Episode 55: In Search of Them
The face of Halsenberg wore an expression of wistful reluctance as he spoke.
I smirked and held out my goblet to Halsenberg.
“Ah, yes. As expected from Lord Halsenberg. Your perceptiveness really stands out.”
“…Indeed. You, a hero from another world, cannot remain here indefinitely, can you?”
Halsenberg smiled back as he refilled his goblet of wine.
We clinked our goblets and drank them dry in one gulp.
“…”
“…”
In the silence, I stared blankly at the silver goblet for a moment. Then, Halsenberg broke the silence first by looking out the window.
“Is there a special destination in mind?”
“Yes, I have a place in mind.”
“Hmm. Where do you plan to go?”
“To Unterland. The Valley of the Dead.”
“The Valley of the Dead, you say.”
Halsenberg’s eyes widened in apparent surprise at the unexpected answer.
It made sense. If my memory serves, the Valley of the Dead is located at the far south of the continent, while I currently reside in the far north. One could imagine questions about why I’d embark on a transcontinental journey from one end to the other.
“Well, I know little, but rumor has it that it’s as dangerous a place as this one. It’s a stronghold of one of the Four Demon Kings, after all.”
“Four Demon Kings… like the Undying Demon King?”
“That’s correct. ‘The Demon King of Idols,’ Zadkiel, resides there.”
“Zadkiel…”
This was new information. It really was true that surprising discoveries awaited when one spent time with Halsenberg. Now I had something to ask Ruci about—my mind began organizing the new intel internally.
“Still, the fact that you’re going to such a perilous location…”
Halsenberg’s gaze sharpened, implying that he wanted to know why. I nodded and replied.
“Because, I believe my acquaintances may be around there. To settle down in this world, I plan to gather as many allies as possible.”
“Hmm. Like when you saved Seop Baek?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
This was the place, where everyone except me had been sucked into a gate during the exam’s mist. The Valley of the Dead in Unterland, I remembered its name well.
Living here in Halsenberg’s castle, I realized one thing: this world was dangerous. Wandering around alone would likely lead to an untimely demise.
“Comrades. My top priority is to form a party of people I can trust and rely on.”
This is why I intended to go to Unterland first. It was likely the place where my old companions from the exam—Aldcon, Skaro, and Seseona—would be. Grenade had ended up in Kena’in, part of the Dragon Empire, so I could visit him later. Considering his bravado from earlier, he was probably not someone to die so easily, so I could search for him at my leisure.
While I was contemplating this,
“Then, will you take the route via Markeiteuriseu or the Dragon Empire?”
Halsenberg asked, refilling his goblet with wine.
I tilted my head at his question.
“Is there no direct route?”
“Originally, Mittelrand and Unterland were one nation, but after the center of the continent became polluted by a witch, both countries can only be reached indirectly by passing through the other two. They are physically cut off.”
“Ah… I see.”
Mittelrand and Unterland. Now that I think about it, their naming style seemed similar, so it made sense they were once a single entity.
However, that wasn’t the important part. Was he saying that I had to pass through either Markeiteuriseu or the Dragon Empire? This wasn’t in my plans, and it looked like the journey would take much longer than expected.
“Hmm… What should I do then?”
Whichever way, I had no useful information, except for one clue: my acquaintance Grenade was in the Dragon Empire. Even if I used The Eye of Mimir to gather information along the way, I’d still prefer a route that minimized the risks.
Was it safer to go via the Dragon Empire or Markeiteuriseu?
“If you have no preferred route, I would recommend Markeiteuriseu.”
Halsenberg’s trustworthy voice broke through my worries. Raising my head suddenly, I saw him sipping his wine as he said with a reliable gaze,
“I have a longstanding acquaintance in Markeiteuriseu. I’ll send him a message to let him know you’re coming. You can count on his help.”
“No, Lord Halsenberg, I can’t impose on you that far…”
“Even when it comes to martial arts, he’s a formidable figure I couldn’t best, someone from whom I’ve learned a great deal.”
“Yes, please do send him greetings. His help would be invaluable.”
You should have mentioned this earlier, Lord Halsenberg. I’d always welcome the connections of the guy who wears rotten boxer shorts.
Startled for a moment at my sudden shift in attitude, Halsenberg burst out laughing and began walking back to his seat.
“I understand. However, it would feel strange to send you off empty-handed after your exploits here in Halsenberg Castle. Please accept this small token of gratitude.”
“Oh, you really don’t need to… what, all that?”
I feigned protest, but this was just an act. I intended to accept it, simple as that—it’s a rule, after all.
Given how uncertain the world outside the castle walls was, I had no reason to turn down anything that might be useful.
“Take this. I believe it will be of great help to you.”
With those words, Halsenberg handed me the sword he himself had used—a long blade with a stark white blade. I clearly remembered how it glimmered eerily in the moonlight.
I took it and examined it closely. Immediately, the information window appeared.
[Item Information]
[Name: Espada Sword of the Demon (Artifact Class)]
[Modifiers: Strength +20, Agility +15]
[Details: Reputed to be the bone sword wielded by the Witch Knight ‘Han.’ Its material remains unknown, but its durability is extraordinary. Cannot be artificially enhanced but grows stronger as the wielder’s power increases.]
[Number of possible upgrades: 0]
“… The Witch Knight Han?”
