Ch.186Chapter 186: Return (2).

# Chapter 186: Return (2)

After bidding farewell to King Zerdin, Luktan, and Grace, Valt’s party wasted no time in riding toward “Elm Fortress,” the closest Eastern Alliance stronghold city.

The traces of the terrible battle that had taken place on the Grassein Plains continued throughout their journey.

Burned-down homes, abandoned carts, and bodies that had yet to be recovered silently testified to the horrors of war.

Facing the stark reality hidden behind the glory of victory, the party’s hearts grew heavy once again.

Valt, in particular, wrestled with concerns about his own power while rekindling his anger toward the “Dark Society” that lurked behind all this tragedy.

Elm Fortress housed the closest teleport gate to the Grassein Plains.

Though strict security measures remained in place due to the aftermath of war, the “Eastern Alliance Pass” that King Zerdin had given to Valt proved absolutely effective.

Without complicated procedures or inspections, they were able to stand before the military teleport gate located in the innermost part of the fortress.

“Wow… so this is a military teleport gate. It’s on a completely different level from the one at the Academy, isn’t it?”

Lisa marveled at the gate composed of massive mana stones and complex magic circles.

The mages managing the gate looked at Valt’s party with a mixture of awe and curiosity, but upon confirming the pass bearing King Zerdin’s seal, they immediately hurried to prepare the gate for activation.

“Your destination is the Imperial capital, Roshalkhin, correct?”

“That’s right.”

When Valt answered briefly, the mages began infusing mana.

Woooong—!

The space at the center of the gate distorted, and a blue vortex appeared. They could feel a much more stable and powerful flow of mana than the one at the Academy.

“It’s ready. Please enter the gate!”

Valt nodded to his companions.

Liris naturally took Valt’s arm, while Lisa and Arias followed behind him with tense expressions.

Arias was quite shocked by this sight.

Even more shocking was that Valt was just standing there as if nothing was wrong!

‘What the heck! Why is she linking arms with him so naturally!? Did something happen while I was gone!? I-I can’t lose! I, I too!’

Arias decided she would no longer be a bystander.

She resolved to believe that love was something to be won.

So, not to be outdone, she grabbed Valt’s other arm.

Lisa had somehow jumped onto Valt’s back, wrapping her arms around his neck and comfortably settling on his shoulders.

“…It’s hot, you guys.”

Valt muttered quietly.

Lisa answered with a silly grin.

“Riding on Valt’s shoulders is definitely the most comfortable way to teleport!”

“…Do as you please.”

When Valt glanced at Arias, she flinched and avoided his gaze, but she didn’t let go of his arm.

Valt let out a small sigh.

“…Let’s go.”

Arias inwardly rejoiced.

‘I did it! I succeeded in grabbing his arm! That’s right! If you just stand still, you’ll end up a pushover! You have to take action!’

As they stepped into the blue light, a familiar yet more intense sensation of spatial movement enveloped their bodies.

After a moment of dizziness, their vision brightened, and they found themselves standing in a completely different landscape.

Bustling crowds, lively street noise, the sound of carriage wheels rolling, merchants calling out… They were in the central teleport hall of Roshalkhin, the Imperial capital, where no traces of war could be found.

The party stood dazed for a moment, taking in their surroundings—a scene so drastically different from the blood-soaked Grassein Plains where they had been just hours before.

“…We’re back.”

Lisa was the first to breathe a sigh of relief as she hopped down from Valt’s shoulders.

Arias also seemed to relax, dropping her shoulders slightly and releasing Valt’s arm.

After looking around briefly, Valt spoke without delay.

“First, we go to the Academy. We need to report to the Chancellor.”

No one objected to his words.

The information they brought was that important and urgent.

The party left the teleport hall and boarded a carriage heading to the Academy.

Even amid the capital’s vibrant atmosphere, their hearts remained heavy.

Before long, the familiar main gate of Grovint Academy came into view.

A peaceful atmosphere, unlike the battlefield.

But Valt instinctively knew that this place wasn’t entirely safe either.

The shadow of the Dark Society could be lurking anywhere.

Valt’s party headed straight for Chancellor Baldur Lundgren’s office.

Upon hearing their request for an urgent report, Baldur stopped what he was doing and received them immediately.

However, his expression wasn’t as welcoming as expected.

Instead of his boisterous smile, deep contemplation and gravity shadowed his face.

“Ho ho, finally returned, I see. The heroes of the East. I’m glad you’re safe… but judging by your expressions, it was no ordinary matter.”

Baldur had already grasped the situation to some extent through reports from King Zerdin, the Caldrian family, and the Empire’s intelligence network regarding their exploits and the ominous events unfolding in the East and North.

He offered them seats and began speaking gravely.

“I’ve already received reports. The Orc King in the East transformed into a terrible being called a ‘Death Knight,’ and the monster wave in the North was led by a powerful lich known as the ‘Frost Lord,’ and in both cases… the shadow of the Dark Society was confirmed along with magi.”

Valt’s party was surprised by Baldur’s words, but they also acknowledged the Chancellor’s information network and waited tensely for his next words.

“There are things that can’t be known from reports alone. I want to hear about the situation you experienced firsthand, the atmosphere of the scene… and the truth. Valt.”

Baldur’s gaze turned to Valt.

“Especially about that Death Knight. According to the reports I received, it showed regenerative abilities that defied common sense… How were you able to defeat it? And what did you personally feel about the nature of magi and the specific movements of the Dark Society?”

Valt’s report was no longer a one-sided transfer of information.

It was a process of confirming what the Chancellor already knew from the perspective of someone who had experienced it firsthand, and adding crucial details and his own analysis that couldn’t be captured in written reports.

