127
127 ― Black Earth
Instead of an answer, what emerged was a sword. Rondar's sword which had cut down Jeraxon, now aimed at Belkarim's seed.
However, unlike with Jeraxon, this time he didn't possess a part of the soul. He couldn't close the distance using the same method as before.
'It stops.'
Around Belkarim, just like her barrier, a field where time slowed down drastically was spread out. The sword that reached that place would lose its speed and eventually become no different from being stopped.
When escaping from the erosion, he had shattered it using the World Tree's explosive growth power, but Rondar's sword didn't have such a capability. So the sword would stop helplessly, and Belkarim would be safe.
That's how it should have been, but.
[......!]
Blood scattered. The sword flowing through the field cut down the wolf and spilled blood. Surprised, Belkarim immediately put distance between them and was on guard toward this side.
[To handle it this quickly......]
Jin-woo swung his sword to shake off the blood. It was preparation for the next strike. At the tip of that sword, the power of the seed taken from Jeraxon was subtly dwelling.
"Is this Jeraxon's power?"
[......Yes. He hated being oppressed and restricted more than anything. Perhaps because that nature dwells in it, his seed doesn't respond to any external pressure.]
It was something he had instinctively realized the moment he absorbed the seed, but hearing it in words made him recognize it even more clearly.
Jeraxon, who had broken the cage and escaped in anger at the false sky that imprisoned him. He hated beings that oppressed him more than anything. The power of the seed that came to dwell due to that.
'What a troublesome personality.'
It wasn't sympathy, but it was certainly a personality that would make life difficult. Unless one lived alone in the world, external pressure from others would inevitably come in some form. To put it negatively, it was a lack of freedom, but to put it positively, those were connections.
However, Jeraxon had been hostile to all of that and became an incarnation of hatred himself. The seed of erosion planted in him absorbed his nature and sprouted the power to reject external pressure.
A pitiful life—no, dragon life—but thanks to that, this power that grew is helpful.
[You cut Jeraxon's seed just moments ago, yet you're handling it in this short moment... Have all your memories returned?]
"Who knows?"
Many memories had returned, but he still didn't know much. There was no need to tell that to Belkarim.
From her, she didn't easily understand hostility like Jeraxon's hatred, but neither did she feel goodwill. In other words, it meant she had a separate purpose.......
[I have no intention of fighting here. If you've recovered some memories and retrieved Jeraxon's seed, that's enough.]
Light descended from the sky. One by one, the descending lights covered every corner of Belkarim's domain. Whether they were her slaves, workers, or subordinates, each one was enveloped in light without discrimination.
If it were by the power of erosion, he could cut it down like cutting black flames, and if it used the power of the seed, he could exclude it using Jeraxon's authority. But it was neither.
A feeling similar to some kind of magic or sorcery. It wasn't something that could be easily cut down with a sword.
"Why?"
Belkarim was also enveloped in the same light. She felt his existence disappearing.
"Why do you want me to regain my memories?"
He couldn't understand the reason. Jeraxon's principle of action was easy to understand. He hated the being that had imprisoned him in the past, and he hated Jin-woo, who was the reincarnation of that being, just the same. Compared to such easily understood hostility, Belkarim's principle of action was incomprehensible.
Was she a loyal subordinate in the past? To say that, she felt no reverence or anything. Or did she have some kind of grudge and wanted him to recall that grudge? To say that, she didn't feel much emotion of hatred either.
[I always only protect my domain.]
Leaving only those words, Belkarim disappeared. Neither Johan nor the maid was visible. Even the fragments of the ice castle that had been destroyed by the dragons disappeared, and all that remained was an earth pile as massive as a mountain.
Everything related to Belkarim disappeared. And the aftermath of that appeared most greatly in the sky.
"Jin-woo, the moon has risen."
"It's gotten dark."
The sun set and the moon rose. The blue sky was dyed dark, and the faint light of the morning stars dimly illuminated the flowing clouds.
The day that seemed like it would continue eternally due to Belkarim had finally ended.
***
The blue portal was discovered quickly. In less than a day, it was found, making it seem absurd that it hadn't been discovered until now.
"It seems it was distorted by a strong power."
They didn't immediately jump in upon discovering the portal. Kalesian wanted to remain for a while to inspect the portal.
"Strong power, you say?"
"Portals are more delicate objects than you'd think. The mana composing the door to another world can't be crude. That's why they seem to be easily distorted by surrounding forces."
"Do you mean the portal couldn't appear due to Silvern or Belkarim's influence?"
"Simply put, yes."
Jin-woo pondered for a moment, then asked.
"Do such things happen often in the 5th floor as well?"
"I don't know. Since ordinary dragons can't ride blue portals anyway, few research them. Even if they did, they wouldn't go around blabbing about their research results everywhere."
Kalesian could ride blue portals because he was a half-dragon who hadn't shed his skin. It was impossible for ordinary dragons living in the 5th floor.
Therefore, they didn't bother taking an interest in blue portals. That meant research or analysis about portals didn't circulate. However.
"I see... I've vaguely heard that portals aren't found in the Black Desert."
"The Black Desert?"
