Chapter 140
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The banquet was modest and humble, not what one would expect in the imperial palace.
It was because Barun had borrowed the kitchen of the Star Palace and personally prepared the dishes.
Simple foods were placed on luxurious tableware, yet no one among the attendees expressed any dissatisfaction.
Even the Emperor was silently savoring the food.
This is because they knew very well what kind of feeling Barun had in making food for them.
It was then that I made eye contact with Barun, who was looking at the empty plates with a proud expression.
Is the food not to your liking?
I wouldnt say that.
All the dishes served were ones Ted Redymer had enjoyed during his lifetime.
After the Hero took a few bites, Baruns gaze shifted as if relieved.
In truth, he was preoccupied with thoughts of the task given by the Iris of Laplace.
The clues were more intuitive than those before.
The Iris of Laplace didnt throw clues randomly; it analyzed the situation the user was in and provided an appropriate guide.
Just like activating the Astera vision and tracking down traces of the demons, instructing to hunt down accomplices.
This clue must have been about something he already knew or possessed.
Therefore, there was a guess.
A dangerous treasure left by an infamous adversary lies here.
It was a phrase written inside the mechanism of the Wolf Statue.
Presumed to have belonged to the Demon Kings possession.
The god worshipped by the Demons was the Demon King himself.
Hence, there werent many who could be referred to as his infamous adversaries.
Among those who had actively engaged on various fronts and continued the pulse of humanity, Zero Requiem was undoubtedly one of them.
The Wolf Statues treasure likely refers to Zero Requiems blessing.
The Hero instinctively recalled the remaining seven blessings known besides evolution, such as insight, growth, manifestation, and so on.
While some blessings were currently possessed, many remained elusive.
There might be something useful among them anyway.
If it was a type not needed by oneself, it would be fine to give it to one of the children.
The Hero set down the tableware.
This task might end more easily than expected.
Thanks to Nobelmag, he had already unlocked the mechanism of the Wolf Statue and obtained the coordinates of the hidden treasure.
The coordinates pointed to one of the undeveloped lands at the eastern edge, a forgotten place in the Demon Realm.
It would be difficult for him to search immediately, but if it was Larze, she would surely be able to do it.
If he shared the coordinates with her
Hmm. Maybe I should be a little more cautious.
The Hero glanced across the table at Larze.
She was sitting without touching the food, but their eyes met soon after.
Her lips curled up.
Larze, who covets everything about Zero. She might be more tempted if its a blessing.
Although it seemed unlikely that Larze, who needed to access memories through him, would make such a shortsighted decision, one couldnt entirely rule out the possibility.
It seemed like he needed to think a little more carefully. It was in that moment of contemplation.
*Swoosh*
Suddenly, a refreshing breeze swept through.
As he turned his head, he spotted Dorempa squeezing his huge body into an empty chair.
His eyes seemed fixed on something, indicating he had a clear purpose.
Well, this works out nicely.
In fact, half the reason he attended the banquet was because of Dorempa.
The Hero initiated a casual conversation.
Youre not eating at all. Doesnt it suit your taste?
Dorempa replied in his dry voice.
Ive long forgotten the pleasure of eating. I can replenish my strength for movement and combat using ambient mana.
It was a response quite contrary to the Heros old memories.
Is that a snow hare youre holding? Ill roast it for you! Just give me the ears to the torso!
Was his voracious appetite stolen away as well?
It was a remark befitting a creature truly close to a dragon.
Observing Dorempa, the Hero slightly furrowed his brow.
I cant read his thoughts at all.
Dorempa maintained a stoic expression, as if no sociable words could break through his austere demeanor.
In this case, it might be better to get straight to the point.
The Hero spoke with a brief sigh.
Do you have something to discuss, Chief?
Seems like you do too, Hero.
Then Ill start.
Go ahead.
The Hero turned to face Dorempa.
It seemed that the other attendees were gradually moving away, perhaps out of consideration for a parent-teacher meeting.
Even Larze, who had been wandering, was now gone with the Emperor, leaving only the two of them.
The Hero began.
I want to ask about the baptism.
Ask away.
The question was already decided.
Will Cuculli also undergo baptism?
Eventually.
A straightforward answer.
Dorempa nodded without hesitation.
Once I die or weaken, Cuculli will probably undergo baptism. Shes the child with the strongest dragon blood among my offspring.
So not immediately, I see.
Cant say for sure. These are cold and dark times.
The Hero stared at Dorempa.
His robust physique and hard-to-gauge mana were impressive.
Once I die or weaken
As far as he knew, Dorempas strength surpassed the average of the Dawn Knights.
His mastery in martial arts was stronger than Ivars, and his ice magic wielded through the power of the Ice Dragon had destructive potential rivaling that of any great mage.
Moreover, he could fly, making him nearly invincible except for high-ranking demon commanders.
He still had plenty of life left in him.
The discomfort that had been weighing on the Heros heart seemed to ease slightly.
Have there been any who refused baptism?
Ah.
Dorempa hesitated momentarily before answering.
Thank you.
What for?
The Hero asked, looking at him.
The Hero could not help but be surprised when he saw a faint smile spreading on Dorempas lips, which had been as frozen as ice until now.
For the first time, he saw Dorempa, who had always had the same expression, smile faintly.
Because it was a question that only someone who knows Cucullis personality well would ask.
Impressive student, isnt she?
Indeed.
Dorempas eyes, which had sparkled, quickly dimmed again.
Unfortunately, baptism is not a choice. It is an inevitable ritual.
Why?
What do you think baptism is?
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Isnt it a ritual to awaken latent dragon blood and become stronger? Ive also heard that it involves inheriting the memories and wisdom of past chieftains.
