Chapter 101: Shahatra’s Mountain (3)

They continued moving forward.

However, because the mountain was so big and steep, they weren’t even half way despite going at a fast pace.

“There’s no end.”

“We just have to go a little farther. When we reach the top of the mountain, it will be easier since the rest is downhill.”

“Thanks to Your Majesty, I have the chance to climb the Shahatra Mountain, what a good experience.”

“Haha, I never imagined that I would be climbing mountains like this too.”

“Hagler, let me know if you get tired, I will trade with you.”

“No, it’s alright. I’m good on my own.”

“Of course you should be. This is also part of strength training.”

“Yes!”

However, everyone was in a better mood than expected. They already had above-average stamina and on top of that, Henry had provided magical support, so climbing the mountain was easy as if they were taking a light walk.

- I ate all of it!

‘Good job.’

Klever also consumed the monsters that they hunted down, and as their number increased, Henry could also feel Klever’s power increasing.

‘I was so busy with my work that I didn’t consider Klever. With these results, I guess I need to feed him whenever I have time.’

Ordinarily, Klever could only evolve into a higher being by consuming Albino Tauruses. However, after meeting Henry, he lost all his power and even his demonic powers had been purified, so he had to start from the beginning to build up his nutrients. However, he didn’t regret it since he could receive more mana from living as one with Henry compared to the demon world.

“It’s starting to look foggy.”

They wondered how far they had gone. The fog didn’t seem to go with Shahatra’s climate but it began to emerge little by little.

‘Fog in Shahatra? They’re issuing a warning.’

To destroy illusions, one had to separate them from reality. Since the fog wasn’t something that matched Shahatra’s environment, it meant that their enemies were confident of completely overwhelming them with their illusions. It was a clear warning.

“Fog? Isn’t your warning too obvious?”

“Haha, this fog isn’t only warning us but also the monsters of the mountain.”

“That’s true. If the monsters climb the mountain, it’ll be troublesome.”

When they reached the fog, Viram said from Hagler’s back, “You can let me down now.”

“Alright.”

Thanks to Hagler, Viram was in excellent condition. Viram grabbed the staff on his back and stepped forward, holding the staff out in both hands. “Everyone, take a few steps back please.”

The high priest prepared to take down the illusion barrier. Although he had a great deal of authority in the illusion world, he couldn’t break down a large illusion barrier created by dozens of people right away.

“Your Majesty,” said Henry.

“What is it?”

“May I ask what happens if you go into that fog?”

“You starve to death.”

“What?”

“We call that fog the well of repentance. Do you know why?”

“I'm not sure. I can’t imagine starving to death.”

“When you step into the fog, you’ll remember your worst memories and all the guilt you’ve buried in your heart, but a dozen times more intensely.”

“So the meaning of the well of repentance is…?”

“Memories and guilt will suffocate you, and you won’t be able to find your way out. You will struggle within the nightmares and slowly wither away until you die, filled with self-loathing and self-pity.”

Chills.

.

It was such a terrible punishment that even hearing about it gave Henry goosebumps.

“No one is perfect. Everyone commits both good and evil deeds, and when one enters the well of repentance, one cannot escape from one’s own judgment,” Herarion continued.

“...It’s a good thing I brought the high priest.”

“Yes. This is a useless barrier to those who've received the blessing of La.”

“Is it because La guides the way?”

“Yes.”

By the time Herarion finished explaining the well of repentance, High Priest Viram was already prepared for the illusion barrier. Viram raised the staff high above his head and began casting a spell.

“wjdtls rjsrkddp whgdms rkfdkaksems wkrrksla!”

‘Huh?’

Henry recognized a few familiar sounds.

‘Black magic? No way. Are illusions a type of black magic?’

Henry had a few theories. Herarion had also uttered similar sounds when using the power of Janus, and Henry wondered if illusions, Janus, and black magic were all related.

‘After the subjugation is over, I’ll have to really look into it if I get a chance.’

Henry’s obsession with black magic was nothing special. It was simply curiosity. Besides, Henry didn’t care about good or evil when it came to obtaining power, and he was willing to learn and use black magic if it was helpful.

Thud!

Viram slammed the staff on the ground. It made a small hole, which began to suck in the thick fog with the help of a strong wind./

Whoosh!

The fog that had spread over the entire mountain was finally trapped inside the hole.

“It’s done.”

After the barrier was broken, Viram took a small white bead from the hole he had dug and held it up.

“Is that the illusion barrier?” asked Henry.

“I’ve locked it up here for now, but I plan on releasing the fog again after we pass through.”

“I would have just used Teleportation if it weren’t for the illusion.”

“I’m flattered.”

Henry’s expression when he looked at the illusion barrier that had grown as small as a bead was not pretty.

‘This was so simple.’

It was thanks to the efforts of such illusionists that the people of Shahatra avoided invasions.

- Master, the monsters are coming.

‘Alright.’

Immediately after the barrier disappeared, the monsters started rushing towards the top of the mountain.

Henry began to hurry.

“The monsters are coming. To save time, we’ll use magic from now on.”

Now that the barrier that interfered with his magic was gone, going down the mountain would be a piece of cake. Henry immediately stomped his feet to make everyone float in the air and jumped down.

* * *

Before Shahatra gained its name, cities were named after their people. Shaha was a city in the eastern oasis. The people of Shaha were the most peaceful among the four groups of people and La loved them the most. Because of this, Shaha had an overwhelming number of illusionists and produced the most priests. Even Benedict, who had captured all the other cities, did not attack Shaha as he feared La’s anger.

One of the priests who had fled from the palace said, “It’s impossible to endure this siege forever, is it not?”

“But High Priest Viram and His Majesty are still alive. So, let’s wait a little longer.”

“But if we continue like this, all the people of Shaha will starve to death.”

It was a terrible dilemma. Benedict’s troops should have taken over Shaha and its palace a long time ago. However, since there were so many holy priests in Shaha, Benedict only sieged the city to force the inhabitants to surrender.

This was why the priests were conflicted. No matter how many fortunes they told and rituals they performed, the only thing they knew was that the royal family and the high priest Viram were alive.

However, if they betrayed the royal family and the high priest, they would be removed from priesthood because they would no longer be considered pure.

There was nothing he could do in this situation. It wasn’t just the Shaha people who were starving.

“Ha…”

When someone let out a sigh, others followed as well.

Another priest said, “Let’s all pray once more.”

“...Alright.”

All they could do was rely on La. Nine royal priests sat at a round table. They put their hands together, closed their eyes, and prayed to the Sun God with devotion.

“The great father of the sun, La, please do not lead us into hardship and trials, guide us to the right path…!”

As one of the priests led the prayer, the rest of the priest followed along. They prayed everyday and the priests seemed more desperate than anyone else. However, as they prayed, a magic circle quietly appeared above the round table.

As the prayers continued, the magic circle grew more distinct until…

Flash!

A flash of light. Henry's group appeared.

“Huh?”

Immediately after they jumped off the mountain, Henry calculated the coordinates based on what Viram had told him and reached the desert through Teleportation.

Henry looked around and saw the priests praying.

“I’m here,” said Herarion.