Chapter 207
Clop, clop.
About twenty knights on horseback were galloping across the wasteland, heading somewhere. They were Raul and the members of the First Knights who protected him.
“Wow~! I’d only heard about it, but it’s truly gigantic, beyond enormous.”
Josh, while riding his horse, looked ahead and marveled. In the far-off horizon, an exceedingly long artificial structure came into view.
It was the “Barrier”, known as humanity’s greatest construction.
However, even more staggering than that was the massive mountain range that pierced through the clouds and soared high into the sky. The mountain range, seemingly cutting the planet in half, was a natural fortress barring human entry.
Whether Josh’s admiration was directed at the “Barrier” or the “Great Canyon of Despair” was uncertain, but it was clear he was completely overwhelmed. Had he not been, his mouth would have been running faster than his eyes could take in the sight.
“Though it looks close from here, it’ll actually be tomorrow afternoon by the time we reach there.”
“Oh my God. We’ve already been riding for a day and we still have that much more to go?”
Hearing Jake’s words, Josh exaggeratedly grabbed his head. Maybe he was trying to lighten Raul’s tense mood, but it didn’t seem to have much effect. Raul held the reins firmly, staring at the Barrier as though he couldn’t hear a thing.
“If it’s that urgent, why not use a portal? Why spend over two days riding horses to reach the Barrier?”
Josh asked curiously, and this time, Kane answered.
“Near the Barrier, there are incredibly complex magic circles, various mechanisms, and barrier formations. Furthermore, for military and political reasons, teleportation is prohibited within a certain range. Even in case of a genuine war, unless it’s an extremely urgent situation, portals won’t be opened.”
Indeed, as Kane said, the only way to reach the Barrier was by land. For decades, the empire had attempted to target the Barrier using various means such as teleportation, flight magic, and tunneling magic.
The measures were in place not just to thwart such tricks, but also to ensure that the kingdoms didn’t entertain any foolish ideas.
“Let’s hurry.”
Magic wind, warm and soothing, emanated from Raul and enveloped the group. Raul had activated his shining aura. Thanks to this, the tiring horses found their breaths stabilizing, and the knights felt a burst of energy returning to their exhausted bodies.
“Let’s go!”
The group spurred their horses forward, racing towards the Barrier.
*
Tap, tap.
Picking up speed, the group reached the Barrier, or rather the city connected to it, “Porta”, much earlier than anticipated.
“Wow… this is unexpected.”
Josh probably imagined a gigantic military camp or fortress city. But entering Porta felt more like stepping into a bustling trade or tourist city rather than a military one.
“Surprising, right? Everyone visiting for the first time makes that same face.”
The city’s layout was simple. A massive city encircled by a continuous wall. The unique aspect was that one side of the city touched the Barrier, and a relatively small fortress stood before it.
Except for the fortress, it would resemble nothing more than an enormously prosperous trade city.
“More than 90% of the residents here are civilians with no military ties. The transient population mainly consists of merchants and mercenaries. Getting the picture?”
“Now that you mention it, it feels quite similar to the castle of the Count’s family.”
The reason was simple. It was all because of the rare by-products that could only be obtained from beyond the Barrier and the spoils of war from battles with the empire.
Additionally, there was another political reason, but Jake did not bother to mention it.
“We head straight to the command post.”
“Yes, Master.”
Raul, whose expression remained stern, spoke, and Jake led the way.
‘Now that I think about it….’
As they rode, another peculiar aspect of the city became apparent. It was the enormous main road. The city was large, but the road was wider than any Josh had ever seen—even wider than the capital of the kingdom.
While the sides of the road were occupied by carriages, presumably belonging to trade caravans, the center was used as a march route for cavalry and soldiers.
“Are there always this many cavalry here?”
“Well, not usually. At least, not during my time here…”
Jake responded with a puzzled expression. On the march route to the command post, there were already hundreds of cavalry visible. Even if only a fifth of them were knights, it was still a significant number.
Something about the atmosphere in the city seemed unusual. Raul was accompanied by a total of twenty knights on this journey to the Barrier. Among them, the prominent figures included Kane, Jake, and Josh.
Kane was brought along to gather information and track down the missing second brother, Lawrence. Jake joined because of his experience working at the Barrier.
Josh, as the chief knight, was the squad leader of the other 17 intermediate-level expert armor users but mainly participated to assist Raul.
“Halt. You cannot ride past this point.”
Armed knights and soldiers greeted the visitors with discipline at the fortress’s main gate. While the city was large, the fortress before them was by no means small.
As the group dismounted, the gatekeeper approached and inquired,
“Where do you hail from?”
Although the rider was holding a flag bearing the insignia of the First Viscounty, the gatekeeper seemed not to recognize it. It was understandable, as the First Viscounty was a relatively recent establishment and had yet to dispatch knights to the Barrier.
“We come from the First Viscounty of the Ruben Kingdom, with Viscount Raul de Ashton and his entourage.”
“The First Viscounty…? Do you mean the Ashton household?”
“Yes, Viscount Raul is also the third young master of the Count Ashton household.”
“Ah…!”
The gatekeeper turned slightly towards Raul, placed his clenched fist over his chest, and greeted him respectfully.
“You’re Sir Lawrence’s younger brother. I’m deeply sorry to hear the tragic news. He was a truly remarkable knight.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
Raul returned the gesture, and the gatekeeper nodded before instructing the soldiers behind him.
“Open the gate.”
Clang.
The iron barrier blocking the fortress entrance slid aside.
