The trees grew wilder and thicker the deeper they went. However, the dimness settling over their surroundings wasn't solely due to the forest’s shadow.

The sky above had been swallowed by familiar storm clouds.

"—And then Harald, that stubborn old fool, just left us outside and went in on his own."

Ian took another drink, letting Thesaya’s voice drift past him. Through the gaps between the branches, the mountain range stretched out ahead in layered shadows.

Clack—clack—

That was the destination of the wagons ahead.

His gaze swept over the approaching ridgeline, eventually settling on a dull, jagged peak that rose abruptly above the rest.

That has to be it.

His eyes narrowed faintly. The closer they got, the more distinct that tallest peak became.

For now, though, he was likely the only one watching the mountain that held the dragon’s lair.

"How could he do something so foolish and irreverent? I’m beginning to question the competence of that so-called supreme commander."

"General Harald is a respected and renowned commander in the North, Master. But it seems age has dulled him. To pull something so arrogant and idiotic..."

"I agree. Was he not afraid of Karha’s wrath?"

The others were still fuming over the story Thesaya had just finished.

Not just the merchants, but even those who had lived through it were caught up in reliving the memory.

"It was that damned bald bastard Olaf’s fault. He was Harald’s in-law, wasn’t he? It still pisses me off thinking about it."

"It was certainly absurd in many ways. But looking back, he truly believed they could hold the line with just the defensive forces."

"He trusted his soldiers and the resilience of the Northerners. That part, at least, was impressive. Even if it was a foolish decision..."

At some point, Mev had even ridden alongside the merchant wagon, joining in.

The wagons rattled constantly along the poorly maintained road, though no one seemed to notice.

From the moment they left the wheat fields and passed the prepared farmland to reaching this forest, the journey had been a monotonous two and a half days.

Only Ian seemed to feel how long it had been.

"So what did the Agent of the Saint do? I can’t imagine he actually followed such a foolish order," Fael asked, sounding impatient.

"Hmm... what do you think he did?" Thesaya murmured lazily.

There was no denying she was enjoying this journey the most. Every time, she would stop her story at just the right moment, leaving the merchant group hanging.

"You’re doing this again."

"I deserve a break and a drink too, Bor."

At some point, she’d even started speaking casually to the guards—and since yesterday, she’d made herself at home riding in the merchant wagon. However, no one had bothered to object. Whether it was because they were getting carried away or were simply enjoying the guessing game was hard to tell.

"He must have smashed through the gates. If it were the Demigod I know, that would be the obvious choice."

"I thought he would have persuaded General Gelud, but that would certainly be more impressive, Bor."

"If it were me, I’d have waited for the attack. Once cornered, they’d have no choice but to ask for help."

A sharp snapping sound followed. "That’s right. Not bad thinking—for a kitty, anyway, Oscar."

"Please stop calling me that, Elder."

"I told you, I even call your Great Chieftain that. You should be grateful I’m using your name at all."

In any case, the group was closing the distance quickly. Even Oscar had begun speaking with Thesaya more naturally—one of Ian’s unintended gains.

Still a pain to keep tuning it out with one ear, though.

However, it was better than listening to endless talk about the dragon’s nest.

Ian raised the bottle in his hand to his lips once more.

"I never would have imagined he’d make that choice..."

"Now that I think about it, the Demigod made the right call. If he had gone in back then, the soldiers would’ve only been thrown into confusion."

"So he watched as the archdemon took Kalbrook?"

The conversation in the wagon continued, voices thick with anticipation and excitement.

"At first, all we could hear were the ground trembling and those echoing, monstrous howls. The dark clouds churned like a storm."

"Even thinking back on it makes my legs go weak... damn it..."

"And then, before long, flames began to bloom atop the city walls."

"That must have been one of the reasons General Harald was so confident."

One of the stories they had been waiting for the most was finally unfolding.

Encouraged by the group’s reactions, Thesaya continued leisurely.

"Good heavens, Lu Solar..."

"Demigod of the North..."

Fael and the others responded with quiet gasps, hanging onto every word. For once, they didn’t even interrupt with questions.

