Episode 598

“Hmm.”

Tweller stood near the edge of the forest, reaching out his hand cautiously. He wanted to find the invisible boundary, to see where it began.

Step by careful step, he moved forward. Then, at a certain point, something felt off. The air shifted, turning cold.

Swish.

Just as the previous mages had experienced, his hand stretched out unnaturally. The space itself was warped.

Beric, who had come up beside him, gasped in wonder and eagerly thrust out his fist.

“Whoa, what’s this? It spits back as soon as you put it in?”

“Be careful, Beric.”

“What’s there to be careful about? Ack!”

Wham!

In his light, rapid punches, Beric accidentally hit his own face.

Clutching his nose, Beric stepped back, while Tweller clicked his tongue and glanced toward their formation. The bindings had been secure just moments ago—who had untied them? The Imperial Defense Ministry and the Palace Guard seemed too busy conferring to notice.

“I tried flying as high as I could, but it’s the same. We can’t get past a certain point!”

“As you said, there are forests blocking every other route. The problem is that all paths leading south are cut off. We’ll have to compare the maps carefully to see if these forests were always here or if they’re new.”

“I’ll handle that. I’m good with maps. Ian, we need to check if it’s just people who can’t get through. Should we try firing some magic?”

“What if it bounces back at us? Didn’t you see Beric just got hit by his own punch?”

“Got hit? Man, you’re really determined to keep messing around. But that’s his problem. We just have to block it. There are plenty of capable mages here—why worry?”

“We don’t know how the magic will return. If it amplifies and comes back, it could be dangerous.”

As soon as they left Agiar, the Defense Ministry was thrown into chaos again.

A phenomenon unlike anything anyone had ever seen. Even the mages, known as the Essence of Wisdom, were at a loss. The Imperial Defense Ministry couldn’t offer much more help. Rushing in blindly would only cause confusion. It would be best to retreat, but they said the situation was no better on that side…

“Search the surrounding area. If this is a sudden phenomenon, someone must know something about it.”

“Yes, Minister.”

At Tweller’s command, mounted soldiers scattered in all directions, galloping off.

The rest kept a cautious watch on the forest entrance. Beric, seemingly tireless, kept charging at the boundary and retreating repeatedly, as if believing that by colliding with it enough times, a way through would appear.

“Beric! Step back! We’re going to fire some magic.”

“Ugh! Damn it! This is seriously annoying.”

“Get out here. I’m not responsible if you die.”

The mage flicked his hand, and Beric narrowed one eye in mockery, as if daring him to try. The mage clicked his tongue, clasped his hands, and fired a beam of magic slightly upward.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Bang!

A bright beam shot straight ahead, but as soon as it hit the forest, it vanished and bounced back.

Ian watched carefully, frowning in confusion.

“The angle stays consistent. It’s like a giant mirror.”

It was a kind of reflection. Whatever entered was sent back exactly as it came—a massive mirror forest.

Magic? But no one had ever heard of magic like this. Not the mages, not even Ian.

“If it’s not magic, could it be some kind of illusion?”

“Doubt it. There are tens of thousands of Bariel soldiers here. It’s not easy to trap all of them in an illusion. And it’s been sustained this whole time, which is even less likely. It’s more likely a physical phenomenon—like a defensive barrier.”

“Ian, what should we do? We’re stuck.”

“We’ll have to turn back. Yes, head back up to Agiar and cross the border there. It could delay us by up to two weeks.”

Forget supplies—time was the real issue. Between the Rutherford problem and the missing Filia, they couldn’t afford to waste any.

Ian listened to the mages’ opinions while quietly watching the forest entrance.

“Ian, what’s wrong?”

“Something’s strange.”

“What is it?”

“The path and the forest entrance connect too well.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The forest refuses entry to outsiders. But the entrance itself is too well maintained. Given the current situation, there shouldn’t even be a path leading in—it would be more natural if there wasn’t one at all.”

“Oh… now that you mention it…”

Ian was right. Despite the repelling force, the forest entrance was wide open for anyone to see. The path was smooth, with clear signs that people had been coming and going for a long time.

“Could it be waiting for someone specific to enter? Someone other than us?”

“Who would that be?”

“How should I know? Ask around.”

Clop, clop!

A distant sound of hooves echoed. A soldier who had been sent to scout nearby returned, carrying a frail old man in his arms.

“Minister! A local resident!”

“Are there any houses nearby?”

“Not exactly houses. More like a hut where an old man lives alone. He’s a bit hard of hearing and doesn’t understand well unless you speak loudly.”

“Careful, lower him down slowly.”

The old man looked more dead than alive. He glanced around with confused eyes and ran his tongue over his missing teeth.

“Old sir, can you hear me clearly?”

“What did you say?!”

Despite his frail appearance, his voice was surprisingly clear and strong. Tweller leaned in closer and repeated himself.

“Can you hear me?”

“Yes, I can! Who are you?”

“I’m Maxim Tweller, Minister of the Bariel Imperial Defense Ministry. I have a question. Do you know how long this forest has been here?”

Tweller pointed toward the forest. The old man blinked several times before answering.

