< Chapter 31 - Holy Land #2 >
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“Lena! I’m here! Lena!”
Cordelia shouted loudly and entered the cave.
It was the very hot spring where Uther and Cordelia first encountered the wild fairies.
“Cordelia.”
When Lena, who was sitting quietly in a makeshift shelter made by spreading out a mat in an empty bathtub, answered, Cordelia smiled brightly and ran over to her.
“Lena, Lena. Good news! I found a way to cure the demon disease!”
Cordelia, who had suddenly found herself next to Lena, quickly relayed the story with the Fairy Queen.
“So I’m thinking of going to the Holy Land. Is that okay?”
“That’s great. Thank you so much for everything.”
“Hey, what is it? Hehehe.”
When Cordelia blushed and showed her delight, Lena couldn’t help but chuckle.
In fact, Lena was used to this kind of kindness.
Those who know the fame of the Holy Angel Lena are most likely to have a great affection for Lena.
But Cordelia felt a little more special.
Not just for her goodwill, but also for Lena herself.
“Cordelia is really cute.”
“Huh? Uh… Hehehe.”
As he spoke affectionately, Cordelia blushed even more and let out a foolish laugh.
But Lena found that sight so lovely that she smiled again.
“It’s warm, it’s warm.”
It was at this moment that Yuder, who was watching the scene from the entrance, felt happy all alone.
“Mr. Yuder, are we going to the Holy Land now?”
Dwarf Kaplan, whose deep and moist eyes even the Fairy Queen acknowledged, asked with sparkling eyes.
It is the relic of Solari and also the sacred place of the wild gods.
For him, an archaeologist, it was like a comprehensive gift set.
“Yes, I plan to do so.”
“Oh······.”
Although not as lovely as Cordelia, Kaplan’s blushing, ecstatic face was enough to make one smile.
‘Come to think of it.’
What can I say, Kaplan strangely became brighter than before after going through this incident.
‘Have you found some confidence?’
Because Uther himself and Cordelia have said many times that they are glad that Kaplan is with them.
But in fact, that wasn’t all.
There was a slightly different reason behind Kaplan’s brightening.
‘I was nothing.’
Kaplan was called the god of disaster because he caused accidents wherever he went.
But looking back, even if you call it an accident, it was only something like a falling rock, the activation of a hidden trap, or the appearance of a monster.
‘It’s embarrassing in front of two people, it’s embarrassing.’
In front of the two people who not only destroyed the city, but also half-collapsed the Blade Beak Canyon.
Moreover, upon hearing the story, it turned out that this wasn’t the first time.
If you go to the mountain, you will destroy the mountain,
When you go to the field, you burn the field,
A true embodiment of destruction that causes the city to collapse when you enter the underground city.
In front of the two of them, Kaplan himself was nothing more than a drop in the bucket, so all of his worries up until now seemed trivial.
Of course, the biggest reason for his brightness was that Uther and Cordelia had repeatedly affirmed Kaplan, but his humility in the face of greater destruction was also a reason that could not be ignored.
‘I too will become stronger.’
Like Lord Yuder and Lady Cordelia.
So that no matter what difficulties come, you can overcome them and move forward.
Kaplan, who had renewed his resolve, looked back at Cordelia, who was complaining to Lena, with warm eyes, and Uder narrowed his eyes.
‘Something… something feels different from what I intended.’
But whatever.
The important thing is that Kaplan found his confidence.
“Yuder, Yuuder. When are you leaving?”
At that moment, Cordelia’s call was heard, so Uder immediately turned around and answered.
“Well… there’s no reason to drag it out. If it’s okay with you, Lena, I’d like to leave right away… What do you think?”
Uder asked somewhat cautiously.
Because of this battle, Lena’s condition has gotten worse than before.
The more magic power she used, the worse her demon disease became, but Lena had already used a lot of magic power before joining Uder’s group.
If we had used a little more magic here, we could have ended up in a truly irreversible situation.
When Cordelia also looked worried at Uther’s question, Lena held Cordelia’s hand and said that it was okay.
“Physically, there is no major problem. Let’s go right away.”
“Okay, then let’s hurry.”
It was already almost lunchtime, so even if we left right now, we would have to hurry quite a bit to get there before sunset.
About an hour like that.
Cordelia came up to Uther, who was leading the way and heading northeast towards the holy land.
“Yuder, Yuuder.”
“huh?”
Uther was happy to see Cordelia, who had been sticking close to Lena, approaching, but he was also curious about what was going on.
When I asked, tilting my head, Cordelia answered in a muffled voice.
“We are going to the Holy Land now.”
“however?”
“According to your Majesty, the Holy Land is the place where the Golden Dragon, the king of the wild gods, and the sun god Solari interacted?”
“Yes. So it can be said to be a holy place for both the Wild Gods and the Solari Cult.”
“Yeah, yeah, so there must be a dragon vein in the holy land too?”
Uther, who was about to nod at Cordelia’s words, stopped. He narrowed his eyes and spoke in a low voice.
