Radiant Dragon’s Otherworldly Reincarnation - Ch. 308
Chapter 308. Let’s Move Somewhere Else (3)
A few days later.
Patrick packed lightly and set off into the Great Forest.
Several people, including the Grand Duke and Duchess, saw Patrick off.
“Is that really enough luggage?”
“Yes. It’s fine. This backpack may look small, but it’s an ancient artifact.”
The backpack Patrick was wearing was an artifact from the Tower of Truth’s collection, capable of storing items equivalent to three cargo wagons.
Of course, it was an item designated as a treasure by the Tower of Truth.
At Patrick’s words, the 3rd Sage said with a pale face.
“Make sure you come back and return it.”
“Ahem, don’t be so stingy. If you have something good, you should use it. What’s the point of just stashing it away?”
“Kuuuh…”
It seemed the borrowing process had not been smooth.
In any case, with this, all preparations were complete.
He had organized his martial arts and had even made some unexpected progress.
So now, only the challenge remained.
“Are you really alright, Young Master?”
“Please take at least a few people with you.”
“Even just me…”
Many were disappointed that they could not go with Patrick.
In particular, his wife April and Sanson had asked to go with him, but Patrick had refused.
“Someone has to protect this country while I’m gone. Right?”
At Patrick’s words, they had no choice but to be convinced.
They had the important role of protecting the Schneider Duchy while Patrick was away.
It was because of them that Patrick could leave with peace of mind.
Seeing them disappointed that they couldn’t go with him, Patrick felt a sense of nostalgia.
‘It’s a new thought, but I’ve made a lot of good connections in this world too.’
Patrick chuckled as he looked at them.
His parents, who had given birth to and raised him.
His wives, who thankfully loved him.
His knights, who followed him well despite being put through the wringer every day.
The orc warrior Tutan, who he had taken as a sworn brother, though of a different race.
The elf warriors, who had completely taken root in this country.
And besides them…
‘I am truly blessed.’
So many people had come here to see him off.
And to protect them, he had to do what he could.
“Don’t worry too much. I’m even taking guides with me, so what’s the problem?”
The ones guiding Patrick to the Four Calamities were the Retainers of the Four Calamities.
It was quite peculiar to be guided by the retainers of those he was going to fight, but it was fine nonetheless.
“Well then, Father. I’ll be going.”
Patrick, with a bright smile, climbed onto the back of Storm Spear, who had returned to his giant form.
Storm Spear spread its wings and soared into the sky.
And as Patrick rose into the sky, the entire view of the Schneider Duchy came into sight. There…
“Have a safe trip, Grand Young Master!”
“You must come back victorious!”
“Grand Young Masteeeer!”
The citizens of the duchy had all come out onto the streets to send off Patrick in the sky.
They didn’t know the detailed circumstances, but they too knew.
That Patrick was taking a risk and challenging the Four Calamities ultimately to protect them.
As he always had.
***
Yusef Kingdom.
If you were to ask which country was currently wielding the most powerful influence on the continent, about five out of ten people would name this country.
Although the Empire and the Holy Theocracy boasted of their continued existence, they had recently exhausted their national power through war, and while the Schneider Duchy was considered to be in its prime, the country itself was too small a duchy.
Compared to them, the Yusef Kingdom, led by the Hegemon King, had swallowed up as many as four countries.
The pure size of its territory surpassed that of the Empire and the Holy Theocracy, and the country was gradually stabilizing under the Hegemon King’s rule.
On top of that, the recent birth of a prince to the Salamander Princess had resolved the issue of succession.
In this situation, which was like a ship with a favorable wind, the Hegemon King gathered his close aides and held a secret meeting.
“Now is the chance.”
“I agree.”
The one who nodded in agreement with the Hegemon King’s words was Marquis Noah Gregory, the strategist known as the Hegemon’s Serpent.
He said to the Hegemon King.
“For reasons unknown, the activities of the black mages have been extremely curtailed recently.”
“That’s right. On top of that, now that the Double Dragon has cleanly swept them out of the Holy Theocracy, we are the only ones on the surface who are holding hands with them.”
“If we cut ties now, it will be a serious blow to them as well. Above all…”
Marquis Noah Gregory said gravely.
“If we miss this opportunity now, the next one may not come again during Your Majesty’s reign.”
“I think so too.”
The Hegemon King was currently trying to cut ties with the black mages.
And not just cutting ties, but he was planning to stab them in the back in earnest.
Guilt?
There was none.
The alliance between the Hegemon King and the black mages was maintained by mutual need in the first place.
He knew a day like this would come eventually.
