Chapter 92

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(5)

Just after the source of the Frost Dragon was shattered.

Dragons swarming the sky suddenly plummeted to the ground, as if they had lost their wings.

But that wasn’t all.

Every single one of the fallen dragons turned into ashen remains without exception.

And in that moment…

The Frost Dragon met the same fate as its minions. Its massive body turned to ash, and all nine of its eyes lost their light.

Swoosh!

Fragments of the Frost Dragon poured down like snow.

Faced with a scene that stained the world gray, Ulan collapsed backward.

“Phew.”

A soft sigh escaped from deep within.

A tremendous agony soon enveloped his body.

The pain of bones and flesh grinding, tearing his whole being apart. He had paid the price for using far more power than he was originally given.

Yet he didn’t scream like a wimp.

This wasn’t his first ride on the pain train.

Ulan had already experienced the same agony in his past life. Right during his last fight against the Giant King Rargtan.

But there was one difference.

‘……I’m alive.’

When that battle ended, Ulan realized he was dying. His heart slowed, and all the strength in his body vanished like smoke.

But now, it was different.

‘I survived.’

He had approached the edge of death but hadn’t crossed the threshold. His violently beating heart, clear consciousness, and remaining strength proved that.

On the other hand, the Frost Dragon had met a definitive end. It had disappeared into ash, leaving no parting words behind.

‘I won.’

In that moment of certainty.

Even amidst the pain striking his entire body, Ulan grinned. That smile was filled with a sense of achievement.

Then he suddenly sensed a familiar presence.

[Growl.]

It was none other than the White Wolf.

The creature that had reached right in front of Ulan promptly spat something out that it had been holding in its mouth.

“What is that…?”

The only trace left by the Frost Dragon.

It was indeed the broken source.

Even though it was split in half, there was still a considerable amount of magic power remaining in the source. The moment Ulan realized this, he understood the White Wolf’s intention.

“You want me to eat it?”

[Growl!]

The White Wolf nodded.

That was unexpected. He never thought this guy, who usually went nuts over magic power, would willingly share a dragon’s source.

Ulan chuckled.

“Alright. I’ll eat it.”

The heart of the prey was the hunter’s reward.

It was cold as ice and hard as a rock, but that didn’t mean it was unpalatable. Plus, he was feeling a bit hungry, so Ulan bit into the source without hesitation.

Nom! Crunch!

An absurdly unrefined meal.

Suddenly, Ulan frowned.

“……This is disgustingly bad.”

Out of everything he had eaten until now,

this ranked at the very bottom.

But taste was irrelevant. What mattered was the vast amount of magic power embedded in the source.

Gulp!

Finally swallowing the creature’s source.

Ulan closed his eyes, intending to convert the magic power that had entered his body into his own.

‘Power of the Abyss.’

The Frost Dragon, as a lord of the Abyss, possessed pure power of the Abyss.

Just coming into contact with it instilled fear and despair. That’s why mages kept their distance from the power of the Abyss.

But Ulan thought differently.

‘Magic is just magic.’

As long as you absorbed it well, it would be fine.

Fear and despair?

The one who vanquished the Lord of the Abyss wouldn’t fret at something as trivial as magic. Thus, Ulan consumed the power of the Abyss at a rapid pace.

A little while later.

After completely absorbing the magic power.

Ulan opened his eyes wide.

“This is amazing.”

From just eating the Frost Dragon’s source, he had gained two completed Spirits.

Before starting the battle, he had only been at 1-star, but now he had reached 3-star. The proof was in possessing three completed Spirits.

‘Already 3-star.’

In his previous life, he had chewed through the hearts of over a thousand demon beasts and minions, barely managing to create three Spirits in his late thirties.

To achieve 3-star with just a source was beyond his expectations.

It seemed that a lord was indeed a lord.

Ulan smiled satisfactorily.

Just then.

“Ulan!”

He spotted figures running from a distance.

Seoric, Noa, and Delia.

Seeing the trio approach, Ulan got up to greet them, wanting to inform them about the Frost Dragon’s subjugation.

10.

Meanwhile, at that time.

