< Chapter 5 - The Devil's Hand #8 >
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Sunflower.
Beyond the northernmost border of the Kingdom of Seilun, at the entrance to the Savage Lands, there exists a ruin called the Frost Anvil.
The most popular theory is that it is the remains of an ancient kingdom founded by the Frost Dwarves, but the important thing is that the Frost Anvil area is an extremely cold land.
‘The coldest place on the continent? Frost Anvil, of course.’
In fact, it wasn’t just cold. It was a place where if you sprayed water, the water droplets floating in the air would turn into icicles and fall.
There were various opinions as to how this extreme zone was created, some claiming that it was a device created by the Frost Dwarves that is still in operation, while others theologically claim that it was created as a result of a curse from God.
‘Anyway, there is one legend about Frost Anvil.’
Once every 20 years, somewhere in Frost Anvil, a sun flower with the energy of the polar sun blooms.
A flower of the extreme ocean that blooms in extreme lands.
And this story was not a legend, but a fact.
‘In some ways, it is more useful than the solar system.’
Among the items with extreme positive energy appearing in Hero Chronicles 2, the ultimate winner was obviously the Sun Fire, but in reality, the Sun Fire was an item that had nothing special to offer other than the extreme positive energy.
On the other hand, the Sunflower’s extreme energy was inferior to that of the Sunflower, but instead, it not only increased the overall abilities of the body, but also had the function of transforming the person who absorbed it into a special constitution.
‘But Lucas said it first.’
In the original, the Sunflower event wasn’t the main event.
It was closer to a hidden event like ‘Cordelia and the Fairy’s Banquet’, and although any character located in the North, such as Yuda or Lucas, could activate it, it was actually an event prepared for Lucas.
‘Well… Lucas probably only knows that the sun flower is a flower that contains the energy of the extreme sun.’
As the saying goes, too much is worse than too little, energy that is too extreme, whether it is extreme or extreme, is often harmful to the body.
Just like the nine-syllable syllable.
“I’ve heard of it. It’s said to be a flower with extreme energy.”
“Yes, it is a flower that is said to be legendary in the North. And······.”
Lucas suddenly lowered his voice, moved a little closer to Yuder, and continued speaking in a small voice.
“It’s not a legend, it’s a fact. The records of the Count Hresvelg family contain the story of a man who discovered the sun flower twenty years ago.”
“Oh······.”
Although it was a fact he already knew, Uder swallowed his dry saliva and showed an appropriate response.
The listener’s interest is the best means to open the story bag.
“This year marks exactly 20 years since I returned to the North, and winter will come soon… It’s also a good time.”
At this point, it was obvious why Lucas was talking about the sun flower.
It was a situation where I was recommending solar flowers to Yuder.
‘The question is, why is he like this?’
Actually, I had a guess.
Lucas Hresvel, you already knew very well what kind of guy he was.
“That’s an interesting story.”
Uder swallowed hard again and said.
Cordelia pretends not to care, but in fact shows that she is incredibly interested… She puts on a performance of the kind that she would not be able to do even if she were to wake up from the dead.
Indeed, Lucas’s dark blue eyes sparkled and shone with light.
“Prince Yude, will you go north with me?”
‘bingo!’
Yuder, who was cheering inwardly, did not bother to hide his emotions. He showed his joy on his face and then quickly gathered up his thoughts, acting as if he was still an immature young master.
“Are you talking about the North?”
“Yes, if it is okay with Prince Uder, I would like to invite you to Count Hresvelg’s house. If you wish, Lady Cordelia as well.”
‘Oh, Lucas. Oh, Lucas.’
It was really useful, even in the fight against Minos.
Uther tried hard to suppress the urge to kiss Lucas’ forehead while he scratched the itchy spot, and moved his lips.
“It is truly··· truly a grateful suggestion. However··· why······.”
The relationship between Count Bayer and Count Hresvelg was neither particularly good nor bad.
At first glance, it might seem like the Counts of Hresvelg were at odds with the Counts of Bayer, who had previously monopolized the position of Margrave, but there was one more family between them.
