Chapter 184

“The child will become a warrior, awaken the strength of the Holy Sword that appeared only in legends, and pierce through the heart of the Demon King with the Holy Sword.”

Awaken the strength of the Holy Sword. That was the key.

Simply finding the sword wasn’t what was important.

‘No one was able to awaken the Holy Sword’s strength in the future.’

Ultimately, the Holy Sword was useless without the warrior.

‘…Like I thought, I have to give birth to the warrior no matter what,’ Yelena vowed as if she hadn’t set out to do this from the start.

Then, Aendydn, who was in the carriage with her, spoke.

“I’m curious about two things right now.”

“What?”

“One, why are you going out of your way when you could just send an excavation team to do the work for you…”

Aendydn looked out the window. The scenery flew by as the horse carriage raced forward.

“And two… Why am I accompanying you to the excavation of the Holy Sword?”

Aendydn had not boarded the carriage of his own volition. In other words, he was being forcefully dragged to the Holy Sword’s excavation site.

Yelena replied calmly, “To answer your first question, that’s just how important the Holy Sword is to me.”

She continued, “And the answer to your second question is: because you are valuable manpower.”

No one could predict what might happen while excavating the Holy Sword. Maybe something that defied common sense would happen. In that case, Aendydn’s animistic sorcery would definitely come in handy.

‘It would’ve been better if Black Tower Owner was here though.’

Sidrion was busy as usual. From what Yelena had heard, the analysis of the gem powder from Rebecca’s necklace was a handful.

‘And I heard that the sorcerers at the royal castle couldn’t figure out its composition at all.’

Just what in the world was that necklace? It had radiated a strange light and controlled people the day Yelena had been attacked in the dressing room in the capital.

Was it simply a black magic artifact? But the current situation was much too puzzling for that to be the case. The sorcerers at the royal castle had given up on analyzing the gem powder and even Sidrion was struggling.

‘At the end of the day, black magic is still magic.’

Yelena closed her eyes after contemplating the unsolvable mystery. Kaywhin, who was seated next to her, spoke.

“You can lean on me if you’re tired.”

“…Should I?”

Truthfully, she wasn’t particularly sleepy, but Yelena never passed up on a good opportunity. She immediately scooted closer to Kaywhin and leaned on his solid and secure shoulder.

“…”

Aendydn, who had been watching this scene unfold from his seat across the couple with a grimace, silently turned his gaze towards the window and remained there.

***

“Welcome. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Duke and Duchess Mayhard, Marquess Kayle, Jr.”

Count Morgana cordially welcomed the trio, already aware that they would be coming.

“You really don’t mind that we’ll be excavating the Holy Sword?”

“No, of course not. It’s okay.”

Count Morgana had seemed a little surprised that information about the Holy Sword had spread, but he had easily acquiesced like Aendydn had said he would.

It was late in the night when they had arrived at the Morgana Countdom. Yelena decided that they would start working the next morning.

But the next day, an unforeseen problem arose.

“His Highness, Crown Prince Bartèze!”

“Kneel down before His Highness in welcome at once, peasants!”

‘The prince?’

The castle gates opened clamorously first thing in the morning. A group of people wearing the royal palace’s attire rushed inside. Servants of the royal castle flocked on both sides of the corridor and servants of the countdom got on their knees either voluntarily or by force, bringing a single man in the middle of the corridor into sight. He was leading a group of armed soldiers.

“Y-your Highness!”

Seeing how shocked Count Morgana was, the visit must have been unexpected. As if confirming this, Count Morgana floundered before asking, “What brings you here…”

“This Countdom.”

Golden hair and brown eyes.

The man was taller than average and fairly attractive, but his thin lips made him look churlish. He continued speaking.

“I heard that this is where the Holy Sword is buried.”

“…!”

Yelena was alarmed by his words. She immediately gave Aendydn a sharp nudge and whispered, “You said this was exclusive information.”