Chapter 66: Chapter 66

The map Armand gave him grew faint from the vicinity of Tohore onward. It was a map he had obtained by chance anyway. Ran was unconcerned.

He had braced himself to face hardships during the mountain journey even before entering the mountains. Just by looking at the position and altitude of the sun and the direction in which the shadows fell, he had tried to head solely north.

Meeting Rev was pure luck.

"There's no reason for you to step up personally, Ran."

Iel said as she propped up only her upper body, addressing Ran.

Ran was inspecting the equipment Huven had kindly lent him. They were lightweight protective gear suitable for climbing.

"We might have to stay here for a few days. I'd feel better just doing something rather than sitting around feeling awkward after imposing on them."

"You saved Rev. Of course you deserve to be treated well. Rev's someone important here. I overheard the people who brought our meal talking about it."

Ran, who had just tightened his shin guards, glanced at Iel.

The more he saw her, the more impressed he was. She was sharp and quick-witted. In some ways, that was reassuring.

"I know. It's all because of me. I'm so frustrated that I'm so weak."

Iel bowed her head, looking as if she might burst into tears any moment.

Ran stood there with his mouth open, just blinking.

It was true that he wanted to hurry their departure as fast as possible, but this situation wasn't something he could call entirely bad.

He had found the key to reaching Northland.

If he could make good use of the barbarian party, now prisoners, things could proceed smoothly.

However, Ran had no knack for explaining such a complicated situation in a way a young girl could understand, nor for comforting her at the same time. For a mercenary with a priestly background who struggled with rational conversations, it was a difficult task.

"... That's not it at all. I have a plan, so... I mean, I'm just preparing for the journey..."

As Ran mumbled, a sign of another presence came from behind. Both of them turned toward the open entrance.

It was the barbarian boy, ragna.

With only his face peeking in, ragna and Iel blankly stared at each other.

Ragna mumbled in his language. Iel didn't know their tongue.

Ran remembered reading about nonverbal communication in a book. The theory that human emotions could be communicated, albeit faintly, even without words.

Ran was watching Iel's slightly flushed cheeks and tightly clenched hands.

'What's with these two?'

There was a ticklish atmosphere. Ran wasn't completely oblivious. There was a difference between not knowing at all and knowing but being awkward about it.

At any rate, for now he was Iel's guardian. Maybe it was a sense of duty, or maybe he was upset with himself for floundering a moment ago, or perhaps simply annoyed with Ragna for nonchalantly coming out with such bluntly embarrassing words. Suddenly, Ran felt a surge of irritation.

In any case, he didn't like the strange mood flowing between the two kids.

"Hey, kid. Peeking like that is rude."

As soon as he said it, a wave of regret washed over him.

He thought he looked quite pathetic.

"Do Imperial people not show tolerance even to children? And Ragna's still not good at Imperial speech."

Tascar, who had apparently been there for some time, spoke as if exasperated behind Ragna.

Ran's face flushed with embarrassment.

Naturally, the two moved to a more secluded place.

Tascar narrowed his eyes.

Ran kept recalling what had just happened. Even he didn't know why he'd acted so out of character.

Lost in thought, his reply came out brusque.

"The Imperials here keep gabbling about you. Sword Demon, they say. I have no interest in the fuss weak Imperials make."

So what am I supposed to do about it, then? I'm annoyed enough as it is.

"Dakir is the god of all warriors on this land. Northland is the land Dakir created; we Northlanders are his descendants. Thus, it's the North warriors who are true warriors."

"Quite loquacious for a barbarian. Get to the point."

"True warriors resonate with each other. Whether by blades or souls or any medium, there's a synchronicity. But I feel nothing from you. You're not a warrior."

Tascar's killing intent was apparent. Had he a weapon, he would have brandished it.

"Falsely claiming the honor of a warrior, my hatred for your empire, your sly gaze. I have plenty of reasons to tear you apart. What kind of scheme are you hiding, skulking around in front of me all the time?"

"Wow, your Imperial is really good. How long did you study?"

"Don't change the subject. We're superior to Imperials in every way."

Northlanders endure fierce survival competition in harsh environments. Only those with exceptional bodies and intelligence survive and reproduce. Unlike the pampered lives of the Imperials, it's a difference born from generations.

While genuinely impressed, his shame faded a little.

Ran idly stroked Nachal, the sword at his side, his expression more composed.

"All good, but I guess no one taught you honorifics, huh?"

The two stared at each other on even ground.

The silence didn't last long. A boisterous voice cut in.

"A tight standoff between the Sword Demon and a northern warrior! I wish I could observe further, but alas, I can't!"

It was Huven. More than a dozen men followed, armored over white clothing. Rev and Terrence were there too.

"With two brave men together, I couldn't feel more reassured. I myself feel itching to clash with the Emperor's army right now! In any case, this is no time for rivalry. We must join forces!"

Huven lightly patted Ran and Tascar on the back.

He had decided to lead this reconnaissance personally, a sign of its gravity.

Within the safe zone, they monitored key areas like the Bear Monster Den for changes. No entire outpost had ever disappeared, even with severe distortion phenomena. It was as if a gaping hole had appeared in their surveillance net.

But there was another reason Huven was so sensitive about this.

'If the Bear Monster Den is the only route to Northland, it must be secured.'

Since news of the imperial guards' appearance, huven had grown anxious. A previously vague unease now felt imminent.

"So you were a mercenary specializing in grand monster battles. Tarok must truly be watching over our safe zone."

