Chapter 111
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Why Are You Looking at Me Like That? (2)
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3.
A week later.
Gallard's southern gate.
Orion and his patrol were seeing Karron's party off.
Congratulations, Karron Leston. You've achieved something great.
He could easily tell that Karron's power had grown significantly.
I got lucky.
Karron grinned and nodded.
I guess the forest really is a prime spot.
Have you reached the 7-Star level?
Not quite, but I'm definitely stronger than before.
As he spoke, Karron let a wisp of black darkness emanate from his fingertips.
Seeing this, Orion gave a small nod of understanding.
Does that mean you've gained complete control over Pluto's power?
Less control... more like we've gotten a little closer.
In spirit arts, nothing is more important than affinity with the spirit. You're heading in the right direction. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help.
There was no established spirit art for handling Pluto.
The elves had never once managed to form a contract with him.
Orion smiled wryly and shifted his gaze to glance at Karron's companions.
They seemed to have made even more significant progress than Karron.
Dazzling growth.
They've all gotten stronger, right? Thanks to the Dew of the World Tree, everyone made great strides.
...But are you sure this is okay?
Strength aside, Karron's companions were all glaring at him as if they wanted to kill him.
They looked like they were staring at an old nemesis.
Karron waved his hand as if to say it was fine.
They're just frustrated. They'll be fine once we get out there and get some real combat experience.
Hearing Karron, Leo gritted his teeth and said,
Watch your back, Karron.
Wow, this is why they say you shouldn't take in dark-haired beasts. Brother. You became a 6-Star Knight thanks to me, have you no shame?
...Is that something the guy who tortured us for a whole week should be saying?
Torture? It was clearly training. Training.
You, you used us to test Pluto's powers... Haaah.
Did a bad memory surface?
Leo shuddered and fell silent.
Rion and Utulla, standing beside Leo, also clenched their fists and added their own remarks.
Karron, you better keep your promise. After this mission is over, you're getting the shit beaten out of you for exactly one hour.
I will be sure to show you the wrath of a warrior...
Their voices were filled with a very deep anger.
It was impossible to even guess what had happened to them over the past week.
Orion smiled faintly, then took a paper envelope from his coat.
This is a gift from me to you.
Karron took the envelope from Orion. He slowly tore it open and pulled out the small document inside.
A document with illustrations and descriptions.
It was none other than a map of the Great Forest.
I was originally going to assign you a guide... but it seemed you wouldn't want one.
Is it okay to just hand over a map like this to a human?
A map detailing the terrain of the Southern Great Forest.
Humans had only calculated the size of the Southern Great Forest; they had never managed to create a map with such detailed terrain.
Creating a map naturally requires surveyors.
It was a place human surveyors couldn't even enter, so how could there be a map?
In other words, this map was an immense strategic asset in itself.
If this map were to fall into the hands of the greedy, a tragedy in the Southern Great Forest would be inevitable.
It means we trust you that much.
Orion smiled, looking into Karron's eyes.
Do you see the spot marked in yellow on the map?
Yeah.
The Regent personally pointed out that location. The being you're looking for is likely there.
Just as Orion said, there was a yellow dot on the map.
A dot marked in a place not too far from the South Sea.
As you can see, it's close to the South Sea. It might be somewhat dangerous, as the naga will be active around this time. If you happen to encounter them...
Orion pointed to a dot located over the South Sea.
Go to the village of Eare here and request support. The Mother's roots extend there. A considerable number of elves live there, and they will gladly help you.
It was a kind consideration.
But what are these lines?
Two colored lines were drawn on the map.
One was red, the other blue.
The red line followed a western path, while the blue line followed an eastern one.
The red one is a shortcut, and the blue one is a detour.
Even at a glance, the blue route is a much longer way around. What's the difference between the two?
At Karron's question, Orion let out a small sigh. Then he said in a low voice,
The difference is whether you bypass the Forbidden Zone entirely or cut through it for a very short time.
...Forbidden Zone?
There's an abandoned dragon's lair there. Its master disappeared a long time ago, but the guardians still remain. That's why we've designated it as a forbidden zone.
Hmm, how much faster is the red route?
You can save at least six days. That's why I marked the route for you.
A dangerous but fast path, and a safe but slow one... Well, this is easy.
The decision wasn't difficult.
I'll take the red route.
The dangerous but fast path.
Hearing Karron's choice, Orion nodded in understanding.
You certainly have spent a lot of time here. I respect your choice.
Huh? We're not in a huge hurry.
Karron casually picked at his ear, then said with a bright smile,
You said it's dangerous, right? Then of course we have to take the dangerous path.
...Why?
How else are we supposed to grow? I can't stand to see my companions become greenhouse flowers.
It was a very Karron-like reason.
Orion shrugged.
He felt a pang of sympathy for Karron's companions, but what could he do?
This was their fate.
I wish you good fortune.
And so, their time in the city came to an end, and the mission resumed.
4.
While Karron's party was heading south toward the southern part of the Great Forest, Halo, on an expedition to the North Sea, was receiving a report from Jeras through a communication sphere.