‘From the Counts of Bayer to the Counts of Pael, and then back to the Counts of Hresvelg.’
It was almost 50 years ago that the Counts of Bayer held the position of Count.
In a large-scale battle with the northern barbarians, the Count of Bayer was killed, and the title of Margrave passed to the Count of Pael. However, the new Margrave, Count Pael, also died tragically not long after.
Accordingly, the central government dispatched Count Hresvelg, who was a powerful figure in the central government and the leader of the Ten Swordsmen at the time, as the margrave, and from then on, the Count Hresvelg family maintained the position of margrave as the leader of the twelve families.
‘We’re not enemies by any means, but we’re not on good terms either.’
Should I say that we are on good terms?
At Yuder’s question, Lucas blushed slightly and looked away as he spoke.
“Because I thought I had met my match.”
‘I thought so.’
At the expected answer, Yuder felt like he was going to burst out laughing, but he tried to maintain a serious expression.
“Are you talking about the number of enemies?”
“Yes, I… It’s a little embarrassing to say, but up until this day, I thought that there was no one my age who could compete with me.”
Because Lucas was a swordsman.
Since he was not born with a natural talent for syllables like Yuder, he grew up displaying his dazzling talent to the fullest from a young age.
“There is no one among my peers… It’s a nice thing to hear, but in reality, I’ve always felt lonely. I’ve always wished for a rival… someone who can stand on equal footing and move forward together with me.”
There was sincerity in Lucas’ face and voice.
As a handsome Honam man, he looked like a picture, but Yuder, who was actually listening, had to put in a lot of effort to maintain an equally serious expression.
‘Oh, seriously. This is so freaking gross.’
I already knew it from the setting, but hearing it in person really felt new in many ways.
“Prince Yude.”
“Yes, Prince Lucas.”
As Yuder barely managed to answer in time, Lucas looked at Yuder with an extremely serious expression and then suddenly grabbed his hand.
“I am convinced after seeing Prince Yude’s fight. Prince Yude is definitely the rival I have long desired.”
‘Yes, originally Maximilian was supposed to be my rival, but well, Yuder also has the ability to defeat the enemy. He could be my rival. But why are you holding hands?’
Juder, barely able to suppress the sound of his heart, faced Lucas’s hot gaze head-on.
“So I thought. Let’s get Prince Yude better as soon as possible.”
So that Yuder can properly display his talents.
In fact, immediately after defeating Minos, Lucas’ mind was filled with thoughts of Cordelia.
It’s not that I fell in love with Cordelia, but because her true colors were so shocking.
But as time went by, Yuder’s fight kept coming to mind.
The movement that Yuder showed.
His fighting style is incredibly bold.
The talent of a genius that can be recognized because they are also geniuses.
“Prince Yude, come with me to the north. I will help you find the Sunflower.”
It was an unexpected proposal.
But this time, instead of answering right away, Uder took a moment.
It was meant to tease Lucas.
‘Well, okay.’
Was it about 20 seconds?
As Lucas’s eyes wavered, Yuder opened his mouth after careful consideration and answered in a heavy yet serious tone.
“Thank you very much. However… I am more touched by the words that Prince Lucas, known as the Giraffe of Hresvelg, considers me a worthy rival than by the words that we should search for the Sunflower together. Although I have only just begun my journey as a warrior, I want to live up to Prince Lucas’s expectations.”
“Prince Yude, what you said was······.”
“Yes, I will go with Prince Lucas.”
When Yuder spoke with a big smile, Lucas took a deep breath as if relieved, then smiled brightly in return.
“I look forward to the trip north with Prince Yude.”
“Yes, I look forward to it too.”
When the story was over, Lucas stood up with a happy face and returned to the knights of Count Hresvelg’s house.
Judging from the excitement in his footsteps, he was still a young boy of sixteen.
‘I’m also a fan of hero novels.’
The current situation itself is almost identical to the beginning of ‘The Heroes of Builtwein’, one of Lucas’ favorite hero novels.
It was almost exactly what Katrang, the main character of the story, said: “I’m more happy that Lucas has become my rival than the sun flower that Yuder took out at the end.”