"It's the most dangerous place even in the 5th floor. It's the first place taught to young dragons as a place they must absolutely never approach."
So such rumors circulate even among dragons. Since they were supposed to be individualistic entities, he thought they wouldn't be interested in surrounding rumors at all.
Even so, he had learned quite a bit about the existence called dragons. Not only the stories heard from Kalesian, but also having dealt consecutively with dragons like Silvern and Jeraxon, he had learned much during combat.
If he went to the 5th floor, the Dragon Star Realm, the experience gained this time would be of great help.
It was time to enter after finishing inspecting the portal. This was the way back after dealing with Jeraxon, the God of Sky. He was curious about what had become of Earth.
"At least erosion won't appear anymore. Since we dealt with the one eyeing Earth."
"That would be right."
"It would be a different story if another one came attacking, though......"
Kalesian trailed off. Yes, there were still more than ten Lords remaining. Someone among them might takean interest in Earth, where Jeraxon's influence had disappeared.
"But the possibility is low. Earth has already lost much of its star energy. Most of its energy was sucked away by Jeraxon over the past decades. They won't bother targeting the little remaining energy."
As Kalesian said, that possibility was low. For a Lord existing in the Spirit Realm to extend influence to the Lower Realm required effort on their part. Would Earth in its current state have enough value left to warrant such effort?
"Let's go back and check first."
Everything would need to be examined after returning.
***
They returned to Kalesian's mansion. The businesslike servants greeted Jin-woo, and Kalesian went to Mahiri's side beforehand to wake her.
Though the period in the Spirit Realm was quite long, that much time hadn't passed on Earth. Because the events of meeting Belkarim and fighting Jeraxon had occurred in just one day.
In the end, it meant only as much time as had passed in Silvern's forest.
'Sorry for not finding it.'
Returning to the mansion, Jin-woo spoke to her through the World Tree's branch. The glass orb was lost, and the sapling originally taken was broken, but he had still brought back one branch.
[The God of Moonlit Forest smiles benevolently.]
She also comforted Jin-woo, saying it was fine. As expected, even though words weren't conveyed, the situation Jin-woo experienced seemed to have been transmitted. Following Silvern, she knew most of what had happened encountering Belkarim and defeating Jeraxon.
[Still... be careful......]
'Careful?'
[The seed......]
The emotion conveyed from her was an emotion of 'caution'. She was clearly being cautious of the seed of erosion.
It was, of course, the opposite action from Belkarim, who had urged him to regain his memories. As expected, she didn't view him favorably absorbing erosion.
He didn't know right away which side was right. Perhaps there was no right side at all. Both might be moving only for their own benefit.
Between them, determining which choice was for himself was entirely Jin-woo's responsibility.
For now.......
'Jeraxon's seed will be useful when fighting other Lords. Though it would be best not to fight.'
He would be careful, but he couldn't give up the power of the seed either. With Jeraxon's disappearance, there were no more invaders targeting Earth. However, there was no guarantee there would be none in the future either.
If another Lord came to target Earth, or himself, in the future, he needed the power to resist.
[The God of Moonlit Forest affirms.]
She seemed to understand that part as well and didn't say anything. She merely advised not to rely on it too much and not to let go of the string of caution.
After finishing the conversation with the World Tree and completely relieving his fatigue, Jin-woo contacted Ma Du-sik. Because he was curious about the trends of Erosion.
—Hunter Kang Jin-woo! It's been a while. I heard you went to New Delhi for a vacation. How is it?
"I'm resting well. More than that, I'm curious about something......"
After conveying appropriately fabricated recent news, he asked about Erosion. Ma Du-sik lowered his voice upon hearing Jin-woo's story and answered.
—It's still not certain on our end, and we're in the middle of figuring it out, but you're well-informed.
Since not much time had passed, each country was reluctant to make announcements. Because they didn't know the cause and were busy just accurately understanding the phenomenon.
After prefacing with that, the story Ma Du-sik conveyed was exactly what Jin-woo had expected.
—That's right. From some point on, the appearance of Erosion completely disappeared. The Erosion that appeared several times a day worldwide has no news at all. There's even a report that the black earth is recovering.
"Recovering?"
That was unexpected. He had thought Erosion wouldn't appear anymore, but the earth that had already been dyed black was recovering.
—It's a phenomenon discovered in just one place so far, so it's not certain. However, since an investigation is needed, we plan to organize an investigation team in international cooperation. On our side, Hunter Shartia volunteered.
Certainly, if it's Shartia, it's a story worth rushing to immediately. She had always wanted this land to regain its green color.
—It seems a quite large-scale investigation will proceed. Much more than New York's Ireland. If Hunter Kang Jin-woo is also interested, I'll recommend you anytime.
What Jin-woo was currently cautious about was the point of whether another Lord might invade Earth now that Jeraxon had disappeared.
If the reason the black earth suddenly recovered was only because Jeraxon disappeared, that would be fine, but if another force intervened, the story would be different. He needed to confirm with his own eyes.
"I'll return to Seoul right away. Can we talk again then?"
—Of course. I'll be waiting.
After hanging up, Jin-woo hurried to prepare for his return.