Chapter 274: The Frost Plateau (1)

“Calypson.”

“Speak.”

Calypson's attitude toward Karyl had shifted since the incident at the Frozen Spring.

The Spirit King...

The intense flames that could even withstand the freezing cold of the spring, imbued with a will of their own, left no doubt.

It was Ramine, the Fire Spirit King.

Calypson had occasionally heard of Karyl’s exploits, but he hadn’t known that Karyl wielded the power of the Blazing King.

To a gnome, a race deeply connected to the earth and fire alongside the dwarves, Ramine was similar to a god. It was only natural that Calypson would become more cautious in his dealings with Karyl.

“Can you make something identical to this?" Karyl asked, holding up the Necklace of Revelation. “It needs to be convincing enough to deceive even a dragon.”

“Hmm...”

Calypson examined the gemstone embedded in the necklace.

“It’s not impossible to replicate the appearance, but I doubt I can recreate the exact mana it radiates."

“I’ll handle that. The mana of the Demon Realm is similar to necromancy. I’ll be able to source what’s needed soon.”

Karyl nodded, gesturing toward Zarka Hochi standing behind him. The next destination was where he would revive Zarka using the art of puppetry.

“To replicate the exterior, I’ll need a strong fire for tempering. It’s delicate work, something like... your flames,” Calypson said cautiously, licking his lips.

“That won’t be difficult.”

“R-Really?”

“I knew this gnome that always grumbled that his fire wasn’t powerful enough to craft good weapons.”

“Hmm?”

A peculiar smile crossed Karyl’s face.

“When you told me about the survivors of the Gnome Kingdom... Back then, I was skeptical, but it seems you really do have ties to the gnomes. Could you pass along my thanks to that person? Tell him he’s always welcome.”

Karyl nodded at Calypson’s words.

“I’ll do that. He’ll be hearing that from many people in the future.”

Karyl couldn’t reveal that the only gnome he knew was Calypson himself from the future. However, he resolved to ensure that Calypson’s future wouldn’t be as bleak as he once knew it to be.

When the Oracle War begins, the weapons you forge will be crucial in saving the world.

“When this is over, I’m heading back to Tatur. I’ll ask Dushala to procure some heptagonal crimson stones and infuse them with Ramine’s power. Only stones of the highest quality can contain even a fraction of the Blazing King’s strength,” Karyl explained.

“Hep... heptagonal stones?!”

“Why so surprised? You saw them in Tatur years ago.”

Karyl chuckled at Calypson’s reaction.

“That was... There weren’t many of them back then. And now you’re talking about several of them... Where did you even find such stones?”

“There’s a mana mine in the Three Kingdoms of Istria. I’m sure the Gnome Kingdom’s skills will prove invaluable. While I’ll source the soul stones needed for the core stones, I’d like to entrust your people with crafting the elemental stones for the golems we already have.”

“Could it be... extracted from there?”

“Of course.”

Calypson’s eyes trembled.

Dwarves excelled in mining, but when it came to crafting gems, gnomes were unmatched. Their love for shiny objects wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about their constant desire to challenge themselves, an aspiration that transcended into the realm of true craftsmanship.

Got him.

Karyl’s smile widened as he noticed Calypson’s growing interest, far more than when he had proposed the alliance in exchange for protecting the gnomes.

“If you form an alliance with us, I plan to support not just that but even more. You might need it when making the jewels for the necklace... I should inform Miliana in advance.”

“Is there something else besides the heptagonal stones?”

“There's a mineral called trigonal quartz that grows in the southern regions. You’ve heard of it, haven’t you?”

Calypson nodded at his words.

“It’s often used to craft jewelry for the nobles, right? I’m well aware of it, having received a few commissions for it while I was in Tatur. It’s transparent like glass but doesn’t break easily, which made it popular among noblewomen.”

Karyl scoffed at his words.

“It’s too valuable to be wasted on the vanity of nobles. You’ve handled it but never realized its true worth? Elemental stones have inherent properties, but quartz is a type of non-elemental mineral. It can store mana.”

“Storing mana, huh...”