Just as Ulan completely destroyed the Frost Dragon’s source, causing all the dragons circling in the sky to crash down,

Noa’s eyes widened.

“……!”

The dragons turning to ash.

While Seoric, fighting off the dragons, was understandably flustered, for Noa, this was a familiar sight.

The death of dragons in this form only meant one thing in her knowledge.

‘The lord has met their end.’

Minions derive their power, life, and authority from their lord.

Thus, when the lord dies, all minions under them share the same fate. This was the sorrow and destiny bestowed upon the minions.

‘So, that means……!’

It meant that the lord of the dragons had been slain.

Noa’s gaze shook fiercely. She looked in the direction Ulan had gone. Then her eyes bulged wider than before.

Swoosh!

Ashen powder falling like snow.

At the same time, the frozen magic power began to flow back to its original state. Realizing what this signified, Noa mumbled in a daze.

“He really… took it down…?”

The Lord of the Abyss, all by himself?

Without even the help of a single hero?

Was this even possible? Noa felt a chill run down her spine.

An unbelievable result.

The repercussions of Ulan’s achievement sent shivers down her body.

But the amazement didn’t end there.

【You have achieved a hidden achievement.】

Suddenly, a message appeared before her.

Visible only to Noa, this was the system alert from the original “Chronicles of Arsen Continent”.

“……?!”

Seeing this, Noa’s eyes widened in shock.

For good reason.

Because she hadn’t seen a system alert since about eight years ago, right after she had entered the game.

A system alert appearing after eight long years.

Even more astonishing was the content.

【Achievement】: Dragon Slayer

【Condition】: Defeat of the Frost Dragon ‘Gleisia’

【Reward】: Elixir

Noa’s eyes popped wide open again.

The万能薬, Elixir.

The potion was known as the pinnacle of all consumables in the original work.

For one single reason.

Consuming it would double one trait or characteristic to its maximum level.

And it did so permanently.

‘But…’

There was a bit of a gamble involved.

Because before consuming the Elixir, one wouldn’t know which trait or characteristic would increase. In other words, it included random elements.

Moreover, there was one more thing.

Each trait had an associated ‘penalty’.

‘If I’m really unlucky, the penalty could double as well.’

There were indeed cases where after receiving the Elixir with great difficulty, someone noticed their penalty had doubled.

It was truly a double-edged sword.

Yet, considering these factors, most people still tended to consume the Elixir once they got it. The risk was worth it.

As she wrapped up her thoughts.

Another notification appeared.

【Achievement】: Defier of the Abyss

【Condition】: Before the time of demise arrives and the Gate of the Abyss opens, defeat one Lord of the Abyss

【Reward】: Eighth Trial of the Hero

‘What a strict condition.’

Exceeding beyond strict to downright nonsensical.

Facing a Lord of the Abyss before the Gate of the Abyss opens was nearly impossible, and they wanted her to defeat the lord before that?

Far more impossible than crossing stagnant waters washed away by foulness, nonsensical conditions.

Noa’s expression reflected her incredulity.

But alongside the nonsensical conditions, the rewards were ludicrously good.

The stiffness of her expression was clear evidence.

‘……Eighth Trial of the Hero.’

In the original “Chronicles of Arsen Continent”, the heroes consisted of seven fixed persons: the Sword Master, Witch, Berserker, Sniper, Knight, Saintess, and Bard.

Occasionally, due to points of death, the number could drop to six or five, but it had never exceeded seven.

And yet, an additional hero?

This had never occurred in the original work.

‘But it’s not necessarily bad.’

In fact, it was good.

If the number of heroes increased to eight, that would mean the process would become easier.

‘Maybe I…’

Could also become a hero.

Noa Darshen, too, was a named character.

Just then, her eyes widened in surprise.

She witnessed Ulan, who had just made short work of the Frost Dragon, staggering and collapsing to the ground.

“U, Ulan?!”

After witnessing this scene.

Noa, Delia, and Seoric rushed toward Ulan, each racing to get to him first.

A little later.

As they arrived at the battle-scarred battlefield, the expressions of Noa and Delia turned pale.

Ulan’s body was covered in blood.

He looked like a walking disaster. On seeing the duo’s expressions, Ulan shrugged indifferently.