And as far as they knew, the activities of the black mages were greatly curtailed right now.
Both the Hegemon King and Marquis Gregory thought that now was the most opportune time.
“Have you located their bases?”
“We have located not only the bases they told us about but also the ones they had hidden.”
“If we were to strike them all at once, what kind of military force would be required?”
“Quality is more important than numbers. First, for this place, which is presumed to be where the Jonsa’s disciples are, Your Majesty and Sir Karvan… Sir Karvan?”
The Black Knight, Matias Karvan, who was called upon by Marquis Gregory, answered in a solemn voice.
“…Speak.”
At that, Marquis Gregory said, as if it were strange.
“Is there some problem? You are being uncharacteristically passive, Sir.”
Matias Karvan.
As the Hegemon King’s right-hand man, he had always been at the forefront, actively cooperating with the Hegemon King’s endeavors.
And his vigilance against the black mages was far stronger than Marquis Gregory’s.
It couldn’t help but be strange that he was being so passive now.
“If you have something to say, say it, Sir Karvan.”
At the Hegemon King’s question, Matias Karvan was silent for a moment and then carefully opened his mouth.
“I am not well-versed in strategy, but something about this feels strange.”
“What do you mean?”
“I do not know the reason why the black mages have been curtailed.”
“That’s because the Double Dragon…”
“It is true that the Double Dragon was active in the Holy Theocracy, but I have not heard any news that he captured the one they call Jonsa or his direct disciples.”
“……”
“Their core was the Jonsa and his seven disciples. Among them, only one has been confirmed dead.”
“……”
“Have they truly suffered a serious blow?”
Matias was anxious.
Because he knew all too well that the existence of the black mages was not so trivial as to declare war in a state of unclear information.
And in fact, this was a point that Marquis Noah Gregory also knew. He knew, but…
“I am also aware that we have not grasped the full situation before and after. However…”
Marquis Gregory frowned and said.
“Slowly… we are reaching the limit of information control.”
“Hmm…”
“Among those who have newly joined, especially the knights of the former Salamander Knightly Order, some are beginning to suspect us.”
The Hegemon King and the Lion Knightly Order who followed him were those who had raised their realm with the help of the black mages.
When they were gathered amongst themselves, the difference was not prominent, but as they began to clash and compete with other knightly orders from other countries, some began to feel a sense of incongruity.
Knights with a certain degree of insight were already expressing strong doubts about it.
“It is something that must be done someday. If we miss this opportunity now, there will be no next one.”
“I know that as well. However… I am only saying this because I cannot erase my anxiety.”
The Hegemon King’s right-hand man, known as the Black Knight.
This was the first time he had seen him act so passively.
As the opinions of his two close aides subtly clashed, the Hegemon King thought.
‘Originally, I had planned to drive out the black mages after finishing the conquest of the continent, but…’
The plan had changed significantly.
He hadn’t conquered the continent, but the Yusef Kingdom, with its bolstered national power, now had enough strength to hold its own against the Great Forest.
On top of that, since the war between the Holy Theocracy and the Empire had ended early, waging war against them was a high-risk endeavor.
And above all…
[Continental unification? Hooo, bring it on.]
“…It’s impossible.”
It couldn’t be done.
This was impossible.
In fact, the biggest reason the Hegemon King had revised his plan for continental unification might have been not the Empire or the Holy Theocracy, but just one man.
When he heard that Patrick had recently defeated the Imperial Sword Saint and become the strongest knight on the continent, the Hegemon King was surprised.
What surprised him was that he was not surprised at all to hear the news.
He, who had crossed swords with him directly, knew.
The fact that Patrick defeating the Imperial Sword Saint was not surprising at all.
‘Honestly, I don’t want to fight him.’
The Hegemon King honestly admitted his feelings.
And since he had revised his plan for continental unification, he now had to decide on a future direction within the existing power structure.
He would cut ties with the black mages now and build up the national power of the Yusef Kingdom to establish it as a great power on the continent.
After that, if he started to develop the Great Forest in earnest in cooperation with the Schneider Duchy…
‘It is enough. It is a cause worth dedicating my life to.’
Having hardened his resolve, the Hegemon King said.
“It is true that there are many uncertain factors. However…”
“……”
“……”
“As Marquis Gregory said, if we do not do it now, we do not know when the next opportunity will come.”
To those words, even Matias Karvan nodded as if in agreement.
The Hegemon King said definitively.
“We will cut our ties with the black mages. Wipe them out all at once.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The Hegemon King’s order was given.
Now that it had come to this, Matias Karvan would not hesitate either. He would simply do his best to carry out the mission as commanded by his lord.
