### Chapter 368
In the magic city of Hardenhartz, where the Igrit family resided...
There was a forest known as the Spirit King’s Woods, managed by none other than the Igrit family.
And there, an unending fire was raging.
The fiery master of the scene was none other than the head of the Igrit family, the Fire King Adolf Igrit.
He was currently maintaining a fiery barrier to hold back the rampant Spirit King’s Woods.
But he wasn’t the only one keeping it up.
Numerous mages from the Red Mage Tower were also lending their strength.
The commoners had been evacuated to nearby towns.
The only ones standing against the chaotic Spirit King Woods were them.
However, due to magical exhaustion, many mages had already collapsed, forcing the lines to be reestablished time and time again.
“Damn it.”
Adolf grumbled, sweat dripping down his face as he stared ahead.
The rampage of the Kingdom of Jeblam, sparked by Ixion, had become uncontrollable.
Every country was doing its best to hold it back.
Yet the Kingdom of Jeblam kept its unrelenting advance, leaving all who faced it in despair.
As long as the root cause wasn’t eliminated, it was impossible to hold back the Kingdom of Jeblam.
The Spirit King’s Woods was exceptionally high-grade among them.
Because of that, even though Adolf and his mages were exerting all of their power to contain it, managing the front lines was no easy task.
“Lord Adolf, more spirits are coming!”
At that moment, a sensing-mage shouted.
Upon hearing the report, Adolf squeezed out even more of his magic.
The rampaging Spirit King’s Woods was continuously producing spirits that moved mindlessly.
These spirits were made solely for combat, aiming only to expand the Spirit King’s Woods.
Each individual wasn’t that strong.
But the problem lay in their numbers.
The spirit army charged forward en masse, with tens of thousands advancing at once.
Moreover, when the spirit army fell, the remaining spirit dust would forcibly pollute the surrounding area with world erosion.
No matter how many spirits they defeated, the retreat would repeat endlessly.
‘If they break through this time, it’ll be the end for Hardenhartz.’
Before long, the city of Hardenhartz was right behind him.
With his squeezed-out magic, Adolf unleashed fire magic to obliterate the spirit army.
“Phew, haah.”
Managing to deal with the spirit army, Adolf gasped for air.
Perhaps due to aging, his body wasn’t what it used to be.
He felt like he’d soon have to hand in his title as one of the Ten Great Lords.
‘The real issue is whether I can actually hand it in.’
As Adolf pondered this while catching his breath...
“More are coming!”
Once again, he heard the voice of a mage.
Adolf glared ahead, quickly lifting his head.
Indeed, just as the reporting mage stated, the spirit army was rushing toward them.
The Spirit King’s Woods was expanding, adding more battle spirits to its ranks.
“Oh no.”
Adolf was already strained for magic.
If a follow-up attack came now, he wouldn’t be able to stop it.
“Mages of the Red Mage Tower, prepare large-scale magic!”
If the mages of the Red Mage Tower used their powers now, the barely-maintained fire barrier would extinguish. But allowing battle spirits to break through would mean total disaster.
Deciding quickly, just as Adolf was starting to take command...
Whoosh!
An overwhelming torrent of fire magic poured down onto the battle spirit army.
Adolf’s eyes widened at what he saw.
Surprisingly, while his own magical strength couldn’t quite match his prime, it was powerful enough to rival him now.
‘What is this magic?’
Adolf was taken aback as the fiery waves swept around him.
Then, a man slowly descended before him.
The man’s red hair flowed elegantly in the air.
As Adolf’s eyes slowly widened, he recognized who it was.
“Considering your age, shouldn’t you be taking it easier? Or is this the reason for your troubles?”
The one coldly criticizing Adolf was none other than his own grandson, Aslan Igrit.
The grandson whom Adolf had pushed aside long ago.
Aslan had also heard the reports that had spread across the world about Kraush’s ability to shut down the Kingdom of Jeblam.
This news had been intentionally circulated by entire nations.
In the wake of the Kingdom of Jeblam instilling fear in its citizens, Kraush’s existence needed to be brought to light.
That information quickly spread and enveloped the world.
Kraush, recognized as the youngest among the Ten Great Lords due to numerous achievements,
It was only natural that news about him being capable of shutting down the World Eroder traveled fast.
As a result, the Empire and Four Kingdoms managed to unite without the citizens’ opposition.
Under the pretense of saving lives, nations that had been at each other’s throats were now cooperating.
This was a monumental shift that could alter the course of the entire world.
Therefore, those nations intentionally exaggerated Kraush’s presence.
The more famed his name became, the less the citizens’ anxiety would rise, allowing them to focus on Jeblam.
It was a politically advantageous outcome for all sides.
“Right.”
Kraush replied to Aslan’s inquiry.
Immediately, Aslan stood by Kraush’s side.
“Great, I was planning on doing the same.”
Upon hearing Aslan, Kraush chuckled.
It was an indication that he would assist in closing the Spirit King’s Woods.
“It’ll be dangerous.”
“Isn’t that a given?”
Aslan brushed aside the warning.
With such determination, he should be fine.
Above all, Kraush hoped Aslan would make a significant contribution.
Not just Aslan.
Students from Rahern Academy across the globe were also lending a hand against the Kingdom of Jeblam.
Despite their youth, they were already skilled enough.
‘Names from all around the world will break out now.’
At the end of the day, Kraush was just the starting point.
Soon, names representing the future generations would continuously emerge.
And those names would be referred to as...
“The Sky Generation.”
Aslan found himself in the midst of this Sky Generation.
Naturally, he too had to make a name for himself.
‘The world keeps evolving.’
Even if Kraush vanquished Ixion, shut down the Kingdom of Jeblam, and dealt with Abella...
New dangers would always emerge.
And no one could handle it alone.
‘The generations will keep passing on.’
Just like the Sky Generation that spread its wings and soared.
Many generations would follow suit.
Kraush decided he would become the shining star at the forefront, allowing them to spread their wings wide.
‘In times of chaos, heroes are born.’
Just as the saying goes, raising his sword at the forefront of many who will move forward, Kraush declared...
“Today, we close the Spirit King’s Woods.”
Kraush said that while turning to the Fire King, Adolf Igrit.
“Fire King, you wouldn’t mind, right?”
Kraush grinned triumphantly, having fought Adolf once over Aslan’s matter long ago.
Adolf sighed deeply before lowering his hand.
“I’m counting on you.”
He too had now come to acknowledge Kraush’s abilities.
“Aslan.”
Lastly, Adolf spoke to Aslan.
“After wrapping up the Spirit King’s Woods, come back to the family home.”
Aslan looked at Adolf, then turned his head away.
“I won’t go to listen to things I don’t want to hear.”
It appeared the rift between them wouldn’t be resolved anytime soon.
There was nothing Kraush could do about it.
So, Kraush stepped forward toward the Spirit King’s Woods.
“Let’s go.”
We’re going to close the Spirit King’s Woods.