Chapter 126

*Tap, tap.*

Without realizing it, I poked the corner of my mouth and glanced at Roka, who was giggling. The child seemed genuinely happy, as her laughter hadn’t stopped since earlier.

…I’ve often thought that Roka might have special feelings for me, but I never imagined it would be like this. Now, I really don’t know how to look at her.

Roka noticed my gaze and looked back at me. Like a guilty puppy pretending nothing happened, she flashed her usual “Roka knows nothing” expression and smiled brightly. Well, at least she’s cheerful.

“Are you… mad at me?”

It’s not that I’m mad, just flustered.

This isn’t something I can call wrong. It’s just a bit unexpected. I never thought the child who used to swing on that swing would grow up so quickly and demand love from me.

“Then it’s fine.”

I really don’t know what answer to give her. I’ve never seen Roka as a woman, so I told her I’d need some time to think. She seemed satisfied for now, but who knows how long that greedy little thing will stay content.

“Ahem, anyway, before we return to the Capital, there are a few things to discuss. The information from our spies has become more detailed, but it’s still a mess. It seems something happened that could throw even highly trained individuals into panic.”

The Chancellor finally cleared his throat and spoke.

“There are reports of the Death God appearing, strange creatures popping up everywhere, and even the World Tree turning black.”

“Since the spies who sent the information are mentally shaken, we don’t know how much truth these reports hold. They might have just reported hearsay out of fear without verification. But it’s clear that something big has happened in the southeastern part of the continent.”

What on earth has happened? What does the Demon King want by causing all this?

And where are the Empire and the Church Country, who should be stopping the Demon King? With the authority to govern and lead countless people, they should be stepping up now.

“By the way.”

Roka took out the Moonstone and Sunstone she received from me. It seemed she didn’t really care about what was happening in the far southeastern part of the continent.

“Before we go, can you make a sword with these?”

“Hmm, I’d love to, but I can’t.”

The Chancellor pointed around. All I could see were buildings reduced to skeletons and pillars, scorched by fire. The ones still standing were just lucky.

“Even if the forges were intact, all the blacksmiths would have fled in this chaos. Even if we gathered them back, hah. It’s tough. If these were ordinary ores, any blacksmith could handle them, but since they’re Dwarf-forged, it’s a different story.”

“Can’t anyone refine them?”

“Dwarf ores can only be refined by Dwarves in principle. For humans to refine them, they’d need the fire to melt the ore and the skill of a master blacksmith, but we don’t have anyone here with both.”

He clicked his tongue.

“Of course, we’re proud of our wealth, and in the past, there were famous craftsmen on that street who could handle such requests. But as you know, those with money and connections fled early on. By now, they’re probably sailing to the Empire.”

“I see…”

“But even if they were still here, could they really handle such ores…?”

Roka visibly drooped. Feeling sorry for her with her ears and tail hanging low, the Chancellor offered some information.

“If there’s a master craftsman who could handle such things… well, maybe someone like Gyeongong.”

“Gyeongong…?”

“Among the beastmen living in the Eastern Plains, Gyeongong was a famous craftsman of the Canine tribe. In his prime, many sought him out, but he suddenly declared retirement one day. He’s a craftsman from a past era, but considering his age, he’s still in good shape. He might have the ability to handle Moonstone and Sunstone. Hmm.”

The Eastern Plains… that’s close to the Arctic! Right above it is the border between the Arctic and the continent, the Kalkanmir Mountain Range.

With Elvenheim fallen to the Demon King, the only candidate left who might know the secret of the cycle is the Demon King himself. Regardless, we must visit Polaris Fortress.

‘If I had gone to Elvenheim as Rowena suggested, I might have met him.’

I felt a pang of regret, but it was fleeting. If I had, the volcano would have erupted, and the Citadel would have been the start of a calamity of ash sweeping across the continent.

The volcanic ash would have darkened the skies, plunging the continent into darkness, so coming here was the right choice.

So, where should we go next?

The Eastern Plains? Or Elvenheim? We could visit both in turn, but not simultaneously.

If the Demon King destroyed Elvenheim and left, there’s nothing I could do there anyway.

‘I couldn’t keep my promise to Rowena.’

Sigh. A sigh escaped me. In the end, the timing didn’t work out, and her prediction came true.

I didn’t even get a chance to try my best. And now, even if I don’t go, there will be plenty of people to clean up the mess.

