Ch.183Chapter 183: The Enemy Revealed (1)

# Chapter 183: The Enemy Revealed (1)

The last crimson light faded beyond the horizon, and a heavy silence descended upon the Grasein Plains along with darkness.

Behind the cheers of victory lay the sorrow of lost comrades, the scars of war, and the profound exhaustion of those who had given their all, settling as thick as the darkness itself.

That’s why the survivors tried all the more to savor the warmth of victory—to prevent the creeping darkness from swallowing them whole.

Valt and his companions found a relatively quiet spot away from the bustle of soldiers moving busily under Zerdin’s command.

In the sky above, stars had begun to appear one by one, dotting the darkness.

The Eastern Alliance treated Valt’s group, who had become veritable heroes, with the utmost hospitality. Though it was just a hastily erected, modest temporary tent on the plains, it offered the first proper comfort and rest they had experienced in days.

As the sun set and the weather grew chilly, the group sat around a campfire in front of the tent, sharing warm food and engaging in pleasant conversation. The ever-energetic Lisa led the discussion, pouring out questions like a waterfall.

“So, did you really destroy that Death Knight all by yourself? And what was that flash at the end? What was Brother Luktan doing beside you? Just watching?”

Luktan jumped in as if he’d been waiting for this moment, pounding his chest.

“Ahem! Well, my little brother did finish things off, but didn’t I blow off one of that bastard’s arms first? It was thanks to me buying crucial time that my brother could shine!”

“Ohhh! As expected of Big Brother!”

At Lisa’s exaggerated exclamation, Luktan shrugged his shoulders, becoming even more triumphant.

He found this small, chattering red-headed creature(?) quite adorable. She had a lively, noisy charm rarely seen in the South.

Of course, this earned him several pinches to his side from Grace sitting next to him.

“Would you like to break off our engagement?”

“N-no, my love! That’s not what I meant…! Don’t you think my brother’s friend is cute?”

“It sounds like you’re saying I don’t have an ounce of cuteness in me.”

“No, that’s not what I meant…!”

Valt chuckled at the sight.

“What matters is that ‘we’ won, Lisa. Everyone returned safely.”

“Tch, how boring. But you really were amazing, Valt!”

Lisa pouted briefly but soon smiled brightly, speaking with sincerity. Arias also quietly nodded in agreement.

While they conversed, Liris sat quietly next to Valt, placing her cold hand on his wrist. Her life energy flowed gently into Valt through their soul contract, gradually restoring his strength that had been depleted from using the “Five Elements Fusion Technique.” Valt felt his tension ease and fatigue dissipate from her cool yet warm energy.

The problem was that Arias was also awkwardly placing her hand on Valt’s other wrist.

“Arias, what are you doing?” Lisa asked sharply.

Arias jumped in surprise and stammered.

“Uh, elemental power! Yes, I’m charging him with elemental power! Since Noise said he worked hard… So I thought as an Undine… um… virility—no! Elemental power would be good to replenish…!”

At Arias’s critical slip of the tongue, Lisa’s eyes narrowed and gleamed sharply.

“Virility…? What kind of power is that for?”

At Lisa’s low murmur, both Luktan and Grace simultaneously cleared their throats.

“Ahem! Hmm!”

Arias’s face instantly turned bright red.

“W-what are you saying! It just came out wrong! Elemental power! I meant elemental power!”

“Hmm… Well, I’ll let it slide. But don’t cross the line, Arias.”

“Are you crazy?! What line am I crossing?!”

Lisa responded with feigned indifference, but a mischievous smile played on her lips.

What elemental mage would directly replenish another’s power, especially one of a different element? Lisa had already noticed that Arias was simply envious of Liris clinging so closely to Valt.

‘Hmph, I saw Liris cuddling with him! Why doesn’t he hug me? Why! He hugged Lisa, but I only get head pats?’

Arias glanced at Valt while grumbling inwardly.

At the same time, she felt a little hurt that Valt seemed so nonchalant about the confession she had made in that life-or-death moment. Still, his touch from earlier, more sincere than ever before, seemed to linger vividly among her hair.

As their private time continued, Delfon Hines unexpectedly visited their tent. He saluted Valt and Luktan with proper respect.

“Prince Valt, Prince Luktan. I bring a message from the Commander.”

Normally, a Master-level knight wouldn’t act as a messenger. But Delfon had volunteered for this task, wanting to personally express his gratitude to Valt.

Valt recognized him and asked smoothly:

“Hoho, if you’ve come personally, is something serious happening?”

Delfon maintained his formal posture and responded respectfully:

“The Commander expresses his deepest gratitude for the efforts of both of you and your companions. He also wishes to provide an escort of the kingdom’s elite knights for your return journey and promises all necessary support to ensure your safe arrival at the Imperial capital. Would tomorrow at dawn be acceptable for departure?”

Valt shook his head.

“The escort won’t be necessary. Those valuable troops would be better used for recovery and defense here. We prefer to move in our own way.”

At Valt’s firm refusal, Delfon inwardly smiled.

‘As expected…’

Who would dare escort the Gerungtu brothers? It would be like asking a puppy to guard a tiger.

“Hoho, understood. I will convey your wishes to the Commander exactly as stated. And… this is my personal greeting.”

