Chapter 190. Preparing the Heart

"Allow me to explain the Land of Demons."

After calming the situation that had nearly spiraled out of control, Erika began briefing everyone on their destination.

"As all of you know, the Land of Demons is the homeland of the Demon Race and the monsters once ruled by Godwin. A vast amount of demonic energy still lingers there."

The greatest reason no one had ever been able to conquer the Land of Demons was that very demonic energy.

"Demonic energy is a tremendous source of nourishment for the Demon Race and monsters, but for people like us, it acts like a deadly poison that disrupts the natural flow of our bodies."

"That doesn't seem much different for us either. Do you have a way to deal with it?"

"Of course."

Erika took out a talisman.

"This was provided by Blue Eye, one of the sponsors of our Guild. It's called an Anti-Demonic Talisman."

"So it purifies demonic energy?"

"No. It pushes demonic energy away from the inside of the talisman, creating a space where we can breathe safely."

"Then as long as we have the talisman, there's nothing to worry about!"

If only things were that simple.

Judging by Erika's expression, they clearly weren't.

"Unfortunately, it's impossible to repel all demonic energy. Its effectiveness decreases as the concentration of demonic energy rises, so it isn't a perfect solution."

"That's unfortunate."

"I heard Blue Eye was the greatest authority in magic. I guess that's just an old reputation now." 1

"...Well... that may be true, but I don't think it's appropriate to insult the people sponsoring us."

"Ugh... My apologies."

The adventurer immediately backed down.

The fool who had spoken so carelessly had no idea how fortunate he was that his head was still attached to his shoulders.

"In any case, that means we'll still be exposed to demonic energy. Does that mean we'll have to accept that risk?"

"There's no need to worry too much. The talisman blocks about ninety-five percent of it."

"How much time does that give us?"

"Twenty-four hours is considered completely safe. Even if you're willing to accept some risk, you'll be fine as long as you leave the Land of Demons within forty-eight hours."

"If we want to stay completely safe, that's a very tight schedule."

"May I ask where exactly we're headed?"

"I'll show you on the map."

Erika spread a large map across the table.

Pointing to a location marked in red, she continued.

"This is the area we'll be exploring. According to information obtained through Escolleia, it was once a place called Gyeonghui Palace."

"Do you think there'll be treasure there?"

"In the East, magic was practiced in a form known as the Dao. It was a place where people trained in that discipline. You could think of it as a magical training hall."

"So there should be magic artifacts."

In their eyes, it was as though they could already see mountains of gold.

Magic artifacts were far more precious than ordinary treasures.

Yet none of them could simply get excited.

They also had to consider the risks they would be taking.

As seasoned adventurers, they knew exactly how to judge such matters.

"There's no way this can be finished in a single day."

"So accepting danger is unavoidable?"

Everyone was asking the same question.

Could this expedition really be completed within twenty-four hours by relying on nothing more than an Anti-Demonic Talisman?

If it couldn't be finished in a day, then walking away would be the more profitable choice.

Erika had already anticipated that concern.

"That's why we've prepared a way to shorten our travel time."

She placed a rolled-up blueprint onto the table and unfurled it.

It looked unfamiliar to everyone else.

Ferda recognized it instantly.

"We'll be using a transport called a Mana-powered Automobile."

"A Mana-powered Automobile?"

"You can think of it as a carriage powered by Mana Stones refined from condensed demonic energy."

They had considered attaching Anti-Demonic Talismans to horses and riding them in.

Unfortunately, the demonic energy constantly stimulated the animals' survival instincts. They would panic and flee before getting very far.

"How much time can this Mana-powered Automobile save us?"

"According to our test runs, two hours will be enough."

"Two hours?!"

Everyone was astonished.

Traveling on foot would take at least six hours.

Even on horseback, it would barely take around two.

Reducing travel time to one-third while operating within such dangerous demonic energy was no small feat.

"However... there is one problem."

As always, nothing came without a drawback.

"Our original plan was to replace the Mana Stones with detachable ones to extend its operating time, but that proved impossible."

"May I ask why?"

"Since the Mana Stones are made by condensing and refining demonic energy, they easily lose their essential properties if they're exposed to demonic energy again. Unlike us, a ninety-five percent blocking rate isn't enough for them to function properly. That's why the vehicle has been built as a single integrated unit and will only be used to transport us."

"So the Mana-powered Automobile is essentially disposable. How long can it operate?"

"Two hours. It can store enough energy to reach Gyeonghui Palace, but we'll have to walk back."

