Chapter 101: In the Port City

About two weeks after leaving the gates of Heim, Karyl and his companions arrived at the port city of Piasta.

Hmm, it's been a while,

Karyl remarked as he stretched out his stiff body after disembarking from the carriage, taking a deep breath of the salty sea air.

"I had a pleasant journey thanks to you. The authority of the Church is impressive," he commented.

"Not at all," Joey Johansel replied with no hint of fatigue despite having driven the carriage for two weeks.

Aside from needing to show humility, the journey through the empire to Piasta had been smooth sailing due to Joey and Yurin's priestly credentials, which made any personal identification for Karyl unnecessary. No soldier would dare to obstruct someone vouched for by a first-class priest of the Church.

"If I’d known we were heading to Piasta, we could’ve just used a Magic Circle," Yurin Huygar remarked as he stepped down from the carriage, his noble demeanor unchanged. The city was buzzing with a massive fish market, and he covered his face with his robe's sleeve, seemingly displeased by the pervasive fishy smell.

"Magic Circles cause severe aftereffects. You need a few days to recover. Are you alright with magic nausea, Sir Yurin?" Karyl asked.

"Hmm..." Yurin murmured.

"Besides, the closest direct Magic Circle from Heim is a week's journey away, so it wouldn't have made much of a difference," Karyl added nonchalantly. He was aware of Yurin's severe susceptibility to magic nausea. He had seen Yurin vomit right after using Magic Circle in the past, despite his large stature.

To be honest, it would have been easier if we could’ve brought the Serpent.

Karyl was bummed out about the Sand Serpent he had left in Tatur.

Well, it would’ve been impossible to bring him here anyway.

Bringing it along would have made travel easier, but it would have been too conspicuous, especially since Karyl had previously denied any connections to the South when discussing the Ryeo Knights with the emperor.

"That's right, Master. It has brought us closer, hasn't it? Honestly, I didn't know you had ascended to the ranks of sorcerers," Joey remarked.

Despite still being somewhat arrogant, Yurin's gaze towards Karyl had changed since they left Heim.

"Don't mention it," Karyl replied casually, shrugging his shoulders.

On their journey to Piasta, they encountered some bandits, but they were hardly memorable. Joey thought of Karyl as a sorcerer because he had used magic instead of his sword to deal with the bandits. He hadn’t tried to hide his abilities.

Karyl had also realized he had never fought using only magic before, even in magical contests, where he had bent the rules.

"It was a breeze thanks to Sir Yurin," Karyl acknowledged.

Though Yurin's response was nonchalant, Karyl knew that becoming a sorcerer was indeed a significant achievement. Possessing mana and breaking barriers were worlds apart. Among the Imperials, who were born with mana, only a few could ascend to the ranks of sorcerers, so it was natural for Yurin to see Karyl in a new light.

Reaching the 4th Class at his age...

Yurin mused. In an era where sorcerers were more esteemed than swordsmen, perhaps proving his magical prowess was what had changed Yurin’s attitude toward him.

I first met Olivurn here after I went back in time. I wonder what he's up to now.

Karyl recalled their time in the prison where he had rescued Suan Hazer. His curiosity about Olivurn wasn't driven by concern; it was more of a calculation. Even in his previous life, it was only around this time that he had started to speak with his brothers in the mansion and learn manners. It was natural not to know what a prince was up to.

He's always busy with something,

Karyl reflected.

Unlike him, who had been confined within the mansion, Olivurn had been preparing to ascend the throne.

By now, the news about the Ryeo Knights should have reached the imperial court. The emperor will handle it,

he assumed.

Though he knew they couldn't raise an army immediately, meeting with the emperor had been a masterstroke.

The princes won't sit still, especially not when the destruction of their supportive Ryeo Knights provides a perfect excuse for Olivurn to deploy troops.

However, Karyl knew such worries were trivial. Titan Shutean was the only person capable of influencing the continent's fate.

He may be old and ailing, but he's not someone who can be swayed by his young children.

Although not free from the burden, Karyl felt he could roam the continent more freely than he had initially planned.

"So, what are you planning to do now?" Yurin urged, eager to leave this fish-smelling area as soon as possible.

"Follow me," Karyl confidently pointed in a direction and led the way. He was heading to the largest building on a street crowded with the merchant guilds of Piasta.

Ravat Guild

The engraved signboard seemed to welcome them as it swayed.

***

"The Ravat Guild, huh? It's indeed famous."

"Don't even get me started. That's where the King of Slaves resides. Everyone's scrambling to get on that ship."

"Ever since that place was established, the imports have completely changed. Honestly, you can't find ingredients grown in the north or south anywhere else."

The Ravat Guild, established in the port city, had built a great reputation. It was unanimously praised by merchants.

"I thought it was only popular in the Three Kingdoms. Impressive how far your reach extends."

"My reach? No, it's all thanks to my capable subordinates."

Despite his words, Karyl was secretly pleased with the merchants' compliments.

It seems Suan Hazer and Kamma have been managing things well, especially Kamma. Good thing I kept that old raccoon alive.

Karyl thought about him, still struggling in the principality at this hour.

Since we have to pass through the principality anyway... I hope to see them if I get the chance.

In addition to Kamma, Suan and Mikhail were also there. If luck was on his side, perhaps Serica Lauren had joined them as well. It would be perfect for Karyl if they handled matters successfully and he could bring them along.

"The principality? Are we heading to the principality?"

"Um... No, we're not."

"Then where?"

"The place where the emperor wants medicine from is further north of the principality."

"Uhm..."

Yurin Huygar tried to recall what lay beyond, but no significant place came to mind. That was because, heading north from the principality, one would only encounter the lands inhabited by northern immigrants.

