Chapter 145

Chapter 145

“Sealed?”

“Indeed. It is said that Lady Eurabia is sealed away in the northern part of the continent.”

Harques said, tapping the map with his finger.

Seeing the entire continent for the first time, Dojae asked a question that intrigued him even more than Eurabia’s sealing.

“This is the entire continent?”

“Yes. This is where Lady Eurabia resides. And this is where we Titans live.”

His finger trailed downward for a while before landing on a single point.

It was the tropical rainforest region, colored green.

“Could you tell me roughly where the Grey Elves’ Kurran Mountains and the Kingdom of Tubalyn lie? And the ancient humans’ Magic Kingdom too.”

“The Magic Kingdom is uncertain, but I know the Kurran Mountains and the Kingdom of Tubalyn. It’s around here.”

Harkes tapped the eastern part of the map in quick succession.

Considering the points Harques marked and the time spent here last time, Dojae realized the continent was quite vast.

And how vast the rainforest truly is.

He realized the rainforest he had traversed amounted to less than 10% of the whole.

“One more thing I’m curious about. What lies beyond this?”

“Ah, that’s the sea. I’ve never seen it myself, but it’s a space filled with salty water.”

“I know about the sea… but beyond the sea.”

“That place is unknown. Only that humans long ago called it the Outside Continent.”

The land encircling this vast continent.

The great continent was surrounded by unknown lands.

And there exists someone who can answer questions about this mysterious land.

“What lies beyond the continent? Ah, never mind, I didn’t mean to tell you.”

The divine being of Tranfeion—seekers would know of it.

– It’s a long story. Do you want to hear it?

As expected, Altein knew and answered.

Dojae wanted to hear it immediately, but decided to postpone it for now.

Now was the time to focus on Harques’ story.

“I’ll tell you when you’re curious. But first, Harques, tell me more about Eurabia. A seal? Could it be that you seekers know nothing about it?”

“Seekers? What are they?”

“So your race has lived in complete isolation, I see…”

“That’s right. We lived without interacting with any race from outside. It’s been nearly ten years since an outsider like you set foot on this land.”

“I see…”

With such short lifespans and no contact with the outside world, it was only natural they knew nothing of the Seekers.

For two hundred years after the Hundred Years’ War, the Seekers vanished from the continent. Over generations, tales of them must have settled into legend.

“According to ancient texts, after winning the war, Lord Eurabia is said to have crossed the continent north to south, arriving in the northern lands. I cannot say why He chose this barren northern land, no less harsh than this place, but it is written here that from there, He would watch over the entire continent and safeguard the future of the Titans.”

Harkes pointed to the writing on another piece of paper.

Though written in the Titan language, Dojae had no way of understanding it.

“Lady Eurabia’s blessing spread across the entire rainforest, and all the monsters in this region vanished. Thanks to that, even outside our lands, other tribes began gathering one by one throughout the rainforest.”

Dojae recalled the other races he had seen on his way here.

As Harques had said, without monsters, the rainforest would be a place where one could live reasonably well.

If humans could adapt and live in tropical rainforests like the Amazon, there was no reason physically superior other races couldn’t do the same.

For them, the greatest danger was not the environment, but the monsters.

“But recently, monsters have begun appearing again. When I was young, warriors would venture beyond the rainforest to hunt monsters. Now, however, monsters have even approached the village, attempting to breach the walls.”

The Titan tribe’s village lies at the western edge of the tropical rainforest.

On the map, it appears to be only a few kilometers outside the rainforest.

No matter how rich the rainforest is in plants and animals, there are things only monsters can provide.

Especially for medicinal herbs or weapon materials, since they often utilize monster blood, flesh, and bones, the Titan warriors would have ventured outside the rainforest to hunt monsters.

“Something has clearly happened to Lady Eurabia. Having lived in isolation for so long, we cannot overcome this crisis without the goddess’s blessing. That’s why our leaders gathered recently to discuss matters at length, but reaching a consensus proved difficult…”

“Hmm… Let me guess? That fellow from earlier. It’s because of that fellow conducting Theus’s coming-of-age ceremony, isn’t it?”

“…That’s right. He’s a hardline conservative. He believes Titan matters should be resolved by Titans alone. On the other hand, I think we should open our gates and join forces with other races. And in the middle is Helia. She’s striving to mediate between us, but the Titans are so stubborn that it’s proving difficult.”

Dojae nodded at Harques’ words.

Even in that brief encounter, he could sense the stubbornness in the Titan named Pelo.

Moreover, the idea of suddenly abandoning the culture and character they had upheld until now would have been difficult to accept.

Titans aren’t a weak race, and they’ve managed to hold their own so far, haven’t they?

“So what were you planning to do?”

“Up until now, we’ve just been arguing. But then you appeared. I plan to show your ability to Pellos and Helia and open the city gates.”

“And you intend to go find Eurabia?”

“Yes. I plan to gather some warriors and cross the continent.”

Thud!

