After the battle ended, Zich and Glen’s companions were showered with praise and hospitality. Even the city’s mayor invited them into his mansion and took part in the celebration.
“I heard the stories! Stories of the great feat you have shown in battle! As expected of a Karuwiman Honorary Holy Knight!” The mayor spluttered all kinds of flattery along with his own spit, but considering their achievements, his enthusiasm was expected.
Normally, the mayor would have set up a grand ball in celebration, but considering the circumstances the city was in, they were treated to a simple dinner. Although the two groups were invited at the same time, Zich’s party and Glen’s party didn’t engage in many conversations. In the first place, they were supposed to feel awkward with one another outwardly; inwardly, they couldn’t wait to murder each other.
Since they didn’t know when the monsters would attack again, they ended their meals early. The mayor lent them a carriage so that they could have an easy ride back. After a big battle, everyone felt fatigued—some more or less than others—and they all fell asleep instantly. Although Lyla usually visited Zich’s room during the evenings to exchange opinions, she didn’t come either. It didn’t take long for Zich to fall asleep either after he lay on his bed. Yet, he didn’t have a peaceful sleep.
“Damn it! It’s this dream again!” Zich grumbled. A scene he had seen multiple times unfolded before him.
Walwiss and Leona lightly bickered. Zich Brave watched them with a bitter smile, and Leona made a short prayer amid this chaos. Then, Til was also attending to his own matters. They all appeared as they did in his dreams, and Zich also had the same nasty feeling he always felt in them. Yet, Zich didn’t turn his eyes away and denied the situation in front of him like he had done in his first dream. It was because he had gained a lot of useful information from these dreams.
While crossing his arms, Zich waited to see what the dream would show him this time, but there wasn’t much information. Zich Brave and his companions exchanged trivial conversations. Zich thought he was having this dream because he met Til and needed information about him, so tilted his head in wonder. ‘Is this just a pointless dream?’
If that was the case, then the situation would be truly unpleasant. Just seeing Zich Brave’s face gave Zich deep agony, especially if he wasn’t going to gain any information from it. Zich clicked his tongue in annoyance when he noticed something strange.
For the most part, the scene in front of him remained the same. Walwiss and Leona argued, Leona prayed, and Til was occupied with menial tasks. Yet, the last remaining person, Zich Brave was behaving differently now. He had been watching Walwiss and Leona’s argument with a bitter smile, but he was now looking at Zich. So, he wondered if something was behind him and turned his head. However, nothing was there, and the landscape simply continued beyond him. Zich turned to face forward again. Zich Brave was looking in his direction again.
Zich moved his body one step to the left. Zich Brave’s head turned slightly. Zich tried moving five steps to the right this time. Zich Brave’s eyes followed him once again. He was sure that Zich Brave was looking at him now.
‘He can take part in this dream too?’ Since this was the first time something like this happened, Zich was extremely surprised.
At that point, Zich Brave smiled; then, he spoke to Zich.
[Let’s meet soon.]
Before he could understand these words, Zich woke up from his dream. What he saw when he opened his eyes was a ceiling covered with darkness. It seemed like it was still night as no light seeped through the windows. However, Zich couldn’t go to sleep. He raised his body.
‘What was that?’ It was different from his usual dreams. He looked at Windur lying in a corner of the room. Like it usually did, it pretended to act dumb as it quietly leaned against the wall. Maybe because Zich didn’t take his eyes off it, but Windur transformed as if it couldn’t help it anymore.
Swish!
Its branch-like blades pointed in one direction. It was acting in the same manner it did when Zich was looking for a place with a tree.
“Did you show me that dream?”
Windur didn’t answer. It simply pointed toward one direction without saying anything. Zich stared in the direction it was pointing, and all he saw was a wall covered by the darkness. However, he knew what was beyond it.
‘The Denest Mountain Range.’
The sword which usually feigned ignorance expressed itself so strongly now. Not following its direction wasn’t even an option.
‘I was planning to go into the mountain range anyways.’ The city had been attacked by a large-scale of monsters recently. Since numerous monsters had died, it would most likely be safe for some period of time. ‘I’m sure there won’t be an attack stronger than this too.’
There could be stronger monsters than the ones they saw in this battle. Furthermore, no matter how many monsters they killed this time, it was foolish to think that the Denest Mountain Range was now empty of its monster inhabitants. No, considering the enormous scale of the mountain range, they didn’t even kill that many monsters.
‘I should leave the rest of the team behind.’ If his companions stayed, they could protect the city from strong monsters. If he added the soldiers and the Wolf’s Canine on top of them, it seemed like there was little chance that a siege against Pialu would be successful.
‘Glen Zenard’s party is okay if you only consider their skills…’
It was their minds rather than their skills that were dangerous. Truthfully, Zich didn’t want to leave the city where Til was since he used to be Zich Brave’s companion and possibly the Demon Lord of Disaster. He didn’t know when Glen would start his ploys. Yet, he was leaving some of his companions behind for that exact reason.
‘If it’s the current Lyla, she’ll lead the rest of the guys well.’
At the very least, she would bide enough time until Zich returned. After making his decision, all he had to do was carry it out. He made a bold move.
‘I will leave after dawn.’ There was no need for him to drag it out anymore.
