Chapter 173. The Plains of Rest (1)

Morning arrived at the royal palace of the Pajar Sultanate.

Despite the early hour, a considerable number of people had gathered at the palace gates. They were there to bid farewell to the departing guests—Caron and his companions.

To be exact, it was just Caron and Leo.

"My father wishes to express his gratitude to you once more," Clark said. "He asked me to convey his sincere apologies for not seeing you off himself due to his poor health."

"Oh, there's no need for that. Please let His Majesty know that I completely understand. He has already done more than enough for me," Caron replied, clasping Clark's hand with a grin. "I just hope I didn't empty out too much of the royal liquor cellar."

Clark chuckled and said, "Compared to what you have done for us, it's nothing."

"It looks like I won't be bored on the way to the Eastern Great Forest, then," Caron nodded in satisfaction, feeling reassured by the weight of the well-stocked pouch of dimensional space at his side.

After saying his goodbyes to Crown Prince Clark, he turned to Prince Samir.

Samir greeted him with a warm smile and a brief embrace before nodding firmly, then said, "I will not forget your devotion, Caron."

"It was all for survival, really. Next time I visit, let's have another drink," Caron replied.

"...Ahem," Samir muttered.

At that moment, memories of their previous drinking sessions flashed through his mind. Drinking with Caron had been nothing short of hell. Every night had been a test of endurance, pushing the limits of his alcohol tolerance.

"Take good care of the Saintess and Lord Ugo," Caron added.

"Do not worry. They are benefactors of our nation as well. Even if you had not asked, we would have treated them as the most honored guests of the Sultanate," Samir said.

The bonds between them had been solidified through battle and blood.

The execution of the second and third princes, who had participated in the rebellion, was scheduled for the following week. Caron couldn't help but look forward to how Clark and Samir would shape the future of the Pajar Sultanate.

Having finished his farewells with the princes, Caron turned to Seria and Ugo, greeting them in turn.

"I'll be back from the Great Forest soon, so don't go causing trouble while I'm gone. And remember, you're both guests here—so act like it. Understood?" Caron asked.

Seria shook her head in disbelief, while Ugo replied with a bored expression, "Do you think we're all like you?"

"That's a bit harsh. If someone overheard, they'd think I was some kind of walking disaster," Caron said.

"Aren't you?" Ugo provoked Caron.

"Maybe it's because you're old, but you sure do have a knack for seeing through people," Caron countered.

"You impudent brat," Ugo said.

"Old fart," Caron muttered with a smirk as he exchanged jabs with Ugo. Just the fact that he could joke around with a man he had once thought dead made this entire journey feel like a success.

The two parted with the promise of meeting again. After returning from the Eastern Great Forest, they would set out to find Beatrice together. As for what would come after that—well, he would figure it out when the time came.

"Well then, we'll be off now. Leo?" Caron said.

"Caron... My stomach suddenly hurts. Maybe you should go alone? You know, I think it's because we're heading somewhere unfamiliar..." Leo said.

"If you don't want to walk, just say so. Oh, have you ever been inside a pouch of dimensional space? It's quite cold, but surprisingly cozy," Caron replied.

"...Fine, fine. Let's just go," Leo said with a sigh, grumbling under his breath.

I don't want to live like this,

he thought.

The thought of going on a journey alone with Caron made the road ahead look painfully arduous. But Leo couldn't do anything. If he couldn't avoid it, he had to endure it.

Caron smacked Leo on the back before stepping forward with a satisfied expression.

Since this wasn't an official ceremony, there were no grand farewells.

Boom! Boom!

The palace guards struck the ground with the bottom of their spears in salute.

Caron waved lightly at them as he passed through the entrance, and the two princes watched him with amused smiles.

Once Caron had completely disappeared from sight, Samir turned to Clark and said, "He truly does as he pleases."

Clark chuckled and nodded, then replied, "It's often those kinds of people who change the world. In that sense, we are very fortunate."

"In what way?" Samir asked.

"Having someone who leads the tide of change by our side means we can sense shifts sooner. It also means we can react more swiftly," Clark explained, gazing at his younger brother with satisfaction.

Had Samir not brought Caron here, Clark would likely have lost his life by now. And this palace would have fallen into the hands of his other brothers, who had been ensnared by demons. Even now, the thought sent a chill down his spine.

His second and third brothers had made the worst possible choices—and they were paying the price.

A prince being executed for treason was a punishment utterly unheard of in their history. The people would be shaken, and chaos would inevitably descend upon the Pajar Sultanate in the coming days.

But even so, Clark didn't despair, and thought it was worth it.

He turned to his younger brother, Samir, and smiled faintly. Then, in a quiet voice, he said, "Samir."

"Yes, brother?" Samir answered.

"I want you to stand by my side and assist me," Clark said. He thought that Samir, his intelligent and kind brother, was the future of this nation.

He recalled a conversation he had with Caron.

"There really is such a thing as a born ruler. I think Brother Samir is one of them. Honestly, you know it too, don't you?"

It was said that the ground hardened after the rain.

The Pajar Sultanate was about to go through a storm. But if they could endure it, the nation would emerge stronger than ever.

That was why Clark had made up his mind.

"I want you to learn the duties of a sultan while assisting me. Father will abdicate the throne to me soon, and when that time comes—" He paused before declaring, "You will be my successor."

"Brother..." Samir murmured.

"I have already discussed this with Father. At my coronation, I will formally name you as Crown Prince," Clark said firmly.

It was a decision made for both his brother and the future of their nation.

"There will be much work ahead. But together, we will see it through," Clark added.

