Enkrid looked at Roman.

Why had that Roman been floundering here, getting toyed with by a parasite?

'Because there's no threat to the city of Oara.'

That’s why he had been able to leave his post.

The city of Oara is the legacy of Knight Oara. If he had come here even though the city was in danger, Enkrid would have had no qualms about cutting off his head.

But Roman wasn’t that much of a fool.

That meant the city of Oara was now safe.

What did that imply?

‘There’s no more Demon Realm in Oara.’

Even the remnants of the Gray Forest must’ve been thoroughly wiped out.

Then was there any reason for an asymmetric force to remain stationed in Oara?

There wasn’t.

Conclusion: It was now possible to dispatch part of Oara’s military force here.

And that meant it was also possible to protect and establish self-reliance here.

Oara is a city of those who know how to fight.

In fact, some of the training methods for the Border Guard’s standing army were modeled after those used in Oara.

A fortress city, a city made for battle—its former name was Thousand Brick. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

What if they borrowed that city’s structure and built another Thousand Brick here?

You couldn’t build a castle overnight, but humanity’s construction technology had advanced by leaps and bounds.

If the Kingdom of Naurillia would lend its aid—

‘It might not even take a year.’

Six months, if they were quick. If they focused only on raising the outer wall, that time would be sufficient.

Then here, they could see a new wall rise. Facing the Demon Realm.

It would be the birth of a new fortress city and the expansion of the kingdom’s territory.

The surrounding monsters and beasts had already been cleared out in a flash, resulting in a temporary vacuum of demonic creatures in the region.

Usually, you needed to clear the monsters before founding a frontier city—so in this case, that part was already done in advance.

‘And if they reroute part of the western trade line through here, a new trade route would open, and the market area would expand.’

In short, this place would become a human city, not a city of the Demon Realm.

It had been the very first plan that came to mind the moment he saw the residents of the Demon Realm.

"You really thought that far ahead?"

Rem asked in disbelief.

"I’ll have Kraiss handle the detailed planning. He’ll take care of it."

In the meantime, the troops could be sent from the city of Oara, so there’d be no need to use the kingdom’s army.

"Sometimes I really don’t know what’s in that head of yours, Captain."

Audin marveled.

Even if he hadn’t been as skilled with a sword, the Captain would’ve made his mark anywhere. But for Enkrid, it hadn’t been the result of any great deliberation.

The moment he resolved to protect them somehow, the path simply revealed itself.

Perhaps it was thanks to endlessly repeating countless versions of today that he’d developed the ability to choose the best possible route.

Arriving at the thought naturally, Enkrid asked himself inwardly:

‘Should I be grateful to the Ferryman?’

But since this wasn’t a dream, there was no reply from the Ferryman.

With that thought, he lifted his head and looked at the sky.

How many days had passed since they’d arrived here? At this point, it wasn’t just a courtship dance—it was practically hosting a full-fledged courtship ball.

‘Still not here.’

Balrog hadn’t shown up.

It wasn’t hard to guess the reason.

He wasn’t enough yet.

Then he’d just have to light a fire big enough for everyone to see. Big enough to catch even the far-off eyes of the demons.

He’d need to stir rumors so widespread that no one could ignore them.

Even the demons themselves would end up whispering among themselves.

Enkrid’s gaze turned to one side.

There was no defined border drawn, but beyond that gaze—one could call it the inner depths of the Demon Realm.

What was said to be in there?

"Just as humans have forward bases, the Demon Realm has places like that too."

Zoraslav had once said so.

It was something they had talked about before things turned into what they were now.

The moment he heard that, his heart had pounded.

Anticipation surged.

To compare—if the Gray Forest in front of Oara had been a small lake, this was an ocean.

An inky black sea whose depths and contents were unknown had extended an invitation to Enkrid.

And yet, this was only a hole in the southern front—formed because even the wide southern defense line couldn’t hold it.

Even if a peerless beauty stood there stark naked and seduced him, it wouldn’t make his heart race like this.

"Why’re you grinning like that?"

Rem asked, looking at Enkrid.

"Looks fun."

"Hah. You’re definitely thinking of something real dangerous again, aren’t you?"

Enkrid looked at Rem as he said that.

His eyes were likely no different from Enkrid’s.

"You going in?"

"Yeah."

The answer came the moment the question was asked.

***

"Good thing we didn’t fight."

The mayor of the trade city nodded at the mercenary captain.