Even if the Demon King unleashed a couple of monsters in Elvenheim, they’d be quickly suppressed. Near Elvenheim are the territories of Count Feltman and the magical city of Orphiel.

Master Marcus Feltman and the mages of the Magic Tower wouldn’t stand by and let monsters destroy their neighbors. They’d know they’d be next.

‘In the Eastern Plains, we’ll figure out Roka’s sword, and then…’

After that, should I leave Roka with the beastmen and head to the Arctic alone, or take her with me? Honestly, this decision is already out of my hands. Even if I don’t want to take her, if Roka follows me, I can’t stop her.

‘I’ll think about the rest later.’

“Ah, and you mentioned moving to the Capital. Move there and escape immediately. The censorship is so severe that the spies in the Capital are struggling to operate properly. By the time you get there, the Imperial Palace might have turned into a battlefield.”

“The Church Country… would they really go that far? Especially now, with trouble in the southeastern part of the continent.”

“If I had to bet on whether they would or wouldn’t, I’d bet on ‘they would.’ The Church Country is that kind of group. Look at what they did when we were in crisis!”

So, we might end up in the middle of a fierce conflict.

But we can’t not go. Among the places where the Beacon of the Sanctuary burns, the Capital is the closest to the Eastern Plains.

‘I should meet Rowena at least once.’

After all, even if unintentionally, I broke my promise to her. Since she helped me come here, even if she resents me, I should go and hear her out.

Otherwise, I might have considered going to Pumpkin Vine Village, my hometown, and heading north. I’d like to return home after so long and see familiar faces again.

‘Well, then…’

Everything’s decided. No hesitation.

The miracle of radiant light stretched out over the remains of Valles City. A ball of fire burned there, continuously emitting holy light. The wounded, those with injured bodies, peeked out from the scorched buildings without realizing it.

As the Beacon of the Sanctuary burned, Roka and I floated up. We gradually moved closer to the beacon.

Beyond the burning flames, I saw not this place, but another. The Imperial Palace, where we were just a few days ago.

“Make sure to visit!”

“Next time, let’s go stargazing together!”

“If you ever want to do business in the Citadel, just say the word! I’ll give you tax exemptions with my authority!”

Looking down, countless people waved their hands, seeing us off.

“…Let’s definitely meet again!”

Roka also shouted and waved. Of course, I did too, but I only kept saying thank you, not promising to meet again. I couldn’t be sure if there would be a next time.

If I’m still on the ground then, I hope we can meet again.

The light flashed. It swallowed us whole. The inside was larger than the outside. And it pierced through countless worlds.

Then, the sacred flame spat us out. Roka and I staggered and landed on the floor of the Imperial Palace.

“Uh…”

For a moment, I thought I should have just gone to Pumpkin Vine Village.

“Is this… really the Imperial Palace?”

Roka whispered to me, and I agreed. This place, cracked and crumbling everywhere, reminded me more of Duke Shimira’s mansion than the Imperial Palace.

The mansion that was nearly destroyed when the Duke and the Princess clashed. The Imperial Palace is much larger than the Duke’s mansion, but the state of ruin was similar. It meant the impact was incomparable.

‘No way…’

Explosions echoed from everywhere. The tremors showed no signs of stopping.

One thing was certain. We came as quickly as possible to avoid seeing this, but the clash between the Church Country and the Empire happened faster than we expected. Roka and I didn’t even get a chance to mediate.

“Oh, damn.”

The clash is happening right now, in real time.

Whether it just started, is calming down, or who’s winning, we can’t tell right now. Where should we go? What should we do?

We know nothing, having just arrived, so we can’t make hasty decisions. I was about to clutch my head when…

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Suddenly, a loud noise came from behind me. Turning around, I saw Roka grabbing a knight by the neck and slamming her to the ground. The knight, vomiting blood, looked familiar.

“You’re definitely…”

Wasn’t she the knight who was right next to Prince Edmund? Just as I recognized her, she seemed to recognize Roka and me too. She screamed in fear. Or maybe it was shock.

“M-Master?! H-How is this possible? How can this, this…”

“Should I kill her?”

Roka asked without changing her tone. I shook my head. Right now, we don’t know what’s happening or how the situation is unfolding.

“What’s going on? What’s happening?”

That’s what we need to ask now.