Ch.165EP.39 – Two Men Go All the Way (8)

In his past life, one of the types of people Ihan envied were those who traveled abroad without hesitation.

He was needlessly envious of the “luxury” of traveling to countries with different races and languages.

For someone who struggled to make ends meet and couldn’t even dream of domestic travel, foreign countries might as well have been another world.

In his early twenties, he felt both envious and resentful of such people.

That was just immaturity, proof that he was still young.

But after growing a bit older, though not through international travel, he realized something through domestic trips.

“Ah, travel isn’t just about having fun—it’s also education that broadens your perspective and thinking.”

So he set a goal.

After military service, he would board a plane and travel.

He wanted to gain experience and experience the culture and environment of new countries.

Perhaps it was adventure spirit, or evidence that he too possessed curiosity.

It was a moment of creating a bucket list for his life.

…It was a moment, but…

“…If I’d known things would turn out this way, I would have traveled across Europe right after discharge. Sigh, why did I pinch pennies so much when you can’t take money with you when you die…”

“…”

“Don’t you think so too?”

“I-I’m not sure… what you’re talking about, Sir Knight…”

“Why?”

“?”

“Why don’t you understand?”

“…”

“Why don’t you understand, you bandit bastards!”

WHACK!

“AAAGH!”

“P-please forgive us!”

“M-mother…”

Ihan beat up the bandits.

They were caught by him while plundering villagers, and Ihan had crippled each of their arms, shoulders, or legs.

Now these bandits would have to worry about daily living, let alone thievery.

“These bastards, I’m being kind enough to talk to them and they can’t even understand.”

“I wonder who would understand. You’re spacing out alone, then suddenly demanding empathy—who would agree?”

“That’s not my problem.”

“…Madman.”

“Ha, look who’s calling who a madman.”

Ihan had only crippled them, not completely severed their limbs.

But that guy…

“He turned them into minced meat.”

“…”

“If I’m a madman, are you a butcher?”

“…That’s occupational discrimination.”

“Oh really?”

It was strange hearing such remarks from that guy.

Perhaps his verbal skills were improving through these arguments.

Just then.

“Knights, thank you so much. I don’t know how to repay you for this…”

The village chief of the slash-and-burn farmers approached to express his gratitude.

He appeared to be a relatively young chief in his early forties, seemingly a retired mercenary.

His muscles had sagged a bit, but he probably still had some skills.

“No need for thanks. Someone like you could have handled it alone, I think.”

“Even if possible, the villagers would have suffered greatly. I would have been seriously injured too.”

The chief had already witnessed the knights’ prowess as they instantly wiped out over a hundred bandits.

So he knew.

These men were strong.

Even during his youth as a mercenary, he had never seen knights of their caliber.

The natural aura they emitted was no less than that of a great general he had once seen on the battlefield.

While grateful for their help, the chief could only wonder why such men had come to these deep mountains.

“Well, take care of the rest yourself. I don’t care whether you use them for labor or kill them.”

“Thank you, but why not stay the night before leaving…”

“We’re in a hurry.”

“Thanks for the offer.”

The two knights shook their heads and, with a brief greeting, dashed away.

They moved with the speed of horses, creating a gust of wind with their incredible pace.

“…Haha, I feel like I’ve been enchanted by fairies.”

They clearly ran up the mountain, but their figures were already out of sight.

Even wild animals would struggle to climb that fast.

…But.

“Why are they climbing that mountain?”

The chief tilted his head in confusion.

The Red Mountain Range.

As he watched the knights climbing this massive mountain range that separated the south and central regions, also known as the “Mountain Range of Despair,” the chief could only wonder.

After all, going that way…

“It’s just full of cliffs… Surely they don’t intend to cross over to the Central Continent?”

…No way!

“Haha, of course not. What madman would think of crossing the Red Mountain Range to reach the Central Continent? Ahaha!”

The idea seemed absurd even to himself.

The Red Mountain Range was a place even suicidal people avoided.

