“Did we time travel? And to 3,000 years ago?”
“I don’t know the specifics, but that’s definitely Isborg. It’s exactly as the legends describe.”
It was hard to believe, but I knew Igrid wouldn’t lie.
If that was the case, then this place was definitely not the present.
“But it’s hard to say for sure if it’s time travel. We might still be inside the Illusion Labyrinth.”
“Either way, we need to go back. We have to find that Wizard Lord.”
“Right, finding him is the goal. And he’s also the only clue we have to returning.”
I agreed with Igrid and pulled out the magic tracking tool.
Coincidentally, its needle pointed towards Isborg.
“If it’s not just a coincidence that it’s pointing there, then that guy must be up to something in that city.”
Since we had no other leads, we needed to go there.
I looked at Isborg again.
A city protected by magical ice, like a giant snow globe.
Even the Imperial Capital didn’t enjoy such mystical magical benefits.
“It’s 3,000 years ago, but is the level of magic even higher than now?”
“Some places might be, and some might not.”
As we trudged through the snowy field where the cold wind blew, I kept talking to Igrid to forget the cold.
The black armor I was wearing didn’t provide much insulation, so I had to use Aura to endure it, but I still felt the chilling cold.
I felt like I needed to talk to forget the cold.
“In ancient times, all sorts of legends and mysterious magic were alive. It wouldn’t be strange for there to be people who embraced that power.”
Igrid speculated that Isborg was created using ancient magic that has now been largely lost.
“But I thought human power was weak before the Empire was established?”
Knowing why the Empire Soul was created, I was a little puzzled.
The Empire Soul was created from the long-standing wishes of oppressed humans, but it seemed contradictory that humans possessed such power.
“Of course, that would have been the case. Cities like that wouldn’t have been common. More than anything, there was no force to unite human power.”
“I see, so they weren’t unified at all.”
The threat from other races would have been the same or even greater, but humans couldn’t even unite their forces.
Even if there was such a great city, there would definitely be many other places that were far behind. If they were divided, human power wouldn’t be that strong.
“There are people over there.”
After that conversation, we traversed the snowy field for a while and were able to reach the vicinity of the great city.
It wasn’t clearly visible from afar due to the snowstorm blowing in the field, but there were houses near the city.
It wasn’t uncommon in medieval times for residential areas to form outside the city walls, but it was surprising to see them in such a cold place.
“Hmm? It suddenly feels a bit warmer.”
But as we approached the houses, we felt the cold of the snowy field subside.
It wasn’t enough to melt the snow, but the harsh snowstorm disappeared, and it became just a bit cold.
“It’s thanks to the city’s heating magic. It’s still being used now.”
“That’s amazing. Do they still use it in the Northern Territory? Does that mean they can farm even in winter?”
“No. It doesn’t get that warm. It’s only enough to endure the winter and wait for summer.”
Well, if that level was possible, they wouldn’t just use it in the Northern Territory; they would already be using it elsewhere.
“There are people over there.”
“It’s the city gate. We’ll have to go through there to enter.”
There were houses, but people were staying indoors because of the cold.
Before long, we found the city gate.
People who wanted to enter the city were waiting in front of the gate, undergoing inspection.
“They’re staring at us a lot.”
“I guess we stand out.”
In this place where you’d be cold without clothes made of fur, I was naturally conspicuous in my full black armor.
“What business does a barbarian have here? They don’t look like merchants.”
“Didn’t you know? There’s been trouble at the Frostfire Furnace. I heard they’re recruiting warriors because of it.”
“So they’re even hiring barbarians?”
On the other hand, it seemed the problem was that Igrid looked like a barbarian.
Even 3,000 years ago, the perception of barbarians wasn’t very good.
Igrid seemed used to such gazes, but she didn’t seem happy as she said with a stiff expression.
“Civilized people were rude even back then. They can be rude because they don’t get an axe to the head.”
“Haha… I can’t exactly deny that.”
Although it was a civilized person’s words, it was something I, as an emperor, could really relate to.
Still, Igrid held back, and we waited our turn without causing a commotion.
Before long, our turn was approaching, and we could see soldiers wearing fur hats and armor trimmed with fur, conducting inspections.
“You two… you’re an odd combination for a group. You came all the way here looking like that?”
When it was our turn, the guard who came to inspect us said, looking at the armor covered in white frost from the snow.
“It’s a complicated situation.”
“Judging from the armor style, you seem to be from the south… well, that doesn’t matter. What’s your purpose for visiting? Did you come to answer the warrior recruitment order?”
At the guard’s words, I remembered overhearing the merchants earlier.
I didn’t know the details, but it seemed something had happened in this city, and they were recruiting warriors from outside because of it.
“That’s right. But I don’t know the details. What happened inside?”
“There’s been more trouble at the Frostfire Furnace. Demons seeking the flame cause trouble often, but it seems serious this time.”
The guard sighed with a worried look.
I didn’t know what the Frostfire Furnace was, but it seemed important in context.
“Can’t the city’s army handle it?”
“Most of our forces are out at the fortresses because of the increasingly active demons and other races these days. Moreover, it’s happening sporadically within the city, so it’s a difficult situation.”
The guard added a fairly detailed explanation. He seemed to lack vigilance for a guard, but that’s how desperate they were for warriors from outside.
“Anyway, anyone who came for that reason is welcome. We’ll let you in after a simple body search.”
