Chapter 112
Chapter 112
Somewhere, a faint impact was heard, and the ground continued to tremble.
It felt as if an earthquake was occurring, but only a blurry form seemed to hint at movement.
Before long, a massive silhouette emerged from within the thick fog.
"Hungry... food..."
A dull, short voice spread from its blunt snout.
Eyes, out of focus, yearned for something, and its four legs moved restlessly.
Its whole body was covered in tawny scales, and in the center sat a thick shell.
It looked somewhat like a turtle, but its presence was incomparable to any monster.
"Ley lines... insufficient... if I don't eat... I'll die..."
One of the seven dragons of Hazlodein, Grafden the Deep, dug into the ground, consumed by hunger.
With that, the vital energy hidden in the strata faintly revealed its form.
Grafden the Deep immediately opened its jaws and began absorbing the energy.
"Grrr... delicious... so hungry..."
Grafden the Deep quickly drained the vitality and scanned the surroundings.
This amount was nowhere near enough to satisfy its hunger.
Only more, much more ley energy could fulfill its insistent craving.
"Need ley lines... must find..."
Grafden the Deep read the flow of the ley lines and stepped forward.
No thoughts came to mind—only the focus on its appetite remained.
That was the sole obsession to which it was chained: that it had to consume ley energy.
"So hungry... something tasty..."
Following Grafden the Deep, several monsters were moving.
Trolls with astonishing regeneration, skeletal tree spirits with only branches left, golems made of amassed stones, and burrowing beetles that overturned the earth's layers.
All of them were large monsters, and for an ordinary human, even facing them was no easy feat.
"I don't want to die like this... Hazlodein... aaargh..."
Grafden the Deep flinched for a moment, then stopped.
Clearly, it had once wished to return to Hazlodein's world.
But now, even that goal had faded, replaced by an empty obsession.
Why was its body rampaging of its own accord?
"Gaaah... food... hungry..."
Grafden the Deep started advancing again, following the ley lines.
It could form no will; its consciousness steadily blurred.
At this rate, it would inevitably encounter humans—would it be able to withstand their attacks?
"If only there were ley lines... ley lines..."
* * *
Brillie Illenat felt relieved, albeit belatedly, upon hearing that the new Holy King had been chosen.
Even now, the Semerune Order was pursuing the followers of the former Holy King and tidying up internally.
Once things were wrapped up and the 10th Holy King was enthroned, the restriction on the rite of matrimony would likely be lifted soon after.
'Just as he said before—one of the four holy apostles became the next Holy King.'
Her betrothed had previously predicted that the third or fourth holy apostle would be chosen as the Holy King.
Formally, either the first or second should have been nominated, but traditional customs were completely overturned.
Could such a young and inexperienced cleric truly serve as the next Holy King?
'They say he's very learned... but is that really enough?'
No matter how enlightenment he had attained, it was impossible to firmly lead a mass of people.
Everyone had their own purposes, values, and pursued only their own interests.
That's why it was essential to rely on age and reputation to foster blind obedience.
'No, I shouldn't worry. I only need to get married, after all.'
Brillie Illenat no longer wanted to be involved with the Semerune Order.
She had already witnessed horrifying scenes, and at least the fundamental issues had been resolved.
But since she'd received help from the phantom thief, she couldn't be entirely satisfied.
'If things are like this, I have to let it pass quietly.'
Brillie was displeased with the phantom thief's conduct.
Not only had the thief broken into her fiancé's room, but was also throwing around the title of lord's daughter of a great ducal house.
She would have liked to detain and punish the thief immediately for his crimes, but felt she should at least acknowledge his achievement this time.
'If he just behaved normally, why would he have to do things like thieving...'
"Lady Brillie! I just heard some astonishing news!"
Edith burst into the room in a hurry, catching her breath belatedly.
But Brillie, although puzzled, showed little interest.
"What is it this time?"
"They say monsters appeared in the southern region."
"The southern region? There aren't any monsters there, are there?"
"There weren't, but recently some have been found."
"What sort of creatures appeared?"
"Um... They said a troll showed up... Is that okay?"
"... A troll?"
Brillie asked back absentmindedly, anxiety crossing her face.
Large monsters like trolls were hard to deal with using only soldiers.
It would require skilled knights or mages for easy extermination.
But it wasn't the sort of situation that called for summoning the strong; the Empire's army would probably conduct a subjugation on their own.
"It's a bit tricky, but it's not impossible to kill. Just gather some knights and wipe them out."
"Oh, right! There was more. Let me think... The tree spirit..."
"It's weaker than a troll. The vines are just a bit annoying, that's all."
"They said golems are coming, too."
