Translator's Note
Thank you for waiting. The "gap" is no more!
I'll continue Chapter 208+ after next month. In the meantime, please enjoy chapter 113-207.
Also, please note that chapters beyond this point are my early works, so probably their quality is not as good as my recent ones, but feel free to give me feedback or point out any errors.
Side Stories
Here is the list of Side Stories so far, in case you haven't read.
- SS 1 Leon [Link]
- SS 2 Savis 1 [Link]
- SS 3 Secret Meeting 1 [Link]
- SS 4 Cyril 1 [Link]
- SS 5 Desmond [Link]
- SS 5 Quentin [Link]
- SS 6 Zavilia [Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]
- SS 7 Zachary [Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]
- SS 8 Cyril 2 [Part 1] [Part 2]
- SS 9 Canopus (300 years ago) [Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5]
- SS 10 Savis 2 [Part 1] [Part 2]
"What are you talking about?!" (Ghai)
Captain Ghai stared at Captain Curtis with an expression that said he truly couldn't understand.
"Weren't you listening to what I said? The Black King has returned to the Blackpeak Mountain! He has been reborn and is even more cunning and powerful! On top of that, for some reason, the king has begun to summon other dragons! As a result, both strong and weak monsters are being driven out of the mountain! That mountain is now a completely dangerous area!" (Ghai)
"Hmm, but think about it. Would Cyril really send me here as some brat on an errand? Cyril said he'd entrust me with transmitting important information, but you checked the details yesterday, right? That level of information is not something I can handle. Plus, while he asked me to help him, he left the chain of command to me. If I were to follow Cyril's word and just return as a reinforcement, I'd be looked at as a complete fool." (Curtis)
As Captain Curtis smoothly explained his hypothetical story as if it were the truth, Captain Ghai crossed his arms in disapproval.
"No, that's not the case, is it? Cyril is never the type to order something reckless. Going against the Blackpeak right now would be like an act of suicide, and I don't think Cyril would ever order something like that!" (Ghai)
Captain Curtis cast a quick glance at Captain Ghai.
"Ghai, despite your lack of thought, you have a good eye for people, which makes you a pain..." (Curtis)
"Oh, what was that?" (Ghai)
"No, this is what I'm talking about. I have heard your opinion. However, since I have independent command, I will act as I please. I'm not borrowing any of your members, so I won't cause you any trouble." (Curtis)
Hearing Captain Curtis' words, Captain Ghai stared at him intently and spoke in a voice that sounded as if he was trying to persuade him.
"Well, Curtis, it's true that your body is much more well-built compared to the last time I saw you, but you're up against the Black King, right? About six months ago, Quentin visited this area in search of the king, and entered the Blackpeak with a large force of 100 knights accompanied by familiars. Furthermore, because he was unfamiliar with the local monsters, he brought along many knights from the Eleventh Knights, which swelled the numbers even further." (Ghai)
Captain Ghai stopped speaking for a moment and glared at Captain Curtis.
"In the end they weren't able to meet the king, but that's the level of preparation you need to make to enter that mountain. Moreover, compared to then, the king has returned, the dragons have gathered, and the situation has worsened!" (Ghai)
Captain Ghai seemed to be getting excited, and by the end he was shouting loudly. As if in response to the voice, his hair stood on end, and combined with the already evil look in his eyes, he looked almost angry, but Captain Curtis, who accurately sensed Captain Ghai's concern, raised one hand as if to reassure him.
"Your concerns are valid, but unlike Quentin, my goal is not to capture the king. It is more friendly." (Curtis)
"Well, even if you think that's the case, it doesn't mean the other person will. The Black King is a cunning veteran, you know? It's not surprising that he attacks without question." (Ghai)
Watching Captain Ghai speak as if he were trying to persuade a slow-witted child, I tilted my head in confusion.
…Umm, who on earth is Captain Ghai talking about? The Black King is probably a reference to Zavilia, but there's something strange about the story. It's true that Zavilia can be a little rude at times, judging from how he treats Captain Quentin and Vice Captain Gideon, but he's basically a kind and good kid. And yet, he is portrayed as a violent, unruly monster.
Apparently, the story had been heavily embellished.
Come to think of it, even I was called the "Charming Red Witch" by Captain Ghai, so I've experienced firsthand how completely unreliable rumors can be.
Poor Zavilia! He's been made into vicious and violent monsters.
Thinking that, I shook my head slightly to regain my composure.