“What? Is this a premeditated murder? No, a premeditated terrorist attack? What are the demands?”
“Hey, that’s not it?”
“No, why not? And put your hand on your heart and ask your conscience. Is what I just said excessive or not?”
“Um… It’s too much. Anyway, it was Yuder’s fault.”
Cordelia, with her hand on her chest, spoke calmly as if she had really heard the voice of her conscience.
And at that sight, Yuder sighed without realizing it.
“Whew… the smoke has increased a lot.”
“Because of that evil Mr. So-and-so. And that wasn’t acting just now. It was really the voice of my heart.”
“I guess so. Anyway, why the dragon vein?”
“No, just in case.”
“if?”
“Oh, just.”
“Hey, I’m just saying this just in case. The Holy Land is not good. The Holy Land is really not good. The Queen is wailing loudly. Huh? She’s crying.”
“I know, I know. I know. Don’t worry, I don’t want to make the Queen cry either.”
Cordelia, who was talking excitedly, turned back to Lena, and Uther took a step forward with an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
&
By late afternoon, Uther and Cordelia were able to arrive at the Holy Land.
The holy place, located northeast of the Blade Beak Valley, was a basin reminiscent of the land of fine snow winds, and was a place that could be seen from afar.
“Only there is no snow.”
A green land in the middle of a pure white snowy field.
Moreover, it wasn’t just that he had no eyes.
As I approached, a warm breeze blew from inside the basin. It felt as if this was the only place in the world where spring was in full swing.
“I can feel Solari’s energy.”
It was just as Lena said.
As I entered the seal of the Raize River, I felt the power of Solari from all around me.
Inside a small basin with a diameter of about a hundred meters.
A place where spring is alone in winter.
“Ohhh… These are definitely the ruins of Solari. And they are of a very old style.”
Kaplan spoke excitedly, standing close to the pillars that served as gates at the entrance to the basin.
But Uther and Cordelia had their eyes elsewhere.
“Guardian of the tomb.”
Beyond the pillars sat four tomb guardians. They did not seem to have any intention of causing harm, but their eyes were those of watchers.
So instead of going in further, Yuder stood still and shouted loudly.
“We beg the guardian who protects the holy land, Bluebeard, to allow us to enter! The Wild Fairy Queen has sent us!”
At the same time, Cordelia held high the Fairy’s Bond, which contained the protection of the earth.
“The Fairy Queen sent us!”
As I shouted again and emitted the light of protection, the direction of the wind changed in an instant.
The wind that had been blowing from inside to outside stopped and a loud voice was heard.
“Bluebeard welcomes visitors!”
A loud voice seemed to be heard from a large temple located inside the basin, and soon the owner of the voice appeared.
As its name suggests, it was a dragon with a long blue beard.
“I am Bluebeard, the guardian of the Holy Land! Reveal your names!”
Blue scales and ornately extended deer horns.
The sight of Bluebeard, who looked more like an Eastern dragon than a Western one, stepping forward and shouting was majestic in itself, but Cordelia quickly bit her lip to keep herself from laughing.
‘Ear, so cute.’
It had to be that way.
It was a huge bluebeard with a body length of about 7 meters, but it looked exactly like an oriental dragon, and its arms and legs were all very short and small compared to its body.
But, as he stood on his small hind legs and walked toddling, I felt like I was witnessing the harmony of his majestic upper body and his incredibly weak lower body.
As Cordelia bit her lip and tried to suppress her laughter, Uther stepped forward as usual and spoke.
“Uder Bayer and Cordelia Chase, under the protection of the Fairy Queens.”
“This is Indiana Kaplan.”
“This is Lena Einsberg.”
After Lena finished introducing herself, Bluebeard narrowed his eyes and nodded.
“They are all good people. The woman at the very back has a strong demonic energy, but… Oh, did she come here to wash away that energy?”
It was not for nothing that Bluebeard was the guardian of the Holy Land.
Uder nodded immediately at the accurate analysis.
“Yes, that’s right. The Fairy Queen told me about this place, saying that the demonic energy could be washed away in the holy land.”
“Hmm, indeed.”
Bluebeard, stroking his stomach instead of his chin with his short hand, raised his head high and spoke.
“Come in! If you are sent by the Fairy Queen, there is no need to go through the test!”
He shouted loudly and started to return to the temple, while Yuder and Cordelia quickly looked back at Kaplan and Lena.
“Let’s go.”
“I’m glad the conversation went well.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Lena looked a bit bewildered, perhaps surprised by Bluebeard’s cool attitude, but soon smiled and took a step forward.
And a few minutes.
Entering the temple, Uther and Cordelia let out exclamations of admiration.
‘It was truly a place for exchange.’
Unlike the exterior, which followed the style of a typical Solari temple, the interior followed the style of the wild gods.
Should we say that it looks like a Western church on the outside, but on the inside it’s like a greenhouse?
