The campsite was situated next to the village near the Giant’s Fortress. Aslan entered the massive tent with the duke leading the way, and right behind them, Ereta followed closely.
“Oh, you’ve arrived.”
Inside the large tent sat Angie at a sizable table. Biting into an apple she held naturally in her hand, Angie waved, and Aslan nodded lightly in response to greet her.
“How did it go? Did you catch all the specters?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank goodness.”
With a smile, Angie addressed Aslan. The duke nodded his head and then spoke.
“Yes, fortunately.”
After requesting Aslan’s help, the duke mentioned that he had been ensuring the protection of Aslan’s traveling party.
It wasn’t coercion but rather a genuine effort to repel the specters that had invaded the Giant’s Fortress Village together and provide protection. There had been some battles, but no significant issues arose.
Indeed, as evidenced by Angie, who bore some injuries but had her wounds carefully bandaged, there were no serious problems visible.
As Aslan exchanged greetings with his companions, the duke seemed to relax somewhat and moved around the table to stand opposite Aslan’s group, leaning against something.
Following the duke’s natural movements, Aslan turned his eyes and noticed a large object covered by cloth.
The angular shape hinted at sharp edges beneath the fabric.
The duke stood with this covered object behind him, occasionally glancing at it with a subtle look of unease.
‘What is that?’
Whatever it was, it didn’t seem like an item necessary for the current task or a pre-offered reward; the duke appeared overly cautious about it.
If it were unrelated, there would be no need for such vigilance or even a glance. Yet the duke still looked tense, resting his hands on the table while Aslan paused.
It wasn’t discomfort directed at Aslan.
‘It must be related to this matter. Perhaps… a significant piece of evidence.’
The situation was evidently special.
For a high-ranking noble like the duke to personally send his subordinates wasn’t the case here; he himself had come to seek Aslan with soldiers.
Moreover, the duke claimed that only Aslan could save Cardi.
A duke with countless mercenaries, skilled subordinates, and an army had declared that only Aslan could accomplish this task. This alone indicated that the situation was far from ordinary. Normally, there wouldn’t be any reason for the duke to come in person.
The fact that the duke had personally ventured into another noble’s territory to find Aslan also suggested that the situation was much more severe than expected.
A grave and unique situation—one that necessitated Aslan’s involvement.
The only thing that could draw someone like Aslan, capable of understanding the dynamics of the gods through ancient deities’ mounts and their broader context, was one thing:
A deity.
A disaster involving a deity.
In that case, Aslan saw no reason to decline, and indeed, thought it might turn out well.
But before that…
“First.”
“Hmm?”
“I believe there will be a ‘proposal’ after your request to help Cardi, Your Grace.”
“…You’re quick-witted. Then…”
“Hold off on it for now.”
As the duke hesitated to speak, Aslan added:
“You might find it curious why I say this. But… just hold off for now. When I return after completing my task and tell you I’m ready, then proceed.”
From Aslan’s lips flowed what seemed like a last-ditch attempt to prevent the main quest from starting, which originated from the duke’s alliance proposal. Thus, Aslan suggested putting the alliance proposal on hold without even hearing it.
“This isn’t a refusal. Just consider it postponed for now. It’s not the right time immediately.”
With those words, Aslan cast a low gaze around the area. His eyes were directed outside the tent.
Though it might spoil things, Aslan subtly hinted at why priests later infiltrated Cardi and attacked the stronghold.
“There are spies around the duke.”
“Someone is eavesdropping now, so revealing our intention to recruit the ancient deity’s mount would complicate matters.”
With that understanding conveyed in a glance, the duke stiffened his expression.
On the other hand, Aslan felt a quiet satisfaction that things were unfolding as expected.
‘The duke truly is perceptive.’
Worthy of being a duke who had long resisted both the Calus Empire and the Mountain Kingdom, he understood and nodded.
“You’re remarkable.”
“Thank you.”
“No, those are my words of gratitude.”
With that, the duke let out a deep sigh.
“Then, let’s discuss the matter of Cardi.”
“I’m listening.”
Ereta seemed uninterested in the situation, smiling faintly behind Aslan, while Angie crossed her arms with a puzzled expression, seemingly unclear about the circumstances.
Glancing at the two travelers for a moment, the duke continued.
“Cardi is currently under attack.”
“…An attack, you say?”
When the duke had said earlier that only Aslan could save Cardi, Aslan had anticipated certain scenarios but hadn’t expected an actual attack.
