110 – 48. Astellgia (2)
There’s a saying.
“Why do we feel betrayed? Is it because we had expectations in the first place?”
The frustration that arises when things don’t go as we hoped is said to be a matter of mindset.
At first glance, it may sound like nonsense… but if you listen carefully, it’s a plausible story.
“The other person didn’t say anything. They just beat the drum and made a fuss. And when the expected outcome didn’t happen, they got upset. Most people tend to seek empirical evidence.”
The majority of people who are disappointed by unwanted situations set their own standards and get frustrated when the corresponding results don’t occur.
If they hadn’t had any expectations in the first place, there would be no disappointment.
Is it thanks to that mindset?
“Thought I could go straight to where Lucifer was, but ending up dumped in the middle of this forest… I must be a fool to trust those devilish creatures.”
“Even so, once we get out of this forest, we should be able to reach the place where he is, so don’t worry too much.”
As soon as we crossed the portal, Ian could calmly accept reality despite his party members panicking at the dense trees they saw.
Judging by their reactions, they probably thought they could reach Lucifer’s location right away.
Of course, Ian didn’t think that way at all.
‘They’re not fools, and it’s impossible for the portal to lead directly to him, right?’
As he pondered how it would have been if such a thing had actually happened, laughter naturally escaped him.
‘Rather than sparing the energy of the enemies we have to fight, it’s better to have some reserve.’
Even if we were to place it right in front of the Demon King’s castle, it wouldn’t be too difficult for these beings almost equivalent to giants.
Still, it was much better than just dropping them on the bare ground.
‘Yeah… Let’s be thankful it wasn’t laid out with traps.’
He silently walked through the forest, lost in such thoughts.
Thud!
“But still, Ian, it’s fortunate that you brought those tools, isn’t it?”
“Illian, sir?”
When Elven Illian Sigurd, who had been loitering like a vagabond, quietly approached and became a companion on his shoulder.
Seeing Illian’s carefree smile, Ian nonchalantly replied, “You never know what might happen beyond the portal. I just brought them just in case. Besides, there was personal space where I could pack my things.”
“If an adult praises you, you should take it as praise, buddy.”
He smiled wryly at Illian, who tousled his hair and raised the corners of his mouth.
“The items I had prepared in advance turned out to be quite helpful, fortunately.”
“That’s true. I almost ran out of energy before even fighting Lucifer. If that had happened, I might have faced trouble in the battle with him.”
“Still, you don’t need to worry too much about the battle. Considering they opened a portal, there’s a possibility that reinforcements might come.”
Reinforcements? Does that mean the Empire is sending people to Astelgia?
“They’re sending reinforcements here? Wouldn’t they become useless under the influence of the Machin’s power?”
“As you may know, the Machin’s power is not infinite. Just like the mana we manipulate, it has its limits.”
The power that those who reach the position of gods can use is called authority.
It was a privilege of those who ascended to the position of gods to control powers not of human origin, such as regression, resurrection, and domain dominance.
Naturally, they couldn’t use it infinitely like their abilities had immense influence.
“For example, the Goddess of Peace, Eris, would have a certain amount of authority. Even if she wanted to select a new hero to replace Ariel, if her divine power is insufficient, she ends up creating allies instead.”
Even Eris, who is on an equal footing with Lucifer, has limitations on her divine power. Just because they are gods doesn’t mean they can use unlimited power, like the Machin can.
Of course, the knowledge about the power of the Machin is only speculation, as there is no information about the power of the Machin…. Ian clearly thought that there must be a limit to that power.
“So I discussed this matter with Bedon and was able to make some reasonable inferences.”
If the battle became intense, Lucifer would consume more divine power to suppress the hero party.
An inference that the authority of domain dominance spread across Astelia would gradually weaken.
It was a cautiously raised story. Bedon, however, accepted it positively without brushing it off.
“In his words… it was quite a good idea.”
If someone else said that, it wouldn’t necessarily have much meaning. But Bedon is different.
As someone who can see the ebb and flow of trends. If Ian thought he was thinking in a strange direction, Bedon would have corrected it immediately.
However… Bedon, who possesses such abilities, remained silent and nodded in agreement.
It was a simple meaning.
