Chapter 45…
The Crimson Mother, Erebus.
The one who longed for a world shrouded in calamity.
The mother of countless monsters, birthing endless despair from within the darkness in which she imprisoned herself.
She was also the primal terror.
Little detailed information had been passed down about her…
But one thing was certain—Erebus would meet her death at Isabella’s sword.
And with that, the monster wave that had engulfed the principality would be brought to a complete end.
“…You mean the war can be ended?”
Isabella’s expression grew serious at the question.
Erebus was a name unfamiliar to her, but she knew Dante would never say such things without certainty.
“According to the records I’ve read—yes. That is correct.”
Dante answered with a voice full of conviction, turning his gaze elsewhere.
“What are your thoughts, Commander Veratis?”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Veratis couldn’t answer immediately.
He hesitated, unsure what he should say.
But before him stood not just anyone—these were the heir of House Aquites and the Princess herself.
Even in jest, he couldn’t speak falsehoods.
“I believe the possibility is high.”
At that answer, Isabella’s brow twitched.
“Explain.”
A short command.
Veratis nodded.
“Erebus is no ordinary monster. Behemoths, Balrochs, even Noirgaron, whom Sir Dante personally slew—none of them can be compared to her.”
It was inevitable.
“Because those creatures were nothing more than Erebus’s children.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly as I say.”
With a grave expression, Veratis continued.
“Of the monsters deployed in this war, at least seventy percent were likely born from Erebus’s womb.”
The number of monsters that had invaded the principality over the past three years easily exceeded one million.
Perhaps two or even three million.
There was a reason it was called a “monster wave.”
The name itself came from the fact that monsters came crashing endlessly like waves.
And seventy percent of that astronomical number were born from a single being?
“…Is that even possible?”
Isabella’s face was filled with disbelief.
It defied common sense.
But Veratis did not retract his words.
Instead, he presented proof.
“Eighty-two years ago, a monster wave erupted in the western empire. Reports from that time clearly recorded Erebus’s existence.”
The monster wave eighty-two years ago…
Isabella had heard well enough of the devastation it brought upon the empire.
Yet never once had she heard the name Erebus.
“At the time, it was thought the monsters appeared through massive rifts. But that was not the case.”
Looking at Dante, Veratis continued.
“Darkness. What those who ventured to close the rift saw was endless darkness. Scholars of the time named it the source of malice—Erebus.”
At his explanation, Isabella found herself unable to speak.
She had thought the monsters were merely gathering from afar for some unknown reason.
That was the only explanation that ever made sense.
But now she was told otherwise.
And to learn that even dragonkin like Noirgaron were merely her children shook her understanding to the core.
“To add, Erebus can be killed. That’s how the monster wave eighty-two years ago was ended.”
Darkness, source of malice—it didn’t matter.
In the end, Erebus was still a living being.
And living beings could be killed.
Of course, the process would be arduous…
“But if we kill her, we can end this war.”
Dante’s words rang with unshakable conviction.
Isabella stared silently into Dante’s eyes.
As though searching his very soul, she gazed at him for a long time before speaking.
“I won’t ask how you know this. That isn’t important. But there is one thing you must answer.”
“What is it?”
“You knew about Erebus all this time, and yet you never once spoke of her. Why are you telling us only now?”
It was only natural for her to question that.
Depending on his answer, she might well feel disappointed.
Yet Dante replied without a second’s hesitation.
“Because now, she can be killed.”
Before, it had been impossible.
Or even if possible, the price in lives would have been catastrophic.
It had been so in his previous life.
But now, things were different.
“We can kill Erebus.”
Dante’s voice brimmed with certainty.
Yes—now.
“She can be slain.”
“The path to the Murodia Mountains will be treacherous.”
At Veratis’s words, all nodded in agreement.
Ten knight orders: Acrassion, Palantium, Windgale, Bloodyon, Blackbow, Escarion, Belzenor, Lumiergard, Harmion, and Braeven.
Along with the Third Magic Corps.
And Isabella herself.
The core of the allied forces gathered in one place, their faces grim as they continued their council.
“Unfortunately, we cannot take a large army with us.”
From Belladium to the Murodia Mountains was a week’s ride on horseback.
Countless monsters would surely block the way, and the mountains themselves were guarded by powerful beings protecting Erebus.
