Chapter 118
The journey continued. Since Mantis first appeared, a few enemies had tried to attack, but none of them posed any real threat to the group.
“I’m useless…”
Shuzer muttered, looking somewhat dejected.
It was because every member of the party was monstrously skilled.
As the frontrunner for the next Pope, Shuzer had always been the center of any organization she joined.
Naturally, everyone values their life above all else.
But the warriors here carried themselves with the ease and confidence of someone taking a leisurely walk, even in the midst of a battlefield teeming with monsters.
“Cheer up. Still, I feel reassured having you with us, Shuzer.”
“Ugh… such a kind person…”
By now, the moon had begun to wane.
The stars dotted across the sky, crossed by the Milky Way, created a picture-like scene.
On the ground, the fire of the campfire crackled and flickered, its warm yellow light blending with the darkness.
The party sat around the fire, eating the rations and soup that Ehin had prepared.
‘Delicious.’
Perhaps it was because the scenery was breathtakingly beautiful; the meal somehow seemed more flavorful than usual.
Even though it was no different from the standard camping meals during missions.
“Shall we sleep now? Let’s get some rest and leave at dawn tomorrow.”
Camping was familiar to them, and it wasn’t uncomfortable.
The escort knights had carefully made a temporary sleeping area, refusing to let their lord sleep on the hard ground.
‘It’s fine.’
But their overprotectiveness didn’t end there.
“We’ll take turns keeping watch. You should go inside and sleep first, my lady.”
“But Kan, I don’t feel comfortable being treated specially by myself.”
“This isn’t about special treatment. You have the most important duty tomorrow—meeting the divine beast. We’ll reach it by daytime, so you need to conserve your energy.”
Kan spoke gently, making sure Adel didn’t feel uneasy. She nodded obediently.
He was right.
Kan wiped the traces of rations from Adel’s lips with his fingers and guided her into the temporary sleeping area.
Adel looked up at the sky, familiar with the faces around her.
Though the temporary shelter was made by stacking thin wooden poles and covering them with leaves, there were gaps.
Someone had once told her that even the tiniest patch of night sky could hold tens of thousands of stars.
Cricket sounds chirped.
And somewhere, someone slept lightly, their breath audible.
When she thought it was a little chilly, she felt warmth beside her.
“Kan?”
“Shhh.”
Kan had quietly slipped inside the sleeping area and positioned himself beside her.
He placed a finger to his lips as if it were a secret.
For a moment, Adel felt the pleasant warmth, but then a ticklish sensation prompted her to gently push him away.
“You’re going to sleep here?”
“No. I’m just worried you’ll be cold. I’ll leave once you fall asleep.”
His large arms wrapped around her shoulders. Adel didn’t know how to respond and could only fidget.
“You’re so mischievous.”
“What of it? We’re married.”
“But you’re still a child, Kan. You need more lessons in sex education.”
“…What did you just say?”
Sometimes, she couldn’t tell if her wife was innocent or precocious.
It was all the result of how the Duke had raised their child inconsistently.
Kan, frustrated, took it out on his strict father-in-law.
Who’s the child here…?
Though feeling wronged, Kan showed no sign of it.
After all, this close gesture was half impulsive.
A small rebellion against a wife who quietly went about her duties, leaving him neglected—a thoroughly arranged marriage.
‘You probably think so.’
But in reality, I no longer do.
Kan’s lips twitched.
The adult hands gently stroked the small cheek of the tiny Empress, like a cat brushing against her.
A soft purring sound could be heard. She had already fallen asleep.
Adel stopped at the entrance of a cave.
The cave, situated in the middle of a massive peak, opened wide like the gaping mouth of a demon.
“Even from the outside, it definitely feels like something’s inside.”
“Looks more like a demon’s lair than a divine beast’s, doesn’t it?”
Terra and Rogue offered their impressions.
It was clear to everyone that this place was far from ordinary.
Shuzer, holding a staff embedded with a holy stone, waved it a few times through the air.
