Thud.
Arthur landed on the ground and rushed towards the woman lying collapsed in front of the vine wall.
Her entire body was covered in wounds.
“Hey!”
Arthur quickly checked her condition.
Her pulse was very weak.
“Damn it!”
As Arthur looked towards the cliff, Millerf descended from the sky.
“Heal, quickly!”
Millerf cast Heal in mid-air.
As the woman received Heal, her injured areas glowed brightly.
After several seconds passed, she regained consciousness.
“Ugh…”
“Are you alright?”
“Wh-who are you?!”
Seeing Arthur, she was startled and tried to get up.
“Huh?”
Noticing that her injuries were completely healed, she subtly glanced at Millerf.
Arthur spoke in a calm voice.
“We found you collapsed and ca to help.”
“Where from?”
“Well…”
If he said they had jumped down from the cliff, would she really believe him? It was more likely she would find it strange, making it awkward to answer.
“What are your identities?”
“Hmm.”
Arthur was reluctant to reveal his identity so abruptly.
More than anything, he was cautious because he had t her in a forbidden zone.
In the awkward situation, he looked at Millerf.
As if reading Arthur’s thoughts, Millerf took a step closer to her and said, “I am Millerf. I am the one who healed you.”
“Are you a wizard?”
Her eyes sparkled.
Millerf gave a benevolent smile and nodded.
“Could you tell us what happened?”
“Please help . My brother is surrounded by ‘Owl Bears’ and is in danger.”
“Owl Bears?”
Millerf’s face hardened.
Arthur, with a face full of questions, asked her, “What are Owl Bears?”
“They’re monsters with an owl’s face and a bear’s physique.”
“Ah…”
He had encountered them while scouting this area with Khan.
They moved in groups of four or five, radiating a fierce aura towards Khan.
Khan, rather than exuding killing intent and pressuring them as he did with other creatures, simply ignored them, suggesting he preferred to avoid confrontation.
They were at least on par with Khan, or even stronger.
They were not to be underestimated.
First, they decided to save her brother.
“Where is he?”
“It’s not far from here. I’ll lead the way.”
She sprang up and moved into the vine forest.
Arthur watched her for a mont, then shifted his gaze to Millerf.
“Wait here.”
“I’ll go too.”
“It’s easier for to move alone.”
“I’ve gained so insight, and I’d like to test it out now. I promise I won’t be a burden.”
“You’ve recovered completely, right?”
“Of course.”
Millerf gave a knowing smile.
“Follow .”
Arthur drew a dagger from his back and swiftly followed her.
***
They ran through the vine forest and into a dense, jungle-like thicket.
Arthur, following the woman, was secretly surprised by her extraordinary agility.
‘How can she move like that…?’
She, too, was surprised by Arthur, who was following her while maintaining a steady distance.
‘Who is this person? He’s keeping up with without any trouble.’
After running for a long ti, both surprised by each other, she suddenly stopped and crouched down.
Arthur, who was following, also crouched and moved beside her.
“Is that the place?”
“H-how did you…”
Her eyes widened.
She rembered the place because she had escaped from there.
However, from their current position, nothing was visible due to the dense trees and forest.
Her curiosity about him grew stronger.
Millerf, who had followed them, also approached and activated Hawkeye to survey the front.
“Hmm…”
A man and a Giant Wolf were surrounded and threatened by Owl Bears.
The man was utterly exhausted and looked as if he would collapse at any mont.
“We need to hurry.”
“Take care of the woman.”
“Please be careful.”
Millerf replied and imdiately cast Fire to prepare for action.
Flas erupted in his hands.
Arthur moved forward agilely.
Ahead, he saw an Owl Bear about three ters tall.
The distance was roughly 20 ters.
It was a distance suitable for a surprise attack.
He had never fought them before, but he had grown strong enough to handle a growth-stage Ogre by himself.
So, he decided to face them with only his dagger.
‘Good, I’ll finish this in one go.’
Arthur drew up his Mana and simultaneously darted towards the creatures.
Growl.
The Owl Bear, which had been facing off against the man, radiating a fierce aura, suddenly flashed its eyes and spun around.
At the sa ti, Arthur kicked off the ground, leaped, and plunged his dagger into the creature’s head.
Thwack!
