Chapter 105: Black Hound

I had confirmed that the Black Order was controlling the giants to extract information, but I didn’t stop them right away.

Instead, I waited for them to make a plan with that information and enter the Fifth Forest.

‘The information the giants have is mostly incorrect.’

In particular, it was safe to say they knew nothing about me.

I hadn’t met with the giants frequently, and I had become incomparably stronger than when I first saved them.

Consequently, the Black Order returned to their base with nothing but false information.

Thanks to that, I was the only one who gained any intel.

‘Black Hound.’

They were a military organization belonging to the Black Order, composed of individuals with high-level skills. Furthermore, they possessed skills that allowed them to become temporarily stronger by borrowing the power of Demonkind.

It was similar to the Dragon’s Blessing.

However, unlike the Dragon’s Blessing, it was a broken skill that allowed them to grow stronger by more than two stages.

Of course, the repercussions would be just as severe.

The important thing was knowing that my opponents could become stronger than expected.

“Shall I head back now?”

Waiting for the Black Order, not knowing when they would attack, was inefficient. Raising my hand, I used the Mana stored in my Dragon Heart.

I set up Alarm Magic near the forest’s boundary so I would know the moment someone stepped inside.

Afterward, I used Teleport to return to the Dragon Lair. I saw Ropenheim and Anne eating. Naturally, I joined them at the table.

“I’ll have today’s recommended menu.”

“Just wait a moment. I’ll make yours right away.”

Balak rolled up his sleeves and began cooking in earnest. I turned my gaze toward Ropenheim.

“How is the Manahole recovery going?”

“With Anne’s help, I am completely erasing the destroyed Manahole from my body.”

“Then you’ll be creating a new one from scratch after it’s gone?”

“That is correct. It is all thanks to you and Anne.”

“I promised I would help you heal your Manahole.”

Ropenheim, who had been holding my hand while thanking me once more, suddenly opened his eyes wide.

“Ah, by the way, I heard you are preparing for war. What is that about?”

“The Black Order we fought before has arrived at the edge of the Fifth Forest.”

‘How was the Fifth Forest?’

At Anne’s question from beside me, I slowly shared the information I knew—the size of the enemy forces, their skill levels, and what kind of skills they possessed.

After hearing everything, Ropenheim stroked his beard.

“Demonkind… that will not be easy.”

“Do you know something about them?”

“They may not be exactly like the ones I fought, but Demonkind themselves are difficult to handle without Divine Power.”

“That will be fine.”

I had a Sacred Relic based on Divine Power, so if I used it well, handling the Demonkind wouldn’t be too difficult.

I shared more information about the Sacred Relic with Ropenheim.

“The Demonkind are insidious creatures. Those who follow them must be the same. They will certainly use some trick. You must be careful of that.”

“Yes, I will.”

‘Then shouldn’t we deploy troops to the Fifth Forest immediately?’

“I’m planning to give them the Fifth Forest for now.”

‘Pardon?’

“I intend to lure them all out and then wipe them out entirely.”

The leader of the Black Hound I met wasn’t the overall person in charge of this operation. There was someone in a higher position. To draw that person out and settle things for good, I planned to hand the Fifth Forest over to the Black Order.

‘What if they don’t come in?’

“They will. They’ve already taken our information by controlling the Giant tribe.”

Specifically, they would have information that we controlled every forest except the First Forest. They would likely think we were exhausted from excessive warfare and expansion. At this time, they would move quickly to seize control of the Fifth Forest. Since the Black Order manipulated Demonic Power, there was a high probability they would target the night, when they were relatively stronger. It also allowed them to move secretly.

“Tonight at the earliest, or tomorrow night at the latest. They will enter the Fifth Forest, seize it, and try to make it their territory.”

‘Then will you watch until they’ve completely taken control?’

“For now, I plan to watch every move they have. Extracting as much information as possible will be advantageous for the wars that follow.”

It would be fortunate if the Black Order failed this time and retreated completely, but that was unlikely. They definitely had some unknown purpose. That was why they had returned to the Fifth Forest. There was a high chance the entire Black Order would invade if they failed this time. To be certain, I had to capture the person in charge and interrogate them about why they were conducting secret Magic Research here and what they were after.

‘Then I will prepare the troops.’

“You’ve made the Divine Power Infusion Potions, right?”

‘Yes. I will make sure each soldier carries them when we prepare.’

“Good. If troops are needed, I’ll open a Portal. You can come through then.”

“What should I do?”

I smiled at Ropenheim.

“I’ll handle this war, so please focus on your Manahole recovery. It’s important for you to regain your original body as quickly as possible.”

“I understand.”

Just then, the delicious smell of food hit me, and hunger surged.

“Here, the special steak.”

Balak brought out a thick, custom steak. From the scent of the sauce to the gloss on the meat, it instantly made my mouth water.

“Everyone, eat before it gets cold. Food is meant to be eaten while it’s warm.”

“I’ll enjoy the meal.”

“I shall eat well.”

‘Thank you for the food.’

As I used a knife to cut the steak, the perfectly cooked center was revealed. I cut a piece and took a large bite. The meat melted softly. Between the fibers, the sauce and juices created an explosion of flavor.

“As expected, Balak’s food is the best.”

“Then come to eat more often. Why has it been so hard to see your face lately?”

After filling my stomach in the comfortable atmosphere, I was about to stand up when I saw Irellin running toward me from a distance.