“I’m fine.”

“Fine? What’s fine about this?!”

He was hurt so much that it was hard to find a spot that wasn’t damaged.

Delia shouted with a face that looked like she was about to cry. In response to her distress, Ulan smiled and said, “This time, I didn’t die.”

A heartfelt truth behind those candid words.

His answer of being fine was also genuine.

His body may be a wreck, but his mind was refreshingly clear. Thanks to absorbing the Frost Dragon’s source, he was overflowing with strength.

Meanwhile, Delia had tears rolling down her cheeks. They were tears of relief mixed with worry for Ulan’s safety.

A moment later, as Delia buried her face against Ulan’s chest, she tearfully murmured, “…Don’t ever do that again.”

Just remembering the moment he charged in alone made her heart sink.

And rightly so. At that time, it had seemed as if Ulan was sacrificing himself to buy time for them to escape.

“If Ulan goes down, I…”

She couldn’t finish her sentence.

With her tears flowing, her voice had choked, and she could say no more. Just then, Ulan’s large hand gently patted her head.

“I understand. I’ll remember.”

A voice as solid as rock.

Hearing the usual tone of his words, a wave of calmness washed over her. So she nodded silently.

Meanwhile, at that moment.

An eerie sound echoed out.

“The Abyssal Rift…!”

The once gaping rift was closing little by little.

This was a sign born from the depletion of the magic sustaining the rift. It signaled the end of the battle. Noa let out a silent sigh of relief.

But then.

Seoric, looking toward the Abyssal Rift, suddenly opened his eyes wide. Not only that, but even his hand gripping the sword trembled.

As if he had just seen something terrifying.

Noa asked in confusion, “Lord Seoric?”

“…Don’t look.”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“Never, ever look at what’s inside!”

A desperate shout that had the weight of a primal warning.

Despite Seoric’s intense admonition, Noa couldn’t help but peer through the Abyssal Rift. It would be more accurate to say she hadn’t turned her gaze before the warning echoed through.

Yet, there was nothing particular to see.

Only pure, dark emptiness filled the other side of the Abyssal Rift. What could possibly be so alarming? Noa tilted her head in confusion.

And just at that moment, the reason Seoric had warned her not to gaze into the Abyssal Rift became painfully clear.

【Noa Darshen.】

A voice resonated from beyond the Abyssal Rift.

Upon hearing the dark, heavy, and somber tone, a chill ran down her spine.

Even just the sound of that voice drummed up a more intense fear than the pure power of the Abyss.

【Outsider, Yoomina.】

A second message echoed.

Noa’s eyes widened in surprise.

Since entering the game, her true name hadn’t been revealed to anyone before this.

【The one who lives at the boundary of two worlds.】

【The one favored by mana.】

【I remember your existence.】

The Abyss’s voice continued to resonate ominously.

Soon, a dreadful warning followed.

【On the day the gate opens.】

【I shall come for you.】

The color drained from Noa’s face. This warning was more terrifying than any she had heard before.

The Abyss spoke once more.

【No matter where you flee, no matter where you hide,】

【Even if you escape to another world—】

【You will never—】

【Be free from the Abyss.】

And at that moment.

Countless eyes flickered open.

At the bottom of the distant darkness lived five lords and their minions in the depths of the Abyss.

As their gazes met,

“―――!”

A momentary illusion came over her as though her heart had stopped, and she struggled to breathe. It felt like being a tiny ant facing a colossal beast.

She wanted to look away but couldn’t.

Overwhelmed by the Abyss, she stood frozen, on the verge of losing her mind.

“Is something wrong?”

Ulan’s voice rang out.

Having had stood up, he approached the utterly rigid Noa.

“What are you doing standing there?”

The sound of his approaching footsteps grew closer.

Noa wanted to shout for him not to come.

To never look into the Abyss.

‘But…’

No words came out.

In the meantime, Ulan had already reached her side.

Then, as Noa did earlier, he turned to gaze beyond the Abyssal Rift.

And in that moment.

【Ulan Bator.】

The Abyss spoke to him.

Its voice was an even deeper, more chilling tone than before. Perhaps due to being right next to Ulan, it was clear to Noa too.

