The highest mountain range on the continent, serving as the boundary dividing the continent and the Arctic.
The Kalkanmir Mountain Range is a peak that all mountaineers on the continent aspire to climb at least once in their lifetime.
Of course, due to various practical challenges, not many have successfully climbed it. Even fewer have reached its summit.
So, if you’ve ever made it to the peak, it’s an achievement worth boasting about until the day you die.
In fact, only those who have accomplished similar feats in other fields can reach the summit and return home alive.
One of the most famous mountaineers I know is the Oldman Tower Master of the Magic Tower. Well, I don’t reallyknowhim, but I once saw a large portrait of him hanging in the tower when I followed Parnell there.
Some kind of magic must have been cast on the frame because, instead of a painting, it preserved the image of the Tower Master in his youth, fresh from conquering Kalkanmir. He was smiling brightly, waving a flag bearing the emblem of the Magic Tower.
The expressions of the other mages who had followed their Tower Master all the way to the summit didn’t look too pleased, though. They probably didn’t want to climb that mountain.
I can only imagine what they went through. The Hero Party did climb the Kalkanmir Mountain Range, but not to reach the summit. We just passed through on our way to the Arctic.
There was no reason to scale the icy cliffs to the very top, and we didn’t.
“There’s a saying the Queen often repeats: ‘Kalkanmir is alive.’”
Even so, having set foot on Kalkanmir myself, I found it hard to believe. That mountain isn’t just any mountain—it’s an enormous high-altitude range.
It’s not only tall but also incredibly long. No human-made structure could even come close to matching its peaks.
If something like that were truly alive, it would be terrifying. But is that even possible? Could such a massive lifeform exist in this world?
“I’m not one to talk, but I can’t help but say this.”
Sir Urban let out a dry laugh.
“Cut the nonsense. If you’re going to make up lies, at least make them believable.”
“It’s true! Epirna might have found a way to draw power from the mountain range. If the mountain is truly alive…”
Maybe the idea of the mountain being alive is some kind of metaphor.
It made more sense to think that there’s a leyline of magical power flowing through the Kalkanmir Mountain Range, and Epirna found a way to tap into it.
“Now that’s something I can believe. Shall we have a deep conversation, brother? Maybe a little taste of fire will make you spill the truth?”
“Why would I lie? I’ve already been branded a rebel. A little wolf like me, colluding with human imperialists—what kind of treatment do you think I’ll get if I go back?”
“What about the lion?”
Sir Leon asked with a serious face.
“Is there no title for the lion?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Damn it all. They don’t even consider us worthy opponents!”
It was hard to blame him for getting angry over something so trivial.
The clans of Sir Urban and Sir Leon were truly on the brink of extinction. The term “endangered species” wasn’t an exaggeration.
According to Pedro, the lion tribe had already been purged long ago, leaving only a handful behind.
“The wolf tribe fared a bit better, but I’m not sure if you can call that survival. Epirna injected them with something strange, turning them into monstrous bioweapons.”
“That damn woman!”
“Grandpa, calm down. We lost, and we’ve been dealt with. I don’t like that tiger, but I have to admit one thing: we’re the defeated.”
“I can’t wait any longer for that woman to die and go to hell. How much longer must our beastmen suffer like this?”
Sir Urban looked at us, especially Roka, with a grave expression.
“It would be nice if someone could help us. I won’t say who, but…”
Roka groaned. She didn’t seem the least bit interested in helping them fight Epirna, but when the beastmen’s gazes focused on her, she awkwardly stepped back.
“Hey, what’s with you guys!”
Even among those staring at her were the gray wolves who had just been insulting Roka. They whispered among themselves, having already made some kind of decision.
“Isn’t it time for us wolves to produce a Beast King?”
“Isn’t that betraying Chief Robo?”
“We’re all wolves. One family. Betrayal among family? If the chief is weak, he should step down.”
“No! We don’t need that!”
The child’s face turned red as he shouted. Pedro gave a sheepish laugh.
“Hehe, it’s natural for us beastmen to admire the strong. I was quite surprised. You fought alongside the Queen… I mean, Epirna, didn’t you?”
“That’s right. Since our chief hasn’t shown up yet, it seems like he ran away. Why don’t you take the chief’s position, Lady Roka?”
“No! I said no!”
