Having grasped the situation with clear determination, we set off for Gaslow to rescue 'princess' Isolde.
The journey to that land wasn't actually that far. Basically, this Uchihaha town was already right next to Demon King Atofe's territory. And the trip from here to Necross Fortress would take about a month. In reality, if I used Lord Lan Xin's flying taxi service, it would be much faster, probably only taking about two days. But since I didn't feel safe leaving Vasile ownerless for two whole days, and Lord Lan Xin refused to transport anyone other than me, the whole group had no choice but to walk.
As we went deeper into Gaslow, I realized why this place was dubbed the most dangerous place on the Demon Continent. This is literally a dead land; the soil is cracked, and the temperature difference between day and night is terrifying. Furthermore, the fissures spew out poisonous gas without any warning.
That's not even mentioning that the monsters here are all B-rank and above. Anything in sight wanted to turn us into their lunch.
In short, it's a god-forsaken place that deserves to be fenced off to ensure everyone else's safety. However, occasionally, some people still view this place as an extremely inspiring location. First of all, it is where the greatest fortress (or second greatest, by Lord Lan Xin's standards) was built by the hands of the Immortal Demon Lord Necross Lacross. And now, that magnificent Necross Fortress is the home of the Immortal Demon King Atoferatofe Rybak.
In the war over four hundred years ago, she fought alongside Laplace and poured her fury onto the battlefield. She clashed many times with the Armored Dragon King Perugius; many legends mention this as an inspiring confrontation between a hero and a demon king. I used to think they were the rival-friend type like Isolde and me. But upon contact, it seems Atofe truly hates Perugius. Fortunately, I have no connection to the Armored Dragon King whatsoever.
History is one thing, but there are also legends about her calling out to great warriors through poems or songs. They are inspiring calls so that anyone seeking power would come to be granted what they desire by the Demon King herself.
You could say those poems and legends are all bait to lure gullible people into becoming the Demon King's subordinates. And unfortunately, it's quite effective.
Every now and then, some reckless fools would come to this place seeking Necross Fortress. Of course, no one ever comes back out.
Because if they didn't die from the harshness of this place, those lucky enough to survive were inducted into Atofe's personal guard. Although those guards occasionally get to visit home, it can be said that their lives are now stuck in this place forever.
Back to our current situation.
This place is indeed dangerous. However, thanks to traveling with an experienced party like Roxy, Elinalise, and Talhand, as well as the rest of the guard squad Atofe left behind along with Captain Moore, we were quite sure of our safety.
Honestly, I found this trip quite interesting.
Perhaps because I had been stuck in one place, or only moving for work for two years, I started to enjoy adventuring like this. Even though danger lurked everywhere, we had an abundance of plans to deal with it.
For example, when attacked by a black dragon, I would take the vanguard as a Blood Tribe with Elinalise's support. Meanwhile, Atofe's other swordsman guards would attack from blind spots. As for mages like Moore, Roxy, and Talhand, they just had to stay back and cast spells.
And so, an A-rank monster was slain just like that. The thing that was supposed to eat us had now become dinner for the whole party.
Luckily, besides battle necessities, I brought spices. So instead of just the usual tough, chewy roasted dragon meat, thanks to a little diluted vinegar, salt, and chili, I created a dish that was both tender and flavorful to eat with dry bread.
As for the eggs, I roasted them and dipped them in cheese sauce; the result was absolutely wonderful.
I thought about deep-frying the dragon meat, but since I didn't have oil, I put that on my bucket list. One day I will definitely make Dragon Meat Karaage.
To be honest, this felt more like a picnic.
After dinner, we would discuss tactics, coming up with plans and options for the upcoming battle.
Moore didn't hide anything and told us what we needed to know about the fortress, how the fighting would go, and when Atofe would appear. Furthermore, he spilled the beans on everything regarding our upcoming opponents, the Ultimate Four.
The name sounds cool, but according to the old captain, they are a combination of the four stupidest (and strongest) members of Atofe's guard. All four of them are excellent warriors of the North God Style. The lowest ranking one is at the North Saint level, while the remaining three are all North Kings.
Honestly, I was a bit concerned about fighting four people like that.
"By the way, aren't you afraid of being scolded by Lady Atofe for telling us everything like this?" I glared at the captain.
"Actually, the Lady likes drama." Moore explained calmly. "So if you can defeat her subordinates, the Lady will like it even more."
"I see." I rubbed my chin. "Maybe Lady Atofe doesn't really want to see challengers killed by her subordinates either."
"Indeed. But don't worry, the members of the Ultimate Four will only injure you to the point of losing an arm or a leg. Lady Atofe's guards are not bloodthirsty warmongers."
