Chapter 216


    HEL SCANS


    [Trantor  Peptobismol]


    [Proofreader  Demon God]


    Hes gone. Completely.


    Ronan, who checked for a pulse, nodded. Barka didnt move anymore. It was a pitiful death that suited a piece of trash, suffocating himself to death. Adeshan, who was silently staring at him, opened her mouth.


    Is it really over this time?


    If youre really anxious, we can do it like this. Just turn your head for a moment.


    Ronan tugged at the hilt of his sword. Dozens of threads were drawn over Barkas remaining head and torso. Swoosh! As soon as Ronan finished his sh, Barkas body disintegrated into pieces.


    You disgusting bastard.


    This should have been enough for even Barkas grandfather to nevere back to life. There was no trace of the wicked Weretiger in any part of the blood puddle, flesh scraps, or entrails. The fierce cold was already freezing the blood and flesh fragments solid.


    Whoosh A chilling wind blew, freezing the wounds. Soon, Barkas existence would vanish, bing a part of this icy sea.


    After finishing his work, Ronan turned his back. Adeshan was watching the gruesome process without turning her eyes away. Ronan scratched the back of his head awkwardly.


    I told you to turn your head. Its not a pleasant sight.


    I wanted to see how the knot was tied.


    Even though Adeshan would be unable to eat after having watched the scene, she remainedposed. Ronan pursed his lips without saying anything.


    A knot, huh.


    Considering Barkas actions, she had essentially eliminated the enemy who had caused the death of her mother and brother. Coming to the northern end and marking the end with blood was no different. Suddenly, Adeshan, who was standing still, swayed like a reed.


    Whats wrong, are you okay?


    Yeah. Im just a bit tired


    Adeshan awkwardly smiled. Though she said that, her paleplexion didnt look good.


    It wasnt surprising. To control Barkas mind, she must have consumed tremendous strength and energy. As if to prove it, the power felt by Adeshan now was not even 20% of what it was before.


    At that time, Adeshans power had be so strong that it seemed like she had borrowed it from someone. Just like when Ronan forcibly drew out his inherent potential with the power of the Holy Sword.


    It was a close call. Adeshan, whose legs gave away, lost her bnce and fell.


    Ah.


    I knew this would happen.


    Ronan chuckled lightly. He sessfully caught Adeshan just before her knees touched the ground. Adeshan, who was staggering, covered her flushed face with both hands.


    Th-Thank you


    You worked hard. Get some rest.


    Ill try to get up as soon as possible. But what about those people?


    Adeshan was looking at the ice in through the gap between her fingers. The bodies of the drowned people, which had been buried shallowly, were rising as they broke the ice.


    -Grrrrr


    -Gyaaahhh


    The already awakened corpses were aimlessly wandering around. There seemed to be no purpose now that Barka had revoked hismand before he died.


    We should put them to rest.


    It didnt seem dangerous, but it wasnt a pleasant sight either. Since corpses dont move, its only natural for them to rest eternally as bones or ashes. Ronan, who was observing them, spoke up.


    But we can deal with thatter after we handle other matters. Come here, let me carry you.


    Sorry.


    Adeshan bowed her head deeply. The strength of her legs didnte back easily once it was released. Ronan, without saying a word, lifted her up and started walking towards theboratory.


    Im heavy.


    You say the same thing every time, but youre not heavy at all.


    Umm lies.


    Unable to ovee her embarrassment, Adeshan buried her face in his back. Ronan chuckled. In fact, considering her height, she was on the lighter side. As he carried her like this, memories from the past came flooding back.


    It was like this even during the beast festival, remember?


    Yeah


    At that time, I still dont understand why the Alpha Doppelganger turned into me. I really hated myself at that time. I wonder if Doppelgangers make mistakes too.


    Ronan, who had just finished off the poacher, encountered the Alpha Doppelganger while returning with Adeshan on his back. The Alpha Doppelganger, who could transform into the person the opponent liked, astonishingly had taken on Ronans own appearance.