“Inside, head to the first floor of the fourth annex. You should find members of the Ashton household there. I wish you success….”
It seemed that Raul’s second brother, Lawrence, had a stellar reputation, judging by the gatekeeper’s attitude.
***
“Welcome, baron.”
“It’s been a while, baron Carlo.”
Greeting Raul’s group at the annex was none other than Carlo de Ashton, the captain of the Silver Bear Knight Order. Having refined his skills since the internal war within the Count’s family, it seemed he had reached the pinnacle of mastery.
‘Fortunately, the strength of the main family is also steadily increasing.’
Following the internal war, Raul managed to persuade his father, Count Melvin, and his eldest brother, Dylan, to allocate 50 positions from the First Knight Order to the Count’s family.
While it was crucial for the First Knight Order to grow, it was equally important for the Count’s family, their support, to strengthen as well.
In the short term, it was more efficient to elevate the high-ranking knights of the Count’s family who had stagnated in their skills.
Baron Carlo, aware of this, appeared more respectful towards Raul. Experiencing the rumored ‘Blessing of the Gods’ firsthand naturally made him more favorable towards Raul.
“Did Father say anything else?”
“No. He directed us to fully cooperate with you. And Young lord Dylan had a message to convey.”
“From my eldest brother?”
“Yes, ahem, ‘Bring back that foolish brother of ours!’… It seems the family head and the captains had a hard time dissuading him from coming to the Barrier himself.”
Well, considering it was Dylan, it made sense. Unlike Raul, who was pampered, the relationship between the eldest and second brothers was more contentious.
While the much younger Raul might have seemed like a child or nephew, Lawrence would have been a true sibling to Dylan.
Knowing that his usually indifferent eldest brother had left a ‘Trust you’ message in the guild’s communication chat, which he barely used, said a lot about his feelings.
‘Ha, if even I, who hardly saw him, feel this heartache, how must my brother or father feel?’
Though the siblings were only memories instilled in him, it made Raul’s heart ache even more. Despite knowing trouble might be brewing, he had failed to properly look out for his second brother, using his other busy tasks as an excuse.
If Raul’s suspicions were correct, Lawrence’s disappearance wouldn’t end as a simple incident. Originally, about six months should have remained, but it was clear history had been twisted due to his interference.
‘I hope it’s not too late….’
“But why is the city atmosphere like this? Does it have something to do with the current situation?”
Although the news of Lawrence’s disappearance had been conveyed, no detailed information was provided. This was because matters within the Barrier were handled with utmost secrecy.
Knowing that spies of the empire were already active within the kingdoms, it was natural not to disclose the most critical information to ordinary noble families.
“Yes, this incident is not just about Sir Lawrence but a ‘mass disappearance’ involving many people.”
“……!”
Jake asked, and Baron Carlo responded with a solemn expression.
“As you must have noticed on your way here, many families from various countries have dispatched investigation teams and troops. Thanks to this, the annexes inside the fortress are packed to the brim.”
No wonder they saw so many knights on the main road; it seemed there was a reason behind it. With over 20 annexes prepared for visitors already filled, if not for Baron Carlo arriving earlier, they might have had to find other accommodations.
“Did you hear any specifics about the matter? Sir Kane brought some news, but we need accurate information.”
“Someone else will explain that. Viscount Raul, if you’re agreeable, could you accompany me to the commander’s office now? Upon hearing of your arrival, the Vice Commander sent someone to request your presence.”
“By the Vice Commander, do you mean Lord Hansley?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
There were three Sword Masters at the Barrier. The Supreme Commander, Duke Julius, and the two Vice Commanders, Duke Hansley and Duke Tavion.
They were dedicated to guarding the Barrier and were not affiliated with any kingdom. Hence, even without holding any fiefs, they were respectfully referred to with the title “Duke”.
Typically, one of the three remained at the Barrier to handle administrative and rear-line tasks, and this role often fell to Duke Hansley.
‘To think I’d meet such a significant figure as soon as I arrived.’
This life was undeniably different from the previous one. In his past life as Bae Dohyun, no matter how significant the battle, meeting anyone beyond field officers was the norm.
While the name of the Count Ashton household carried weight, being the third son alone wouldn’t justify a meeting with Duke Hansley. Many high-ranking nobles’ offspring visited the Barrier, but only a few met the Vice Commander.
Duke Hansley likely understood the intricacies of the kingdom’s affairs due to his frequent rear-line duties.
And probably.
‘Lawrence’s influence plays a role too.’
Though Raul wasn’t fully aware of Lawrence’s accomplishments here, the attitudes of the knights and soldiers gave him an idea. Meeting the highest authority directly might greatly aid his search for Lawrence.
A short while later, at the commander’s office.
“Welcome. I greet you to the Barrier.”
A dignified gentleman in his late forties to mid-fifties welcomed Raul. Clad in formal attire, he looked more like a regular administrative officer who hadn’t trained in the sword.
Yet, hidden within him was an immense, unfathomable aura that made Raul involuntarily tense up.
“Hoo! Indeed. The rumors were not exaggerated.”
Sensing Raul’s briefly revealed presence, Duke Hansley smiled warmly, pleased. But as the conversation was about to continue,
Ding ding ding ding ding!
“Well…. It seems we must postpone this chat for now.”
There appeared to be a disturbance outside.
“Would you prefer to wait here for a while? Or….”
“May I come along?”
Raul promptly responded, having waited for this opportunity, causing Duke Hansley to chuckle and gesture with his hand.
“Follow me.”
(To be continued)