“When the power of the mage diminishes from using their abilities and at the same time the onslaught of the demons attacking the empire begins to decrease, the empire has promised to send reinforcements to Astalgia, excluding the minimum troops needed for defense.”
“Oh… so it won’t just be a one-sided affair. What made that fool Isaac come to such a judgment?”
“Isaac? Are you referring to the current Emperor of the Callos Empire?”
“Then who else could it be? There’s only one person who can move the empire’s troops around like that.”
“What’s going on? He definitely said he was going to meet Bedon, right? Could it be that he went to meet the Crown Prince with Glendia?”
Ignoring the royal request was unimaginable for Ian… but the man in front of him was an elf. And considering that he was a heretic of the Great Forest, it made some sense.
“Since the heretics represent neutrality, they don’t need to bow their heads to the empire. And above all, Irian was famous for not listening to anyone.”
Why was he given the nickname “heretic”?
Even though he was an elf who loved nature and avoided fighting, he enjoyed eating meat and constantly picking fights, which led to the nickname.
He was even a wanderer who didn’t care about worldly affairs and was devoted to pleasure…
“Considering that, I wonder what the Crown Prince did after being called by him.”
It was ridiculous to explain this before the final battle. But Ian calmly explained.
“The current Emperor has been gravely ill for a long time. Now the Second Crown Prince, Bedon Arcana, is leading the situation.”
“Huh? Bedon? That guy is going to inherit the throne? I thought that Isaac’s daughter was very clever, so I thought she would inherit it. How interesting.”
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“Well, because that clever daughter is hiding her status and pretending to be my subordinate.”
Although Erzebeth still maintained her temporary status, she had reached the point where she could reveal her true identity and her true goal.
“Of course, she did say she was a princess on my birthday… but that was just something she blurted out while drunk and not in her right mind.”
Except for that moment, Eri had thoroughly acted as a beloved member of the Everhart family.
‘I suppose I should’ve dealt with Satan sneakily.’
[Oh my…. Did you know my true identity? You even witnessed me drunk. This is unfortunate, Ian Volkanov. You can no longer accompany me. Well then, allow me to kill you.]
‘It might be an attempt to eliminate witnesses by killing me out of shame.’
Given that she doesn’t reveal it publicly, there must be a reason, right?
Ian decided to turn a blind eye to her escapade, considering that she hadn’t hidden her identity and hadn’t been up to mischief.
By now, Eri is probably back to her original status, helping with the court affairs in Bedon.
Lost in such thoughts, he was walking when it happened.
“Brother, can you help for a moment?”
“What’s going on?”
“Well, I was following the map, but the road isn’t showing up, so I thought I might have read it wrong…”
Ariel, with a map in hand, wearing a troubled expression, seeking help. Ian nodded as if understanding and shifted his gaze to Illian.
“I’ll help for a moment and be right back.”
“Yeah, go check it out.”
Illian was just staring at Ian’s back as he moved forward without hesitation.
“When you look closely, that guy is quite stubborn….”
“Why is he grumbling about something he doesn’t like again? Old man.”
“Not that old. In human years, I’m probably younger than you.”
“Well…. 35 isn’t that old, is it?”
Illian chuckled as Heksar approached unnoticed.
Abruptly interrupted by a sudden age attack, Hexasar spat out a dry cough, steering the conversation’s mood.
“So, why are you talking nonsense about our younger sibling being a loner or whatever?”
“A loner, indeed. I turned Ariel, who couldn’t even be seen as a sprout, into a capable warrior. If you have eyes, look for yourself. If it were the old Ariel, what do you think she’d be doing right now?”
“…Probably passing the responsibility to Ian and leisurely strolling from behind.”
Ilyan recalled Ariel’s image in Hexasar’s words.
In truth, he couldn’t say it out loud, but he felt sorry for Ian.
“Even though the paper is different… In terms of human age, I’ve lived more than that guy for at least ten years. Dealing with the aftermath was all Ian’s responsibility…”
Respecting elders is considered a virtue for the younger ones, but simply treating them well because they’re older is not the case. Instead of showing respect for the path they’ve walked, elders should use their experience to support the younger ones in solving the problems they face.
However, despite living several hundred years longer than Ian, Ilyan couldn’t provide the help that was expected.
