Became The Son Of The Final Boss [EN]: Chapter 88

88.

I organized the supplies before dawn.

Ken, Thompson, and Ram each received a magic pouch.

Ken’s pouch also contained items provided by Thompson.

“Did Thompson give you everything you asked for?”

“Yes. He even gave me a few things I didn’t expect.”

I nodded at Ken’s reply.

The castle was bustling in the early morning, long before dawn seemed near.

I had finished all the preparations, and Thompson’s wizards seemed ready as well.

After the Atlan knights completed their preparations for the expedition, the western lords and Marquis Mike arrived.

“Commander.”

“I hesitate to burden you with another heavy responsibility. But I trust the Marquis, and this is absolutely necessary to end this war, so I’ve formed this expeditionary force. I hope the Marquis understands.”

At my words, Marquis Mike knelt on one knee and bowed his head.

“Eliminating the source of evil is far more dangerous than defending this place. Nevertheless, since Your Highness has taken on the role of commander of the expeditionary force, all the lords and people of the West, myself included, will forever cherish Your Highness’s grace.”

“As the Crown Prince of this country and the commander of the West, I am simply fulfilling my responsibilities.”

After patting Marquis Mike on the shoulder and offering encouragement, I signaled the start of the expedition.

Riorden, accustomed to being at the forefront, stepped forward.

I exchanged glances with Ram and Thompson.

To prevent Goran’s resurrection, I needed their power.

‘Even if they betray me immediately after killing Goran… it’s crucial to cooperate until then.’

I had Gale as a reliable ally, but the Dark Forest presented too many variables.

Undead creatures like skeletons, dullahan [headless horsemen], and liches [powerful undead spellcasters], along with countless orcs and the Wyvern, the ruler of the ruins, were all formidable threats.

To overcome those obstacles and kill Goran, Gale alone wouldn’t be enough.

‘Still, it’s reassuring.’

The reason I could confidently decide to execute Ken’s plan was because Gale was a Sword Master [a master swordsman, a rank of extremely skilled warrior].

‘I’m so glad.’

Before I knew it, the castle gate came into view.

We planned to bypass the orc encampment and enter the Dark Forest.

Last time, we left the castle gate secretly, but this time, we departed with the send-off of the lords and soldiers.

Marquis Mike’s words were not an exaggeration.

The soldiers’ faces were filled with trust and gratitude towards me and the expeditionary force.

They all saluted and bowed their heads to me and the expeditionary force.

The soldiers knew very well how dangerous this mission was.

I waved my hand briefly and then took the lead.

I intended to bypass the orc encampment and enter the Dark Forest.

“Your Highness, the path is different from last time, so we must hurry. The shortest route is through the north of the Fairy Forest, but since we didn’t choose that route, it will take at least a day longer to reach the Dark Forest.”

I nodded at Riorden’s reply.

“Let’s go.”

Riorden stepped forward to lead the way, and I positioned myself in the center of the formation with Gale. The wizards did the same.

Usually, wizards were placed in the safest center of such formations.

The vanguard consisted of scouts and knights skilled in improvisation, and the rear consisted mainly of knights with strong defenses.

As Riorden began to increase speed, I followed, using my skills.

The wizards also used magic to enhance their speed.

From now on, there are no walls.

Everyone seemed nervous about the constant potential for danger.

However, the knights who had been with me before, including Riorden, had noticeably different expressions.

The experience of having been there once provided them with confidence.

They were more relaxed than the others.

‘But ten wizards…’

Thompson’s intentions were clear, but I didn’t bother to object.

It’s always good to have more wizards.

‘Maybe they were trying to increase their numbers. They’re probably planning to kill me after killing Goran. Even if Gale didn’t exist, they’d still be uneasy because of Gale.’

It was one expeditionary force, but everyone’s thoughts were different.

It was almost comical that we were cooperating, even though we knew we were enemies.

In the meantime, the sun rose.

We managed to bypass the orcs encamped outside the castle without being detected.

As the edge of the Dark Forest gradually came into view, Riorden stopped walking.

“Let’s take a break.”

The expedition’s schedule was entrusted to Riorden and Ken.

We decided to rest when Riorden rested and resume when he resumed.

Ram and Thompson also agreed without comment.

A flurry of activity began as people prepared breakfast and lunch.

The Atlan knights, including Ram, and Thompson and the wizards didn’t seem to enjoy eating outside, and their expressions were sour.

I approached Ram and Thompson and said.

“Eat well while you can. You don’t know what will happen once we enter the Dark Forest. Maintaining peak physical condition is essential.”

* * *

After finishing lunch, we ran silently until sunset.

Of course, I had summoned Sylph and Ignis, as well as intermediate spirits.

Simply running with the spirits was a form of training.

As the Dark Forest drew closer, I temporarily dismissed the spirits and activated Breath of the Wind, replenishing my mana.

“I’ll look for a campsite nearby.”

I nodded at Riorden’s words.

Riorden selected a few knights and went to scout, while I and the rest waited.

Riorden returned quickly.

The campsite wasn’t far away.

“The path is definitely different from entering from the northern end of the western forest.”

