Chapter 179
The party came running toward me.
Everyone looked shocked. Well, a colossal stone giant was sitting in the great canyon, after all.
"Was the stone of the gods on the giant's body?"
"Yeah! Throw me that sword!"
"Yes!"
Donnie pulled the pitch-black sword embedded in the ground. Then he hurled it toward me with all his strength. The sword, in which the white stone of the gods was set, spun as it flew through the air toward me.
Thunk—
Leaping up, I caught the incoming sword and landed again on the giant's knee. As soon as I touched the stone, it shone with a burst of light.
Grrrrrrrrng.
The giant, kneeling on one knee, straightened its posture and bowed its head.
It was a gesture of submission to me.
The authority of this white stone of the gods seemed to be the ability to control the giant.
The reason this giant submitted to me was likely due to the primordial divinity, or the ancient king's crown, just like the demon bones did. Both were probably influential factors.
I would have to look into it further.
It seemed that the primordial divinity alone was not enough—only when you had the ancient king's crown could that prestige be recognized.
Therefore, the greater the primordial divinity, the greater the prestige and dignity. Anyone could use the authority contained in the stone of the gods, but without those two, the giant would not obey.
"Will you give me a ride on your shoulder?"
As soon as I spoke, the giant's left arm rose with a Grrrrrrr— sound and placed its palm on its left knee. When I climbed onto that palm, I was lifted up to its right shoulder in an instant.
With the giant sitting, the height of the canyon floor and the giant's head were roughly the same.
"Give my companions a ride on your shoulder, too!"
This time, the giant stretched its right arm and dropped it with a thud onto the canyon floor. My party, without hesitation, ran down the giant's arm.
The giant's upper body was so huge that there was room to spare for everyone to stand on the shoulder. With just a bit less swaying, we could ride like this to our destination.
"Head north!"
Grrrrrrrrng—
The colossal giant stood with a resounding boom. Then, raising its massive foot, it took a step forward.
Thud—
The giant turned and climbed up to the canyon floor. The other giants, about a quarter of its size, began to follow. They were all under the influence of the power of darkness.
Thud— Thud—
Once the giant emerged from the canyon, the arctic was visible.
The giant kept heading north as it was.
Traveling on the shoulders of this mega-giant, I felt like I had become one of the divine races. This astonishing, exhilarating experience was hard even to put into words.
"This is what adventure is about! Hahaha!"
"I experience all sorts of things when I'm with you, Young Master!"
"I'm going to try going straight to the Arctic at this pace!"
"I'm in favor!"
We would go directly to the stronghold via the Arctic. And it would be the same when we went from there to the capital. The barriers and evil spirits in the northern sea were no longer threats.
I took out the cloak of Flame from my magic bag. Everyone put it on except for Yuri and me. Maintaining body temperature that way, we all enjoyed the scenery at ease.
/ / /
The colossal giant reached the northernmost tip of Aindel's northern continent. Along the way was the forest of darkness, but I didn't purify it. We could always return later.
The Arctic sea was not frozen.
It was less cold toward the Arctic than where the giant had been, perhaps because the frost barrier was quite far from here.
Countless glaciers and icebergs floated in the sea. During the thirty-year cold snap, the entire Arctic had frozen, but only now did it seem to be slowly melting.
"Let us down!"
The giant, standing still, again raised its hand and let us all ride onto its palm. Then, lowering its body, it deposited us on the ground. The giants should stay here.
"All giants, listen! Remain somewhere in this area, keeping your bodies as low as possible, and await me! Move!"
At my command, the giants turned as one and headed toward a nearby great canyon. Just like before, they would lie on the canyon floor and sleep for a while.
After I watched the giants go into the canyon and slowly lower their bodies, I took out the spirit stone. Immediately, I summoned the spirit ship.
I conveyed my intention to cross the Arctic sea, and since I sensed no resistance, we would pass through safely. It must be fine, as we'd be moving underwater, even if there were barriers.
We all boarded the spirit ship.
The ship, shaped like a whale, soon began its underwater journey.
The Arctic sea was different. There were almost no fish, only bizarre monsters. The sea floor was littered with shipwrecks that appeared to be demon ships. Some were trapped in ice.
After about six hours of travel—
Eventually, fish began to appear and the weather grew warmer. We surfaced to investigate.
Not far away, there was an island.
Yellow light barriers emanated from the island's center, and we found ourselves inside the barrier.
"It seems this is the only warm spot?"
Outside the barrier were icebergs, but inside this yellow barrier, there was no ice at all. The water was even warm. The island was covered in plants.
Was Elin living on that island?
It was close to the North Pole.
"Let's rest for a bit on that island."
Everyone was curious, so we headed for the island. We'd likely travel through the Arctic often, so it was good to scout what kind of island it was.
We all landed on the island.
It was reminiscent of Ta-iki Island. All sorts of rare flowers and herbs were in full bloom, and the forest was vast.
On top of that, the entire island was filled with a tremendous amount of magic power. It wasn't the magic of nature. It was my first time experiencing this kind of energy—it felt powerful yet pure.
"It seems to be a volcanic island."
"Search it. But don't go far."
"Yes."
The crew headed into the island first.
The rest of us wandered slowly, taking in the island. There were quite a few animals. Likewise, many fruits.
So we gathered fruits as we traveled deeper. There were also many spirits in the forest, which seemed to guide us by gathering into shimmering orbs, fluttering ahead, then pausing.
Following the spirits, we stopped.
Deep in the woods, there was a beautiful lake. The view was even more enchanting due to the thick mist swirling above the water.