【The one who has surpassed trials.】

【Heir of Kazan Rudrik.】

【Slayer of Gleisia.】

Just by looking into each other’s eyes,

The Abyss delved into the essence of Ulan.

【On the day the gate opens.】

【When the two worlds merge into one.】

【I shall come for you first.】

The Abyss then delivered a chilling warning.

Just as it had to Noa.

Finding himself in such a situation, Ulan simply stood there, staring into the Abyss.

‘No matter how strong Ulan is…’

In the presence of the essence of the Abyss and the five lords, he could do nothing at all.

Noa thought this way.

Yet it didn’t take long for her to realize that was a foul misjudgment.

“I shall summon forth the sea!—”

A roar resonated across the battlefield.

Noa and Seoric flinched at the mighty voice that boomed like a cheer. At that moment, they were finally relieved from the pressure exerted by the Abyss.

At the same time, Noa turned her head.

Fearing another encounter with the Abyss, just as Seoric did.

But Ulan was different.

“I am here!”

Pounding his chest with his fist.

He continued to glare at the Abyss.

“I have no plans to flee—! No intentions of hiding!”

Despite the terrifying presence of the Abyssal lords and their countless malice, Ulan did not flinch.

“Come at me as much as you please.”

Instead, he boldly stepped forward.

Next, he clasped the ever-closing rift with both hands, leaning his face toward the depths of the Abyss.

“On the day the gate opens, I will shatter your heads before anyone else!”

Glaring at the innumerable eyes,

Ulan roared with a murderous intent.

“None of you will get away!”

His powerful voice shook the Abyss.

This was a declaration of proof from one who had already taken down a lord.

And in the far future,

A declaration of war to send them to hell, coloring the world in chaos.

Intermission. Signs of Change

Just after arriving at the Source of Magic.

Diplyn couldn’t contain her excitement.

She had just witnessed shadowy monsters pouring from the entrance leading to Zone 2.

Creatures known as demon beasts.

The appearance of such beings signified that the Abyssal Rift had opened normally.

‘What kind of creatures came out this time?’

Perhaps the minions of the Abyss had truly been released. With her face brimming with anticipation, she hastened her steps.

Upon reaching the entrance to Zone 2,

Suddenly, her advance halted.

‘What? The magic…’

Diplyn couldn’t see the flow of magic with her eyes.

However, having reached the level of a High Mage, she could sense that the flow of magic had solidified.

In other words, it meant that magic couldn’t be used ahead.

‘Venturing deeper would be tough.’

Diplyn narrowed her eyes.

As it became clear the area inhibited magic, no mage in the world would step into such a zone.

Thus, instead of entering Zone 2, she stood her ground and began to cast a spell. Soon, two glowing spheres of light rose into the air.

『Eye of the Watcher』

A spell that allows you to see far-off scenery.

After some time.

The scene unfolding within Zone 2 was captured in Diplyn’s violet eyes.

‘T-That’s…!’

A massive purple-eyed beast.

Her expression clearly reflected her shock.

For good reason.

What she saw through the Eye of the Watcher was a landscape filled with grotesque creatures she had never seen before, completely filling the sky.

Lost in that sight, she suddenly spotted a figure battling the monsters.

It was none other than Marquis Seoric Al Gorphant, one of the five masters of the empire.

‘So that’s where he went…’

She hadn’t expected to find him fighting here.

Curiously, she observed the battle.

But no sooner had she looked past Seoric than her violet eyes widened once more in horror.

“……!”

A dragon of colossal size.

With nine eyes, the creature exuded an overwhelming presence just by existing.

The moment she caught sight of it,

Diplyn shuddered.

‘Could it be the Lord of the Abyss…?’

It wasn’t an unrealistic assumption.

The level of energy and pressure that could intimidate a High Mage like herself could only possibly belong to a Lord of the Abyss.

And just then.

Apart from the dragon, something else caught her attention.

‘Wait, what is that…?’

A man wielding an axe, bare-chested.

Diplyn knew he was a student of the Academy— a name she had come to recognize.

“`

There’s only one person dressed like that.