As if rewarding that restraint, Thesaya kept the story flowing.

"It was only after things reached that point that the gates finally opened. And His Grace, without a shred of hesitation, spurred Nila forward and charged ahead."

"After declaring, with full authority, that we should follow behind him."

Ian’s eyes twitched faintly as a growing heat entered Thesaya’s voice.

At almost the same moment, a chuckle brushed against his mind.

—Good thing... looks like I woke up just in time this time.

Yog’s whisper followed.

Mev, who rode alongside the wagon, looked back.

"Yeah. Perfect timing. Worm. Because from here on, there are parts even we don’t fully know." Thesaya answered casually.

Slithering out between the plates of Ian’s gauntlet, Yog let out a chuckle.

—You mean the part where we fought that winged half-breed in the sky?

Before Thesaya could answer, Mev nodded. "That’s right, Yog. His Grace never spoke of it afterward. You’re the only one who can tell us what really happened."

She might not have said it aloud before, but she’d clearly been curious all along.

Fael blinked, then finally said, "It seems the Agent of the Saint’s familiar has awakened."

Only then did the guards murmur in low astonishment, nodding among themselves.

Yog had awakened just the night before.

It claimed it could have awakened earlier, but hadn’t because of the nauseating divine energy in the area—likely referring to the blessing of Della Lu over Drenorov.

Either way, the merchants had already seen Thesaya and Mev casually talking to it.

"Unfortunately, I think that’s where today’s story ends." Ian cut in flatly.

Yog, creeping along his arm as if about to dissolve into smoke, froze mid-motion.

"All of a sudden? It was just getting good." Thesaya said, frowning.

Not just Fael, but even the guards turned to Ian with widened eyes.

"This one woke up, didn’t it?" Ian said flatly, not even blinking, before lifting his gaze toward the wagon. "And the sun hasn’t even set yet."

Only then did the others, including Thesaya, look up at the sky.

Nasser let out a sigh. "You’re right. It looks like the sun is setting... but it’s not night yet."

"Exactly. Which means it’s time to stay sharp," Ian added, giving Moro’s reins a light shake.

That was the real reason his eyes twitched the moment Yog woke up.

"We’re about to enter the valley," said Ian.

Unlike the others, his gaze was fixed on the darkening forest path ahead.

As if waiting for that cue, Moro surged forward, overtaking the wagons. The rest of the group quickly turned their attention ahead.

"You’re right. The visibility’s getting narrow." Thesaya muttered, narrowing her eyes as she stood up.

She clicked her tongue. "The fog is starting to roll in."

"Lu Solar..."

"Of all times..."

Fael and Bor let out quiet groans.

Unlike Fael, whose eyes showed fear, Bor’s tightly shut eyes only carried a trace of regret—likely because the story had been cut short just as it was getting good.

"My apologies for not noticing sooner, Demigod." Hallig, the driver of the front wagon, bowed his head.

Ian shook his head. "Don’t worry about it. Unless you’re an elder fairy, there’s no way you’d notice before I do. Just focus on keeping the horses steady."

"Yes, Great Warrior." Hallig nodded, tightening his grip on the reins.

Ian’s gaze swept over the group. "Prepare yourselves."

Miguel rose without a word, locking a crossbow onto his prosthetic arm as he turned. Nasser immediately dropped down toward the driver’s seat. Thesaya climbed up onto the crates of the lead wagon.

Meeting Ian’s eyes, Mev nodded and pulled Nila’s reins. Her role was to cover the rear of the group.

—I’ll keep you updated, so stay sharp, all of you.

Yog’s voice whispered with a hint of amusement.

It had already coiled itself around Ian’s neck—something it could now do after shedding.

"No one leaves their position, no matter what happens. If someone looks possessed, I’ll knock them out without hesitation. Keep that in mind," Ian added, looking toward the merchant guards.

Oscar and Bor, climbing onto the crates, nodded almost in unison.

"Yes, Great Warrior."

"Understood."

They took their positions on either side of Thesaya, as if guarding her.

Oscar drew his fang blade, a traditional beastfolk weapon, while Bor pulled out the long spear strapped to his back.

