You, Who’s Kind Only To Me - Chapter 8

Several knights decided to return to the mainland to request reinforcements. Once the decision was made, the well-trained knights moved swiftly.

Lucas, watching the ship disappear into the fog beyond, turned around. He and the remaining members of the party had decided to explore the island shrouded in thick fog.

“It’s as if human feet haven’t touched this place in a long time.”

After their preparations were complete, the group ventured further into the dog. Observing the moss-covered ground and unusually overgrown vegetation, Gillian said that it looked like the vegetation here has grown abnormally.

Lucas nodded in agreement. Despite the reports indicating that there were inhabitants engaged in fishing, this place appeared as if it had been abandoned for decades.

A small fishing boat lying haphazardly on the coastline had a decaying hull covered in moss. The sign that once marked the village’s boundaries was obscured by plants and undecipherable writing had all but faded.

“Was it like this when you went on reconnaissance missions?”

The vegetation itself was problematic. Even to Lucas, who was familiar with the things found in this region, the place was filled with strange, unidentifiable plants.

He used his sword to cut through the abnormal vines covering the entrance to the village and asked one of the knights who belonged to the reconnaissance team. The knight responded with a stern posture.

“No, it wasn’t like this. I did see it from a distance, but it definitely wasn’t like this.”

“It’s quite unusual. The reconnaissance team was here just a few days ago. In that short time, the entire island has transformed like this…”

“It’s certainly not a normal occurrence.”

From magical creatures to the transformation of the entire island, it was all far from ordinary.

It didn’t seem like this had occurred naturally, given the extraordinary results.

While magic cores were occasionally found in regions with a strong concentration of natural mana, their influence shouldn’t have been so extensive as to transform an entire island like this.

To possess such power, one would require at least a relic of ‘prosperity’, no of ‘abundance’ grade or even higher, possibly not even a relic…

‘Perhaps it’s not a relic.’

Among the remnants left behind from the magical era, there were objects that contained powerful mana, and these were referred to as ‘relics’

Relics are categorized into five grades: ‘ritual – Prosperity – Abundance – Oath – Truth.’ The higher the grade, the more significant their impact on the world, and as a result, they were rare.

Truth-grade relics were considered national treasures in each country, and even Oath-grade relics were highly significant. If an unclaimed relic were to be discovered, it could potentially lead to wars that would alter history.

From the Abundance grade and upwards, relics were seen as symbols of each territory, but that didn’t diminish their value. They were traded for unimaginable sums, and they held great importance as symbols of ancient noble families. Relics were truly remarkable objects.

The idea of relics existing on this small island without drawing the attention of those who would stop at nothing to claim them seemed improbable.

‘If they underestimate the Lion Insignia, it might be possible after all.’

Lucas couldn’t help but smirk. After all, this island and the entire southern region were part of the Daverid family’s territory.

It didn’t make sense that his ancestors, who had ruled this area for generations, wouldn’t know about the presence of relics within their own domain.

So, if these weren’t relics, then what could they be?

There are two main ways to amplify the power of the core, one involves the presence of a powerful mage, and the other…

“…!”

“Your Excellency!”

Before Lucas could finish his thought, something dark shot through the dog, barely grazing his face.

In the nick of time, Lucas managed to avoid the black arrow, thanks to the knights who quickly surrounded him. One of the arrows was deflected by Gillian, but the other came from a completely opposite direction, making it impossible to defend against.

In reality, the knight on the opposite side attempted to deflect the arrow, but the arrow simply passed through the sword, indicating that physical force wouldn’t work. Tension gripped the faces of the knights.

“It seems they’ve evolved a step further.”

“Are you alright?”

“It just grazed me. This kind of thing happens from time to time when sparring with you.”

He tried to ease the overly tense atmosphere with his words, but the middle-aged knight’s face was already frozen like a devil from hell.

Lucas inwardly clicked his tongue.

‘……Seems like a sword for hunting ogres is being used to hunt goblins.’

The reason the First Knight Commander had come this far was largely due to the fact that the Duke, the ruler of this territory, had personally intervened. Originally, a master of his caliber wouldn’t have the leisure to involve himself in such trivial matters.

Lucas von Daverid had also taken action mainly because of the unique nature of the ‘altar’. If it weren’t for the altar, he would have dispatched the knights instead of coming himself.

“Your Excellency, wouldn’t it be better to return now?”

“You worry too much. Are you telling me to go back just because an arrow grazed me? If Johann hears about this, he’ll nag me for a month.”

“But, Your Excellency, if that arrowhead had been aimed at you rather than us…”

“…”

“…The previous Duke was stronger than me.”

He fell silent. The Knight Commander sensed what kind of ‘nightmare’ they were dealing with.

“I’m sorry. I misspoke.”

“…No, I understand why you said it. But…”

If this were a battlefield, Gillian wouldn’t have made such a statement. On the battlefield, regardless of any threats, the commander had to hold their position; it was fundamental to tactics.

But this place wasn’t a fierce battlefield, and from the Knight Commander’s perspective, the Duke’s presence here seemed too risky for the perceived necessity.

“It seems like the ‘altar’ may already be complete.”

He reached out his hand. The darkness that had been lurking among the rotting branches and leaves, brushing past the Duke’s face, coalesced into a tangible form.

A chillingly sharp, black arrow.

Pitch-black hair resembling the night and sharp crimson pupils was reflected in the transparent mirror-like darkness.

The cold man’s face appeared calm, even as he conveyed sinister news. A thin, red line appeared on his pale cheek, glinting in the reflection of the darkness.

“Your Excellency, that power…”

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