"Don't worry, Captain Ghai. If I think it's dangerous, I'll turn back right away. I want to see the place where my sister works with my own eyes. If I asked my sister to accompany me, she would be overprotective of me because she is strong and kind, and I would never be able to experience what the Blackpeak Mountain is really like, so I want to climb the mountain without the help of the local knights." (Fia)
"Oh no no, you too, Fia! Why are all the people working in the Royal Capital so hopelessly reckless? Or are they just incredibly confident? Oria, please persuade your sister!" (Ghai)
When asked for her help, Oria smiled cheerfully.
"The Black King and Fia... Yes, I think they get along quite well. The king is not hostile towards Fia, and the mountain is under his control, so there is no danger to Fia." (Oria)
"……hah!?" (Ghai)
My sister, who was undoubtedly a person of common sense, spoke words in support of my seemingly reckless proposal, leaving Captain Ghai staring at her with his mouth wide open.
...That's right. My older sister knew that I had made a familiar contract with Zavilia during my coming-of-age ceremony. And since my older sister worried about me but also allowed me to take on challenges to a certain extent, it was no surprise that she would approve of my actions.
Ah, my big sister really is the ideal big sister! I thought to myself with joy, when Captain Ghai exclaimed in disbelief.
"Oh my goodness, that's how it is! Oria is incredibly caring towards her little sister, and is she blinded by how much she loves her?! All right, Oria, leave it to me! I'll protect your little sister." (Ghai)
"Huh??" (x3)
The voices of everyone present, except for Captain Ghai, joined together. However, faster than anyone else, my older sister continued in an exasperated voice.
"Captain Ghai, what nonsense are you talking about! You have a packed schedule today and tomorrow, so you won't have time to accompany them! My little sister will be accompanied by three fine knights, so there will be no problem." (Oria)
"No, but if I save your sister from a pinch, you'll think I'm cool, right?!" (Ghai)
Captain Ghai hurriedly stood up and asked my older sister a serious question.
On the other hand, my older sister folded her arms as if deep in thought.
"That's a difficult question. If there was a situation like that, I would definitely be grateful, but if you ask me if I think Captain is cool... I can only answer, I don't know, you see." (Oria)
"What...?! Is it really my face? Am I lacking in handsomeness?! Oria, what you ultimately need is strength! Not a good looking face!!" (Ghai)
"...I feel like I've once again witnessed the generosity of the previous captain, who recommended Captain Ghai as a candidate for the captain." (Oria)
Saying that, she sighed, and without paying any more attention to Captain Ghai, she turned to me and smiled meaningfully.
"Hehe, Fia, I understand the purpose of your visit this time. I assume you came to see me, but at the same time, I think you came to see your cute king. However, while he may be a cute king to you, he is an absolute monarch here with influence over all monsters, so I would appreciate it if you would refrain from causing too much trouble." (Oria)
Of course, there was no way I would turn down my sister's request.
"Got it, big sis!" (Fia)
When I answered in the affirmative enthusiastically, my older sister smiled brightly.
Afterwards, we all discussed our next plans. To make a long story short, the four of us — Captain Curtis, Green, Blue and myself — would explore Blackpeak Mountain, but if we hadn't descended the mountain after a week, Captain Ghai would send out a search party.
Once that was decided, things moved quickly and we were able to leave the fort before noon. I mounted my horse and headed for the Blackpeak Mountain in high spirits, but ——the mountain looked terrifying from afar.
The area was generally covered in green, but there were parts that appeared to have been carved away in places, revealing the rugged rock surface. As its name Blackpeak suggested, the soil of this mountain was black in color, unlike the other mountains surrounding it. The black visible between the green trees was a rare color of the mountains, so it created a sense of discomfort and instinctive fear.
——Black in nature was a special color.
Warning color.
"——Do not approach, for he is an overwhelmingly powerful individual——"
Black was a special color that was displayed not by the weak to ensure their own safety, but by the overwhelmingly powerful who did not want to be bothered by the weak.
Only a select few were allowed to wear it.
There were no black birds in this world. The only black winged monster was the black dragon.
So what were the black things on Earth? —— One was a demon. A strong one with black hair and black eyes. And those were the only defined entities.
The only other black monsters that existed were selected individuals who had acquired something and evolved on their own.
As I was thinking about this, something suddenly occurred to me.
"Oh, now that I think of it, ...Commander Savis has completely black hair and eyes..." (Fia)
For example, Captain Quentin had black hair, but some of it was brown and his eyes were light colored. Captain Ghai also had mostly blonde hair, with black hair only in the meshed areas...
"Hmm?" (Fia)
I tilted my head vigorously, expecting something to come to mind—but in the end, nothing came to mind, so I came to a very reasonable conclusion.
"So that means Commander Savis is just as strong as a demon!" (Fia)
Hehe, I'm so happy to serve such a powerful knight, Commander! …I was thinking about such things while muttering to myself.