Chapter 162

The day to depart for Byzantium was approaching, but it was a bit awkward to leave right away.

Since we needed to use a carriage, various preparations were necessary, and we might even have to camp out.

Furthermore, although the paths were well-maintained, monsters or beasts could pop up at any moment.

With the railway still not in operation, we had no choice but to endure this hassle.

“Let’s see. Sleeping bags, matches, and food. Is this enough?”

“Every stop has a village, so do we really need to pack so much? What do you think, Dean?”

“Going bare-bones is enough.”

As the departure day drew near, we gathered in the dean’s office to discuss our plans.

For the record, we sought advice from Rod, who had overwhelming travel experience compared to the rest of us.

No, beyond mere advice, it had already been decided that he would accompany us. Thanks to that, we could skip unnecessary preparations.

“By the way, is it okay for you to be away from your position, Dean?”

Luna, who was selecting items, asked this question. It is indeed difficult for Rod to be absent from the Academy.

Just because it’s vacation doesn’t mean it’s all free time. The instructors also take leave or return, so there’s a loss of manpower.

If Rod were to be absent, it would make it hard to deal with any emergencies. That’s what we were worried about.

“Don’t worry. Even if something happens, I can return within ten minutes.”

“How’s that possible?”

“There’s a way. Only I can do it.”

“… …”

Luna stopped probing further. After all, a Sword Saint like him wouldn’t just be boasting without reason.

There definitely must be a way. That was confidence, not mere bravado.

“And besides, I have business at the Life Temple.”

“You too, Dean?”

“Yes. I plan to resolve my illness there. Although it’s getting better, I still have a lingering cough.”

Rod’s poisoning is slowly recovering thanks to the right herbs I managed to find.

To avoid any rumors, I entrusted the herbs to Eli. By now, she should be feeling much better.

However, in order to completely break down the accumulated toxins, a visit to the temple is essential. It was the same in the Soul World.

‘After the visit, I should be able to regain my strength.’

That resolved one of my biggest worries. Now, what remained was the demon’s magic circle.

One is located at the stock exchange, and the other is in a rather tough place.

It’s been a controversial spot among users, so it’s planned to be dealt with last.

There will definitely be aftershocks to manage. We still have half a year left.

“I plan on going with you, so three days should be enough for our return. If you want, we could return even faster.”

“Huh? Three days instead of a fortnight? So fast?”

“There’s a way for that. And besides, Rize must have informed them, so there won’t be complicated procedures.”

No specific supplies are needed; just going there with our bodies is enough. Is this really okay?

Still, since Rod said he has a method, it should be fine. We need to decide what we’ll do in Byzantium first.

“Sis, you’re going to start with the temple of Gulrak, right?”

“That’s the plan. Luna, what will you do when you finish your tasks?”

“I want to visit every temple there is… is that possible?”

Luna asked Rod, looking hopeful. Surely, with Rod’s experience, he’d know the way.

Rod nodded and replied reassuringly.

“Anyone can enter the temples as long as they don’t commit any impolite acts.”

“And what would be considered impolite?”

“Umm…”

Rod appeared to think for a moment before turning to me with a concerned expression.

It seemed he was worried that I might do something weird in the temple.

I almost wanted to calmly assure him I would behave. However, considering all the trouble I’ve caused, I kept my mouth shut.

“Just hold to basic manners. Any courtesy a civilized person should extend will suffice.”

“Sounds like you have Sivar in mind…”

“Just a misunderstanding.”

“I’m not an idiot.”

But I had to voice my grievances. Rod chuckled lightly at my protest.

Seeing him smile made it feel more like a joke.

“Anyway, Byzantium is rich with sights to see, so take your time. They won’t exclude you just because you’re an outsider.”

“I hope so. My father said it’s a country with almost no discrimination.”

Kara spoke with a somewhat worried tone.

She stands out compared to others, starting with her skin tone. Not to mention her deep red hair.

It’s clear to anyone that she belongs to the Tartar ethnicity, which was despised as barbaric until a few years ago.