    Later, although it did transform into the Adeshan from her days as the General, over two years had passed and the lingering question remained unresolved.


    Uh, th-that?


    Adeshan mumbled with her face buried. She couldnt bring herself to say that, at that time, the Doppelganger hadnt made eye contact with Ronan, but rather her.


    It changed without a moments hesitation.


    It was dangerous for the conversation to head in this direction. Memories from the Hill of the Four Seasons, thoughts of the mouth to mouth cpr, just hours ago, were surfacing one after another.


    If things continued like this, she was afraid that her elerating heartbeat would be heard. Her body temperature started to rise as well. Adeshan, who was rapidly turning over thoughts in her head, decided to change the subject.


    B-but by the way, what was that all about?


    What do you mean?


    Th-the story about the City of Dragons.


    Oh. Right. I did say something like that.


    Ronan raised an eyebrow. He had momentarily forgotten due to the chaos. Barka, who was under control, also spilled out information rted to Neb zier.


    Among the wealth of information, one thing stood out the most. The leader who showed up at the meeting after a long absence hinted that it was time to make contact with the Dragon City of Adren. This happened long after Ronan had visited Drimoor with Navardose, just a few days ago.


    I thought the conversation with Navardose was over. It seems suspicious.


    Ronans brow furrowed. He had sessfully warned the Mother of Fire about the danger of Neb zier.


    Although there was a king ruling Adren, ultimately Navardose was the one in power, so it seemed odd that there was a separate entity. Ronan nodded as he pondered something.


    Hmm I should contact them as soon as this is over.


    Whom?


    Navardose, of course. Shes so busy that Im not sure if shell reply.


    You really have a widework.


    Adeshan muttered in amazement. Not only the Emperor, but now the Mother of Fire as well. For a moment, a worried expression crossed her face.


    Is it okay for me to like you?


    Her once flushed ears were quickly cooling down. She was afraid that her affection might hinder him from pursuing his path, which was always aimed at justice.


    Nevertheless, the two arrived at theboratory. A stronger stench assaulted their noses. It was due to the experiments, samples, and other items that had been broken and spilled.


    The orderly space had transformed as if the drunken ogre family had stayed overnight. Adeshanmented.


    HEL SCANS


    [Trantor  Peptobismol]


    [Proofreader  Demon God]


    Join our Discord for release /invite/dbdMDhzWa2


    I dont sense any presence.


    Me neither.


    I think I can walk now. Thanks for carrying me.


    With regained strength in her legs, Adeshan descended from Ronans back. Both of them cautiously searched theboratory. Soon, Ronan found what he was looking for and stopped in his tracks.


    Its here.


    Oh, found it.


    Approaching from elsewhere, Adeshan joined him. Side by side, they looked down at the body of Aradan Turkon.


    He was lying peacefully. It was hard to believe that he had been thrashing around as if on fire just a while ago.


    The regenerated body was in better condition than before Ronan had chopped it up. With closed eyes, he seemed not dead, but rather asleep. Ronan tilted his head.


    How is he in such good shape?


    It seems his regeneration coincided with the moment Barka released his soul.


    Its miraculous.


    Ronan murmured to himself. The monstrous right arm and grotesque tentacles had disappeared, leaving only the Weretiger boy who once admired his father remained, to rest in eternal peace. Adeshan, looking at him, spoke up.


    Why did we have to go through all this?


    Her voice was heavy as ifden with clouds. Ronan didnt answer. Maybe unable to would be the right expression. Both of them were victims of the misfortune caused by Barkas madness.


    Why did they have to go through all this? No one knew. Since doing what they could was the rule of life, Ronan simply embraced the quietly weeping Adeshan by his side. After a moment of trembling shoulders, she whispered softly.


    Thank you.


    Her breath sounded loud. Fortunately, she regained her energy in less than five minutes and stood up. There was still much to do, too much to indulge in contemtion.


