After the on-site verification was completed, the inspection team stayed for two more days at the Noblevento Fortress before departing again for Bemberg.
Before leaving the fortress, Grand Mage Drogman left a letter and a magic book to Yuric. The letter requested that if they ever visited Bemberg, they should definitely visit the Magic Tower. The book was a concept treatise he had written himself about control techniques, which he gave as a gift, hoping it would be helpful for his future research.
“Thank you, senior.”
A month passed after the inspection team left. The weather had now entered the peak of summer with scorching sunlight.
When Cecilia’s treatment was nearing its end, she received a request to escort supplies to a southern city, the 【Drexter Fortress】, which maintained the southern front line.
Naturally, as a mage was needed, she asked Yuric whether he wanted to participate in the mission. Since he had been wanting to visit the southern front line anyway, he sought permission from Schlippen.
Schlippen gladly allowed Yuric’s request. His wife and daughter were planning to go on summer vacation to her parents’ place, so there was no problem with stopping classes for a while. If he really didn’t want to miss any lessons, he could even hire a new private tutor.
However, Schlippen, who was already deeply attached to Yuric, had no intention of hiring another teacher. He was willing to wait for Yuric, even if it took some time.
“Don’t worry about it, go and come back safely.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Thus, Yuric joined the Golden Dragon Mercenary Corps to escort the supply transport.
On the morning of departure, recalling the heartfelt farewell with Ior the previous night, Yuric left the guesthouse.
At the Southern Gate of the fortress, where the departure was to take place, mercenaries were gathered in large numbers. Yuric found the emblem of the Golden Dragon among the familiar faces. They welcomed him warmly, saying it wouldn’t feel right if his girlfriend’s brother wasn’t there. Captain Cecilia was busy coordinating with other captains, so her deputy was managing the members.
Soon, thirty wagons from the Marquisate and part of the knights and defense force arrived at the Southern Gate. Five mercenary groups that accepted the escort mission immediately prepared to depart.
A large convoy of wagons soon moved toward the Drexter Fortress.
Caravans that had heard about the large shipment from the Marquisate quickly followed behind.
The distance between the Noblevento Fortress and the Drexter Fortress was only five days, but the journey between them was arduous, with only two villages along the way.
As if to prove this, the escort group encountered dragons flying in the sky and fought with monsters twice during the night. Fortunately, due to their overwhelming numbers, they safely reached the Drexter Fortress without any casualties.
At noon under the blazing sun,
When Yuric arrived at the Drexter Fortress’s station, he couldn’t help but exclaim at the sight of the long and majestic wall crossing the vast land.
This was the frontline separating human territory from demon territory. For hundreds of years, this wall had steadfastly protected human lands.
Cecilia, having settled her pay, led her mercenary unit into the fortress. Naturally, the city was bustling with mercenaries and traders seeking to make money.
The Marquisate had filled the ranks of the understaffed defense force with long-term hired mercenaries. This arrangement had the advantage of immediate deployment and no need for separate maintenance. However, it also had the drawback of an unclear command structure, though this could be somewhat mitigated by assigning specific defensive areas to each mercenary group.
The Golden Dragon Mercenary Corps searched for an inn outside the walls and held a drinking party in the first-floor hall. Cecilia praised the members for completing the mission successfully and distributed their pay.
“You all worked hard. You’ll stay here for three to five days. Take this time to rest well. Don’t cause any trouble!”
Although the price of alcohol here was more than half higher compared to Noblevento Fortress, the mercenaries did not hesitate to drink freely due to the good earnings from the mission. Courtesans, drawn by the smell of money, flirted with the mercenaries, revealing their chests provocatively.
After downing a glass of wine, Yuric left the building and climbed up to the wall.
Traffic on the wall was only allowed during daylight hours. After sunset, passage was restricted to authorized personnel only. Luckily, the sun was still up, and Yuric enjoyed the view while walking along the wall.
A strong flow of mana could be felt throughout the wall, which was undoubtedly the boundary magic he had previously improved.
“Indeed, it would take more than ordinary magic to break through this.”
Even though he expected it, experiencing it firsthand gave him a different feeling.
While walking on the wall, Yuric noticed something peculiar coming from the direction of the demon continent.
It was a very tall tower, with a cat-like eye-like orb at the top, watching over them. At the moment he recognized it, his index finger reacted strongly.
“Is this also demon magic?”
Yuric chose a suitable spot to sit and drew a sketch.
A magnificent wall supported by the fortress, and the demonic eye watching over them.
He hoped to record this scene in history books and drew several similar sketches.
Before the sun set, Yuric descended from the wall.