But they could not afford to deploy their full strength there.
There were issues of speed, of supplies, and—most crucially—pulling soldiers from the front lines would leave the people defenseless.
If Erebus was being slain, then the people would lose their shield.
Such a thing could not be allowed.
Thus, the expedition would have to be formed from those present here alone.
“With this much strength, we will reach the Murodia Mountains without issue.”
It was the very peak of the alliance’s might.
Stronger than anything ever assembled before.
Together, they could break through any obstacle that stood in their path.
The problem lay with Erebus herself.
“After expending so much strength along the way… will we truly be able to face her?”
Veratis looked cautiously at Isabella.
The heart of this operation lay with her.
Had Isabella not been here, they would never even consider a plan to slay Erebus.
It would simply have been impossible.
Yet rather than answer with encouraging words, Isabella turned her gaze—to Dante.
‘…Tch.’
Feeling her eyes on him, Dante’s expression grew troubled.
‘She wants me to say it myself?’
Her look carried unwavering trust.
And so Dante had no choice but to rise to meet it.
“We can do it.”
He spoke plainly, without particular force or a grim expression.
As casually as if he were saying, “Breakfast was good this morning.”
But it was that very nonchalance that instilled trust in everyone.
It truly sounded like no great matter.
“Understood. Then we shall proceed as if success is possible, and not request additional reinforcements.”
Veratis nodded.
“Departure will be at dawn tomorrow. All preparations are to be finished by then, and we leave Belladium just before sunrise.”
Together with Arthur, he began laying out the detailed plan: routes of travel, supply allocations, communication methods, division of roles, the magic corps’ support range.
For an operation of such scale and importance, one could hardly expect mere hours of discussion to suffice.
And yet the council flowed swiftly and smoothly, like water.
All thanks to Isabella.
She had commanded that every capability of the allied forces be devoted to supporting this mission.
That made all things easier.
Matters that would normally take days were settled in hours.
By the time the sun was just beginning to set, it was finished.
“Good. Then we’ll proceed as planned.”
Veratis, looking a little weary, declared the meeting closed.
“Shall we all eat together?”
They would soon fight side by side, and it was good to build camaraderie and share words.
Spoken casually, but since it was Isabella who said it, no one dared refuse.
No one—except Dante.
“My apologies. I already have an engagement.”
“Ah, of course. You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”
Isabella’s eyes curved into a crescent, as if she knew who awaited him.
“Very well, I’ll allow it. Eat plenty and enjoy yourself.”
Waving playfully, she dismissed him.
Dante bowed politely and left the chamber.
“Young master!”
The voice that always welcomed him rang out once more.
“Already done? I heard it would take a long time…”
“Fortunately, it ended sooner than expected.”
Smiling, Dante reached out and ruffled Eina’s hair as she hovered at his side like a little puppy.
‘Hm.’
When he had first come to the principality, he’d had to stretch his arm up high to do that.
Now it wasn’t necessary.
It wasn’t just his sword and magic that had grown in the past three years.
“But what should we do? I thought you’d be late, so dinner isn’t ready yet.”
“Take your time.”
Looking at her fidgeting with needless worry, he couldn’t help but smile.
“I’ll make it quick! The kitchen master listens to me well—if I help, we’ll have food in no time.”
Just how far did Eina’s charm go?
Even back in House Aquites, plenty of people seemed to fall for her words.
“Would you rather wait at the lodging, young master?”
“Leave the cooking to the kitchen. You come with me.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Because tonight, I thought we could sit and talk. With Sir Milleon and Sir Elaine as well.”
They’d all been too busy to share time together.
For him and the two knights, that was fine.
But Eina must have felt lonely.
In this strange land, knowing no one else, she had spent her time alone waiting for him.
Tomorrow, they would leave once more on a long journey.
At least tonight, he wanted her not to feel alone.
“Really?”
Her face lit up with such joy that Dante felt a pang of guilt.
Could it really be right for such a young girl to spend her days in the heart of a battlefield, surrounded by strangers?
It’s about time I send her back.
Until now, Eina had ignored countless orders and refusals.
But this time, she wouldn’t be able to resist.
Once Erebus is slain…
They would all return together to their house.
There would be no reason for her to refuse.
With a small smile, Dante walked alongside Eina.
Dinner was late that night—but it was delicious.
