no less than ours."
"You're wrong. My senses aren't sharp, they're accurate."
"Is that so? I must be careful with my words in front of you."
"As you wish. By the way, do you have a decent robe? If I walk around like this, I think there will be many Titans as surprised as you were."
***
Outside the village.
Do-jae, who had come out first, was waiting for Harkes.
Just as his will was firm, his actions were swift, and they decided to leave the village immediately.
Moreover, Do-jae had told him not to bring other warriors, which further reduced their preparation time.
"Keeheehee!"
In a wide pasture created by felling giant trees, a few 8th-class monsters, Giant Horses, were loitering about.
Piles of unidentifiable bones were stacked around them.
‘I heard they were ferocious creatures. How did they tame them?’
As their name suggested, Giant Horses resembled horses but had six legs.
They were also as large as elephants.
Large enough for a Titan's massive body to ride without issue.
However, like most monsters, they had extremely rough and nasty tempers, and their movements were swift, making them one of the trickier monsters to hunt.
‘Well, if even a Corps Commander can tame and ride a monster, there must be a way.’
Whether the Titans raised and tamed the Giant Horses or used magic like the 1st Corps Commander of the Suppression Corps, it wasn't something he needed to worry about.
Do-jae simply stared blankly at the Giant Horses because he was supposed to ride one of them with Harkes to leave.
"My apologies for the delay."
Harkes appeared, opening the western gate.
With sandals laced up to his knees, leather top and bottom, and a massive greatsword slung over his shoulder, he looked like an ancient gladiator.
"No, you're back sooner than I thought. I expected you to be later."
"Is that so? I did not have much to pack..."
Harkes shook the small backpack slung over his shoulder.
Of course, it was a small backpack by his standards; to Do-jae, it looked much larger than a Suppression Corps backpack.
And in one hand, he held a large bundle wrapped in leaves.
"No, I thought that kid might cling to you. He's still a child, isn't he?"
"You mean Theus? He is no longer a child. Thanks to you, he has become a proud Titan warrior. So he will be fine on his own even without me."
"He'll be sad. To have such a stoic father."
"You speak as if I have no fatherly affection. But I cherish Theus more than anyone, so do not worry."
"That's a relief, then."
Harkes walked over to the Giant Horses and took out a thick leather bridle from his backpack.
"Whoa, whoa!"
He then unwrapped the leaves from the bundle he was holding.
A large chunk of meat, dripping with dark red blood.
Harkes lured one of the Giant Horses with the meat, then slowly stroked and fed it.
Once the Giant Horse finished its meal, he skillfully put on the bridle and led it over to Do-jae.
"Get on."
Harkes extended a hand toward Do-jae.
Do-jae currently had his Golem Armor deactivated.
As the large hand approached, he instinctively stepped back, evading its grasp.
"What are you doing?"
"How do you intend to mount with that small body? I shall lift you."
Harkes pursued Do-jae, trying to lift him.
Do-jae shouted in alarm.
"W-wait! Are we riding together?"
"That is correct. You will not be able to handle a Giant Horse on your own."
"Ah, it's fine. I'm fine, so..."
"No. Without this creature's help, it will be difficult to reach the north. It is the fastest and has the best stamina, so it will not take long."
*Grab-!*
Harkes's hand seized Do-jae's body.
Then he lifted him up and placed him on the Giant Horse's back.
"Wha... what is this..."
Harkes then lightly mounted behind Do-jae.
The situation had turned into something like a son nestled in his father's arms.
"Then let us depart!"