“Well, it should create an interesting situation.”

“An interesting situation?”

“You’ll understand once you get there.”

It’s a classic ‘it’ll be fun if I don’t tell you’ line. But it doesn’t matter since we’ll be departing soon anyway.

Just as we were deciding on our tasks and preparing to leave,

*Knock, knock, knock-*

I heard a knocking sound by my ear. To be more precise, it was coming from the window.

Turning my head, I saw Porori standing outside the window.

*Rustle-*

Elegantly knocking(?) before opening the window, Porori’s large dog-like figure remained just as imposing.

The acorn tucked under her arm was still there. Where on earth did she find such a gigantic acorn?

*Crunch-*

“I overheard some interesting news. Did Gulrak really say I’m the sky I pray to?”

Porori asked, munching on the acorn as if it were an apple.

It seemed she had caught bits of our conversation from earlier.

“That’s right. You also offer sacrifices at that altar up there every weekend, right?”

“That’s me. Can I come along?”

So she wants to visit the temples dedicated to the sky, meaning Gulrak.

Having received power directly from her, it makes sense she’d be curious.

But unfortunately, Porori wouldn’t be allowed beyond the Academy.

“No. You can’t go.”

“Who are you to decide that for me?”

“Eli isn’t going.”

“Oh.”

The grumpy one paused and got my point.

No matter what, Porori needs to stay close to Eli.

She has been preemptively blocking any filthy hands from reaching Eli till now.

Especially when something unpleasant almost happened during the new student gathering. I realized Porori’s importance after directly intervening there.

“Geez. If the lady isn’t going, then there’s nothing I can do. I’m just worried about leaving her alone.”

“Should I call Eli too?”

“No. I can’t make her bother herself because of me.”

How can she be so human-like? If you just listened to the conversation, she’d seem like a complete knight protector.

Considering her actual duties, she’s probably closer to one than you’d think.

“Then it seems like I’ll have to go another time. Is it far from here?”

“A week by carriage.”

“What’s a carriage?”

“One of those.”

I skipped explaining out of laziness. After all, Porori wouldn’t be riding in one.

“By the way, Ratatosk, what are you planning to do during the vacation?”

“Vacation? What’s that? Is it something to eat?”

“Hey. Do you really ask such questions even to beasts?”

“… Is that so?”

Luna’s usual cluelessness was shining through. She scratched her head, looking flustered.

A person enjoys a vacation, but Porori would likely continue her usual lifestyle. Plus, marking her territory on the side.

“Oh right. How’s the territory expansion going?”

That was Rod’s question. He probably receives reports, but it’s better to ask directly.

Porori nodded in response to Rod’s question, puffing out her chest arrogantly.

“My territory is perfect. Old human, you don’t need to worry about it popping.”

“That’s good. Anything I should be concerned about?”

“Not particularly. Anything that goes inside won’t be coming out.”

Without a specially crafted compass, no one could escape the Inside of the Chaos Forest.

Even though the magic is abundant, it’s too rich, causing the space itself to twist slightly.

To elaborate, the directional cues tend to twist unexpectedly.

You might think you’re heading north, but you end up going south.

“Good. Keep up the good work then. Do you want anything?”

“Not particularly.”

Following that, Porori said she had nothing else to say and climbed out the window.

With the situation somewhat resolved, the only thing left was heading to Byzantium.

To head to Byzantium, we’d need to secure a carriage first.

“First, let’s get the carriage…”

“No, that won’t be necessary.”

Just as Kara was about to speak, Rod cut her off. At his words, everyone, including myself, looked puzzled.

With everyone’s attention on him, Rod wore a subtle smile before silently pulling out his sword. It was an incredibly ordinary sword.

“First, does anyone need to grab anything before we set off?”

“… …”

I silently spread out my hand. As I did, Ragnarok, neatly placed against the wall, grasped my hand.

One might ask why I’m taking Ragnarok along, but the answer is simple.