Perhaps he didn’t know it, but during our conversation just now, Lucas must have been feeling like he had become a built-in.
‘Anyway, is this one resolved?’
Yuder, with his shoulders slumped once more, looked back at Cordelia.
She was explaining the fairy banquet to Sylvia and Viola, who were absorbed in the story, even adding movements.
‘I guess… Cordelia’s appearance becomes stronger when she’s not with me.’
Uther and Cordelia awakened to their memories of their past lives.
And as a result, many things changed.
Suddenly, twenty years of memories were added to a life that had only lasted a little over ten years, so even though it was a past life and reincarnation, his appearance as Outboxer 009 stood out more than that of Uder.
And it got even worse when he was confronted by Yellow Storm, who also had memories of his past life.
Although Uther and Cordelia were engaged, they were originally distant friends.
But it wasn’t Outboxer 009 or Yellow Storm.
We’ve known each other for five years, and we’ve been growling at each other in the chatroom every day for almost three years, so when we’re together, it’s more like a meeting between Outboxer and Yellow Storm than between Uther and Cordelia.
The fact that they still called each other by nicknames was proof of that.
When the two were together, they were still more familiar with each other’s nicknames than their own names.
‘The love for a past life that only the two of them share… maybe it’s something like an obsession.’
Of course, it would change little by little.
Because the memories of Uder and Outboxer were mixed together, their personalities also changed.
The current Yuder is closer to someone new, a little different from the old Yuder and the outboxer Im Jin-ho from his previous life.
‘The title will change someday, too.’
After our first meeting, the frequency of calling each other by nicknames gradually decreased.
Later on, there would come a day when I would call them by their nicknames, as if they were a kind of pet name, with special meaning attached to them only when I really thought of them.
“Someday.”
Uther got up from his seat and walked towards Cordelia, who was talking excitedly.
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Time passed.
Two days after the Devil’s Hand attack incident.
The first to arrive was the Count Dahut, who was geographically closest.
The Golden Deer Knights, the pride of the Dahut Counts, quickly left Langest with the twin brothers, and the next in line were the Crossbell Counts and Lange Viscounts.
“Cordelia, this reunion was scary, but… it was still really nice to meet you. I look forward to next year’s reunion.”
“Me too, Sister Cordelia.”
The two of them, who had become very close over the past few days, were truly sorry to part with Cordelia.
“I’ll be looking forward to it too. I’m sure you two will really miss each other.”
Cordelia hugged Sylvia and Viola in turn, and the beautiful girl and the cute girl blushed at the beautiful girl’s hug.
Three days after the Devil’s Hand attack.
After Sylvia, Viola, and Felix left, only three people remained in Trezian: Juder, Cordelia, and Lucas.
“I plan to join the family in the middle.”
Lucas, who had been in contact with his family for the past few days, said with a smile.
Because the Thunderdoom Fortress, where the Hresvelg Counts are located, is too far from Langest.
Since the story was that if Uther and Cordelia were together, the Counts Bayer and Chase would also be together, there would be no problem with the escort.
It would be okay if you joined in the middle.
“Are we the only ones left?”
Count Bayer and Count Chase.
And the next morning.
Finally, the men of the two counts arrived at Langest.
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“Huh, it’s still so flimsy.”
“Oh, Father?”
Surprisingly, the person who came to greet Count Chase was none other than Count Chase himself.
“Hahaha, Yuder. I heard the story. You’ve gotten so much stronger in just a few days.”
The one who came from the Bayer Counts was Gail Bayer, who was confirmed as the next Count of Bayer.
“Count Chase is leaving, so shouldn’t we also make up for it?”
Gail, who was laughing bitterly, whispered to Uther.
Well, if Count Chase is going, it would be more appropriate if at least the successor of the Count Bayer family followed him.
Count Chase looked at Uther with his usual cold face, then snorted and said.
“You faced Mine, right?”
“Yes, we were able to defeat it thanks to Miss Cordelia and the wizards of the Red Dawn Tower.”
“Huh, you can’t take it down by yourself? You’re still weak.”
