Chapter 126

When Ipalim realized that Yuwon had headed toward the Great Jungle, he decided to strike while the iron was hot. Without delay, he used teleportation magic and set off for the Valaris County.

Count Valaris, the lord of the territory, had already heard the news long ago. Still, the Count felt uneasy at the sudden visit of a high-ranking imperial agent.

‘For the Tindal’s hound to suddenly visit my lands… I already knew I was being closely watched because of my connection with His Highness, but this is the first time they’ve sent someone in person… What kind of scheme is this?’

Since he had even received a letter from Yuwon about a month ago, his concern only deepened.

‘Could it be that they intercepted the letter before it reached me? No… That can’t be. Their reaction is far too slow for that. I’m certain only I saw that letter.’

Worries led to more worries, looping endlessly. But such concerns could not drag on forever.

Knock, knock, knock―

A knocking sound came from outside the tightly closed chamber, breaking the Count’s thoughts.

“My Lord, the guest from the Capital has arrived and has been escorted to the reception hall. What would you like to do?”

“…Hmm. I’ll go at once. Thank you, Butler.”

This was Valaris territory, after all. The Count had the authority to make anyone wait. But instead of avoiding the meeting, he chose to face it head-on.

‘No matter what they’re plotting, they won’t be able to do as they please here in Valaris. I’ll make sure of that.’

Soon, the Count left his quarters and headed for the reception hall. On one side of the neat tea table sat the guest from the Capital — Ipalim. The Count quickly studied him.

‘…Who is this man? Wait, isn’t he one-armed? I’ve never heard of someone like him.’

Ipalim, the shadow who had served beside the Emperor all his life — until the day he personally slew him.

During his time as one of the Shadows, there were fewer than ten people on the entire continent who knew his true face.

Though Count Valaris guarded the southern border, this was the first time he’d ever laid eyes on him.

As host, the Count stepped forward and offered a handshake.

“A precious guest from the Capital. Welcome to Valaris.”

“I greet the famed Protector of the South, Count Valaris. I am Ipalim.”

Ipalim clasped the Count’s hand in response. His voice was polite yet devoid of emotion — a purely formal greeting.

“Ipalim, you say… I suppose my eyes and ears have dulled, living here in the south, dealing only with beasts. This is my first time hearing of your esteemed name.”

There was a blade hidden beneath the Count’s courteous words. He was subtly asking, Who are you, really? But Ipalim, knowing full well the intent, didn’t so much as flinch.

“That’s understandable. Please, speak comfortably, my lord. I’m neither a noble nor a knight — merely a wanderer fortunate enough to serve Lord Gion.”

“A wanderer who leads two hundred elite knights through teleportation magic — that’s something I’ve neither seen nor heard in my lifetime. You must possess quite the skill to hold such a position. There’s no need for excessive modesty. Now, please, sit again. A noble guest such as yourself shouldn’t remain standing.”

The two men sat facing each other across the table and began their conversation. Ipalim was the first to speak bluntly.

“We are pursuing the Fifth Prince, accused of regicide — the slaying of His Majesty Yulaios Aphahiel, the former Emperor.”

The Count did not look surprised. It was as he expected.

“I see. But what brings you this far south?”

“Rest assured. We harbor no suspicion toward Valaris, the loyal guardian of the south since the Empire’s founding. Though you were briefly swayed by the Fifth Prince’s eloquence, you were hardly alone. It won’t be held against you.”

A subtle tension filled the air as the Count asked, “Then, am I to understand you have no business in my lands?”

“Yes. There will be no harm to Valaris. Our destination is the Great Jungle. The serpent-tongued Fifth Prince is hiding there.”

Exactly what the Count had expected since the visitor first arrived.

‘So, they already know everything… I must report this to His Highness at once. He’s in danger.’

Even so, the Count feigned surprise and asked again.

“The Great Jungle? You mean that land of monsters?”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s hard to imagine any man fleeing there. But the Fifth Prince, who abandoned his humanity and defied all divine bonds, is capable of anything.”

“Heh… The Great Jungle, indeed.”

“All we ask of the Count is a bit of assistance.”

“What kind of assistance?”

“As you know, teleportation consumes vast amounts of mana. My men and I have come with nothing but our swords and armor. We’d like to procure some supplies.”

