Volcanic Desert (2)

Four days passed since Raihan’s wedding. During that time, Evan intentionally made the Senior group members rest. Thanks to the seven new recruits who would work diligently on their behalf, there was no problem in resting a bit. Still, the members weren’t happy at all, and this was because the free time given by Evan indicated that hardships would come soon after. And as expected, after four days, Evan called everyone in the Senior group except Raihan to his office.

“We will head for the Volcanic Desert. The time for departure is this afternoon, so everyone, get ready.”

“Will there be ancient ruins like the ones in Eternal Glacier?”

“There’s a possibility. In fact, I’m expecting one to appear.”

Even Evan had to struggle a bit in the ancient ruins where enemies stronger than the dragons appeared. Probably, that was the most spectacular battle Evan ever had. However, Evan had his deadly Heavenly Skills evolve to Annihilation as he reached the 100th floor of the dungeon, so he wasn’t afraid of the ancient ruin even if they were as old as his great-grandfather.

“Ah, Raihan Hyung will stay behind. He’s a newlywed. So, I didn’t even bother calling him here.”

“I’m sure he is busy, and he would have been terrified if you were to bring him over. Although our Master is beyond the human realm, his personality still remains as human…ouch.”

“Shine sure knows me. Don’t you, Shine?”

“Eeekk-…it hurts!”

Evan stretched and released Shine’s cheeks, and then he looked at Arisha and Anastasia, respectively.

“So, Arisha will take the tanker’s role, and Anastasia will prioritize casting support magic on Arisha. Arisha is the best fit for defending the members from the environmental heat since she manipulates wind magic.”

“Okay, I’ll try. Although it won’t be of that much help.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind. I hope there will be a chance for me to cast magic.”

“…”

The Astray members’ behavior was like this ever since Evan stopped the Great Backflow by himself. Actually, Evan also thought that his action was too much for this scenario.

“…Is there anyone who wants to stay behind?”

“What are you saying? Of course, we must go.”

“Evan, do you want to leave me behind?”

As Evan hinted on departing by himself, the rest of the members glared at him. They unanimously said that they didn’t want to be left behind (although Anastasia looked like she wanted to be with Shine instead). Evan didn’t have the slightest clue as to what they wanted from him.

“Right, then everyone will join except Raihan Hyung. There is nothing unusual.”

“Oppa, Oppa, I have a question.”

Serena smiled gorgeously like a flower in full bloom and shook her hand.

“What should we do with Gnar?”

“Ah…”

Gnar, who made a magnificent entrance in the final scene of the scenario, was an evil dragon summoned by the Demon tribe and evil forces gathered in Sherden. It was said to have been tamed by Serena after her utmost effort. Surely, that story was just a fat lie, but people in Sherden believed it and praised Serena. Perhaps it was her who benefitted the most from this scenario. Anyways, how to handle Gnar was the important matter here. That dragon was said to have been tamed by Serena. Still, it was spreading fear among the people, for it was an evil dragon, so there were a bunch of people who were against Serena, leaving the dragon alone.

“Should I have come up with a better concept for Gnar?”

“It’s normally cute like that.”

―Kyuuu!

Well, thanks to Serena’s ‘release’ skill, Gnar could remain small like a Digimon, and its scales shared the same color with Serena’s eyes, pink, so it was extremely cute. The problem resided in the awareness. The slimes which Serena tamed had ridiculous abilities, but people pat them since they were just slimes in their eyes, but Gnar was the legendary dragon whose violence was observed by a lot of people, so it was being feared despite its cute appearance.

“I guess people will get used to it if Gnar behaves well for a while.”

“It won’t take long. Gnar isn’t the only creature that has a cute appearance and monstrous abilities.”

“Hmm, I see. Shine, thanks for calling me cute.”

“I’m calling you a monster since you use violence right—awaaaaay…!”

Evan let go of Shine, whose face had the mark of Evan’s hand and turned to Serena.

“Therefore, it’s better to have Gnar tag along with us until people become comfortable with it. Bring him along to the Volcanic Desert. Or rather, it might be faster to reach there by riding him.”

―Kyuu…kyuuuu!

Gnar flapped its wings in Serena’s arms as if it were telling Evan to leave the flight to it. Come to think about it, there was no reason to turn such an opportunity down. If Evan were traveling alone, he could just use his Annihilation Step (the evolved form of Heaven’s Step). Still, if the entire Senior group wanted to tag along, there was no other option except using the Ghost Wagon. Despite how advanced the Ghost Wagon became, it would still be slower than a dragon.

“And Oppa, there’s a place I want to visit before our departure.”

“Where?”

“The Great Sea of Elto Frent.”

