CHAPTER 191

"Explain properly what you mean."

『Hmph! Do you remember what this king told you before?』

"Remember?"

Elric tilted his head, wondering what Mephisto was talking about this time.

Mephisto frowned deeply.

『I told you it was strange that these barbarians were speaking the Dragon Tribe Language!』

"Oh, that? I forgot about it."

He had been too busy earning the loyalty of the Guardians and organizing the advanced studies to distribute to the soldiers.

Because of that, he had completely forgotten about the "secret" of the Borfur tribe.

In fact, even though the Borfur tribe might have had some connection with dragons in the past, it was hard to believe that such a relationship would have been maintained for over a thousand years since dragons went extinct.

So, he had forgotten about it.

But it seemed Mephisto had a completely different thought.

"So, that's what you've been sneaking around to investigate?"

『Sneaking around?! Don't belittle my curiosity with such petty words! Do you even know how much effort I've put into uncovering the secret these barbarians were hiding? Do you know how many inquiries I had to make?!』

"Yeah, yeah. I'm sure you worked very hard."

『Ungrateful brat! There's not a shred of respect for me in your words!』

While Elric had been tied up with the soldiers for nearly a month, Mephisto had complained about not having anyone to play with and had been extremely bored.

The only fortunate thing was that after defeating Judas, Mephisto had regained some of his strength, which allowed him more autonomy.

Every morning, he would declare that he was going out and then leave the camp, all for this reason.

Of course, he still had limits on how far he could go from Elric and had to return within 24 hours, but that didn't prevent him from enjoying some freedom of movement.

『This is so unsatisfying...』

Mephisto muttered to himself, looking more than a little frustrated.

Elric shook his head as he watched him.

'He's acting like a child. Should I just humor him?'

After spending so much time together, Elric could now read Mephisto's mood just by looking at the way he spoke.

Mephisto's whole body was practically saying:

Praise my greatness immediately!

He was clearly hoping that Elric would ask what incredible feat he had accomplished during his investigation.

For a moment, Elric considered ignoring him.

'Well, I was planning to take a short break anyway. Might as well ask.'

Besides, he was curious about the dragon's nest that Mephisto claimed to have found.

"So, what's this secret you've uncovered?"

『Forget it! Why would this king tell someone like you, who clearly has no interest or enthusiasm?!』

"I'm asking because I'm curious."

『Hmph. Trying to get information so easily.』

"You really won't tell me?"

『Of course not!』

"Oh, fine then. I understand."

『...?!』

Mephisto, who had been expecting Elric to press him for more details, was taken aback.

『Ahem! But this king has a heart as vast as the ocean. If you're truly curious, I might consider telling you...』

"It's fine. I've realized it's probably just a nest with a dragon's remains. No point in wasting time over it since we'll be leaving soon."

『Wait, but...!』

"Didn't you hear? We're leaving in two days. We've already stayed here longer than we planned."

『What? And the nest?!』

"Who cares? If you're still interested, you can excavate it yourself."

『You...!』

Mephisto's face turned beet red as he stomped his feet in frustration.

He couldn't get angry since he was the one who had refused to share the information first.

But he also couldn't just keep the secret to himself, as it was too significant to ignore, and he felt like it would eat him up inside if he didn't share it.

'Why does he always try to one-up me?'

Elric snorted, seeing how Mephisto, despite all his bravado, always ended up losing their verbal sparring matches.

After a while, Mephisto finally calmed down, narrowing his eyes.

『Are you really planning to leave?』

"Yes, how many times do I have to say it?"

『The Gregory is also after the nest, you know?』

"…What do you mean by that?"

Elric couldn't joke around anymore after hearing that name. His eyes immediately locked onto Mephisto.

『Hmph! I knew that would get your attention. But don't think I'll tell you for free...!』

"Stop joking and explain properly."

Elric's tone had become far more serious than before.

Mephisto, still somewhat annoyed, spoke slowly, knowing this matter was important.

『Have you ever thought about this?』

"About what?"

『Why Gregory set up their headquarters in the eastern border region.』

"…You mean because of the dragon's nest?"

『It might seem like an overreach, but if there truly is a proper dragon's nest here, it wouldn't be strange at all, would it?』

Mephisto smirked as he spoke.

Elric pressed his hand to his forehead.

'Why didn't I think of that?'

Crown Prince Zeraitz and the Inspection Bureau had been tracking Gregory for a long time. They had even pointed to the Wynz Border Province as their protector.

It couldn't have been a baseless accusation. Otherwise, it would have caused a political backlash.

There must have been solid evidence.

Evidence that Gregory's headquarters was indeed in the Wynz Border Province.

And

When the Red Lion Army launched an assault on the imperial forces, Gregory's demon army was found to have joined them.

Which raises the question:

Why?

Why did Gregory choose the eastern border region as their base?

