Chapter 182 : Chapter 182

Chapter 182 : The Calm Before the Storm (4)

The day in Gullok was peaceful.

I woke up early in the morning and climbed up to the top of Gullok Mountains.

I ran without rest to the rock cliff where I first fought Grade 4 Beast Shaber, and trained all morning.

I sat cross-legged and emptied the Mana that filled the Dragon Heart overnight and absorbed Mana again, or held the sword and cut through the air.

After sweating for a long time, I returned to the village and helped with the children's training. It was more fun than I thought.

If I succeed in cutting the new Demon King's head in Myeolji, I even thought about living as an instructor back in Gullok.

Since I had hardly ever thought about things after the Myeolji expedition, it was practically a dream I had for the first time.

After helping with the children's training, I also helped the village people with miscellaneous village work.

And in the evening, I waited for my favorite time.

When the sun began to set, I ran like an arrow to the entrance leading to Gullok Mountains.

After waiting for a long time, Gerd returned trudgingly.

“Did you catch a lot?”

“Nothing special today. Barely caught two rabbits. I should go farther or something, geez.”

“Let’s go hunting together next time.”

Gerd had become a proper hunter.

He said he tried to become a hunter immediately after recovering from being bedridden due to Shaber's Demonic Energy poisoning.

Passing the days as a porter for hunters at first, and further as an assistant, Gerd was now playing an active part as a hunter roaming the Gullok Mountains properly.

He was also putting into practice his pledge to become a father I wouldn't be ashamed of.

“Right, if I go out with you, we can go a little farther. Those escorting you will follow from a distance so there won't be need to worry about beasts either.”

“Ay, you should trust me. I don't lose to most beasts now.”

“Haha, that’s true too. I keep forgetting that my son is strong.”

I carried the rabbits Gerd caught and we returned home talking affectionately.

While Gerd washed off the hunter's scent remover from his body, I dressed the rabbits and cooked simply.

We sat at the old dining table and shared the stew.

“It’s tomorrow, right?”

“Yes, time is really fast.”

Tomorrow, I will become the hero recognized by the Adjak family.

The family decided to hold the hero succession ceremony in Gullok.

I heard that at first, the elders insisted on holding the hero succession ceremony in the 1st Autonomous Region, but Pasion and the Twelve Swords of Adjak, Agamben, and others exerted their influence.

‘The hero of the family is resting in his hometown before leaving for the expedition, are you telling him to move again for the hero succession ceremony?’

‘……Calm down, Pasion.’

From some point, the balance axis leading the Adjak family had changed.

As the Twelve Swords and the heads of the autonomous regions banded together tightly, the elders gradually lost power.

Eventually, the elders raised both hands, and the succession ceremony of the hero succeeding Adjak came to be held in Gullok.

“Will you go up the mountain in the morning tomorrow too?”

“Of course, since the succession ceremony proceeds in the afternoon, naturally I have to go.”

“Be careful of Shaber.”

“Haha, I got it.”

“Then sleep early.”

Gerd smiled contentedly.

Seeing his face looking forward to tomorrow, I felt I could also fall asleep in a good mood.

***

I went to the Gullok Mountains from dawn and trained while sweating.

Since it was a mountain where the village could be seen at a glance, I saw numerous people flocking to the square and moving busily.

After smiling brightly, I started training. Although it was a special day, I didn't break the routine I made and finished training, then returned to the village.

Gullok village people were busy serving guests who flocked from various places, and Ims also led the Fremont Consortium and came to help prepare for the succession ceremony.

I sneaked away to the house.

I washed my body at home and wore Tello's uniform after a long time.

I didn't necessarily have to wear Tello's uniform, but I wanted to reveal my affiliation at the event held by the family.

Because Tello was the place where I first made a nest.

When I finished dressing and came out, Gerd, who was also dressed neatly in a suit, was tidying up his clothes in front of the mirror.

“It’s not weird, right?”

“Yes, you are cool. Father looks more like a hero.”

“What you say is……. They say a lot of people are already gathered in the square. Since there is no hall in Gullok that can accommodate many people, it can't be helped.”

“I like doing it outdoors. I hope everyone enjoys it like a festival.”

Gerd also nodded.

I hope the hero succession ceremony to be held in Gullok becomes a festival for Gullok people, not just a place where only I shine.

“Father can't avoid it today either. They said the seat of honor is prepared, so sit side by side next to the elders.”

“About that. Wouldn't it look weird if I sat in front of the village chief? Especially next to the elders.”

“Father is my one and only family. It’s natural.”

“Whew……. Alright.”

And Gerd and I moved to the square.

Even before the succession ceremony started, people applauded seeing us.

Gerd's face had turned pale before I knew it.

I tried to relieve Gerd's tension by making silly jokes for no reason, but Gerd's complexion didn't get better easily.

‘Can't be helped. Since it’s the first time Father is at this kind of event.’

But I had proceeded with quite a lot of events.

Appointment ceremony of the Apostle of the Holy Order, Coronation Ceremony of the King of Beastkin or King of the Inoe, etc.

The places where they proceeded, the people who supervised, and the names were different, but I know that they are all similar formats in the big frame.

It is just expressing gratitude to the people who helped and revealing future aspirations, then coming down.

Therefore, I was thinking the hero succession ceremony was also not a big deal.

