Duke Ferbache’s Residence.
Passing through the lobby, where marble floors and golden chandeliers gleamed, a staircase covered in a red carpet continued upwards. Portraits of past dukes and candle holders hung on the walls.
Entering further, a dining hall appeared. A splendid space with a long walnut table and elaborate silverware. A chandelier made of crystal cast a soft light from the ceiling.
Dark red velvet curtains hung by the windows. The ore symbolizing the North and the walls engraved with Sim-eun completed the dignity of the Duke’s residence.
At the center of that dining hall, Yohan, Francia, and Duke Ferbache were conversing and dining.
“So, our son-in-law. Is your condition alright? It must have been tiring coming all the way to the North.”
The Duke slowly tilted his wine glass and looked at Yohan. His gaze held a deep scrutiny, not just simple concern, something measuring.
“I couldn’t be better.”
To his question, Yohan replied with a small smile. Duke Ferbache chuckled and nodded.
But…
“Good, then I don’t have to worry separately. But still, be careful. There’s nothing as troublesome as getting hurt or things going wrong at the very end.”
Looking at the continent as a whole, there were still many Demon Nests left, but the Empire would be finished once the North was purified.
“We’ve done well so far, so this time won’t be any different. I’ve been working hard to prevent any problems from arising.”
The reason he desperately increased his power was to protect Francia and himself, but also because he didn’t want anyone around him to die innocently.
The purification work was the same. No guards would die. He had learned countless spells and never neglected training for that purpose. Surely, good results would come.
“It’s reassuring to hear you say that. I entrust the North to you.”
“Leave it to me.”
Duke Ferbache smiled contentedly. In the meantime, Francia, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, opened her mouth.
“Once this purification is over, the North will no longer be threatened by magical beasts. The spoils from magical beasts are valuable, but countless soldiers and knights don’t need to risk their lives for them.”
She continued.
“And if safety is guaranteed, trade and migration will become more active, so the North will become stronger than it is now.”
The spoils from magical beasts were one of the North’s main sources of income, but the efficiency compared to the risk was not good. Moreover, since the risk factor was completely disappearing, it was not regrettable at all.
“You’re right, Francia. The North’s mana ore business will become more active, and people who have confirmed it’s safe will come to the territory.”
The Duke agreed.
In a normal situation, the Imperial Family would have kept them in check, fearing that the North’s power would become too strong, but there was no need to worry. Because Ferbache’s son-in-law was Yohan Rahardt.
“Perhaps the Imperial Family will just let it slide.”
“Is it because of Yohan?”
The Duke nodded once with a pleased smile.
“That’s part of it, but the Imperial Family has too little to gain compared to the risk they’d be taking. It’s not like we’re aiming for treason or wanting independence.”
Turning the forces led by Rahardt and Ferbache into enemies? That was a foolish choice. They would rather choose coexistence and build a good relationship.
“And from the beginning, the North has not participated in central politics. We also pay taxes faithfully every time. The Imperial Family won’t put major checks on us just because we become stronger.”
The families of the North must be cold yet noble. It was a historically famous saying. That’s why all the families of the North have kept that saying.
“So… the tax rate will go up a bit and that’ll be it?”
“That’s how it will be.”
In any case, it was all good for the North.
“So——”
After that, they just had a light conversation and spent a peaceful mealtime. It was a trivial story, but it was enough to give them small pleasure.
After the meal, Yohan, who had entered the Duke’s office, received a document from Assistant Enrique.
“This is a list of the Ferbache Knights and investigation team who will be working with the guards entering the purification operation.”
Yohan scanned the documents and listened to Enrique’s explanation.
“We will be in charge of guiding the way and distracting each Demon Nest. We have also organized the routes. It will be difficult to see even one magical beast until you reach the Demon Nest.”
The arrangement of the knights and soldiers was very calculated. They were shaped like arrows, surrounding the area and attracting the attention of nearby magical beasts.
“So we only need to focus on quickly purifying the Demon Nests.”
“That’s right. Occasionally, special-grade magical beasts appear, but…”
The Duke said.
“Since I’m here, you don’t have to worry about special-grade magical beasts.”
“Are you coming out as well, Duke?”
“Of course, I have to go out. It’s a matter related to the North.”
If he was there, the chances of this operation going smoothly were high. It might even be easier than when the Saintess
and the Holy Knights helped.
The Ferbache Knights were arguably the best in the Empire, and Duke Ferbache was a transcendent mage.
“I’m relieved that you’re joining us, Duke.”
Yohan smiled slightly.
“We’re the ones who are relieved. We’re with the strongest mage on the continent.”
The Duke chuckled.
“That’s all for the report and operation explanation. The details are summarized in the document, so I recommend you read it slowly.”
Everything fast and simple.
The way the North handled things was pleasing to him, even after thinking about it again.
“Then I will explain the operation to the guards right away. Let’s meet tomorrow at the departure.”
* * *
The departure for the Demon Nest purification began.
While riding on horseback, a sharp, cold wind swept across his face. A biting chill that froze even the inside of his nose penetrated his entire body, and white breath scattered through the gaps in his lips.
Yohan raised his head and looked straight ahead. In the distance, a snow mountain stood in great silence. The sky was gray, and the wind pierced his lungs like a sharp blade.
A place teeming with magical beasts, yet the location of the Demon Nest could not be pinpointed. They had sent investigation teams several times, but it was an unknown area where they couldn’t even grasp the structure, let alone obtain proper information.
