Chapter 43: Granviphra

I summoned Duramino Kordos, mounted it, and headed for the valley.

Since the sun had already set, I didn’t forget to summon light spirits to illuminate the surroundings.

I also recalled all the Puppet Crows that had been scattered for scouting and had them gather along the path.

I could have sent the Puppet Crows straight into the valley, but the forest at night was nothing short of dangerous.

Not only was it teeming with monsters and venomous insects rarely seen elsewhere, but some predators were intelligent and cunning enough to camouflage or disguise themselves to set traps.

Several Puppet Crows, which were considered mid-tier monsters, had already been taken out during the scouting, so to avoid further losses, they had no choice but to move together as a unit.

The Red Eyes that had been sent deep into the valley to search were already nearly wiped out, but a few survivors continued to track Eril’s trail.

“I should’ve asked Baglos to come with me.”

If it had been Baglos, he would have already found Eril by now.

“Pick up the pace.”

At my command, Duramino Kordos quickened its speed, and as we drew closer to the valley, the scattered Puppet Crows gradually regrouped.

The bright light might attract the attention of monsters, especially powerful ones, but Duramino Kordos’s massive size and the eerie aura of the Puppet Crows would deter most from approaching.

Fewer than ten Red Eyes remained.

The rest had become food for monsters or were torn apart for sport.

Eventually, I’d have to imprint the contract seal onto another Red Eye colony in the Demon Realm, but that wasn’t important right now.

Before their demise, the Red Eyes had thoroughly scouted various parts of the valley.

Thanks to them, there weren’t many areas left to search.

Of course, ten Red Eyes wouldn’t be enough to inspect everything, but they would help reduce the time significantly.

A sharp, whip-like tentacle flew through the air and crushed another Red Eye.

One was bitten by a toothed bird, another torn apart by a beast’s claws.

Eventually, the remaining Red Eyes met similar fates.

None were left now, but their sacrifice had narrowed the search area.

And at last, we arrived at the valley.

As I had sensed through the Red Eyes, the valley was quite large and vast.

It didn’t rise above the ground but was instead carved below it, making it hard to spot from above due to the trees covering it.

There were various caves, large and small, that seemed to be monster nests, and tunnels led off in several directions.

From within some of these caves, faint glows of eyes reflected the strange light, debating whether to peek out.

If I’d had time, I might have lured a few out to make them my new summons, but that wasn’t an option now.

Another sigil appeared in the air, and this time, massive red-furred wolves emerged — the wolves of Tyrant Marak.

These were the beasts Marak used to intimidate disobedient soldiers and citizens.

I had taken ownership of them in battle — the first monsters I ever stole from another.

Though these savage beasts weren’t all that notable in the forest, I summoned them simply to increase our numbers.

The more there were, the less likely the monsters in the nests would attack.

And I chose beasts over insects like the Thanathors Apollydon because they had stronger scents and presence.

And my choice was right.

I could sense the presences in the caves pulling back.

We slowly made our way deeper into the valley.

With this many companions, most monsters wouldn’t dare make a move.

But if Eril was in a situation where she couldn’t escape, I couldn’t let my guard down.

Most caves that Eril could possibly enter had already been checked by the Red Eyes.

Only a few remained.

Once I got a bit closer, I’d be able to sense her presence.

And as I ventured just a bit deeper, I faintly felt her presence.

She didn’t seem to be in danger or injured — her energy was stable.

But still… it awakened the same protective instinct I felt when I first met her.

“She couldn’t have laid an egg after just a few days… could she?”

Phoenixes usually enshroud themselves in flames for over a week to lay eggs — so that their essence is passed to the egg.

So, it couldn’t possibly be her egg.

And yet… why was this feeling of protectiveness surging?

I led the summoned beasts toward where she was.

I could feel that she sensed me too.

She guided me, and finally, I entered a cave.

The cave was spacious.

And from within, I could strongly feel Eril’s presence.

Leaving the summoned creatures at the entrance, I walked inside.

And as I ventured further, I finally saw her.

She was curled around something, protecting it.

Even without her speaking, I could tell what it was — a massive egg.

“E-Eril, that egg… what is it?”

It was a giant egg, nearly half Eril’s size at a glance.

“You’re guarding it? That egg?”

I couldn’t tell what kind of creature it belonged to.

Many species laid eggs of that size, but one thing was clear — it wasn’t a phoenix egg.

Phoenixes lay multiple eggs, and they’re much smaller.

And as far as I knew, birds that lay such large eggs don’t nest in caves or underground.

“Eril. We don’t even know what kind of egg this is. It could be from something like a Tarascus or a Tectrias.”