"Actually, it's because you want to keep us alive to capture us as subordinates, right?" Talhand glanced at Moore while sipping his tankard of ale. "Just like back in that town."
"That is correct." Moore admitted.
Heh. I have to admit this old Moore knows how to talk. I almost believed he was on our side. But truly, knowing he has calculated the pros and cons for Atofe makes me feel more reassured.
"But how will the fight with the Ultimate Four be conducted?" Roxy asked cautiously. "Will we split up to fight each person on their side?"
Like that scene where Gon's group met the prisoners during the Hunter Exam, right? If so, assigning who fights whom is also important.
However, contrary to our thoughts, Moore shook his head. "Each member of the Ultimate Four will fight all four of you."
"So it's four against one?" I scratched my head. "Doesn't sound very fair."
"If you want, you can go up and fight alone." Moore smirked.
"Well, four against one is fine."
I don't think I'm weak or anything. I almost conquered an S-rank labyrinth by myself, didn't I? Although I don't know what level I'm at, I'm sure I'm at least Saint rank now. But my combat experience is completely skewed towards fighting monsters, not actually intelligent beings (monsters are actually smart too but you know what I mean). Besides, in my history of sword fighting with other opponents, I mostly ended up losing, so I'm not sure if I can handle a North Saint on my own.
After all, North God Style practitioners are schemers full of dirty tricks. Who knows what kind of BS I'll have to deal with.
So whenever we rested, my teammates and I practiced tactics. At bedtime, everyone took shifts.
"Want to keep watch with me?" Elinalise winked at me.
"Please spare me."
However, since I don't sleep at night, I inevitably had to take a shift with Elinalise. And needless to say, during those two hours, I had to struggle internally a lot, even rereading the entire Millis bible to keep myself from degenerating.
However, Elinalise only tempted me that one night. Because from the next night onwards, she had her own harem consisting of Atofe's guards. Of course, excluding Moore, because he's old.
By morning, when everyone woke up, that was when I collapsed on the ground and slept.
So for the next half of the day, I would be covered up completely like a cocoon worm and carried on the guards' backs. The reason is that I can't control my Battle Aura while sleeping, so that was the only way to avoid turning into ash mid-slumber.
...
And after nearly a month of continuous travel, we finally arrived at the famous Necross Fortress.
Although I knew beforehand this place would be huge because Lord Lan Xin said it was as big as his castle, seeing it comprehensively from the outside like this, I couldn't help but marvel.
Regarding design, it is a fortress town; basically, there is a town surrounded by city walls, and deep inside is a large fortress. It's not a very strange design; the city of Roa was also built in this style.
However, looking from the outside, I couldn't see clearly what the inside was specifically like. What I could see were columns of smoke, a huge wall, the fortress, all pitch black. It was the material that Gawl town used to build walls. Lord Lan Xin himself built his fortress with that type of brick. Although I knew its effectiveness was quite good, looking at it from afar like this really gave the feeling of a villain's castle.
We just walked up to the city gate. The other guards immediately recognized Moore and saluted him. We were also welcomed warmly as distinguished guests, even taken to a waiting room to rest like VIPs. Tea, water, cakes, and fruits of all kinds were brought out too. The impression that we were walking into the final boss's lair vanished because of that.
And after waiting for about ten minutes, we were finally informed that everything was prepared.
We were led through a few blocks, straight to the area adjacent to the castle deep inside. This place was full of soldiers in black armor; they stood in perfectly straight lines with complete seriousness. They really looked like soldiers I often saw in military parades.
And surrounded by those rows of guarding soldiers was an arena built about a meter high. This must be where we will perform our 'trial'.
"Heroes! You have achieved a feat by successfully reaching Necross Fortress!" Suddenly a voice rang out, startling me; it was a soldier in black armor, his voice extremely inspiring. This must be the 'MC'. "You were truly strong to be able to overcome Demon King Atofe's mighty guards to get here! That must be considered a second feat! You have truly exceeded all expectations!"
Actually, you guys opened the gate and invited us straight in, didn't you?
"However! We are Lady Atofe's private guards! We must protect our honor and pride!"
"If you want to challenge your strength against the Immortal Demon King Atofe and win back the beautiful princess..."
"First, you must overcome Lady Atofe's mightiest warriors: The Ultimate Four!"
After those words ended, from within that crowded formation, four people stepped out. All four drew their black swords, slapped their armor with the weapon, and raised them high with pride.
From among those four, a woman stepped onto the arena. She took off her helmet to reveal a reptilian face. She had yellow scales and hair like a pile of needles. Her face was covered in crisscrossing scars, showing that this was a seasoned swordswoman.
"I am Calina! North God Style King-rank, one of Lady Atofe's Ultimate Four—Calina of the Wind!"