‘Can I talk to you for a moment?’

“What is it?”

‘What is it?’

I followed Irellin, who was narrowing her eyes at me, toward the World Tree.

The World Tree, which used to reach my waist, had already grown taller than me and surpassed the size of an average tree.

Its range of influence had widened, and the massive Elixir Field Fryra had mentioned was clearly visible.

It covered tens of thousands of square feet. If everything growing there became a Potion…

‘It might even be possible to raise every soldier in the Dragon Lair to at least A-rank.’

After a brief distraction, I remembered my original purpose and looked at Irellin standing before me.

She stood with her back to me, fidgeting without saying a word.

“What’s wrong? You called me here but aren’t saying anything. Is Pedrias being too annoying? Or do you just not like him?”

‘Would it be okay even if I didn’t like him?’

“It can’t be helped then. More than anything, I just wanted you to have a meal together and talk. It’s not like you must see Pedrias…”

‘I… I want to see him.’

Irellin turned around, a desperate look in her eyes. What? I thought she had called me to complain because she didn’t like him. I was slightly flustered by the unexpected reaction.

“You like him?”

‘…Yes. I like him, but I don’t know what to do.’

Irellin’s face turned bright red. She looked like a girl overcome with embarrassment.

“If you like him, can’t you just say you like him?”

‘It’s embarrassing.’

“What?”

‘I’ve never said anything like that before. So, could you please tell him for me, Dragon Lord Jorge?’

What in the world is this?

“Am I the one dating him?”

‘If you set the stage, you should see it through to the end. You have to help us meet properly.’

She wasn’t wrong. I was the one who started this, after all. Just then, I saw Pedrias approaching from a distance. He must have seen us because he turned his steps toward us.

‘Is something the matter? Why are you two together…?’

“She says she hates you. Stop annoying her and give up cleanly.”

At my words, Pedrias’s eyes went wide, appearing deeply shocked. Watching from the side, Irellin screamed.

‘When… When did I ever! I said I liked him…’

‘Hup.’

Watching the pinkish atmosphere sprout between the two High Elfs, I slipped away. Ropenheim and Balak were watching from afar with their arms crossed, looking pleased. On the other hand, Anne had a slightly worried expression.

‘Isn’t it a big problem if they fight like that?’

I thought so too, but according to the elves, there was no need to worry.

“I heard that if elves fall in love at first sight, they love for a lifetime. They’ll figure it out.”

While watching the sun slowly set, Mana began to fluctuate rapidly. It meant something was moving at the boundary of the Fifth Forest.

“It looks like they’re starting to move. Let’s get ready.”

The military organization of the Black Order.

The Black Hound.

Their leader, Kelden Berg, stared at the green meadow ahead.

It looked like a vast meadow to the naked eye, but in reality, it was nothing more than an illusion.

Beyond it lay a mysterious place called the Sleeping Forest.

“All units, prepare.”

At his words, the members standing behind him gave solemn looks. Kelden Berg turned to face his subordinates and spoke.

“Our mission is to re-secure the laboratory and the temple in the Fifth Forest.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Failure is not an option. Is that understood?”

“Yes, sir!”

After hearing their vigorous reply, Kelden Berg turned around. He then began walking toward the wide meadow.

Whoosh!

Watching Kelden Berg disappear in an instant, the members also crossed the boundary one by one and entered the Sleeping Forest.

Moving at the front, Kelden Berg sharpened his senses and surveyed the surroundings.

The sun was setting, casting a red glow.

There were no enemy forces visible at the moment, nor were there any presences caught by his senses.

Snap!

He reached out and gave a command with a hand signal. At Kelden Berg’s command, a portion of the members scattered in all directions. It was a stealthy movement that didn’t make a single footstep. Kelden Berg also sprinted forward.

‘The enemies must be recovering from an excessive war.’

Now was the optimal time to occupy the Fifth Forest.

He moved stealthily through the Fifth Forest and arrived at his destination.

It was the place where the giants stayed and where the temple, the heart of the Fifth Forest, was located.

At the entrance, two giants were tearing into meat.

“Squad 1. No abnormalities.”

“Squad 2. No abnormalities.”

“Squad 3. No abnormalities.”

He confirmed the information from those who had searched the entire Fifth Forest.

Now, all that remained was to re-secure the temple and call for reinforcements to create a battlefield advantageous to the Black Order.

“Begin.”

The members moved at Kelden Berg’s command.

The members spread out in all directions, channeling Demonic Power as they plunged their swords into the ground.

Crackle!

Black sparks flew in all directions, drawing a massive Magic Circle.

It was a task to seal off this area while simultaneously turning it into a place overflowing with Demonic Power.

At a distance from the members who had plunged their swords, other members stood and drew pure white swords.

Swords imbued with Divine Power.

Those swords would consume the aura of the erupting Demonic Power, preventing anyone from realizing that Demonic Power was being used here.

Thuck!

Divine Power flowed out from the pure white swords driven into the ground, swallowing the aura of the Demonic Power.

A black circle and a white circle.

Demonic Power and Divine Power poured out from the two circles, neutralizing each other’s energy and creating the illusion that no changes were occurring.

No matter how sharp one’s intuition was, they wouldn’t be able to notice.

Kelden Berg’s lips curled up as he watched the area around the temple entrance turn black.

“The rest of you, enter, suppress the Giant tribe, and re-secure Zeit.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Let’s go.”