There are monsters created by various routes on the mainland. And there are mercenaries who hunt them professionally.

The inquisitors of the Special Unit, for example.

Ran had lied, saying he had often participated in monster hunts outside to be included in the reconnaissance for the Bear Monster Den.

"See, there was always a way to live together. Don't you think so, Ran?"

Huven smiled in satisfaction. He'd never intended to cast Ran out. A well-honed blade had rolled in of its own accord. A blade's value depends on how it's wielded by the swordsman.

Huven fancied himself a capable swordsman.

The scout team left the safe zone a little after noon.

They stayed together instead of splitting up.

Huven handed out rest periods skillfully—a sign of his former officer background.

"Whew, an autumn forest out of nowhere. Really, these mountains are unpredictable."

Rev dropped down beside Ran and muttered.

Before they knew it, the dense green woods had become vividly colored with autumn leaves. It made no sense. These mountains were full of mysteries. It wouldn't be surprising if rain or hail suddenly started falling.

The surrounding environment has a major impact on human thought. Perhaps due to consecutive mysterious events, Ran was feeling tired.

Rev was unfazed with familiarity. He kept his eyes busy shifting between Huven and a parchment, apparently taking notes on the orders Huven was giving to some of his subordinates even during the break.

"You're really passionate, Rev."

"It's not really passion. Well, this is proof we survived. I feel alive when I write."

"I didn't notice at first, but you're somewhat philosophical."

"Ha ha! Is that a compliment? How could I be as great as you, Ran? Me and this writing—it's all alive thanks to you."

Ran, embarrassed, turned away.

Following Huven's instructions, several were moving about. Though it was a break, vigilance was not neglected, and they were also scouting the area in advance.

Off to one side were Tascar and Ragna.

Ragna had come along despite his uncle's attempts to dissuade him.

"Though he's a barbarian, tascar is a fine, intelligent man. Terrence sometimes even teaches him medicine."

"Setting that aside—a barbarian being called 'fine' is ironic."

Ran sniffed. Propping his chin, he stared idly at Tascar.

He recalled him passionately speaking about a warrior's pride.

He figured it was one of two things: either Tascar was supremely shrewd, or his nature was too deeply ingrained to hide—either way.

Suddenly, Ran realized he was similar to Tascar.

Until not long ago, he, too, had borrowed Asriel's miraculous power at every moment, begged for salvation and mercy, watched the brazen heretics with anger, and gladly raised his sword to punish them.

'Am I still a priest of Quersa?'

Asriel had promised—to love all people of this land.

That the weak, endlessly suffering as God's servants in earnest prayer, was clearly because the deity turned a blind eye.

For the almighty God of mercy to abandon them was a contradiction.

For a God of mercy to declare the destruction of the human world was also a contradiction.

That the one who followed the apostle's path at God's call now doubts it all—another contradiction.

Even his guilt had faded. There was a time when even that had tormented him. Not anymore.

Now, at last, he could see.

Ran, or Cyrano, now faced the "egg" that had confined him.

From a journey begun just to peruse a birth record, he'd reached self-reflection; that too was a contradiction.

'I will simply do what is right.'

And stand against that which he defined as evil.

To move forward, gaining insight without being trapped by the cycle of contradictions.

That was Ran's desire.

The sound of insects rang out all around.

Night fell as the sun set.

The reconnaissance members lit torches.

"We've come a long way."

Huven spoke in a subdued voice. He hadn't expected to find it in one go, but he couldn't help but feel tired.

He silently watched Ran and Tascar at the front of the group.

'They're moving as if they know the way.'

Though the two appeared to walk side by side, Ran was in fact the guide.

'The demonic energy is thickening.'

All his senses were sharpened. Like animal tracks, he could see shapeless mist or smoke. Ran followed that path. The peculiar stench grew stronger, and a sinister wind swept across his skin.

"How long have you been in the mountains?"

Tascar asked. By now, he no longer questioned Ran's route.

He had gained a strange confidence that Ran was leading them correctly.

Ran answered without even looking.

In his head, he was memorizing the paths he'd taken. He reviewed whether there were any dangers, imagining coming back with Iel.

Huven's voice came from behind once again.

"Let's call it a day. This isn't the place. There are plenty of routes left to check."

Ran paid him no mind and kept walking. Sweat poured down.

And finally, he reached the source of the thick demonic energy. Google seaʀᴄh noveⅼfire.net

Ran stopped, and the others behind him followed suit.

Ran's pupils widened. It was a peculiar sort of demonic energy. But he had encountered it before. That memory made him tense.

Tascar scooped up a handful of dirt and sniffed it—then even tasted it with his tongue.

'A stinking, rank smell.'

The barbarian's eyes sharpened.

He looked at Huven as he spoke. The reconnaissance members quickly illuminated the area with their torches.

A pitch-black shadow flapped through the moonlit clouds, leaving a trail.

"Oh, is that a crow?"

Most of the reconnaissance members, who were of demon descent, brightened. Their faces looked as if they had received a sign from God and were reassured.

Ran suddenly thought of Dante. On the night they first met, Dante had mistaken Quersa's messenger bird for a crow and grown excited.

"We found the entrance!"

One of the strong men searching the area shouted. Everyone's gaze snapped in that direction.

He held up his torch, illuminating the entrance to a cave through the thick, damp undergrowth. The inside looked like a pitch-black abyss waiting to swallow them whole.

It was only a moment. From within, a pair of small dots glowed red, turning into glare like eyes.

Suddenly, a monster burst out from the cave and swallowed the man holding the torch whole.