Was it simply because it was a lawless area and easy to hide in?

Sure, that might have been part of the reason, but it wasn't that simple.

Since Gregory's goal was the resurrection of Azazel, every one of their actions had to be carefully calculated.

'To resurrect Azazel, they need an immense amount of mana. Human sacrifices in the north would only go so far. But if they had access to the mana left behind by a dragon, they'd have a much better chance.'

If it were just an ordinary dragon's nest, the benefit might be minimal.

But if, like the Jewel Dragon's nest, the one Gregory had found still contained a dragon's corpse?

Then things would be completely different.

Elric sighed at his own negligence for not having considered this sooner.

He could have reached this conclusion if he had thought more deeply about it.

'I've been too distracted. I wasn't looking far enough ahead.'

Elric had to face the fact that he still had limitations.

And, even though Mephisto often seemed frivolous, Elric couldn't help but be impressed by his sharp insight.

"So, you've been digging around for this."

『I couldn't just let Azazel's lackeys succeed in whatever they're plotting. Right?』

Elric chuckled softly.

Mephisto always acted indifferent about worldly matters, but when it came to thwarting Azazel, he seemed willing to do anything.

『The barbarians… I mean the Borfur tribe? Anyway, the word they use to refer to themselves means "Children of the Dragon." They've been guarding the dragon's resting place for generations.』

"The Holy Land... Is that it?"

『Yes.』

When they first set up camp here, one of the conditions the Borfur tribe insisted on was that no one trespass on what they considered their 'Holy Land.'

It was a place deep within the canyon, far beyond where the tribe lived.

Elric hadn't paid much attention to it at the time since he had no intention of stirring up unnecessary trouble and drawing the enemy's pursuit.

'But if Gregory's interested in it, that changes things.'

Elric stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming.

"So, is that Gregory's headquarters?"

『If it were, we would have been discovered long ago.』

Elric nodded in agreement.

『Fortunately, it seems Gregory only found the place recently and has been cautiously exploring the area.』

"Which means…!"

『Which means we could strike first before they take any further action.』

Elric nodded heavily.

Intercepting something crucial to Azazel's revival?

There couldn't be a more certain move.

However, there was a problem—the location was right in the middle of enemy territory.

And it was a place with deep ties to Sailor.

Although Elric didn't know exactly what those ties were, he knew that causing a disturbance there could lead to big trouble.

'I don't know how Count Caliger or Viscount Kuransibil would react if they found out.'

Elric wasn't unaware of the growing tension and division within the camp.

'Still, if handled well, this could turn into a beneficial situation...'

He didn't have a clear plan yet.

'First, I'll need to take a proper look at this nest.'

But Elric couldn't leave his position just yet.

He had to find another way.

Opening his hand, he made a decision.

"[Come forth]."

Zzzzzzz—

A gray mana swirled above his palm, forming a small vortex.

As he partially unleashed the divine power of 'Northern Wind,' one of the wraiths that had pledged absolute loyalty to him emerged.

Screeee?

The wraith tilted its head as if asking what task it was to perform.

"[Display]."

Elric activated his soul speech again, and instantly, the red thread connecting him to the wraith felt even thicker.

His entire consciousness was drawn toward the wraith.

His vision blurred for a moment before refocusing.

But everything looked different. Elric's perspective had changed. His own face was right in front of him.

He had strengthened the bond with the wraith, allowing them to share sight.

『Honestly, you come up with the strangest ideas.』

Mephisto shook his head as he watched.

The wraith, now carrying Elric's will, didn't respond and simply stared at Mephisto.

[….]

『…?』

[…?]

『…!』

Mephisto frowned, finally realizing what that look meant.

It was a command to lead the way.

Mephisto, realizing he had to go back the way he had just come, looked annoyed, but eventually moved toward the path, resigned.

The wraith floated into the air and followed quickly behind him.

As countless sights passed below.

'Sailor? Who is he with?'

For a moment, Elric glimpsed Sailor walking and talking with a blindfolded woman.

The woman, who seemed to be from the Borfur tribe, carried an aura of mystery.

She appeared ordinary at first glance, but.

Despite her appearance, she harbored a power that was far from ordinary.

Holy?

That might be the best way to describe it.

Her presence felt nothing like a magician's mana or a demon's power.

It was holy power.

Elric wondered who this woman Sailor was meeting with, but he decided to ask about it later and set the thought aside.

He also saw Herman training the knights, and Brian seemed to be in a tense standoff with the soldiers of Count Franz's forces.

Putting all these scenes behind them, the wraith and Mephisto passed through the tribal village and entered the canyon.

They traveled down a dark path where not even a single ray of light penetrated.

Finally, they reached a point where.

『Here it is.』

Mephisto stopped.

Whhhhoooo!

A tremendous surge of mana swirled like a storm in front of a cave.

[T/L: You can read ahead chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]