Evan’s eyes narrowed.

“I know you want to meet the Kraken.”

“I got the release skill now!”

“But you can’t bring it with you, all right? If an octopus enters the Volcanic Desert, it will become a roasted octopus.”

“Yup, my Sea Worm will defend Sherden on my behalf.”

“I wanted to suggest bringing the dragon and leaving the Kraken…alright, do as you wish.”

“Yay!”

Evan assigned Shine to be Serena’s bodyguard during her trip to Elto Frent. Of course, Anastasia joined them to give greetings to the king after a long time. So, the trio was sent off through the Marquis’ gate, and the rest of the members were told to prepare themselves for the journey. Arisha left to give instructions to the Junior group and Name’s party regarding detailed activities they should do during the Senior group’s absence.

“Lua, what is Louise up to now?”

“She entered the dungeon with her party. She said she would complete the dungeon no matter what until the time comes…”

“Aha, I see. That’s why Lin and Lan weren’t around in the morning.”

Then Lucid had tagged along as well. Evan wanted to speak to him more when he still had time, so Evan felt a bit remorseful. For the past four days, he was able to establish a friendship with the other members of the Junior group, so he was planning to move on to Lucid next…

“Master, I have a question. Once the Demon King is defeated, are you planning to have Save recruited to the Dungeon Knighthood?”

“Nope.”

Evan immediately replied to Belois’s question.

“I gave it a thought, but it won’t work. He might die from feeling grateful if he stays by my side.”

“…You’ve seen through him.”

“Name’s party filled up the insufficient manpower in the Knighthood, so there’s no need to drag them along with us. After defeating the Demon King, there won’t be anything that will hunt him down. His party will naturally be disbanded.”

Enoch would withdraw from the party and build his own temple once the Demon King was defeated, and not to mention Lin and Lan. Louise didn’t have to return back to Sherden once she recaptured Merdin, and Lucid was to be accepted in Astray, so the party wouldn’t last long with just Save and Renail in the party. Evan was a bit curious about what kind of decision they would make in that period. Still, they couldn’t harm Evan through any methods, so it was fine to leave them unattended.

“Do you really agree on that?”

“Huh? Is there a problem?”

“No…”

While looking at Evan, who had a peaceful expression after finishing his calculation with his head, Belois ended up smiling faintly. At some point, what kind of trouble would Save, who loved Evan more than Belois did, bring upon himself if he were left unattended…? The consequence was so predictable that her face almost started to convulse. Still, it wouldn’t do any harm to Evan, so she simply let it slip.

“Then, I’ll visit Grandpa Bernard from now on. Lua…”

“I’ll accompany you, Master.”

“So will I.”

Mirole, who remained silent throughout the meeting, lifted her hand for some reason.

“I feel like meeting Illoin.”

“Sure, then let’s go.”

But there was a customer who arrived first in the Brotherhood Pharmacy. It was Maybell.

“Oh my, Master. Meeting you at such a place, this truly is the power of love!”

Maybell, speaking with someone in the pharmacists’ lounge, ran towards Evan and entered his arms. Evan pushed her off as he was left speechless.

“Don’t you think you are clinging on me more as your shackles went off?”

“It can’t be helped since I love you, Master!”

Belois, standing next to them, frowned a little, but she didn’t say a word to Maybell. Mirole, who was rather worried, greeted Maybell happily. What was the relationship between those two?

“My friend, Evan.”

“Rose?”

It was right at that moment. Rose came out from the lounge after Maybell. Maybell and Rose, such a combination wasn’t understandable when compared to Mirole and Maybell…wait, come to think about it. Evan found the similarity between them. Evan flicked his finger at Maybell’s forehead without saying a word. Maybell felt slight pain, but she smiled joyfully.

“Don’t get too close. She’s a dangerous person.”

“That woman is more dangerous than I am, so what?”

Rose sneered. Evan narrowed his eyes and asked her a question.

“So, what were you two talking about? Tell me, in all honesty.”

“We were having a profound discussion on whether a Demon can conceive a human child.”

“I knew it was something dangerous! Wait, both of you are scary!”

Evan thought Rose was satisfied with how Eir received the gene from the Mahwa tribe, but she didn’t give up on her dream of conceiving Bernard’s child herself! And Maybell didn’t have the slightest intention to hide her identity!

“Ah, you’ve arrived, Ms. Mirole. And Rose, still talking about nonsense. I’ve already told you to give up on an impossible dream.”

Just in time, Illoin, who was working in the pharmacy with her apron on, approached the visitors. And Rose said something more outrageous.

“But giving birth to two children of Bernard by yourself is just unfair! Illoin, give me that damned sex drive! I want to have Bernard’s child as well!”

