Novel All
Chapter 549
Chapter 549
Chapter 549: The Tired Clan
Following the elder's guidance, with my mask put back on, I entered the forest.
For a moment, I experienced a sensation as if I had entered water. Then, the forest that had been an ordinary one at dusk transformed entirely.
In perfect harmony with nature, there was a village.
It was a dragon-folk clan village.
"We have prepared shelters in various places, but we have been living here for a long time. Everyone likes living here,"
"I'm sorry for what happened. I wanted to get the children back as soon as possible. We are both in the same situation, so I hope you can forgive me."
"I don't intend to blame you. Even more so now that we know your identity."
I passed several dragon-man clan members, receiving curious looks, and was guided to the elder's house.
"No one enters without permission. We should be able to talk at length here."
"Then I want to ask right away. My mother probably has the virus. But my mother is a commoner. Why did she contract it? Isn't the poison supposed to target the strong?"
"What we know is that Wepal's poison is somewhat sentient. It acts as an individual, not a swarm. Each poison learns as it moves towards its final target, the bloodline of the hero. That's why there are variations in the evolution of the poison. However, if it's your mother, the timing of her contracting the disease was probably during her pregnancy. This disease doesn't develop immediately. Just like you haven't developed it yet. There is an incubation period. If a child with such a large amount of magic power is in her womb... It wouldn't be strange for the mother to become a target of the poison."
The answer was roughly what I had expected.
At the same time, I felt regret that my expectation was not denied.
So... it's my fault.
"What happens if one develops the disease?"
"It gradually weakens the body and eventually takes their life. There is no way to completely cure it. And the poison becomes more powerful and moves on to another person. It's a vicious cycle."
"Can't we prolong her life?"
"It's not that there is no way... but what would that do? The virus carries an enormous amount of magic power, and has reached you, an SS-rank adventurer. There is no future for the Adler family anymore. And for the Amsberg family as well. The empire that holds vast territory will collapse. Then the demons will take advantage of the chaos and attack. That will be the end of everything."
"Are you telling me to give up...? To give up everything because of the poison that was scattered five hundred years ago? If only we knew!"
"What would you do if you knew? Whether the records were passed down or not, the result would not change. Besides, it seems that the records were not passed down, but measures were taken. The Adler refined their blood to keep the poison away. And they protected the Amsberg, making sure their blood did not dilute. They did what they could."
At the elder's words, I fell silent.
The Adler had been taking in stronger blood into themselves.
I thought it was to prepare for the future demon invasion that was expected, but it was also a measure against the poison.
And because of the existence of the poison, the Amsberg accepted the position of the Brave house.
To not let the strong bloodline that can handle the holy sword perish, and to prevent it from diluting.
"...If we kill Wepal, will the poison disappear...?"
"That's correct. A demon's authority disappears when the demon does. However, Wepal is the one Great Demon that the hero failed to finish off. After the Demon King fell, Wepal, who severely wounded, fled back to the demon world with the remaining demons. His injuries were so severe that we thought he had died unless the black rain fell. In fact, until the black rain fell, we thought all of the Demon King's aides were exterminated. The Hero was so thorough in finishing them off. Unless something serious happens, Wepal, who escaped barely alive, probably won't come out of the demon world."
Hearing the elder's words, I nodded.
Then there is only one thing to do.
"Tell me how to get to the demon world. I will go and subdue him."
"The holes that connect to the demon world are essentially one-way. You can summon them, but you can't go there. Even the demons took advantage of being summoned to invade. Unless you're summoned from the other side, it's impossible to go to the demon world."
"Then how did they return!?"
"They had expanded the hole when they were summoned. From there, a stream of demons came. But after Wepal retreated, the hole was closed. By the Hero."
"If there was a hole... why didn't you send a subjugation force!?"
"The continent didn't have such resources! The hero offered to subjugate him, but we stopped him! To close the hole, a super powerful attack from the outside was necessary. The only one who could do that was the hero's holy sword. If by any chance the hero were defeated in the demon world, we would lose the hero and the holy sword, and we would not be able to close the hole. We could not take such a risk!"
I could tell it was a bitter decision just by looking at his face.
But the result is now.
I wish he could be in my shoes, unknowingly infected by the virus and being told that the fate of humanity is hanging by a thread.
"Is there a medicine that can alleviate it?"
"We, the dragon-man clan, are skilled in medicine. If we had another five hundred years, eradication would not be a dream. But there's not enough time. What we can make is only medicine that can alleviate the symptoms. Even if it prolongs life a little, the end is predictable."
The poison that has reached the Adler will soon head to the Amsberg, humanity's hope.
That is the real time limit.
And the virus is already in my blood.
In other words...
"The time limit is until I die from the disease, right?"
"If that happens, it would undoubtedly be too late. After a strong individual like you, there's no one left but the Amsberg."
"But we can delay it. That's right, isn't it? If we have time, there's no problem. I'll just search for a solution during that time."
"Do you not have the word 'give up' in your dictionary? This is why the Adler are..."
The elder showed a tired expression.
But immediately after, he let out a faint smile.
"No matter how much of a genius you are, it takes time to develop medicine. Instead of completing the medicine, it would be better to think of another way."
"A way to get to the demon world?"
"Or a way to drag Wepal out from the demon world would be good too. If we can cut off the root, this poison will disappear."
It sounds easy when said.
But we're troubled because we can't do it.
"Do you have any wisdom?"
"Good grief... It's been a while since I've talked with an Adler, but you're an exhausting clan as always... I heard that demons have started to appear, right?"
"Yes. I've already subdued several demons, but I believe there are still more out there."
"If multiple demons are moving at the same time, there are likely more. If they see an opportunity to win and start moving... it might be a chance."
"What do you mean?"
"Just as it sounds. If they are overwhelmingly dominant, Wepal might show his face from the demon world. The Emperor at that time proposed this idea, but we couldn't use it because the demons, who live for a long time, wouldn't easily let their guard down. Besides, giving the enemy the upper hand on purpose is a double-edged sword."
"But now there might not be a problem. A long time has passed, and humanity doesn't have much time left..."
I froze as I thought up to that point.
It is indeed a crisis and a chance at the same time right now.
But that kind of development wouldn't come so easily.
What if, just if, this situation was orchestrated?
The weakening of the powerful Aldrasia Empire, reigning over the center of the continent, would be the cause of the unrest.
Due to the frequent disturbances in recent years, the empire has weakened and is now on the verge of full-scale war with the kingdom.
Whether we win or lose, both sides will suffer damage.
From the perspective of humanity as a whole, it is nothing more than a reduction in military strength.
For the demons, it's an opportunity.
An excellent chance to invade.
But, that also means there would be a chance for humanity to make a comeback.
The person who sets up this counterattack is...
TL's Notes:
That's a wrap on this arc! Pretty important lore here and glad we finally understand a bit of what is going on with Al's mom.... Anyway, back to playing Minecraft
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