"I’ll keep the child with me, Agent of the Saint," Fael added, crouching low in the cargo hold. His eyes were on Lily, who sat at the center of the crates in the rear wagon.

Before Ian could respond, Thesaya said, "Just leave her be, Master. She’s not an ordinary child."

Glancing at Fael, who blinked in confusion, she curled her lips into a grin. "To quote His Grace, our little Pup is a walking spell turret."

Only then did Fael’s eyes widen. Oscar and Bor also turned toward Lily in surprise. They had clearly thought she was just a pitiful child the group had taken in.

"Conserve your magic, Lily. Unless someone in the group is in danger, don’t use any spells," added Ian, passing the lead wagon.

Lily looked toward him, nodded, and rose from her seat.

"Just stay seated, kid. You’ll fall." Miguel pressed a hand onto her shoulder almost immediately.

Though she blinked a little faster than usual, Lily obediently sat back down on the crate.

Ian’s lips twitched faintly as he glanced at Miguel taking position behind her, before finally turning forward again.

Snort...

Moro had already moved ahead, taking the lead past the horses.

Visibility was short. The surroundings were already growing hazy.

Swoosh—

The fog, thick as smoke, began creeping along the ground, spreading outward.

It was an ominous sight—but as always, Ian didn’t so much as blink.

Shing—

Instead, he crossed his hands and drew both his divine sword and dagger from his waist.

Clearing the path ahead was his role.

"We need to protect the horses. So don’t get excited and charge ahead."

At his quiet warning, Moro snorted as if in response. Its eyes, fixed on the fog-covered path ahead, now glimmered faintly with a dim violet hue.

A tense silence fell over the group as they advanced.

Clip-clop, clip-clop...

The only sounds were the rhythm of hooves and the uneasy breathing of the horses. The surroundings grew darker, and the fog thickened further.

Watching the murky darkness ahead, Ian moved steadily up the gently rising slope.

—Ah, yeah. There’s quite a lot of them.

A whisper brushed against his mind.

Not long after, Ian’s eyes narrowed slightly. Beyond the incline, the hazy darkness seemed to ripple.

—Feels like they’re waiting for us to come deeper in.

Yog added lightly.

Adjusting his grip on the Blazing Judgment and his dagger, Ian gave a small nod.

There are more than I expected.

Perhaps these weren’t something the Platinum Dragon had arranged after all. Then again, this shadowy, fog-laden region was the perfect environment for wraiths to dwell in.

"O Radiant Light... guide these humble mortals with your warm brilliance..."

As Moro continued forward through the valley, Fael’s low prayer began to spread through the air. He had clearly realized that the fog was anything but natural.

—From here on, you’ll need to stay sharp. The magic mixed into the fog is getting clearer...

Yog whispered again moments later. Almost at the same time, Fael’s prayer, which had been continuing like a chant, abruptly stopped.

Thesaya, standing atop the lead wagon, had clearly given some kind of hand signal.

And in that very instant, the fog beyond the ridge surged like a rising tide.

Screech—

Shrill, dreadful wails echoed from every direction. The wraiths, hidden within the fog, surged forward.

However, it wasn’t just the tide of spirits that made Ian’s eyes twitch. A faint resonance of magic had begun to spread through his left hand, the one holding the dagger.

With a flick of his Willful Grasp, he returned the dagger to its sheath and opened his palm.

A faint smile curled at the corner of his lips.

Swoosh—

A soft golden glow gathered in his hand, seeping through his gauntlet.

Yog let out a low exclamation.

—Oh... I see... so this power was meant for that. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

That’s what I’m thinking too.

Ian looked down at the growing radiance. The Mantra circuit etched into his palm, normally invisible, was now greedily drawing in magic.

Screech!

The wails grew sharper, more frenzied. The guards’ tense breathing filled the air as the tide of wraiths came crashing down like a landslide.

Ian raised his left hand toward the fog.

Whoosh—

The Mantra circuit flared brilliantly, releasing a surge of magic.

And in the very next moment, the thick fog blanketing the valley began to split apart.