‘Ulan Bator.’

A monster who became a Master at such a young age.

Moreover, a rather peculiar individual who possesses not one but two vessels of magic.

However, the moment she spotted Ulan, Diplyn’s eyes were clouded with pity.

‘Why would he go and do something so reckless?’

If that dragon was indeed the true Lord of the Abyss, Ulan’s actions would be nothing short of suicide.

According to what she heard from the Abyss Worshippers, a lord could easily bring down the Empire with just their existence.

‘I haven’t even conducted proper research yet…’

Diplyn shook her head, disappointed.

She was sure of Ulan’s defeat.

But then, the situation took a sharp turn.

‘Huh?’

Suddenly, a dragon fleeing from Ulan.

A pack of wolves unexpectedly appeared, blocking the dragon’s path, and taking this opportunity, Ulan closed in right before the dragon’s nose.

At the same moment, a torrential onslaught hit.

It was the final blow that ended a long battle. Soon after, cracks spread across the dragon’s body, and it exploded in all directions.

And as a result, countless ashen remains covered the battlefield.

The dragon disappeared without a trace, leaving behind a blood-soaked Ulan.

Diplyn stood there, dumbfounded.

It was an unexpected outcome.

But just for a moment, she nodded as if realizing something.

‘Guess it wasn’t a lord after all.’

If the dragon had truly been the Lord of the Abyss, Ulan would have inevitably faced defeat.

No matter how much they called him a Master, it would be impossible for him to win against a lord all on his own.

So what exactly was that dragon?

‘Maybe it was a Minion of the Abyss.’

Diplyn decided that the Frost Dragon Ulan took down was simply a minion.

A little while later, the flow of magic in Zone 2, which had been frozen in place, returned to normal. Acknowledging this, Diplyn withdrew her observing gaze and spoke.

“Special Operations Division, proceed into Zone 2.”

“Yes! Understood.”

The Special Operations agents rushed in.

Diplyn also moved along with them.

Shortly after, as the rescue operation neared completion, she remained alone in Zone 2.

She used the excuse of needing to investigate what had transpired here. Of course, her real intention was quite different.

As she walked on the floor covered in ashen remains, Diplyn meticulously observed the area where the Abyssal Rift had opened. Then, seizing the opportunity when no one was around, she gathered the Frost Dragon’s ashen remains into a bag.

‘It’s not quite what I intended, but…’

Diplyn’s primary goal was to measure how long the Abyssal Rift remained open, and to secure abyssal creatures. While she didn’t achieve both, she had a satisfied look on her face due to the more significant results she’d gained.

‘It turns out powerful Minions of the Abyss can emerge from rifts, not just gates.’

This was a notable achievement.

If Minions could come from rifts as well, there would be no need to wait for the gates to open—she could just keep opening the rifts.

‘And I also got my hands on the minion’s ashen remains.’

Although all strength had vanished, a powerful sentiment emanated from the ashes. With the right application, she could create some interesting test subjects.

With unexpected gains, Diplyn left the Source of Magic.

When she returned to the Dean’s Office, she headed towards the laboratory beyond the walls, looking for a container to store the Frost Dragon’s ashen remains.

But then.

“Huh?”

A strange sense of discomfort washed over her.

It felt as if someone had been in the laboratory. Of course, it was just a feeling; there were no actual signs of an intruder.

Just a passing thought, perhaps?

As she pondered this, suddenly—

“Oh?”

Something caught her eye.

A safe sitting in the corner of the laboratory, which should have been tightly closed, was wide open.

The moment she saw this.

“……!?”

She felt her heart sink as she hurriedly checked inside the safe.

What was stored there were over twenty high-grade magic stones. Thankfully, the quantity remained the same, but her complexion turned pale.

Because every single magic stone was devoid of any trace of power.

At that moment of realization.

“―――!”

With a scream that felt like it could tear her apart, Diplyn fainted.

Meanwhile, after the battle.

Ulan was transferred to the comprehensive medical ward.

To treat the wounds he sustained during the fight with the Frost Dragon. Delia also ended up hospitalized due to Magic Exhaustion.

A little while later.

