The Last Adventurer

Chapter 133 – Elnas Mountains (1)

One.

Maple World is always bustling with tales of heroism and adventure.

But right now, there was one place everyone was listening to.

“The hottest place right now is the Nihal Desert!”

Nihal Desert.

To be exact, Maple World’s attention was focused on the Ariant Kingdom.

It was natural.

“From the unveiling of the prince’s tomb, to the appearance of Crown Prince Kashan, to the assassination of Queen Areda!”

A situation where incidents that are enough to shake Maple World even if just one happens, occur without pause.

“A chimera has appeared in Magatia!”

“The chimera was cleaned by Janitor Grandel!”

“Does that matter now?”

Meanwhile, the incident of Janitor Grandel’s Chimera subjugation did not receive proper attention.

“The history of the Ariant Kingdom may change right now!”

That was about it.

“Right now, even if my feet are on fire, I must look towards the Kingdom of Ariant!”

Maple World’s interest in the Ariant Kingdom was burning so hot that it seemed like nothing could quench it.

“Hey, we’re in trouble!”

“What’s the big deal?”

“Aran’s item has appeared!”

“Hey, so what? What’s Aran? Huh? Wait a minute.”

But the news was different.

“Who, who?”

“Aran!”

“Ah, if it’s Aran, is it the Aran I know?”

“Then is there another Aran in Maple World besides her? Aran, one of the six heroes and the hero of Polarm!”

Aran, one of the six heroes, the moment her name appeared, Maple World’s attention was drawn to her.

The name of the hero who saved the world from the black wizard was more than just the history of the Kingdom of Ariant.

Moreover, this case was not simply a story about a hero.

“Her innocence has appeared in the world!”

Aran, the hero of Polarm, suddenly disappeared, and the items he used while alive have appeared in the world.

All the adventurers of Maple World, as well as the merchants of Victoria Island, the warriors of the Ariant Kingdom, and even the Knights of Signus.

Everyone couldn’t help but pay attention to that item.

“oh my god.”

Of course, they were no exception.

“Aran’s item? I have to go get it right now!”

“This is not an ordinary thing.”

“It’s not just out of the ordinary, it’s crazy! Is everyone going to be aiming for it right now?”

Devo, Kiri, and Miner reacted violently.

“Hey, Ralph? Why are you so calm?”

On the other hand, Ralph didn’t say anything or react, and when Debo asked about that, Ralph said,

“Oh, what did you say?”

“huh?”

“Sorry, I think I dozed off for a moment.”

“You fell asleep?”

“I had a dream that Aran’s item appeared. Isn’t that ridiculous?”

“That’s not a dream.”

And the moment he heard Debo’s words, Ralph’s face hardened and became colder than ever.

It was hard to live.

From this point on, anyone who comes after Aran’s items will be killed with his fists as soon as he sees them.

A terrifying sight in many ways.

But his colleagues did not question his appearance.

Aran’s items were worth it.

El Palm, on the other hand, was different.

His expression was calm and composed.

El Palm, far from being happy about this situation, was rather troubled.

‘This is a different story.’

The reason for the worry was simple.

‘What I did with the Phantom Thief.’

The request he received from the thief Phantom was none other than to go to the Elnas Mountains and retrieve Aran’s items.

Of course, the thing that Phantom Thief emphasized the most when giving that request was keeping it a secret.

If this fact becomes known to the world, everyone will look at me with different eyes and come rushing at me just like they do now.

But suddenly this news spread throughout Maple World?

Two things were certain.

‘It’s not Phantom Thief’s plan.’

First of all, it wasn’t the way of the phantom thief Phantom.

He wasn’t the type to grow things.

Also, now wasn’t the time for that.

Now, the Phantom Thief was moving to regain his strength, in other words, he was in a situation where he could not be active like he was during the Six Heroes.

Things had gotten this way and there was nothing he could do about it.

‘Those who would do things this way.’

That’s why El Palm was confident.

‘They are followers of the Black Wizard.’

2.

El Nas Mountains.

“nice to meet you.”

Three people gathered in one place covered in snow.

It was a dangerous encounter.

The snow-covered El Nass Mountains were, in some ways, more difficult to perceive than a desert.

Also, in a snowy environment like now, the concept of visibility is virtually meaningless.

To the point where I can’t even see my outstretched hand.

But the biggest problem was the monsters in this Elnas Mountain Range.

Junior Yetina, the penguin monster Pepe, and the wolf monster Hector and White Fang.

The Elnas Mountains were full of terrifying monsters that even a 4th circle adventurer party would have to prepare themselves for death.

So there was a rule in the El Nas Mountains.

Adventurers with a Circle of 5 or lower should not venture out on snowy days in the Elnas Mountains region.

But now, three people are meeting in this blizzard?

Yet the three had no fear.

“Queen Areda and Lord Ivok.”

It wasn’t that there was no fear, since two of the three were the ones who shook the Ariant Kingdom.

Rather, those two were not adventurers.

Those who would be turned into pieces of meat without even being able to put up a proper resistance if a group of Hectors appeared right in front of them.

But the two of them could not feel fear.

It was because of the young man with black hair and blue eyes who was greeting them now.

“It’s called Hotel.”

Hote, that name wasn’t famous.

I’m sure there aren’t more than ten people in Maple World who know that name.

But for those who knew, it was different.

“I am serving Lord Ban Leon.”

