This World Needs a Hero - Chapter 185

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Chapter 185

It had been a while since he left the Great Forest.

After running for a while, I stopped to catch my breath and took out the communication bead.

Beep-

The communication connected, and after a while.

I could see two heads bent towards me.

One was a deep blue.

A half-white one that is sparsely empty here and there.

Yussi spoke with a trembling voice.

[I have nothing to say. It’s because of my negligence. Please punish me.]

The Duke of Wellington’s solemn voice followed.

[My incompetent (the crackling, gritting sound was particularly loud) son has caused trouble again. I will definitely pay for this sin.]

…I hesitated to speak, but eventually sighed shortly in resignation.

Yussi and Duke’s bodies seemed to twitch simultaneously.

‘It can’t be helped. It’s already done.’

I had no intention of blaming them.

Since she had to inherit the power of the Frost Dragon, it was a given that Cuculli had to head north.

It would have been best to leave after gathering enough escort troops and preparations, but in the current situation where she had already left, Lucas’s handling couldn’t be seen as entirely bad.

‘Cuculli alone would have been too dangerous.’

If the children successfully joined Cuculli, the danger would be reduced to less than half.

They had grown unrecognizable.

They should be able to overcome most threats.

The problem was the emergence of the danger that directly defeated Dorempa….

‘It should be fine for a while.’

It was a battle intense enough to kill Dorempa.

No matter how strong the opponent was, they wouldn’t come out unscathed.

Rather, it might be advantageous that the threat didn’t give Dorempa time to recover and immediately headed north.

Therefore, what I had to do was to catch up with them as soon as possible and ensure their safety.

“……”

…So far, it was an optimistic outlook.

I tried hard to clear the imagination of the children being slaughtered by unknown threats lurking in the north from my mind.

And I tried to judge it objectively.

If things went as I expected… the north would become a battlefield as intense as the current Sector 1 within a short period.

It was necessary to gather as much military force as possible to deal with it.

Beyond the communication bead.

I looked at the Duke and Yussi, who were not raising their heads.

“If you really feel guilty about this….”

[……?]

“There’s something you need to do.”

After a few seconds of silence.

[Please tell me anything.]

[I promise to do my best.]

I could hear the words I had been waiting for.

* * *

…North Hale.

Summer was the only season in the north where the sky was not covered with snow every day.

Of course, if you went deeper into the north, along with the perennial snow, fierce snowstorms would chase away visitors, but at least the entrance where Cuculli arrived had pretty decent weather.

A blue sky with white clouds drifting calmly.

Land with patches of flesh exposed here and there.

Cuculli stopped her horse and looked at the approaching silhouettes.

At the same time, a faint smile appeared on the face of the girl who had been filled with fatigue.

It was an unexpected encounter, but it was pleasant.

“Long time no see. You guys.”

“…Long time no see, Cuculli.”

In addition to the Frost Dragon tribe, there were many other tribes living in the north.

The identities of the figures revealed in front of her were some of the chiefs of those small tribes.

In other words, they were subordinates of Dorempa.

She remembered them as they often showed friendliness like uncles during the tribe gatherings in the past.

Cuculli asked with a happy voice.

“But what brings you all the way here? It doesn’t seem like you’re out hunting.”

There were too few subordinates gathered for a big hunt.

…Only then did an odd light dawn in Cuculli’s eyes.

‘Huh? What’s going on?’

Come to think of it, only the chiefs and top officials of each tribe were gathered here.

It was unusual for those who didn’t leave the tribe to walk all the way to the entrance of the north.

Cuculli’s mind quickly spun.

‘They’re all related to the ‘Baptism’.’

One conclusion was quickly drawn.

“Are you here to escort me?”

There was a high probability that they were here for the purpose of escorting her to the Frost Dragon tribe’s sanctuary.

Cuculli’s face brightened naturally at the thought.

‘I never thought they would come before our tribe.’

It was too difficult for her, an optimistic girl, to endure the pain of loss while running across the vast snowfield alone.

It would be much better to be with someone.

Moreover, if they were her father’s subordinates, she could also talk about old memories related to her father.

…But it didn’t take long for Cuculli’s smile to disappear.

“Mister.”

She looked at the ones blocking her path with disappointment.

“…What are you doing?”

The chief of the Polar Bear tribe stepped forward, representing everyone with a mysterious expression.

“Cuculli. I’m sorry.”

He was particularly close to Cuculli.

When they were young, they used to go hunting and grill meat together.

They even sparred with each other occasionally.

But now, Cuculli found the man’s face very unfamiliar.

He spoke with a face that seemed to be filled with guilt and yet somewhat relieved.

