Chapter 106
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: The Southern Great Forest (3)
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5.
Although communication was an issue, Karron eventually found the relay station and was able to contact the Azure Fortress.
Karron immediately reported to the third elder, Ulrich.
This mission had been assigned directly by the Council of Elders.
Ulrich, who had personally given Karron the mission, was the one in charge.
Let me summarize. A black magician tried to summon a Chaos Gate, and the Demon King of Slaughter was directly involved. Is that correct?
Ulrich only spoke after hearing Karrons full report.
Yes, Third Elder.
Are the other children unharmed?
They were only injured to an extent that there will be no lasting effects, so you need not worry too much.
Even if you fought alongside the elves Its truly a miracle. Thank you for staying alive, thank you for staying alive.
Sincerity dripped from Ulrichs voice.
The monsters have been more active lately, but this is the first time a Demon King has made a direct move. From the start I shouldnt have sent just you kids from the start.
It was still only a mere fragment of him.
No, thats because you dont understand the true nature of a Demon King. Even if it was just a fragment, a Demon King is still a Demon King. It wouldnt have been strange if all of you had died there. This is truly nothing short of our Founders grace
It was a matter that had flustered even an elder of the Council.
The appearance of a Demon Kings fragment was certainly an event with that level of impact.
Karron. If you are seriously injured, speak honestly. The search for Kerua Akte can be postponed.
Im really fine, Third Elder. Thank you for your concern. Ah, and there is one more thing I havent mentioned.
Tell me at once.
There was a minor conflict with the Holy Kingdom
Karron told Ulrich everything, holding nothing back.
From the war of nerves with the Saint to stabbing the holy knight named Haphiel in the stomach.
He explained the situation in its entirety, as there was nothing to be gained from hiding it.
I might even be disciplined for this.
It was an issue that could escalate into a diplomatic dispute with the massive entity that was the Holy Kingdom.
He had braced himself for a severe scolding, but what came back was
Those wretched, fanatical bastards! How dare they try to capture the future of our family? Those religious zealots have some nerve!
Ulrichs furious roar.
Even through the communication magic, his voice was loud enough to make Karrons head ring.
Not only that, but what? They called Guillotine a demonic sword? It seems the brain cells of those fanatics have finally degenerated. To call the sword used by our Founder a demonic sword, those limbs deserve to be severed
I thought you were going to scold me.
Scold you? Of course I should scold you! Why didnt you chop off all their heads?
Judging by his reaction, it was a good thing Karron had reported directly to Ulrich.
It might have been for the best that Halo was currently away from the Azure Fortress on business.
Do not worry about that part! If a formal notice arrives from the Holy Kingdom, I will answer it myself.
Thank you, Third Elder.
I will take into account that you were not in your right state of mind. But from now on, if anyone insults the family, you are to cut off their head immediately. Do you understand?
I will take it to heart, and then some.
To have the one who once despised him the most turn around like this was incredibly reassuring.
But this was only the third elders judgment.
The stances of the other adults in the family, including the first and second elders, might be different.
Especially the first and second young masters
Could they launch a political attack?
It was obvious they would jump at the chance to tear him down.
Of course, his father, Peil, would block some of it, but it might be too much for Peil to handle alone.
Hadnt Karron also turned Reben upside down before coming here?
Karron felt a pang of guilt toward Peil.
I would like to hear your search plan for Kerua Akte.
First, I plan to ask around in Galad through the elves.
A good decision.
Ah, and Im scheduled to meet the regent here tomorrow.
I will entrust the mission entirely to you. And remember one thing, Karron.
Ulrich said in a solemn voice.
If a great threat to your lives arises, cease the mission immediately and return.
Yes.
As for the appearance of the Demon King of Slaughter I will convene a meeting of the Council of Elders at once. Lets end the report here. Contact me anytime if you have requests or changes in your plan.
With that, the communication ended.
Having successfully finished his report, Karron let out a soft breath and rose from his seat.
Now that news of the Demon King of Slaughter had reached the Azure Fortress, they would soon devise a countermeasure.
Karrons job had been to deliver the information.
I can focus on Kerua for the time being.
That foolish guy.
He had to find that foolish guy who had stayed to fight with them until the very end.
Karron was certain that Kerua was alive.
There was no way a guy like that would have died aimlessly on the road.
The official search would begin right after meeting the citys regent tomorrow.
Now that he had reported to the Azure Fortress, the priority was to return to their lodging and recuperate.
With his thoughts organized, Karron opened the door and stepped into the hallway.
He gave a slight bow to the female elf waiting at the counter.
Thank you for your help.
She replied.
Thank you for your patronage.
Her voice was soft and melodic.
Her words made Karrons eyes widen.
You speak the human tongue? But, when I came in earlier, you didnt say a word
How hard had it been to find this place from the square?
He had to gesture wildly in front of countless elves before he finally found this relay station.
The elf answered Karrons question with a bright smile.
Since our benefactor said nothing, I simply thought you had your reasons.
All that effort for nothing, really.
No wonder. Now that he thought about it, she seemed to be smiling when he first came in.
As Karron muttered to himself and shook his head, Guillotine teased him, amused.
-This is why a dull mind makes the body suffer, Master. But it was pretty funny earlier. You might have a talent for clowning.
Shut. Up.
As Karron sighed, the female elf spoke in a gentle voice.
Still, it was cute.
Is that a compliment?
Of course.
Karron Leston.
Including his past life, he was forty-six years old this year.
An age where being called cute still felt good.
6.
Their business concluded, Karron and his group returned to the lodging Orion had arranged for them.
It was a beautiful wooden mansion located near the World Tree.