"Hmm..."

The response was subtle.

Still, it was far better than before.

They would save four hours in total and wouldn't need to spend any stamina during the two-hour ride.

That meant they could devote far more energy to the actual exploration itself.

The burden of risk had been significantly reduced.

What had once seemed like a suicidal march toward death now looked like a challenge worth taking.

The fire in every adventurer's heart had been reignited.

Enjoying their reactions, Erika continued.

"I'll now explain the operational plan."

The next three hours were spent discussing every detail of the expedition into the Land of Demons.

They refined the outline of the operation piece by piece until a workable framework had taken shape.

The rest would have to depend on the flexibility and judgment of experienced adventurers.

"Then we'll depart in three days. Does anyone have any suggestions?"

Someone raised a hand.

The owner of that enormous hand didn't even need to stand for everyone to recognize him.

"Go ahead, Jonathan."

"Captain Eri. I think we ought to settle the rankings first."

"The rankings...?"

"They say there can't be two suns beneath the same sky."

Jonathan Sina jerked his chin toward the Armored Knight.

"Shouldn't we decide which one of us is truly the strongest member of this expedition?"

Jonathan Sina.

A descendant of one of the Twelve Expedition members and the legendary northern great warrior famed for his overwhelming physical strength.

The current Jonathan had inherited that reputation.

It was said he could wrestle an enraged ogre without giving an inch, and that his strength continued to grow with age.

The atmosphere in the room instantly became charged with excitement.

Normally, such pointless competitiveness deserved criticism.

"If both parties agree, I'll allow it."

Even Erika was curious.

What would happen if Jonathan Sina and the Armored Knight faced one another?

I know Jonathan's current strength... and his potential.

She knew all about Jonathan's bloodline and achievements.

But the Armored Knight...

An unknown variable.

She had already witnessed a realm that should have been anyone's limit.

Yet somehow...

She couldn't shake the feeling that even that wasn't the knight's true limit.

Thanks to the provocative nature of the Sina family, she would finally get to witness it with her own eyes.

How would the Armored Knight respond?

She honestly expected a refusal.

Instead...

The knight seemed delighted.

I'm finally going to experience arm wrestling!

Valdrova was genuinely thrilled.

Arm wrestling was something men often did to show off their masculinity.

Even construction workers frequently competed.

She had always been forced to watch from the sidelines.

Naturally.

Who could possibly defeat someone capable of lifting an entire log with ease?

Completely unaware of that reality, Valdrova had always felt hurt, believing everyone was simply excluding her.

Smiling happily, she clasped Jonathan's enormous hand.

Even though the armor had been custom-made far larger than an ordinary man's body, her own hand still made it look as though she were gripping it with a child's.

"Then..."

"Begin!"

The moment Erika gave the signal, thick veins bulged across Jonathan's arm.

Crack!

His clothes tore apart as his muscles swelled.

Creeeak!

The sturdy old wooden table groaned under the overwhelming pressure.

"HRAAAAH!"

Jonathan roared.

The sheer force of it made the entire table tremble.

Valdrova couldn't help being impressed.

He's strong.

The power flowing through his hand hardly felt human.

She even wondered if he could defeat several Dragon Spawn by himself.

He really is strong...

But that was only by the standards of the monsters living on this continent.

The one Jonathan was facing now...was a dragon.

And among dragons, Valdrova was the Aspect of Strength, unmatched by anyone.

To her, this felt like arm wrestling a three-year-old child.

...Is that why nobody ever wanted to do this with me?

Now that she had finally experienced it...

It felt strangely disappointing.

"Ohhh! Just as expected from the bloodline of the northern great warriors!"

"What a battle worthy of a dragon and a tiger!" 2

The spectators cheered excitedly.

Believing the match could swing either way, Jonathan poured every ounce of his strength into it.

"HNNGH!"

The veins bulging from the exertion spread all the way up his neck and into his forehead, looking as though they might burst through his skin.

Valdrova was beginning to worry.

Is he going to die if he keeps pushing like this?

...If I win like this... won't he end up resenting me?

She didn't particularly want to win.

Defeating him would only humiliate him.

So Valdrova made her choice.

Tap.

She decided to lose.

The deadlock ended in an instant.

Cheers erupted throughout the room.

"Ohhh! The northern great warrior wins!"

"As expected of the Ogre Slayer!"

If someone could be happy...

That was enough.

At least, that's what Valdrova thought.