“Is it so terrible to cherish the younger sibling who whines about fictional days?” He might have unknowingly harbored a feeling of sympathy towards Ian, who foolishly tried to protect his sibling.
There were indeed minor disputes over this issue.
“On the day Glendia attempted Yavandoju and got caught, we discussed how to handle Ian and Ariel.”
At that time, considering the atmosphere, Ilyan decided to minimize Ariel’s role within the party.
If Ariel could mend her ways and reform, it would be a different story. However, with the current state, putting the burden of leading the party on her would inevitably lead to such incidents again.
But, despite Ilyan’s warning, Ian did not back down.
“I will change.”
“Change, you say?”
“If the problem lies with my brother’s attitude…. I will change it somehow. If there is any harm to the party…. I will turn that around as well.”
It was a situation bordering on absurdity due to his stubbornness. There was a time when Illian harbored doubts about the fact that such a self-opinionated guy could be a hero.
People don’t change easily. It was bewildering how Ian could be so sure.
But at least now, things were different.
To be precise, Illian realized it as he watched Ariel, alone, facing off against the monsters from a distance with his comrades.
“Regardless of how he did it…. didn’t Ian, as promised, change Ariel? That makes sense, doesn’t it, a miraculous transformation.”
“Listening to it, that does make sense.”
Ian was someone who absolutely kept his word once he uttered it.
The situation that seemed impossible was successfully accomplished by a child even younger than himself. At that moment, Illian couldn’t say anything.
“He turned our brother into a person as if by magic. Now we have to trust him.”
Instead, Illian decided to join forces with Ian.
To fulfill the mission bestowed by the goddess. To create a beautiful future for that foolish one who suffered and lived.
Thinking so, Illian and Hexar turned their gaze forward.
“Well, then, how should we deal with a situation like this?”
“When such a situation arises….”
Ariel, questioning this and that at the forefront, and Ian, answering her questions without hesitation.
Watching the improved relationship between the two siblings, Illian raised the corners of his mouth.
***
From the moment Ian took the lead, the pace of the Hero Party’s steps began to quicken.
Originally, I had planned to give Ariel the map and conserve my energy as we traveled. But her weakness in reading the map became a hindrance.
“I’m sorry… If I had known, I would have practiced more before coming.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not a big problem.”
Ariel trembled as if she was worried that she had once again hindered the party. Meanwhile, Ian calmly stared at the map as if it was no big deal.
“Even though it creates a path when we designate a place to infuse magic… It’s a bit unfair to blame Ariel for this.”
It’s hard to believe that the leader of the party can’t read a map… But just as everyone has different talents, they also have their own weaknesses.
Of course, it’s possible for someone to be bad with directions. Isn’t that why the goddess created a party to assist her?
“If you wanted to get there quickly, you should have entrusted it to Illyan, who is familiar with the geography of the forest, rather than asking Ariel.”
All Ian wanted was to improve Ariel’s map-reading skills.
This battle won’t be the end of her life, and there will come a time when she needs the ability to read maps.
“With this level of preparation, I must have conserved enough energy… Then it won’t be too late for me to take the lead from that point on.”
It might be a bit tricky if we delay here, but it won’t be a problem in terms of changing the order.
Therefore, Ian put aside his worries and continued to look at the map, walking ahead.
It was when the distant demon castle gradually came into view and Ian’s tail wagged.
“Ian? Could it be that this is the place we’re looking for?”
“Hmm… It seems so.”
The moment Glendia quietly approached and pointed at the massive structure with her index finger.
Alternating between the map and the castle, it seemed that that place was indeed the one they had been looking for.
“The Demon Castle… Looks like we’ve arrived. Let everyone know to prepare, Glendia.”
“Yes. I’ll pass the message to the two behind us and come back.”
Glenidia, tilting her head lightly, moved backward, and Ariel firmly grasped the Holy Sword with a stern expression.
– Ian. Are we going to fight now?
‘Yes. It’s dangerous from here on, so absorb me. Prepare to use the Divine Power when I say so.’
– Okay! Be careful.
After Ian gently stroked Natalion’s head, whose hand he firmly held, he absorbed her into his body.
Now, all preparations were complete.
“Ian. Everyone is ready. You can open the door now.”
At the same time, Glenidia approached with her comrades.
Ian, tilting his head, slowly stepped into the Demon Lord’s castle.