Its head split in half, and blood splattered everywhere.
Kuaaaah!
Kuaa!
The other creatures radiated killing intent and charged at Arthur.
Their fists flew sharply from all directions.
Arthur moved his body back and forth, dodging their attacks, and swung his dagger.
Their arms were severed, and blood sprayed.
Arthur shouted towards the man.
“Run forward!”
“...?”
The man was bewildered by the sudden turn of events.
“Brother!”
“Linda?”
His eyes flashed, and he looked towards the source of the voice.
Linda was waving her hand, accompanied by a man in a robe.
Seeing that the girl who went to seek help was safe, he felt relieved.
He wasn’t sure what had happened, but he decided to escape the situation for now.
“Ron, let’s go.”
Just as the man was about to rush towards Linda with the Giant Wolf, an Owl Bear charged and swung its huge, rock-like fist.
“Damn it!”
He was caught off guard, unable to move.
Ron, the Giant Wolf, fiercely lunged and bit the creature’s hand.
Grrr-!
Kuaaaah!
The Owl Bear swung its arm with all its might, sending Ron flying helplessly.
Whine! Whine!
Grrr!
Just as the Owl Bear, radiating killing intent, was about to swing its hand at the man again,
Thwack!
A fireball struck its face.
Kuaaaah!
As the Owl Bear thrashed its head wildly, Arthur swiftly darted in and plunged his dagger into its heart.
Gurgle!
The Owl Bear stiffened like stone and toppled backward.
Thud!
Having dealt with all three creatures in an instant, he told the man,
“Run!”
The man ran towards Linda, shouting at Ron,
“Get up!”
Ron struggled to his feet and chased after him.
Arthur looked around, wondering if other monsters might appear.
Fortunately, no monster presence was detected.
Millerf also did not let down his guard until they had moved to a safe distance.
A mont later, sensing no further presence, Arthur swiftly exited the area.
When Arthur erged from the vine forest, they were waiting.
“Are you alright?”
Millerf approached and checked his condition.
The attack power of an Owl Bear was comparable to ten Orc warriors.
Yet, Arthur, who had faced three such creatures alone, was completely unhard, without even a scratch.
“Truly amazing.”
Millerf looked at Arthur with a look of awe.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Arthur walked towards Linda and the man.
The man approached Arthur and bowed his head.
“Thank you for your help.”
Arthur examined his condition and said to Millerf,
“Please heal him here.”
“Yes.”
Millerf imdiately cast Heal and treated his wounds.
“Thank you very much.”
Gratitude was evident on the man’s face.
Arthur looked at Linda and asked,
“Now, could you tell us what happened?”
Linda t Arthur’s gaze, seed to ponder carefully, then her eyes suddenly flashed.
“Huh?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Could you show your necklace for a mont?”
“...?”
Arthur was slightly flustered by the sudden request.
However, thinking that it might be related to the necklace again, he nodded.
He pulled the necklace out from under his clothes so it was clearly visible.
The mont Linda saw the dragon emblem on the pendant, her eyes went wide.
“Oh, Brother…”
The man also saw the dragon emblem and stared intently at Arthur.
Co to think of it, black hair and golden eyes.
“What is your relationship with the House of Count Julius?”
“Why do you ask?”
“It’s very important to .”
Seeing the desperation on the man’s face, Arthur had a premonition that he might be connected to the House of Julius.
So, he decided to reveal who he was.
“Arthur Julius.”
“Of the House of Julius…”
The man’s hands trembled.
Arthur, seeing his reaction, decided to reveal his full identity.
“I am also the Head of the House of Count Julius.”
“...!”
Suddenly, the man’s eyes widened, and he clenched his fists. Then, he knelt on one knee and bowed his head.
“I, Drakan Lannister, greet the Head of the Family.”
“Lannister?”
Arthur looked puzzled.
Millerf, on the other hand, stood with his mouth agape.
“Th-this can’t be…”
Sothing incredible had happened.
The House of Count Julius had a vassal family that had sworn loyalty to them.
It was the House of Baron Lannister.
They had been located west of Grada Territory but had suddenly vanished without a trace one day.
Now, after more than 20 years, a descendant of Lannister had appeared in the forbidden zone.
They were bewildered as to what exactly had happened.
