Chapter 183 : Chapter 183

Chapter 183 : The Calm Before the Storm (5)

There were many twists and turns until becoming the family's hero succeeding Adjak, but I eventually succeeded in agreeing with Gallajio, Soler, and others without seeing blood.

The elders of the family who didn't support me from the beginning also thought highly of this point.

Eventually, they also came to send me support, and the Adjak family came to unite tightly around me.

Finally, with everyone's support, I successfully finished the hero succession ceremony.

The square of Gullok village where the hero succession ceremony was held turned into a banquet hall straight away.

“Polarin, you worked hard, really!”

“Haha, thank you Uncle Koke.”

Strange scenes were also created, such as village elders patting my back, while the family elders treated me politely, finding me difficult.

After finishing the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, there was an elder who proceeded with the procedure of revealing where I and my peers would join.

He, who surprised everyone by appearing suddenly in the middle of the empty space, asked me to talk for a moment.

“Long time no see. Elder.”

“Indeed. Since it’s the first time seeing you since the Coming-of-Age Ceremony…….”

At that time, the elder was like the sky to me, but now he wasn't that difficult.

I realized anew that my position and power had changed a lot in the meantime.

“Do you have anything to say separately?”

“I heard the request from Gallajio. You asked to simplify the procedure so that no children are sacrificed in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, and to remove all numbers of the autonomous regions and make all autonomous regions live equally.”

“Yes, that is what I want. Is it difficult?”

“Heoheo, it will be difficult since there are traditions we have kept so far, but…… if it is what the family's hero wants, we must do it.”

The elder continued speaking with a hollow laugh.

“We do not want to lose a hero anymore.”

“Yes, I also do not intend to fall in Myeolji.”

“I heard that the Imperial Family, Dragons, and even Dwarves have already opened their vaults. The Adjak family also intends to open the warehouse that has been sealed in the meantime.”

“Thank you for the support.”

“Among the Tunes or equipment that Lord Adjak used, there are a few that we have secured. Is there anything Polarin wants by any chance?”

It is a matter I have thought about before.

Probably most of the equipment will be insignificant things. Most of the equipment Adjak used as main force were lost as he couldn't return from Myeolji. Only those he left in the warehouse would remain.

It was much better to use the Tunes I have now.

Even if I train a Tune with low proficiency from now on, it is difficult to produce power compared to the Tunes I used before.

Moreover, among the Tunes Adjak used, there are Tunes I am already using well such as [Intangible Armor] or [Gravity Manipulation].

“I am fine. If others in the family want to use them, you may comfortably hand them over.”

“……Are you saying there is really nothing you want?”

“By any chance, is the brooch Lord Adjak used remaining?”

The elder nodded his head vigorously.

“Of course. Just in case, I even brought it here.”

“Can I see it once?”

The elder opened a subspace and took out several Tunes and equipment, and some accessories Adjak used although their practicality was low.

Among them, there were things familiar to my eyes too.

“This cloak with a brooch attached, may I use it?”

“It is a cloak Lord Adjak wore every important day. He will be happy if Polarin uses it.”

I nodded and received the cloak.

And I took off Tello's cloak I had been wearing in the meantime and handed it to the elder.

“I will receive this after returning from the expedition.”

“Heoheoheo, you must come to receive it.”

After Adjak disappeared, the Adjak family couldn't exert as much influence as before.

Because the Empire's check on the hero's descendants was severe rather than treatment.

Fortunately, Adjak had many descendants, and since there were quite a few outstanding talents among them, they could endure to the current extent.

Of course, even so, it is a self-evident fact that the family's power was strongest when Adjak was there.

The elder seemed not to want to lose me, who gained the most fame across the continent since Adjak.

Tok.

After putting on Adjak's cloak and even putting on the brooch, I bowed to the elder.

“I will return safely and see you again.”

The succession ceremony was my last schedule in Gullok.

I am now going to Myeolji.

After greeting the elder, I returned to my colleagues.

“Uh, it’s a cloak I haven't seen.”

“They say it’s what Lord Adjak used.”

“Heok! Really? It suits you perfectly too.”

“Is that so? That’s a relief.”

Including Keldric, Bea, Everchen, and Blaze, Kiyot, up to Siriel.

Everyone's eyes are directed at me.

I was also thankful to those sending eyes full of trust.

Now in Myeolji, they were also colleagues who would fight with me.

“Haha, what are you all looking at so much? Ah right! The elders said they would distribute Tunes and equipment Lord Adjak used. If there is anything you need, get it.”

“Really?”

“……Would there be a good axe perhaps?”

Siriel and Kiyot shouted in surprise.

Unlike me who went around the whole continent and supplied decent Tunes and equipment, it was understandable that they, who stayed in front of Myeolji as Crows, would be greedy.

“Still, what I used is the best! Don't you think, Kiyot?”

“……Right. Our equipment isn't bad either.”

“Right, there is also equipment Lord Tayon got for us himself.”

No wonder the equipment didn't look bad…….

“We, let’s go save Lord Tayon.”

Siriel said with a firm voice.

I also nodded and agreed.

“Yes, let’s go save him.”

I hope Tayon is still alive.

Hoping those holding a festival now won't have to be sad anymore.

We made a final resolution before going to Myeolji.