“I don’t think we need to worry. Sacred energy is emanating from within.”
“I’ll go in first. Once it’s safe, Your Majesties can enter.”
Mikael stepped toward the cave entrance.
They couldn’t risk letting their precious members enter an unsafe place.
But Mikael was immediately repelled.
Crack!
Blue sparks flew from the black pupil-like cave entrance, knocking Mikael backward.
He groaned in pain, clutching his abdomen.
“Mikael!”
Adel and Shuzer hurried to support him.
“This is…”
“A ‘barrier.’ It blocks anyone not permitted…”
Ehin added that magic seemed to be cast on the cave entrance.
Kan also poked at the edge of the barrier with a finger but quickly withdrew when sparks flew.
“I guess…”
“I’ll have to go alone.”
“Isn’t that dangerous?”
“It’s fine. The spirits are here, and I’ve grown much stronger.”
Adel glanced at Mikael, who still looked pained.
“If you don’t return in an hour, I’ll go in even if I’m torn apart.”
Kan’s quiet words made Adel smile.
“I’m sure you’ll be back soon.”
While Adel adjusted her equipment, Ehin tidied the surrounding area.
“Shuzer, please take care of Sir Mikael. Your Majesties, guard the entrance with Terra and Chopin. Rogue and I will search the perimeter.”
“Understood.”
“My lady, please take care of yourself.”
Adel bowed and stepped into the cave.
Though there had been a barrier, nothing happened as she entered.
She walked slowly.
A few steps in, darkness enveloped her, and a fire spirit appeared, illuminating the surroundings.
“Thank you.”
<Adel. I like you.>
The sudden declaration of affection didn’t make Adel smile.
Perhaps it was because she wouldn’t be able to converse for some time; the spirits often expressed affection whenever they could.
“I like you too.”
The spirit seemed satisfied, giggling before disappearing, leaving only the light behind.
The cave widened gradually, eventually becoming a small chamber.
Inside was a shabby, musty cave, hardly befitting the idea of a sleeping divine beast.
At the center was a flat rock about a meter high, on which lay a straw nest and a single egg the size of Adel’s head.
It looked like a bird’s egg.
Adel reached out carefully to touch it. Then she placed a dandelion she had brought beside the egg.
It felt warm—almost hot.
She could feel a pulse within the shell.
“I’m here.”
Buzz.
The egg seemed to respond.
Adel took out a music box.
When she placed it near the egg, the lid slowly opened, and a gemstone, glowing like amber, floated from it.
The stone merged with the egg, then the shell began to crack.
From inside emerged…
‘A bird.’
A purple baby bird.
As if a chick had been dyed violet.
Peep, peep.
The bird chirped, opening and closing its beak.
Adel held it gently, feeling a connection form between them.
The energy of the spirits faded, replaced by the strong aura of the divine beast.
‘Thank you for everything. We meet again.’
Adel looked at the spirits that had aided her and then gave a firm gaze to the new life she now held.
It was astonishingly adorable.
She had never given birth, but it made her wonder if this was what maternal affection felt like.
“Nice to meet you.”
<When we meet again, I’ll give you a name.>
“Tori.”
The divine beast lifted its head at her words.
“Your name is Tori from now on. Tori Heidegger.”
<Cheep, cheep.>
The creature seemed pleased with its new name.
“But what do you eat? Larvae?”
<Cheep.>
Adel asked, staring at the divine beast. It just rubbed its cheek against her and chirped.
Unlike spirits, which needed nothing to survive, she felt that she would need to feed and raise this one.
“What a beautiful color.”
<Cheep, cheep.>
“Let’s go. I’ll introduce you to your friends.”
<Cheep?>
They still had a long way to go before real conversation.
Adel murmured this to herself as she walked toward the cave exit.
When the bright sunlight began to sting her eyes, a loud noise struck her eardrums.
A foul, fishy stench hit her.
Outside, a battle was taking place.