“Are you truly Drakan?”
“You know ?”
“Of course. I blessed you when you were born.”
“Then you must also know my father.”
“Naturally. Lord Zevra was like a brother to .”
“Ah…”
Drakan’s face brightened.
“So, where are your father and mother now?”
“They passed away.”
“Oh dear.”
Millerf’s face contorted.
Drakan shifted his gaze to Arthur and said,
“There’s sothing I need to show you.”
As Arthur nodded, Drakan quickly stood up and told Linda,
“Go and tell them this news.”
“Okay.”
Linda ran with Ron to the opposite side of the vine forest.
Drakan looked between Arthur and Millerf and said,
“Please follow .”
He led the way along the path Linda had taken.
Arthur and Millerf followed Drakan to a place blocked by a wall.
‘What’s in there?’
After walking about 20 ters along the wall, a vine forest appeared.
Drakan entered through a large opening in the vine forest.
“Huh? A path here?”
Arthur was surprised and followed him.
Following the path made of intertwined vines, they arrived at a vast plaza.
“What is this?”
Arthur’s eyes widened.
Millerf also looked bewildered as a plaza appeared in such an unexpected place.
Looking around, it seed to have been carved out of the inside of the cliff.
An impossible feat for human ability.
‘Lord Rumakas must have created this.’
Drakan stood in the center of the plaza and let out a loud, wolf-like howl.
“Awooooo-!”
The howl echoed through the plaza.
A mont later, people appeared from various places.
Each one was a man radiating a powerful aura, holding a black spear, and beside them was a Giant Wolf exuding a chilling aura.
Among them, a white-haired elder approached Drakan, supported by Linda.
“The Head of the House of Julius has co?”
“This is he.”
As Drakan respectfully indicated Arthur, the elder asked Arthur seriously,
“Would you show the symbol of the Head of the Family?”
Arthur silently showed the ring on his finger.
The elder looked at the ring, his eyes wavered, and he stared intently at Arthur.
Black hair and golden eyes, symbolizing the House of Count Julius.
Above all, Arthur’s face, which bore a striking resemblance to Malcolm Julius, made tears stream down his face without him realizing it.
“You have finally arrived.”
The elder knelt on one knee and bowed his head.
Then, all the people who had appeared in the plaza knelt towards Arthur and paid their respects.
“What is all this…?”
Arthur, flustered by their reaction, looked at Millerf.
Millerf, with a flushed face, approached and asked the elder in a trembling voice,
“S-Sir Ralph…?”
“...!”
The elder’s eyes widened, and he raised his head.
He saw Millerf, dressed in a white robe, and a deep smile spread across his lips.
“It’s been a long ti.”
Millerf also smiled and said to Arthur,
“These are the Lannister family, vassals of the House of Julius.”
“There’s a vassal family?”
“I will explain.”
Millerf explained who they were to the House of Julius and why they had been forgotten in everyone’s mory.
No one moved until the long explanation was over.
These were the descendants of the Phoenix Knights who had once fought alongside Teheran.
“I see.”
Arthur extended his hand to Ralph.
“Please rise.”
“Yes.”
Ralph took his hand with trembling hands and stood up. Then Drakan turned around and shouted with all his might,
“For the Golden Glory!”
Then, everyone simultaneously struck the ground with their spears and shouted,
“Spears of the Empire!”
The ground trembled, and the plaza echoed loudly.
A shiver ran down Arthur’s spine from their spirit.
‘Incredible.’
Ralph asked,
“Was it you, Head of the Family, who defeated the Ogre a few days ago?”
When Arthur nodded, Ralph’s face darkened.
“So it was you.”
“Why do you ask?”
As Millerf looked puzzled, Ralph looked between him and Arthur and said,
“It seems the order of this place has been broken.”
“Order?”
“With the disappearance of the Ogre that once reigned, the creatures that had been hiding have begun to erge. Now, their power struggle will begin, and once it’s sowhat settled…”
Ralph swallowed hard and continued,
“They will advance towards Grada Territory.”
“Oh no!”
Millerf’s face contorted.
That must be why the dragon emblem carved on the cliff had grown larger.
Arthur looked at Ralph with a serious expression.
“More importantly, I need to know why the Lannister family abandoned everything and ca here.”
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