As the various examinations and treatments were completed and evening approached, the pain that had enveloped him gradually faded.

Not just the pain, but all the big and small wounds had practically healed perfectly.

“I’m almost fully recovered.”

His stamina and strength had returned to normal.

This happened within just half a day after the battle had ended.

The reason for this unordinary recovery power lay in the Hero’s Enchantment inscribed on Ulan’s back.

‘Hero’s Enchantment, Kazan.’

The moment he recalled this, a memory suddenly flashed through his mind.

Specifically, the voice he heard beyond the Abyss. Ulan squinted, muttering to himself.

“……Heir of Kazan Rudrik.”

That was clearly what the Abyss had said.

And the Kazan mentioned here matched the name of the enchantment inscribed on Ulan’s back.

This couldn’t possibly be a coincidence.

So then, who was Kazan Rudrik, exactly? Could it be that aside from the seven heroes, there was another hero that faced the Abyss?

A myriad of questions bubbled up.

But since he couldn’t find answers by ruminating alone, Ulan quickly shook off all trivial thoughts.

Instead, he recalled what had happened prior to coming here.

‘After the Abyssal Rift closed.’

Diplyn and the Special Operations Division arrived in Zone 2.

After a quick summary of the situation, Diplyn stayed behind to investigate, while Ulan’s party left the Source of Magic with the escort of the Special Operations Division.

‘And Seoric…’

Departed the Academy to report the events that occurred in Zone 2 to the Military Department, to inform them that the Abyss was real and not just a myth.

‘This didn’t happen in my past life.’

Humanity only realized that the Abyss was real once the Gate of the Abyss opened.

In contrast, they now knew of the Abyss before the gates even opened.

‘If this fact spreads across the continent…’

It would lead to a far better outcome than last time.

Humanity would now be aware of a threat twenty years earlier than before.

‘However, this alone isn’t enough.’

Simply boosting military strength wouldn’t do. To completely prevent an invasion of the Abyss, all the Abyssal Lords had to be eliminated.

And to take them down, the seven heroes who passed the trials were necessary. Right after this thought crossed his mind, Ulan’s eyes glinted sharply.

‘I need to gather my comrades.’

The four heroes who were absent here.

a Knight, a Saintess, a Sniper, and a Bard. Among them, the Saintess and Knight were absolutely essential.

This was because among the remaining lords, there was one who was completely immune to physical attacks.

‘Phantom Knights.’

Those comprised of ninety-nine Phantom Knights were a unit where all were one, and one was all.

Moreover, they could only be harmed by Divine Power. Hence, to face them, having a Saintess and Knight was an absolute must.

‘But the problem is…’

How to bring the two here.

Unlike in my previous life, Ulan was currently on complete unfamiliar terms with both. Even if he wanted to call them, he couldn’t.

Just then, as he fell back into thought.

Suddenly, the door to the medical room swung open.

“Ulan!”

A familiar voice followed.

Turning reflexively, he saw a face he recognized just as well as the voice. A girl with light blonde hair and turquoise eyes—it was Ivella.

As soon as their eyes met, she shouted with a face full of shock.

“W-What on earth happened to you?!”

It was certainly shocking.

Right now, Ulan was wrapped in bandages all over his face, neck, arms, and torso.

Seeing Ivella fidgeting nervously, Ulan replied nonchalantly.

“Don’t worry. I’m fine now.”

“Fine? What do you mean by fine?!”

Ivella nearly shouted, on the verge of tears.

Looking just like Delia earlier, Ulan patted her shoulder in silence.

Was that gesture effective? Ivella quickly regained her composure. Meanwhile, Ulan changed the subject.

“By the way, what’s that?”

It was the basket Ivella had brought.

There was a smell wafting from the basket, covered in a white cloth, that tantalized his nostrils. Quickly, Ivella thrust the basket towards him.

“It’s chicken sandwiches! I thought you might get hungry, so I packed some.”

As soon as the contents were revealed, Ulan’s stomach let out a growl.

His eyes brightened as he asked,

“Can I eat this?”

“Of course! You can eat it all.”

“Then I’ll gratefully eat them.”

He was already feeling famished, so Ulan hurriedly devoured the sandwiches.