The moment I processed this detail, I was momentarily stunned and immediately glanced at Vestark hanging on my hip.
Was this sword actually paired with Vestark? Was the Witch Knight Han a dual-sword user?
What a bizarre twist of fate bringing these two together like this. Was this some kind of cosmic joke?
“… Dual-wielders are notoriously difficult to balance in games…”
I stared gravely between the two swords.
No, this might not be a joke. Perhaps this was fate, considering my summoning here was likely orchestrated by the lesser deities.
Nodding to myself, I looked at Halsenberg and asked,
“Are you sure, my lord? It’s the sword you’ve used personally, and doesn’t it seem rather special?”
“It suits someone as extraordinary as you.”
Halsenberg’s meaning-laden gaze felt particularly piercing.
And sure enough, he continued with a smirk,
“This item once belonged to the leader of an ancient demon. Others advised me to discard it, claiming it carried ominous energy, but… I simply couldn’t part with it.”
“…!”
“That demon was once under the Undying Demon King’s command.”
Perhaps Halsenberg had a vague idea about who I was. The significant expression on his face suggested that possibility.
When I looked at him carefully, he shook his head and said,
“I won’t ask you anything. You are the hero who saved Halsenberg from danger, and that’s all I care to remember.”
“… Thank you, Lord Halsenberg.”
“However, it is certain that this sword suits you better than me. I feel it.”
If he said so…
I sheathed the sword on my opposite hip and bowed deeply.
“So be it. Then I gratefully accept it.”
“It is fine. I likely won’t use it for a while anyway.”
“In times of peace, weapons like these are nothing more than heavy burdens.”
“Haha. True. Very true.”
With a hearty laugh, Halsenberg poured the final glass of wine and subtly gestured for me to drink.
“Send a letter if you ever need help. I’ll drop everything to assist you.”
I smirked slightly. This was the perfect moment for a toast.
Clashing our goblets with vigor, I drank deeply and declared,
“To the ever-flourishing Halsenberg and its virtuous Lord Halsenberg.”
“… To that.”
Our meeting ended there.
At the last moment, Halsenberg gave me some funds and travel supplies, adding:
“Be careful, Jung Yong.”
“Lord Halsenberg? What is it?”
“While I will keep my mouth shut as much as possible, word of you slaying the Elderich who plagued Mittelrand—only two months after being summoned—will spread faster than you imagined.”
“…”
That was unexpected.
I fell silent, and Halsenberg continued, observing my expression closely:
“Most will celebrate your achievements, but some will undoubtedly feel differently.”
“Feel differently?”
“…Take utmost care in your actions.”
That was about the gist of it.
Halsenberg didn’t elaborate on the nature of “those who feel differently.” It wasn’t deliberate secrecy but rather uncertainty, so he refrained from speaking further.
Thus, with an unsettled mind, I had to leave Halsenberg Castle’s main halls.
“Ah, Lord Jung! This way!”
Looking up, I saw the Demon King and Seop Baek, ready and waiting for me.
Approaching them at the castle gates, I slung my backpack over my shoulder and took my first steps forward.
“Were your arrangements completed, my lord?”
“What kind of men chatter so long? Waiting for you felt like having my neck stretched!”
Seop Baek’s and the Demon King’s complaints followed quickly as they fell into step behind me.
We passed through the broken outer gate, crossed the damaged inner wall, traversed the ruins of the domain, and finally scaled the mossy outer walls when—
A cheerful “ding!” rang, followed by a grand fanfare.
[Quest Completed!]
[Name: Trial of the Hero – Escape from the Ruined Citadel]
[Details: A trial to become a recognized hero. Escape from the cursed ruins of Halsenberg Castle using any means possible.]
[Rewards: Official Hero Title. ‘Grade 1 Random Box – The Reaper’s Gift.’ All Stats +20. Hero Sense +5.]
At long last,
I completed the seemingly impossible quest.
I felt tears welling up as I basked in the overwhelming sense of accomplishment. The evening sky, glowing faintly in the cold air, seemed unusually clear.
“I’m free!”
A radiant golden light erupted from my body. Spreading my arms wide, I basked in this triumphant moment like the protagonist of The Shawshank Redemption.
The instant increase in my stats surged through me. Clenching and unclenching my fists, I checked my status window.
[Name: Park Jeong-yong]
[Alias: 163417413th Official Hero. Guardian of the Demon King’s Egg. One Bound to Undeath.]
[Level: 101]
[HP: 753/753 MP: 220/220 Condition: Normal]
[Strength: 123 Agility: 159 Intelligence: 43 Hero Sense: 11]
[Remaining Ability Points: 54]
“Wow, crazy… defeating Elderich boosted me by 18 levels…”
I hadn’t checked earlier because I was too occupied, but clearly, Elderich was a formidable figure. Normally, defeating hundreds of regular undead would barely scratch a level gain, yet killing him propelled me 18 levels higher.
Now that I was here, the pressing question was how to allocate the remaining ability points.
“But, who cares anyway?”
In my current mood, I felt ready to face whatever challenge came next.
Giving both of them a quick glance, I started walking toward the southwest. The Demon King and Seop Baek nodded and followed behind me closely.
“Let’s go to Markeiteuriseu.”
“Yes! Let’s go!”
“Uhaa! Finally, this body’s great mission begins!”
With one final, resolute word, we marched briskly toward the southwest.