At first, when he realized they were moving away from the trade city, he’d regretted it for a moment—but that regret hadn’t lasted long.

"Still, we need to know where they’re going. Even if we have to mobilize every last information guild."

Enkrid and the Mad Order of Knights were a dangerous group, even to the long-established information guilds of the continent.

Several assassination guilds had previously targeted them—only to get wiped out in the process.

Wiped out, literally.

Not only did the attackers all die, but even the guilds that issued the hits were completely annihilated.

And information guilds usually dabbled in assassination work, too.

So of course they feared the Mad Order.

After they left traces of the infamous assassin group Geor Dagger at one of the attack sites, it was no longer worth it to even consider targeting them.

Hence, no more assassins dared to aim for the Mad Order—at least not anywhere in what was known as the Central Continent.

Given the circumstances, it was also difficult to sneak in spies using tricks or subterfuge.

The fortunate thing was that they didn’t hide their movements.

Even more fortunate—was that the Gilpin Guild monopolized and sold incredibly high-purity intelligence.

The only problem was how much krona it cost.

But the trade city, true to its name, was the golden pot of the continent.

They spared no krona to buy information.

And so they learned that the Mad Order of Knights had gone to the very edge of the Demon Realm and slaughtered every monster there.

"I told you. Surrender. Just surrender. If we tried fighting, I’d retire."

The mercenary captain said.

It was a bit annoying hearing that from a guy who’d earned the title of "the Indomitable," but still.

The mayor felt a pang of longing.

‘If I could have that knight order under my command...’

‘If I could have that knight order under my command...’

The trade city could become a kingdom.

"Tch."

The mayor let out a breath at the ridiculous thought.

He had no desire to be king.

He’d just wanted to make a better life for his family and people—and this is how far it had come.

Plenty of people mocked him for being obsessed with self-preservation, but he’d seen far more fools charge ahead with ambition only to die.

"I started as a peddler when I was seventeen. Barely anyone I started with back then is still alive. How’d I get this far? By hiding behind those charging into life’s gambles, watching from the ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) shadows, and outlasting those idiots who didn’t know the value of their own lives. That’s how I got here. What more do I need? If I have any gift, it’s knowing how to judge people. That’s why I got rid of every traitor—and that’s why I’m still standing."

"...What the hell are you talking about all of a sudden?"

The mercenary captain, in private, was no different from a close friend. He listened idly as the mayor vented over drinks. It was the same old story he always told when he got a little drunk.

"I'm telling you, it's my gut. Right now is the time to lower our heads and endure. Just look. The ones who last longest win. The ones who survive to the end are the ones who come out on top."

On this point, the mercenary captain agreed. That’s why it was surrender.

"So, are you going to go through with the contract with the Border Guard?"

The mercenary captain asked. The mayor nodded.

"Yeah, I have to."

Even calling it a contract was an exaggeration. It was just a promise of troop support—not immediate aid, but a pledge to send forces if anything ever happened. It had come as a proposal from someone named Kraiss of the Border Guard.

‘What’s Lord Greyham doing that he can’t even show his face?’

Still, they had some ties with that side. To be blunt, he was the type they could squeeze. This Kraiss fellow, though—not at all. The situation had changed. The roles were reversed. Just to secure a promise of military support, they’d have to hand over dozens of sacks of gold coins. It was a painful cost, but clearly something that had to be done. Was it because of the monsters that had recently been showing up along the river?

"That, the mercenaries can handle."

The indomitable mercenary captain responded with confidence. Yes, that was good enough. This was more like an oath of alliance.

At first, they’d tried seding a beautiful woman to the Border Guard to try and forge a blood tie, but after seeing the two women known as the Gold Fairy and the Black Flower, everyone lost their nerve.

And it wasn’t like Enkrid accepted every woman sent his way into his bed, either.

‘If that alone had worked, she could’ve at least become his third or fourth concubine.’

Now, this was the only option left to avoid becoming their enemy.

It was a little unsettling, but the Border Guard had said:

"This oath originates from a knight's vow. We do not break it. So long as you don’t turn your back on us first."

Stripping away the florid language and polite formalities, that was the core of the promise.

"Yeah. I’ll believe them."

Enkrid’s name was a mighty one. He was someone worthy of trust. And someone to fear.

‘That madness of his, stepping into the Demon Realm...’

No matter what happened, he was not someone they wanted to stand against.

***

High Paladin Overdeer had also heard the news about Enkrid.