In the end, it took less than five minutes for over twenty sandwiches to vanish as if they were never there.

After finishing his meal in the blink of an eye, Ivella spoke up again.

“But what happened in there?”

“It’s a long story.”

“I still want to hear it.”

Her turquoise eyes shined stubbornly.

Facing this, Ulan nodded. Ivella was one of the seven heroes, and fully qualified to hear about the Abyss.

“Understood. I’ll tell you.”

After quickly organizing his thoughts, he began to recount the events that occurred in Zone 2, as well as the story of the Abyss.

Listening intently with serious eyes, Ivella absorbed his words.

Meanwhile, a short distance away, another figure was keenly watching the two. A person with smooth black hair like silk—it was Noa.

“…….”

With her gaze fixated on Ulan, while silently listening to the conversation, she suddenly heard Ulan mention the name ‘Frost Dragon’ again.

Upon hearing that, Noa’s eyes flickered slightly.

‘……I’m sure of it.’

She hadn’t misheard.

Ulan knew exactly what the Frost Dragon was. After confirming this again, her head began to swirl in confusion.

‘How is that possible?’

Beyond the name Frost Dragon, at this current point, there was no way for anyone to know about the Abyssal Lords either.

So how could he know?

Lost deep in thought, Noa suddenly considered an idea.

‘Could it be that Ulan, like me…’

Is a gamer from Earth?

Such speculation crossed her mind, but Noa shook her head. It probably wasn’t the case. If it were, it would have shown itself by now.

‘If only I could just ask him.’

How does he know about the Frost Dragon?

But that wasn’t possible. As mentioned before, it was already unusual for anyone to know about the Frost Dragon at this point.

In other words, if Noa asked a question, Ulan would undoubtedly respond with the same question.

“Then how do you know?”

Precisely like this.

In that case, Noa would inevitably have to disclose the secret she was keeping.

To convince Ulan, after all.

‘But…’

Revealing secrets wasn’t easy.

How could she casually tell him that this world was merely a game and that they were all just characters within it?

More than anything, she couldn’t even imagine what might happen if she revealed that secret. Noa bit her lip and wrapped her arms around herself.

‘…I’m scared.’

What if things changed between herself and Ulan, Ivella, and Delia when the truth came out? That possibility frightened her to no end, so she ultimately kept her mouth shut.

‘I’m curious about Ulan’s secret, but…’

She didn’t want to know it at the cost of revealing her own. The fear of damaging their relationship outweighed her curiosity.

‘Instead, I’ll investigate it another way.’

There might be a way to discover Ulan’s secret without revealing her own.

With that decision made in her heart, Noa took a deep breath and regained her composure, approaching Ulan and Ivella with a smile.

As if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, at that very moment.

In the Holy Nation in the northeast of the continent.

In the center of a temple so bright it could dazzle the eyes, twelve cardinals knelt in unison, bowing their heads.

The one they faced was referred to as the representative of the divine.

It was the Holy King.

How much time had passed?

After considerable time had gone by, the Holy King, who had remained steadfast, suddenly staggered.

It seemed he was about to collapse.

The cardinals reacted with a jolt.

“Y-Your Holiness!”

“Are you okay?!”

As the cardinals supported him, the Holy King nodded with a face lined with wrinkles. After wiping the sweat beading on his forehead, he parted his lips.

“…The Divine Being has delivered a message.”

As soon as the mention of the Divine Being’s message was uttered, all the cardinals knelt down again, their expressions solemn. This signified that a prophecy had been delivered.

“On the day the Gate of the Abyss opens, the age of mankind will come to an end. Prepare to fight and prevent the world from being engulfed by the Abyss.”

As the prophecy flowed from his lips, the cardinals’ faces instantly darkened.

“Hoo, it’s the same as last time…”

“It’s the same content as before.”

The prophecy was delivered once a year.

But from ten years ago until now, the contents of the prophecies hadn’t changed even once.

The message was that the Gate of the Abyss would open, and they should prepare.

However, this was something everyone knew as the first prophecy, as well as a legend.

In other words, it essentially meant nothing special.