Delfon bowed deeply toward Valt.

Then, saluting, he proclaimed loudly:

“Delfon Hines, Royal Guard of the Kingdom of Inotel! Saluting my benefactor!”

After completing his precise salute, Delfon said:

“Thanks to you… my subordinates and I survived. I will never forget this debt, Your Highness Valt Gerungtu.”

His voice was filled with sincere gratitude and reverence. He felt deeply ashamed of his past dismissal of them as barbarians.

Valt sensed his sincerity and quietly accepted the greeting.

“I accept your salute. But remember this: many soldiers survived thanks to you as well. Don’t forget that you too are someone’s hero.”

Delfon was deeply moved by Valt’s unexpected words.

Strong yet not arrogant, knowing how to share credit. Before him stood the exemplar of a true knight who understood “honor” as Delfon had ideally conceived it.

Somehow, he thought this massive barbarian prince resembled the vast Grasein Plains themselves—embracing everything and nurturing life.

‘Earth.’

Yes, this man was like the steadfast earth itself.

Delfon felt a strong urge to converse more with this man.

“If it’s alright… may I join you for a while? It’s still before dinner, after all.”

At Delfon’s smooth request, Valt smiled and readily offered him a seat.

“Sit down. Meals are always more enjoyable with company.”

Just as Delfon joined them and they were about to resume their pleasant conversation:

“Huff! Huff! Hah!”

With urgent gasping, another familiar yet somewhat anxious face appeared.

It was Veron, the Eastern Alliance’s advisor.

Having heard that Valt was here, he had apparently rushed over. His entire body was drenched in sweat from running so hard, despite having neither magical power nor aura.

“Huff, huff… Prince Valt! Are you alright? I’m so relieved you’re safe!”

“Has the Orc King been resurrected? What’s so urgent, Lord Veron?”

As Valt calmly asked, Lisa moved at the speed of light to hide behind the massive Luktan before anyone could notice.

Her small frame was completely concealed by Luktan’s bulk.

“You really defeated that Death Knight…! Please tell me the details! And how on earth did you use the Eye of Glaceon?! That tremendous power…”

As soon as the words ‘Eye of Glaceon’ were mentioned, Lisa’s form behind Luktan shrank even smaller like a squirrel. She had now become almost invisible, like a ball.

Seeing this, Grace whispered quietly to Lisa:

“Miss Lisa, what’s wrong? Why are you doing this?”

“Shh! Shh! I’m not here! Please pretend you don’t see me, senior!”

Regardless, Valt calmly answered Veron’s question:

“Well, it just happened that way. Thanks to Lisa, I used it well. The power was truly remarkable.”

“That’s exactly what I mean! I knew the Eye of Glaceon was a powerful artifact, but I never dreamed it could freeze the entire Erdion River! How did you channel the magical power to…?”

Veron, an artifact “enthusiast,” showed immense curiosity about Valt’s method of use.

After calming his excitement a bit, Veron cleared his throat and said:

“Well, this seems like it will be a long conversation. If it’s not too presumptuous, may I join you for a while?”

When Valt glanced behind Luktan’s back, he saw Lisa desperately making an ‘X’ with her crossed hands, pleading. Valt smiled at the sight and nodded.

“Who am I to tell Lord Veron to come or go? Please sit if you wish.”

“Haha, then I’ll accept your hospitality. By the way… where is the Eye of Glaceon? It should be returned now…”

As soon as those words were heard, a groan of “Nnngh” came from behind Luktan as Lisa scratched her head vigorously.

The truth was, when Valt’s group had plunged the artifact into the river to activate it, the tremendous power and impact had caused a slight crack on its surface. It might still function properly, but it wasn’t in its original condition. And that problematic artifact was currently in Lisa’s possession.

“Lisa, come out. We must return items to their owners.”

At Valt’s words, Lisa, who had been curled up like a squirrel, finally emerged with a tearful expression and held out a small jewel to Veron.

“Hahaha… Well, you know? I was just about to return it!”

Veron’s face turned pale as he received the Eye of Glaceon.

“T-this is…”

It was a crack so fine that one might not notice without looking carefully, but it couldn’t escape the eyes of an artifact expert like him.

“Hehe… Sir, I’m sorry…. But thanks to us, we won the war, so you’ll forgive me generously, right…?”

Lisa spoke with a cute, pleading voice, but it fell on deaf ears. The Eye of Glaceon was a precious item that he had borrowed with great difficulty from the King of Solteria. If he returned it in this state…?

Veron imagined himself hanging on the execution ground and muttered with a dazed expression:

“Sigh… I suppose… I should seriously consider exile…”

Putting the cracked Eye of Glaceon into his pocket with resignation, Veron composed his expression and said:

“Ah, by the way, I have news that Prince Valt might find interesting. Would you like to hear it?”

Valt, who had been chewing with his mouth full of food, momentarily paused.

Perhaps he sensed something unusual in Veron’s tone.

Valt slowly swallowed his food and looked at Veron.

“Oh? What news?”

Veron glanced around once more, then lowered his voice and answered in a rather serious and heavy tone:

“News about… a monster wave that occurred in the northern Caldrian territory.”

‘Caldrian territory.’

That was precisely where their precious companions, including Lati and other Academy friends, had headed.