Chapter 79: Return to the North (1)
The next day—
I finished preparing to leave early in the morning.
I had already said my farewells over drinks yesterday. Even if I disappeared without a word, they would simply assu I had left.
Still—
Perhaps because we had spent a year together—
I felt a strange sense of regret.
And that made even more satisfied.
To feel regret ant it had been a good connection.
And that ant—
There was sothing to look forward to when we t again.
With a faint smile, I set off for my holand.
From Bulgarutu to Elphrel was quite far.
Even on horseback, it would take at least five months.
Running on foot might shorten the ti—
But there was a chance my inner force would run dry midway.
There was no need to push myself that far.
Thus, three months passed.
I still hadn’t reached the North.
The Empire’s land was far larger than I had expected.
At this rate, I would have to start running to arrive on ti.
I sold my horse at a nearby village.
My wallet beca heavy.
‘This is more than I need…’
It felt like the kind of money that would attract trouble—
Pickpockets. Thieves.
All sorts of pests drawn to wealth.
Nearby, I saw children begging.
I gave them food, lightening my wallet.
Ignoring their chatter asking for my na—
I began running again.
Another month passed.
At this point, I regretted ever using a horse.
Contrary to my expectations, my inner force wasn’t lacking—
It was overflowing.
Mana herbs, the energy of the World Tree—
Various powers had seeped into my body.
As a result, my inner force had more than doubled.
By Martial Alliance standards—
It was nearing a full Gapja.
Even the young masters of the Five Great Families, raised on rare elixirs, couldn’t achieve such a level.
Unless one consud a thousand-year-old ginseng—
This amount was impossible.
And I was only sixteen.
Considering how much more I could accumulate—
It was astonishing.
Satisfied, I increased my speed.
Half a month later—
I finally arrived at the Territory of Withers.
The gateway to the North.
“Leon?”
Soone called my na.
A familiar voice.
“Jaelidov Withers.”
“Ah! My friend Leon!”
Jaelidov spread his arms wide.
“It’s been a while! You’ve returned!”
“I had so business. But what are you doing?”
“Can’t you see? Farming!”
Jaelidov—
The heir of Withers—
Was plowing fields among the villagers.
“What I’m asking is why you’re farming. You’re the future Northern Frontier Count.”
“Well… the North’s weather has been terrible lately. I’m researching crops that can grow even in this cold.”
“With your people?”
“Seeing is believing. Better than just listening to their concerns.”
“…Makes sense.”
It wasn’t sothing other nobles would ever do.
But I had already placed Withers outside the Empire’s norms.
So I let it pass.
“Anyway, why are you here? Passing through on your way to Elphrel?”
I had no intention of stopping—
But his bright expression made nod.
“Good! Then I must treat my friend to a proper al!”
He tossed aside his tools and put his shoes back on.
“Co! My grandfather will welco you!”
He strode toward the castle.
I followed silently.
At the castle gates—
Soldiers stared at .
But soon—
“Oh, it’s Leon.”
“The Conqueror’s son?”
Recognition spread, and their gazes eased.
‘No one’s questioning the fact that he was farming…’
The Empire—
Yet it carried the scent of Elphrel.
“Young Lord!!”
A voice called out.
Turning, I saw Kael, his face flushed.
“How many tis must I tell you? Leave the farming to the villagers!”
“Kael! That’s not important! Leon is back!”
Kael’s eyes widened.
“Ah! I see. I will inform the Count. Please wait.”
He hurried toward Count Reinhardt Withers’s office.
Jaelidov muttered,
“See? He doesn’t actually care. Just pretends because he’s my grandfather’s aide.”
…Was that gossip?
I simply nodded.
He had beco even less like a noble.
‘Can he even get married like that?’
Then—
I was summoned.
With sothing to discuss.
I sighed and headed to the office.
And upon entering—
“…Father?”
Sitting there—
Drinking tea—
Was Zeke Fritz.
“Why are you here?”
“Is it strange to drink tea with a friend?”
“…Ah.”
I had forgotten.
Zeke and Reinhardt were friends.
Still—
It was rare for him to co here.
But—
That worked in my favor.
I had things to tell him.
Srrrp—
Zeke watched quietly as he sipped his tea.
Then—
“You’ve grown stronger. Far beyond your age.”
“Thank you.”
“I can feel it. Tell what you’ve experienced.”
So I did.
Everything—
The forgotten Empire.
World Tree, Yggdrasil.
Battles against Demon Beasts.
And finally—
The Demon Race.
And the Demon Gods.
It sounded like a fairy tale.
Had it not been —
No one would believe it.
“Hahaha… Zeke. It seems your concerns were not unfounded.”
Reinhardt laughed bitterly.
“Leon, I’ve already heard about the World Tree. The Emperor ca to personally.”
“Emperor… himself?”
“It was that serious. And after eting him—I realized. He has grown stronger than .”
My eyes widened.
Stronger than Reinhardt?
Even the Seven Apostles barely compared to him.
Yet—
The Emperor surpassed him?
‘I see… so that’s why the World Tree didn’t simply grant power for free.’
“I fought him myself. Despite lacking real combat experience, he matched evenly. With experience… he will surpass . Aside from Zeke, I’ve never felt overwheld by another human.”
Reinhardt smiled bitterly.
A lifeti of training—
Yet surpassed by soone who gained power overnight.
And now—
The existence of the Demon Gods.
It was enough to shake anyone.
Yet—
Zeke was smiling.
His eyes burned with excitent.
“So that’s it. The path I walked was only a fragnt. The world truly is vast.”
He was thrilled.
“To think the Demon King was rely a stepping stone. The true end lies with the Demon Gods.”
He stood up.
“Leon. Reinhardt. Co with .”
“To Elphrel?”
“Yes.”
Reinhardt hesitated.
“I am a noble of the Empire. I need the Emperor’s permission—”
“What if your territory falls?”
“…!”
Silence.
He knew.
War would co.
And survival required strength.
“My friend. What are you hesitating for? What you wish to protect is your land and people. Ask your heart.”
Zeke—
Had already decided.
Even after learning of beings beyond comprehension—
He did not waver.
“Choose. Fight—or run.”
“….”
Reinhardt fell silent.
Then—
“…Wait. I need to prepare soone to manage Withers in my absence.”
“Be quick.”
With that—
He left.
Calling for Kael.
His footsteps—
Heavy.
Watching him go—
I thought—
‘Was Jeozudin the sa?’
To humans—
He was an Evil God.
But—
He had only two family mbers.
Solar.
And Yggdrasil.
Humans—
Were nothing but ants.
If those ants threatened his family—
Wouldn’t anyone choose the sa?
‘I would.’
Family over countless ants.
Yet—
He was destroyed.
By the very family he tried to protect.
Because of those ants.
‘…That’s unfortunate.’
I shook my head quietly.
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