The news Jeras relayed about Karron and the others easily surpassed Halo's expectations.
Leo has reached 6-Star, and Rion is on the cusp of it... That is joyous news.
-That is correct, my lord.
Karron, that boy seems to care deeply for his cousins. A good attitude.
The area around Halo was littered with the corpses of magical beasts.
Halo smiled with satisfaction, then perched himself on a mountain-like pile of beast corpses.
It would be no exaggeration to call this the greatest generation in the family's history.
From the eldest grandson, Hugo, to the youngest, Karron.
Every one of them had broken through to the 6-Star level.
Even considering their innate talent as members of the Leston ducal family, they had already far surpassed their parents' generation.
It was truly an encouraging achievement.
And at the center of that achievement was, of course, the youngest, Karron Leston.
Did Karron say anything about his own accomplishments?
-He mentioned that he would likely become 7-Star soon. Ah, and as a point of interest... he said he formed a contract with a spirit.
...A spirit?
Halo frowned. He then used his mana to burn away the magical beast's blood on his sword.
Explain in detail.
-I only heard that he made a contract with a spirit of darkness; Lord Karron did not provide any further details.
A spirit of darkness... An unfamiliar one. Did such a spirit even exist?
-According to Lord Karron, it is a being different from the usual four elemental spirits.
Interesting.
This was the first time a blood member of the Leston ducal family had made a contract with a spirit.
In the first place, it was rare for a human to form a contract with a spirit at all.
However, Halo wasn't particularly alarmed.
Not only was there no rule against contracting with spirits, but the one who had done it was Karron.
So Karron has obtained a new power.
-I am concerned he might neglect his swordsmanship.
Jeras. In your view, is Karron the type to put down his sword just because he's gained a new power?
-...No, my lord.
The more weapons, the better. He is a clever child; he must have judged it would be helpful. Still, just in case, I should stop by the Mage Tower on my way back. I'll need to ask the Tower Master about this spirit of darkness.
He trusted the boy would have made a sound judgment, but it was always best to be certain about everything.
Halo slowly rose to his feet and walked across the snow-covered beach.
Is that all you have to report?
In response to Halo's question, Jeras continued his report in a low voice.
-There is one more matter you should be aware of, my lord.
Speak.
-The King of the South Sea has made a move. We have intelligence that two of the Seven Heroes have set sail for the Southern Great Forest with their fleets.
The timing is quite a coincidence.
In the southern sea of the continent, there are numerous islands, large and small.
Unlike the barren North Sea, the South Sea is warm and bountiful, with rich fishing grounds.
Moreover, it was a place where maritime trade thrived.
The King of the South Sea.
That title referred to the one who ruled those waters.
A being who, while the southern kingdoms were devastated by war, had led their own forces to seize control of the sea.
So the Empress has made her move.
People also called this ruler the Empress.
A monster who had united the pirates scattered across the South Sea and forged them into a massive collective.
The Pirate Empress, Kinda Reynold.
That was her name.
Her name was also one that was never omitted when discussing the strongest on the continent.
Is there any reason for her to move toward the Southern Great Forest? That should be naga territory.
-This isn't confirmed information, but there are rumors they are after a poison dragon's hatchling. It's said that a poison dragon's hatchling lives in the Southern Great Forest.
A poison dragon? Are you referring to Etaron, the green dragon of the Southern Great Forest?
-Yes.
Etaron the Poison Dragon.
The green dragon who, long ago, destroyed one of the human kingdoms in the south.
A traitor who had sided with the demons when they invaded the continent some 300 years ago.
The Founder killed him personally. With Guillotine.
So why was that name resurfacing at a time like this?
Halo frowned and said,
You said Karron and the others are also headed for the South Sea coast of the Southern Great Forest, correct?
-Yes, that is correct.
They might clash.
-Shall I dispatch reinforcements?
At that, Halo considered for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
After giving the elves information about the pirates, we will observe.
If the Empress herself had made a move, it would be a different story, but since she had only sent her subordinates, there seemed to be no need to intervene actively.
I'll leave it to Karron. It will be good experience for him, as he has mostly fought knights until now.
The "Heroes" was a term for the Empress's loyal retainers.
They were the leaders of their respective fleets.
As befitting those who lead ferocious pirates, their individual martial prowess was strong.
Even the one considered the weakest was a 7-Star being.
But Halo trusted Karron.
Four years ago might have been a different matter, but Karron had already grown into a monster.
Is it possible to deliver this information directly to the kids?
-The communication sphere with security magic has already been destroyed, so it's impossible.
It can't be helped. Understood. I plan to return to Cheonghae Castle in a week, so be ready to report if more news comes in.
Ending the communication, Halo let out a long breath.
His breath scattered in the cold air.
Karron. This time won't be easy.
The pirates are different from the opponents Karron has faced so far.
They are truly despicable and merciless foes who wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice even their own comrades to win.
Therefore, it would not be an easy fight.
I hope you'll entertain me this time as well.
Muttering to himself, Halo once again raised his sword and stood before the beach.
Beyond the horizon, countless magical beasts were once again swarming toward him.