Chapter 396.1
The urgent lockdown of the Holy City left Sang-je with limited information. Once the kings withdrew, he’d be scrambling to gather intel. To prevent him from exploiting their vulnerabilities, someone needed to keep an eye on the Holy City. Kasser volunteered for this critical role.
Fortunately, the kings had a valuable tool: the sorcery notebook. It allowed for rapid communication of crucial details, such as how long Flora would need to master the sorcery and when she could utilize transportation magic to reach the Holy City from the Hashi Kingdom.
If Flora’s training required at least two months, their entire operation would be delayed until the next dry season. Despite potentially inadequate preparation, Kasser was determined to act within the current dry season.
His motivation went beyond seizing the opportunity. His wife, Eugene, was entangled with the monster’s demands. Eliminating the creature was the most certain way to ensure her safety.
The monster itself wasn’t the true threat; internal discord was. While the kings were currently united, time could erode that unity. Sang-je’s cunning manipulations could sway someone’s opinion.
Eugene’s pregnancy offered Kasser temporary protection from criticism. For a king, securing an heir was paramount. But after the birth, the argument might shift to, “You have your heir, isn’t that sufficient?”
“Fourth King,” Richard began, “are we aiming for the end of the dry season as the deadline?”
Kasser’s response was sharp: “Five days.”
Richard furrowed his brow. “Five days… If we can deal with the monster within two days, and all the kings reach the palace before the active period starts, it’s tight, but achievable. However, that timeline excludes you. No matter how fast you travel, reaching the Hashi Kingdom from here will take at least three to four days.”