Valt calmly explained the process of battling the Death Knight, particularly how he discovered the horrific secret of its regeneration using orcs as sacrifices, and how he delivered the final blow by breaking through his characteristic limitations.

He also added his speculations about what his friends might have experienced in the North and the connection to the Dark Society.

Lisa, Arias, and Liris also contributed their own experiences.

As the report continued, Baldur listened attentively, sometimes closing his eyes in deep contemplation, sometimes asking sharp questions.

Especially when Valt explained how he had figured out the secret of the Death Knight’s regeneration and overwhelmed it with sheer power, the Chancellor’s eyes flickered with admiration and complex emotions.

“As expected of Gerungturod… to overpower magi with strength…”

When all the stories were finished, Baldur sighed deeply and said:

“…The situation is far more serious than I anticipated. Magi and the Dark Society… and even direct demonic intervention. This could be a matter of survival for the Empire, no, for the entire continent.”

After a moment of silence, he spoke with a resolute voice, as if having made a firm decision.

“The achievements of you all, including Valt, have been truly remarkable. But this is not the end. Rather, it’s just the beginning. This matter can no longer be handled at the Academy level alone.”

Baldur rose from his seat and looked out the window as he spoke.

“You must come with me to have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor. Based on all the information we’ve gathered and your vivid testimonies, we must mobilize the entire Empire’s resources to face this threat.”

There was even a sense of solemnity in his voice.

“The enemies in the darkness, the Dark Society… they have now begun to bare their fangs in earnest. We can no longer stand idle.”

Chancellor Baldur’s words were like a declaration to Valt’s party, who had just returned to the Academy, announcing the beginning of an even greater battle instead of rest.

An invisible war with the Dark Society was about to begin in the heart of the Empire.

“Then we’ll take our leave, Chancellor.”

As Valt was about to turn around with a sense of heavy responsibility after paying his respects, Chancellor Baldur quietly called him back.

His voice carried deep contemplation and complex emotions instead of his usual heartiness.

“Valt.”

When Valt turned back with a puzzled expression, Baldur rose from his seat and slowly approached him.

“Yes, Chancellor. Is there something else?”

His gaze was filled with human warmth, as if he had been anxiously waiting for a long time and was finally relieved, beyond simple praise or encouragement.

“You really… went through a lot.”

Baldur placed a heavy yet warm hand on Valt’s shoulder.

It was an informal gesture rarely seen from a mage and Academy Chancellor.

“Words on paper can’t tell the whole story.

The things you experienced there, the weight you carried… and the fear you faced… I can hardly imagine how great they were.”

His voice conveyed sincere consolation and deep trust in Valt.

“You’ve… surpassed being just a talented student. You’re a hero who saved the East. You saved countless lives. What you’ve accomplished deserves more praise than words can express.”

Baldur paused for a moment and looked deeply into Valt’s eyes.

“That you bore that weight without breaking, and returned safely with your companions… makes this old man immensely happy and proud. In the name of Grovint Academy, and as someone who believed in you.”

The Chancellor’s sincere words and the weight of his hand on Valt’s shoulder became an unexpected warmth that gently penetrated the deepest part of Valt’s heart.

Valt momentarily lowered his gaze, as if trying to hide the welling emotions behind his usually steadfast mask.

It was a very subtle deviation from his typically cool and composed demeanor.

Then, raising his head again to meet Baldur’s sincere gaze, he bowed a little deeper than before.

“…You flatter me. Thank you, Chancellor.”

His voice was still low and composed, but the sincerity of gratitude within it clearly felt different.

Baldur, satisfied with Valt’s response, smiled and patted his shoulder.

“Go and get some rest now. You’ll have much to do ahead.”

“Yes, Chancellor.”

Valt answered briefly and this time truly turned toward the office door.

As he opened the door to leave, Baldur’s quiet voice reached him.

“And try to trust adults a little more.”

The footsteps of Valt’s party as they left Chancellor Baldur’s office were even heavier than when they entered.

The Dark Society, magi, threats looming over the entire continent—the truths they had just confirmed and shared once again weighed down on the shoulders of those who had just returned from a life-or-death struggle.

Valt, in particular, had a hardened expression due to concerns about his power, his limitations, and the responsibilities he would have to bear going forward.

Lisa, Arias, and Liris also sensed the serious atmosphere and quietly followed behind Valt.

They needed to return to the dormitory first to catch their breath and plan for what lay ahead.

As they were crossing the Academy grounds toward the dormitory, that’s when it happened.

“Hahaha! I told you my fist is the best!”

“Be quiet, Victor. All you did was land the finishing blow.”

“What? Hey, Robin! Are you belittling my great victory?”

A faint smile appeared on Valt’s lips. Those familiar yet boisterous voices.

In the distance, two men were approaching, still bickering as usual.

Welcome faces he hadn’t seen in a while—Victor and Robin.

The cleanup of the monster wave in the North had finished about two days later than the orc invasion in the East, but Valt’s party had to travel a long time on horseback to reach Elm Fortress to use the teleport gate, while the North had a teleport gate right in Caldrian territory, allowing them to return faster.

“Huh? Bro! Bro! Valt bro!”

Victor spotted Valt’s party first and shouted loudly with eyes wide open as he ran toward them. His face was full of joy and surprise.

Valt grinned, showing his white teeth, and struck a side chest pose, grabbing his right wrist with his left hand.

“Hup!”

Victor and Robin, who had stopped in their tracks, struck the exact same pose as if on cue!

“Hup!”

“Hup!”

It was their secret and childish greeting.

Lisa looked at the Val-Ro-Vic trio with an incredulous expression.

“What a sight, what a sight indeed. The muscle pig trio living up to their name.”

Regardless of Lisa’s comments, Valt greeted them warmly.

“Good to see you, Victor, Robin. It’s been a while. Everything all right?”