***
Continental Calendar Year 1528, November 12th.
King Cierion, the Hegemon King of the Yusef Kingdom, carried out a secret military operation at midnight.
The objective of the operation was to exterminate the black mages who had infiltrated the country.
He personally led his knights and mobilized the country’s entire military force to attack the black mages’ bases all at once.
As a result of the simultaneous surprise attack on a total of forty-seven hideouts, the Hegemon King captured and executed over 700 black mages.
And he announced this achievement to the entire continent, proclaiming that he would not allow such an evil group to set foot in his country.
At a time when the threat of black mages was rising due to the recent incident in the Holy Theocracy, the Hegemon King’s actions were praised throughout the continent.
***
The sun set, and night fell.
The Great Forest at this time becomes infinitely more dangerous.
Because countless demonic beasts hunt under the cover of the night’s darkness.
This Saber Tiger was no exception.
This huge demonic beast, over 30 meters long, was an evolved monster that had ruled this territory for a long time.
Tonight, too, it was carefully surveying its territory in search of prey that would become its meal.
The prey that smelled its scent were all cowering, doing their best to hide their presence.
That fact made this demonic beast proud.
Yes, this was how it should be.
In this harsh wilderness, if prey wanted to survive, they had to be careful and not make a single footstep in the quiet darkness. But…
“Kugh… The melody is good, and the taste of the alcohol is even better.”
“I am glad you are pleased.”
“I am also happy.”
What was this?
This was the first time in its life.
The moment it heard the faint light and chatter from afar.
-Grrrrr…
The Saber Tiger felt a serious displeasure.
How dare they cause a commotion in its territory?
It was absolutely unacceptable.
The Saber Tiger moved stealthily but swiftly to repel these impudent intruders.
And there, it saw a sight that completely ignored the rules of the wild.
A vampire playing a Tudor in the dark forest.
A dark elf dancing with swords in both hands to that melody.
And in front of them was a human with a tipsy face.
On top of that, next to the human…
“Hohoho, allow this humble one to pour you a drink.”
“Oh, that’s good.”
A fox beastman woman with nine tails was pouring alcohol with a gentle hand.
What was this? It had never seen anything like it.
The Saber Tiger, which had ruled this territory for a long time, was not just a demonic beast but had undergone evolution and possessed a certain degree of intelligence.
In its eyes, the three who were fawning over the human were beings far stronger than itself.
But why were such beings catering to such a weak-looking human?
It couldn’t understand the reason.
And at that moment…
Flap!
A strong wind blew from the sky, and a huge griffin descended.
An Elder Griffin.
The Saber Tiger unknowingly flattened its body to the ground.
As a fellow demonic beast, it knew even better.
That was a superior being, far more powerful than itself. The moment it was spotted, today would be its last…
“Hey! Chicken-pigeon!”
THWACK!
What was that?
Suddenly, the weak human leaped into the sky and smashed the top of the terrifying Elder Griffin’s head with his heel.
At that, the Elder Griffin was slammed into the ground, and the human who landed on the ground said, flying into a rage.
“You’re kicking up dust while I’m drinking! Can’t you fly quietly?”
“Kugh… Just how is it possible to fly quietly?”
Was it possible for this huge body to not kick up dust when it flapped its wings to fly?
It was impossible by common sense. But…
“If you do it with guts and effort, you can do anything.”
“……”
The opponent was a great demon for whom common sense did not apply.
The griffin drooped and just carefully presented what it had caught.
“Today’s appetizer.”
“Ah, another wild boar? I’m getting a little sick of it.”
“……”
The Elder Griffin cried.
It realized for the first time in its life that tears could come out when you were sad.
‘Why am I, a valiant warrior of the sky, in such a….’
Was it really right to endure such humiliation and disgrace?
As a valiant warrior of the sky.
As a great servant of Kalaron.
As a direct retainer of the Four Calamities, it was by no means proper to continue to endure such humiliation…
“Why? You got a problem? Wanna go?”
“Hahaha. It’s fine.”
Storm Spear’s eyes quickly became docile.
As expected, life was more important than pride.
“Ah, but by any chance, do you like Saber Tiger?”
“You want to die? That stuff tastes disgustingly bad, doesn’t it?”
For a moment, a flattened Saber Tiger trembled. And Patrick chuckled and said.
“Don’t try any funny business and go far away. For your information, I’m craving fish today.”
“…Yes.”
And the griffin dejectedly spread its wings again and flew away.
It had to travel quite a distance to get to the river from here. And the huge, evolved Saber Tiger that had been watching this series of events thought.
Let’s move.
