Chapter 212

-You can do it.

Even the same words feel different depending on who says them. When Urban and Leon said it, it didn’t feel trustworthy at all, but when Heron declared it, somehow confidence started to bloom. The girl who opened her eyes firmly resolved.

“I can do it.”

“Ah, no, what about the foundation? What happened to the foundation?”

“I couldn’t refine it. They said I have to defeat Epirna for it to become a sword.”

“W-what? Isn’t that a huge problem?”

Urban almost fell backward. To defeat Epirna, he needed the sword. He thought that just obtaining the sword would be enough to win, and he even had the audacity to walk up to the tiger and apply for the Beast King Tournament. But now, to get the sword, he had to defeat the tiger.

Isn’t the order all messed up? The master’s expression darkened.

“Then instead of this, let’s pack up and leave now. Even if it’s humiliating, running away is better than being killed.”

“No. I think I can win. Even without the sword.”

But the wolf somehow felt confident. Epirna had been accumulating power for much longer, and the foundation of her power was so high that it was hard to even compare.

On top of that, she continuously replenished her power through mysterious techniques. Roka, a new master, hadn’t accumulated enough power yet, and even with the help of divine power, it was difficult to face Epirna. But she felt like she could do it. This time, without Kyle’s help, on her own.

‘Heron could do it.’

That person didn’t just talk; he proved his words with achievements. When he fought the Phoenix in the past, the wolf now saw what exactly had happened during the brief moment he was unconscious.

‘He controlled my body and cut down the Phoenix.’

At that time, Roka hadn’t even reached the level of a master, and there wasn’t much magical power left in her body. With that little power, she slaughtered the so-called King of Monsters.

Exerting power beyond what one has—that’s what it means to be second-tier. She didn’t think the Phoenix was weaker than Epirna. Heron, with her body at that time, managed to subdue such a Phoenix.

Now, she was incomparably stronger than back then. She still couldn’t match Epirna, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t defeat her.

“Is there a big cliff around here? If there is, I want to go there.”

If Heron could do it, so could she. To figure that out, she needed training.

Like Heron did, she wanted to leap off a cliff. She wanted to see if she could do the same as him.

“You’d have to go up to the Kalkanmir Mountain Range. It’s mostly flat here, so it’s hard to find such slopes.”

“Then is there a big lake or sea?”

“There’s no sea, but there is a lake. But why are you looking for that?”

“I have something to test.”

The wolf’s eyes sparkled.

“Uncle. I’ll participate in the Beast King Tournament.”

Becoming the new Beast King by defeating Epirna and leading the beastmen wasn’t her goal. It didn’t make sense to risk her life for a position she wouldn’t even want if it were handed to her for free.

Rather, victory itself was the goal. In a way, this was the final test Heron left for her. The last task the master gave to the disciple.

When the disciple proves that she has truly learned, the foundation will become a sword in her hand.

“So, make me a decent sword with the Sunstone and Moonstone. Something usable for the match. Make it as sturdy as possible!”

She needed a sword to use until then. Urban absentmindedly nodded.

Is she really planning to fight? Only then did his face turn slightly red.

“If all of us adults had been as brave as you, we wouldn’t have ended up like this.”

Urban silently accepted the request. In his life, there had been few times when his face felt this hot.

The wolf, who had burst out the door, frowned at the light, then opened her eyes again. In the distance, she saw a girl standing apart from everyone else, conversing with the void.

The child blinked her eyes and glared at the girl. It was the expression of someone looking at prey. Thinking about it, there was a perfect practice partner right there.

If she could hold her own against that Dragon Chimera, she could surely do the same against Epirna.

‘Huh?’

Yanid, who was staring intently at Roka, made a strange expression.

The evil god chuckled and joked.

-She must have fallen for you. She’s looking at you so passionately.

‘How can I get her to fight me…’

Unfortunately, it’s not a confession but a duel request. Even the wolf thought it was a bit much to charge at someone without any grudge and hit them with a power technique.

A fight might be possible, but it would be a life-and-death struggle, not a sparring match. But approaching someone she’s never even spoken to and asking for a fight was a hurdle.

Even if they met, they never exchanged casual greetings. Who would readily agree to help with training if approached by a complete stranger? In fact, the people she’s met so far have been a bit odd.

Geher was an old man who was bored, so he helped when asked. Xerox owed Kyle a favor, so he agreed to spar as a way of repaying the debt.

“Hey, would you fight with me?”

-No. She must just be a masochist who likes getting hit.

Yanid wasn’t a warrior, owed Roka nothing, and wasn’t bored. Oberta’s whisper was just a bonus.

She turned her head sharply and ignored the wolf’s words. Ugh. The wolf lowered her tail. Roka knew well that Yanid had no reason to help her.

Being fierce here would only make the other person fiercer. Maybe I should try being kind instead? What do I have? Roka rummaged through her jar and pulled out a star candy.

“Want to try it? It’s delicious.”