After that declaration, Calina threw her helmet down; it rolled on the arena floor and fell to the ground. Other soldiers immediately picked up the helmet and put it away neatly in a corner.
And rightfully so, a North King at that. Meaning she could be considered as strong as Ghislaine. Definitely a tough opponent. Better prepare—
"Champions! I have been waiting for you!"
"I have trained in the special hall here at Necross Fortress! I have many students! Including Lady Atofe's grandson! I have trained them very seriously! You must also have students, right? To get here, your students must be very proud and respectful of you!"
"You must be wondering why I train here, right? It is because one day I will challenge Lady Atofe! With every hero and champion I defeat, I will earn the right to challenge the Lady!"
"Come! Champions, let us fight! Then fail and become stepping stones for me to become stronger!"
Yeah well... I know the trope where the villain rambles a lot before fighting. But I didn't expect to experience it one day. I also held back a lot not to grab my sword and jump up to slash my opponent during those past few minutes.
"Oh my, it seems I accidentally spoke too much." Calina raised her sword. "Now it's time to fight!"
And that was when our battle began.
...
POV Calina.
Calina was an experienced warrior. Because unlike children on other peaceful continents, most demon race children have to struggle to survive since they were tiny. That is why Calina started fighting. Not with a sword, but with fists, and she was very good at it. With every battle, no matter how difficult, she miraculously survived. And with each such time, she became stronger.
Also because she was a warrior who had gone through countless battles, she could immediately recognize the strength of each opponent standing before her. They were two warriors, two mages; three of them seemed to be people with combat experience, the remaining one was just a kid. Too easy. She thought to herself.
With her experience, she knew she should defeat the opponents one by one, starting with the one who looked the weakest. So Calina aimed her sword at the silver-haired child, rushing in to prepare to swing her sword.
He didn't even bother to take a stance.
However, right at that moment, her entire body reacted violently. Her sword, which was striking, immediately retracted. Her rushing body instantly jerked back like a rabbit that had just confirmed a predator.
Backing away a few more steps, she kept a safe distance from that teenage swordsman. Her eyes did not leave the target.
For what reason did a mighty North King react like that?
It was thanks to a special ability, a sixth sense that helped her know when danger was coming. She knew when she would face deadly danger, and because of that, she always knew when to react. Calina didn't know if this ability was truly meant to warn of her death or not. After all, she didn't have enough courage to find out; she only needed to know that relying on it meant she would certainly live.
And just as Calina prepared to attack that teenager, she felt it: Death.
The North King knew that if she really struck, she would definitely die.
But how? Calina wondered, still maintaining a rigid defensive posture. Meanwhile, the teenager still didn't bother taking any sword stance but just stood still, even reaching up to scratch his head as if he didn't even understand what was happening.
It's a trap. She thought so. It must be a trap. He is definitely a very strong swordsman huh? I almost fell for it.
Calina is a very experienced swordswoman, she met many strong opponents who had a habit of hiding their power until the last minute. So she isn't strange with the anomaly before her.
Alright, if he is dangerous, I just need to switch targets.
Calina thought again, her eyes shifting to the petite mage girl standing behind an elf warrior. With her speed, the North King was confident she could dash straight behind the opponent's defensive line and strike.
Once decided, it must be done. Calina immediately lunged straight towards the dwarf mage, but suddenly changed direction towards the blue-haired girl with terrifying speed. It seemed everyone on the opposing side was surprised, and an opening was created.
"Wha—"
But that terrified feeling appeared again. But this time Calina didn't even have time to react; her right arm had fallen off at some point.
And before the pain could even appear, from behind, a kick slammed straight into the back of her knee, making her lose balance and fall forward, smashing her face onto the arena floor. Following that was a sword held straight to her neck.
"Surrender. It's over." It was the teenage boy before. And somehow, he's now at her back without her knowing.
Calina felt a chill run from the nape of her neck down her spine. Her whole body was overwhelmed by fear.
Normally she, a North God Style swordswoman, wouldn't give up easily just losing one hand like this. In her sword school, there were even ways to fight when possessing no limbs at all. It could be said that the dominant sword style of this Necross Fortress was full of people ready to fight until nothing remained but a corpse.
However, Calina was not such a person. Although she wasn't a coward, she also knew the reason she could live until now despite facing countless dangers was because she knew when to stop.
"I lost. Champion, you have defeated me."
Thus she accepted defeat.
...
Atur's POV
And so the first match ended.
It seems what Moore said was true. Calina's special ability helps her sense danger and react immediately. Actually, it's not magical like knowing the future. It's like a radar detecting an overwhelming flow of power and killing intent.