***

Early dawn the next day.

When I was preparing to leave early, Gerd with sunken eyes appeared stealthily.

Gerd had dark circles under his eyes as if he couldn't sleep a wink.

I smiled grinningly and hugged Gerd.

“Father, see you after I come back.”

“Take care of your body.”

Leaving Gerd whose voice was trembling behind, I went out to the village entrance.

“Oh my…….”

I was leaving at dawn on purpose to go out quietly when everyone was asleep, but it was useless.

Because numerous Gullok people were already out to send off me and my colleagues.

“Hero-nim, please go and come back safely…….”

The child whose sword I looked over approached staggering while not even being able to open eyes properly and hugged my leg tightly.

I also patted the child's small back, then shouted to the village people who came out to send us off.

“I will return safely!”

Clap clap clap clap!

There were those clapping, those shedding tears, and those cheering.

I must cut the Demon King's head and return here.

Keldric also smiled contentedly and said to me.

“Polarin, let’s go.”

“Yes, let’s go.”

Kiyot and Siriel who decided to stop by home and come, and Blaze who was dragged by them, decided to meet again in front of Myeolji.

Like that, I, Keldric, Bea, and Everchen headed to Myeolji.

I don't know how our backs would look.

But I thought it would be good if we were remembered as powerful backs.

We walked for a long time without words.

No one broke the silence until we passed Gullok territory.

Everyone seemed considerably nervous.

I looked back at my colleagues and said.

“How about a running race to Myeolji?”

Keldric was startled and said.

“Running to Myeolji? Not taking a portal?”

“Who would we ask? Just running will do.”

“I’m good with it.”

Bea answered, and Everchen sighed deeply then started running abruptly.

I also started running straight away.

“Hey! Let’s go together! Lady Bea! Riding Nihel is cheating!”

Only Keldric's shout rang from behind.

Haha, hahaha!

Smiling brightly as if asking when we were nervous, we ran to Myeolji.

***

“Polarin, that look is…… what is it? Did you fight a battle on the way?”

Pasion shook his head from side to side as if bewildered.

But no one could answer.

“Heok, heok, battle is…… not it, running race…….”

How many days did we run fully?

What is this that we ran down for two days without even sleeping.

It was to the point that even Kipaso's Holy Beast Nihel gave up running first.

Soon Keldric arrived.

He was last at first, but indeed he was a born martial artist when it comes to using the body.

Keldric collapsed as soon as he reached in front of Myeolji and couldn't get up for a long time.

Far away, Bea and Everchen were seen.

They ran at almost similar speeds. But with the destination shortly ahead, Bea's speed became terrifyingly fast.

‘World Tree spirits are helping her.’

Everchen had a face full of unfairness, but he was so out of breath that he couldn't even express dissatisfaction.

Eventually, Everchen was confirmed as the last place.

“Lord Everchen, since you are in last place, heok, all meals until the expedition are Lord Everchen's responsibility.”

Bea said triumphantly.

Then Keldric, who collapsed almost like dead, also added a word.

“Not just meals. All chores are done by Everchen.”

Keldric became quiet again after finishing just that word.

Pasion looked at us like that and asked as if dumbfounded.

“You wouldn't have run from Gullok, from where did you run?”

“We ran from Gullok.”

“Wha……t?”

Pasion's eyes became twice as big as usual.

Pasion couldn't even scold us because he was astonished.

Meanwhile, I looked at those gathered in Myeolji.

“King of the Inoe. First place. Seems. Like.”

“Urseca, if you are going to use formal speech, do it properly.”

“Noisy. Goldin. You. Do. Well.”

Beastkin giggled, and fairies healed us using spirits.

Elves approached Bea straight away and examined her condition too.

Only then did Pasion, who managed his mind that he almost lost, say to me.

“I gave time to rest, but there is no exhaustion like this exhaustion. Will you come after resting a little?”

“I will greet first.”

I looked around at those gathered in Myeolji one by one.

Numerous non-humans including Beastkin, Barbarians, Elves, and Fairies.

Remnants with Bitelleanus and Derix.

Imperial army and troops sent from various kingdoms.

Various minority tribes including assassins of Hamudalun.

Many people participated in the expedition.

Pasion took off a leaf stuck on my face and shouted loudly toward the expedition team.

“Greetings everyone! Polarin Expedition's Expedition Leader, Lord Polarin Adjak has arrived in front of Myeolji!”

Waaaaaa!

There were many who raised their right fists, and many who sent applause.

I also responded by calming my breath and raising my right fist.

After the welcome like a roar continued for a while and then subsided, Pasion whispered to me in a small voice.

“Go wash up a bit first.”

“Yes, I really need to wash. There are more troops than expected.”

“Right, and this isn't the end.”

“Is there someone more to come?”

“Archduke, Evernite and the Northern Army decided to join. I heard they are coming today.”

Pasion said while pushing my back subtly.

“Are you going to meet the Archduke in this state too?”

“Well, there’s no reason I can’t but…… I will wash and come right away.”

I headed in the direction Pasion pointed.

Strength didn't enter my legs easily, but since there were many eyes watching, I gave strength tightly so my legs wouldn't tremble and walked slowly.

“Somehow I came here without stopping.”

The moment of the decisive battle was not far away.