“You can’t go to the sanctuary. We’ll stop you.”

“……”

Complete silence settled between them.

Cuculli blinked her eyes a few times.

“…Why?”

“Freedom. We want to regain it.”

The chief of the Polar Bear tribe spoke forcefully, as if discussing a very important mission.

“Living a life bound by a great will is tiresome. That’s not life. We want to live according to our own destiny.”

…According to our destiny.

Cuculli scoffed aloud.

The chief of the Polar Bear tribe’s face twisted slightly.

“What’s so funny?”

“Isn’t it funny if it’s not funny?”

…The destiny he was talking about now refers to the law of the jungle and the dominance of the strong.

Of course, even now, the tribes in the north generally follow such behavior patterns.

Stronger tribes occupy more resources and fertile land, while relatively weaker tribes tend to live in poverty.

However, Dorempa set a ‘minimum kindness’ for the unity of these tribes, and thanks to that, the weaker ones could breathe a little.

…Massacres and serious predations were completely prohibited.

The chief of the Polar Bear tribe was expressing dissatisfaction with these limited rights.

In summary, they just wanted to do as they pleased.

It was also a rebellion against the weakened Frost Dragon tribe after losing Dorempa.

“…So did you come to stop me as soon as my father passed away?”

“I’ll say it again. I’m sorry. But it can’t be helped. It’s to regain our lost freedom.”

“Lost freedom….”

…If Cuculli’s comrades had seen her expression now, they would have been surprised. Her face, filled with contempt and anger, was directed at the chief of the Polar Bear tribe.

“Chaotic freedom is just chaos and eventually degeneration. To not know that, you’re as foolish as a bear.”

The chief of the Polar Bear tribe’s eyes sank deeply at Cuculli’s changed tone.

“Everything will just return to the way it was.”

Thump-

Cuculli dismounted from her saddle.

The air was tense.

Everyone’s gaze followed her every move.

The girl smirked and then sharply hit the horse’s rear with her heel.

Heeheehee-

Watching the horse trot away, Cuculli sighed softly and placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.

At the same time, the hands of the tribes surrounding her also reached for their weapons.

Clang-

Amidst the clinking sound, Cuculli’s murmured words penetrated.

“…As long as the demons exist, there’s no way this world can return to the way it was.”

The reason the north was peaceful was that all the tribes were united under the control of the Frost Dragon Tribe.

If the relationships between the tribes regress to the ‘law of the jungle,’ as the man describes.

So if they fight and harm each other again.

It wouldn’t be long before the north fell into the hands of the demons.

Why do they ignore an obvious tragedy because we are tempted by immediate indulgence?

…But Cuculli didn’t bother to persuade the chief of the Polar Bear tribe.

“If you want order so badly, then have it your way.”

Swoosh-

Cuculli’s sword was revealed.

The weapons of the rebels were drawn as well.

Those who had sparred with Cuculli before warned quietly.

“Be careful, everyone. She’s wielding a tricky weapon.”

“We need to attack with a time delay since it covers a wide range.”

Although somewhat tense, everyone seemed confident of victory.

And for good reason, Cuculli was not even twenty years old.

It was inevitable that she would seem laughable to those who had fought for twice as long.

‘I roughly know her capabilities.’

Of course, it would be difficult one-on-one, but now they had a numerical advantage, so it would be stranger to anticipate defeat.

Meanwhile, Cuculli lowered her stance and looked at the slowly approaching encirclement.

‘…They’re underestimating me.’

They underestimated her.

If Dorempa had lived as long as his given lifespan, and she had matured, they wouldn’t have dared to do such foolish things face to face.

They would have sworn loyalty to her, just as she did to her father.

But now, in their eyes, Cuculli was a weakling, and unless they changed that perception, it would be difficult for her to survive in the north.

Survival of the fittest, dominance of the strong.

It was refreshing to face the ways of her homeland after a long time.

But for some reason, she wasn’t very pleased.

“Attack!”

“Don’t delay any longer!”

Flash-

The sunlight, reflected off the snow, met Cuculli’s bared fangs amidst the clouds.

With a face that could be laughing or crying, Cuculli swung her sword.

.

.

.

Huu-

A white breath swirled and rose up into the sky.

Cuculli looked down at her sword.

“Satisfied?”

“……”

“Do you still desire ‘order’?”

There, the bloodied chief of the Polar Bear tribe was rolling in the snow, emitting deep groans.

As the strongest one fell lifelessly, the others fled without looking back.

They would probably flee to the south with their tails between their legs, taking their families with them.

After attempting and failing to rebel against the Frost Dragon tribe, it was impossible to survive in the north.

Truly a perfect victory.