Priests usually don’t target major cities because doing so risks losing their power or engaging in full-scale warfare, making things inconvenient for them.
The current power brokers in Geladridion were generally either skilled individuals who could solidify their influence amidst the tumultuous currents of priests and deities, or followers of evil deities.
Thus, attacking a major city was akin to attacking complex webs of vested interests.
That Cardi was under attack was incomprehensible to Aslan. Unless Aslan was progressing the main quest, cities or territories typically weren’t attacked.
Typically.
“Yes, an attack. An attack without form has struck, isolating and tormenting Cardi. Many have died, and the clues are vague.”
“Have you attempted extermination? There must be experts in Cardi.”
“We’ve tried. We hired mercenaries, mages, and even Belus Alphen dragon mercenaries for search operations, but most of them perished.”
Belus Alphen dragons, with superior physical abilities compared to humans, years of honed dragon skills, unique martial arts, and advanced metallurgy-based armaments, were top-tier mercenaries.
Yet hiring several of these dragon mercenaries resulted in most of them dying.
This meant it was beyond the capabilities of ordinary humans.
“I’m someone who listens well to rumors. Rumors often carry a kernel of truth, allowing me to outline the situation through them alone.”
The duke now believed there was no solution except hiring Aslan.
“The cunning to overthrow and recruit the Saint of Slaughter.”
At that, Ereta’s eyes widened.
“The insight to discover and cultivate the ancient deity’s mount, unseen even by the gods.”
Angie pouted slightly when her mention came up.
“The skill to kill countless priests, assassinate the second emperor, and remain the sole heir sought after by Budonggong for twelve years.”
Upon hearing the rarely-used title of his master, Aslan subtly clenched his lips.
“If even half of what I’ve heard is true, you must be one of the few great heroes in history.”
“That’s too kind.”
“With two protagonists of such legends present, it’s hardly excessive praise.”
Indeed. The duke recognized both Ereta and Angie, though Aslan wasn’t particularly surprised. On the contrary, the two seemed startled or skeptical.
Amidst their suspicious and bewildered gazes, the duke leaned forward over the table.
“I need that great hero. A task only such a hero can accomplish.”
A task only Aslan could solve.
Whether it was truly so or not was uncertain, but if the Duke of Helsing said it, the likelihood was high. He was a cautious man, though perhaps not on Aslan’s level.
“If you help, I’ll give you anything. Cardi is in dire straits.”
The duke’s anguished expression allowed Aslan to finally understand why he had come personally—to prevent harm during the journey and persuade Aslan.
The duke’s wry expression softened slightly, hinting at acknowledgment of Aslan’s insight. Since there was no need for a specific answer, Aslan wiped his forehead and asked:
“What is the extent of the damage?”
“Two hundred. Still relatively small, but it’s increasing.”
“Can you estimate how much more it will increase?”
“It will continue until the entire city is consumed. We estimate around forty thousand.”
At that, Aslan realized there was nothing more to deliberate.
Of course, plans could fail, and variables could increase. That might extend Aslan’s plan, forcing him to take a longer route.
But that was all.
Just a change in the path taken. It wasn’t a problem Aslan couldn’t handle, nor was it beyond the capacity of his comrades to adapt to.
If merely taking a slight detour could save forty thousand lives, it was certainly doable.
It was the right path.
Especially since it was something only Aslan could achieve. His deliberation didn’t last long. Aslan’s emerald-green eyes turned toward the duke.
“Very well. I accept the request.”
Relief spread across the duke’s face as he exhaled deeply. Though genuinely relieved, he seemed to be portraying himself as a man concerned for his subjects.
“So that’s why you came personally. To prevent any harm along the way and to persuade me.”
The duke’s slightly bitter expression eased, and a faint smile emerged, as if asking if Aslan had noticed.
Since there was no need for a specific answer, Aslan wiped his forehead and asked:
“What is the extent of the damage?”
“Two hundred. Still small, but it will increase.”
“How much more do you expect it to increase?”
“It will keep growing until it consumes the entire city. We estimate around forty thousand.”
At that, Aslan decided there was nothing more to think about.
Certainly, plans could fail, and variables could multiply. This might stretch Aslan’s plans, forcing him to take a longer route.
But that was all.
Just a detour in the journey. It wasn’t a problem Aslan couldn’t handle, nor was it beyond the capacity of his comrades to manage.
If a slight detour could save forty thousand lives, it was certainly feasible.
It was the righteous path.