Those around him were shocked by Count Chase’s harsh criticism, but Yuder was not. He smiled happily as he watched Count Chase, who was now beginning to search through his bosom.
“You’re too weak to let your guard down. It’s nothing special, but take care of it.”
“I love you, Father.”
Yuder smiled again as he took the black bracelet that Count Chase had offered him.
This is because it was a C-rank bracelet called the Guardian of Darkness that increased magical defense.
“Tsk tsk, you’re still so shaky. There’s something I happened to buy on the way here. Take it.”
I glanced back and saw the knight of the Count Chase family smiling awkwardly and lifting the bundle of papers he was holding in his arms.
It was clearly a nutritious food that was good for the body.
“Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t prepare this specifically for you.”
“Of course, father.”
It was at that moment that Uther’s eyes sparkled. Cordelia poked Uther’s side and winked.
‘Why? Are you saying we should make n-bread too?’
‘What the hell is that crazy guy talking about, other than that. There’s that thing, that thing.’
‘Oh, that.’
After communicating with only their eyes, Uther and Cordelia looked back at Count Chase, and Uther, who had cleared his throat, began to speak.
“Father, and brother. I have something to tell you.”
The story of the sun flower and Lucas’ invitation.
And what’s added to this is the addition of Cordelia.
“I, I want to go with you, my beloved Prince Yu. I, I don’t want to be separated···.”
Cordelia, holding onto Uther’s arm tightly, spoke with a reddened face and a tearful expression.
Although she was embarrassed to say that, to others, she just seemed like a girl who lived and died for love, even shedding tears because she wanted to be with her fiancé.
‘Of course my brother would say okay.’
Because I had a big smile on my face as I looked at Cordelia.
Uther looked back at Count Chase, supporting Cordelia, who was hanging on this way and that, with one arm, and swallowed dryly involuntarily.
Because Count Chase’s gaze was so scary.
But that was only for a moment.
Count Chase snorted and searched through his pockets again.
“I wonder if a weakling like that can protect Cordelia.”
Although his tone was sarcastic, he already had a new item in his hand.
“It’s nothing special, but take it.”
What Count Chase offered was a pair of rings.
As soon as I saw it, it seemed like it had been prepared for Uther and Cordelia, and it looked like something that had been kept for a long time, but I could feel a strong magical energy.
And that was the moment.
‘Please take good care of Cordelia.’
A magical message heard in Uder’s head.
As Yuder suddenly raised his head, Count Chase turned around with a cold expression on his face.
“I’ve finished my business, so I’ll be heading back now. I’ll make sure to speak to that old man, Count Bayer, so have a safe trip to the North.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“Father! I’ll be back!”
Count Chase, who responded to Uder and Cordelia’s greetings with a simple wave of his hand, seemed ready to leave Trezian, but soon took his seat in the reception room.
The business regarding Uther and Cordelia was almost finished, but there were still other business left to do, such as meeting with Ronin and the magicians of the Red Dawn Tower.
“Huh, look at the things.”
As Count Chase, with his ears slightly reddened, turned his head and waved his hand, the knights of Count Chase’s family went to Seebeck, who was in charge of the trip, and began to coordinate various matters.
Since we were going on another long-distance trip, there were a lot of things to discuss, such as the composition of the escort group.
“Father won’t say anything, so don’t worry and go.”
Gale, who spoke coolly, personally coordinated the escort group that would follow Uder.
And two people again.
Cordelia, who was fiddling with the ring that Count Chase had given her, pouted slightly and looked back at Uther.
“Anyway… I guess it worked out somehow?”
I received Lucas’ invitation and my father’s permission.
There was a coupling there – no, I even got a magic item.
“To this extent, it is a great success.”
Uther, smiling with satisfaction, lightly extended his fist to Cordelia, and Cordelia laughed happily and lightly bumped their fists together.
And the next morning.
The party, including the three counts of Bayer, Chase, and Hresvelg, set out for the northernmost part of the Kingdom of Cailun – Thunderdoom Fortress.
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< Chapter 5 - The Devil's Hand #8 > End