But things didn't end so simply.

Jonathan stared at her with blazing eyes.

"What the hell was that?"

"...?"

"You damn bastard!"

"...??"

His face flushed bright red with fury.

As he lunged forward to grab the Armored Knight by the collar, the other adventurers barely managed to restrain him.

Jonathan shouted,

"You think I'd be happy because you deliberately let me win?! Fight me again!"

Valdrova couldn't understand.

He had wanted to win.

She had let him win.

Wasn't that supposed to make him happy?

Jonathan kept yelling at her to stop holding back and fight seriously.

In the end, Erika stepped in and the matter was quietly put to rest.

Even then...

Valdrova still couldn't understand his feelings.

***

The day of the expedition into the Land of Demons.

Inside the cave beneath Valdrova Castle, Valdrova finished preparing to leave with the expedition.

Everything will be fine.

Now all she needed...was to prepare her heart.

She quietly sat down and calmed herself.

Those monsters appeared yesterday, so things should stay quiet for a while.

If anything happened...

She could always return.

If that happens...

...Everyone will probably be shocked.

She couldn't predict how people would react.

Would they accept her because of the reputation of the Armored Knight?

Or would they feel betrayed after learning she had actually been the Evil Red Dragon, Valdrova?

That heavy concern still lingered in her heart.

She stopped thinking about it.

Because there was something far more important.

—Why are you going to that land?

Hearing the voice, she raised her head.

A man's figure stood before her.

Valdrova knew exactly what he was.

He was nothing more than the weakness born from her own heart.

Its name was...

"Godwin..."

The Black Dragon, Godwin.

Though long dead, he emerged from the surrounding darkness and stood before her.

Without realizing it, Valdrova placed a hand over her chest.

Her heart pounded violently.

—You already know, don't you? If you go there... I will appear.

His voice remained calm.

That only stirred her emotions further.

"...Yes."

—Your hatred toward me is what gives you such tremendous strength.

"I know."

—But if you fail to hate me... you'll repeat the same mistake as before.

"..."

—Look carefully, Valdrova.

Something appeared beside him.

It was Ferda.

The kindest man she had ever known.

A man who continued to shower her with a love she believed she never deserved.

—Valdrova. Who is this man?

"..."

—Even if you refuse to answer, don't think I don't know. I am nothing more than an illusion created by your own mind.

He was right.

Every spirit she saw existed only because she herself had created it.

—How do you think you'd feel... if this man died by your own hand?

"..."

—Or if my children were the ones to kill him?

"..."

—Would you be able to hate me then?

"..."

—Or would you simply stand there and watch... just like last time?

She knew exactly what he meant.

Godwin had slaughtered the humans Valdrova had cherished.

What filled her heart then...was despair.

And hatred.

She hated Godwin.

She hated his Dragon Spawn.

She hated everything he had left behind to plunge the continent into chaos.

Yet she couldn't allow herself to become angry.

Because her power was simply too great.

She already knew what the consequences of her rage would be.

And so...

She could do nothing.

"If... Ferda..."

"...Were to die..."

The image of Ferda overlapped with the countless corpses she had witnessed before.

Her eyebrows trembled.

Her head felt impossibly heavy.

She lowered her gaze, desperately trying to look away.

"Godwin."

But she didn't run.

She raised her head and looked directly at him.

The vision of Ferda's mutilated corpse returned to normal.

Then...

It scattered into nothingness.

"I'm afraid of you."

"But even so..."

"I can't turn back."

—Even if this man dies?

"Ferda..."

"...Has done so much for me."

Ferda was only human.

A fragile being who could die in the blink of an eye and eventually return to dust.

A life filled with joy...

Only to end in sorrow.

Yet what had that human done?

He was striving to restore the Far East, a land once known only as a place of despair.

He had shown her how wonderful it was simply to be alive.

"I may not be able to do much..."

"But at the very least..."

"I have to overcome the despair you place before me."

That was why Valdrova chose to move forward.

Even if it frightened her.

Even if it hurt.

Even if she had to carry that burden in her heart.

Godwin's figure gradually faded away.

Satisfied, he whispered softly into her ear.

—It pleases me to see you've strengthened your resolve.

"..."

—But it won't be enough.

"..."

—Because ever since you first took up your spear for the Beginning...

—...That has always been the kind of being you are.

—Our King.

With those final words...

He vanished from her consciousness.

Her heart became still.

Valdrova put on her armor.

It was time...to depart for the Land of Demons.

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