I wanted to confirm something while having a duel with Rize while I’m at it.

‘Gotta see if this is indeed the Magic Conch shell or not.’

I’m curious if it helps discern the followers of the Chaos God like the Magic Conch shell.

There should be many followers of the Chaos God there. That’s why I’m bringing it along.

*Crackle!*

“Ouch! What, what are you doing?!”

“Just checking.”

First, I should verify it through Luna. I touched Ragnarok against Luna’s arm, causing a blue spark to fly.

Naturally, she jumped up in shock, her face a mix of disbelief.

‘Why didn’t I pick Luna?’

If you go by actions alone, she’s definitely a follower of the Chaos God. Especially with how she talks.

However, since I didn’t pick her, there must be a reason for it. I’ll understand the reason once we reach Byzantium.

There was a brief commotion, but all preparations were completed. After scanning our group, Rod drew his sword again.

‘What’s with the sword?’

I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who thought that.

However, it didn’t take long for me to realize why.

*Swish!*

Rod lightly swung his sword down, and at that moment, a very fine crack formed.

*Swish! Swish!*

It didn’t stop there; he made a horizontal slash up and down. He finished with one more vertical slash.

The finished shape was a rectangle, longer vertically. The faint crack became quite distinct.

When Rod sheathed his sword, it seemed like it was finally done.

“Now we can head out.”

While everyone else was still puzzled, Rod said that. He then reached out toward the air he just sliced through.

*Thunk-*

As he reached out, it felt like a piece of paper was falling away. Right where Rod had just cut.

Behind it unfolded a scene unfamiliar compared to the inside of the room, making it hard to identify the place with just the eyes.

“What are you waiting for? Go on in.”

“……….. Is that…?”

“Near the Byzantium checkpoint. It should take us about ten minutes to get to the checkpoint.”

Indeed, a Sword Saint’s skill to cast magic with a sword is impressive. Frankly, even wizards would find that tricky.

After momentarily basking in Rod’s skills once more, we stepped into the space Rod had cut.

It was almost like a door, so we didn’t even need to duck our heads. Rod went in first, and I was the last to follow.

As we stepped into the severed space, I realized it was a forest. It appeared to be near the checkpoint in Byzantium.

“If memory serves, it should be this way…”

“When was the last time you visited Byzantium?”

“About three years ago.”

Given that, I could trust him. I was about to follow Rod closely when I paused suddenly.

The space he cut hadn’t yet repaired. An unexpected curiosity struck me.

‘What would happen if I stick my hand in there and keep it there?’

I hadn’t seen anything like that in the Soul World.

Having the ability to manipulate space at will is rare, and within the restrictions of the game, it was limited.

I pretended to follow the group while secretly slipping away. I reached out my hand toward the space that began to restore.

I shoved my arm in just enough so that it went in to my wrist. The temperature here and there felt different, giving it a strangely peculiar feeling.

“Oh right. Sivar. What’s your weapon going to be?… What am I doing?!”

Just as the space was about to close, I heard Rod’s sharp shout in my ear.

Startled by the sudden shout, I realized my hand was still in that space.

Just as Rod was hastily trying to take action, the space closed completely, barely missing my arm.

*Snip!*

“Huh?”

And just like that, my hand was gone. I mean, my hand disappeared cleanly from my wrist.

The cut was so clean that even the bone was visible. At the same time, a profound silence washed over the room.

Kara and Luna’s jaws dropped in shock, and even Rod stood frozen. It was entirely unexpected.

“Rod…”

I called Rod with a slightly trembling voice, showcasing my wrist with no hand.

There have been quite a few instances of severing across the Chaos Forest as well. If I manage to attach the severed part, I thought I could use regeneration to recover.

Regeneration isn’t a passive ability but an active one, so it could happen. Yet, I had no experience joining the severed part without a junction.

So I looked at Rod with pleading eyes. There was only one person who could retrieve my hand here.

“Can… can you give my hand back…?”

“Oh my… really?!”

And so the chaotic start begins.

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