More importantly, it was something only Aslan could accomplish. His deliberation was brief. Aslan’s emerald green eyes turned toward the duke.
“Alright. I’ll accept the request.”
The duke exhaled deeply, relief evident on his face. While genuinely relieved, he seemed to be portraying himself as a man worried about his subjects.
“Thank you. Then…”
The duke’s gaze turned back again, prompting Aslan to glance aside. From the moment they entered the tent, something indeterminate had caught his attention.
He didn’t know what was inside, but it was undoubtedly connected to whatever could annihilate approximately forty thousand people in Cardi.
And likely, it was also related to a deity.
Convinced of this, Aslan met the duke’s eyes just as he turned his head. A faint flicker of fear at the corner of the duke’s eyes. Something that made even a grand noble apprehensive. A subtle curiosity stirred within Aslan.
“It might be a bit uncomfortable, but bear with me. It was barely contained by being thrown into a smelter.”
Having apparently made his decision, the duke grasped the cloth and pulled it off.
With a fluttering sound, the cloth unraveled to reveal a block of iron underneath. It was thick and large, resembling something intended for crafting a giant’s armor, and it contained an unknown substance.
This substance was peculiar.
Pointing to the substance, the duke explained.
“What does it look like to you?”
“Like a monster…,” Angie responded instead of Aslan, who deliberately remained silent in an attempt to understand.
It was truly bizarre.
Judging from the prominent skull shape, it was humanoid, but the skull was excessively small and oddly positioned.
Embedded in the chest was the skull, surrounded by a gaunt upper body where all the sharp bones—spine, ribs, etc.—had been crushed and attached to what resembled entrails.
Where the head should have been, there was instead a split, flower-like mouth hanging limply.
Tracing the eight carved blade-like marks, Aslan spoke.
“…What is this?”
“What does it resemble to you?”
Instead of answering, Aslan merely glanced at the duke. A wave of confusion flashed vividly in his eyes, rare for Aslan.
After observing Aslan for a moment, the duke replied.
“This… is a child. More accurately, something that wore the shell of a child.”
Struggling to calm himself, Aslan examined the form. The only trace of it having been a child was the size of the skull.
“These monsters masquerade as humans. They eat, sleep, converse, and move about normally until suddenly transforming like this and attacking humans. So far, two hundred have died this way.”
But calming down was impossible.
Aslan had played Eternal Dominion countless times, with playtime reaching four digits. Across multiple playthroughs, he had witnessed hundreds of endings.
Yet throughout all those sessions, he had never seen anything like this.
An unknown monster, something Aslan had no knowledge of.
Suddenly, the memory of a widow surfaced in his mind.
“That Being, that fearsome entity, only set traps. Until now, it has never revealed itself to you.”
The words spoken by that widow, the advice given by the deity of sorrow and death. Aslan’s heart raced.
The unknown monster, its existence planted a suspicion in Aslan’s mind.
“This monster is known as the Formless One. More precisely, it is a follower of Him. Currently, dozens of these beings are lurking in Cardi, concealing their identities.”
The Formless One.
A new deity that emerged alongside the Dark Ram Herd after Aslan fell into Geladridion. No one had ever seen Him, and it was uncertain whether His priests even existed.
Aslan needed to confirm.
Whether this being was the one who trapped Aslan in this world or simply a deity hidden until now.
The duke reiterated his plea.
“Help us eradicate the followers of the Formless One who are secretly active in Cardi.”
While wanting to avoid further casualties, Aslan found a greater reason to go to Cardi.
Calmly closing his eyes, Aslan asked:
“Who told you this entity is the Formless One?”
The Formless One was a deity whose existence had been revealed but whose true nature remained unknown.
If someone knew His followers, the reason was obvious.
Opening his eyes and fixing his gaze on the duke, Aslan pressed for an answer. The duke nodded.
“Sharp. I learned it through negotiations with the priest of the Poison-Spitting Dragon.”
“Expected.”
Only a deity could discern the Formless One. Closing his eyes tightly, Aslan organized the situation.
A deity who had never shown its face and might be the one responsible for Aslan’s arrival in Geladridion.
This deity was now acting while its followers roamed the city disguised as humans.
Though the situation initially seemed ambiguous, Aslan deduced the answer from the single fact of negotiating with the priest.
There were no variables.
He was confident of victory.
When he opened his eyes again, Aslan spoke with certainty.
“I will complete the extermination within two weeks. Please prepare the following items as I instruct.”