I’ve seen that child get angry before, but this was the first time I’ve seen him so annoyed. Roka, avoiding the pressure from her kin, moved next to me, looked around, and then got angry again.
“More importantly, why isn’t Lady Kisea here yet? She didn’t really run away, did she?”
“I’m 100% sure. If she hasn’t come by now, there’s no point waiting any longer. Wolves are like that.”
Sir Leon glanced at us and spoke.
“We can’t stay here forever. Let’s move to a different location. There’s an old hideout where those who resisted Epirna used to gather.”
“Are we going there?”
“My forge is there too. If we’re going to make swords or anything, we’ll need to go there first.”
“I feel like you’re trying to keep us around.”
I couldn’t help but sigh. They want something from us.
And we need something from Sir Urban too. When mutual interests collide, things get complicated. Especially since they have nowhere else to go.
“You’re not going to keep pressuring Roka to participate in the Beast King battle, are you? Let me make this clear—we’ll just give up if it comes to that.”
“Not at all. I, Urban, have lived as a craftsman and always stood by my word. Whether or not you participate in the Beast King battle, I’ll keep my promise.”
He made a grand oath, but for some reason, Lady Kisea came to mind.
Maybe it’s because they’re both canines. I didn’t trust him much. Seeing our skeptical looks, Sir Urban’s face turned red.
“Well, I can’t blame you for that. Anyway, tsk. I misjudged that Kisea. I thought she had some sense of honor, but I guess age has made her senile.”
“Then make the sword first. Then I’ll believe you.”
“Fine. I’ve never broken a promise when it comes to swinging a hammer.”
Since he’s staking his honor as a craftsman, I guess we’ll have to trust him for now.
*
The heart of the Beastmen Kingdom’s power. Epirna’s royal palace is bustling with people. But to Kisea, it felt like an empty house. There was no one here strong enough to notice her presence.
‘The backyard… it’s in the backyard. Where is the backyard…?’
Since this was her first time here, the wolf busily searched the palace. She had to avoid the keen senses of the fox guards, which naturally made her movements more drawn out.
She couldn’t afford to relax. If Epirna returned, this empty house would no longer be empty. In the worst-case scenario, even escaping could cost her life.
‘Ah, maybe it’s here!’
Finally, Kisea’s eyes lit up as she discovered an inner garden. In the distance, she saw what appeared to be several statues.
She could no longer hide and observe. After confirming no one was around, Kisea rushed over and began examining the statues.
“Ah, Father!”
No matter how much time had passed, she could never forget that face.
It was unmistakable. Kisea hurriedly reached out and brushed the dust off the statue’s face. There was no doubt. Despite some weathering, this was definitely her father.
“Just wait a little longer. I’ve come to save you. Right now…”
As she rummaged through her pouch to pull out the vial of holy water, a voice called out from behind. It was a woman’s voice, filled with fear and pleading.
“Help me! Please help me!”
“What… what’s this?!”
Kisea’s heart sank as she quickly turned around. All sorts of thoughts raced through her mind.
Had she been caught? Exposed? But if the guards had found her, why would they say “help me” instead of “got you”?
Was someone really in danger? She had to check.
But it was a trap.
What she saw wasn’t a person but a giant lizard with a rooster’s head.
It mimicked a human voice from its beak, trying to draw her gaze.
Its eyes already glowed with a sinister light. Only then did Kisea realize what it was. She had seen it before.
“A… a Cockatrice!”
“Help me! There’s a fire! There’s a fire here!”
The sharp beak seemed to smile with amusement. The image of the monster that had invaded her village long ago and turned her clan to stone suddenly flashed vividly in her mind.
She thought she had forgotten, but she hadn’t. She just hadn’t had a reason to remember.
‘I… I have to close my eyes…’
She realized too late what she needed to do. She could dwell on her thoughts later.
The first thing she needed to do was close her eyelids. But she missed her chance.
The moment she thought that, a flash of light blinded her, and her thoughts froze. A new stone statue appeared in the garden. The monster pecked at the sword hanging from the statue’s belt, shattering the scabbard and pulling out its contents.
The masterpiece crafted by Sir Urban, Ascalon, was a weapon any swordsman would envy, but to this monster, it was just a shiny collectible. Cockatrices loved collecting shiny things.
Whoosh!
The lizard leaped up with a speed belying its size. It now had one more item to store in its nest. Today was a lucky day.