As the guard said, we underwent a brief, perfunctory body search and were able to pass through the city gate and enter the city.
“Amazing.”
The sight of Isborg from the inside was so magnificent that those words came out naturally.
The entire city seemed to be made of white snow and ice.
Even ordinary-looking small buildings were made of white marble, but more luxurious buildings were decorated with crystals that seemed to be magically made.
Most notably, the huge palace in the center of the city was entirely covered in such crystals, giving the impression that it was carved from ice.
“Frankly, it’s almost rude to compare it to the Imperial Capital.”
“It’s said to have been a great city that remained in legends, so it’s only natural.”
Igrid subtly showed pride as a northerner and responded to my words.
However, despite the grandeur of the city itself, there was a very chaotic atmosphere.
The people walking around the streets, except for the soldiers on strict guard, were mostly merchants or warriors from outside, like the ones we saw at the gate.
Whoosh!
“Guards! It’s a Hell Rift!”
“T, This! It’s demons!”
And I soon found out why.
Suddenly, a blood-red flame appeared in the seemingly peaceful city, and a rift formed in space, creating a portal.
Beyond the portal, beings with blood-red skin covered in burning flames appeared.
They were beings that could only be called demons.
“We’ll have to tour the city later!”
“I’ll take this side.”
The guards and surrounding warriors immediately engaged the demons.
However, they couldn’t easily close the rift spewing out demons with just their forces, so they were gradually being pushed back.
It would require considerable sacrifice to hold out until other city troops arrived as reinforcements.
[Judgment – Holy Sword of Exorcism activated]
[Due to Justice’s high favor towards Eustia, greater damage can be inflicted on evil beings.]
White divine power flowed like electricity through the silver holy sword.
The demons, distracted by fighting others, didn’t immediately recognize me.
Quickly, I dashed through them, slashing them with a sword full of exorcising divine power.
-Krooooaaah!
The ambushed demons couldn’t resist the divine power and fell.
However, as the demons quickly suffered increased damage due to me, they immediately turned their attention to me.
Clang!
Whoosh!
Each time I crossed swords with the demons, the fire attached to their swords tried to burn me as if it had its own will.
“Tricky. It seems demons aren’t easy to deal with, huh?”
I quickly avoided the flames and retreated, but then unexpectedly used momentary acceleration again to switch to a stab.
The demon, not expecting such a quick counterattack, was pierced through the heart.
-Khaaaack!
Pierced through the heart and devoured by divine power through the holy sword, the demon soon disappeared.
“Kalibaal!”
On the other hand, Igrid was doing quite well, as her frost abilities were effective against the demons.
Thanks to that, I didn’t seem to need to worry about her side at least.
“Aren’t they amazing? Where did those two come from?”
“The knight seems to be from the south. The barbarian warrior… I don’t know, I’ve never seen such attire.”
“Anyway, we’re alive thanks to them! Close the rift quickly!”
As the demons’ momentum was broken by my and Igrid’s efforts, the guards and warriors who had regained their composure tried to close the Hell Rift.
Kugugung!
“T, That’s a Hellfire Butcher!”
“Everyone, fall back! You’ll burn if you get close!”
But then, a giant demon, easily over 7 meters tall, appeared from the rift.
A huge, red-skinned demon with scarlet flames burning all over its body breathed hot breaths from a bull-like face and emerged from the rift.
Those who were unlucky enough not to escape in front of it were helplessly burned on the spot.
“Igrid!”
“I’m going!”
I and Igrid immediately charged towards the demon from both sides.
My holy sword and Igrid’s rune sword each created light and cold, aiming for the burning giant’s neck.
-Khuuuuu!
However, the demon unleashed an exploding flame, stopping me and Igrid.
The shock of the explosion forced me and Igrid to temporarily bounce back.
I was about to charge again after landing immediately. But that’s when it happened.
Tadat!
“Here it is, demon.”
-Khu?!
Kwajik!
The demon, pushed back by me and Igrid and paused for a moment, was split from head to toe by a knight’s greatsword that leaped into the gap.
The demon, split in two from head to neck, died without even letting out a proper scream.
“Now’s the chance! Close the rift quickly!”
The huge knight who had cut down the giant demon in one blow immediately ordered the soldiers.
The soldiers immediately ran to the rift as he ordered, destroying the core that maintained the rift and closing it.
“Reinforcements? They’re a bit late, but they came faster than I thought.”
In addition to the knight from just now, the city’s garrison troops could be seen following behind.
I and Igrid had already dealt with the other demons, though.
“You two there, I saw you fighting. Thank you for your help. What are your names?”
Then, the knight who had defeated the giant demon approached us with interest.
“I’d like to hear your name first.”
“Ah, my apologies. Now that I think about it, I wanted to ask about that too. How do you know my name?”
“……? What do you mean? I don’t know your name.”
When I asked him back at his unexpected words, he stroked his chin as if puzzled and said.
“That’s strange, the person next to you clearly shouted my name.”
At those words, not only I but also Igrid looked surprised.
“……Then, perhaps your name is?”
“My name is Kalibaal Varcas. A knight of Isborg. Though I’m a knight, I was a tribesman until recently.”
At those words, Igrid looked even more surprised.
That’s because the god of warriors that northerners like her believe in is ‘Kalibaal’.
Having come to the distant past of 3,000 years ago, she had met him before he became a god.