Duke Yuma stood before Tisha, who spoke up.
“Guess we’re just treating this like a little trip for now.”
Last night, while taking a stroll by the night sea with Cloney, Yuma had shared stories about Tisha. It felt great to be with a fellow magic scholar who clicked well with him.
So, as soon as morning arrived, Yuma had asked her if she’d be willing to travel with him for a while.
From Tisha’s perspective, it wasn’t a bad proposal. The Mullen Tribe didn’t have many chances to see the outside world.
‘And,’
That new friend named Cloney was someone Tisha also really liked.
In fact, the most important reason was that they needed a bridge between Yuma and the Mullen Tribe.
A network that could operate without hesitation when one side was in danger.
As long as they faced the same ‘ocean’, the Mullen Tribe could send urgent signals through their whale friends, no matter how far apart they were. Probably possible through Silviria too.
Tisha planned to stay at Baron Amon’s manor starting from December when the demon army was expected to appear.
Yuma found himself sitting before Yeerkur, the king of the Mullen Tribe, once again.
Since they were on their way back as a group, he felt the need to clarify what he had hinted at earlier during their conversation.
“The darkness arriving in four months will probably be the demon army.”
Yeerkur’s eyes widened.
“The demon army, I see….”
Yuma was a bit taken aback by Yeerkur’s reaction, who didn’t even question his words.
“Aren’t you going to ask where I got my information?”
“I trust you, the only human I can believe in. You’ve saved the ocean.”
After a brief pause, Yeerkur continued.
“And it just so happens that the cycle of the demon invasions, which occurred every 800 years, aligns with the time you mentioned.”
“800-year cycle?”
Suddenly, Yuma realized. The Mullen Tribe, right in front of him, had a much deeper and richer history than humans.
Yeerkur shook his head slowly.
“If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would never have recalled. There was no invasion 800 years ago. They had been quiet since 1600 years ago. The cycle had become meaningless. It’s as if it really ended for them… All the races on the continent were likely feeling safe.”
After taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Yeerkur continued.
“Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I’ll make sure to repay you for saving us in this crisis, my friend.”
Yuma nodded vigorously at Yeerkur’s words.
Before he knew it, three days had flown by.
“Hey! I’ve gotten a bit stronger, so I’ll be back!”
Bel was saying goodbye to the Mullen Tribe men who had sparred with her.
“Tisha, are you really going to travel for a few months?”
Tisha’s mother, Seina, who also had sky blue skin, looked at Tisha with a worried expression.
“When did you start worrying about your daughter so much?”
Tisha chuckled as she tied her navy blue hair back with a string.
“Well, I’m coming back in four months anyway.”
“Four months is a long time, my daughter.”
Seina glanced at Cloney, who was standing behind Tisha.
“Please take good care of my daughter, Cloney.”
Seina said, looking at Cloney.
Cloney replied with a bright smile.
“Yes, don’t worry, ma’am.”
*
Yuma’s party, along with the White Night Clan, stood in front of the dock.
Yeerkur, the king of the Mullen Tribe, saw them off.
“Please take good care of my daughter, God of War.”
Tisha crinkled her lips.
“That sounds a bit strange, Father.”
“Hahaha, just kidding.”
The father and daughter exchanged a warm farewell.
“Safe travels!”
Members of the Mullen Tribe, young and old, saw off Yuma’s party.
Whoosh…
The ship of Baron Amon slowly moved away from the dock.
And so, another ten-day journey began.
Tisha, from the Mullen Tribe with sky blue skin, followed alongside the Baron’s ship on Silvira.
Silvira was keeping up perfectly with the ship’s speed.
In fact, it was as if Silvira was matching the ship’s speed, not falling behind at all.
Compared to their departure, they returned with the addition of Tisha and the White Night Clan.
After spending a night at Amon’s place, they immediately returned to the Astes Imperial Palace.
Tisha’s bright blue eyes widened in wonder.
She was already amazed when they arrived at the capital, Barnaac, but the view of the palace exceeded all her expectations.
The golden walls exuded a calm majesty.
The neatly arranged marble.
And the garden filled with countless flowers.
It had a different kind of beauty compared to the Mullen Kingdom deep beneath the sea.
Yuma spotted Empress Brigitte waiting for them at the palace gates.
Thirty royal guards stood in formation beside Brigitte and all knelt at once.
“We greet Your Excellency, Duke Yuma.”
Yuma scanned them and nodded slowly.
And in the center stood Brigitte.
“It doesn’t look good for an Empress to come out here like this, does it?”
Brigitte grinned mischievously.
“I didn’t start keeping an eye on my subordinates’ moods until now.”
“Go inside.”
Tisha was astounded to find out that the first entity she encountered after entering the Empire for just three days was the Emperor.