Tarascus — a massive lizard.

Tectrias — a giant crocodile-like beast.

Both cruel and ferocious.

They might be useful as summons to some degree, but not enough to be considered high-level.

“What?”

She told me to come closer.

Then, she told me to disconnect from her and attune my senses to the egg instead.

I didn’t understand, but I followed her instructions.

I cut off my link with her and focused on the egg.

—It is an honor to meet you, noble Harmonizer.

The voice was young, male, intelligent, and courteous — and it echoed directly inside my head.

I was shocked first by hearing a voice in my mind, then even more shocked to realize it came from the egg.

And thirdly, I was stunned that he called me a Harmonizer.

Of course, it was being conveyed through mental synchronization — not actual speech.

But the important part was that he didn’t call me a summoner, a connector, or a dark priest… but Harmonizer.

The first name our kind ever bore.

“Who are you?”

What I felt from him wasn’t light.

Now I could sense it — deep within this fragile shell, there was something faint but far beyond mere power or magic — a sacredness.

-My name is Granviphra. I was appointed by the great gods from ancient times to guard this forest. I am its master.

Granviphra.

I had never heard the name before.

But I had heard of a legend about a giant serpent said to live in this primeval forest.

A serpent so massive that when it raised its head, its fangs could touch the moon.

Of course, legends aren’t always true — but the fact that such tales have endured for so long is a truth in itself.

“But how could someone like you end up in such a state?”

– The Demon King Thanatos demanded that I follow him. But I couldn’t do that. The great gods had ordered me to protect this forest, and the God of night, Nyx, sought to bring ruin to this land. So, I fought against the Demon King Thanatos. I met my death, and now I await my resurrection in this form.

“Then why is Eril here? It’s been years since the Demon King died. There’s no reason for her help now, is there?”

– Because she killed one of my avatars that had been watching over me until now.

Oh, Eril.

Without realizing it, I looked up at her.

She avoided my gaze, seemingly embarrassed.

– It might have been just a game to her, but it was fatal to me.

“Why is that?”

– Because my hatching is near. My power is weakest just before resurrection. That’s when the bond between my soul and my fragile new body becomes strongest. That’s also why I cannot create a new avatar. Yet I need protection. That’s why I asked her for help.

Now I understood why she hadn’t answered the summons.

It may have been out of a sense of responsibility, but she also knew I would come to find her.

“…You could’ve just brought me here instead of making all this trouble.”

Though I said it to her, it was Granvipra who politely apologized.

– Please forgive us. Even for a short time, this forest—especially this valley—is fatal. If I miss the timing of my hatching, I’ll be trapped in this shell again somewhere in the forest, waiting for a long time.

“Then when is the hatching?”

– Just two more days.

Two days.

A rather awkward amount of time.

If I waited and flew with Eril, it would take three days to reach Feltecheru.

But even if I left now using Duramino Kordos and called Eril after the hatching, it would still take about three days.

There might be a half-day difference, but it wouldn’t matter much.

Flying with a black wyvern would take about two days, but that would be an extremely risky option.

Besides being ten times more uncomfortable and dangerous than flying with Eril, riding a black wyvern—the symbol of the Demon King’s army’s wyvern unit—would draw far too much attention.

And aside from Eril, none of my other summoned beasts, with our bond this weakened, would reliably follow the order to guard the egg.

Unless I ignored his request, I couldn’t take Eril with me either.

“Understood. But can you guarantee you won’t cause harm even after your hatching?”

He might be speaking politely and showing respect now, but that didn’t guarantee he’d remain friendly.

From experience, possessing dignity and reason offered no assurance.

If anything, it often made them more dangerous.

– Oh, excellent Harmonizer. The only thing I can offer is a promise. But I swear in the name of the great gods: once I am reborn, I will never harm you.

“…Very well. I will trust that promise.”

Part of me wanted to mark him with a seal of contract, but his mind was strong enough to speak directly into mine.

Even if he was relatively powerless now, forcing a contract seal into his soul would be impossible.

“Then Eril. I’ll be going. See you in two days.”

She nodded and glanced away, looking slightly awkward.

“Then I shall see you again after the hatching.”

After giving Granvipra a short farewell, I turned to leave the cave.

I planned to dismiss my summoned beasts and head to Denatel’s library.

Whether I waited or left now, the travel time was the same—three days—so waiting seemed wiser.

But—

– I’m sorry, but it seems you can’t leave right now.

“What…?”

I didn’t need an answer.

Through the senses of my summoned beasts stationed outside, I could sense a massive number of monsters approaching the valley.