Soft breathing-.

Stella was asleep.

Even though we had planned to set out early this morning, it seems she’s too exhausted. So I decided to let her sleep for an extra hour or two.

Swoosh.

I gently placed the Angmar robe over Stella’s bare body.

Then, using the nymph technique ‘Sneak’, I tiptoed out of the tree hollow. The chill of the morning air welcomed me as I stepped outside.

Should I have slept a bit more?

Even though my stamina has improved noticeably recently, last night’s exertions until early morning was a bit tiring.

It’s said that reaching a man’s peak uses as much energy as sprinting around a track at full speed—.

I don’t know how reliable that information was, but I felt it quite plausible.

“But I feel pretty good right now.”

Clench.

I clenched and released my fist into the empty air.

Not long ago, I’d been burning with such fever that my vision blurred, but now my body felt comfortably tense, like simmering magma.

It was probably thanks to Stella nursing me back to health.

“So, how long do you plan on hiding?”

My voice echoed in the quiet dawn.

In response, something rustled in the dark thicket nearby. A flash of red light gleamed, which might have seemed like a fearsome beast aiming for me, but I wasn’t worried.

“As expected of Theo-nim. I cant escape your eyes.”

Pasussuk-.

From the bushes, a woman with her hair and shoulders covered in leaves emerged.

Not only that, she also wore necklaces and bracelets adorned with fangs and bones of some unknown beasts.

Was that a staff made from a skull in her hand?

“Ah, th-this is something I received from the cold-blooded tribe Yan-Dor of the west. They said it was the mark of a chieftain.”

“I’m glad to see you’re in one piece, Balan.”

I said that, though I had already noticed Balan lingering around me these past few days. After being struck by the Ogre Dordor’s massive club and sent flying a few days ago…

I was well aware that the undead appearing in the forest were Balan’s minions.

In the first place, the monsters beyond the wall posed no threat to Balan except for the forest masters or centipede immortal Angala.

“I flew westward, subdued the monsters there, and incorporated them into the new Demon King’s army under Balan de Sabrnak. I also subdued a few small monsters….”

Balan rattled off all she’d done since we last parted, explaining how she’d been expanding her influence in the north by turning various creatures into her subordinates.

Though I am deducting some vacation time from her for being sent flying by Dordor, she’d still managed to turn the crisis into an opportunity and fulfill her role admirably.

Normally, I would have given her a reward, but restoring her deducted vacation time should be sufficient.

“Actually, I wanted to report to Theo-nim sooner, but I didn’t want to interfere with the capture of the Young Lady of the Belhawk family.”

“……”

“Ah, a hawk falling into the earth. Hihi—If her brother Opal knew about this, he would have screamed. It’s a shame I couldn’t get my hands on his body.”

Was Balan watching everything that happened between Stella and me? I felt a little embarrassed and awkward thinking about it.

Although it was wise of her not to intervene, there was no need to mention it. I scratched my cheek, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.

“So, what do you think of this forest? Since you’ve been around for a few days, I assume you have some impressions.”

“This forest, the Witch Forest beyond the wall, seems to have found a fair bit of stability. For the Demon King’s army, it maintains a rather primitive structure….”

Just as Balan described.

Everyone was wary that beyond the wall was the Shadow Army of the Demon King Solomon. But when I finally arrived at this forest, I found no signs of anything resembling a Shadow Army.

Honestly, aside from the centipede Angala, the creatures here were no different from those found south of the wall.

At this, Balan pointed north.

“They’re probably all there. In the last city, Gargata.”

Gargata?

“You mean the place with that rift?”

“Around the old Demon King’s castle, there’s been movement among strange monsters. It’s fair to say an ominous energy is gathering there, one even I, Balan, dare not approach….”

I see.

It’s starting to make sense now—why this forest beyond the wall remains relatively peaceful. The real threats were all gathered around that rift over there.

It was said that the rift in the sky was once a city called Gargata.

It was the stage Demon King Angmar prepared as his final stronghold, continually retreating under the relentless onslaught of countless heroes and resistance forces. That’s where Hero Opal and his party killed Solomon.

I asked.

“What would you think if I were to go there?”

“I, Balan de Sabrnak, will go wherever you go. However, I suggest you reconsider.”

“Why’s that?”

“There’s definitely something bad there. I don’t know what it is, but Balan’s body is afraid of going there.”

Balan seemed rather serious.

Just like the other creatures, she was dissuading me from heading north. It must be because of the master of the north.

I asked.

“What are the chances that Solomon is still alive in there?”

As one of the Demon King’s close aides, Balan could probably offer a meaningful answer. Narrowing her crimson eyes, she spoke softly.

“Absolutely impossible.”

“You’re saying it’s impossible?”

“─That’s right. If it were the old me, I would have said so. But now that I’m beyond the wall, here in the vicinity of the old fortress Gargata, I understand a little. What’s there…”

Seuk-.

Suddenly, Balan stopped, pressing a finger to her lips.

Shh.

Someone must be listening. As if to prove her point, Stella, looking rather tired, emerged from the entrance of the tree hollow.

“Theo-kun, who are you talking to so ear… Ah? You’re…!”

* * *

Two and three.

It was simply adding one more person, yet the sense of security felt more than doubled.

After a few days since falling off the wall, we were now back to a three-person party. And at last, we arrived at the ruins in the east, where we’d been told they were waiting for us.

Compared to the towering walls built by the city of witches, Sandora, the eastern wall was not that high.

About 10 meters.

Of course, that was still quite a tall wall. But having faced an ogre, wolves, and a centipede beyond the wall, this high wall felt as light as paper to me.

In fact, it’s often attacked by monsters.

━Gyaaaaaaak-!!!

Even now, a group of monsters was assaulting the fortress over there. Four-legged creatures with mantis-like scythes for limbs.

Thunk, thunk-!