Ch.389Chapter 389 – An Unimaginable Cause

The expedition of 500, including myself, departed from the Gelebrio Empire.

The composition of the 500-member expedition force assembled near the border was as follows:

50 members of the Imperial Knight Order, including their commander.

50 elite mages from the Magic Tower.

100 intelligence agents disguised as servants and porters.

And 300 imperial scouts disguised as merchants.

This expedition of 500 members traveled south by carriage.

Without a moment’s rest.

“Don’t stop! We’ll rest only when we reach our destination!”

Since our journey was no ordinary one, we continued to press forward without any rest.

We rode, and rode, and rode some more.

There was no need for maintenance of carriages, horses, or people.

“The Grand Duke will continuously refresh the horses and carriages! So we keep moving without rest!”

I continuously used my ability to restore horses, carriages, and people to their optimal condition.

Thanks to the buff effect that came with using my ability, we didn’t tire as quickly as we normally would.

It seemed our movement was already known to the rulers of each country, as we weren’t subjected to any inspections.

Moving at high speed without inspections, plus my buff effect—what would be the result?

“We’ve reached the border of the former Kingdom of Oberon exactly one week after leaving our borders.”

We were able to cover a distance that would normally take a month in just one week.

If we had gone through all the inspections, it might have taken up to two months.

At the entrance to the Kingdom of Oberon, we established a temporary base.

Since we had been traveling without rest until now, we needed a short break.

“No matter how many times I see it, I can’t get used to Your Grace’s ability.”

While resting in the tent, the Imperial Knight Commander addressed me.

He seemed quite impressed by the ability I had demonstrated this time.

“That’s understandable. I’ve been surprised by my own abilities more than once.”

“This is the first time we’ve traveled to the southern continent at such speed, but…”

He looked around briefly, then whispered to me.

“What exactly is happening here?”

The Knight Commander was asking me this because of the anomalies.

As soon as we arrived at the border of the Kingdom of Oberon, we witnessed the sudden switching of day and night.

It was clearly night, but suddenly the sun rose and it became day.

The intelligence agents who had been briefed beforehand weren’t surprised, but others were amazed by this sight.

“This is precisely why we came here. Didn’t you receive any information from His Majesty the Emperor?”

“I’m afraid not, sir.”

It seemed the Imperial Knight Commander hadn’t been properly informed either.

I’m not sure how to explain this.

“I did hear something briefly before, but His Majesty said that Your Grace would explain the mission of this journey.”

Ah, so it is my responsibility to explain.

I explained the purpose of our journey to the Knight Commander.

“The purpose of this journey is to locate the source of the strange power that’s presumably causing these anomalies. And to confirm what’s happening there.”

“Anomalies? Weren’t those things that only happened in the northern continent?”

Being the Imperial Knight Commander, he seemed to know a little about the anomalies.

“That’s right, things that should be happening in the north are now occurring in the southern continent, which is why His Majesty has ordered us to investigate.”

“But why must we go?”

“Do I look like I know? Who else could come to a place like this besides us?”

The Knight Commander listened to my words and seemed to have a moment of realization.

“There is no one else but us.”

“Exactly. That’s why His Majesty sent us.”

The Knight Commander and I sighed simultaneously.

Neither of us could refuse since we both received orders directly from the Emperor.

So what could we do? The only option was to complete this mission as quickly as possible and return.

“This time we’re just here to investigate, so we’ll return as soon as we confirm what’s happening, so don’t worry.”

“I hope it ends with just an investigation.”

I understood the Knight Commander’s concern.

Strangely, major incidents always seemed to occur wherever I went.

“What could possibly happen? Let’s rest for now. People need rest to work effectively.”

“Understood. Nothing serious will happen, I’m sure.”

With that, the Knight Commander and I entered our tents to rest and soon fell asleep.

But the next morning, we encountered an unexpected visitor.

“It’s been a while, Holy One.”

“Archbishop Bertrand?”

The Archbishop Bertrand, leader of the Great Goddess Order, had come to where we were staying.

I don’t know how he managed to appear here from such a distant place.

“Have you been well?”

“I have been well, but surely the Archbishop must be very busy…”

Instead of asking directly why he had come, I inquired in a roundabout way.

Only amateurs ask such things directly.

I’ve grown older now, and since I’m officially known as a Grand Duke, I should use some diplomatic rhetoric.

“I heard that the Holy One was embarking on a long journey, and the Goddess has a message for you.”

“The Goddess?”

Epitrina? She has something to say to me?

“If that’s the case, couldn’t she speak to me directly? I am a Holy One, after all.”

“Could you come this way for a moment? It’s something difficult to discuss in front of others.”

Archbishop Bertrand apparently wanted to speak with me alone.

Reluctantly, I went to a secluded spot and faced Archbishop Bertrand.

“So, what is this about?”

“The Great Goddess has spoken. You’ve embarked on this journey to investigate the cause of the anomalies, correct?”

Archbishop Bertrand knew exactly why we had come here.

Perhaps this is what it meant when they said they had discussions with other countries and orders beforehand.

“Regarding this, the Great Goddess has instructed me to deliver a message to you.”

Archbishop Bertrand took out a scroll from his robe and spread it open with both hands.

“Holy One, Pathos Severio Aurelion, hear this. I, the Great Goddess Epitrina, declare to you… this matter is entirely my mistake. For this reason, I cannot provide divine revelations for a while as I work to resolve this issue, so I ask that you do not participate in this matter and wait.”

…?

Wait, did I hear that correctly?

This matter is Epitrina’s mistake?

“I didn’t mishear, did I?”

“You heard correctly. After saying this, the Great Goddess mentioned she had something to attend to and would not be able to provide divine revelations for a while.”

With those words, Bertrand said he had fulfilled his duty and left us.

His words still echoed in my ears.

‘Do not participate and wait.’

Isn’t she saying she’ll take care of everything herself if we just stay put?

But I was overcome with fear for a different reason.

Epitrina. Something must have happened that requires her full attention to the point where she cannot intervene on earth.

The fact that she cannot provide divine revelations for a while… means the situation is that serious.

“Haah.”

Now that I know the cause of this situation, my head aches.

To think that the anomalies didn’t just appear randomly but were caused by Epitrina.

But what was she doing that caused such a problem?

“I wonder how large the scale of an accident caused by the Great Goddess would be.”

It must be on a scale I can’t even begin to imagine.

How serious must the problem be for anomalies to occur so severely?

Anyway, I returned to where our group had set up camp.

“Grand Duke, how did the conversation go?”

“The conversation went well. Let’s secure sufficient supplies from nearby before we move.”

“I’ve already given the orders. Despite appearances, these are all people with field experience.”

The Knight Commander had already issued orders to secure supplies.

That’s why everyone was moving toward the city with carts.

The amount of supplies needed for 500 people is enormous, just by looking at it.

Fortunately, we brought many carriages with us.

And the road to our destination was well-maintained.

The Endless Pit was still a profitable location.

“Grand Duke, the replenishment of supplies is complete.”

“Let’s move.”

And so we set off again in our carriages toward the former Kingdom of Oberon.

As we traveled along the newly constructed roads, we could feel the anomalies occurring more frequently.

And finally, at the Endless Pit, we witnessed it.

“My God.”

“By the sun…”

An unidentified black mist filling the Endless Pit.

The investigation was just beginning.