"The God of the Scales must have granted him madness and taken away his fear."

It was an exclamation uttered with a laugh, though his expression betrayed a hint of dread. At his words, Noah—now Pope—smiled gently.

"More than that, I believe it's simply his desire to save those who stand before the Demon Realm. If there's anything we can do to help, I’d like us to help."

"There is a way. But I doubt it would benefit your political standing, Your Holiness."

This time the answer came from the Ragged Saint.

"I believe protecting people is more important than my position."

Overdeer chuckled at that. Yes, that’s exactly the kind of person a Pope should be.

"Let’s do it!"

Politics, status, power, authority—none of that mattered more than the will to protect and save lives. And so, the Demon Heresy Purging Priesthood moved. In response to Noah’s request, they accepted gladly, saying they owed him a debt.

***

"He's my friend, but seriously—he's completely insane."

Crang said the same thing as always. Sitting on a throne didn’t mean he had to change how he spoke in private.

"A king who was ready to start a war with the Empire over that friend's disappearance doesn’t really have the right to say that, now does he?"

Sitting across a small parlor table, Crang narrowed his eyes.

"I’ll hold you accountable for mocking your king, Count Marcus."

The wrath of a king was always accompanied by fear. The ruler of Naurill, capital of Naurillia, spoke in a low, calm tone—but with unmistakable fury behind it. Even if this was a private conversation between old acquaintances, a mere count criticizing the king’s decisions was still audacious.

"Spare me. I might piss myself out of fear, so let’s not."

Marcus replied with nonchalance. Crang knew full well that Marcus wasn’t someone jokes worked on. In truth, he’d known it and said it anyway.

"Well, fine then. Let’s move on. Is there any way we can help?"

"If we see their fight with the Demon Realm as just their personal crusade, it’s no issue. But if we lend the royal house’s power to it, the story changes. And you know as well as I do—we’ve got no one to spare. The knight orders blocking the southern front are already stretched thin."

They couldn’t just mobilize the Red Cloak Order to help. Marcus was firm on that. There was also the issue of royal influence, and frankly, they’d stirred up too many things lately to act freely.

"Not like they’re asking for military support to begin with."

Crang knew Enkrid well. Even if they didn’t hang out every day, there was an understanding between them—that’s what made them friends.

"He’s erasing monsters and beasts and staying put, right? We knew about that corrupted city’s location and left it alone, and now if the crown tries to claim that land? Enki won’t let it slide."

He’d either wipe it out or save it—he was the kind of man who would always choose one or the other. Letting it be was never an option. Naurillia already knew that corrupted residents of the Demon Realm were living there. Leaving them alone had been unavoidable due to lack of resources, but that was still just an excuse.

And now, with someone like Enkrid charging in to shatter that excuse, they could ride the wave and deal with the situation together.

"If we’re going to send anyone, Sir Andrew Gardner and a private detachment should suffice. After all, what we need right now isn’t sword arms."

"Then let’s send them."

***

Deciding to enter the Demon Realm didn’t mean charging in immediately. Some time was needed—for weapons maintenance, for one. They also had to find the courier who had passed word to Anne.

‘Roman can stay behind for now.’

They’d also need to confirm whether any monsters or beasts still remained nearby.

"The Demon Realm is also called the Corruption Zone. You’ve heard that before, right?"

Lua Gharne, learned and analytical, stepped forward.

"To enter that place, you’ll need stories—at the very least, tales known to the people who live around here."

Half of those were little more than superstitions, but Lua Gharne believed there were useful things buried in them nonetheless. After all, even if they once served the Demon God, these were people who had lived near the Demon Realm since their ancestors' time.

After that, Enkrid returned to his usual rhythm. Just like all those endlessly repeated todays, he marched toward his goal. At dawn, he trained. In the mornings, he studied how to manifest Will’s blade, using the method Ragna had shown him. From the afternoon on, he listened to the stories passed along by the villagers.

"Should I show it again?"

Ragna would sometimes puff himself up, acting smug—and Enkrid humored him.

"Let’s kill that bastard. I can’t stand to look at him anymore."

He let Rem’s grumblings slip past one ear.

"What an utterly offensive atmosphere this is."

He even responded to Shinar’s constant mutterings beside him.

As Lua Gharne predicted, the stories gathered from the villagers were intriguing.

Half made up from fear, half passed down as local folklore, they weren’t exactly high in factual accuracy.

But if one treated them like tales from a wandering bard, they were entertaining nonetheless.