Chapter 96…
The sound of galloping hooves echoed widely through the burning midsummer air.
Eight horses trampled over the shimmering heat rising from the scorched ground.
“We’re almost there—just a little more effort!”
Dante, riding in the lead, shouted to the cadets behind him.
No one replied.
After riding nonstop for a full day and half, they didn’t even have the strength to answer.
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
The pounding rhythm of hooves made it feel as though their hearts were beating in sync with the earth.
“In—instructor!”
A shout came from one of the cadets in the rear.
When Dante turned his head, he saw foam dripping from the mouth of the cadet’s horse.
“It’s reaching its limit.”
Even if the rider still had stamina left, once the horse was exhausted, that was the end.
Dante finally raised his hand.
Thud-thud-thud—thud-thud—thud.
The horses gradually slowed down, then came to a complete stop with rough snorts.
After dismounting, Dante inspected the cadets’ condition.
The training paid off.
They were clearly worn out, but they still seemed to have enough strength to move.
Considering that none of them had yet awakened their holy marks, it was remarkable endurance.
“We’ll rest here for today.”
At Dante’s words, the cadets sighed in relief and led their horses to the side of the road.
They wanted to collapse on the spot, but the blazing sunlight made that impossible.
Once they stepped under a patch of faint shade, their faces softened slightly.
Dante led his horse under the same tree.
Unlike the cadets, he wasn’t tired in the slightest.
Setting aside his magic power, his evolved physique made it impossible for him to tire from mere riding.
“Lydia.”
“Yes, Instructor!”
In his past life, she had been a cruel and merciless villainess, but now she was just a disciplined cadet.
After studying her for a moment, Dante asked,
“How far to the Murshiga Mountains?”
Lydia quickly pulled a map from her breast pocket and calculated.
“At our current pace, we should arrive within two hours.”
“Hmm.”
It was an awkward time.
If they rested until the horses recovered, then rode for another two hours…
We’ll arrive after sunset.
It was an obvious truth, but night in the mountains was dangerous—especially in a monster-infested range like the Murshiga Mountains.
Dante himself didn’t need to worry, but the cadets did.
This expedition was for their training, after all.
There was no reason to deliberately invite unnecessary danger.
After a short moment of thought, Dante decided.
“Unpack your things. We’ll rest here until morning.”
“Woohoo!”
The cadets cheered at the unexpected long rest and eagerly began unloading their packs.
It was hard to believe these were the same people who had looked ready to collapse moments ago.
“Instructor, should we set up tents?”
“If you want to sleep on the bare ground, don’t bother.”
At his reply, everyone shut their mouths and began pitching tents.
“What about your tent, Instructor?”
“I don’t need one.”
He had slept countless times amidst blood and corpses on the battlefield.
To him, this environment was paradise.
“Understood.”
Elliot nodded and returned to his tasks.
He’s changed a lot too.
When Dante first met Elliot, he had been an innocent country boy—kind, naive, and always smiling.
But now, after only half a year, Elliot had become a man.
His eyes were sharper, his actions deliberate, and his speech cautious.
Of course, his nature hadn’t changed.
He was still kind at heart.
At least now, he wouldn’t get bullied and disappear without a trace.
Dante had seen to that.
“Your meal, sir.”
While Dante was observing the cadets, time had passed.
One of them brought him a simple meal.
It wasn’t flavorful—just something to fill the stomach.
As he ate, he found himself missing the dishes cooked by Eina.
He could hear the cadets chatting and laughing nearby.
It seemed they’d grown quite close over the past six months.
Naturally so—they had only each other to rely on.
It was a pleasant sight.
If only I’d had that too…
A bitter smile crossed Dante’s lips as old memories surfaced.
The sun set.
The day’s heat faded, replaced by a cool breeze.
Even then, the cadets kept talking.
“Enough. Get some sleep for tomorrow.”
“Yes, Instructor.”