Riorden nodded at my words.

Riorden, David, and the other knights began to prepare the campsite with practiced ease, and the Atlan knights joined in.

“Your Highness.”

Ram approached and spoke to me.

“What’s wrong?”

“We arrived safely at the entrance to the Dark Forest, but the battle will likely begin once we go inside. I don’t think we can avoid the orcs entirely.”

I nodded.

It wasn’t particularly insightful, and everyone expected it.

“The seeds of evil are presumed to be near the main camp of the orc army, so we can’t avoid a confrontation with the orcs. We’ll probably encounter quite a few monsters living in the Dark Forest as well.”

“Our Atlan Knights are the best knights in the Empire.”

“I know.”

I knew it well without being told, so what was the point of saying it?

Ram continued.

“But we lack experience. Experience fighting beings that are not human.”

I narrowed my eyes.

Sensing my cue for him to elaborate, Ram paused to gather his thoughts.

“They are knights who have fought alongside the head of the family, but their opponents have always been other humans.”

I summarized Ram’s words.

“You’re familiar with the battlefield, but you’re not familiar with operations involving numerous unpredictable elements?”

“That’s right.”

“That’s why I included experienced people in the expedition, and that’s why I came myself.”

“Thompson’s wizards are in the same boat.”

I asked directly.

“What are you trying to say?”

“I would appreciate it if Your Highness and your knights would take that into consideration.”

In truth, it wasn’t a significant request, but Ram seemed to be making it while suppressing his pride.

I nodded.

“You don’t have to worry. I’m taking it into consideration. You may lack experience, but as you said, the Atlan Knights are the best knights, so I believe you can perform admirably.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Ram bowed his head and stepped back.

Ken approached.

“Ram is a calculating person after all.”

I asked Ken.

“Why?”

“While asking Your Highness for a favor as if it were nothing, he subtly downplayed himself and the Atlan Knights. Ram will likely continue to engage in this type of conversation with Your Highness.”

Ken continued to explain.

“As these conversations accumulate, you will eventually perceive him as someone who needs protection. You will become careless without even realizing it.”

I understood Ken’s words.

“You mean he’s trying to present himself as weak to exploit my carelessness at a crucial moment?”

Ken agreed.

“Yes.”

I chuckled.

It was a form of psychological warfare, but frankly, it didn’t seem very effective.

If I had been born in the Calpheon Empire and lived as the Crown Prince my whole life, perhaps, but I had only arrived in the Calpheon Empire recently.

‘I was always the weak one. After coming to the Calpheon Empire, my life was constantly threatened. And now someone is feigning weakness with me?’

Ken seemed to think I was underestimating Ram, and he spoke again.

“The human heart is fickle and easily swayed. Psychological warfare is not an operation to be dismissed lightly.”

“Ken, I was always the weak one.”

Ken listened to me silently.

“I was an incompetent Crown Prince, and after changing my ways, I’ve always fought for survival. What do you think is the fundamental reason why I embarked on this expedition?”

Before Ken could answer, I answered myself.

“It’s to survive as the Crown Prince. For the sake of the Empire’s people, to defeat evil? Frankly, I don’t have such grand motivations. That’s just the image I project. You’ve been watching from the sidelines, so you know best that my purpose in coming to the West is solely to protect my position.”

Ken might have been disappointed.

But if I wasn’t honest, I couldn’t truly inspire those who called me their lord to follow me.

“I’m not yet in a position to pursue grand ideals, but to struggle for survival. It’s not too late to dream of ideals after securing my survival. I’m still someone without even a sliver of real power. Only now am I barely gathering people little by little.”

Ken spoke.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I can’t afford to be careless. Carelessness is a luxury you can only afford when you have some power. They are still powerful people harboring malice, and I can’t afford to be careless around them.”

I pointed to Ram and Thompson.

Ken smiled.

I asked Ken slyly.

“Are you disappointed? I accepted your loyalty, promising to pursue ideals together, but I’m only talking about survival?”

“No. If you had started talking about the Empire or the Emperor’s position right now, my head would have ached. It’s difficult to serve a lord who doesn’t know his place. A person who knows himself accurately can move forward more quickly.”

At Ken’s euphemistic expression, I said directly.

“I know my place very well.”

I laughed with Ken.

“It seems like the work is all done. We got through the first day in the Dark Forest safely, but we’ll have to be quite vigilant from tomorrow.”

Ken looked around.

The sun had already set.

I helped illuminate the area with Phoenix and Salamander [likely referring to summoned spirits or magical abilities].

Krrrreung!

“Well, no sooner said than done.”

The campsite instantly became chaotic.

“It doesn’t sound like orcs.”

Orcs don’t make that kind of cry.

The killing intent steadily approached.

It was a significant presence, but it didn’t seem like there were that many individuals.

The source of the sound soon revealed itself.

Krrrreung!

They were wolves.

It was my mistake to assume there weren’t many of them.

They were emitting energy as if they were a single entity. Even the killing intent was unified, as if it originated from one source.

There were easily over a hundred wolves.

“It’s my first time seeing wolves made of bone.”

Those were Ken’s words.