Chapter 299

Chapter 299

The City of Gods and Prophecies, Delphi

Part 1

I can’t remember exactly when it was…

While aimlessly surfing the internet, I recall coming across an aerial view of the Korean Peninsula. If I were to briefly describe my impression at the time, it was something along the lines of, “Wow, there are really a lot of mountains.”

The Korean Peninsula was, indeed, brimming with mountains.

F*, there were seriously a lot.

Really.

When you think about it, wasn’t it a bizarre landscape where mountainous regions took up half the land?

No one seemed to find it odd, and everyone just went about their lives as if it were normal, but there were just too many mountains. And because of that, I had to climb countless ones with my father.

However, at that moment, I was experiencing a sort of shock that naturally brought to mind the time I saw that aerial photo of the peninsula.

Below us, as we gazed down from the vast sky, the Gaia Continent also displayed an overwhelmingly large number of mountain ranges stretching like veins.

The lush forests and the valleys that carved through them, joining to form mighty rivers, were truly magnificent.

In that sense, the place where I lived and this Gaia Continent seemed to share some similarities.

Just as I was contemplating this, Elfride, who was clinging tightly to my back, softly whispered something like a leaf rustling in the wind.

“I didn’t think we’d return to this place in such a manner. Do you remember it?”

At Elpride’s question, I looked at the sprawling mountain ranges below. I couldn’t make out anything specific from this height, and as far as I knew, I had never been to such a place before.

Could Elfride’s mind be playing tricks on her after all this flying?

Just as caterpillars need to munch on pine leaves to survive, people like us who lack wings are best suited to walking with our feet planted firmly on the ground.

What if Elfride, in her somewhat erratic state, suddenly lets go of my waist and dives down? What if she exhibits some kind of self-destructive behavior?

As I was pondering this, she spoke.

“Hmm, it seems you have no memory of where we are.”

“What? Where are we?”

“It’s near the arena of Desros.”

“Whaaaaaat?”

It was at that moment that these mountains began to look new to me.

sh*t, I’ve been here before. Not just visited, but there had been a lot of activity around here.

Back when I was running around, crossing mountains and plains after setting something on fire, it was utterly chaotic. Recalling that I had endured a lot in some part of this area gives me a very strange feeling.

It’s hard to describe, an indescribable strangeness, something I’ve never felt before. Is this what it feels like to visit a military base years after you’ve been discharged?

sh*t, I have no idea.

“You sure this is that place? I don’t see any traces of burning.”

“Perhaps the flames we caused back then have been covered up. But it’s definitely nearby, since it’s close to Delphi. By the way, why were you captured by human hunters?”

“How should I know? When I came to my senses, I was in some strange forest. Then I got chased by some weird guys and ended up enslaved in the arena.”

“Why were you even on the continent if you’re from Samarian land?”

“I don’t know, sh*t. I have no idea why I’m here. I just woke up and found myself here.”

The memory of the first day I got caught up in this bizarre world remains vivid even after several years.

“So, you’re going to stick with that lie until the end? Did you really k*ll someone back home and run away?”

“sh*t…”

Even if I told the truth, no one would believe me. They might even perform an exorcism, thinking some demon or ghost has possessed me.

There was a time when I saw people conducting an exorcism on someone they believed was possessed by a spirit.

“I am an army! I am a ghost army!”

To me, the possessed person didn’t seem like someone with a ghost inside but rather someone suffering from schizophrenia. But people in this underdeveloped continent, lacking knowledge of psychiatric medicine, whipped and threw stones at the person, saying,

“Smack him with stones! He’s been taken over by evil spirits!”

“What else do you do but beat him up!?”

sh*t, if I start shouting something about Earth or South Korea, I might be treated the same way. So I decided to just make up something plausible.

“I don’t know.”

“Well, someone like you who’s a coward wouldn’t m*rder anyone and escape. If you really don’t know the reason, maybe you could find answers in Delphi. The Oracles in Delphi are famous for answering any questions.”

“Really?”

If they answer every question, then such magnificent beings must exist. Thinking about it, as I was about to say something, I lost my words when I noticed the scenery below.

Beyond the monotonous mountain ranges, a strong blue horizon greeted me.

It’s the sea.

The first glimpse of the sea in this world was truly vast and left a powerful impression.

Over there, that port city you can see is Delphi. Can we just drop you somewhere downtown?

“I’m not sure.”

Then, I’ll just land wherever.

Whoosh…

After several days of vigorous flying, Isbaron’s body started descending slowly, and finally, we found ourselves directly above an enormous harbor city, not unlike Sodomora in size.

My first impression was that it was a beautiful city densely filled with white bricks.

The sight of a city packed with white bricks and round, blue domes, along with peculiar statues scattered throughout, and water mist from waterfalls cutting through the mountain ranges piercing the city, was a magnificent view that would be perfect for tourists who can take in both the mountains and the sea.

Move aside, small creatures!

Flap, Flap…

Isbaron circled around this vast city noisily roaring all the while.

Seeing him like this made me think it was somewhat similar to a driver searching for a parking spot, and somehow, this analogy made me unknowingly accept it.