Ban Leon, the Lion King who ruled the Elnas Mountains.

Hote was one of those confidants of Ban Leon. And he wasn’t just any confidant.

He was a member of the Shadow Knights, the shadow of Ban Leon, and held the position of Vice-Commander.

Of course, his ability was extraordinary.

There were as many as six rings on his left wrist.

6 circles!

That was on a grand scale.

Considering that the Knight Commanders of the Signus Knights and the other elites of Maple World are of the 7th Circle, there is only one link left to that incredible level.

Of course, there is a bigger difference between Circle 7 and Circle 6 than there is between Circle 1 and Circle 6, but it is still huge.

Even if a herd of over a thousand Hectors appeared here right now, I could hunt them down while laughing.

That’s why Queen Areda and Ivok moved without escort.

Of course, the expressions on their faces were not relaxed.

The fact that they were here in the first place was proof that their situation was not good.

Because they could no longer endure the Ariant Kingdom, they fled to the distant Elnas Mountains, to the deepest part of the Elnas Mountains, to the castle of Van Leon.

Hote, who appeared before them decisively, was a member of the Shadow Knights of Van Leon as explained.

And the Shadow Knights, as their name suggests, were an invisible entity.

It was a group whose existence was not even properly known to the world.

He’s a knight, but in some ways, he could be considered an assassin.

“I have heard the explanation. I wish to entrust my life to you, my lord.”

There was no possibility that such a being would welcome Queen Areda and Ivok obediently, kindly, or generously.

“And my lord has delegated to me all authority concerning it.”

Hote had no intention of hiding that fact.

It was a split second.

At some point, the tip of the sword that Hote had pulled out was aimed at Ivok’s Adam’s apple.

I couldn’t see or hear anything.

It was only after Ivok felt something prick his neck that he realized that Hote had pointed his sword at him.

gulp!

Hote spoke to Ivok, who swallowed his saliva so belatedly, with shining blue eyes.

“Queen Areda’s life is valuable. But Ivok, your life is not valuable.”

He gave an eerie warning.

“So, I’ll give you just one chance to prove your worth.”

Then he spoke of hope.

But from Evoque’s point of view, it was not a hope.

Because I knew it wouldn’t be an easy opportunity.

“The thief Phantom has appeared. And now it is believed that the hero of Polarm, Aran, has appeared.”

It was as expected.

“Aran, hero of Polarm, please suggest a way to find her.”

The moment they heard those words, Queen Areda and Ivok were surprised.

“Is it true now? The hero of Polarm has appeared?”

I was surprised by the appearance of the Phantom Thief, but here comes the hero of Polarm?

Moreover, they were followers of the Black Wizard, and so they knew better than anyone else.

“She was the one I couldn’t find even after searching for so long?”

What efforts have the followers of the Black Mage made so far to trace the traces of the six heroes?

It was an effort that could literally swallow up Maple World.

And yet, the Aran I couldn’t find appeared?

That alone is surprising.

But from Evoque’s point of view, it couldn’t be surprising.

Now Ivok had to show Hote a way to find Aran, the hero whom the followers of the Black Mage had been unable to find despite their best efforts.

It was actually a ridiculous test.

So said Ivoke.

“It is impossible to find her. If it were possible, you wouldn’t even be asking this question.”

Hote nodded at those words.

“Then there is only one way to do it, and that is to make her appear on her own feet.”

“What is that method?”

“It is dyeing the El Nas Mountains with blood.”

At those words, Hote’s eyes lit up sharply.

But Ivok didn’t give up with his eyes either.

Rather, Ivok’s eyes glowed more fiercely.

In fact, Evoque was no ordinary person.

He was the leader of the Kania Merchant Group, one of the most prestigious merchant groups in Victoria Island, and was recognized for his skills even among the followers of the Black Wizard.

Above all, he was risking his life right now.

It’s obvious who will be more desperate, a hunting lion or a chasing lynx.

“There is a saying that in troubled times, heroes emerge. As the saying goes, if you create troubled times, heroes will naturally emerge.”

“Aran isn’t that stupid, is he?”

“Just causing massacres isn’t very effective. But when it’s her name on the line, it’s different.”

“Does your name matter?”

Above all, Evoque knew.

“Your Majesty the Lion King knows that the hero Aran of Polarm has an item she wore while alive.”

At those words, Hote laughed and put away the sword that was pointed at Ivoke’s Adam’s apple.

It was not an expression of goodwill.

In fact, it was quite the opposite.

Hotel is ready.

If what Ivok says is not to your liking, prepare to kill him with one stroke of a sword.

That would be the case, as it was a top secret that Ban Leon had Aran’s item.

If Evoque knew that much of a secret, then Evoque was a very dangerous person for Van Leon.

And it was the role of the Shadow Knights to eliminate such risks by any means necessary.

This means that now, Evoque has only one word left to say.

“We will spread the word in Maple World that Aran’s items are in the Elnas Mountains. Then, adventurers from Maple World will swarm us like bees. All we have to do is kill them.”

Evoque spits out words that could become his last words.

Fortunately, Ivok’s words did not become a will.

Hote’s sword remained as it was, and Ivok continued speaking.

“If adventurers start dying in Aran’s name, she will react in some way.”

After finishing his words like that, Evoque closed his eyes.

To such an Ivok, Hote said:

“Welcome to Elnas. We will escort you to the castle.”