The moment Clark met Caron Leston, he had known that Caron would bring a new wave to this continent. And it was up to the rulers to decide whether they would be swept away by that wave, or ride it forward.

They had to be prepared for the future that Caron Leston would forge.

Clark patted Samir's back with a smile and said, "If it's you, I believe you'll be good."

And so, the transformation of the Pajar Sultanate began.

***

A week later, at the eastern border of the Pajar Sultanate...

Compared to the desolate western desert, this land was endlessly rich and abundant.

"Leo, your legs seem really weak these days," Caron remarked.

"No, you idiot! This isn't about weak legs! What kind of lunatic travels with metal plates strapped to their legs?" Leo asked in frustration.

"We all need to be lunatics," Caron said.

"Can't you be the only lunatic?" Leo asked.

"You talk too much. Want me to smack you, Leo? I wear metal plates too. So why are you complaining?" Caron replied.

"...Haa," Leo sighed.

Two young men emerged. Caron, who no longer even bothered with a disguise, smirked at the grumbling Leo.

"If you can land a single hit on me in a spar, I'll lighten the weight. How about it?" Caron suggested.

"Shut up," Leo said.

"You're scared of losing, huh? So stop whining. It makes me want to smack you on the head," Caron said with a chuckle as he chewed on a piece of jerky.

The journey from the sultanate's capital to the eastern border had been smooth. There had been no significant troubles along the way. Unlike the western region, which was teeming with bandits, the eastern lands were relatively peaceful.

Perhaps it was because of the land's prosperity. The villages they'd passed through while resupplying food had been lively, brimming with energy. Thanks to that, traveling this far had been easy.

However, the Eastern Great Forest was still a long way off. To reach it from the Pajar Sultanate, they had to pass through one treacherous region.

"From today onward, we need to stay on guard," Caron said.

"Why?" Leo asked.

"We're entering beastfolk territory. Most beastfolk clans despise humans. Not that I can blame them—it's karma, really," Caron explained.

Between the Pajar Sultanate and the Eastern Great Forest lay an expansive plains region. It was called the Plains of Rest, and it belonged to the beastfolk clans.

The beastfolk clans hated humans, much like the elves did. And the reason for that was simple.

"Since ancient times, beastfolk have been the second most valuable commodity for slave hunters, right after elves," Caron explained.

They were yet another race that had suffered under humanity's hands.

"There are probably a few slave hunters prowling around even now," Caron added.

"If we got caught by the beastfolk clans, we would be as good as dead, right?" Leo asked.

"We're risking our lives to do this. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so you can't just take it for free. Big money comes with big risks. It's only natural," Caron said in an indifferent voice.

Slave hunters were scum, but so were the ones who bought slaves. If there were no demand, there would be no supply.

"So you're saying we might run into slave hunters," Leo remarked.

"There's a good chance. Quite a few of them operate in this region. Some of the more confident ones even venture straight into the Eastern Great Forest," Caron said.

At Caron's words, Leo's expression stiffened.

"So what you're saying is... We have to cross a land filled with people who hate humans to reach the Eastern Great Forest?" Leo asked hesitantly.

"Exactly. You summed it up perfectly," Caron answered.

"And what about once we reach the Eastern Great Forest?" Leo asked.

"Well, we'll figure that out when we get there. If we want to find the Spirit of Life, we'll probably need to meet with the elves first," Caron replied.

The elves of the Eastern Great Forest were said to be quite different from those of the Southern Great Forest. They had broken away from the southern elves long ago.

The regent had refused to reveal any details, claiming it was an internal matter between kin. The only thing she had shared was a warning—these elves would not be welcoming.

Restoring the World Tree would be no easy task.

Of course it had to be difficult,

Caron thought.

If it were something anyone could accomplish, there wouldn't have been a request in the first place.

Still, there was one potential advantage—the tiger clan. Among the beastfolk, the tiger clan was known for possessing the greatest combat prowess. If they could secure the clan's help, things could proceed more smoothly than expected.

But that was a big if.

"Owner, this is your first time in the eastern lands, isn't it?"

Guillotine asked.

Even in my previous life, I never had a reason to come here,

Caron replied internally.

"Tsk, tsk. Such a country bumpkin. I, on the other hand, have been here before with Rael. It was thanks to Rael that the beastfolk were able to settle in these lands. If his descendants are still around... They might welcome you."

The first ancestor?

Caron wondered. Now that he thought about it, he vaguely remembered reading something about that in the family's historical records.

But Rael's era was long past. More than three hundred years had gone by—long enough that the beastfolk could have forgotten his legacy entirely.

As Caron conversed with Guillotine, they had already entered the Plains of Rest.

"...There's no real border here, is there?" Caron remarked as he glanced around.

An immense plain stretched as far as the horizon. Caron had taken only five steps past the Pajar Sultanate's boundary, yet the landscape had already shifted dramatically.

"...Haa," Caron took a deep breath.

Even the air was different. Unlike the arid atmosphere of the sultanate, there was a faint trace of moisture in this place.

"This, too, is ancient magic. In truth, this plain once belonged to dragons. Rael acquired it through negotiations with them,"

Guillotine informed Caron.

There was no other way to explain such an abrupt change in climate—it had to be magic.

Caron nodded at Guillotine's explanation, then turned to Leo and said, "Leo, there's one thing we need to keep in mind."

"Go on, what is it?" Leo replied.

"Don't let your guard down," Caron warned. He exhaled softly, his gaze fixed on the horizon as he muttered, "There is no one here who's on our side."

This was a land where only the strong survived, a place brimming with dangers. And now, the descendants of Rael Leston had set foot upon it.