Chapter 50

There is a monster called the Earth Worm that swims through the earth, causing damage to farms and villages. It suddenly pops out of the ground, and as long as you’re careful about its slightly hard and thick shell, veteran adventurers can handle it.

However, that’s only when the Earth Worm is in its juvenile form. Even the juveniles are over 6 meters long, but the adults exceed 20 meters, with shells as tough as rock. Still, even these could be dealt with if the Knight Order stepped in.

But a 1,000-year-old Earth Worm is different. It’s over 200 meters long, with a shell tougher than steel and as thick as a castle wall.

When news of this 1,000-year-old Earth Worm spread, only two people stepped forward to deal with it: an old man and a young boy.

The old man, with a long white beard, began tapping the ground with his palm.

“A giant earth dragon… This continent never ceases to amaze with its mystical creatures…”

The boy beside him sighed and scolded him.

“Heavenly Demon Grandpa, how many times do I have to tell you? It’s not a mystical creature, it’s a monster! Are you going senile?”

The old man’s fist promptly smacked the boy, Werner, on the head. It was a disciplinary strike filled with love and teaching. Of course, to Werner, it was just a painfully hard punch from an old man.

“Respect your elders, brat! And calling it a monster? After 1,000 years, even a lowly creature becomes a mystical being!”

Wincing from the sharp pain, Werner rubbed his head.

“Respect my elders? More like freeze to death…”

Though he thought the old man wouldn’t hear, the Heavenly Demon’s ears were sharp, and another disciplinary strike landed squarely on Werner’s head.

“Ow, that really hurts! If it harms people, it’s a monster, no matter how old it is. What kind of mystical creature is that?”

“Brat! If you think like that, then humans, who harm the most people, should also be called monsters, shouldn’t they?”

“Old man, you’re just yelling loudly while you’re about to paint the walls brown…”

Hearing Werner’s muttering, the Heavenly Demon broke a branch from a nearby tree. Knowing exactly what that branch would be used for, Werner bolted. In the old man’s hands, even a simple branch became more threatening than an iron club.

“I wasn’t wrong, was I?”

“Until I hammer the word ‘manners’ into your head, you won’t be looking up at the sky!”

Werner ran for his life, and the Heavenly Demon ran to kill him. After about 5 kilometers, the ground suddenly rumbled with a loud noise. The sudden vibration made both of them stop.

Werner spread his magical energy, and the Heavenly Demon spread his qi to locate the source. Something massive was approaching them at incredible speed.

“See, Heavenly Demon Grandpa? I saved you the trouble of finding it.”

“Don’t get cocky, brat. And…”

At that moment, a massive Earth Worm burst through the ground. Nearly 250 meters long, with a gleaming, rock-hard shell. It was their target. The dust storm it created didn’t even touch the Heavenly Demon’s clothes.

To the Earth Worm, the Heavenly Demon seemed to be doing nothing. But his sleeves were fluttering wildly. His hand movements, faster than light, prevented the dust from reaching him.

The Heavenly Demon opened his mouth.

“Did you not hear me disciplining my junior? Even after 1,000 years, a lowly creature remains lowly.”

He placed his palm on the Earth Worm’s cold, hard shell.

“The crime of interrupting me and spreading dust is grave.”

He flicked his wrist, sweeping his middle finger across the shell. Just a simple, casual motion…

And the massive Earth Worm was sent flying into the sky.

“They say dragons ascend to enlightenment after gaining wisdom. I just reversed the order. Ascend and realize your foolishness.”

The Earth Worm, feeling the sensation of not touching the ground for the first time, roared wildly.

“Kieeeek!”

“Such a vulgar cry from a lowly creature. It’s grating to the ears.”

The Heavenly Demon turned to Werner.

“Finish it.”

“Of course, the annoying part is always my job…”

Werner sighed, clapped his hands, and chanted a spell he had developed.

“O darkness that devours evil! Manifest here and now! Guide this foolish enemy to the abyss! Abyssal Guide of Darkness!”

What greeted the falling Earth Worm wasn’t the familiar soil but an endless darkness. The Earth Worm struggled desperately, but the more it moved, the more it was consumed by the darkness. The darkness, shaped like a giant mouth, sneered at its futile resistance.

Finally, the Earth Worm realized the true scale of the two beings before it.

The Heavenly Demon, Wutianying, the pinnacle of martial arts in the Eastern Continent.

And Werner Alten, the greatest archmage in history.

Soon, the darkness completely devoured the Earth Worm, shrinking it down to the size of a glass marble. Childish as the technique’s name was, it was still a grand spell. Werner levitated the marble and began playing with it.

“That’s one problem solved. Let’s grab a bite at that tasty restaurant on the way back.”

“You could’ve handled this alone. Dragging me into such a trivial matter was foolish.”

Though it was originally Werner’s task, he had begged the Heavenly Demon to come along.

“But it’s more fun with you, Heavenly Demon Grandpa.”

“If Camellia were here, you’d have run to her instead. You talk big.”

“But Camellia’s busy. I need someone to talk to, even if it’s just an old man…”

The Heavenly Demon’s eyes were smiling, but his hands were breaking a thick branch from a nearby tree. Seeing the branch, more like a club, Werner asked with a grin.

“You’re going to hit me with that, right?”

“Of course. Why ask when you already know?”

“Hahaha…”

“Hohoho.”

Both burst into laughter. After a while, Werner started running desperately again, with the Heavenly Demon chasing him with the tree club. The endless chase ended with Werner treating the old man to a meal.

—

Werner returned to the capital and headed straight to the mansion. It was where Zick, Media, and their daughter Airi lived, but Werner had settled in as part of the family.

He was greeted by Media, the former saint. She had a face similar to Airi’s, with lustrous blonde hair and sparkling green eyes.

“You’re back, Werner?”

“Big sis, you didn’t have to come out. You could’ve waited inside.”

“Our youngest went out on a dangerous mission and came back. How could I just relax inside?”

“Dangerous? I handled it all. Heavenly Demon Grandpa just hit my head a few times.”

Werner downplayed the old man’s role to boast about his own exploits.

“Let’s go inside. I prepared your favorite roasted goose.”

“Haha… Touching…”

“Airi’s been waiting for you to come back, you know.”

“A babbling baby wouldn’t even know…”

Werner awkwardly smiled and opened the mansion door. The luxurious furniture and decorations were something the old Werner could never have imagined, but now it was his home.

“By the way, it’s been a while since everyone came to the capital, right?”

“Yeah. Melchior and Melissa are coming this time. Their daughter refused to come, though.”

“Too bad. I wanted to see her.”

“Her birthday is in a few months. Maybe she’ll come then?”

“Really? I’ll make sure to visit her then.”

As they chatted, a commotion broke out on the second floor. The sound of panicked voices reached them, and the head maid came running, pale-faced.

“Madam! Young master! Something terrible has happened!”

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

Werner thought it couldn’t be serious, but the maid delivered shocking news.

“Lady Airi… Lady Airi has disappeared!!!”