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Chapter 188

"Yeah. It was huge, even from that far away. Like—"

At that moment, the clouds flashed again. The light was blinding, but Ian didn\'t blink. The flickering shadow Thesaya had mentioned was nowhere to be seen. Only an ominous purple glow and thunder filled the sky.

Thesaya, still watching the sky, hastily added, "As I said, it’s gone now. But I wasn’t mistaken. It was really–-"

"I know." Ian cut her off and sat down again.

He had just wanted to check once more, just in case.

Thesaya muttered, "Oh, really?"

Ian mulled over the memory that surfaced when he heard her words. He recalled the crack in the black-and-white sky from the Vampire Empress’s memory flash and the long shape that cast a shadow through it.

Suddenly turning his gaze, Ian noticed everyone in the group silently watching him. Amid the crackling campfire, Ian let out a brief chuckle.

"I don’t know why everyone always thinks I have the answer to every problem."

"Well... that’s because, my lord, you are an expert who has faced many monsters... and a mage who delves into forbidden knowledge...? Besides, right now...."

Philip paused, then shrugged despite Ian’s gaze.

"You also have that look that says you have a hunch. People who don’t know you might think you always have the same expression, but I’ve learned to read your face a bit. I bet others have too."

The group members nodded slightly.

Speechless, Ian clicked his tongue and finally said, "I just think the crack the Empress made has certainly created a large rift. Big enough for something to come through from beyond."

"...! From beyond, you mean the void?"

"Well, who knows?"

Ian reached out his hand. Though puzzled, Philip handed him the bottle of liquor he was holding. Uncorking the bottle, Ian looked at Mev.

"There isn’t just the void on the other side of this world."

"... You mean the rift. The other side of this world." Mev responded with somber eyes.

Ian nodded. "Something seems to have come through from somewhere. It’s not surprising, but...."

As he brought the bottle to his lips, he added, "It happened much sooner than I expected."

"...."

"...."

Mev and Philip looked at Ian, their eyes cold. They had already encountered the true nature of beings from beyond and the consequences they could bring to this realm. It wasn’t difficult to imagine the horrific changes that might occur within the borders.

"But it really looked huge. If it’s such a monster, it wouldn’t have anywhere to hide," Thesaya added at that moment.

Philip, running a hand over his face, spoke in a trembling voice. "The beings of the void achieve feats that defy common sense effortlessly. They might change their forms, or perhaps only a part of them crossed into this world. Maybe they can influence this world directly while remaining beyond. Or they might have found a suitable demonic realm to root themselves in."

"Ah..."

"But one thing is certain."

Looking alternately at Thesaya and Charlotte, he added in a cracked voice, "They will have a tremendous negative impact on the world."

"If there are so many of those monsters... shouldn\'t they have already destroyed the world?"

"They can\'t stay in this world without paying a price unless wandering the demonic realms," Charlotte replied while opening a fresh bottle of liquor.

Thesaya nodded in understanding, and Philip gave a bitter smile.

"But now, demonic realms are opening all over the borderlands. They must have sped up, and once completed, their range will expand."

Looking at Ian and Mev, Philip cautiously added, "So... shouldn\'t we return to the borderlands?"

"Well...."

Murmuring, Ian brought the bottle to his lips as if to say, "Do whatever you want."

Of course, Ian had no intention of returning to the borderlands.

In his view, he saw this as an unstoppable massive flow. Besides, they currently had no clues about anything.

Even if they wandered around looking for clues, they would just waste time with no gain. It would be nothing but tedious situations leading to pointless slaughter with no experience gained.

It was better to focus on what needed to be done, like the Platinum Dragon’s request.

However, he would respect Mev and Philip\'s decision if they returned. He would take on the task of finding the priest they were chasing, Jurdo, in their place.

"... No," Mev spoke then.

Receiving the bottle from Charlotte, she took a swig straight from it like Ian and added, "We are not going back, Philip."

"...."

"I will bear the cost and responsibility of this decision... after everything is over. Without avoiding or turning away."

It was a statement filled with many meanings. Only she probably knew the exact thoughts behind those words.

Philip, who had been staring at Mev, finally nodded. "I can’t let you bear such a burden alone, my lord. I will bear it with you."

"...." Mev, with a peculiar look in her eyes, brought the bottle to her lips again instead of replying.

Despite her reaction, Philip forced a smile.

"Come to think of it, it\'s not entirely the worst. Maybe this will be the catalyst to end the war, right? Don’t you think so, my lord?"

"If it comes to a moment where survival depends on it... maybe," Ian replied vaguely.

He didn’t bother adding that the war would continue until it became a matter of survival, or that mercenaries and the corrupted ones who didn\'t care about the lives of the territory’s residents would run rampant until then.

"To borrow Ian’s expression, this world is already a mess," Thesaya interjected.

Pulling out a chunk of ham, cheese, and jerky from her bag, she continued, "If we stress over every little thing we can’t do anything about, there will be no end to it. Besides, we’re not the only ones fighting the darkness in this world, are we?"

Watching her pull out a dagger and start slicing the ham, Ian let out a quick chuckle.

She’s finally saying something sensible.

Taking a sip of liquor, Philip wiped his mouth with his sleeve and nodded.

"Right. You’re absolutely right. We need to continue our fight. It might be better to review our roles in the Empire instead of wasting time here."

"... Again? Even during a meal?"

"You should practice until it appears in your dreams, Thesa, so you won\'t be caught off guard in any situation. I\'ll roast the meat, so start over."

Philip moved as if to shake off his distracting thoughts, and Thesaya reluctantly began reciting her forged identity.