Well, since she’s offering. Yanid tossed the candy into her mouth and chewed it. And with a crunch, her expression changed.

If she had human teeth instead of dragon teeth, it would have been a disaster. A few teeth might have broken here.

“Is this… a rock?”

Is this some new form of bullying? If you don’t like it, just say so. Who gives rocks as candy? It would have been less infuriating if she had just slapped her outright.

“You gave me this to eat…”

Crunch! Crack! Crunch!

After seeing Roka happily chewing a handful of white pebbles, her anger subsided. Instead of anger, absurdity appeared on her face.

She realized that Roka had genuinely given her something she liked. If that happy expression was acting, she should throw away her sword and try becoming an opera actress.

“Is it good?”

“Ah, um…”

She couldn’t spit on a smiling face asking how it tasted.

Maybe she’s giving me rocks while eating candy herself? Yanid widened her dragon eyes and carefully examined the star candies in the jar. But they were all the same.

She took one and bit into it. It was still a rock. A sweet-tasting rock. It was candy, but as hard as a rock.

‘She must be a bit off in the head…’

In terms of hardness, it might be similar to that kid’s head. Yanid thought that. She had enough manners not to say it out loud.

“Want another one?”

“Ah, no. It’s fine. I’ll pass.”

Yanid isn’t particularly fond of sweets. To be precise, she doesn’t have much of an appetite.

Unlike dogs or wolves who go crazy for sweets, greasy foods, and meat, dragons don’t place much importance on eating. She didn’t gain favor, but at least the guard was down.

‘She’s a bit lacking.’

The pitiful girl now felt pity for the not-so-pitiful girl.

If there had been a kid like this in the Hilrae Church’s lab, she would have been disposed of the fastest, unable to last even a few days. If the head is lacking, the body suffers, and that’s why they go quickly.

Anyway, if she wasn’t trying to bully her, if she didn’t dislike her, that was enough. She didn’t take any more star candies, but the girl let her guard down.

She saw Roka as just a strong fool. Since that strength was less than hers, there was no reason to be on guard. Oberta whispered.

-Be careful. She might ask you to hit her later. That look in her eyes earlier wasn’t ordinary. It was burning intensely.

Indeed, being a god, his words weren’t entirely wrong.

The star candies didn’t have a great effect. How should I approach her? How can I get that kid to the training ground? Roka lit a fire in her eyes and scanned Yanid.

*****

“Someone once said that life is a comedy from afar and a tragedy up close. That seems to be true.”

Today as well. How did they know we were here? A crowd of destitute people with bundles on their backs arrived. Their health wasn’t great, so we had to run around busily.

“From what I see, these people aren’t the type to rely on others for their bodies.”

The princess, who had been helping with various chores, looked around and whispered quietly. I just laughed. This shouldn’t be, but honestly, I think so too.

Including Sir Leon, the beastmen who had just been freed from petrification were people who could hardly take care of themselves. Even more difficult people had flocked to them.

There were surprisingly few who claimed to have fled Epirna’s oppression. Most came because they were sick or had no food to eat.

“If it weren’t for the bread baked in a mud oven, there would have been chaos long ago. What on earth is going on…”

The last words weren’t blaming anyone, but just out of sheer disbelief. There was no war, no natural disaster. Yet, the number of refugees and vagabonds coming to us was far beyond normal.

Even the demon borderlands, where border wars constantly occur, aren’t this bad. Normally, Epirna wouldn’t have allowed her people to flee to this side in droves.

Not just one or two, but in such numbers that we’re only now finding time to rest. If you count the able-bodied people who don’t need my help, the number is beyond counting.

“Yanid must be suppressing Epirna, so it’s possible. Probably…”

The girl sitting on a rock with her wings spread in the distance. When the tiger faced her, he made an awkward expression for the first time.

Epirna, who should have come to us long ago, is keeping silent, probably because Yanid is suppressing her to some extent.

“…and the Beast King Tournament is approaching.”

Or maybe she set a two-week deadline and can’t go back on it without losing face. This might be the more plausible theory.

“Kids do seem to get close quickly.”

But while watching Yanid for a moment, Roka appeared and started acting friendly toward Yanid. Then she even offered candy. They shared candy and seemed to be chatting about this and that. Truly, our child has changed.

A child who rarely spoke to others first, finally making a friend—though I’m not sure if they’re the same age—made me feel excited.

When black clouds appeared without warning and spread across the sky, I realized that my thoughts were also clouded.

“Uh… Saint, it seems things aren’t going well. Have you ever heard this? Dragons are said to have the ability to control the weather.”

“Sadly, I haven’t heard of it.”

“I have. So what I’m trying to say is, the current weather anomaly might be…”

Swoosh!

A downpour fell from the sky. Amazingly, not a single drop fell on us, but the rain concentrated solely on Roka, falling like a waterfall.

“…Yanid’s doing.”

At least she didn’t throw lightning…