Upon arriving, Karrons party realized that Orion hadnt given them this mansion simply for its aesthetic appeal.
Isnt this the all-natural dew of the World Tree?
Leo, the dew of the World Tree is always natural.
You know what I mean.
Except for Utulla, who didnt use mana, the rest of the group couldnt help but marvel at the pure mana pervading the entire mansion.
It felt as though mana was accumulating in their bodies with every breath.
No matter how abundant the mana is, it cant compare to the Azure Fortress. In the Azure Fortress, we can absorb the Azure Mana directly, but here, theres the hassle of converting it. Well, aside from the Azure Fortress this place would be the best.
There was a reason elves were called a blessed race.
The immense amount of mana gifted by the transcendent existence of the World Tree.
Moreover, their lifespans were overwhelmingly longer than humans because of it.
Didnt the average elf live well over two hundred years?
If only their population were larger, they might have conquered the continent long ago.
Come to think of it, I dont think I saw any knights among the elves.
Leo recalled the previous battle.
The elves had fought using bows and spirits.
Rion was the one to answer Leos question.
Thats because elves dont have mana cores. Knights basically process mana through cultivation techniques to use it, right?
Why dont elves have mana cores?
Elves are beings akin to nature. In contrast, the mana core is an organ created by humans defying the laws of nature to overcome their limits. In other words, they are fundamentally opposites.
Rion was certainly knowledgeable.
There was no need for Karron to add any further explanation.
Does that mean elves cant condense mana?
Essentially, yes. Thats why there are so many spirit users and mages. Spirit arts naturally use pure mana, and magic doesnt particularly alter mana either.
Rions clear explanation earned a nod from Karron, who added a point of his own.
Its more advantageous for elves to use their abundant mana as is, which is why they developed this way. Elves can hold a superior amount of mana in their bodies to begin with. Humans, on the other hand have to squeeze out maximum efficiency due to our racial limitations, dont we?
For that reason, the way human mages and elven mages employed magic was also quite different.
If an elven mage overwhelmed with sheer mana volume, a human mage would enhance their magic through their own secret methods.
This characteristic could be said to have created the difference between elven and human civilizations.
Alright, thats enough for our educational segment.
Karron stood up from the sofa. He then spoke to Leo and Rion.
Time for mana cultivation, dont you think?
At Karrons words, Leo and Rion swallowed hard in unison.
Neither of you has been able to properly cultivate your mana since the fight with that Slaughter bastard, right? As your younger cousin, I will help my dear older cousins with their cultivation.
At those words, Leos expression turned colder than anyones.
Leo avoided Karrons gaze and began searching for an excuse.
Ahem, where is Utulla right now?
Utulla doesnt use mana, does he? Theres a training ground in the backyard, so he said hed warm up there for a bit before coming in. So, dont you worry about him.
Through this battle, Karron had come to a stark realization.
The growth of his comrades was just as important as his own.
Of course, he wouldnt always be with Leo and Rion, but in the war to come, he would need their help.
Leo has grown stronger than I expected, but its still not enough.
Leos growth was something even Karron acknowledged, but he still expected more from him.
Having been born into the Leston ducal family, fighting against the demons was inevitable.
If I had my way, Id like to fix the mentalities of the first and second sons too
Halos sons seemed to have forgotten that there were things more important than internal family politics.
But changing them would not be easy.
The sweet allure of power that came with the position of heir was not something easily discarded.
That was why he was only maintaining a sense of crisis for them.
But their children were different.
Hugo, Rion, and Leo.
For those who were seeing the world through missions, there was still plenty of room to change.
Therefore, Karron
While we stay in the Great Forest, I want everyone to be prepared to be reborn.
hoped they would achieve meaningful results here.
Hadnt they just gained the precious experience of battling a Demon King?
Honestly, I was the only one who landed a proper blow on the Demon Kings body, wasnt I? Thats proof that youre all still very weak.
At his words, Rion nodded silently, and Leo also sighed in agreement.
Well continue to spar and cultivate our mana while we search for Kerua Akte, so if you have any questions, ask them now.
Just then, Rion raised her hand.
Karron. Ive been noticing this for a while, but why do you keep mixing formal and informal speech?
Its because youre here, Rion. If it was just Leo, I wouldve spoken casually.
Just drop the formalities. It makes me uncomfortable. Ive always been particular about that sort of thing.
But the age difference
At the mention of age, Rions gentle expression hardened.
Seeing this, Karron cleared his throat a few times, then said with a bright smile.
Alright, Rion. Is that better?
Good. You should have done that from the start. Im ready to begin cultivating.
She nodded, then sat cross-legged.
Seeing this, Leo followed suit with a look of resignation.
Having easily secured his cousins cooperation, Karron grinned and said.
Actually, I have something Ive been thinking about. Im going to use my mana to strengthen your mana pathways. This is my first time trying it, so there might be side effects For now, Leo, come here.
Why me first?
Rion is a 6-star and youre a 5-star. If something goes wrong, its better if it happens to the 5-star, right? Now, now, take a deep breath and slowly begin your cultivation. Just draw your mana to where I guide it, got it?
At least let me write a will first.
Hey now. Dont you trust me?
Would you trust you?
Nope. Of course not.
At that, Leo was at a loss for words.
Giving up on everything, he squeezed his eyes shut and muttered.
Lets just get this over with.
The moment Leo began to operate the Sea-Conquering Art.
Guuuhhhk.
Karrons mana began to seep into Leos body.
As a scream escaped Leos lips, Karron looked at Rion and smiled brightly.
Youre next, Rion. Brace yourself.
At his inscrutable smile, Rion couldnt help but shudder.
That night was a very long one.