Chapter 67

67.

***

Approximately two hours away from the capital, deep within a nearby forest.

Bang!

The sound was deep and alarming, causing the Human-Beasts to jolt upright with fur bristling.

“What was that!”

“Did it come from the carriage?”

The crisp sound reverberated clearly in the otherwise quiet forest. A noise so loud it penetrated the fine walls of the high-end carriage was much too rough to simply be dismissed as sleep-talking.

It could be a dangerous situation. The Human-Beasts immediately shot toward the carriage.

The carriage wasn’t far from the temporary campsite.

To the Human-Beasts that resembled wolves or tigers, this wasn’t even a tiring distance. In just a few agile leaps, they arrived near the carriage but halted upon hearing a faint rustling near their ears.

Creeeak.

Could she be about fifteen? The Fox Human-Beast who emerged by opening the carriage door looked much like a human girl.

She was small, with long, snow-white hair reaching down to her waist, and large, shimmering golden eyes. Her adorable fox ears stood straight and trembled.

Her white hair contrasted beautifully with her black robe and a silver sash around her waist, creating a peculiar yet attractive atmosphere.

Rubbing her reddened forehead, the Fox Human-Beast glanced around.

“Why has there been such a commotion? There’s still time left for rest.”

In response to her question, the Wolf Human-Beast spokesperson spoke.

“High Priestess, are you well? We came quickly after hearing a loud noise coming from the carriage.”

“I’m fine, don’t worry about it. I just bumped my head.”

“Huh…?”

Surprised, the Human-Beasts watched as the Fox Human-Beast wiped her forehead lightly with her sleeve.

The pain of smacking her face on the ground had long passed. Her thoughts were consumed by the scene that unfolded after she lost consciousness.

‘A surreal landscape indistinguishable from reality, and the vague sensation of floating through the clouds… The Divine Dragon has bestowed a revelation. Has it been nearly thirty years?’

In the hundred years since she became a High Priestess, she’d communicated with the Divine Dragon only a handful of times.

Even then, most communications were one-sided, with lightning striking the courtyard of the palace to leave cryptic messages. The Divine Dragon appearing directly in her dreams and speaking was a rare occurrence, happening just once before.

‘So this is the second time.’

As the Fox Human-Beast sighed at the Divine Dragon’s aloofness, a storm surged near the carriage.

Bang!

A two-legged beast had suddenly appeared, descending from the sky.

In front of the Fox Human-Beast stood a Tiger Human-Beast, towering much larger than the others.

His muscular body was covered in crimson and white fur, and his neatly worn black robe billowed fiercely.

The Tiger Human-Beast looked around with his arms crossed.

“All the royal guards are here. What’s wrong, Byran?”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

With his arms crossed, his presence spread a heavy aura.

The Warrior’s eyes ignited with a blue flame as he questioned. The intimidating aura emanating from the one who manifested mana was enough to make the Human-Beasts forget to breathe, and they knelt immediately.

Frustrated by the sudden heightened alertness, the Human-Beast High Priestess, Byran, kicked the Warrior’s calf.

“Stop showing off your strength. There’s nothing wrong.”

“Hmph. Is that so?”

Unmoved by her kick, the Great Warrior addressed the guards.

“Everyone, return to your positions and resume resting. Dismissed.”

“Yes! Understood!”

In an instant, the royal guard dispersed.

Byran watched their orderly movements and spoke.

“What about Byul?”

“She’s chasing away an uninvited guest.”

Bang!

Seated on the ground, the Great Warrior reached into his waistband and pulled out a heavy flask.

As the bottle’s clear cap was opened with a ringing sound, the Great Warrior poured its contents into his mouth without hesitation.

The clear liquid flowed out of the flask, filling the air with a sweet yet pungent aroma, causing Byran to frown.

“Adewuji. I’ve told you countless times that alcohol invites trouble; yet, here you are still drinking.”

“I’ve taken your advice. I’ve only had two bottles.”

“Ah… fine. Talking to you makes me feel like an idiot.”

Adewuji smirked at Byran’s sigh.

Swallowing the last drop from his flask, he calmly began.

“So, what’s the matter? The vicinity has been cleared. No one is around, so tell me.”

With that serious voice, Byran also sat down on the ground.

As the Great Warrior nonchalantly offered her another flask, she waved her arm and responded.

“The Divine Dragon has bestowed a revelation.”

“The Divine Dragon? Now that’s a rare event.”

“Call him Lord Divine Dragon, you insolent creature.”

“Explain the revelation. The fact that you’re so grave makes it seem rather important.”

For a moment, Byran clenched her small fists as irritation surged within her. Then, looking up at Adewuji’s shameless face, she cursed him under her breath before speaking more calmly.

“Abandon the trial of the imperial envoy.”

“Why?”

“The empire’s envoy should not be treated as an enemy.”

Byran recalled the clear content of the revelation even now.

The male seated on a throne, his build powerful, his face blurry but his presence far surpassing even Great Warriors like Adewuji.

And the light glowing from his neck resembled the holy seals carried by the Bright Sect’s holy virgin, a mark of divine blessing.

The Divine Dragon, showing the empire’s envoy, left one phrase before disappearing.

“Entrust the future to him.”

Byran glanced at Adewuji, pondering the Divine Dragon’s final words.

At her resolute gaze, Adewuji said,

“Did the Divine Dragon drink during the day? It’s hard to believe. Collaborating with the empire?”

“He said this person is our future. You disrespectful thing.”

“Future? That human?”

Adewuji effortlessly blocked a kick aimed for his calf and looked down at Byran.

The solemn expression of the High Priestess confirmed his thoughts. Closing his eyes, the Warrior fell silent for a while.

After contemplating for some time, Adewuji calmly spoke.