Below, people were scattering in panic.

What, what is it? A dragon!

There was no prophecy about a dragon coming today!

It’s a dragon attack! Call the Shrine Knights! Summon the Paladins! The wild dragon is attacking the city!

Ding, ding, ding, ding…

Gongs began ringing loudly everywhere, and amidst the fleeing crowd, soldiers armed with spears, arrows, and shields popped out.

Their appearance reminded me of a well-cultivated yard. Whenever you dig into the ground, you sometimes come across an anthill that looks like this.

Only, Isbaron seemed like someone who didn’t care about those things.

Ah, there’s an open space over there. Let’s land on that side. I’ve forgotten the location of the parking area since it’s been so long since I was last in Delphi.

Flap…

Finally, the beast halted his massive wings, setting us down in a spacious place located in the central part of Delphi city, resembling more of an open-air opera theater than a parking lot.

The problem was that countless soldiers, armed with shimmering iron weapons, gathered around the spot where the dragon had just landed.

“Ho there, blue dragon! Identify yourself! If you have intentions to attack the city without permission, be warned that we will retaliate by summoning mages!”

Hmm, it seems they’ve mistaken us. I am Isbaron, the Apostle of the Goddess Vesta. I am the Dragon of the Hearth, registered for legitimate flight. We have no intentions of attacking, so you may stand down.

“The Dragon of the Hearth?”

“So, you aren’t a mad dragon, then?”

With Isbaron’s brief explanation, the soldiers’ hostile stance seemed to ease slightly. Of course, this did not mean their weapons, aimed at us, were less threatening.

“So what brings the Dragon of the Hearth to Delphi? There was no prophecy about a dragon flying here today!”

“State your purpose!”

There’s no need to be so frightened, followers of the Sun God.

The blue dragon smoothly bowed its head to give us a stairlike formation to disembark.

Luna, Paranoi, and Hippolyte, seemingly awakened from a nap, were rubbing their tired eyes.

“What, are we here already? I dozed off.”

“Hey, be quiet…”

“Flight is quite tiring, isn’t it?”

Luna and Paranoi, along with Hippolyte, appeared groggy and sluggish, quite a contrast to the soldiers whose faces, visible under their helmets, looked grotesquely twisted.

“You came on a dragon?”

“Who are you people?”

It seemed they were curious about who we were, arriving on this strange dragon.

I would be curious too if suddenly, some people showed up riding a dragon in Sodomora. Maybe it might even make the front page of the morning paper.

Thinking about it, I realized I had unintentionally drawn a lot of attention, which made me feel a bit awkward and embarrassed. As I was feeling sheepish and adjusting my mouth, someone shouted.

“Look at that white fur!”

“Over there, that guy!”

“It’s a Samaritan!”

Oh, sh*t. Seeing my head wrapped in white fur and my black hair peeking out below, people started to foam at the mouth in excitement.

Hassan of Samaria.

Has his reputation reached as far as this distant city of Delphi?

Of course, that was not the case.

“That guy! Quick, grab him!”

“How dare he harm the Oracle and brazenly return to the city! What are you all doing!? Prepare the ropes!”

“It’s the lawless Samaritan! It seems he’s brought his companions. Be careful! There’s no knowing what kind of trickery they might use!”

Chirp, chirp…

Hmph, it’s quite entertaining indeed. I would love to stay and watch a bit more, but it seems Lady Vesta urgently calls for me. Having finished my business, I shall take my leave, Hassan. Perhaps we shall meet again if fate allows. It was a more interesting encounter than expected.

Whoosh!

With a fierce flap of its wings, the dragon that had been protecting our backs ascended into the sky. It acted as expected, typical cold-blooded reptile behavior. To desert us the moment we were in danger!

As the giant dragon withdrew from our vicinity, the encircling soldiers, no longer holding back, began pointing their weapons at us from all directions.

“To capture you, we’ve specially crafted these titanium handcuffs, brat! If you surrender quietly, we’ll spare the execution!”

“Execution?”

This sh*t, execution you say? Considering I had suffered through multiple trials already, hearing the word execution immediately ignited my anger.

“What the hell crime did I commit?” I yelled. “You assholes are practicing racial discrimination!”

“Look at that guy! He’s getting agitated again! Everyone, attack now! According to Oracle Sybilla, anyone who captures this guy will be promoted one rank and receive a pension benefit!”

sh*t, one-rank promotion and pension benefits? Those incentives were enough to make anyone’s eyes pop out.

Had I been offered such a thing, I would probably have gone berserk, as they say. However, the situation changes when I am the one being captured.

“Attack!”

As the commander-like man with insignia shouted, armed men rushed toward me from all sides.

“Hassan, what’s going on? What’s happening?”

“This is a unique way of greeting in Delphi…!”

“Hmm, it seems there’s some misunderstanding, but this should be an excellent exercise to loosen up.”

My party members responded differently, mainly stunned by the abrupt situation. Just as I opened my mouth to explain—

Zing!

A strange sensation strongly struck the back of my neck, and I ducked my head down.