But seeing Gerd whose face was already pale and only eyes were red, or Gullok people applauding toward me until their palms burst, the feeling was new.

Other than that, there were more people I didn't know than those I knew.

Because most of those who made distinguished contributions to me rising to a hero were already in Myeolji, or were putting all their efforts into the final preparations for the expedition.

Still, those who had room such as Pasion, Agamben, Ims, Milias, etc. attended.

I introduced Gerd to them.

“You raised your son very well.”

“Pa, Lord Pasion……. I always respect you.”

“Haha, now Lord Gerd is the father of the family's hero. You are a much higher person than me.”

“How can that be…….”

Gerd seemed like he would collapse soon. Besides Pasion, Ims kept putting various jewelry accessories on Gerd, and Agamben greeted Gerd politely.

Even Milias took Gerd outside for a moment and talked for a long time just the two of them before coming back.

“What did you talk about with Lord Milias?”

“Umm…… He asked if you had a partner to marry. Or asked how about marrying Lord Milias’s daughter.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t worry. I told him your intention is important.”

But for some reason, Gerd's eyes seemed to be sparkling brightly.

Before I knew it, Gerd seemed to have some color back too.

I avoided Gerd's eyes and guided him to his seat.

He also exchanged awkward greetings with the elders sitting next to him.

‘Seems like everyone who is coming has come.’

Shall I start slowly.

If I start early, it will end at least a little early.

Since it’s held in Gullok, it would be difficult for me to just go inside saying I’m tired until the guests all leave.

Just as I was about to signal Ims with my eyes that I would start, suddenly buzzing sounds started to be heard.

“Oh, it’s Polarin’s colleague!”

“It’s Elf Commander Lady Bea!”

“Hiek, daddy wolf is scary…….”

Bea, whom I parted with saying let's meet in Myeolji after resting well, appeared.

Bea tapped Nihel's butt and sent it out of the village, then approached me with dignity.

“Long time no see.”

“Haha, Lady Bea. Nice to meet you.”

“Still, it’s good to see you first. Since it must be a meaningful day for Polarin, I wanted to congratulate you in person.”

“Meaning…… it has. Thank you for coming to congratulate me.”

The commotion spread among the people didn't stop. Because Everchen and Keldric appeared together soon.

“Should have come faster!”

“It’s because you dawdled.”

Coming into the village while bickering, the two hugged me in turn.

“Congratulations, Polarin! You are our family's hero!”

“Now you truly became the one succeeding Lord Adjak. Congratulations.”

It seemed Keldric and Everchen also ran in a breath to congratulate me.

I didn't expect at all that they would come.

But I didn't scold them asking didn't we say let's meet after resting well.

Because I felt slightly lonely as there were more people I didn't know than people I knew, and my mood improved immediately thinking about enjoying the happy moment with colleagues.

And those who arrived late didn't end with Keldric, Everchen, and Bea.

“Did you guys live in a place like this palace?”

“No……. This place is like a palace.”

“Right! Gullok is extremely good?”

Blaze, Kiyot, and Siriel appeared.

I ran in a breath and hugged them tightly.

They looked surprised, but soon smiled and hugged together.

“How did you come! I really didn't imagine it!”

“Thanks to you. Since there are many troops in Myeolji these days, Crows received rest in turns.”

“Still you should have gone to Hyung and Noona’s autonomous region first.”

“We’ll go after just watching the succession ceremony!”

“If I go…… home can I boast that I’m friends with the King of the Inoe?”

“Haha, of course. If Kiyot Hyung and I aren't friends, what are we.”

While I, Kiyot, and Siriel were talking, Blaze didn't participate in the conversation and was looking around Gullok's scenery.

“Blaze Hyung.”

“Uung, Hyung?”

“Haha. You are Hyung, right, what. Anyway, what will you do, Hyung, when the expedition ends?”

“Me……. Well. Never thought about it.”

“Will you live in Gullok too, Hyung? I will build a nice house next to my house for you. Teach kids with me here.”

Blaze, who was a special personnel, had lived in front of Myeolji since he was born.

Even when the reason to guard Myeolji disappears, he could live there, but I thought it would be good if he also had a place like home.

“Uh? Then I will live in Gullok too.”

“……Me too.”

Suddenly things got bigger. Kiyot and Siriel also said they want to live in Gullok.

“Why leave us out?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“Polarin, please prepare a room in Gullok for me too.”

Before I knew it, Keldric, Bea, and Everchen also approached and joined the conversation.

“Everyone is gathering to live in Gullok? Are you going to do some continental conquest or something?”

“Shall we think about it after conquering Myeolji first!”

Everyone giggled at Keldric's energetic voice.

Whether it was a joke or not, we laughed for a long time with one mind.

If we all gather and live in Gullok after the expedition ends, it seems like it would be really fun.

“It would be fun teaching kids while living together here.”

Blaze also smiled brightly soon.

I was happy that it seemed he also got a home, a place to return to.

“Then, I will finish the succession ceremony quickly and come. Let’s talk more after it ends.”

I greeted my colleagues and headed to the center of the square.

People's applause poured out. I stood on the platform prepared between my statue and Tayon's statue.

After looking at the statues once each, I cleared my throat, Keumkeum. And then greeted everyone.

“Hello. I am Polarin Adjak who will become the hero to succeed Lord Adjak.”