“Alchemical healing potions can only heal wounds, but if you infuse quartz with mana and then grind it into powder, you can create a potion that restores mana. However, the real importance lies elsewhere.”

Weapons from the Oracle War—though he had given the order somewhat casually, he never forgot.

“The quartz is effective against undead creatures like wraiths, which can only be harmed by magic.”

Karyl couldn’t mention the corruption yet, but this would suffice for now.

And not to mention, it’s deadly to those damned demons.

He also omitted that, although he repeated it several times in his head. After realizing that opening the gate to the Demon Realm and allowing the demons to ravage the continent was his own mistake, Karyl had a hard time quelling his anger.”

“To store mana... Storing mana, huh...”

But for some reason, Calypson kept repeating the same phrase, as if something had struck him more than Karyl’s explanation.

“Could it be... Are there many elemental stones in the magic mine?”

“You can gather as many as you want,” Karyl said firmly.

“Even enough that they could be broken beyond use?” Calypson asked again, his expression unusually bright.

“As much as you need,” Karyl reiterated. “Why? Is there something you want to try?”

“It might sound impossible, but... if I could temper the stones with the cold of the spring water in there and your flames, which are of opposite elements, it might be possible.”

“What is?”

“To synthesize the elemental stones.”

“...”

Although he maintained a calm expression, Karyl couldn’t help being surprised by Calypson’s idea.

“I mean, if you try it just like that, it’s impossible,” Calypson went on. “But it’s a different story if you use quartz, which can store mana as a medium. Of course... it’s still just a theory.”

“No, it’s an excellent idea.”

“What?”

“I’ll support you as much as you need. Use as many as you want. This isn’t a condition of our alliance, so don’t worry,” Karyl reassured Calypson.

“But if you can create an elemental stone with no element, can I be the first to use it?” Karyl went on.

Calypson looked at Karyl wide-eyed, having expected him to dismiss his idea as nonsense. To his surprise, Karyl was quite enthusiastic about this.

“How do you know whether I’ll succeed or not?”

“That fact that you managed to come up with such an idea is already incredible. One doesn’t come up with such theories without being outstanding,” Karyl said with a chuckle.

“If you succeed, it would be a historic achievement. It could give wings to hundreds, even thousands of people.”

𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

“Wings?” Calypson cocked his head.

And thanks to you, I’ll be able to keep the promise I made.

The aerial ship of the Guidance Mercenary Gang. Karyl nodded in satisfaction at the thought that Calypson would complete the ship’s power core.

I thought he would show up at Kromen’s funeral, but he didn’t. He’s not the type to not come to such events without a reason... What could he be doing?

Karyl thought of Gordon Fabian. His fate, once marked by a terminal illness, had now changed, making his future unpredictable. If Calypson managed to complete the power core of the airship, it would give him an excuse to meet again.

“Have you already decided where you’ll use it?” Calypson asked, quick on the uptake.

“I’ll gather the useful ones among the northern tribes and put them under the protection of the Gnome Kingdom, since the work will have to be done here where the spring is.”

“Thank you,” Calypson responded.

“If you’re grateful, could I ask you for one favor?”

“Hmm?”

“It’s nothing too difficult.” Karyl gave an ambiguous smile. “Could you just play bait for me?”

* * *

“Damn it! How did this happen...?”

“Shhh...! We need to get out of here quickly!”

“I know, but we have no way out! The port of Cove is blocked, and there’s no way north.”

In a dark alley, two men whispered urgently to each other as they ran down the deserted path.

“We have no choice but to rely on them... The contract with them is still valid, so we’ll have to hide until things settle down.”

“Damn it...”

Both of them were men.

“To think Tuli would be defeated...”

One man spoke in a calm tone, while the other was more agitated. The difference between them was also evident in their accents—one spoke with the distinct inflection of the Lurein Principality, while the other had the manner of speech typical of the imperial capital.

“Let’s hurry.”

“Right.”

The two crept through the shadows, though their attempts at concealment were amateurish at best to their tracker.

Just as Karl said

, Karyl thought. A smirk played on his lips as he watched the two men fleeing in the darkness.