"Just crush the core and it's done. No matter how well it's hidden, it ends up being exposed."
"And... They briefly saw a burrowing beetle."
"Why would one of those show up there?"
Burrowing beetles were rare to begin with, and they almost never approached imperial territory.
They were only encountered under special circumstances—most died before they could reach the surface.
But if one let their guard down, a fortress might collapse, so it had to be dealt with as a priority.
"So I heard a rumor that troops will be dispatched."
"They have no choice. The southern region normally doesn't have monsters, so hardly any troops are stationed there. And since they're all large monsters, mages will be needed, too."
"I feel like I'm forgetting something..."
Edith, lost in thought, tried to recall the details.
Brillie seemed to wait a moment, then cast aside any lingering thoughts.
'It's probably nothing. There's no reason to send me or Alter over something like this...'
"Oh, right! They said something like a dragon was seen."
"... Be clear. Was it something like a dragon, or an actual dragon?"
"I'm not really sure. From what people inferred, it's 'the Deep...' What was it again? Do you know anything?"
"Haaa... It's probably Grafden the Deep."
Brillie naturally named it, shaking her head.
Even before participating in the war in the eastern territory, she had researched dragons extensively.
As a result, she'd ended up recognizing each dragon's characteristics and names precisely.
"Yes, that's it. If it turns out to be a dragon, will you be called in again?"
"That's why I'm asking. Is this credible information?"
"It's sometimes wrong, but it's usually right. Since they said 'something like a dragon,' it's possible there was a mistake."
"......"
Brillie showed a doubtful look, but finally accepted it.
Just as the Semerune Order was being put in order, if a dragon appeared, her marriage would be postponed again.
Moreover, dragons were such powerful monsters that the moment an engagement began, she'd have to risk her life.
'Dragons appearing one after the other? Just when I'm about to get married? How could I have such rotten luck?'
* * *
Alter heard from Alraune that a dragon had appeared.
Of course, he'd somewhat expected it, but it seemed rather early for such news.
Fortunately, this dragon could not fly and even moved rather slowly.
However, since no frontline existed in the southern region, it was bound to escalate into a dangerous war.
"... If it's the next great mage, the right to serve as my replacement is given. There's no problem sending you and the society's mages."
"But they won't listen to me. Compared to the society head, I lack the authority, do I not?"
Alter had no intention of refusing to be dispatched to the southern region.
If he was to become the next great mage, and had the strength to match, he also had to bear a corresponding responsibility.
But in his current position, he couldn't unify all the magical societies.
"That's why I wish to ask your opinion. Can you defeat Grafden the Deep with your strength?"
"It won't be easy. Even though I blocked a dragon's breath, I consider that a matter of luck. Do you really trust me, society head?"
"I chose you as my successor because I trust you. Humility is a virtue for a mage, but belittling your own abilities won't do."
"But society head, even now, there are many voices criticizing me. How am I supposed to command the society's mages?"
"Don't worry about that. If a renowned society head steps forward, they won't be able to resist. And you certainly lack experience, so it's only right that a seasoned mage takes the lead."
Alraune could already see the future troubles arising because of Alter.
It was a process that any prospective great mage would have to endure.
Especially since Alter was young and had begun formally studying magic late, even more people begrudged him.
In the end, to overcome the situation, Alter would have to accomplish remarkable feats.
"Hm... I should explain my position. At present, I have many duties. To pass the title to you, there are all sorts of preparatory tasks. Internal affairs of the society must also be resolved in advance. If I'm not prepared now, it will cause controversy later."
"......"
"I also can't avoid mentioning Grafden the Deep. In the past, when I fought Benelrode the Incandescent, I didn't use any fire-attribute magic. Do you know why?"
"Didn't you think that, because of his high fire resistance, your attacks wouldn't work?"
"That's right. And nothing's changed since then. Grafden the Deep has superior resistance to earth attributes, so he'll negate my magic. Furthermore, the earth attribute isn't flammable, so I'll be in trouble, won't I?"
"So you think none of your attributes as great mage will work?"
"If I show weakness as great mage, the soldiers' morale will fall. Rather than let that happen, I've concluded you should be the one to confront Grafden the Deep."
Only then did Alter realize Alraune's true intentions.
Looking at it closely, Alraune ought not to participate in this war.
Rather than just preserve the great mage's reputation, it was more about considering the Empire's foundation and the soldiers' lives.
On the contrary, since Alter withstood the dragon's breath alone, his mere presence on the battlefield would boost morale.
"Also, you won't be going to the southern region alone. The Sword Saint and the second holy apostle will join you, so you're bound to be able to turn the tide in our favor."