Chapter 243: The Mountain of Light and Darkness (1)

The Flag of the Tyrant King was completed by Yuri.

He had defeated the sixteen key nations that made up the Union of Small Kingdoms and had seized their flags. It was a feat no one had accomplished since the Tyrant King who had once ruled the center of the continent.

Rumors even spread that he had repelled the Empire’s intervention and defeated the Black Knight in the process.

Yuri had undoubtedly become one of the Ten Greats. There was no one left on the continent who didn’t know his name.

But Yuri didn’t care about such achievements. He didn’t cling to fame. He only wished to fight against the Empire.

Before leaving the Union of Small Kingdoms, Yuri sent a letter to the kings of the sixteen nations.

It contained information about the truth of the Empire, as well as a message from him urging them to join his struggle. The letter also explained the events that had taken place in Konzed during the Tournament of the Tyrant King’s Flag, so it was almost certain to provoke a concrete response from the kings.

And if any of those countries remained hesitant even after receiving the letter, Yuri intended to act with force, backed by the Tyrant King’s Flag.

Next, Yuri headed to Mount Zenel with the Order of Vengeance.

There lay a remnant left by the Tyrant King.

“Why are we going to Mount Zenel all of a sudden?”

“I have business there.”

“Are you going to get a new weapon or something?”

“No.”

In the famous Zenel mountain range, known for its excellent steel, Mount Zenel was the highest peak.

It was said that the Tyrant King had obtained something at the top of that mountain. Yuri wanted to see it with his own eyes.

“Don’t tell me you’re going all the way to the summit.”

“Exactly.”

“Ugh…”

Jared scratched his head.

“It’s way too high.”

“I can go alone. You can wait.”

“Why?”

“Didn’t you just say it was too high?”

“Well, it was just a figure of speech. How are you going to go alone?”

“Then come with me.”

“Hmm…”

Mount Zenel was located in the kingdom of Airman, a region not far from the Union.

Not being a strong nation, its main income came from exporting Zenel steel.

Since this wasn’t an official visit, Yuri crossed the border of Airman in secret and headed straight for the mountain.

When they arrived, the towering mountain loomed above them.

Jared let out a resigned laugh.

“Are we really going to climb that?”

The summit of Mount Zenel was covered in perpetual snow.

“It’s snow-covered.”

“We’ll have to face it.”

“You’re really going alone?”

“Yes.”

Yuri ordered the Order of Vengeance to set up camp and announced that he would climb to the summit alone.

At that moment, Jared began to suspect something.

“What’s at the top of Mount Zenel?”

“Maybe the Tyrant King’s legacy.”

“The Tyrant King’s legacy?”

“I saw something in the Tyrant King’s Flag. I don’t know what exactly is up there, but what’s certain is that the Tyrant King hid a message in the flag. It said he reached a revelation at the top of Mount Zenel.”

“And that’s why you’re going up just like that?”

“There’s no time. We must stop the Empire.”

“Understood. Then I’ll go with you.”

“No need.”

“I’m going.”

Yuri ended up accepting, and the two began to ascend Mount Zenel.

He ordered the Order of Vengeance that, if they didn’t return in time, they should go back to Briol.

And so, the two headed toward the mountain.

“Huff… huff…”

With backpacks on their backs and a sword each, they began to climb using mountaineering gear.

“This is exhausting.”

“Use the pole.”

“Yes, sir.”

Despite being accustomed to exercise from their knight training, Mount Zenel was so steep and difficult that they bought climbing gear in bulk at a small nearby village.

There was even a store specialized for hikers, indicating there were more climbers than they expected.

Yuri and Jared gripped a hiking pole in each hand and wore high-quality mountain boots as they climbed the slope.

They were moving at high speed.

“Let’s slow down.”

“There’s no time.”

“Ugh…”

Surprisingly, they ran into some hikers.

“Good morning.”

“Have a good climb.”

Not knowing Yuri’s identity, they greeted them kindly.

Jared glanced at them sideways, suspicious.

“Why do so many people come to this mountain?”

“Because it’s there.”

“Excuse me?”

“Just like we train with swords, climbers climb.”

“Hmm…”

While Jared tilted his head, they came across another group of three hikers, whom Jared decided to question.

“Good morning. May I ask something?”

“Good morning. Sure, go ahead.”

“Why are you climbing this mountain?”

“Huh?”

“What’s the reason for climbing Mount Zenel?”

“Well…”

The hikers looked at each other and then cast a suspicious glance at Jared.

“You came without knowing?”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re climbing Mount Zenel without a clue? That’s suspicious…”

“Excuse me?”

“We have nothing more to say.”

With that, they continued climbing the steep mountain with their hands behind their backs.

Despite not having as much gear as Yuri and Jared, their steps were very steady. The way they balanced with their hands behind their backs showed their skill.

“How odd. There really does seem to be something at the top of Mount Zenel.”

Yuri had only heard of the Zenel River, not the mountain itself. He didn’t understand why there were so many hikers.

“I don’t know. Let’s find out.”

They quickened their pace.

Every time they encountered new hikers, Jared asked about the mountain, but everyone avoided the question and looked at him suspiciously.

Yuri sighed.

“Stop asking and let’s just climb.”

“But I’m curious.”

“You’ll find out when we get there.”