But in the middle of the lake stood a small hut. Though hazy in the mist, its shape was unmistakable. Moreover—
"Someone is coming."
A small boat drifted serenely out of the fog, becoming visible. It was empty. As it glided toward us, it stopped at the shore where we stood by the lake.
Apparently, whoever put up the barrier on this island was allowing us in. All the crew had conveniently gathered.
"Can we consider this permission?"
"Seems like it."
Everyone boarded the boat. It slowly turned and headed toward the hut in the lake. Or rather, toward a house built on the surface of the lake, not an island.
As the boat entered the mist, it docked at the hut made of reeds and logs. The house itself was a large raft, quite sizable.
We disembarked and went up the wooden steps connected to the house. At the center of the large, square raft was the house, with chairs and pots set at the edges.
"Have you eaten?"
The voice came from somewhere hidden by the house.
A human was living here?
We all headed toward the voice.
On the north edge, there sat an old man fishing. He had a very large frame and seemed quite advanced in age.
"Sorry for coming in unannounced."
"You came because I let you in. Hold on a moment. There are many of you, so I'd better catch some more."
The old man didn't even look at us, absorbed in his fishing. Judging from his frame and build, he wasn't human. Though I couldn't see his face, he was probably one of the Gadisil.
Was he a surviving great mage of the Gadisil?
If he could set a barrier around the whole island, he'd have to be more than that. He was definitely not Elin.
"May I ask something?"
"Go ahead."
"Did you put up the barrier around the island, elder?"
"I did."
"May I ask why?"
"Because it's cold."
Yuri covered her mouth and giggled.
The others were careful in speech and manner. We had no idea who this old man was, but his magic power was immense.
I had never encountered someone with such powerful magic before. He seemed to be suppressing his magic, but even so, his presence was overwhelming.
"Child, are you happy traveling with these people?"
"Yes, grandfather."
"Good child. So pure."
At last, the old man turned around.
He was indeed Gadisil. He looked as though he had lived for centuries. With a gentle smile, he gazed at us.
"So, where were you headed?"
"On our way home."
"Then you must travel through this sea often."
"Does it trouble you?"
"It does. I prefer peace and quiet."
"Then from now on, we'll pass quietly, avoiding this island and its barrier."
The old man nodded.
Then he hauled up a fish and walked toward the house after putting his catch in a bucket.
"Sit and rest."
"Thank you for your consideration."
There was a big table behind the house.
Everyone sat at the table and rested comfortably. We all seemed to have things to say, but everyone kept quiet for now.
When the old man came out with plates, everyone helped him. We set the plates and utensils, and as we waited, he brought out a dish that looked like steamed fish.
"Try it. Better to eat fish I caught than for you to kill the island's animals."
"We weren't planning to hunt."
"Really? Hahaha."
Everyone took some fish and tasted it. There was no seasoning, but the flavor was deep.
As we ate, the old man spoke.
"When three gather, the door will close. When the door closes, none will have strength. Once closed, the door can only be opened when all are present. That is the balance of the world."
"What do you mean by that?"
He only smiled after saying those words.
It felt as if he knew who we were. That must be why he permitted us entry.
When three gather, the door closes.
When all are present, the door opens.
What could that mean?
The fish was unusual too.
It seemed to be enchanted in some way. It felt like the very essence of his magic was in it.
Even after just a couple of bites, I felt full. The old man only ate two bites and then went back into the house.
He soon came out again, with something like a candy in hand. He gave it to Yuri.
"Eat this."
"What is it?"
"It's a magic candy. When you grow up, you'll know what kind of magic it is."
Without hesitation, Yuri put the candy in her mouth, her cheeks puffing up as she smiled brightly. Just like a child eating candy.
The old man seemed to know Yuri was dragonborn.
Could he see that?
He stared at Eilin for a while, then looked at me. Then he looked at Allen and the crew as well, smiling warmly as if seeing a long-lost grandchild.
"May I ask who you are?"
The old man just smiled.
"There was once a harmonious family with many children. The oldest left, one died, one fell ill, and one went into hiding. The rest followed the eldest."
"And the parents?"
"They left on a long, long journey with the sick child. To bring the dead child back."
"What about the hidden child?"
"Returned and is guarding the house, probably."
The old man smiled again, then sailed off into the mist in another boat. His parting was so firm that we could not ask any more.
"What did the old man mean?"
"I have no idea."
Who on earth was he?
It seemed he had given advice for our future.
As we watched the old man disappear beyond the mist, the house itself began to shake. As if about to vanish, it became transparent.
"We should leave."
"Yeah, let's get out."
We all left the house and boarded the boat. As soon as we did, the mist thickened and the house's shape faded away. Perhaps it hadn't been a house, but magic.
We walked from the lake back to the sea.
No one said a word.
Even after boarding the spirit ship, everyone remained silent. We didn't fully understand the old man's words, but their weight was palpable.
We set sail on the spirit ship again.
After a long while, I looked back.
The island was gone.
So was the barrier. As if it had been a dream, there were now icebergs floating where the warm air had been, and the warmth itself had vanished.
"Was it never really there?"
"Who knows."
I couldn't be sure whether it never existed or simply wasn't visible now. But the fruit we gathered was still in our packs. Anyway, we continued onward.
I felt that, in time, we'd come to understand the old man's words. It wasn't some profound message, just a warning about things yet unknown.
A long voyage resumed.
After another six hours—
Finally, the northern coast of the eastern region where we lived came into view. It was the cliff at the cave where the demon bones were. At last, our long journey was over.
Now, after tying up loose ends,
I intended to start training.
I was prepared, even for closed-door cultivation.