episode_0175

I have met Pluto once.

‘When I stimulated the soul, it came out of nowhere.’

In that cave where over 8,000 people died, Sorshei, who hated the Lamia, will never forget.

In order to find souls, you need to go to as many places as possible and to places where people have died unjustly.

How much did you worry about it?

When I thought about it, there was no need to worry.

Because I had an expert next to me.

“Dennis.”

“Hmm?”

“Dennis, have you ever experienced a cold war or war?”

“I experienced it for a long time when I was on active duty.”

Dennis’s attention naturally turns to me.

“I suddenly became interested. If it’s okay, may I ask you about an old story?”

“Of course.”

“Where was the place where the most people died horribly during the war? ···It’s a place with a sad story.”

Dennis sighed.

The look in his eyes was as if he was wondering why he was curious about such a thing.

“War is cruel and unfortunate everywhere. To pick the best among them… countless people died in the Battle of the Penz River.”

Penz River.

I’ve never heard of it. It didn’t seem like it was a southern place name.

“Where is the Penz River?”

“It is a deep and wide river that stretches on the border between the Kingdom of Orne and Habstenburg in the south-central region. The river was so wide and huge that it could only be crossed by bridge and boat.”

Oh, is it because there were a large number of refugees?

“You couldn’t run away?”

“My legs were narrow. The soldiers sacrificed themselves to give us time to escape. While protecting the retreat route to the end, Seolrang’s great-great-grandfather and great-great-aunt passed away. You are the lifesaver of mine and of countless Southerners.”

···This is the reason why Dennis treated Juul with such respect after seeing him for five years. I had heard stories about Jules’ parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents in passing before.

Everyone who told that story treated Jules with respect.

But I had no idea that the person who had received grace was right in front of me like this.

Looking back, you said you participated in the cold war with Jules’ parents.

“Have there been any incidents in the southern part of the country?”

“I have been provoked, but I have never been invaded. If the Moon Priest gets angry, the central region will be destroyed.”

Priest of the Moon?

It seemed like he was referring to the Luna clan.

Why does the Moon Priest suddenly appear here? What power does the Moon Priest have?

“It’s not a root snake?”

“Of course, root snakes are scary creatures. However, he does not step forward unless the southern forests are damaged, and he only protects the southern region. But the Moon Priest is human. In addition, there is the power to advance the seawater to the central region.”

Hae-soo is nothing special if you know how to deal with it.

If you’re having a hard time, just call Dragonia. What’s the problem when even a living thing turns into dust with one click of its mouth?

“Beast, if I call Dragonia, won’t he take care of it?”

“Dragonia tends to value justification. Especially if there is a character related to servants. If it doesn’t fit the cause, I won’t help.”

I wondered why unification by force was not possible.

You’re waiting for a justification.

“Then, where is the place in the South where the most people died?”

“During the Cold War. There was a time when barbarians committed provocations against North Korea. Decapitated thousands of Drekkar with a single guillotine. Then, the head was placed in a hosot sling or catapult and thrown over the wall of the large intestine.”

You put a human head in a catapult and threw it?

I thought it was really amazing.

“It was crazy. After that, many more people died in retaliatory attacks.”

There is a realization that this is crazy.

Having suffered such a crazy act, he must have felt resentful.

“Where did the person who cut off his hair die? What did you do with the body?”

“I threw it away in a rotten swamp.”

─Rotten swamp.

From the very name, it is a place where magic is used and ghosts seem to gather.

It seemed like there would be no wasted effort.

“What kind of place is the Rotten Swamp?”

“It’s a swamp where no life can survive. All the corpses of the Drekkar were thrown into the swamp to be cursed forever.”

“Do you know where it is?”

“After arriving at Ymir’s tomb, it will take 10 days.”

Dennis gave me a puzzled look at my interest.

It will be difficult for even me to understand.

“Can you accompany me?”

“It’s not a place that anyone can enter. The water there is extremely toxic, which was a big problem in the past. To enter, you must obtain permission from Ymir’s tomb.”

Ymir’s tomb.

There is a person there who can help Jules.

It depends on how I persuade him, but at least I can mix things up.

“Yes. Let me try to get permission.”

Dennis nods quietly.

“I will try my best to help you.”

You can’t pay attention because they are on guard everywhere, but they don’t even ask about the purpose of their visit.

It means that you believe in me.

If you had asked, you would never have been able to explain it.

I wouldn’t have been able to explain it to Shir in the same way.

“Thank you.”

I was just grateful to Dennis.

“It’s nothing special.”

*

It took five days to reach Ymir’s tomb.

It was broad daylight, and as there were so many people at the demarcation line, there was also a lot of floating population.

There were that many people looking at me, Jules, and Dennis. In the first place, it is rare to see people carrying oxygen through the village.

Several ramrats had already glanced at it, thinking it was there to slaughter meat, but when they saw Juul on board, they were unable to approach it hastily.