The chief of the Polar Bear tribe, trembling under her curved sword, waited for Cuculli’s decision with bated breath.

It was hard to believe this situation, as his eyes darted frantically left and right.

‘H-How did she become so strong in just half a year?’

But joy was hard to find on Cuculli’s face.

She sat down beside the chief of the Polar Bear tribe, aligning their eye levels.

Then, she spoke as if chewing her words.

“I’ll ask again. Do you still desire order?”

“I, I…”

The chief of the Polar Bear tribe couldn’t answer.

He just kept his head down, unable to take his eyes off Cuculli’s hand holding the sword.

Cuculli looked at him for a moment, then chuckled ruefully.

“Seems like you’re quite stubborn too.”

The grip on the sword loosened.

She turned around and muttered softly.

“Go. Never appear before me again. Next time, I’ll really kill you.”

With permission granted, the chief of the Polar Bear tribe fled in a panic.

Cuculli didn’t even glance at his retreating figure.

She just stood there, staring at the snowy ground beneath her feet.

“…I hope this foolish tribe was the last one to have such thoughts.”

…Coming to the north and severing ties with the past acquaintances.

Cuculli’s eyelashes were as red as the things blooming on the snowy ground.

One thing she knew for sure.

Trials of this kind would continue in the future.

As someone who observed Dorempa’s life from the closest distance, she knew better than anyone the duty and responsibility she had taken on.

They were stronger and more fearsome than any opponent with sharp claws and spear. ‘…Dad.’

Cuculli sat down, hugging her knees.

And she murmured to herself as if making a vow.

“I’m Dorempa’s daughter and the successor of the Frost Dragon tribe. I have a duty and responsibility to protect this land.”

It was a homeland she had never felt cold in, yet her body trembled for some reason.

Cuculli buried her head deeper between her knees.

She knew time was short, but she couldn’t leave immediately.

‘Just a moment, let’s stay like this for a moment.’

In the pitch-black darkness, many things came to mind and disappeared in an instant.

Father.

Hero.

And finally, friends.

It felt like a distant past, like the time when she used to walk around the academy, giggling without a care in the world.

At the same time, she missed them terribly.

It was the last time she could be herself.

‘I should have said goodbye.’

Baptism is a ritual in which the essence and memories of a dragon, such as its ego and strength, are blown into the recipient.

The ‘existence’ of the recipient inevitably becomes diluted.

Perhaps the next time she met her friends, she would be quite different.

She should have thanked them for being together and being grateful for the time they spent together.

Cuculli regretted it and gritted her teeth.

Until she felt a familiar presence.

But it was also the presence of those guys who had no reason to be in the north.

‘Huh?’

The sound of horses can be heard.

Cuculli stood frozen in the middle of the snowy field, focusing on the sounds of approaching horses.

She couldn’t even lift her head.

“Isn’t that Cuculli?”

“Yeah, Cuculli!”

“That crazy girl!”

“We finally found you. You’re dead.”

“Ha, making trouble like an idiot.”

Finally, Cuculli gathered the courage to lift her head.

She looked at the familiar silhouettes walking towards her on the snowy plain with trembling eyes.

*Squelch*

Under the falling snowflakes.

Noses and ears, all stained red, were visible.

Cuculli asked gloomily,

“Are you guys illusions?”

It’s undoubtedly because she missed them so much that she was seeing hallucinations.

*Thump*

Leciel suddenly approached and punched Cuculli’s shoulder.

“Ow.”

“This idiot.”

Gerald chuckled.

Luke was also laughing from behind.

“Stupid, mirages only exist in the desert!”

Cuculli sniffled again.

“…Really? Is that so!?”

Evergreen pulled Cuculli’s head against his chest.

“Yeah, that’s right. We’re here.”

There was no more hesitation.

Cuculli reached out and embraced her friends’ shoulders.

She felt cold.

These foolish guys had rushed here without even properly dressing for the cold.

How cold and dangerous the north was.

Ban smiled awkwardly and said,

“It was tough.”

“Uuuuu.”

Ah.

Cuculli knew that this moment would be a joke for a long time to come.

But she couldn’t stop it.

“Waaaah.”

The kids froze and stared stiffly as tears, like chicken droppings, flowed from Cuculli’s eyes.

Tears flowed incessantly, melting the snow and penetrating the ground.

“Guys, Dad… Dad…”

“Yeah.”

“Dad’s dead.”

No one said a word.

“What should I do? Dad’s dead. He worked hard all his life and died. What should I do? Huh?”

They simply hugged the girl and comforted her.

Until the snow piled up softly.

Cuculli cried without restraint.

[TL/N: DAMN ?]

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