It was the annex to the left side of the main palace where Duke Yuma and his group were temporarily staying.
Except for five, the elite 30 members of the White Night Clan began their return to the land of the White Night, carrying Yuma’s message regarding the demon army.
Having ordered to bring everyone capable of fighting in about three months, they would soon meet again.
The five who did not leave—a Sword Master and four Expert-level swordsmen—decided to stay as part of the Empire’s forces.
First, Yuma talked privately with Princess Brigitte.
Their blue eyes locked onto each other.
Yuma relayed the conversation he had with Yeerkur to Brigitte.
Brigitte’s eyes widened in surprise as she nodded at Yeerkur’s words.
“I see… the cycle of the demon realm’s invasion. That makes sense. The long-lived races like the Ocean Tribe would have deeper knowledge in those records. However, that evil God Incrinew surely stated that it would be the most powerful invasion in history.”
“Yeah, that’s what he said.”
Therefore, Yuma was trying to form as many alliances as possible.
To minimize the damage that would come upon this continent.
“There should be some other races on the mainland that could form alliances.”
Lion Tribe, Cat-Folk, Lycanthrope.
Yuma’s mind was filled with numerous races.
Brigitte helped narrow down some of them.
“The Lion Tribe is hostile to humans. The Cat-Folk were once friendly, but they’re too scattered among the tribes right now, making recruitment difficult… Perhaps Lycanthropes or the Join Tribe might be more reasonable.”
“Are there no other races?”
After pondering Yuma’s question, Brigitte opened her mouth again.
“The Elves don’t regard humans as equals. And the Dwarves follow the Elves’ wishes. They likely won’t take action until the Elves lead the situation.”
Elves may take charge when they step in, but they wouldn’t respond to a human’s call.
“Well then, I guess I’ll need to wait a bit before meeting the Lycanthropes or the Join Tribe.”
It was uncertain how many demons and monsters from the demon realm would surge forth.
‘And there’s a chance that other races hold unexpected information or power.’
He felt it even more when facing the Mullen Tribe this time.
His body was itching to move, but that didn’t mean he could set off immediately.
“We can’t set off yet.”
“It’s been a long journey. At least we need three weeks to rest and prepare slowly.”
“Tisha quickly adapted to palace life.”
“Due to considerations for Tisha, seafood dishes were nowhere to be found on the palace table.”
“Quality meat, vegetables, and fruits.”
“Thanks to that, Tisha discovered the taste of meat.”
“With her sky-blue skin, the fish-folk Tisha brought a juicy steak to her mouth.”
“This flavor… it’s delicious.”
“Everyone in Duke Yuma’s group, including Princess Brigitte, fixated on the scene of the Mullen Tribe member chewing and tearing into the meat with gusto.”
“Right? It’s delicious!”
“The scarlet cat ears perked up.”
“The fish-loving Cat-Folk Swordswoman, Hestia, thought it impossible for the Mullen Tribe to match her culinary passions, but confirmed they’d turned out to be quite the foodies and rushed over.”
“Hey, try this! Eat it all together with the veggies and this sauce!”
“And thus she began her delicious-eating seminar.”
“Tisha savored it as Hestia recommended.”
“Mm… I think the flavor has deepened. Hestia.”
“Right? Right?”
Hestia, feeling proud of her successful culinary pitch, puffed her cheeks.
And Cloney watched this scene with a light smile, clearly amused.
Training ground.
In front of Duke Yuma stood none other than Bell.
Yuma handed her a rather thick book.
“Is this the third swordsmanship?”
Bell smirked as she skimmed through the book.
It was the swordsmanship manual, “Meteor Sword,” written as quickly as possible alongside Balmung.
The sword art of the sixth swordsman, the seeker Arakne.
– “No one could surpass Arakne-sama in the strength of a direct strike.”
“Starting with a direct strike and ending with a direct strike. This is a manual representing the essence of all long-range attacks expressible through swordsmanship.”
“Can you understand it?”
“Yeah, Yuma. It’s really well-crafted.”
Bell seemed very intrigued and quickly dove into the book.
In no time, she thoroughly mastered another sword art.
A month had passed since Yuma and his group returned to the Empire.
“Yuma.”
Princess Brigitte had a one-on-one with Yuma in her chambers.
“There’s an elf in the reception room right now.”
“An elf?”
At Yuma’s question, Brigitte slowly nodded.
“A race meeting. The elves are conducting a race meeting.”
“Have you met them in person?”
“Not yet.”
“Then let’s go together.”
Brigitte smiled and nodded at Yuma’s suggestion.
Yuma’s presence made Brigitte feel at ease.
Yuma and Brigitte slowly walked towards the reception room.