“Let’s just confirm in a non-violent manner.”

“What nonsense are you saying? Are you drunk?”

“Don’t worry. I intend to exchange mana lightly. Handing over the nation’s future, even if said by the Divine Dragon, is not a decision to be made lightly.”

Though firm, Byran sighed. His words weren’t wrong.

“Princess Feranthal appears to seek harmony, but as a Great Warrior, I must confirm whether the emperor’s husband is qualified to lead the alliance.”

Rising lightly, Adewuji continued.

“There’s roughly two hours left until the empire’s capital. Return to the carriage. We will set out again.”

“Alright. But, you’re really going to check lightly, right?”

“Trust me entirely where force is concerned. As I trust you in everything else.”

“…Understood. Ignorant tiger.”

After finishing their conversation, the two immediately moved.

***

While I was lost in thought about the sudden appearance and disappearance of the Sun Goddess, Myna, who had been unconscious in my arms, regained consciousness.

“Ugh… what is it…?”

With a lazy murmur, she slowly raised her head.

Our eyes met halfway.

“Did you wake up?”

“……?”

Confused, Myna glanced up at me. Her half-closed eyes stayed locked on mine for a long time until she suddenly shot upright.

“Wha, wha, wha, what! Eh? Uh?”

In an instant, she scrambled out of my embrace, looking around in confusion. Her gaze returned to her original seat, then shifted back to me.

As her eyes swept over my legs, arms, body, and finally met my neck,

Myna froze.

Her face blushed as pink as her hair.

“Uh, uh, I have to go. Thank you for the conversation.”

“Just a moment…”

Before I could respond, Myna quickly drew the sign of the cross and hurried away from the grand square.

“…”

I watched her lightning-fast departure for a while before getting up.

The affairs in the grand square were over.

It was time to return to the palace.

Once the audience with the Human-Beast Alliance this afternoon was over, that would be the end of the major tasks.

‘Ugh.’

Though the Human-Beast Alliance was a concern, the absurd event that just happened left my mind jumbled.

What did the Goddess do to my neck?

Judging from Myna’s shocked expression, it seems there’s something. Given her non-hostile reaction, it probably wasn’t harmful.

‘… I should visit the sect later.’

Though there was an uncomfortable feeling lingering, I had to handle urgent matters first.

In that way, after finishing external duties and feeling oddly tired, I returned to the Imperial Palace.

There, awaiting me were some truly exhausting nobles.

“The beasts are our guests? What a joke.”

“To invite such filthy mongrels into the palace! What a dreadful thing!”

Noble families bustling around the Imperial Palace in preparation for the audience were gossiping about the Human-Beasts.

Most of the conversations were about how beasts were this or that, their smell, and comparing them to livestock.

A few threw glances filled with considerable discontent. Of course, they immediately cowered the moment our eyes met.

‘They’re probably planning a protest.’

All the central nobles who should have been in the audience hall were wandering around outside. Familiar faces from the eastern and western factions. The southern faction was likely waiting inside the audience hall as no one from them was visible.

“Damn.”

Examining the attitudes of the central nobles, it was clear that their disdain and hatred for the Human-Beasts weren’t just tactics to make me and Iris uncomfortable; they stemmed from genuine contempt.

Until yesterday, they were quiet, but as soon as the time came, they erupted in unison. Such behavior was truly artistic.

‘The resistance is stronger than expected.’

The arrival of the Human-Beast Alliance was approaching.

According to Lara’s letter, the core members of the envoy were hard-liners with strong grievances against the empire, and the event also included a mana manifestation warrior, a Great Warrior.

The plan was to absorb the Human-Beast Alliance afterward.

With the south suppressed, I didn’t want unnecessary friction. There was no room to focus on the Human-Beast Alliance just yet.

‘It cannot be helped.’

With the two factions whining, the representatives would need to be sorted out.

Thus, I summoned Kierson and Barnel to the small conference room.

The two dukes arrived with indifferent expressions to the small conference room where I addressed them.

“I recognize the faces of the nobles causing a commotion in the Imperial Palace. Two names came to mind, so I called you two over. What’s going on?”

Kierson responded with a smirk after hearing my words.

“We are aware of the situation. However, it doesn’t seem to be a particular issue.”

“We will attend the audience as usual. We won’t involve ourselves with personal preferences.”

Following Kierson, Barnel responded similarly.

They acted as if they were well-acquainted with the situation of the central nobles.

As the two dukes spoke, although a diplomatic disaster might not occur, there was a possibility that the central nobles offended by the Calderhag envoy would pick fights throughout their stay.

‘That won’t do.’

To persuade Kierson and Barnel, I opened my mouth again.

“This time, we must not provoke them. It will only make us tired.”

The attitude of Calderhag foretells a war as a fact.

Even if not a full-scale war, the minimum skirmish is a scheduled event. We need to focus on gathering the scattered forces throughout the empire to thoroughly beat Calderhag.

Suddenly, we might get attacked in the back.

If while engaged in war with Calderhag, the Human-Beast Alliance advances north, we will need to send troops to the south as well.

A situation where the warfront splits in two. Looking at Altain’s current national power, this is not an easy task. It’s unclear how the logistics will play out. Things don’t seem to be heading in a positive direction.

Though victory might be possible with the disparity in national strength,

The weakened Altain might attract Sylvester’s attention due to the two-front war. There’s the Swordmaster still active there, after all.

Even if the Human-Beast Alliance doesn’t advance north, the mere possibility of a light northbound thrust will be uncomfortable for us.

“There’s no reason to scratch and make a sore. And…”

What we must prioritize this time is dealing with Sylvester.

Let’s avoid wastefulness.

After hearing the explanation, the two dukes mulled it over for a moment before nodding.