It was clearly an artificial structure, with pillars erected here and there, but each and every one of them blended in with its surroundings, making it feel as if it were in nature.
In particular, in the center of the temple, there was a pond with a diameter of about ten meters, and a soft yet brilliant light came from the stone pillars surrounding the pond, giving it a mystical feeling.
“It is a sacred pond. It is a place where any trouble can be washed away.”
Bluebeard spoke with a proud tone as he looked at Lena and continued.
“I can tell by looking at your eyes. Even though you have been infected with the power of the devil, you are truly a good person. I will allow you to enter the pond, so wash away the darkness and restore the light.”
Bluebeard’s voice resonated loudly within the temple, like a heavenly voice.
Lena, who paid respect to Bluebeard who was stroking her stomach with a holy look, nodded to Yuda and Cordelia and then approached the pond, while Yuda and Cordelia watched Lena’s back.
“Hey, Bluebeard.”
“Speak.”
“How long will it take for Lena to wash away the demonic power?”
“I don’t know for sure. But since he’s been under the devil’s power for a long time, it’ll take quite some time.”
Cordelia, satisfied with the sincere answer, even though it was a little vague, looked back at Lena.
As Lena entered the pond, still clothed, the stone pillars around her began to glow green.
“It is the light of purification. Don’t be afraid and go to the center of the pond.”
Lena did not doubt Bluebeard’s words. She continued on and reached the center of the pond, where a green light enveloped her and the entire pond.
“Is it okay···?”
When Cordelia asked with her brows furrowed as if worried about Lena, who had become completely invisible because of the light, Bluebeard nodded again.
“It’s okay. Now, all you have to do is wait.”
“Thank you in many ways.”
“I am the guardian of the Holy Land, so it is only natural that I help those in need.”
Bluebeard replied with a smile and walked to the corner of the temple that seemed to be his residence, and Cordelia tried to look only at the upper body of Bluebeard.
And then a few more seconds passed.
“Cordelia.”
“huh?”
When I turned around at the call from behind, I saw Yuder nodding outside the temple.
“I’ll go out for a bit and take a look around.”
Anyway, there was nothing to do here other than rest and wait.
So, as usual, it was better to be aware of the surrounding terrain.
“Uh… Then I’ll go with you.”
“Well, whatever. I guess it’s okay to just leave Kaplan alone?”
“Yeah, you don’t look bored. I’ll call you when I get back and have dinner.”
Because he was still stuck to the wall, observing this and that diligently.
“Bluebeard! I’ll go out for a bit and get some fresh air!”
“Don’t go far! My protection does not reach outside the Holy Land!”
Bluebeard answered Cordelia’s cry, and Uther smiled bitterly without realizing it.
“why?”
“No, I just thought we became close quickly.”
“Because he seems like a nice uncle.”
Cordelia answered with a grin and left the temple with Uther before walking up onto the basin that was positioned like a folding screen. She wanted to climb up to a high place and look out over the surrounding area.
And a few minutes later.
Uther and Cordelia, who had reached the highest place, frowned without saying who would be the first.
“The devil’s eyes.”
There were people flocking to the holy land from far away.
The number is at least fifty.
There were many knights wearing heavy armor, as if they were from the Argon Empire and not the wild lands.
“The one in the lead is Bill Bain, right?”
“That seems right.”
A giant man covered in pitch-black armor.
It was a named character that was particularly strong among the intermediate mines of the Devil’s Eye.
In fact, although Yuder and Cordelia didn’t know it, the Devil’s Eyes, which had lost two mid-level mines due to the actions of the two, felt a considerable sense of crisis.
If things continue this way, the plan to take over the wild lands will be disrupted.
To pollute the eastern dragon vein, a stronger number must be placed.
So, we decided to deploy the elite forces currently active in the Argon Empire, which could be said to be the base of the Devil’s Eye, and that was the Black Knight Bilbain and his subordinates.
“It’s not a simple composition. There are quite a few monsters mixed in.”
In terms of numbers alone, there were fewer fights than in the previous ones, but each one was of a different quality.
If they are fifty, they will be able to deal with five hundred soldiers from the Kingdom of Seilun.
Moreover, they were the ones who were preparing a way to deal with the wild god.
So what should we do now?
How can we protect the purity of the Holy Land from those who seek to pollute the Dragon Vein?
‘If we only consider simple defeat······.’
After luring them, he trapped them in a basin and destroyed them by bursting the dragon vein – that was the extent of it.
Yuder, who was thinking, raised his head in surprise and spoke to Cordelia, who was groaning next to him.
“No, you devil. That is not possible.”
“Huh? What?”
“No, I said no.”
“So what?”
“Yes, there is something like that.”
Cordelia, who didn’t understand English, felt somehow wronged and crumpled her expression, but Uder looked back at Billbain and his men.
They counted the time left until they reached the Holy Land.
At the same time, I was reminded once again of the premise of protecting Lena and the Holy Land.
And a few seconds.
Something occurred to Yuder.
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< Chapter 31 - Holy Land #2 > End