    The two searched theboratory for a long time. They gathered evidence to prove Barkas evil nature and destroyed any magical items or devices that could be misused.


    Since a massive ship had been converted into Barkas hideout, it took much longer than expected. As Ronan packed the materials into his backpack, he murmured.


    This should be enough to rectify the North.


    Probably. Just realizing they were deceived might bring about a lot of change.


    I hope so.


    Having finished their tasks, the two picked up their belongings. Adeshan carried both her and Ronans backpacks simultaneously, while Ronan carried Aradans body. Even in death, this boy who fought like a true warrior deserved to be buried where the sun shone.


    Now, giving eternal rest to the wandering corpses would be the end. As they passed through the corridor they hade through, it was the moment they opened the stone gate. Whoosh! A sudden gust of wind blew back their hair.


    Ugh?!


    Aack!


    The hot and dry wind was mixed with a ze. The scent of burning that belonged in a crematorium permeated the air. Frozen in ce, the two nced at the scene before them.


    What on earth is going on here?


    Wh-What!


    It was like something out of a madmans fantasy. A radiant glow reminiscent of a green skirt streaked across the dark sky. Below it, waves of mes, as ifing from hell itself, engulfed the ice in.


    -Kieeee!


    -Araagh!


    All the bodies gathered by Barka were burning. The resurrected corpses wandered in the mes, screaming, until they turned into ash, while the corpses that didnte back to lifey quietly, turning into ashes like firewood.


    It may not be the right expression, but it seemed that there were no survivors. Frozen in shock, Ronan was staring at the scene of the congration. Suddenly, Adeshan pointed to the sky and shouted.


    R-Ronan! Look there!


    Huh?


    The alreadyrge eyes widened even further. Ronan turned his head in the direction she was pointing. He froze in ce as his gaze reached the sky.


    Ah, shit.


    A single eagle, almost asrge as Itargand, was pping its wings in ce. With each p of its enormous wings, a gust of wind swept away the mes.


    Its body, like a sculpture, shimmered with a blue light. Ronan narrowed his eyes. There was a sense of familiarity emanating from the eagle. Soon, he seeded in dredging up memories.


    Hyran!


    It was unmistakable. It was Hyran, the highest-ranking wind spirit known as the Prince of Storms. Ronan remembered seeing him during his two years journey to the Sea of Ghosts.


    If Hyran is here, then maybe


    There are very few people who can make a contract with a high-ranking spirit. At least, among the people Ronan knew, there was only one. Suddenly, the map he found in his fathers room came to mind. The target destination on the map was clearly the Sea of Ghosts.


    Gradually, the mes covering the Sea of Ghosts subsided. Like fallen meteorites, the bodies could no longer be found in the deeply excavated ice pit. A trembling voice escaped Adeshans lips.


    It wonte this way, right?


    Her gaze lingered on Hyran, who was pping his wings in the air. The Prince of Storms remained aloof, staring nkly at the two. After about a minute, Hyran, who had been gazing at Ronan, suddenly roared.


    Pyuuuhhh!


    Eeek!


    Startled, Adeshan embraced Ronan. Hyran folded his wings and began to descend. Making a wide circle, the Prince of Storms finallynded on a cliff.


    It wasnt too far away, so they could observe the area with the naked eye. Ronans eyes widened as he surveyed Hyrans surroundings.


    Thats!


    A single elven woman was stroking Hyrans head. Her silver hair, illuminated by the aurora, sparkled with a dusky green hue.


    Even after thousands of years, the ruby embedded in her staff-like weapon hadnt lost its luster. The image of her, struggling to save the Savior, still lingered in his eyes.


    The Great Spirit Sage. And one of the founders of Neb zier, who followed the Savior. Ronans mouth fell open in awe.


    Elysia.


    HEL SCANS


    [Trantor  Peptobismol]


    [Proofreader  Demon God]


    Join our Discord for release /invite/dbdMDhzWa2