Crossing the Red Mountain Range to reach the Central Continent—even though he thought of it himself…

“What a foolish idea.”

“So if we just cross this mountain range, we can easily reach the Central Continent?”

“Although the terrain is treacherous with many cliffs, poisonous creatures, magical beasts, and natural mazes, this is the shortcut if you want to arrive within four days.”

“Hmm, the first part sounds concerning, but if it’s a shortcut…”

Many cliffs, poisonous creatures and magical beasts?

Well, that’s possible.

Natural “wonders” forming a maze?

Well, similar to Vulcan.

In other words.

“It is a shortcut.”

Ihan quickly accepted it.

* * *

– Do you really have to go?

The previous dawn.

That’s what she had said when he told her he would hand over the spellcaster to Isis and leave immediately.

He could still see her face with that incredulous expression.

– The Empire? The Central Continent? Do you know how far that is?

– To be precise, I’m going to the Magic Tower.

– That’s the same thing. Even if a person walks diligently, it takes at least a month.

– What if I run instead of walking?

– …Since when did you learn to bark with your mouth?

– …Your words are quite harsh.

She looked displeased.

Well, who would react positively to someone saying they’re going to the Empire?

But he had no choice.

– The spellcaster is there, so I have no choice. I have to go kill—no, beat him up.

– …Isn’t killing or beating someone up basically the same thing?

– Anyway, I’m leaving now. You take care of the Sultan. I’m trusting you with this.

– Who do you think you’re talking to?

– Anyway, I’m going.

– Haah….

Unable to wish him a safe journey, she briefly rubbed her face and then…

– …Come back quickly.

– I know. I only got 8 days of leave anyway, so I need to return soon.

– Such a needlessly diligent fellow…

With such encouragement and support(?), Ihan left the royal capital and found a guide waiting for him.

– …Why are you here?

– By His Majesty’s order.

– Sigh, this seems like the wrong personnel choice-.

– …Ungrateful rogue!

Whether Galahad genuinely wanted to help or knew the Magic Tower was after the magic sword, he had assigned the spear-wielder to accompany Ihan.

Though they had a hostile relationship, Ihan still acknowledged his skill as a knight.

– If you can’t keep up, I’ll leave you behind, so follow well.

– …What an unfriendly guide.

After some bickering, they ran.

They had shed their cumbersome armor, with Ihan carrying only a sword and axe, and the spear-wielder holding just his spear. Without any conversation, they ran at full speed.

The other knight didn’t slow down at all, seemingly ready to leave Ihan behind if he couldn’t keep up.

Whether running through fields and mountains, or climbing cliffs, he maintained his pace.

He ran up cliffs as if they were flat ground, demonstrating why he had the right to be arrogant, and Ihan followed in a similar manner.

How could they run as if defying the laws of physics?

– Just run before you fall.

– It’s possible if you use your toe strength.

– ??

– ?

Their opinions differed, but what mattered was that they could skillfully run up cliffs.

After running at full speed for half a day, crossing mountains and cliffs, they eventually entered the Red Mountain Range.

Normally, to reach the Central Continent where the Empire was located, one would need to take a roundabout route and cross wide rivers by boat. The Red Mountain Range was the only direct path to the Central Continent.

But no one ever considered crossing the Red Mountain Range.

Especially not after 300 years ago, when the Empire’s 100,000 troops all perished trying to cross it.

In other words, they had voluntarily entered a mountain range that had killed 100,000 troops, creating their own path that wasn’t even on any map.

But.

‘It’s a shortcut, so it doesn’t matter!’

It’s faster, so it doesn’t matter.

They ran and ran.

“……”

“……”

After entering the Red Mountain Range, their conversation ceased.

Or more accurately, it had to cease.

[Krr!]

[Kaaa!!]

[kieee!!]

Endless magical beasts that inhabited the Red Mountain Range poured out.

Goblins and trolls were basic, and they also had to face plant-type magical beasts called wood demons.

