The Rebirth Of The Hero’S Party’S Archmage [EN]: Chapter 132

The Seogyu Gate of the Frostpeak Fortress also featured the Clearfall Water Gate, but the lintel [horizontal support above a doorway] of the water gate collected the sacred waterfall, leaving the tunnel wide open.

It was a path from this vast, achromatic [without color] world to a world of extreme color.

At the threshold of that path, Kiran Wolf Blado, the crimson-haired youth leading the column of Beastmen, embraced us tightly.

“You’re safe… I was so worried.”

There’s no need to explain how warmly those words resonated in our hearts.

Kiran didn’t pry into what had happened beyond the barrier. Perhaps he was considerate of our exhaustion, or maybe he had heard the story from the warriors who arrived earlier.

Instead, he saw Akirea sleeping on my head, gave me a sad smile as if he understood everything, and even surprised me by giving a formal aristocratic bow.

“I greet the Avatar of Alakish.”

Next, I spoke with Gryphon, the leader of the warriors. With one wing severed, he could no longer fly.

“I heard that you opened the gate of the barrier. I don’t know how to repay this debt.”

“Please don’t mention it. It’s a small reward compared to what you have done for this world.”

Kiran extended his hand to Gryphon.

“You have worked hard for 1,400 years to fulfill your mission. Now, we will carry on your will.”

Gryphon, who had been watching Kiran’s attitude with surprise, finally grasped his hand.

At the same time, the wolves under Kiran shook hands with Gryphon’s warriors. It was a truly historic moment, or rather, what should have been a normal sight, but everything had been twisted.

Just thinking about that 5-star possessed spirit made me sweat… I had to return to the Empire as soon as possible and investigate the whole story.

“I would love for you to stay here, take care of the injured, and relieve the fatigue of the forced march, but…”

Kiran let out a bitter sigh, looking apologetic.

Instead, Kiran brought out a large amount of supplies needed for the expedition from the supply depot of Seogyu Gate, such as cold-weather gear, smoked ham, and oats, and loaded them onto wagons.

The barrier always anticipated large-scale expeditions and sieges, so a large amount of food was stored. Perhaps because of that preparation, the supplies were enough to fill thirty four-wheeled wagons.

“Kiran, is this okay?”

“I’m already a traitor who has violated the military regulations of the barrier by opening the gate. Who would say anything if I violated them a little more?”

“But… just come with us!”

“No, desertion is a huge crime, and I would be immediately beheaded without the protection of my family.”

Kiran patted Kasena on the shoulder as if to tell her not to worry too much, and then approached me.

I was sitting on the side of the road, catching my breath.

Because of the wound in my side that had been pierced by Shar’Kass, blood kept oozing out, and I was out of breath even after walking a little.

“Listen carefully, Rain. From now on, you have to take the Beastmen through Trident Point.”

To briefly explain the geography of Trident Point, as the name suggests, there are three capes that exist side by side like a trident, called First Finger, Second Finger, and Third Finger from the left.

The Third Finger, which is close to the western part of the Empire, has a port called the Far West Branch, which is the base for adventurers exploring this cursed land.

In order to move the Beastmen to the Empire, I had to rent a ship from here.

“It’s not as bad as Harbardonia, but it’s still a tough land. I wanted to help in any way I could, so I searched through various books and made a map, but…”

Kiran handed me a scroll.

It was a scroll sealed with a sturdy leather strap, and it contained rough geographical information about Trident Point.

I was once again moved by Kiran’s sincerity. It wouldn’t be bad to just accept it, but let’s make sure to clarify it so he doesn’t worry unnecessarily.

“Thank you, but it’s okay.”

“Hmm?”

“Frisvia has assigned me a guide. He’s coming from behind.”

Frisvia… Kiran pondered the name, smiled in amazement, and patted me on the shoulder.

“That notoriously picky person is helping you; you’re really lucky. That must mean you’re a good person.”

“Me? No, I’m…”

“Even not being arrogant is perfect. Then Rain, see you later. I can buy you about two days.”

I don’t think the White Wolf Squad, which has already suffered devastating damage, will chase after the Beastmen, but who knows what they might do, burning with hatred.

I was also worried about Kiran’s situation, but in the current situation, it was best to quickly disperse and fend for ourselves.

I took Kiran’s hand and stood up. Kiran grabbed my shoulder tightly and smiled.

“May the blessings of the gods be with you on your way.”

“Same to you, Kiran. Let’s meet again someday.”

Amidst the fifty or so wolves led by Kiran saluting, the large procession of Beastmen left Seogyu Gate.

The journey was not over yet.

We had to cross Trident Point, the land where the ancient labyrinth was gaping open, a lawless zone teeming with first-rate adventurers.

* * *

Madellia Page stared blankly into the air, then turned her head to the window.

Warm sunlight and humid summer breezes blew in from the arched windows that filled the eight sides.

In the relentless flow of time, with no time to grieve, Dellaiten held its opening ceremony, and Madellia returned to her duties at Marchena’s persuasion.

“…….”

Returned, she had returned, but… she couldn’t do anything because of the laughter of her daughter that brushed past her ears from time to time.

Nothing, nothing.

That’s why she goes to the university president’s office but mostly spends her days staring blankly into the air like this.

– Just hold her funeral like the Ludwig family did. If you can’t let her go, you’ll fall apart too.

Marchena advised her, but she couldn’t follow those words…

Kill her daughter.

Admit that her daughter was dead.

Fortunately, her husband Yuren agreed with her, and Kasena was still recorded as missing. Rain, who had been given a funeral, was officially recognized as dead.

“Your Excellency, Your Excellency!”

At that time, her secretary, Kennith, rushed in with a letter. Madellia glared at him with a nervous look.