Grasping that information, what I needed to do was control my Will Based Battle Aura according to the situation. If she attacked, I just had to push all my will and killing intent out to create a sense of danger. And when I needed to attack, I just had to hide my killing intent and that was it.
Actually, Calina could have totally beaten me up if she didn't rely too much on her ability. But what can you do, if you have an ability that has helped you survive for over a hundred years, of course you would rely on it.
This also makes me see that Lord Lan Xin was right; one shouldn't rely too much on the abilities one has but must diversify one's power more. Thank you, Master Lan Xin.
While Atofe's guards carried Calina out, Talhand stood right next to me and stroked his beard.
"Although things went according to plan, you truly exceeded expectations, Atur."
"I just got lucky having the suitable skill to deal with it." I scratched my head.
"Even so, not everyone can slice off a North King's arm that easily." Elinalise also chimed in. "You really are stronger than you look. Which is very sexy."
"He he he."
Actually, it was because I used Blood Tribe Battle Aura, not that I'm inherently powerful or anything. But being praised like that, I'll take it.
To be honest, even though Calina is the same level as Ghislaine, I feel the Sword King is much stronger than this North King. Maybe even Isolde could confront Calina easily. Perhaps ranks are just relative, huh?
"Not bad, kiddo. But don't celebrate yet! Calina is just the stupidest in Lady Atofe's Ultimate Four. Please don't think we will have the same ending."
"Correct, we are extremely smart."
"Our intellect is vastly superior!"
Although the remaining three of the Ultimate Four had quite scary appearances, their lines made me look at them with skepticism.
Whatever, let's focus on what happens next. So I gave a thumbs up to the person who would play the main role in the next match.
"I will leave the next match to you, Master Roxy."
"Please don't call me that..." Roxy sighed.
"No way."
Yep, can't help it, if Rudeus knew I didn't show respect to her, he would probably drop a Cumulonimbus spell on my head. So better be safe than sorry, you will be Master Roxy.
"I am Benebene!" The second person finally stepped onto the arena. "North God Style Saint-rank Swordsman, and one of Lady Atofe's Ultimate Four: Benebene of the Water!"
This second guy was exactly as Moore described, he had quite average height. He didn't look scary or serious at all, maybe even a bit nonchalant.
"Let us begin!"
The battle began, just like before, I will be on the front line and fight with Benebene for a while. And as expected, I can't cut through him, so I just focus on destroying his armor.
When everything seems nice and done, Roxy uses her spell.
"O spirits of ice, lend us your strength! Icicle Field!"
A layer of fog and a freezing wind rushed straight at the North Saint who hadn't noticed the situation yet. "What the—!"
Elinalise and I immediately appeared right after, and each gave the freezing Benebene a slash.
"Grahhh!!" Benebene roared and then went motionless.
Our slashes didn't completely kill the opponent, but it seemed being ganged up on so easily like this caused the North Saint to pass out from shock.
"I did hear the Sticky Clan has a weakness to ice magic." Roxy mumbled. "But I didn't expect it to be this effective."
"Yeah." I nodded in agreement. "As expected from 'The' Master Roxy huh?"
"Can you just…" Roxy tried to say something but could only put her hat down to hide her annoyed face. "Sigh… Nevermind then."
Well I'm not complimenting her for nothing. Because Benebene of the Water is a quite special swordsman. Although this guy is only at Saint rank, he has extremely good physical damage resistance, if not to say absurdly strong. because if it were me or Elinalise fighting this guy in a normal state, even if we cut through the guards' sturdy armor, it would just pass through Benebene without leaving any damage.
Benebene, despite being only Saint-rank, could climb into the ranks of Atofe's Ultimate Four thanks to that ability. Because when fighting other swordsmen to win this position, no one could damage him. So he just needed to wait for the opponent to get exhausted or lower their guard, then this North Saint would unleash a barrage of attacks to end the match.
In short, a tough nut to crack.
Also thanks to Moore telling me Benebene's characteristics beforehand, Roxy had a plan to deal with him. That's why we won the second match so easily. I didn't even sweat.
"So fast..."
"These people are too strong!"
Murmurs of amazement rang out from the other guards. And that was also when I knew what was about to happen.
It was a loud burst of laughter coming from the remaining two Ultimate Four.
"He he he! Benebene was indeed too confident in his ability without taking any precautions."
"That's right. Despite possessing power that any swordsman would envy. But he didn't know what the opponent could do beforehand."
"Only to be taken down by a mage with a single hit!"
The remaining two Ultimate Four then spoke in unison:
"He was truly the stupidest among us!"
Indeed, I can't see this as serious anymore.
But I still have to stay alert, because the remaining two are truly very strong.
"Be afraid, you worms!" One of the remaining two stepped up. "I will be your next opponent!"