Ch.72The Road to Fernheim (1)

Simon wasn’t exactly a “Spell Caster” in the strict sense.

This was because all adventurers must advance to a higher profession when they reach the metal rank.

“I’m not a Spell Caster, but rather hold a position above that. I am a ‘Sage.'”

“Hmm.”

A Sage is one favored by Logos, the god of wisdom, and can be considered a supporter who specializes in buffs, debuffs, and dispels rather than direct combat.

In other words, Simon would shine when driving away ancient evil spirits or when a special solution was needed.

“Then we’ve gained a tremendous ally.”

“It’s my first time meeting a Sage.”

“Ho ho. Don’t flatter this old man too much. My already swollen heart might burst.”

Despite his words, Simon’s smile bloomed like a flower as he sat on his horse.

Good. Now that our party has grown by one, the journey to the Miriam continent won’t be so lonely.

“Now that introductions are done, let’s get moving. We still have a long way to go to reach Fernheim.”

After I said this and adjusted my horse’s reins, both of them nodded.

Soon, the three horses began to gallop, heading eastward.

*

“Fernheim is a city of warriors. Do you know what that means?”

“That it’s a place where a lot of fighting happens?”

“You could put it that way in general terms, but ‘warrior’ doesn’t simply mean a fighter—it refers to all those who can fight.”

“Meaning?”

“You said you’re entering the Colosseum, right? That means you’ll have to face not just Marshal Classes but Spell Classes as well.”

“Oh no…”

Marshal Classes are, simply put, those who wield the power of body and weapons.

Spell Classes, as the name suggests, are those who handle the power of spells.

And to be honest… when Marshal Classes and Spell Classes face off one-on-one, the Spell Classes have a higher win rate.

Naturally, moving your lips is faster than nocking an arrow and shooting it, and certainly faster than swinging a sword or spear, and definitely faster than striking with a mace or staff.

I might have mistakenly assumed that only vanguard classes could participate in the ‘Colosseum,’ which could have led to a major setback.

“Hmm. I can use mark magic—would that help me manage somehow?”

“It’s certainly better than nothing. How many marks can you handle?”

I told Simon about the 12 mark spells I could use.

“Hmm… these marks specialize in support and assistance rather than direct attacks.”

“That’s the limitation of mark magic.”

Simon nodded.

To someone like him, a skilled caster who could not only master spells but also interfere with others’ spells, my ‘mere’ 12 mark spells would literally be child’s play.

Of course, even if children throw stones in play, an adult’s head would still crack if hit.

“At least you have good stamina. I don’t know how you’ve developed it, but having good stamina is definitely an advantage.”

“Hmm.”

“Plus, you look strong just by appearance. A larger build than others your age. Broad shoulders. And a face covered in scars makes you look like a battle-hardened warrior. And with that two-meter-long greatsword you use, few could withstand consecutive attacks in close combat.”

“So get into close combat somehow?”

“Is there any other way… That’s how Battlers fight anyway. This isn’t a battlefield where variables can be created—in the controlled environment of the Colosseum, it’s nothing but a dogfight.”

Indeed, that’s true.

The Colosseum is under a grand spell that dispels all buff spells, and even if you somehow bypass that, it would be insulting Karil, one of the Four Great Gods, which would surely result in divine punishment and death.

And I can state with certainty that those who die by divine punishment never resurrect.

“How should I approach spell casters?”

“From my experience hunting Battlers, if you get close, they’ll first use shock magic to create distance, then almost certainly use binding magic to restrict your movement before launching attack magic. Predictable but effective.”

“Oh.”

Is there anything more reliable than “I know from experience”?

Even if he specializes in support spells, that doesn’t mean he can’t use attack spells.

He was clearly a metal-rank equivalent to an Aura user in vanguard terms, and a mage with considerable authority.

“What about dodging spells?”

“Most spells are targeting spells that instantly activate against enemies in sight. You might dodge them if you move fast enough to avoid being specifically targeted, but it’s difficult to evade spells that have already been cast.”

“Sigh…”

Hearing this reminded me of teaching the female students at Ortus’s magic tower.

And before that, being scorched by fire and electricity in Rascal.

“It won’t be easy.”

Raisha, who had been silently listening to the conversation between Simon and me, spoke softly, but everyone heard her.

Yes. It certainly won’t be easy.

“Well, even if you die, you’ll come back to life.”

“The powers of the gods transcend human understanding.”

Considering that the ancient empire’s fall began when apostles blessed by all four great gods physically obliterated the heavily fortified imperial palace, the strength of divinely blessed apostles was truly beyond imagination.

When I was about 12, I witnessed a Crusader who landed in Parcival wipe out all criminal organizations there in just one day.

His strength was indescribable, and even though I only saw him from a distance, the divine light of Karil emanating from his body burned my eyes so severely that I couldn’t see for a week.

Of course, he was an apostle of Karil, the god of war, so his power exceeded that of three apostles of other gods combined.

If a ‘mere’ apostle serving one god was this powerful, I couldn’t even begin to imagine how strong an apostle blessed by all gods would be.

“Are there any apostles in Fernheim?”

“Well, I’ve heard of some apostles from Fernheim, but I haven’t heard of any residing there. Even if there were, they wouldn’t participate in the Colosseum.”

“I suppose that makes sense.”

The purpose of the Colosseum was to satisfy Karil, the blood god, and to demonstrate to him that mortals under the heavens were earnestly shedding their blood and burning their lives.

If Karil’s apostle appeared in such a place, it would be a massacre.

*

Eventually, as night fell, we let our horses rest.

We pitched tents, lit a campfire, filled a pot with water to make stew, and took out bread, meat, vegetables, and spices from our bags to start cooking.

For an adventure, it was remarkably leisurely and affluent, almost like a vacation.

“Ho ho ho. This old man’s stomach is being treated well traveling with you youngsters.”

“Stop being silly and just stir the ladle. If it sticks to the bottom, you’ll have to do the dishes, Simon.”

“…”

*stir stir*

Simon’s back looked dejected as he stirred the pot.

With our party growing, the number of mouths to feed had naturally increased, and now it was too much for Raisha to handle all the household chores alone, so I was also taking on simple tasks.

Things like cutting bread or meat, or preparing vegetables.

I was very familiar with these chores, having worked as a kitchen assistant before.

Of course, I didn’t think Simon would be familiar with such tasks.

Soon the meal preparation was complete, and we began our luxurious dinner of well-cooked bacon, half-boiled eggs, stew with chicken and cabbage, and tea brewed with premium tea leaves.

“Hmm. All that stirring was worth it.”

Simon smiled faintly as he tasted the stew, and I looked up at the stars shining in the sky as I put bread topped with egg and meat into my mouth.

Someday I too will die and be guided by those stars to the judgment seat of the Four Great Gods.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

“About death.”

When I said that, Simon spat out the stew he was drinking with a cough.

Why is he acting like that?

Did he choke?

“Kuhp! Khak..! Well… why did you suddenly think of that?”

“Just because. Looking at the stars makes me think about it.”

“Hmm… is that so…”

Simon calmed his startled throat by drinking water, then said to me:

“Though we’ve been traveling together for less than a day, you seem quite mature for your age. Most people don’t talk like that.”

“I grew up alone.”

“Huh?”

“I’m an orphan.”

Simon looked over at Raisha.

Raisha said nothing and put a half-boiled egg in her mouth, while Simon made a face that suggested he didn’t know what to say, then hastily poured more stew into his mouth.

…I really wonder why he’s acting like that.