* * *
“For that reason, I’ll be going to the mountain range.”
“Did you really have to come and tell me that so early in the morning?” Lyla complained to Zich who came and told her this when the sun hadn’t even risen yet.
“For matters like this, you need to act on it as soon as you think of it.”
“Really, you’re all tal…” However, Lyla also thought they needed to take action after such an unusual occurrence in Zich’s dream. “So you’re saying that Zich Brave stared at you? And he said he’ll meet you soon?”
“Yep. He was clearly aware of me, so I’m extremely regretful.”
“About what?”
“It’s because that could have been the moment I could interact with the dream. I need to at least stab that fucking Zich Brave bastard’s head…”
“…You’re really consistent.” Lyla was amazed at the consistency of Zich’s hatred towards Zich Brave.
“Well, since that bastard told me we’ll meet soon, I can rip him apart.”
Lyla did not reply. Her expression became ambiguous. “…What do you think that means?”
“You mean about meeting soon?”
“Yeah. Since Zich Brave is you.”
Zich outrightly made an annoyed face. It was horrifying to hear that push-over, sucker, and justice-idiot was himself. However, this time, he just frowned and quietly waited for Lyla’s next words.
“Before the regression, Zich Brave was probably an amazing hero for sure. However, that was all before all the regressions. After time was turned back, completely different events and meetings passed and Zich Brave disappeared. After many regressions, the Demon Lord of Strength, Zich Moore, threw away his last name and became just Zich—the ‘you’ right now.”
“In the end, everything ends well. If you think about it in this way, regression is not bad.” Zich was saying that regression wasn’t bad because the present him was the right one and his past self was faulty. He was shameless as always.
However, Lyla still had a serious expression. “Then, considering all these factors, how will Zich Brave be able to meet you? There are numerous Zichs, but there’s only one Zich in one timeline.”
It was only then did Zich finally realize what Lyla was worried about. “You think that if I change into Zich Brave, I might disappear.”
“All kinds of things have happened so far. If I believe that such a thing will never happen, I’d be stupid.”
“Isn’t Zich Brave the ideal type of person you want? Won’t it be better if I change? That guy will never become the Demon Lord that you’re so worried about.”
“Don’t speak nonsense, Zich.” Lyla stared directly into Zich’s eyes. Her appearance right now was the most energetic one he had ever seen. “The person I love is you. Not Zich Brave.”
Zich blinked his eyes. He hadn’t imagined that Lyla would ever say such brazen words. However, it seemed as if Lyla had been swept up in the atmosphere. Even though only one candlelight lit up her room, anyone could see how red her face was. However, she did not lower her head.
Zich let out a small laugh. “Don’t worry. Even if something happens, I’ll be the one to crack that guy’s head, and he won’t be able to harm me.”
“…I’ll believe you.”
“Good. Then, explain the situation to the other guys. Also, I’ll leave the monster ambushes and Glen Zenard up to you.”
“Isn’t that too much work?”
“I’m only saying this because I trust you.”
“Fine. I got it.” Lyla nodded and then she tapped Zich’s arm. “Come back safely. Don’t get hurt out there for no good reason.”
“All right.”
“If something seems weird, come back right away.”
“I’m also not going there with the intention of solving everything. If something happens, I’ll come down immediately to ask for help.”
“Then, that’s enough.”
Like this, after finishing his conversation with Lyla, Zich went out of the lodging. Lyla opened the window and saw him off as Zich disappeared into the darkness.
* * *
As expected of the enormous size and height of the Denest Mountain Range, the mountains inside the range were extremely steep. This was especially true for Selockblum, which was its highest peak. Sharp cliffs blocked the way forward and appeared at every turn, and as characteristics of a tall mountain, ice and snow covered the land, and the weather changed frequently. Moreover, the coldness of the mountain, which seemed as if it would freeze a person’s skin, was an enormous trial to get over as people climbed higher. There were also monsters wandering in the mountains. Most people couldn’t imagine that they would ever be able to climb Selockblum. However, these obstacles were only relevant to normal humans.
Crunch!
Zich pierced his fingers into cliffs that looked like they were specially sharpened. After checking that his fingers were firmly placed, he put strength into his arms. Zich’s body moved up, and in this state, he pushed his other hand’s fingers into the cliff. Since he had climbed for a while now, what he could see at the bottom looked completely black. If he fell, even if he had multiple lives to spare, all of his lives would be lost. However, Zich steadily pushed his fingers into the cliff and climbed higher.
Even though it took some time, it was not very difficult for Zich to climb the cliff. However, what blocked Zich was not only the high cliffs.
Kuaccckk!
Zich heard a coarse sound without a trace of elegance in it, and he raised his head. Something large was flying towards him. It was a large monster with wings—a griffin. It sped towards Zich—the griffin was definitely treating Zich like its prey. Zich pulled Windur from his back, and when the griffin reached him and opened its mouth, Zich lazily swung Windur. Thin but strong mana flowed through the griffin’s mouth and body.
Slice!
In an instant, the griffin’s body was cut in two. The griffin, which had been freely flying in the sky, was unable to win against the force of gravity and plummeted down into darkness while its blood and intestines scattered in the air. However, Zich had no interest in a dead griffin. He returned Windur on his back and began pushing his fingers into the cliff again. Like this, his climb continued.