There was a section of the wall associated with the Mage Tower within the fortress. Unlike Eldesroza’s southern branch, this section was not particularly large and lacked a dedicated research facility. Still, there were many shops selling magical items and mages utilizing them inside.
When asked why, he learned that on the frontlines, mastering proper magical attacks could lead to better treatment.
“In about four or five years, you can expect to earn a substantial amount.”
Of course, the death rate here was higher than in other regions, but the pay was correspondingly better.
Yuric, who quickly befriended a female mage knowledgeable about the area, heard various stories from the magical world. He also learned that a Grand Mage named Oromor resided at the wall’s branch.
“Did you know that the boundary magic on the wall was recently completely revamped? It’s the first time in history such a comprehensive change has occurred.”
The female mage raised her index finger as if to emphasize her point.
“It was done by a genius mage alone! That’s why there was such a commotion at the wall’s branch. That’s why people say Grand Mage Oromor came here too.”
Yuric chuckled awkwardly. He wasn’t quite a genius mage himself.
“Oh, yes, that’s right.”
“Oh, look at your reaction. Well, it’s hard to believe. I’ve seen part of the circuit diagram, and I’m still not sure if a person could have done this.”
He asked her about the tower on the demon continent.
“We call it the Tower of Surveillance. Since you’re new here, you’ll probably have to undergo an initiation ceremony soon.”
“An initiation ceremony?”
He wondered what she meant.
“Magic users who see the eye in the Tower of Surveillance often experience severe nightmares. Researchers say it’s because they are looking for sacrifices.”
“What kind of sacrifice?”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure about that.”
Yuric became interested. He asked the owner if there were any related books. The middle-aged bookstore owner searched the warehouse and brought out a thin booklet.
“There’s only one copy of this. As you can see, it’s almost impossible to research.”
The owner handed the book to Yuric as if disposing of old clutter.
The female mage, before parting ways, invited Yuric to visit her workshop later and told him where it was located. She mentioned that inviting someone to her workshop was a first for her.
After touring the city, Yuric returned to the inn. In the hall, drunken mercenaries sang loudly wearing only yellow underwear.
“Our beloved little sister!”
Yuric, guided by the hand of his older sister, entered the chaotic scene. Amidst repeated requests, he finally sang “Nora died” once and escaped.
Having been given a room to share with Captain Cecilia, Yuric greeted her in the room where she was handling paperwork.
“How was your first impression of the wall?”
“The potential of humanity amazed me.”
Yuric washed with water brought by the innkeeper’s daughter, changed clothes, and lay on the bed. He yawned a few times.
“You’ve worked hard, Yuric. Get some rest.”
“Yes, Sister. You should rest too.”
The noisy laughter and boisterous voices from below did not disturb his sleep.
His mind drifted off to a distant world.
*
‘…?’
Fog rose all over the world.
A red and scorching world. Yuric breathed heavily.
‘Here…!’
Wall.
Yuric, who had been sleeping on the bed, suddenly found himself standing on the wall.
Looking around, he felt a strong gaze and turned his head towards it.
Ah.
Floating in the air, it was a huge eyeball.
This red eyeball was undoubtedly the one from the Tower of Surveillance.
That terrifying eyeball stared at Yuric, who stood alone on the wall. Standing naked, he felt a chilling presence that made his mind spin.
[You…]
The power of the eyeball grew stronger.
Just then, a rumbling sound came from behind Yuric.
– Magician of the Index Finger.
Only then did Yuric escape the pressure of the eyeball.
– Climb onto my head.
Suddenly appearing beside Yuric, the Earth Dragon Alaldur offered his head to him.
Yuric climbed onto the dragon’s head and tightly grasped his horns.
[Alaldur…!]
As the eyeball roared, the Earth Dragon also roared loudly.
– Who dares!
The Earth Dragon shouted.
– I am Alaldur, no longer hiding! I am now this human’s!
[-!]
– Evil demon risen from hell, do you seek a sacrifice?
The pupil of the eyeball sharpened.
– But without surpassing me, Alaldur, one cannot reach this human.
[A mere dead spirit.]
– Yet my will still lives on.
Thunder rumbled loudly in the sky.
[We shall see.]
The eyeball vanished into a vortex.
And the red world began to crumble.
Yuric sent a thank-you to Alaldur, who had protected him.
– Since my will resides in you, I am now yours.
Of course, Yuric understood the meaning of riding on the dragon’s head.
Dragon Knight.
Even the magician Tizon, who wielded the Index Finger, had never managed to ride on a dragon.
The lineage of Dragon Knights, which had been severed for hundreds of years, was now reestablished right here.
– You are now Alaldur’s Dragon Knight.
