Ch.282Chapter 282 – The Approaching Day of the Final Battle

The Windgrass Ravine, the only passage connecting the Oberon Kingdom to other kingdoms, was a place where no plants except grass could grow due to the constant wind.

Of course, this explanation was fabricated after the road was built… In reality, they say it’s because the ground has been firmly packed down by frequent human traffic.

Moreover, since this world doesn’t have vehicles like cars, people typically move heavy loads using ox or horse-drawn carriages.

So, with heavily loaded carts constantly passing through, the soil density has increased to the point where grass can’t even grow.

What does this have to do with me? Well, it matters because I’m currently walking this road with my own two feet.

Although it’s called a ravine, it’s located at a higher altitude than flat land, so we were essentially forced to hike.

Except that I was excluded from the hiking and was moving in a carriage.

I had offered to walk along with everyone else, but the priests and holy knights adamantly refused.

“Absolutely not! You must ride in the carriage!”

Even Etherna insisted that I shouldn’t walk, so my only option was to obediently board the carriage.

By the way, the reason I had to ride in the carriage was truly absurd.

The reason was that the most important strategic asset for removing the barrier shouldn’t get tired from hiking.

No, even though I’m a modern person with somewhat poor physical condition, I can still handle a hike!…or so I had thought.

“We really have to keep going up, don’t we?”

I said, looking at the elderly priest from the Sun Order who was traveling with me in the carriage.

The sight of troops dispatched from various orders, including the Sun Order, all moving together was truly spectacular, but I was surprised by the fact that we hadn’t reached the entrance of the ravine even after walking for almost an entire day.

It looked really high from a distance, but I didn’t realize it would be this high…

At least the people here were maintaining their stamina through their pride in coming here for the holy war and the blessings that the priests bestowed whenever they had the chance.

If a regular army had tried to invade this place, it would have been called madness—that’s obvious without even seeing it.

“That’s why other countries haven’t invaded the Oberon Kingdom in the past. Although it produces various rare minerals, there’s only one path to deploy troops, and even that can be easily blocked by the Oberon Kingdom.”

I nodded at the elderly priest’s words. Since one would have to walk continuously to such a high place with few suitable resting spots in between, even the most powerful army would easily tire.

“Removing the barrier won’t solve all our problems, but it’s better than not being able to enter at all, isn’t it?”

“I think so too. After all, it was the barrier that prevented us from moving forward. If not for the barrier, they would have somehow made their way to the Oberon Kingdom, even if it meant crossing treacherous mountains.”

Crossing mountains sounds rather frightening… Hannibal of Carthage tried that and suffered due to extended supply lines and various other problems…

“In any case, thanks to Marquis Severio’s assistance, our burden has been greatly reduced. We are truly grateful for this.”

“I, too, am grateful for being allowed to participate in this journey for a greater cause alongside the Sun Order.”

The elderly priest and I exchanged words of gratitude, followed by a moment of silence.

But just then, there was a knock from outside.

“High Priest! It seems we’ll be entering the ravine soon!”

At that sound, I opened the window and stuck my head outside the carriage.

Beyond the carriage window, I could see steep cliffs that looked like walls and a wide dirt road running between them.

True to its name, not a single blade of grass was visible on the road, and the cool breeze felt quite pleasant.

However, as I moved my gaze along the path, I could see something unpleasant in the distance—an irregularly undulating, translucent something.

‘Is that the barrier?’

Since I’ve never seen a barrier before, I wouldn’t have a counterargument if someone told me it wasn’t one, but if that’s not a barrier, then what is?

“Hmm, it’s definitely a barrier. I thought the scouts might have been lying, but it seems they were telling the truth.”

Fortunately, the elderly priest confirmed that my guess wasn’t wrong.

When we reached a point some distance from the barrier, people stopped, and the carriage followed suit.

“Marquis, High Priest. It seems you need to get out of the carriage.”

“Have we arrived?”

“Yes. We’ve reached the place where the barrier is formed.”

At the driver’s words, the elderly priest and I got out of the carriage.

After disembarking, I walked past the holy knights and priests who were setting up temporary tents for rest, heading toward Etherna.

“Holy Maiden.”

“Oh, Marquis. I was just about to come fetch you. This is perfect!”

Etherna smiled upon seeing me, looking pleased at the timing.

I didn’t notice it before, but now that my eyes were open, I could clearly see her expressions, which made her seem somewhat unfamiliar.

“We plan to rest here for about a day before breaking the barrier and entering the Oberon Kingdom. Is that acceptable to you?”

A person who appeared to be a high-ranking priest informed me of the upcoming plans.

But I wondered if one day of rest would be enough for people to recover.

“I’m fine with it, but I’m concerned whether one day of rest will be enough for everyone to recover.”

“Hahaha, don’t worry. Everyone has received blessings for recovery, so with just one day of rest, they’ll all be bouncing around energetically tomorrow.”

Hmm, when a high-ranking person says to do something, subordinates must follow, but surprisingly, everyone seemed quite shocked about taking a whole day to rest.

“We’re not going in today but resting for a day first?”

“Since there are people from outside, I think they’ve made the schedule a bit more generous.”

“Hehe, I thought we were going to rest for just an hour or two before entering. This is fortunate.”

…Wow, everyone lives more intensely than I thought. I feel like I’m living in a different world.

“Seeing that others are thinking positively about it, I also think it’s not a bad idea to rest today and enter tomorrow.”

“Indeed! Then we’ll rest today and move tomorrow.”

With today suddenly becoming free, Etherna approached me as I had nothing particular to do.

“Lord Pathos.”

“Ah, Holy Maiden.”

“When it’s just us, you can just call me Etherna.”

Since the battle with the demon, Etherna had been continuously trying to reduce the distance between us.

Judging by this sudden change in her behavior, it seems that her near-death experience caused some kind of shift in her mindset.

“We should always be careful with titles as others might hear.”

“Hmm, is that so? Well, I guess it can’t be helped then.”

Etherna sat down in the chair next to me. Perfume, or perhaps a fragrance used for bathing? A pleasant, sweet scent tickled my nose.

“Did you know? The goal of this holy war isn’t to completely wipe out the Oberon Kingdom.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I received a divine oracle saying that we only need to find and eliminate the main culprit who has been deceiving the people in the Oberon Kingdom.”

Hmm. Etherna’s oracles come directly from the Sun God, so they can be considered highly credible.

Perhaps that’s why the holy knights were wearing armor that only protected vital areas rather than thick, heavy full plate armor.

“That’s why everyone has chosen to wear lighter armor. Heavy armor would hinder quick movement.”

“Won’t they get hurt if they’re hit by stray attacks?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Everyone will have both divine magic and blessings cast on them to move as quickly and safely as possible.”

Etherna smiled and said, “Area blessings and divine magic are a bit challenging, but for the safety of others, I should do whatever I can.”

“By the way, where is that person who came from the Eastern Continent?”

At that moment, Etherna asked about Cheon Hyeryeong’s whereabouts.

“She’s probably following me while concealing herself.”

Indeed, she is following me stealthily.

When I asked why she needed to do that, she said it was because of ‘potential situations’ that might arise, and someone needed to protect me.

It seems Cheon Hyeryeong was concerned that I might get seriously injured if I got caught up in a fight with the demon cult.

‘Tsk, I hope I don’t have to use this thing.’

I also brought a pistol and several magazines for self-defense, but I was hoping to use them only as a last resort.

Please, let me not have to use this.

And so, we spent the night at the entrance to the Oberon Kingdom, and morning came.

And there I was, standing before the barrier at the entrance to the Oberon Kingdom, holding a hammer in one hand.