“Your sex drive is a serious business too! It’s just that you can’t conceive! It has nothing to do with the sex drive. Nothing!”

“Hushhhhhh! Why are you both talking about an embarrassing topic on a shiny afternoon!?”

Bernard finally appeared! But Evan couldn’t properly respond to him due to the shock from what he had just heard.

“No, wait a minute…two children? Two?”

“Ah…yes, that’s right.”

Illoin was bashful as she embraced her belly.

“The second one is right here.”

“Are you saying you managed to win over the lowest chance of pregnancy…?”

“Evan, originally the ritual…”

“Stop, hold that for now.”

‘Well, no wonder Bernard looked pale even after I sent him so much nutritious food!’

Bernard looked limp as he stood in front of Evan, who still couldn’t believe what he just heard.

“I was distracted with Eir. And now, the second baby is on the way…”

“Even if you are too occupied, you can’t neglect Eir, Grandpa.”

“Seems like a piece of advice from a person who raised about two daughters. All right, I’ve never forgotten my important duty, so don’t you worry.”

Despite Bernard’s words, Evan felt more worried. What kind of reasoning would Eir have after growing up with a parent who performs such rituals on a daily basis…? It was certain that any man that was involved with her would experience heaven and hell every day.

“You can take her.”

“Sorry, Grandpa. That’s a bit.”

But there was an important matter to discuss right now.

“Then, do you have to go to the ancient forest once more for prenatal education…?”

“Hmm…”

Bernard was hesitating as he felt the remorsefulness in Evan’s voice. Evan realized his mistake too late and covered his mouth with his palm. How could he say such words to someone who was all tensed up?

“Safe trip, Grandpa. The scenario is over and defeating the Demon King seems to be a piece of cake by now. But it’s somewhat a shame. I think I can craft unique weaponry when you are gone.”

“No, That’s…Ahem. Are you going to the Volcanic Desert?”

“Yes. I’ll try to acquire whatever I can.”

Although he said it jokingly that defeating the Demon King was what’s left, he hadn’t fundamentally solved anything yet. Although the current Evan looked strong now, there were chances of finding an existence stronger than him, or the Devil coming up with numerous tricks. In fact, he still had a curse on him. Evan had to continuously prepare for the possibilities that might come after defeating the Demon King.

“So…umm, come back when your second child has grown up enough to travel. I’ll wait.”

“You prick…”

When Bernard left Sherden four years ago, a large-scale invasion by the Demon tribe happened. And right now, Evan and his members were about to conquer Merdin and defeat the Demon King. Bernard was feeling unsettled since he had to continuously take his leave at critical moments. Surely, in terms of strength, Evan was way stronger than Bernard. But in terms of psychology, he was aware that Evan was dependent on him.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right. Just have a safe trip.”

“Okay.”

Bernard was lost in his thoughts, then, after nodding, he brought out a tightly sealed flask from the laboratory.

“You know it as well. The Elixir will be completed after adding the last two ingredients. The Hell Ruby and the holy water from ten thousand spirits.”

“You should be with me during that spectacular moment.”

“Nobody knows what will happen and when it will happen. If you seize the chance to synthesize the Elixir, disregard me and just do it. I’m already satisfied with my contribution so far.”

“Grandpa…”

The Elixir wouldn’t be created simply by gathering all the necessary ingredients. As it was a legendary potion, everything from the ratio of the ingredients and its synthesis must be recalculated and reconstructed. If Evan solely worked on it, he would have given up, but it was thanks to Bernard that the Elixir synthesis was possible so far. He was the legendary alchemist Bernard who ended the disaster brought by the Mahwa tribe.

“I can hasten the speed of crafting the unique weaponry. I’ve sorted out the data on the heart of the King Ice Spirit, so take a look at it. If you can find a similar ingredient at the Volcanic Desert, the success rate of crafting the unique weaponry increases significantly.”

“Sure.”

Evan firmly nodded and stored everything he received in his inventory.

“Good, then go ahead now.”

“I’ll be back.”

Evan hugged Bernard for the last time. And someone ran from behind and clung onto Evan’s waist. It was Eir, who grew taller recently.

“I want to stay! I want to stay together with Liz Unnie and Evan!”

“Argh, it will take a while to persuade her.”

Evan ended up laughing at Bernard, who spoke in exaggeration.

“Could you send my regards to the ancient forest, Illoin?”

“Sure, Ms. Mirole. How do you want me to relay…?”

“I’ve found it, so I settled down. Please relay this message.”

…A suspicious conversation was going on behind Evan’s back, but he pretended that he didn’t hear it.