So some openly displayed their disappointment. But just then, the Holy King, having quenched his thirst with cool water, shook his head.

“No, this time it’s a bit different.”

“Are you saying…?”

“There is a new message.”

“……!”

A new prophecy delivered after ten years.

The cardinals scrambled to kneel on the floor again, eager to listen to the prophecy that would flow from the Holy King’s lips.

After a moment, the Holy King began to speak again.

“The fragments of the Abyss have flowed out into the world through the rift, hence the day when the gates will open is not far off. Thus, gather the scattered stars and let them be the light that illuminates the Abyss.”

Once the new prophecy ended,

“Fragments of the Abyss?”

“What does this mean?”

“And what on earth are the scattered stars…?”

Perhaps because of the somewhat confusing content, the cardinals tilted their heads in bewilderment.

At that moment, the door to the temple suddenly burst open.

“Urgent news! Urgent news!”

“A creature suspected to be an Abyssal Monster has appeared at the Source of Magic! They have already been subdued!”

The paladins, faces pale, shouted loudly.

Upon hearing this sudden news, the cardinals’ eyes went wide.

“What?”

“An Abyssal Monster?”

The situation coinciding perfectly with the prophecy that had just been delivered created an air of excitement among the cardinals.

“We must dispatch an investigation team immediately!”

“Indeed. The fragments mentioned by the Divine Being must surely refer to that monster!”

“Your Holiness! Please give the order!”

However, not everyone shared the same sentiment.

Opposing opinions emerged.

“But if it’s at the Source of Magic, isn’t it currently managed by Arsen Academy?”

“What’s the problem with that?”

“There are numerous issues. As you may know, Arsen Academy is a neutral zone.”

“If we forcibly send troops in, it would be a clear violation of international treaties.”

The opposing views stemmed from concerns.

Arsen Academy was a unique entity on the continent, being the only neutral zone.

Sending troops there could definitely misinterpret the action and could serve as a declaration of war against neighboring nations.

“No, a prophecy has just come down, so why should international treaties matter?”

“That’s simply our own stance.”

“There are many factions within Arsen Academy that harbor grievances against the Holy Nation. This incident could provide them with an opportunity to create trouble.”

“Even so, the prophecy…”

The atmosphere grew tumultuous.

As the debate threatened to escalate, the Holy King, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke.

“Then let’s hold an exchange meeting.”

“Huh? An exchange meeting?”

“What do you mean by that all of a sudden…?”

“Through Eloden Academy, let’s negotiate a sisterhood agreement with Arsen Academy. That way, we can officially hold an exchange meeting.”

He judged that a team of investigation consisting of students wouldn’t lead to any significant conflict or trouble.

It wasn’t a bad idea, but most of the cardinals still expressed concerns.

“I understand your thinking, but…”

“This is a major matter related to the prophecy.”

“Assigning this task to students feels like a bit much, doesn’t it?”

“It’s fine. I happen to have a suitable candidate.”

However, the Holy King remained undeterred.

He quickly revealed who the candidate was.

“Let’s send Laurea Ro Sharvel.”

“……!?”

“Y-You mean the next Saintess?!”

“Yes. I thought it was a good opportunity, wouldn’t you?”

The Holy King nodded.

“It’s perfect timing as she is currently studying at Eloden Academy, and it is necessary for her to broaden her horizons before becoming the Saintess.”

This implied that she was more than capable of leading an investigation team.

Yet, even after the identity of the candidate was revealed, the cardinals still couldn’t hide their apprehension.

“But isn’t that too dangerous?”

“Even if Arsen Academy is a neutral zone, there are still factions that harbor resentment against the Holy Nation, as previously mentioned.”

“Then we can just send Ian along with her.”

As soon as the Holy King added that, all dissent vanished in an instant.

It made sense.

The student whom he had just mentioned, ‘Ian’, was undeniably recognized as the strongest Paladin since the founding of the Holy Nation.

When it came to swordsmanship alone, he was a formidable Expert.

Furthermore, if he utilized Divine Power, he wouldn’t fall short even against a Master.

If someone of his caliber accompanied her, there was no need for worry over the next Saintess’s safety.

“If there are no objections, let’s proceed without delay.”