Ian, noticing Charlotte\'s reluctant gaze and Mev\'s deep contemplation as she drank, eventually sprawled out on the ground. He glanced at the now quiet night sky and then closed his eyes. The landscape of the borderlands that had transformed into hell awaited him in his dreams.

***

Under Philip\'s guidance, the group pressed on southeast without stopping and soon emerged from the mountain path. Ahead lay gently rolling plains and forests—the Empire.

The weather was mildly warm and the air dry, but the sky wasn\'t clear. Dark clouds spreading from the borderlands were gradually tinting the Empire\'s sky a dull gray. Looking up, Ian wondered if he was dragging the darkness with him. In reality, it was the opposite. Nevertheless, the gloomy skies appearing everywhere they went did not lift his spirits.

"If the map is correct, we should be somewhere on the border between the western and central regions of the Empire. Let\'s take the main road once we exit this forest."

As Philip predicted, they soon reached the main road. Though devoid of people, it was a well-maintained road.

To the right was a forest, and to the left, a vast plain stretched out. But the journey was not entirely idyllic. As Mev foresaw, at night, monsters crept out from the forest\'s darkness and prowled around. Monster hunting had become part of the group\'s daily routine, so it posed no problem.

"It seems the Empire\'s security isn\'t that great anymore."

"Maybe because we\'re near the frontier. This isn’t the only route to the central region; there are many other paths."

"You seem to know a lot, Charlotte. Have you been to the western region before?"

"No. But I\'ve seen westerners coming ashore several times."

"Ah... there’s an inland sea to the south. Being from the borderlands, I can’t quite imagine what an inland sea is like."

"No need to imagine. It\'s awful. You get seasick on the boat, and the nausea continues even after you disembark."

"But they say you can travel deep into the mainland comfortably on those boats."

"It only saves time. You might have to take one someday too."

Their trivial conversation continued day and night. Ian silently listened, knowing very little about the western region of the Empire.

In the game, the only part of the western region he had set foot in was Racliffe, the western hub, and by that time, it was already uninhabitable.

However, the western region unfolding before the group now was different. As clouds covered the sky, the horizon unfolded with vast plains and forests. The monsters were still insignificant. The fields seemed under cultivation, with only tree stumps remaining or completely cleared land.

"... Ian."

A few days into their dull journey, things changed. Charlotte, who was in the carriage, stuck her head out through the window leading to the driver\'s seat. Ian, leaning against the corner of the driver\'s seat and sipping liquor, turned to her.

"What is it?"

Charlotte, playing the role of Thesaya’s attendant, had to ride in the carriage with her. Philip and Ian shared the driver\'s seat. Ever since they entered the Empire, the group had been acting according to their fake identities, even when no one was around.

This was because they never knew when they might encounter an imperial citizen. Charlotte glanced back at the increasingly dense forest and the foothills visible beyond.

"I heard a scream."

"A scream...?"

"Yes. It sounded like a monster. I also hear a person shouting along with hoofbeats."

"...."

Under Philip\'s gaze, Ian straightened up. Soon, his eyes narrowed.

"Yes. I hear it too."

"Should we stop the carriage, my lord?"

"No. Keep going."

Listening intently to the sounds of breathing, hoofbeats, and trees crashing, Ian kept his eyes on the forest. Soon, the source of the noise emerged from the shadows: a group of heavily armed riders fleeing frantically toward the main road. Chasing them was a massive, horned, dark green lizard with six legs, crashing into trees as it pursued the riders.

"Is that... a dragon?" Philip squinted, trying to get a better look.

Ian snorted. "Is everything a dragon to you? It doesn\'t even have wings."

"It\'s a basilisk," said Mev.

After putting on her helmet, she continued, "It\'s my first time seeing one in person."

"I believe you\'re right."

Nodding, Ian stood up. That monster was classified as elite, even in the game. He couldn\'t miss the experience points or the loot. As Mev brought the horse closer to the carriage, Charlotte stuck her head out of the driver\'s seat window again.

"I\'ll go with you, Ian. I\'ve never fought a basilisk either." She spoke urgently, taking a deep breath as she looked into the forest.

Ian, who had mounted behind Mev, chuckled. "You stay here."

Noticing the plump man in the surcoat at the rear of the fleeing group, Ian added, "The one being chased is a noble."

"...."

"So, follow slowly, Philip."

Ignoring Charlotte\'s sigh, Ian tapped Mev\'s shoulder. Mev, as if waiting for this, lashed the reins. The horse, carrying both of them heavily armored, galloped powerfully into the forest.

"No...?!"

Several of the fleeing riders turned to look at Ian and Mev, uttering cries of alarm almost simultaneously.

"Oh, don\'t come here!" The plump man in the surcoat shouted. "Th-thanks for the help, but this isn\'t something you can handle with blades! It won\'t follow us out of the forest, so turn back!"

Such a kind man, even in the midst of trying to save himself.

Ian curled his lips and spoke. "That\'s what he says. What do you think?"

"What do you think?"

Mev laughed shortly and lashed the reins once more. Then, gripping the reins with one hand, she drew a sleek two-handed sword from her waist.

"Should I dismount?"

"Mounted combat is your specialty. I\'ll leap off at the right moment, and we\'ll split."

"Sounds good."

Ian extended his hand and pulled out a black sword from his pocket dimension. He couldn\'t use the embedded skills with so many witnesses, but the sharp blade would suffice.

"Screech!" The basilisk, now slowing down, let out a scream typical of the reptilian monsters of this world.

It had finally noticed Ian and Mev approaching from the side.

Crash, crack—

It rolled and knocked down a massive tree, coming to a stop.

"Don\'t look it straight in the eyes. The horse might drop dead immediately," Ian whispered as he kicked the horse\'s flank and leaped into the air.

The rushing wind propelled his body forward.