"That area should be almost in ruins now due to the Extermination Decree of Heresy. What could possibly be there?"

Karyl felt a tightness in his chest at his words but showed none of it. Even if he could go back in time, there was no immediate way to stop the emperor's decree. History had to be acknowledged.

"Yes, there's nothing to be gained from ruins."

The Simian Tribe, one of the northern immigrant tribes, knew best about the poison that had afflicted the emperor, but as Yurin had said, there was no reason to seek them out unless absolutely necessary.

"It's even further north than that. Specifically, it's above the location of one of the Magic Councils, the Ivory Tower of the Dawn." Karyl smiled faintly.

"What? The Ivory Tower is located in the far north of the continent. If it's even further north than that..."

Joey Johansel, who had been listening quietly, suddenly looked astonished.

"We'll need to prepare thoroughly."

The mere thought of the biting northern cold was enough to make one shiver. But as Joey worried about the cold, Yurin grimaced as he thought of intense heat.

"You're not saying that... we're going to the lair of the Fire Dragon?"

"That’s precisely what I’m saying.”

"...!!"

Joey was unable to hide his astonishment at Karyl's nonchalant nod.

Seeing his mouth hang open, Karyl continued, "Don't worry. As you know, Red Dragon Riseria was hunted down by Kaye Aesir two hundred and fifty years ago."

Dragon hunting had once been a prevalent practice, but times had changed.

The few remaining dragons, including Narh Di Maug the Gold Dragon Enuma Elish, Green Dragon Cruach, and Red Dragon Pyton, hadn’t had their lairs invaded by humanity. Likewise, dragons did not meddle with humans.

The reason neither side infringed upon the other's territory was that the potential losses from attempting to seize the immense treasures within a lair outweighed the gains.

"You know what it means to enter even an empty lair."

Riseria, hunted by Kaye Aesir, who was a founding hero of the empire.

Even though it was located beyond the north, the Fire Dragon's lair was managed by the empire.

"Master, that place has already been conquered, hasn’t it? Besides, there should be no friction with the principality... Might it not be a good thing?"

"Nonsense." Yurin shook his head. "The lair of a dragon remains an uncharted territory. Even two hundred and fifty years after the death of the Fire Dragon, the lair hasn’t been fully explored.”

He wasn't wrong. Riseria himself had hidden some of his treasures within specially crafted seals, and they had yet to be discovered.

"Until the Oracle is prophesized, the Fire Dragon's abode remains unconquered."

The one who had unsealed the lair was none other than Narh Di Maug.

When a calamity called Tarak had poured forth from the Pharel during the Oracle, humanity was in dire need of strong artifacts. Unlike other dragons, who remained bystanders, Narh Di Maug, who had sided with humanity, had offered Riseria's artifacts.

Ironically, it took a priest with divine power to undo the magic seal of a dragon who had reached the pinnacle of magic... It's been difficult to raid the lair until now.

The priests of the Church did not engage in activities like raiding lairs or exploring ruins.

Moreover, it required not just any priest but a master-level one, along with special conditions only a dragon could fulfill. Even if priests could technically manage it, the truth was that humans could not unlock Riseria's seal.

But I can meet those conditions.

Karyl, possessing draconic power, looked at Yurin and Joey, who could be the keys to the lair, and smiled contentedly.

Having read the testament left by Kaye Aesir in Einheri, I finally get to do what I’ve been thinking about.

And it wasn't entirely a lie. The antidote herb, Thornthistle, only grew in regions of intense heat and potent magic.

While going to fetch that...

He planned to take a few of the dragon's treasures as well; the thought of it was delightful indeed. And since Kamma and Suan had already established such an excellent base in Piasta, the preparations were perfect.

Karyl thought that of all the journeys he had made since his regression, this would be the most enjoyable.

...Until, just moments ago.

𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"We can't use the ships at the harbor? How can that be?"

"I'm sorry, Master. In fact, we've been going mad not being able to go fishing because of that."

The guild administrator had already received orders from Tatur and was making every effort to find a ship heading to the principality.

"There's a real owner at the Ravat Guild."

Suan Hazer, who went back and forth between the lawless port and Piasta, had said it multiple times. As the administrator, he was in a difficult position since he couldn't carry out the first directive from his superior related to that owner.

"That's odd."

"Unless it's a military ship, launching any at sea right now is nearly impossible."

"There are ships but none can leave. What's the meaning of that?" Karyl asked the administrator as he recalled the ships moored at the harbor.

"Well..." the administrator began in a voice that was close to groveling. "I'm sorry. It's because it’s the spawning season for the Water King.”

That monster was known as the ruler of the great Fonein River, which flowed through the continent.

"Ah. Has the season already come around?"

The Sea Serpent, also known as the Water King, mostly resided in the river but returned to the sea to lay eggs during the spawning season.

"Indeed, since that river flows into the sea. If that's the case, you have nothing to apologize for."

Despite Karyl's words, the administrator continued to bow his head.

"Sorry..."

"That’s enough. Lift your head,” Karyl reiterated firmly. "What's your name?"

"...Juan."

"Alright, Juan. Listen well. Monsters are like disasters. If there's anything to blame, blame the gods who created such beasts or the empire and the principality for their inaction, not bothering to hunt them."

"Hmm..."

Yurin Huygar coughed softly at Karyl's words. Even he, a servant of Yula, couldn't attribute the world's monsters to divine grace.

"And don't worry about such things."

"Huh?"

Unlike the worried administrator, Karyl's response was surprisingly nonchalant.

"I have some experience dealing with monsters."