They were none other than Ledios and Douglas, members of the Wooden Cloud whom Karyl had been tracking since his previous visit in Azor. They had been certain of Tuli’s victory, but the sudden reversal in the civil war had left them stranded, hiding within the White Bunker.

The contract the two men had referred to was, of course, with the gnomes. In their desperation, they had quickly accepted Calypson’s offer of refuge, not realizing that the hand extended to them was not Calypson’s, but Karyl’s.

“Zigra.”

In response to Karyl’s voice, a pair of eyes glinted in the darkness, then another one. It was impossible to tell when the new figure had appeared, as not a single sound had accompanied their arrival.

“Yes, my lord?”

“Follow them quietly. They’ll be heading to the Gnome Kingdom. I’ve already informed them. If there’s anyone else involved, identify them. If not, you’re free to eliminate them.”

“As you command.”

“And once this task is done, you’ll be my escort on the journey to Tatur.”

Zigra smiled slightly at Karyl’s words. According to the rules of the Black-Eyed tribe, one had to pay a price to meet the chief, and Zigra had missed the opportunity to claim Tuli’s head.

Karyl was giving him another chance to prove his worth before heading north.

“You’ve done more than your share.”

Anyone who knew Karyl’s capabilities might have scoffed at the idea of him needing an escort, but those familiar with his ways knew it was more than just about protection. It was an opportunity to walk by Karyl’s side, to converse with him on the journey to Tatur.

Zigra nodded slowly before disappearing into the shadows.

“I didn’t expect them to be with Wooden Cloud. They’re nobles of the principality, after all...”

As Zigra vanished, a voice tinged with slight exasperation followed.

“They’re just one of many branches. Considering that Tuli and Fran, the real power behind the principality’s ducal families, were already with the Wooden Cloud, it’s no surprise that such individuals would be involved.”

“Hmm...”

“Besides, they’re more deeply entrenched in this continent than we realized. They’re connected to the empire and possibly even have agents in Tatur or the Three Kingdoms of Istria. It won’t be easy to root them all out.”

As the last of the figures left the alley, Karyl turned back.

“But we’ll have to uproot them all the same.”

Anthem Howard nodded as he listened to Karyl.

“A grand undertaking, indeed.”

“It might take even longer than unifying the continent, but it’s something that must be done.”

Anthem couldn’t help being amazed by how boldly and casually Karyl spoke of unifying the entire continent. Yet, considering that everything except the empire was already under Karyl’s control, he knew it wasn’t mere bravado.

“But the reason you summoned me...” Anthem, sharp-witted as ever, knew Karyl hadn’t dragged him into this alley in the dead of night just to talk about the two Wooden Cloud members.

“Do you enjoy mazes, by any chance?”

"...Excuse me?"

“There’s a place we need to visit. If we leave now, we’ll arrive by morning. We should hurry.”

“B-By morning? Where exactly are we going?”

“To the Frost Plateau.”

“...!!!”

Anthem was stunned by Karyl’s reply. The Frost Plateau was located north of the principality, beyond the Ivory Tower of Dawn, the sacred site of the Dawn Council, and even farther north than the lair of Riseria, the Flame Dragon.

The vast plateau, where the sun rose latest and lingered longest on the continent, remained perpetually cloaked in shadows. Those lands were known not only for the bone-chilling cold, but also for the dangerous monsters that lurked there, marking the region as an S-rank danger zone.

“No one sets foot in that place... Why would you want to go there...? No, even more so, there’s no way we can reach the plateau by morning, even if we leave now.”

The plateau was hundreds of kilometers to the north. No matter how Anthem thought about it, he couldn’t imagine a way to cover such a distance in just a few hours.

Fweeeeet!

Karyl, noticing Anthem’s questioning look, calmly brought his fingers to his lips and blew a sharp whistle.

“Ever ridden a wyvern before?”

"...Pardon?"

Anthem stared at him, bewildered.

“Grrrrr...!!”

In the distance, a massive red wyvern flapped its enormous wings as it approached, and Anthem blanched at the sight.

“Consider this your first ride.”