“That won’t be difficult. Of course, I can’t simply take from my people, but if you promise them a fair profit to last through this winter, I will personally see to your full support.”

This was a reasonable request — one the Count had anticipated and could accept. But the conditions that followed were not.

“I’m glad we understand each other. Truly, you are a loyal servant of Aphahayel. Ah, there are a few more requests, if I may.”

“Of course. Speak. I will help however I can.”

“First, we need southern soldiers familiar with the monsters of the Great Jungle.”

At that, the Count’s face finally hardened. He exhaled through his nose, visibly displeased.

“Hmph…”

But Ipalim continued, unfazed.

“Second, we need the contents of any message you may have received from the Fifth Prince.”

“…!”

“There’s no need to be alarmed. If the Fifth Prince went to the Great Jungle, he surely sent word to his nearest allies.”

Then came the third request.

“Lastly, Renania Valaris. We need the south’s finest. If the Count’s only heir fights beside us, you won’t be able to refuse sending your best.”

Renania Valaris! To demand his only daughter was beyond outrageous. Unable to contain his fury any longer, the Count slammed the table and roared.

“You insolent wretch! How dare you cross the line! Do you even know where you stand?!”

His murderous aura surged forth, pressing down on Ipalim. But Ipalim was no man to bow to force. He released his own stored aura, clashing against the Count’s.

Crash! Crack―!

The teacups shattered, and the heavy table quaked. The very air in the reception hall shifted under the clash of two superhuman wills. Yet the standoff didn’t last long.

‘Wh–What is this…!’

It was like facing an unscalable wall. The Count had known Ipalim wasn’t ordinary, but the sheer weight of his aura was unlike anything he had ever encountered.

‘No matter what I do, I can’t win against this man. Is this truly a human’s strength?’

The overwhelming disparity left fear flickering in the Count’s eyes. Reading it, Ipalim spoke quietly.

“You’d best be careful, my lord. My master is a merciful man… but the blade he wields — me — has no eyes.”

With Raven Marcellus, the Empire’s Greatest Sword Marquis Bradman, and Emperor Julio all gone, there was no one left in the land capable of stopping Ipalim.

The fierce battle between Yuwon and the River Serpent had reached its end. The one who remained standing in the aftermath was Yuwon.

“Haa… haa…”

He was drenched in blood, but victory was his.

His entire body was broken and battered — dozens of bones fractured, wounds large and small covering him from head to toe — undeniable proof of the brutal fight.

Whether from burst veins or from being soaked in both his and his enemy’s blood, Yuwon’s bloodshot eyes saw a crimson world. Far ahead, the River Serpent, tail drooping, was slithering away in retreat.

Sssrr―

As tattered as Yuwon himself, the creature fled the battlefield. The horde of serpents that had once surrounded it was gone. Only its lonely reflection rippled across the water — a pitiful end for such a mighty beast.

‘…I won.’

When the river that ran through the Great Jungle — the Black Serpent River — fell beneath the hand of the White Dragon, Sssrrk― the sound of a serpent crawling, gliding through water, echoed softly yet clearly across the jungle. And at Yuwon’s feet, the serpents of the Great Jungle began to gather.

Some had followed him since the early days, while others had fought to the bitter end at the River Serpent’s side. But now, all bent in loyalty beneath their new king.

Ssshhh―!

Hisss―!

The reptiles that once divided the jungle under two apex predators — Yuwon and the River Serpent — now raised their voices together beneath Yuwon’s rule, celebrating the birth of their new king.

Among the factions that ruled the Great Jungle — serpents, orcs, natives, and shamans — Yuwon now stood at the pinnacle of one.

Even the serpents who had withdrawn from the war now slithered forth to bow before their new sovereign.

Standing at the center of thousands upon thousands of serpents, Yuwon looked down at them and smiled faintly.

‘…Yes. Perhaps this was always your fate — from the very moment you first came to me.’

When a small band of serpents had followed Yuwon during the southern subjugation, he had been displeased. At that time, though his gaze held no hatred, there had been no affection either. But now, it was different.

Whether it was the long days spent in the jungle or his newly awakened intuition, the once-distant creatures now felt as close as his own limbs.

‘One is down. Who’s next?’

Had the law of the Great Jungle — survival of the fittest — changed Yuwon himself? Raising his gaze to the sky above the jungle, the predator who would never stop until he achieved his goal bared his fangs toward his next prey.

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