Harques slammed his fist on the desk, his eyes set with resolve.

But Dojae’s expression was slightly indifferent.

“But why am I included in this?”

“…Weren’t we supposed to go together?”

“Why me?”

“…You’re an adventurer. You said you wanted to know what’s happening in this land. And you said you’d help, didn’t you?”

“True. But what does that have to do with setting out to find Eurabia?”

“I see I misunderstood… I naturally assumed we were going together.”

Harkes began clearing away the papers.

Dojae watched him and smiled faintly.

“I know you still doubt me. Not the hostility from earlier, of course.”

“It’s true I don’t trust you at all.”

“How could I move alongside someone like that? Could you eat and sleep with someone who doesn’t trust themselves?”

“Is that so… It was my fault… I understand. I admit it. I’ll go to Lady Eurabia alone. Since I can’t be certain of you.”

Harkes murmured softly.

Seeing this, Dojae burst out laughing.

“Haha, better to be honest than to lie. Fine, I was heading north anyway, so I’ll go with you.”

Dojae rose from his seat.

After all, it’s the path to the temple of Elatra, and having a strong companion like Harques isn’t bad.

He also wanted to meet Eurabia, who was said to be sealed away.

However, knowing Harques still distrusted him, he needed to gauge his true feelings.

Though Harkes’s state, as seen through the golem’s eyes, remained unchanged, Dojae found his steadfast resolve rather satisfying.

“Thank you. Your senses are quite sharp, no less than ours.”

“Wrong. My senses aren’t sharp; they’re precise.”

“Is that so? I suppose I shouldn’t speak carelessly in your presence.”

“As you wish. More importantly, do you happen to have a decent robe? If I keep going around like this, I’ll probably start startling Titans like you did.”

***

Outside the village.

Dojae, who had left first, was waiting for Harques.

His resolve was firm, and his execution swift—he decided to leave the village immediately.

Plus, Dojae had specifically told him not to bring any other warriors, so the preparation time was even shorter.

“Keehee!”

In the wide pasture created where the giant trees had been felled, several Grade 8 monsters, Giant Horses, loitered.

Piles of unidentifiable bones lay scattered around them.

‘I thought they were violent creatures. How did he tame them?’

The Giant Horse, true to its name, resembled a horse in appearance but had six legs.

Moreover, they were enormous, rivaling the size of an elephant.

They could easily carry the weight of a Titan’s massive body.

However, like most monsters, it was incredibly fierce and vicious, with swift movements, making it one of the trickiest monsters to hunt.

‘Well, if even the Legion Commander can tame monsters to ride, there must be a way.’

Whether the Titan raised the Giant Horse naturally or tamed it with magic like the 1st Legion Commander of the Extermination Army, it didn’t matter.

Dojae just stared blankly at the giant horses because he had decided to leave Harques on one of them.

“My apologies for being late.”

Harkes appeared, opening the western gate.

His sandals laced to the knees, leather upper and lower garments, and the massive greatsword slung diagonally across his back made him look like an ancient gladiator.

“No. You’re earlier than I expected. I thought you’d be later.”

“Is that so? I didn’t have much to pack…”

Harkes shook the small backpack slung over his shoulder.

Small by his standards, of course, though to Dojae it looked considerably larger than a typical expeditionary force’s backpack.

And in one hand, he held a large bundle tightly wrapped in leaves.

“No, I was worried he might cling to me. He’s still just a child, isn’t he?”

“You mean Teus? He’s no child now. Thanks to you, he’s become a proud Titan warrior. So he’ll manage just fine without me.”

“He’ll be sad. That his father is such a gruff man.”

“You speak as if I were a father without affection. But rest assured, I cherish Theseus more than anyone else.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

Harkes walked over to the giant horse and pulled a thick leather bridle from his backpack.

“Whoa!”

He then peeled away the leaves covering the lump he held.

A large chunk of meat, dripping with dark red blood.

Harques lured one Giant Horse over with the meat chunk, then slowly stroked it while feeding it.

Once the giant horse finished eating, he skillfully attached the reins and led it over to Dojae.

“Tasiō.”

Harques reached out his hand toward Dojae.

Dojae currently had his golem armor deactivated.

As the large hand approached, he instinctively stepped back to avoid its grasp.

“What are you trying to do?”

“How do you expect to ride with that small frame? I’ll lift you up.”

Harkes chases after Dojae, attempting to lift him up.

Dojai screamed in terror.

“W-wait! You want us to ride together?”

“Indeed. You couldn’t pull the Giant Horse alone.”

“Ah, it’s fine. I’m fine, really…”

“No. Without this fellow’s help, it’ll be difficult to reach the north. He’s the fastest and strongest, so it won’t take long.”

Slap!

Harques’ hand seized Dojae’s body.

Then, with a swift lift, he placed him atop the Giant Horse’s back.

“Hah… What the hell…”

Harques then lightly mounted behind Dojae.

It looked like a son nestled in his father’s arms.

“Then let’s depart!”