As they ascended, the temperature dropped. Their breath began to show in the cold air.

They put on their coats.

“No wonder the shopkeeper insisted we buy this.”

“Weren’t you the one who called him a swindler?”

“Well, I just wanted to protect you. You’re too trusting.”

“Calling an honest person a swindler… What trash.”

Yuri looked back.

From there, they could see the slope they had climbed and the valley landscape at their feet. Everything looked tiny, like toys. He felt a bit of vertigo from the height.

At the same time, a vast feeling of spirit rose within him.

“Perfect.”

Yuri looked forward again and kept climbing.

“Let’s go faster!”

But suddenly, a commotion broke out. Screams were heard, and as they approached, they saw a group of hikers facing a pack of direwolves.

Although the hikers were also armed and in a defensive formation, the number of beasts was such that they didn’t dare attack.

Most of them were trembling in fear.

“D-Direwolves aren’t supposed to appear around here…”

“Damn it…”

“Where did those things come from?”

“If we stay still, they’ll leave.”

Among the hikers facing the direwolves, there were several who had previously treated Yuri and Jared as suspicious.

Jared, with arms crossed, nodded his head.

“They don’t know anything. Direwolves never retreat. Seeing that situation, they probably believe that if they just stall for time, they’ll win.”

“That’s right.”

Yuri patted him on the back.

“Go on, save the poor hikers.”

“Huh?”

Jared shrugged and then put on a mock-evil expression.

“Save the ones who treated me like a suspect? Do I look like that good of a person? Hahaha…”

“Jared. Watch out for the darkness rising in your heart.”

“You sound like a priest. Hahaha…”

“Yes. Get rid of the bad feelings and listen to the good ones. Darkness cannot overcome light.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Jared shrugged, set his luggage aside, and with only a sword in hand, walked forward arrogantly.

“Here comes a suspicious guy!”

As soon as Jared appeared, all eyes from both sides turned to him.

One of the hikers shouted.

“T-That guy brought the wolves! I knew he was suspicious!”

“…”

“E-Evil!”

The atmosphere turned strange. Jared, who had approached in good spirits, lowered the tip of his sword and sighed.

“Such cruel hearts for mountain folks…”

But since his words weren’t true, the pack of direwolves immediately lunged at him.

They had assumed that, being isolated, he would be easy prey. They were intelligent beasts.

However, not smart enough to properly judge the enemy’s level.

Jared swung his sword once, and several direwolves fell to the ground bleeding. Upon seeing the blood, the others backed away, howling like frightened dogs.

The hikers opened their eyes wide in astonishment at the scene.

“My name is Jared.”

He said his name while raising his sword. The energy from his sword burned like a flame.

“I’m an honest mountaineer. I can’t just stand by and watch these direwolves threaten the trail. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to die.”

A direwolf that seemed to be the leader growled with a low, deep sound. The wolves turned and moved as if they were one body, surrounding Jared. They bared their fangs and lunged ferociously.

Jared whistled.

“What adorable creatures.”

The direwolves posed no threat to him. The one-sided massacre began.

The wolves, realizing the overwhelming power difference, hurriedly retreated with their tails between their legs.

Jared went toward the leader. And in the end, the pack fled.

Yuri, watching Jared with his hands on his hips and a triumphant air, fell into a strange feeling.

“Wow, how he’s grown…”

When they climbed the sword mountain in search of Erich Briol’s inheritance, Jared also had to face a pack of direwolves.

Back then, he could barely handle a few wolves and was screaming in desperation.

Hernando had to help him with magic. But now, he effortlessly overpowered a pack larger and stronger than those.

“Thanks to me, of course.”

Ignoring Jared, Yuri approached the hikers. They, with relieved faces, bowed their heads.

“Ah, thank you so much…”

“It’s nothing. Among mountaineers we must help each other.”

“We didn’t expect you to be so strong. Are you knights?”

“No.”

Yuri shook his head.

“Down in the valley we may be whatever, but on this mountain we’re only hikers. Visitors. What good is anything else to those invited by the mountain? I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Ah…”

The hikers looked at each other and nodded.

“Sorry for being so distrustful earlier. It’s just… up here, things are a little…”

“Valuable to you?”

“Yes… something like that.”

Yuri didn’t ask further. He’d find out for himself once he reached the summit.

“Alright, shall we climb together?”

“Together?”

“You never know when the wolves might return. Besides, there could be other threats. If it’s tough, let’s unite.”

“Thank you.”

The hikers smiled openly, having completely opened their hearts to Yuri.

Thus, they began to ascend the mountain chatting together. Only Jared muttered from a distance, trailing behind them.

“I was the one who fought…”

***

As they neared the summit of Mount Zenel, the world beneath their feet grew ever smaller.

The problems of the world seemed insignificant. Compared to this mountain, even the Empire felt minor.

Gradually, people stopped talking. They just walked silently toward the peak.

The path was anything but easy.

Some rolled down slopes, others twisted their ankles, still others trembled from the cold with pale faces.

But no one stopped. Yuri didn’t understand what drove them so strongly to keep going.

“There it is.”

Finally, a tall peak appeared before them. Some silhouettes could already be seen at the top.

“Let’s go.”

The hikers, with solemn expressions, reached the summit.

And there. Yuri saw something that shouldn’t be there.

“…The demonic grimoire?”