“That’s enough. I told you to handle any urgent business.”

“This, this is something you must see!”

“I said that’s enough.”

“Your Excellency, it’s about Miss Kasena! It says that she is alive!”

Madellia’s movement to wave her hand stopped, and the thoughts in her head froze for a moment.

What?

What did you say?

It took a tremendous amount of time to receive the signal transmitted to the brain through the auditory organs. In the meantime, Kennith approached and politely offered the letter.

“It was sent by Kiran Wolf Blado. He says that Miss has passed through the barrier.”

Kiran, that guy is at the Arctic barrier, how could he send a letter about Kasena?

Kiran was the second son of the Blado Count family and an excellent young wizard who joined the White Wolf Squad in the year he came of age.

But Kasena disappeared in the southeastern part of the Empire, the Blade Peninsula… Even as she thought that, Madellia was reading the letter.

To Her Excellency Madellia Page.

Your Excellency, have you been well? This is Kiran Wolf Blado, greeting you after 10 years.

Please forgive the rudeness of having to get straight to the point. I am sending this letter urgently before being imprisoned in White Bone.

First of all, although it is hard to believe, I will convey the most joyous truth.

Kasena Page is alive. Her face was swollen from crying a lot, but she passed through Seogyu Gate today in a very healthy state.

The problem is that she is with 200,000 Beastmen. I opened the door for them.

An unprecedented disturbance is expected in the West… If it is not Your Excellency, the leader of the Magic Society and possessing a status comparable to that of a Prince-Elector [one of the nobles entitled to elect the Holy Roman Emperor], there is no one who can mediate the situation…

In the blurry and turbulent vision, the rest of the content did not enter her head.

Alive?

Kasena, that child is alive?

It didn’t matter how she got there, why she passed through the barrier, or why she was with the Beastmen. The only thing that mattered was this.

“Kasena is alive…”

When she came to her senses, she had unconsciously gotten up from her seat. After taking a moment to catch her breath, she immediately kicked open the door and ran out.

“I’m going to the West right now.”

Kennith didn’t say anything like there was a mountain of work to be done now, or that Your Excellency had academic schedules to take care of after the opening ceremony.

He just bowed his head.

Because he knew what was most important to Madellia and the Page family right now.

“I will summon all the Magic Guards.”

“Um, I’ll take all the Guardian Knights with me too. I’ll gather only the elite troops and go. Give me an hour. I’ll buy supplies from the cities we pass through, so quickly prepare the soldiers and money.”

“I’ll finish it in 30 minutes, Your Excellency.”

* * *

Adventurers chase the unknown fear.

Forgotten ancient labyrinths or ruined old kings’ fortresses, which ordinary people are reluctant to even approach, are nothing more than a habitat for them.

Trident Point has been regarded as a sacred place for these bizarre people who enjoy the eerie thrill that only adventure can give.

I could tell the reason at once, even before setting foot in it.

“It’s a swamp everywhere…”

The ground was soggy.

It was a sensation I had been feeling ever since I passed through the Seogyu Gate of Frostpeak Fortress two days ago and entered Trident Point.

Even though it was cold enough, though not as cold as Harbardonia… the fact that the ground was not frozen at all was strangely ominous.

“There’s no need to exaggerate. This is the surface, and the vegetation and terrain are relatively gentle.”

Eldvige, a boy equipped with mechanical armor, retorted bluntly to my mutterings.

He was a Gold-ranked adventurer assigned by Frisvia as a guide, and he was skillfully guiding us through the eerie swamps and desolate jungles.

Considering the characteristics of the Aein, whose appearance stops growing in adolescence, the possibility that he is in his 20s or 30s cannot be ruled out.

“Then are there worse places?”

“Trident Point is a land of labyrinths. There is a labyrinth entrance every other step. There’s one right over there.”

The entrances to the labyrinths were hidden by shady bushes or behind strange rock walls.

But if I kept looking at them, I felt something ominous enough to make my liver cold. It felt like an indescribable being was staring at me…

Kasena, who was next to me, clenched her fist tightly, revealing her excitement for the land of adventure.

“Don’t you know? Trident Point is said to have labyrinths connected to each other underground.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, so they divide the layers according to depth! 1st Deep Layer, 2nd Deep Layer, 3rd Deep Layer… The 4th Deep Layer is the end of what adventurers have been able to explore so far! This is the surface layer!”

While she was talking with such an excited and flushed expression, the smile suddenly disappeared from her face, and her eyes were filled with gloom.

“Awoo, awoo!”

Akirea, who was hanging on my head, waved her arms vigorously as if responding to Kasena’s excited voice, probably because the sadness of losing Alakish had struck her.

“How many floors has Frisvia been to?”

“3rd floor. She could have gone further down, but she didn’t like this place.”

“Why?”

“Because there are too many things to be careful about.”

Too many things to be careful about… No matter what, is it as bad as Harbardonia, where Beastmen warriors, the dead, and old things appear from time to time?

Perhaps Eldvige didn’t like the way I was tilting my head, so he gave me the answer with a sulky sigh.

“Humans, you humans.”

At first, I had to tilt my head thinking he was joking, but there was no playfulness in the voice coming from inside the optical helmet.

“Let me make one thing clear. The reason you were able to persuade the Beastmen and wolves was because they were a group bound by a single mission or discipline. But what about adventurers? No.”

“……!”

“Those hooligans live as they please. Some days they kill and steal from someone, and other days they protect them. It’s all up to them. The guys you have to meet now are those kinds of guys.”

Perhaps because she had a fantasy about the profession of adventurer, Kasena blinked in confusion at the reality of the adventurer that Eldvige pointed out one by one.

“It’s not over just by persuading one person. If you can’t give them what they want… you better be prepared.”