While these plant-type magical beasts commonly grew in mountains, the Red Mountain Range was filled with them.

Crack! Squish!!

But no matter what magical beasts appeared, they slashed, tore, and crushed them as they pressed forward.

Without stopping, they slaughtered all the magical beasts.

Dealing with magical beasts in the Red Mountain Range was actually easy.

They just had to kill them, that was all.

What was more difficult was…

RUMBLE!

“Another earthquake.”

“The wind is gusting… Looks like rockslides are about to start.”

What’s known as the mountain’s rage, or the mountain’s mischief, had begun.

The Red Mountain Range, like Vulcan, is a mountain range imbued with mystery.

It’s not as sacred as Vulcan. It feels somewhat childish in comparison.

And being childish means…

RUMBLE!!

It’s unpredictable and impossible to read.

Earthquakes occur, rocks fall, and gusts of wind sweep everything away.

WHOOSH!

The rain poured down madly, making it hard to see, and thick fog spread, obscuring even the path.

WHOOSH!

The sticky, thick fog finally obstructed their vision, and eventually…

PAT PAT PAT!

Hail began to fall.

Hailstones larger than an adult’s fist poured down from the sky.

Yet…

PAT PAT PAT!

“Are we still on the right path?”

“If you don’t trust me, go separately.”

“I’m just asking, why so sharp?”

“Don’t disturb my concentration.”

“You’re so sensitive.”

“!!?”

“Look ahead, ahead.”

Despite the mountain’s interference, they just kept running.

They had already spent two nights running without rest, but they showed no signs of fatigue.

When hungry, they ate dried jerky and fruit; they even drank water while running.

Only forward.

Occasionally they encountered cliffs or rivers, but they leaped over cliffs with a single jump and swam across rivers.

No natural obstacle could impede their progress.

Earthquakes were to be overcome.

Gusts were to be endured.

Rockslides were mere hindrances.

Fog and torrential rain were somewhat troublesome, but even those couldn’t stop their advance.

…Perhaps annoyed by their persistence?

WHOOSH!

Suddenly, the mountain’s temperature rose dramatically.

An unbearable heat surrounded them, and eventually…

WHOOSH!

“…It seems this mountain doesn’t like us.”

“More precisely, it dislikes humans.”

“Same difference.”

A massive forest fire broke out.

A huge forest fire that seemed intent on burning them alive.

A truly unexpected major conflagration.

It was a sudden fire with little causal relationship, and trying to push through it would be suicidal.

But.

“We’re going through.”

“……”

For them, this wasn’t even an obstacle.

CRACK!

Ihan uprooted a tree with both hands.

It was an enormous tree weighing about 5,000 kilograms, but Ihan now had the “strength” to easily uproot such trees.

In the past, he would have needed the help of an elderly spellcaster for such a feat, but the now-grown Ihan could perform this technique alone.

– Pole Vault.

BOOM!

With a sound like a main gun firing, a single tree flew through the sky like a howitzer.

Carrying Ihan’s “strength.”

And then…

“…This actually works?”

“You ignorant rogue, if this was possible, you should have done it from the beginning.”

“No, I really didn’t know it would work.”

Ihan explained defensively.

After all.

‘Wow, I can actually fly through the sky riding a tree I kicked…’

He was imitating something he’d seen in an old cartoon, but he hadn’t known it would actually work.

With a bit of strength, skill, and timing, it was possible—a dream come true.

Like riding an airplane, they soared through the sky, and

CRASH!

They collided with a cliff.

“…Hmm, the flying time was too short.”

“……”

One minute of flight.

Still…

‘Wasn’t it longer than the Wright brothers’ first flight?’

Even as he was swept away by the river below the cliff, Ihan felt proud of that fact.

Two and a half more days later.

“It took half a day longer than expected.”

“…This actually worked.”

“…You weren’t sure we could make it either?”

“……”

“Hey!”

After four and a half days, they successfully crossed over to the Central Continent.