Yohan stared at the snow mountain with caution rather than curiosity.
Uncertainty always made one prepare for the worst.
‘I need to spread the Myriad Manifestations Perception to the maximum.’
He couldn’t let his guard down even a little.
The more he didn’t know, the more he had to focus on sensing.
‘But what is this anxiety?’
Yohan gripped the horse’s reins even tighter. He felt a strange sense of incongruity. There was something strange, something he was missing, but he didn’t know what it was.
‘Is it the snow mountain?’
He looked again at the snow mountain, which was gradually getting closer. Certainly, this strange feeling was coming from that snow mountain. But what should he say, it was a vague feeling.
It was definitely full of magical energy, but it also had a high purity of Magical Power mixed in. It was like water and oil mixed together. It was a contradictory sight.
There was something unnatural there. An invisible pressure, as if the snow mountain itself was holding its breath, waiting for intruders. No matter how he thought about it, it was strange.
“All troops, halt!”
Yohan raised his hand.
The guards pulled on their horses’ reins and stopped.
“What’s wrong? There’s still some distance to go before we reach the Demon Nest.”
Elena, who was riding right next to him, asked.
“I feel something strange.”
“In what area are you referring to?”
“That snow mountain.”
Yohan pointed to the snow mountain. Elena’s gaze followed the tip of his finger.
“It looks like an ordinary snow mountain, but…”
“…”
Elena didn’t seem to feel any strange sense of incongruity. Yohan’s eyes narrowed. That meant that something was intentionally creating mana…
‘Is there a relic hidden there?’
If a relic was hidden there, it would explain why such a strange environment was created.
Since it was an unknown area with so little known about it, it wouldn’t be strange if any strange environment unfolded.
‘I need to be more cautious.’
Yohan lowered his hand and shouted.
“We’re starting again!”
He flicked the horse’s reins. The sound of hooves was heard, and a white snowstorm swirled beneath them.
How long had they been riding like that?
Finally, they arrived at a place with cracks.
“That is…”
Small cracks were scattered here and there. Perhaps because it was right after the flood, magical beasts were not coming out.
“What’s the current situation?”
“It’s safe. It seems the Ferbache Knights are handling things reliably.”
That meant that no magical beasts had been found nearby.
“Let’s start the purification work right away. Eris? I’ll leave the elite unit operation to you.”
“Yes.”
Yohan took a deep breath and took a step. Thud. The snow was crushed, creating a quiet sound. Of course, the cold he felt was by no means at a quiet level.
He slowly reached out his hand towards the crack. He would pour Magical Power into it to purify the magical energy and restore the gap.
Woo-oong…!
Mana was being operated. Yohan closed his eyes tightly and focused on repairing the crack. Since it was such a small crack, it didn’t take long to purify it.
“Next.”
“Yes.”
The escort guards moved their positions.
Yohan moved slowly and purified the cracks.
Magical beasts did not attack. This was because the Ferbache Knights were skillfully drawing their attention.
“Multiple special-grade magical beasts detected! East direction!”
In the meantime, three magic signal flares went off. That meant that three special-grade magical beasts had appeared.
Yohan cannot move while repairing the cracks. This is because he is concentrating his mind to the limit.
But there was no need to worry.
“Everyone, take cover!”
Kwaaaang-!
From afar, Duke Ferbache was helping with long-range magic interception.
“Kuh-heong!”
A beast-type magical beast let out a loud scream and lowered its head. Taking advantage of the gap, the guards rushed in.
“Cut off its breath at once!”
The skill of the elite unit led by Eris was beyond question. With accumulated experience and the breath they had, they cleanly dealt with one special-grade magical beast.
“Two more are coming in succession!”
“Everyone to your positions!”
The guards formed a formation and confronted the special-grade magical beasts. In the meantime, the elite unit with Eris moved tirelessly and slowly attacked.
“Kuaaa!!”
It was the moment when a monkey-like magical beast raised its arms. A fireball that flew from afar exploded near its head.
Kwaaaang-!
“Kuheok…!”
The guards did not miss the opportunity. They immediately rushed in, wielding their swords and pouring out magic.
The special-grade magical beast was helpless against the perfect teamwork.
‘They’re doing well even without me.’
Yohan was relieved and focused on repairing the cracks. The many cracks had already been reduced by half.
But then.
Suddenly, the ground rumbled.
At first, he thought it was the sound of the wind. But soon, the earth trembled and screamed.
Kugugugugu-!!!
Yohan instinctively raised his head. And he saw it. A white snow pile was collapsing, as if swallowing the entire mountain.
“That is…!”
From the direction of the snow mountain-
“It’s an avalanche!!”
A white storm was swallowing the earth and rushing towards them. Judging by the scale, it was not at a level that could be stopped with magic. It was too fast to escape.
“Damn it, didn’t the investigation team say that we wouldn’t have to worry about an avalanche today?!”
One guard shouted.
“That’s right! There was definitely no problem!”
“Then why is an avalanche happening?!”
“I don’t know either…!”
Confusion accelerated.
Yohan calmly stretched out his fingertips.
“Mages, hide behind me! Everyone, create barriers with elemental magic! I will make a path!”
It was the moment when several spheres of rupture points floated on his fingertips.
‘…That?’
At the apex of the avalanche, at the highest point, something was standing there. A black shape. Only the silhouette can be seen, but it was clear that it was alive.
And that shape——
Was clearly looking this way.