Though their brief leisure time had ended, no one complained as they quietly entered their tents.
Only Dante remained.
He leaned against a tree and looked up.
The night sky glittered with countless stars.
I wonder how they’re doing…
He had deliberately avoided contacting Eina or Akrassion.
Just one year apart—too short a time to bother exchanging words, he thought.
But he had been wrong.
A year was long.
He hadn’t realized it because his own life had been so hectic.
Time flows slower in peace.
He came to understand that simple truth.
How long had he watched the stars?
The steady rhythm of breathing told him the cadets were all asleep.
He rose to his feet.
From yesterday to today, he had been riding nonstop, neglecting his usual training.
Better late than never.
Shhhk—
He drew Arpheon.
The silver sword, a gift from his father, gleamed as if newly forged, polished daily with care.
“Fuu—.”
After a short breath, Dante began to move.
Horizontal slash.
Vertical slash.
Diagonal slash.
Thrust.
All swordsmanship could be reduced to these four motions—the difference lay in timing and execution.
That’s why Dante devoted the most time to perfecting these fundamentals.
Even now, his sword’s path was pure—free of ornament or flourish.
The air of a midsummer night split sharply as a cool aura spread outward.
One hour. Two. Three.
At last, the sword stopped.
“Haaah—.”
His body burned from the near-abusive exertion.
Clack.
Sheathing his sword, he stripped off his shirt and let the night breeze wash over him.
The sweat evaporated, cooling his body.
“Refreshing.”
Both body and mind felt clear again.
His stiffness from the long ride was gone.
“If only there were a river to bathe in.”
Unfortunately, there were none nearby—he’d likely find one only after entering the Murshiga Mountains.
“Hm.”
After cooling off completely, Dante sat back down under the tree.
And he thought.
Why was the training site changed to the Murshiga Mountains?
No matter how much he considered it, no logical reason came to mind.
Even Kaizel seemed unaware.
Though Kaizel was the overall commander of Rittergut, he didn’t personally design every training program.
A vague unease stirred within Dante—not about the mountains themselves, but about the unseen force that had sent him there.
Fear of the unknown…
Humans fear what they cannot understand.
Dante was no exception.
The unpredictable changes of the future filled him with dread.
I can’t calm down.
Even after three hours of constant sword swings, the anxiety lingered.
“Hm.”
His gaze drifted from the cadets’ tents to the dark silhouette of the Murshiga range.
What should I do?
He could ignore it—chalk it up to a feeling.
But his instincts screamed otherwise.
He had learned to trust those instincts, honed through countless battles.
“No helping it. Better to move now than regret later.”
Dante took out a sheet of paper and a pen.
[Departing ahead. Come straight to the Murshiga Mountains after waking.]
It was brief, but clear enough for any cadet to understand.
He pinned the note in front of Elliot’s tent, then mounted his horse.
Whinny—!
The horse snorted in protest, displeased at being roused.
“Just a little more work. I’ll get you a big carrot when we return.”
He patted its neck soothingly before urging it into a gentle trot.
The cool night breeze eased him slightly—but the sense of unease remained.
In fact, the closer he rode to the Murshiga Mountains, the heavier it grew.
There’s definitely something there.
Otherwise—
Without realizing, his hand brushed the hilt of Arpheon.
The touch calmed him a bit.
“Haa…”
He took a deep breath and spurred the horse faster.
He had intended to approach cautiously—but better to face whatever awaited head-on.
Two hours later, the entrance to the Murshiga Mountains came into view.
“So this is it.”
The towering mountain range loomed under the moonlight, radiating an oppressive presence.
Without hesitation, Dante dismounted.
“Stay here.”
He tied the horse to a nearby tree. It stamped and snorted nervously.
Even you can feel it, huh?
If the sensitive animal sensed danger too, there was no doubt something was inside.
Dante slowly advanced toward the mountain.
Moments later—
His figure vanished completely into the darkness.