I saw a long harpoon-like object with a loop that had just rushed past from the back of my head to the front.

d*mn it!

“You avoided the quiet approach of Falcore? As expected, you have an animal-like sense! What are you all doing! Attack together!”

“Uaaaaah!”

The sight of countless men roaring and rushing toward me was anything but pleasant. Men wielding clubs had chains in their other hand, swiftly binding my body tightly.

“Got him! Take him away! Throw him into jail! It’s time to pay for the outrages committed in Delphi, you savage!”

“Screw you, you bastards! Whoever you are, you’ve got the wrong guy. You assholes!”

With the intention of breaking the chains tightly wrapped around my body, I exerted all my strength. As I did, the titanium chains coiled several times around my body made strange, strained noises.

A person pressing down on me said,

“This is titanium chain! No matter how strong you are, this one you can’t break! Stay quiet and sit in jail! You’re facing a trial!”

“Uaaaaaah!”

sh*t, a trial. That was something I needed to endure. So I clenched my body from my toes to the tip of my head, and with the strength that resulted, I proceeded to send various things flying.

Paang, bang, paang!

The shattered titanium chains fragmented and flew off like buckshot, striking the helmets and armor of the soldiers. Though unintended, a few individuals hit by them fell unconscious.

“sh*t, breaking titanium chains?!”

“Are they mistaking you for someone else? White beastly fur! Monster-like strength! Black hair! If you wanted to hide your identity, you should have at least disguised yourself, Gloria!!”

“What? Who?”

“What are you all doing!? Attack together now!”

The commander, trying to incite some action, shouted, but the surrounding comrades also protested, arguing helplessly.

“No, this guy’s comrades are strangely strong!”

“If you touch our bodies, the Nymph Charity Foundation won’t let it rest…!”

“Even a nymph is here!”

“You bastards! For a one-rank promotion, you should know how rare an opportunity this is! Catch him! Grab him now!”

As the agitated commander began to scold, the soldiers flung away by me slowly started to rise again. Watching this unfold, I slightly felt sorry for them, who as officials were obliged to follow orders from above, even though they clearly didn’t want to.

We have no choice but to knock them down and explain afterward.

Feeling like that, I was about to take my stance for battle.

Zwick, Zwick…

Suddenly, the soldiers surrounding us parted like the sea, bowing their heads one after another.

“Reverend.”

“The Reverend is here… amazing…”

“This creature is wild. It’s dangerous for you to come near…”

Seeing the worried and respectful expressions from the soldiers, it was clear that someone of high rank had arrived.

Zwick, Zwick…

With the sound of a long dress dragging on the ground, a woman appeared through the crowd of crude weapons and armor.

Clad in a dress akin to a radiant glow of white, her face draped with a long shawl, the woman spoke to the soldiers.

“Step aside, soldiers of the Divine Light.”

“Oracle Cassandra. It’s dangerous here.”

“Commander of the Central Guard, Billipos. I’ll take charge of this. Please order the soldiers to retreat.”

“Bu-but this guy…”

“Today, we received a prophecy from the God of Light, the Father of Light… Among those arriving in Delphi today, there will be a new ruler!”

“…Wh-wha…!?”

“This means that we must treat all guests arriving in Delphi today as distinguished visitors! Even if they appear to be cruel and terrible!”

“…”

“Go and relay the message to all the soldiers. Delphi will remain open until midnight tonight!”

Commander Billipos looked around at me, the soldiers, and the onlookers before reluctantly raising his palm.

“Disband.”

With that command, the hostility around us greatly subsided. I was thoroughly baffled by this turn of events. Then, the woman draped in white slowly approached me and spoke.

“Hassan of Samaria… My old friend. You’ve finally come to Delphi. I’ve been waiting for your arrival. It seems like good timing.”

She recognized me, so I wondered who she might be. When she smoothly lifted her shawl from her head, memory came flooding back.

This woman had been blinded by looking too closely at the sun while serving as a priestess. The Bright Priestess Cassandra. I remembered standing watch with her in the marshes.

It was this woman who had etched the name Delphi in my mind.

This happened only a few months ago.

Quite some time has passed since then. As I reflected on this, Cassandra spoke.

“Please don’t concern yourself with the guards. It seems they mistook you for someone else. Indeed, the resemblance in aura is perplexing even to me.”

“By any chance, is the someone else a Samaritan named Gloria?”

In response to my question, Cassandra gave a bright smile, one that felt refreshingly light—though I don’t much care for that particular description but couldn’t find another way to express it.

“I’m afraid I cannot say that now. Let’s move to a quieter place to talk.”

[Author’s Note]

Due to the side effects of my 3-day consecutive writing marathon, the story has halted at an odd number instead of an even one… Chapter 299… It makes my mood quite unsettled…

Despite that, it’s rather amazing to realize we’re already nearing 300 chapters… Initially, I had planned for the story to be around 350 episodes, but it’s become much longer than expected with its meandering journey…

Still, I’m incredibly grateful for all the readers who are enjoying the story and everyone who’s supporting it…!!!

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