In particular, this village is where many elves live. I’m sure there are people who recognize Juul.

“Dennis. Could you please find Archon Douglas at Ymir’s Tomb?”

“Douglas? Do you know that child? But a consul?”

“····A child?”

“Douglas is only 40 years old. When I was young, there was a time when he begged me to become a ranger. It seems like only yesterday that I was warning myself that it was dangerous, but I never thought I would become a consul…”

A burst of laughter came out.

Are you calling a 40-year-old man a child?

“···Yes. I would like you to explain the situation to Douglas. Because I can’t enter Ymir’s tomb.”

“I understand.”

Perhaps because elves live for a long time, if you look closely, you can see that their connections are all over the place.

“···Can you tell me what to tell you?”

“Please tell me this is to save Jules.”

The ears of Shir, who was ahead, were fluttering.

I took off my helmet a while ago and placed it on the cart.

“Do you know why your aunt is like this?”

“Yes. I’m doing this to cure it.”

“How do you do it?”

“To meet Pluto and get advice.”

“····.”

Shir just kept his mouth shut.

Shir is the only person who can tell that what I am saying is not a lie.

“Dennis. If Douglas asks for details, please tell him so.”

Dennis looks at me with an embarrassed expression.

“Lee. No matter what, meeting a servant…”

“Dennis saw it too. A servant from nowhere appeared in front of the root snake. I also met Pluto 5 years ago.”

Before I fell into this world, I also met Dantalian.

Of course, Dennis would not have been able to see the servant who was nowhere to be seen with the naked eye.

It’s not that I don’t understand that I don’t believe it because I didn’t see it clearly either.

In the end, Dennis reluctantly nodded.

This would be very difficult to explain.

“···I understand.”

“Thank you.”

I even wonder if Pluto will meet me.

They may have read my intention and are not coming out, or perhaps they are not keeping an eye on me.

But you have to try.

Jules hasn’t eaten in days. All toilet needs were handled during the trip. But now, eating is impossible.

Since Hosott is a meat-eating demi-human, he cannot cook porridge or anything like that. In fact, your organs may be damaged, and even if you chew a piece of meat, there is a risk of it getting stuck in your throat.

Thanks to this, I had no choice but to drink water diluted with the Precious Blood little by little to help my body, which was gradually getting worse.

Even this is not a solution.

Blood is what brings the body into optimal condition in proportion to physique, height, and weight, and this was in the same context as Juul’s sense that steady muscle loss was occurring in proportion to his weight.

It’s a race against time.

Five days have already passed. It took 20 days just to travel to and from the rotten swamp.

Juul cannot eat or drink anything except blood and water for 25 days. That is the minimum amount of time.

How much time do you spend looking for information to solve a problem?

What time does it take to solve it? If you do something wrong, it will take more than a month.

If you can stay alive for a month by drinking only water, it’s a miracle.

As I was worrying about various things, I arrived in front of Ymir’s grave.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“Yes.”

Oxygen was exhausted.

I feel like I’ve been overexerting myself with my nose running and breathing heavily.

“Shir, help me.”

“What?”

“I need your help to get all the way to the Rotten Swamp.”

Shir just looked at me blankly.

But even for a moment.

“So, you owe me two debts?”

Shir smiled.

I was speechless because I knew what that smile meant.

“Shir, your aunt’s safety is at stake.”

“But why are you nervous instead of angry?”

It became dark before my eyes.

I can’t hide anything from Shir.

Even in this situation, Jules’ advice came to mind.

‘They could kidnap me.’

This child is so immature.

“Okay. I’ll listen to anything.”

“Good.”

Although Shir’s smile is unsettling, it can drastically reduce the time spent going back and forth. I feel like the clues are unraveling.

I felt a little more at ease.

Now it was necessary to find a place for Jules to recuperate for a month. I have no intention of leaving Juul in a smelly inn or something.

From afar, the watchmen in front of the bridge crossing the moat salute Dennis and greet him, but Dennis only receives a brief greeting and runs inside.

“Zur····.”

Jules is talking in his sleep again.

Jur. Juyul’s Rat and Sur’s Le. The naming sense of including one letter of the parent’s name is strange, yet affectionate.

Is it thanks to you?

It sounds familiar and familiar.

I had no choice but to pour diluted water from the canteen into Jules’ mouth and touch him with soft hands.

How much time has passed?

Dennis walked out of Ymir’s tomb.

Douglas, whom I had not seen in a long time, walked behind him.

Douglas, looking this way, paused for a moment, then walked towards the cart at a brisk pace, then a quick trot and then a hop.

“Jwiyul?! What on earth is this…!”

Douglas’ gaze, which was examining Jules, turns to me and looks up at me.

“Who is this human?”

“It’s me. Seolrang’s slave. It’s been a while since I saw you.”

When he took off his prosthesis and bone necklace and held them up, a look of confusion appeared on Douglas’s face.

“Sihyeon Lee…?”