“A forest is a forest. What do you want to hear? That we’re all fine?”

“It seems to have appeared recently, but a mysterious force blocks entry. If you know anything, please tell us. We’ll repay you with a small gift and ensure you return home safely.”

“My hearing’s fine! I understand everything.”

The old man waved his hands dismissively, answering off-topic. Tweller frowned. Was this the only civilian nearby? He looked too weak to live alone.

“There must be a guardian nearby.”

Tweller ordered them to find someone else.

Just as the soldiers turned to leave, Beric approached and squatted in front of the old man. Then, cupping his hands, he shouted:

“Granny! What’s that thing?”

“Huh?”

Beric’s loud question echoed, causing the mages to cover their ears in irritation.

“If it’s not Burgos language, you won’t understand, idiot!”

“Does it matter? Even if we speak properly, he won’t get it. Same difference. Granny! We want to go there. If you know anything, tell us!”

The mages clicked their tongues, but to everyone’s surprise, the old man clapped his hands loudly and replied:

“You! You’re not Burgosian!”

“Can’t you tell? We’re from Bariel.”

“So that’s why the forest appeared! You! You! Because of you, Purpato was startled! You’ll die for this! Yap! Yap!”

The old man grabbed Beric’s hair with his bony hands and shook her head. It didn’t hurt, but it was annoying, so she tried to pull away. Seizing the moment, the mages grabbed both the old man and Beric’s hair, shaking them gently to calm the situation.

“Granny, Purpato is the name of a city. What do you mean? That it appeared because of Bariel?”

“Purpato foresaw its downfall and showed itself! Because of you! Go back to Bariel at once!”

As the old man fell backward, still holding Beric’s hair, everyone caught her. The old man’s frail body couldn’t contain his rage. Even as his consciousness faded, he muttered over and over:

“Go back, beg Purpato for forgiveness… Go back, and leave Burgos alone, you imperial bastards…”

“Ian, she’s passed out.”

“Damn it! Are you all crazy? Why are you pulling hair together?”

“We were just trying to calm her down. Did it hurt?”

“I’ll find whoever pulled my sideburns! Damn it.”

Beric rubbed her head, and Ian glanced between the unconscious old man and the forest entrance.

He didn’t know the full story, but it was clear—

“It seems the Purpato natives worship a guardian spirit.”

“A guardian spirit?”

“Call it a guardian spirit, but no one knows what it really is until they see it themselves.”

It could be a spirit, a fairy, or even a monster.

In any case, the outline was clear. A transcendent being protecting the nearby region had appeared to block Bariel’s southward advance. To stop them from moving forward, to prevent Bariel from ravaging Burgos land any further.

Ian suddenly recalled a case he’d heard somewhere.

“It’s rare, but sometimes this happens in countries on the brink of collapse. There was a brief commotion in Bariel because of it.”

“In Bariel? Which Bariel?”

“…Bariel, a hundred years from now.”

But back then, it wasn’t nearly as vast as it is today. It was wartime, and wild rumors were swirling everywhere, making it hard to trust anything.

“So, what should we do?”

“Either persuade the forest’s master, or eliminate them.”

Surely, the forest must have its rightful owner. Since it appeared to block the Bariel army, if that master steps forward, it might allow passage.

“The master, you say—”

All eyes turned toward Jin.

At that moment, Jin, who had been watching from inside the carriage, opened the door and stepped down slowly. The mages and even the palace guards shook their heads in disapproval.

“You mean me?”

“Your Majesty, this is impossible. There’s bound to be a trap.”

“Yes, we don’t know what might be waiting inside. You absolutely cannot go in alone.”

“Even if it takes more time and effort, it’s better to find another route. Your safety is more important than anything.”

“Please, Your Majesty, turn back now…”

Jin rested a hand on the sword’s sheath and looked at Ian, silently asking what to do.

Ian thought for a moment, then bowed his head.

“May I try?”

“Sir Ian?”

Ian was also a master of Bariel. The forest’s owner might find him more acceptable. If the forest allows him entry, he would attempt to persuade, negotiate, or if necessary, deal with the threat.

Besides, there were other advantages. It was safer and more reassuring for Ian to go instead of Jin, and clearing a path quickly was the fastest way to reach Toorun.

“Of course, if Your Majesty permits.”

Ian bowed respectfully. Jin gave a light nod, urging him on.

“…There’s no need for permission. It’s the truth, after all.”

“If so, I will go and return.”

Without hesitation, Ian stepped toward the forest. As he reached the boundary, he whispered softly to the forest’s master.

“…I am Ian Verosion, Emperor of Bariel. I wish to see the forest’s master. Please lift the barrier.”

Swish.

Carefully, Ian reached out his hand. Unlike before, the barrier didn’t push him back, and he was able to step forward.

The startled mages and Beric rushed forward—

Zzzzzing!

“Ah, damn it!”

“Open the gate, damn it! We’re coming with him!”

“We serve Sir Ian! Step aside!”

Those without proper authority were swiftly pushed back.

Ian glanced back and gave a slight nod to everyone, as if to say he’d be back soon.

Then, he disappeared deeper into the forest.