Thats not entirely wrong. However, those are more like secondary aspects. The real purpose is something else.
The real purpose?
For a moment, half of Dorempas face covered in scales seemed to glow faintly under the lights of the banquet hall, reflecting something deeply thought-provoking, and a firm expression stood out.
However, Dorempas contemplation was brief.
Originally, it was a secret known only to the Frost Dragon tribe, but if he was the Hero, there would be no problem in sharing it.
Our Northern tribes have been fighting over limited resources on harsh lands for a very long time. They have become strong through struggle, but as a result, they have become exceptional and come to resent each other. Therefore, no matter how strong an individual might appear, the North could never truly unite.
The Hero raised an eyebrow in puzzlement.
It was a fact that most people knew.
The tribes are fundamentally individualistic and reluctant to belong to anything beyond their own tribe.
Thats why Dorempas unification of the North was praised.
Although some noise (referring to the tribes that couldnt adapt and fled) followed, he successfully united them under one banner.
Its strange for the one who accomplished such a difficult task to say such things.
Indeed. I did it. Through the power gained from baptism.
What?
Dorempas azure pupils flashed.
The next chieftain who receives baptism gains dominance over the other tribes.
Dominance?
Think of it as supernatural authority and influence. I was the one who most strongly developed this ability among the past chieftains, and thanks to that, I was able to easily unify North Hale.
The Hero finally understood why Dorempa called baptism an inevitable ritual.
It was a ritual that created a focal point for the North, making it possible for them to unite.
If someone who has not received baptism leads a tribe, the unity of the North will weaken. Ultimately, it will disintegrate. You should know what that means.
The Demon Army will have one more invasion route.
When Dorempa was still on the verge of becoming chieftain.
The demons had almost completely overrun the North.
Even if the harsh climate and rugged terrain had become a natural fortress.
If those who were supposed to protect it were divided, it would easily crumble.
Dorempa stabilized the endangered North.
The secret to how he could do that lay in baptism, something no one could have guessed.
Currently, humans trust the North and only concentrate their defense forces near the Great Mountains. If another invasion route opens up, the damage you will suffer will be astronomical.
Indeed, thats true.
In this way, Dorempa quickly convinced the Hero of the necessity of baptism.
It was a matter closely linked to the survival of the North and, beyond that, the safety of humanity.
The Heros expression darkened slightly.
As the leader of the North, he protects the tribes and homeland.
That was their domain, and it was not something he could interfere with, no matter how much he cherished his disciple.
.
Meanwhile, Dorempa looked at him carefully and then suddenly said something out of the blue.
I know why you asked me these questions.
What?
Cuculli seems to have met a good teacher.
.
The Hero responded with a small sigh.
My business is done for now. What about yours?
I had one, but it disappeared with our recent conversation.
What?
With those enigmatic words, Dorempa rose from his seat.
Judging by the way he was facing the entrance, it seemed like he was about to leave the banquet altogether.
The Hero impulsively called out to him.
Dorempa.
Speak.
After hesitating for a moment, he asked a question.
Do you remember what you were like before baptism?
Before baptism.
Dorempa stood still in his place and looked out the window.
His gaze seemed to be fixed on something very far away.
A moment.
A handful of seconds.
He absorbed not only the memories of his ancestors but also of the Frost Dragon, the supreme being.
No matter how vast his ego might be, he couldnt fully preserve them.
No matter how much he tried to recall and engrave, the moment he existed as Dorempa was faint and blurred.
He answered calmly.
Like a long winter, a fleeting moment when a flower blooms and withers quickly gets buried.
I see.
The chieftain handed his final words of advice to the Hero and turned away.
Please help my daughter to enjoy many things. Every strong emotion, whether its a small happiness or anxiety.
The Hero looked at his retreating figure and suddenly recalled an old memory.
Lets meet again, friend! Even though the Great Snow Sea is ridiculously vast, the ties of fate are strong, so well see each other someday!
It was a very strange feeling.
* * *
The preparations to depart for Rosenstark were quickly completed.
Or rather, there werent really any preparations to speak of.
Since Larze had agreed to teleport us.
After finishing our business at the hideout and reuniting with Nyhill who had returned.
I picked up the two horses that had been left at the guard stable (I had completely forgotten about them), and we headed to the meeting place with Larze.
Come to think of it, although I had brought Nyhill here, unlike during the Lonkers, we mostly moved separately.
I thought of it as giving her some time off.
However, the child I hadnt seen in a long time seemed somewhat off.
At first glance, she seemed as expressionless as usual.
But somehow, a sense of frustration seemed to linger like a shadow.
What happened? Your expression is dark.
No, its just a bit tired.
Really? Its not because Mother Ghost was babbling nonsense?
No, its not. Thank you for your concern.
It didnt seem like it was nothing.
However, Nyhills lips remained firmly sealed.
Since she didnt seem to have any intention of speaking right away, there was nothing I could do but observe her more closely.
As a result, I clearly concluded that something had happened.
Ill have to investigate thoroughly after we return.
I felt guilty for being negligent.
Suddenly-
Thats when we arrived at the meeting place.
With the exception of some areas, the palace had a dense barrier blocking magic, so we decided to depart from the lakeside cabin where we first met Dorempa.
Were here.
The emperor wearing a robe and an old woman with a cane came out to meet them.
Meanwhile, Larze, who was a bit away from them, stared blankly at the shimmer of the lake until she noticed me and her expression fell.
There wasnt a word about moving the horses.
She grunted, telling him to wait as it would take more time to cast magic to move such a large group all at once.
Can we talk for a moment?
Just a moment
Thats when Euphemia and Barun both approached me simultaneously.
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