“So, does that mean Rin and Ares are staying at the royal palace?”
Eve, feeling queasy, closed the book she was reading and placed it on her lap. Since Sen was leaning on my shoulder and sleeping, I whispered back softly.
“Yeah, with Elise and Kurika around, it should be fine.”
The two designated for the apocalypse decided not to move anywhere and wait inside the palace. Princess Elise would join them in case they faced harsh treatment, while Kurika made sure to keep an eye on them while providing protection.
“Adriana went to the Forest of the Demon Realm. She needs the Grand Witch’s help and there are items we need from there.”
According to the reincarnated Rin, there was a possibility that the staff of the tyrant Sharcarl, who lived in the Forest of the Demon Realm, was still left behind. To make sure we gathered all useful items, I had asked Adriana to retrieve it.
“Since Eris is taking care of Yggdrasil, it shouldn’t be a problem. We’re the most important.”
Eve was right. To prevent the impending apocalypse that was looming, we desperately needed the help of Yggdrasil and the dragon Shakallim.
With Eris as the Guardian, there shouldn’t be any issues on the Yggdrasil side, but the problem lay with us.
While we had received permission to enter the lands of the Dragonkin from the kingdom, there had never been much interaction between humans and Dragonkin.
Honestly, I thought it would take time and negotiations, but the royal side never expected it to go so smoothly.
“Another crucial thing.”
Hatsim Velok had returned to his land as a Dwarf, and Hayun and Tana followed behind him. According to the second reincarnation Rin, there was another dagger sealed by the Goddess of Time left in the Dwarf’s land.
That would serve as another weapon to stop Ares’ impending doom.
“Two daggers.”
The second reincarnation Rin also questioned herself. Why were there only two? If we stopped two apocalypses, would it all be over?
“Why didn’t the Goddess of Time tell me there was another dagger?”
Recently, I hadn’t been able to communicate at all with the Goddess of Time. She was ignoring my words, maintaining silence.
When Kurika heard that, he wondered if something had happened, but I didn’t feel that way.
“Rather, it feels like she’s keeping quiet because it’s a significant moment.”
It felt like talking carelessly might lead to a major blunder, as if I was dealing with a child who had sealed their lips.
“Daniel? Is something wrong?”
Noticing I had furrowed my brows without realizing it, Eve looked at me curiously. I mumbled that it was nothing, but my mind was racing like a spinning top.
We rode in the carriage for several days. The Cheonggeuk Chariot was reserved for emergencies, so there was no need to use it this time.
Along the way, we also passed the stone of the gods we had arrived at via warp. Back then, Elise had summoned the mercenary Eccentric to bring us here.
“Eccentric…”
In fact, I could gather ample information about him through the second reincarnation Rin. Rin had brought death to the entire continent, and naturally, the Eccentric was no exception.
As I gazed blankly outside, I thought that someday I’d need to tell Sen the truth about that guy.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Ewww! My body aches!”
Eve, who had read three books during the trip, twisted her body and hopped out of the carriage.
Seeing this, Sen let out a soft sigh and followed behind her.
“Are you even from the same tribe?”
“You’ve been quite concerned since last time.”
No matter what, you seem too weak to consider Eve as a rival.
Anyway, we finally reached the Dragon’s Boundary, and the National Border Guards were ready to greet us at the entrance.
Among them was, of course, Sister Diana.
It hadn’t been long, but seeing her made me smile instinctively, and she met my gaze with a wink and a smile.
Now, she wasn’t known as McLain, but as part of the Guards protecting the border, she was standing solemnly instead of greeting us warmly.
“Sister Diana, if I greet you, won’t I get scolded?”
Sen, who had lived in our village during winter break, fidgeted with her hands, wanting to say hello, but I told her to hold off.
She had just become a recruit, after all. It wouldn’t look good in front of the other seniors to act out.
“You’ve come.”
“It’s been a while.”
Since I was familiar with the Captain of the Guards, we exchanged warm greetings.
He was also the same person who had been on duty when I broke through the border fence and entered the Dragonkin territory before.
Back then, I was just a student, but now I was representing a kind of envoy from the kingdom, so the treatment was completely different.
The Captain guided us, stating that the Dragonkin were waiting, escorting us naturally until we arrived at the fence.
On the other side of the fence, the Heretic Inquisitors guarding the Dragonkin’s outpost were also waiting for us in a rather impressive manner.
Since there was no entrance on the Dragonkin’s side of the fence, I wondered how we would cross when one of the Inquisitors infused mana into the tip of his nails, creating a small opening in the fence for us to pass through.
“Everyone, salute!”
The National Border Guards showed us their impeccable form, as if to demonstrate that they wouldn’t be outdone by the Heretic Inquisitors.
As I caught Sister Diana’s eye in the mix, she winked at me while maintaining her salute, cheering me on.
Standing at the makeshift entrance made by the Heretic Inquisitor, I spoke to the two people beside me.
“Let’s make one thing clear.”
“Huh?”
“What?”
I had to lower my head to enter, so I bent down and slipped inside, whispering while glancing at the Heretic Inquisitors.
“These guys really hate me.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that from the start?”
“Ah…”
As soon as we crossed over, the killing intent from the Heretic Inquisitors hit us like sting!
The mesmerizing aura wasn’t only felt by sensitive Sen; even Eve, who wasn’t in formation, could feel the intense welcome we received.
Especially since the Heretic Inquisitor named Zeronia, who had previously taken me hostage, was glaring at us right in front.
I thought they’d guide us immediately, but the way they all clammed up and glared was a bit comical.
I felt a desire to remind them of old memories.
“Both of you, come behind me.”
While Sen hurriedly moved behind me, gripping my clothes, Eve, unable to hide her trembling eyes, said,
“Do we really need to worsen things here? Can’t we just get along a bit…?”
“We’re here as representatives of the Frisia Kingdom. If we bow our heads from the start, they’ll just keep raising their chins.”
“Ahh, I should’ve stayed behind.”
Limping, Eve trudged along behind me. I replied with a smile.
“That’s exactly why I came here.”
Because this was bound to be the most troublesome.
“…..!”
As I took a step forward, Zeronia and the other Dragonkin frowned heavily.
“Guide us.”
I deliberately released my killing intent toward Zeronia. Even though he and the others couldn’t back down due to their pride, it didn’t matter.
“Should we do it again? Do you want to be taken hostage and have the Dragoness called again?”
“You bastard…..!”
“Shut up and guide us. Anyway, your Cardinals are waiting, right?”
It was different now than it was before. Back then, I crossed over illegally, but now I was here representing a whole kingdom.
In fact, the act of a mere Heretic Inquisitor disregarding me was a situation that needed to be addressed immediately.
“….Let’s go.”
In the end, the Dragonkin who were having a standoff with me turned their tails and shifted their bodies. I couldn’t help but drop a remark out of annoyance.
“If you’re going to bow your heads, do it sooner. Don’t be a pain without guts.”
“……!”
“You punk!”
Immediately, the Dragonkin, now gripping their Halberds firmly, were among the proudest of their race in the continent, so they didn’t take such provocation lightly.
“Well, shall we give it a go?”
As I pretended to slowly draw my sword, the Heretic Inquisitors swallowed gulp, taking a step back.
They carried a fear of the fact that I had come alone and taken an outpost hostage.
Eventually, I nodded again, hastening them with a gesture, and they could only move at my pace, gritting their teeth.
“Sometimes, Daniel really feels like a thug.”
From behind, Eve’s chuckle reached my ears.
